31 AUG & 01 SEP 2010

Today was our day to head up to Fort Lauderdale. But it started with the news that Wes’ uncle in New Westminster had died on AUG 29. We were aware that he was terminally ill, so although it was expected, it is never totally easy. We had to arrange to send flowers and messages to his cousins and Aunt.

The drive to Fort Lauderdale was interesting since we had two options, one with alot of tolls and one with fewer. Of course it did not help that we started off by forgetting to bring the road map. Well we have the GPS and we set it to avoid tolls if possible and got the right route. We are becoming GPS dependents.

We had no problem after that getting to Fort Lauderdale and enjoyed driving around the city. After we found Rosie’s (recommended place for lunch) we explored the Wilton Manor area (similar to Davies Street in Vancouver). After that we returned to our ‘resort’ to settle and relax for a bit. Wes had a nap since my driving tired him out (I think).

We had a great walk along the ocean. The waves were large but I am sure not as large as they could have been. Also, we got our first chance to watch kit surfers and they flew up the beach. (picture of surfer from internet) Looked like fun but alot of work staying balanced. Finally the item I regret missing getting a picture of was the cloud formations with a small rainbow.

On Wed, Sept 1, we headed off for the Florida Everglades in the Everglades National Park. Again, we told the GPS to take us there, but forgot to tell it to avoid toll roads. We headed off and at one point the GPS told us to change to the express lane, costing toll, and we both felt this was wrong so we stayed on our path. That is when we realized our instructions needed clarification.

The Florida Everglades are unique in the world. The ‘grasslands’ are really reeds that look like grass growing in a flooded area where the water is slowly moving towards the ocean at a rate of ½ mile per day. The plains look so much like the plains it is hard to realize that we are really only a few inches or feet above sea level and to try to walk in that area would be a mistake.

We checked at the information center upon arrival and learned that there was a boat tour of the everglades from Flamingo (yes it is a name of a post office location and theoretically a town, but in reality it is the end of the road through the Everglades National Park. So we were at the entrance to the park and this is at the far southern end meaning if we left right away we could make the boat. So we decided to save any hiking of boardwalks until after the boat ride and drive to the end, returning with walks later in the day.

The boat ride was incredible. We started by going through a man made canal to Coot Bay,

 then across the bay to a river connecting to Whitewater Bay. Whitewater Bay flows into the Gulf of Mexico which means that the water is tidal. This also means that the water if brackish (salt and fresh water mixed).

The first thing we spotted was a croc laying beside the canal watching us slowly drift by.

Then we came across a gator. What a thrill to catch both in a picture. But wait, there is more.

We saw an Osprey with a fish. The boat commentator was great in explaining vegetation (Mangroves, air plants, death wood etc.) What an incredible time it was. Did you know that left undisturbed the mangrove trees will send shoots down into the water, anchor and become a tree? The method of multiple criss crossing anchors make this tree one of the most stable on the water front which helps stop erosion and is used as an anchor for boats hurricane winds.

On the boat was a couple from Germany, Switzerland, a couple for Oregon and us. The couple from Oregon had a small dog which was cute, but I don’t think liked the boat ride too much. Very international crowd.

I had been concerned about mosquitoes but with the constant breeze they were no problem at all. What was a problem for me was I had worn socks, shoes and long pants. For those who know me, usually I am in sandals and shorts. I was hot. Oh well, better prepared than sorry.

While on the boat we learned that there were Manatee in the area by the dock and of course we wanted to see them. Unfortunately for us, seeing them was a challenge since they never really surfaced. I have a few very poor quality pictures. Sorry guys no pictures of mine, but here is one from the internet.

We left Flamingo (called because at one time the area had hundreds of Flamingos around, now none) and headed back towards the park gate homeward. Of course by now it is getting quit late since we did not get to Flamingo until 12 and the boat trip was from 12:30 to 2:00. So we headed back and picked two board walks to explore.

The first one was Pa-hay-okee Overlook which was a boardwalk that leads to an observation deck offering a view of the vast Everglades from horizon to horizon. We had a very relaxing walk and great views. This is where I spotted what looked like an orchid (and turns out it was). I had to lay down flat on the boardwalk and reach down to take the shot. However, the wind was blowing so it was very hard to get a quality picture. This is the best I could manage and I had to hold it, thus my fingers in the pic.

The second trail we went to was the one called the “closest to a zoo” in the park. The Royal Palm which included the Anhinga Trail and the Gumbo Limbo Trail. The Anhinga Trail leads around a man made ‘borrow pit’ that was created at the time they built a road for model T cars to get to Flamingo. It has grown up into what looks like a large pond with canals. We were fortunate enough to meet a lady who lives in Florida who shared alot of information with us. Again on the boardwalk we were able to see a gator, a turtle, mutlple birds.

One of thebirds is the Anhinga which is a fish eating bird that swims under water. What was fascinating was to watch the bird swimming. It has a long neck and when stretched forward with all the body feathers pulled tightly inward it looks like a snake moving in the water. I tried to catch a picture of it in the water but no luck.

We also started to find the pond apple which looked like a golden delicious apple. This fruit is edible by man when it is ripe, if you like the taste of turpentine. When it falls it is eaten by gators or crocs and other animals. What was interesting is that because if floats, it was used a net buoys. The other plant that was in abundance was the pond lilies. In another week the flowers will be incredible, today it was just buds to see.

The other trail in this area to walk was the Gumbo Limbo trail which wandered through a hammock. A hammock is a grove of trees that grow on the higher ground (being a only a foot higher than the other areas is hard to believe such a change.) What we learned is that the temp drops about 15 degrees as soon as you step into the hammock which makes it popular for all types of animals and insects. With the breeze we have experienced there were few insects so we wandered the trail watching carefully for any animals laying in the bushes or lime pits. We only saw a few mosquitoes and a tree lizard. After a while, the dampness and lack of air did make the walk hot and close.

We left the park extremely pleased with out decision to visit this area and would recommend it to anyone. The drive back to Fort Lauderdale was interesting since we decided to take non toll roads which meant we drove through Miami – again interesting. What amazed me is that for about 26 miles we drove through nothing but city – not all Miami but also surrounding towns. There was not break and with rush hour traffic I was pleased how quickly the traffic flowed. It was really only the lights that were annoying since they seems to never be synced.

Once back in Fort Lauderdale and after our dinner, we were really happy to hit the pool to cool down and relax. Below is a short text conversation I had with Rick.



SCRIPT OF TEXT CHAT BETWEEN Norm and Rick

Rick: Make sure you get a pet baby alligator. They make great travel-around-the-world pets! You have room in your car for one!
Norm and Wes: Ok. Working getting approval from Wes. Are they good watch dogs?
Rick: I'm sure if someone saw an alligator in your car they would not try to break in.
Norm and Wes: True but prefer they get surprised.
Rick: Take lots of pictures. You doing an airboat ride?

Norm and Wes: Sitting on one right now getting ready to go
Norm and Wes: Will send pics as I can

Norm and Wes: Asked for a baby but she declined
Norm and Wes: Didn't argue
Rick: Lol