Road Trip - Day 18 - January 18th
Day Trip to the Everglades
Adventure being in our vision, we headed out for Everglades City, on the northern edge of the park, where we planned our Airboat tour across one of the famous Mangrove Swamps (called Jungles by the locals).
Interestingly, road signs on the way indicated that we were entering panther country - but we were not lucky enough to see one.
After paying for our tickets for the 90 minute tour, we were introduced to a 2-year old alligator, up close and personal. Sylvia, Mark, and myself took turns to hold him for a photo-op, and Vera ventured close enough to prove that she was within inches of the creature.
Boarding the Airboat, we set off at idle speed while in the 'no wave' zone.
Speeding up over open water, we stopped at Totch Island, owned by the Airboat Tour operators. The guide explained that the whole area was having a problem with pythons, which are not native to the area. Apparently, during Hurricane Andrew, a local reptile zoo was destroyed and all of the snakes escaped into the wild. He explained that a python can give birth to a clutch 3 times each year, and each clutch can number 80-90 baby pythons. Since these are Burmese pythons, they have no natural predators, and so they have multiplied in numbers unabated. They feed on local fish, small mammals, and have even attacked alligators. No record of any human victims as of yet - and we did not want to be the first!!
We learned that although alligators can exert a pressure of 35 lbs plus when closing their jaws, they have absolutely no power to open them if they are resisted. Those who capture them have to first ensure that they can keep the jaws closed while immobilizing the reptile.
For me, the most exhilarating part of the ride was when we entered the mangrove swamp inlets, which wove through the jungle in countless swerves and loops.
An old railroad bridge |
On the way back to Fort Myers, we were met with a superb orange sunset - a fitting end to an adventurous day.
Youthful Aging Showcase
Happy, Fit, & Free !
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