*as Seen in North Canton Living Magazine September 2022
The clear blue sky rolled in front of me as I engaged the pedal assist gears of the e-bike. I moved over the side to accommodate the small tourist tram following the same paved path through the Everglades. In the distance, I spotted a log across the path. The tram slowed and eased into the grass around the log. As I peddled closer my stomach clenched when the log became a large alligator. I was reminded that this is nature’s Florida.
Let’s start with the Everglades. Everglades National Park lies in the tip of the state before the Keys begin. The national park bills the Everglades as the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States. The park covers more than 2,000 square miles where it rains 60 inches per year. Why would you visit, you ask? For the alligators. Sure there are airboat tours where you skim over the water but here is where you are the visitor of their domain. I recommend Shark Valley which lies about one hour due west of Miami. Shark Valley is a fifteen-mile paved loop through the Everglades. You can walk it; rent a bike or pay for a tram tour. Halfway through the loop is a forty-foot tall observation tower with views stretching over the deepest part of the park. I brought an e-bike on a lovely January day with sunscreen, bug spray, a packed lunch, and plenty of water. The ride was flat and smooth and took about two hours due to the frequent stops to ooh, aah and photograph. I was prepared for the weather but I wasn’t prepared for the alligators just sunning on the path. Or next to the car. Or by the restrooms. Yup, this is their world and you are visiting. Take the kids but hold onto them tightly. You will never get closer. If you hear a growl off the path, get out quick. That would be the mama protecting her nest.
Heading north we stop at Butterfly World in Fort Lauderdale. Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to wander through six outdoor screened aviaries with over 20,000 butterflies. Butterfly World was the first butterfly house in the US and is the largest. The entire facility is wheelchair friendly which is great for multigenerational family visits. Take your time, charge your phone and prepare to spend the day. Butterfly World is also a large research facility working toward saving endangered species.
Move northwest with me to Manatee Springs State Park where the water percolates through the lime rock from an underground cave system. If you visit on a cooler day, the manatees love this area. Swimming is permitted year-round but you have to bring your own kayak, canoe, or paddleboard. The best part of the park is an 800 boardwalk that meanders along the spring through fascinating Mangroves and ends at the Suwanee River. The spring releases 100 million gallons of water daily which makes it the perfect place to cool off. Manatee Springs State Park is two hours northwest of Orlando and not far from the gulf.
Now dip south to Fort De Soto Park and you can camp next to the beach. Fort De Soto is off the tip of the coast just south of Tampa. Fort De Soto is part of the Pinellas County Park System and consists of five interconnected islands or keys. There are more than 200 campsites and a good portion are only steps away from the beach. The beaches are smooth, pristine, and accessible so plan on long easy walks. The farthest west side of the Keys is a great place to look for seashells due to the Gulf currents. If you want to get your history geek on I recommend a self-guided tour of Fort De Soto itself. This prime location switched hands many times in history and the remains of the fort are still around.
What I Learned
I am afraid of alligators. I admire their cruel beauty and I respect their habitat.
Manatees are majestic and beautiful. And the mangrove tree is seriously cool and weird-looking.
I found the best sea shells of my life at Fort De Soto. Do not feed the seagulls.
Before You Go
Florida State Parks charge a daily admission fee unless you purchase an annual pass. If you plan on camping, I recommend you book early. Reservations can be taken as early as 11 months.
Everglades National Park also requires a pass and you can purchase a digital pass online. There are multiple options for either one day only or an annual pass to all the national parks. I have a lifetime access pass issued to an individual with disabilities. For more information, log on to nps.gov or visit our local national park, Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
The sun is serious business in Florida. Please use sunscreen, wear a hat, and reapply frequently. Be prepared for those quick rainstorms as well. I carry a backpack with me at all times that holds a rain poncho, reusable water bottle, granola bars, sunscreen, bug spray, bandaids, cortisone cream, a whistle, and a zip-lock bag with toilet paper. I use the smallest and lightest sizes so it’s easier to carry.
Go old school and take a paper map. Also, download the info on your phone. Take a spare phone charger. Many of these locations are outside of cell range so go prepared with backup directions. They are also remote so keep your tank filled and carry extra water.
The four places listed here are accessible for most disabilities or accommodations can be made. All of these are great for multigenerational family trips where the kids can run and the slower members, like me, can ride or stroll.
Most importantly, take a moment, take a breath, and enjoy.