With Ole and Birgitte in Florida, there were two places we really wanted to take them, if possible. The first was the Everglades National Park. Commonly known to be a favorite spot for many of Florida's Alligators, the Everglades is a way to see Florida largely untainted by mankind. The second place was Key West. Key West, most assuredly the most people friendly of the two, boasts the most southern point in the continental U.S.. For visitors like Ole and Birgitte, these places are on the list of must sees. So we packed up a van and the six of us headed down to south Florida for several days of family adventures.
The Everglades National Park is incredibly extensive, yet there are only a handful of entrances. Most of the Everglades remains undisturbed by the tourists, which is a great thing for the land and those living there. In the United States it is considered to be the largest subtropical wilderness area. It is said to be home to as many as 36 animal species that are considered to be threatened or protected, including the Florida Panther, the West Indian Manatee and the American Crocodile. The Everglades is best known for its reptile inhabitants, particularly Alligators and various snakes.
In the Everglades, one can really feel the heat of Florida. You also, in the appropriate season, gets well acquainted with how to properly rid yourself of Mosquitoes. At the time of year that we went, we got to experience both the heat and the bugs. Nonetheless, it was great to see this national park that one always hears about. From taking a family bike ride on some of the trails, to taking a boat through a series of canals, we enjoyed our time in the Everglades, despite the ever present odor of sunscreen and bug spray.
On the last day of our excursion to southern Florida we drove to Key West. A large tourist destination, Key West is full of shops, restaurants, and ample reminders of one's location. One such reminder is at the Southernmost point. With a statue marking this spot, it is no wonder that there are long lines to assemble and get one's photo taken. For, when you are standing roughly 90 miles away from Cuba, and can boast of having been at the most southern spot in the continental U.S., evidence must be taken.
After seeing what there was to see in Key West, our small trip south came to an end and we headed back to Sarasota.
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