Alligator Alley

Monday, March 19th: We left the campground at Paradise Park in a thick fog at 8:00AM. With about 150 feet of visibility, we looked both ways and pulled onto the main road and almost got smashed by a huge tri-axle dump truck barreling out of the fog, which swerved to avoid us. We believe in angels.

We arrived at Midway Campground, one of several in the Everglades, to set up camp. Following that we explored the area a little and attended a cookout for Airstreamers, where you bring your own meat. The tube steaks were outstanding.

Tuesday, March. 20th: The main activity of the day was a visit to the Miccosukee Indian Village. First stop was a ride on the airboat that zoom around the swamps powered by Corvette 454 engines. They drop you off at an island with Indian artifacts and then take you back. On the return trip, the engine stalled and we had to be rescued by another boat sent out from the dock. Shades of last year’s boat

debacle at Crater Lake. After the swamp ride, the group visited an Indian (Native American, we were reminded, even though all the signage says Indian) village that had an array of demos, like a man wrestling an alligator, storytelling, arts and craft making, etc. The best was the Indian/Native American with the alligator. He walks into a pit of about 12 gators, pulls one over to him by the tail and demonstrates different characteristics of gators. All the while he’s holding the gator, pulling the jaws open to show teeth, explaining things…. all very well done and not cruel to the animals. We even got to hold a hold alligator after the show. We asked the young man if he grew in the tribe here in Florida and he said he was from Buffalo …. go figure.

After lunch, we rolled over to Everglades City, where we spent time last winter. Had lunch at City Seafood, a dive-looking local joint but

good seafood that you order at the window and take to a porch overlooking a harbor with dolphins and fishing boats. The town itself got hid badly by Hurricane Irma last year. The flood line marking on the wall in the local grocery store was about five feet. Thank God for the Salvation Army, which had operations there to help poorer residents without insurance rebuild.

Wednesday, March 21st: The morning was free so we drove to a cell tower to get reception for phone calls and internet, after which we joined up with the group for what was called the “River of Grass” tram tour through Everglades National Park. This is basically a very large swamp teeming with wildlife. In fact, it’s the third largest national park in the lower 48 behind Death Valley NP and Yellowstone. We had the best guide we’ve ever toured with, Kelly, who had both knowledge and personality. A couple of tidbits: the

alligators, which number two million in Florida, are the keystone species in that all life revolves around them because they make holes in the wet season that end up sustaining life in the dry season. Not all life though, as 80% of the fish and other water animals die during the summer and then replenish later. We also learned that the Burmese Python continues to be a growing menace as it eats the animals, even deer and alligators. A few years back the government started a bounty program where they pay people to catch and kill them. These guys wade into the swamp and just look for them. No thanks.

Thursday, Mar. 22nd: After a driver’s meeting early, we traveled up to Marco Island and spent the day.