On our second day in the Everglades we took two tours of the area. One by tram and one by boat. We started with the first Tram ride of the morning at the Shark Lake Visitor Canter. This is a two hour tram ride out to an observation tower and back. Our guide knew her stuff and the kids sat right up front to ask questions and make comments. If you end up on this tram sit on the drivers side (that is where the action is) and sit up front. The driver stops when they see things, if you sit in the back you may miss it by the time your seat reaches the same spot.
During our tram ride we saw some beautiful birds and flowers, a few large gators, a couple turtles, and lots of baby alligators. We also learned all about the ecosystems in the Everglades, how native Americans lived there, and many other interesting facts.
The mound is an alligator nest.
Can you find the baby alligator?
Our next tour was on an airboat. We quickly ate some lunch and hoped on board an airboat at Everglades Safari Park. It was everyone’s first time on an airboat and we did not know what to expect. They handed us earplugs and we were off. The boat glided over the water and although loud it was calm and the breeze felt wonderful. As we drove out it became very apparent why the Everglades is a river of grass. It was a very different perspective then walking the boardwalks and trails. It would have been great to get some kayaks and really explore the area but this was easier with the kids and our timeframe. We did not find any alligators on our trip but we had seen a lot already. We did find many turtles and some more birds.
A river of grass as far as the eye can see.
Swamp orchid
The water, the sky, the clouds.. this beauty is hard to beat.
A great blue heron
We said goodbye to the Everglades and crossed the state again toward Cape Canaveral. Dinner was grass-fed lettuce wrapped burgers and fresh cut fries at Burger Fi. It reminded us of our favorite burger place back home, Burger Lounge. Tomorrow we switch gears from National Parks, animals, and nature to NASA, rockets, and space.
Technically our Everglades time started the night before as we entered in the dark and drove the 38 miles to the Flamingo Campground. This was our fist day seeing it in the light. We learned quickly the mosquitos here are insane. We found out later these are salt mosquitos, if you have never met those guys you are lucky. Their bite feels like a needle going into your skin and they are everywhere in the lower Everglades in June. Some of us also got a bit too much sun in the keys and now we were covered in bites. Oh Florida, the fun is endless!
There are no other Everglades in the world! Exploring a one of a kind place is top of the 6S full life list of favorite ways to spend a day. A million crazy mosquitos and a bit of red skin was not going to slow us down. We started our day at the Flamingo Visitor Center, really just a tiny store with a ranger. The new center being built looked great but it is still a work in progress. The Ranger told the kids where they could spot manatees and another spot where there are crocodiles. We went right out and with the breeze the mosquitos were less of an issue. By the docks we found a large group of manatees. There were big ones and small ones (well small for a manatee) and we watched them swim and eat for quite a while. They are incredibly interesting and so docile we wanted to swim with them, but then we remembered the crocodiles were in there too.
Manatees!!
We walked to the other end of the dock where we found a big crocodile. It was a bit creepy to stand near the docks watching the crocodiles under the water. We knew there was no reason for it to come out, but still very creepy standing somewhere a crocodile could just walk up and say hi.
We moved on from Flamingo toward the Earnest F. Coe Visitor Center. On the way we took a few short hikes. The Mahogany Hammock Trail was a lush green island forest. The trees grow on islands, little higher ground spots, throughout the grass river. Which is literally grass growing high with a shallow river running through it. So it looks like just fields of grass but if you step in it there is water flowing over the ground. It was obviously a major mosquito habitat and we raced through to avoid being eaten alive. The Pa-hay-okee Overlook was a beautiful view of the grass river. No mosquitos here and we spent some time enjoying the view.
All that grass has a river flowing through it.
Don’t stop or you will be eaten!
Jackets on the protect them from bites.
Our last stop before leaving the lower Everglades was the Earnest F. Coe Visitor Center. The exhibits here were great and we all learned a lot about the local plants and animals. We also got an idea of the importance of water and how the agriculture and urban areas have nearly devastated the Everglades.
We ate lunch and drove through those agricultural areas surrounding the Everglades on our way to the northern areas. The kids all worked on their South Florida Jr. Ranger packets. If you get all three badges Biscayne, Everglades, and Big Cypress, you receive a special patch. They worked hard to earn all badges and the patch. The kids learn so much through the ranger program, which is why we take the time to do them everywhere we can. We keep joking after this summer momma won’t have to teach social studies or science all year. As nice as that would be it won’t happen, although all this learning only helps when we are working on our school year studies.
We stopped at the Big Cypress visitor center first and enjoyed a film on the wildlife of the area. Then we walked the boardwalk path alongside a canal of alligators. They are pretty cool creatures. This time it was not as creepy as the crocodile, since they could not climb up to us. We watched fish nibbling at the alligators, symbiotic relationships in nature are so cool to see.
It had been a long day of hiking, learning, and a bit of travel. We settled in at Midway for the rest of the afternoon and evening. This camp is situated around a small lake. The kids scootered around it watching birds, turtles, and even two small alligators. One camper spoke of larger alligators coming in at night and sleeping under RV’s. We debated all night on who would check for alligators in the morning. Ha ha! We enjoyed an evening of dinner and games before heading to bed.
As we have travelled with kids through the years we have made our way to many national Parks, Monuments, and Preserves. Being all the way down in the Keys we could not pass the opportunity to go to the Dry Tortugas. As we planned our trip we discovered the ferry had limited capacity and full for the days we were visiting. The only other way out is by sea plane (ie not cheap). After some debate we decided this was a once in a lifetime opportunity for us and we would take it. Traveling for this long and with 4 kids is not easy or inexpensive but this is what we save for. We like to say we may have a kitchen and bathrooms from the 80’s in our house, but our kids have seen the US and some of the world. Money is spent on the things we find most important for us it is travel.
The sea plane was absolutely amazing and we recommend if you are making the trek out forget the ferry and go by plane. WOW!! It was quick 40 min instead of 2 hours by ferry. It was exceptionally beautiful and landing on the water was super cool! This may end up being the best part of the trip.
As we got on the plane the pilot asked were we were from. Since he knew the local nickname of our town we knew he was from the area. Turns out he was a pilot at the drop zone we use to skydive at. The more we travel the smaller the world seems. We have met many people while traveling from our area or an area we have lived in. We listed people we both knew and our lives since then. One of those really cool moments far away from home when the world just shrinks.
We flew over the ocean learning about history and sighting boats run aground or sunk, sharks, turtles, and sting rays. Unfortunately we did not get to see any dolphins. The underwater sand dunes were amazing!! They change with the waves throughout the day so they are never the same anytime you pass them. We saw tons of turtles a couple sharks and at least one sting ray. The kids were amazed and happy, even A who had a few mini anxiety attacks leading up to the day. Landing on the water was smooth and simple. We stepped down the ladder and off the plane onto white sand surrounded by blue water. The day could not have been clearer or calmer.
We toured the fort and the kids got their Jr. Ranger Badges. We learned about life way out there and how hard it was to build the fort (which was never even used). The kids found cave formations (stalactites) and thought it was hilarious. The views were beautiful and we smiled through the sweat, well mostly there was a certain little girl who got a bit angry. Just keep going is a moot we use a lot with our crew. After all our touring we were hot and excited to snorkel.
A selfie just to prove momma was there.
Stalactites
A happy group walking to the beach
A very hot and grumpy kid lagging behind
We had bit of loud talking and small kid fits. Getting us all in snorkel gear, sunscreen on, adjusting masks and fins, and deciding where to swim is not an easy task. Then there was a bit of kids arguing as they all were in each others space. Oh my! After a while we got everything settled and were able to swim around the fort. We saw many colorful fish, schools of fish just swam around us. We saw some corals, anemones, sea grasses, and algae. Even with some little troubles it was a great way to spend the afternoon. All too soon it was time to board our plane and leave. We watched jealously as we passed a few families camping on the island. What a great way that would be to spend a few days. In checking one thing off the bucket list we may have added another.
The sand was full of shells
A second after this he saw a crab inside and threw his treasure! Lol!
Our flight back was just as awesome as our flight there. This time each of our kids spent some time in the cockpit. B helped take off and C helped land. Ha ha! It was such a phenomenal experience for the kids. The just lit up climbing into the cockpit and looking out the windows. Travel is wonderful, but watching our travels through our kids eyes is so much better. It is sad to think they will be grown soon and our travels will just be us with no kids to see the world through.
Underwater sand dunes
Can you find the turtle?
After landing back in the keys we climbed into our home took some quick showers (major perk of traveling in your house), buckled up, and headed to the Everglades. We watched the sun set and a thunderhead form as we drove through the keys. the kids were in their pajamas by the time we reached the Everglades National Park sign but got out for their photo anyway. We followed the thunderhead watching the lightening flash in it all the way to our site at the Flamingo Camp. The bugs were intense and it was late so we climbed into bed exhausted from an exciting day.
After waking all the day before we were looking forward to a lazy day of paddle boarding and pool time. We enjoyed a rare lazy morning hanging out at camp. At breakfast we realized we had a beach view with our neighbors gone! Yay!
Daddy took C out on the paddle boards and our RV electric went out. After working to troubleshoot we eventually called the on-site RV repair to help. No one could figure out the cause the conclusion was we might need a new inverter. Which meant no electricity in the RV until we left the Keys. In a last ditch effort to avoid going without electricity for a couple days they discharged and reset the inverter. Well 4 days later all is going well. We are all learning as we go here and in this instance our learning experience costs us a good amount of money. We still have no idea why the inverter had an issue but we are hoping it does not happen again.
Momma took the kids to the pool to get out of the way. We ended up with our site neighbors having a wonderful time as the kids splashed and swam. Daddy saved a lizard from the pool. We went home for dinner and realized we never really got any paddle time. Since the little kids were playing with new found friends and the big kids were reading, the adults escaped for some time on the water. This extremely rare moment alone was just what we needed after a stressful day of RV troubles.
We headed out after breakfast to tour Key West. Since all we have to drive is the RV we thought about renting a 6 seater golf cart (driving golf carts around the town is a thing there). The price was a bit steep, plus we all have two good legs and are not afraid of a little walking. We got an Uber to downtown and began our day. The first stop was Date and Thyme a natural grocery and cafe. We had real food smoothies to energize us for a day of touring. They were delicious!
backpacks on, smoothies in hand, ready for a great day!
Cool snail!
Our next stop was a rum distillery. Now rum has always been Jen’s drink of choice. So naturally touring the first legal rum distillery in the Keys was on the list. We all found it informative and learned a lot about good quality rum bs the stuff the big companies produce. The adults even tried the 152 proof non watered down base. It was so full of flavor (although very strong). After tasting a few of their finished runs we bought a bottle of Vanilla Brûlée and went on our way.
Our hand was our shot glass.
A rare moment of everyone getting along. The kids gathered to play story cubes in a corner while we tried rum flavors.
Our next stop was Mallory square which is pretty great at sunset, but that most likely would not be happening for us. We did enjoy the Historic Statue Garden and looking through the people who made history in Key West. Our next stop was the Truman Waterfront Park. We were all sweaty at this point and running through the water was the perfect place to be.
By this time the smoothie power had worn off and we headed to Moondog Cafe for a late lunch. We look carefully for restaurants when we travel. We eat clean and stick to real foods, even when traveling. This restaurant had a lot of gluten free options, which is helpful as homemade sourdough is the only gluten some of our crew can handle. This restaurant was so yummy! We left full and happy.
We walked to Fort Zachary Taylor a civil war fort on the beach. It was hot and although the fort was neat the kids had only one thought, beach time. The keys are not made from dirt and earth like islands they are created from coral. This area in particular is built from dredging the channel and adding to the land on the key. Therefore the beach was not soft white sand but big chunks of dead coral. The water was also filled with seaweed. Needless to say it was not our favorite beach of all time but it was unique and most importantly cool. The kids had a great time and everyone was cooled off after an hour.
Coral Beach
We rinsed off (the boys got dressed) and we headed to the Southernmost Point for the quintessential Key West photo. After waiting in line and getting the perfect shots we got an Uber for home. Although heading back to Mallory Point for sunset would have been great everyone was exhausted and ready to rest.
Our 6S Full Life 