Using smoke to fend off mosquitoes is an old southern remedy, where this practice came from is not clear, but it certainly must have been used in the Everglades. Talk about a lot of mosquitoes! Don’t let these little guys put you off from visiting. This park is a must see if in the area. Camping and fishing is a wonderful way to relax and forget about the rush of the outside world and you will certainly find plenty of places fro them in the Everglades. Bring everything you need for camping including a mosquito net, the park does not sell or supply such items. In the Everglades you are seeing nature in its true form.
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A Brief History
The Florida Everglades is a place of mystery and home for centuries to the Calusa and Tequesta Indians. The Calusa’s built shell houses on Chokoloskee Island long before Europeans came to settle in the Everglades. This wetland once encompassed 3,000,000 acres in the State of Florida. This huge sheet of grass filled water is home to many species of birds and other beautiful wild life. The Everglades is a mixture of salt water and fresh this gives it a unique makeup. The Everglades carries the name, “River of Grass.” A great deal of the Everglades disappeared when people drained it to build farms and houses. Today 1,500,000 acres of the original Everglades is a State Park. The proximity of the original Everglades was from Lake Okeechobee to Florida Bay.
Things to Do
There are many ways to see these beautiful wetlands, by van, boat, bicycle or a walking tour. Fishing is a popular activity in Everglade National Park. In fact it is one of the primary sources of entertainment, but bird watching is a great pastime as well. You can obtain free camping permits for the park desk. Another popular way to see the area is by airboat. Airboats will take you to see the wildlife species of the Everglades in their natural habitats. If you want a more peaceful tour, try seeing the wetlands in kayaks, experience up close Bald Eagles, Sea Turtles and Hawks.
You can travel in a covered Pontoon boat and visit the habitat of the Manatees as you travel along the 10,000 islands of the Everglades. You can attend the Annual Seafood Festival and take in the cooking culture of the area. There are hotels priced for every budget around the Everglade National Park, and the people in the area are friendly and cater to a much simpler way of life.
The Everglades is a photographers dream, natural light, shadows, and glistening dew drops. In the Everglades wildlife and natural colors abound, it is America’s only sub-tropical wilderness. Seeing its beauty is watching Mother Nature in her living room doing things the way she does them best, her way, without the interference of man. In the Everglades man is a butterfly on a flower, merely an observer.
What to Expect
The temperature is reasonable during late winter and early spring in Everglade National Park, summers are hot and muggy, have no doubt, there are plenty of mosquitoes. There is a lot of rain during summer afternoon’s winter and early spring would be the most pristine time for travel. Over 47 campsites on the park property allows you to commune with nature. You can go hiking, fishing for, or you can even take a tour of a former missile base that once sat where the park is today.
Place yourself in this natural environment and sit in the seat of centuries past by visiting the Everglade National Park. See Alligators and Turtles, rent a Private Island. You can rent boats, and get a fishing license by mail so when you get there you will be ready to go. There are a number of boat rentals for hire so you can enjoy a special brand of fishing in the back waters of the Everglades, here, Bass fishing is at its best, Flats and many others fishing adventures along these Mangrove tree lined backwaters. The Mahogany trees and a variety of vegetation is reason enough to explore this special place of natural wonder. As you tour the Everglades you will be transfixed by these special surroundings.
The Everglades has been chosen as a world heritage site, International Biosphere Reserve, and Wetland of International Importance. You see, the Everglades are very important to the world community. The wind and the rain have helped to shape this beautiful ecosystem that is so important to the survival of mankind.
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