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| JC helping to unload the canoes |
Heart of the Swamp Canoe Trips – 10:00 am (4–5 hours). We’ll provide canoes and equipment, or bring your own. Come prepared with water, lunch, binoculars, sun protection, insect repellent and a sense of adventure. Trips vary by weather, water level, tide and ranger’s choice of location and duration. Knowing canoeing basics is helpful. Reservations required
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| Can you see the alligator? |
About a week prior to our arrival at Big Cypress we checked out the ranger led tours available on the website and reserved this canoe trip. We certainly have a sense of adventure but not enough to go canoeing in the alligator infested swamps by ourselves. Having a ranger along sounded like a really good idea.
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| One BIG gator |
Good idea…look closely at the picture above…there is one BIG alligator lurking in the foliage. This is where our group of canoes gathered to start on the adventure. With that being said our ranger assured us the alligators would not bother us as long as we did not get too close or interfere with any of their babies. Can do! Now let's get going!!!
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| Ranger telling us about the river |
After a few minutes my nerves settled down and this trip turned out to be one of the best paddling trips I’ve experienced. We had a nice group of fairly experienced paddlers and everyone quietly observed the splendor all around us.
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| Looking at the osprey nest |
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| Osprey nest |
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| Our very enthusiast ranger. |
The highlight was canoeing through two long mangrove tunnels. We had to duck and slowly weave our way through the maze. It was so beautiful deep inside the mangroves. The pictures only really give you a glimpse.
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| Entering the mangrove tunnel |
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Look closely at all the air plants (or bromeliads) hanging above us. The roots of these plants attach themselves to the mangrove but do not harm it in anyway. They collect water, insects, and other nutrients in the center of the plant. It was so beautiful and a wonder to behold.
After we passed through the two tunnels we were suddenly out in the prairie grasses. We stopped at a bank for lunch and to stretch our legs.
Many of these photographs were taken by my friend Bev. She seemed to be better at shooting pictures and ducking the mangrove branches. Here she is with JC kicking back after a great trip.
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| JC and my BFF Bev |
It was an amazing day and oh did I mention the five hour canoe trip was free including our canoes, gear, and two ranger guides. Thank you so much for sharing your back yard with us. Be sure to check out the ranger tours when visiting a National Park.
Free? Wow!
ReplyDeleteI would never have expected you to throw in the word Free! What a nice adventure.
ReplyDeleteSo how did you get a free canoe trip, with canoes included? What a great deal!
ReplyDeleteCall Big Cypress Visitor Center one week prior to arrival to reserve a ranger led canoe trip. This trip is currenlty offered three times a week.
ReplyDeleteEverglades Coastal Visitor Center also offers two ranger led canoe trips. They are also free but you have to rent a canoe and equipment for $17. They do not allow inflatable kayaks on these trips.
All ranger led activities usually fill up in advance but the soonest you can make a reservation is one week prior.