Gumbo Limbo

Our current RV site is only about 20 miles from the main Visitor Center for the Everglades National Park so off we went today to visit the inside of the Park.  For the past few days we have been skirting the Everglades. First on Route 41 and then on Route 1 going down to the keys. As has been our experience many times over, we learned a lot about something we thought we already knew. At the ranger talk

We did not get the name of this enthusiastic ranger but we do know that she comes from Argentina.

we learned that the Everglades is not a bog but a flowing body of fresh water. Rain falling on the Kissimmee River basin and overflowing from Lake Okeechobee begins the flow of the 50-mile wide, shallow River of Grass. One to three feet deep in the center, but only 6 inches deep elsewhere, it flows south about 100 feet per day.  There are two seasons.  April is the very end of the dry season and the water levels are at their lowest.  The rains will start again in May and can add about 6 feet of water to the wet areas during the rainy season that lasts through October.  April is actually a good time to come to the park because the animas are all converging on the remaining water areas but will disperse when the rains begin and more water is available throughout the park.

We went on several trails - the Anhinga trail, Gumbo Limbo trail, Pinelands trail and the Pa-Hay-Okee Overlook trail. 

These red-barked trees are the Gumbo Limbo tree.

Large turtle, about 20" in length, digging holes by the side of a pond.

The Anhinga bird can dive under water for fish but then it has to dry its feathers by spreading its wings.

Blooming bromeliads.

My favorite trail was the Pinelands Trail.

The Pinelands Trail is where we saw a tree snail.

A couple of interesting experiences. At one of the parking areas we were provided with big, blue tarps for covering our car. Signs said that vultures will damage vehicles by going after the rubber around the windows and the windshield wipers.

A rubber eating vulture.

We know that Florida is fairly flat, but we did find a pass with a high elevation.

There was no need to shift to a lower gear.