Untamed Florida

For a moment, I forgot where we were. It felt like I could be in the Amazon jungle. Although I was sure I hadn’t left Florida, the further south we drove along US 101, the more convinced I became that I was no longer in the USA. This unique sensation of being in a different world while still in familiar territory was mind-boggling.

After leaving MacDill Air Force Base, we headed south through Clearwater and stopped for the night in Everglades City. This was the first place we stayed outside of a US military installation, aside from our time in Fulton, Mississippi. It was also the first time in a while that we both felt better. Our next destination would be Key West, but first, we wanted to experience the area known as Swamp Alley.

The signs warning us about panther crossings were our first indication that we weren’t in California anymore. The second sign cautioned us about alligators, and the final sign warned us about Burmese pythons, which added an element of adventure to our journey.

After several miles and repeated signs, we finally arrived in Everglades City. We had made reservations and looked forward to an adventure on an airboat ride through the mangrove swamps. We were eager to uncover the mysteries of this fascinating area.

An airboat is a flat-bottom boat used in shallow water or on ice. It is propelled by a large fan at the back of the boat and is fitted with an airplane-style propeller. We had an exhilarating ride through the swamps. Thankfully, we didn’t encounter twenty-foot pythons but spotted many beautiful birds. Our guide was fantastic and very informative; he had lived his whole life in this area, and it was evident that he loved it. We enjoyed a wonderful dinner in a quaint little restaurant overlooking the water, featuring a local fish feast.

We will head to Key West and meet our friends, the Smiths, who have spent the last twenty winters in this area. We cherish every time our paths cross and are thankful to have these friends we have met up with in so many places.

I love these adventures almost as much as I love being with you.