Travels with haRVy

Things are now very busy here in Southern Florida, which makes unplanned traveling more difficult. We were not able to get a campsite at Koreshan so we camped overnight at Walmart in Naples. The next morning we headed to nearby Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park for breakfast and time on the beach. Although it was very windy, we found a sheltered area to soak up some sun.

Short hike out the boardwalk to lookout tower.

Walk around point and into inlet.

Admiring unknown artist’s creativity.

Beautiful hawk (red shouldered?) at Collier-Seminole State Park where our day visit was cut short by a voracious mosquito population. We did manage to score some much needed showers and drinking water before making a hasty retreat.

Limestone road to Burns Lake Campground where we stayed for the 3-day holiday weekend.

We were happy to get a reservation at this quiet off-the-beaten-track location within the Big Cypress National Preserve. Just $12 a night with our Golden Access Pass!

Sunset from our lakeside campsite.

We knew nothing about this area before arriving. After an hour in the Visitor Center we were happy we had three days to explore.

We took a boat tour out of Everglades City where I snapped this pic of an Osprey in her nest.

As well as this one of two bottle nose dolphins.

Al caught this good one of a dolphin jumping our boat wake.

Colorful lawn art in Everglades City.

Alligators are everywhere in Big Cypress.

Lots of birds too. I believe this is a Little Blue Heron.

A yearling gator along one of our boardwalk hikes.

An Anhinga spears lunch.

Another hawk fishing for dinner, first from the shore.

Then from a tree branch above.

We even got to view this magnificent Crocodile, a fairly rare sight, on the Marsh Trail. South Florida is the only place in the world you can find both alligators and crocodiles in the wild.

While we hiked down the trail he turned around to show us his other side.

Birds are plentiful!

A curiosity alongside the highway.

The story behind the “smallest post office in the United States.”

This tree decided to hang onto the boardwalk railing for extra support.

Air plants are plentiful and beautiful.

One more gator for your viewing pleasure.