Everglades National Park!

    We went to Everglades National Park for about five days. We really enjoyed our stay there!  Our first two days were mostly spent doing school, and just biking around the campground. Our third day we ventured out to enjoy the park. Our first stop was Eco Pond. Eco Pond has a great viewing of wildlife which we really enjoyed. We saw the Roseate Spoonbill, Great Egret, and many more. Patrick was getting bitten alive by the bugs. So we dropped him off at home. We found a trail near the campground so we headed out. Once we got there we noticed the trail was not very groomed, but we pushed forward. It was hot, buggy, so we went back about ten minutes in. We love going to Ranger Programs, and went over to the Visitor Center one mile from our home. It was about Pythons. They are non native species that have started taking over the Everglades, and starting to destroy the mammal population. How they got there? There a multiple way that could have happened. 1. People thinking this is the best thing that they can do for their snake so they drop them off at the park. 2. During the hurricane's there was a  pet store that could have caused this. As much as we know there could anywhere between 100,000 to 500,000 pythons in the Everglades. Ewe! It was an interesting topic, and everyone had great inputs. Ranger Mandi did a great job. During our stay here we also  went to a fabulous ranger program. About the Alligators. We learned about the difference between an Alligator and a Crocodile. One is that the Alligator lives in fresh water, and the Crocodile lives in salt water. You can also distinguish them by their noses. The alligator has a more "V" shaped nose. And the crocodile has a more "U" shaped nose. We went on the walk, and got to see the alligators up close and personal. Fun! We enjoyed it. Next day, we day we decided to go on the "Ranger Guided Canoe Ride". It was AMAZING! Ranger Mandy from the Python Program was our guide. Patrick, Dad, and I decided to go. Melissa and mom stayed home due to the exposure to the sun, and bugs( But there's actually wasn't any on the water.) Due to the weight limit on the canoe the boys both just hit it. I rode with Nickolas, and Heather. I'm telling you I had the best time EVER! We had such a great time talking, and maneuvering the canoe. It was a living comedy the whole time! What a fabulous program! Love, Love, Loved it!  Before the end of our stay Patrick and I rode our bike on the "Guy Bradley Trail" one of the bike trails that we loved that took us right to the Visitor Center. We went to get my Junior Ranger Badge. "Junior Ranger" Is a great program that allows kids to fill out a booklet about the park hand it in and receive a badge. I have been enjoying doing them at the Parks. We all took back a souvenir. Bug Bites! There were tons of bugs in Everglades, and we got bitten everywhere imaginable. Even on the bottom of our feet! Yikes! To talk a little about our campground we were close to the Visitor Center which is always so much fun because you can be super close to all the wonderful Ranger Programs that the National Parks host. The spots were spacious and pull through. And since it so hot in Everglades the showers at the park are actually cold. It's a great refresher mid-day. We really enjoyed Everglades, and were so happy we came!!!


P.s The events might not be in order, but who's counting ;)