March 1 – 5, 2014  We say a bittersweet Goodby to the Keys and head on down the road. First stop, Krome Ave in Homestead, Fl. to pick strawberries, tomatoes and whatever else is ready to pick. After that Walmart to restock and then Big Cypress National Preserve.

We get a campsite at Monument Lake, site #5, right on the lake.  We watch alligators swimming around in front of our site.  We take a ride in the car to the Oasis Visitor Center and I get some fabulous photos of, what else, alligators and oh! some birds. Actually I get an absolutely gorgeous photo of a male Anhinga.  I’m thrilled.  Then it’s down the road to the Kirby Sorter Roadside Park. We walk a 1/2 mile  boardwalk trail out into the Everglades.  We see all 5 main habitats of Big Cypress hardwood hammocks, pineland, prairies,   cypress swamp and estuaries.  Another phenomenal job by Mother Nature.

Back at the campsite we have a dinner of fresh con on the cob, fried green tomatoes and fresh strawberries and ice cream for dessert.  We watch another beautiful sunset this time over Monument Lake.

Next Stop … Saint George Island.