Daddy's Christmas Angel

Saturday, April 5, 2014

"E" is for Everglades National Park

"Near the Everglades" ©Mary Montague Sikes
If you love visiting South Florida, you will want to explore Everglades National Park. This is the third largest park in the United States. Death Valley and Yellowstone are the two largest.

Developed in 1934, the National Park was dedicated in 1947 to protect the area from rapidly developing canal systems. Inside the park, the manatee, American crocodile, and Florida panther are among the protected species.

When we visited Bonita Springs several years ago, we traveled along Tamiami Trail, construction of which began in 1915 connecting Tampa with Miami. The trail is Highway 41 which is not far from one of the four major park entrances. The Gulf Coast Visitor Center is located five miles south of Highway 41 on State Road 29, in Everglades City. We drove near the Everglades but did not enter the park.
"Everglades Foliage" ©Mary Montague Sikes

The Everglades National Park covers an extensive area in South Florida. A visitor to that area will never be far away from park entrances which, besides the Gulf Coast one in Everglades City, are located at Homestead, Flamingo, and Miami.
 

7 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Gator Alley goes through the park, doesn't it?

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I was there about 21 years ago. Such a large park, but the manatees need it.

Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes said...

It does. We don't usually drive across that way, Alex.

Yes, Diane, the manatees need the space. So many creatures, but I don't want to see a snake!

Julie Flanders said...

I didn't realize manatees were also in the Everglades. I always just think of gators when I hear of it.

Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes said...

I think everything is there, Julie!

Sue Elvis said...

We have crocodiles in Australia but not panthers and manatees. I just had to Google manatee to remind myself what kind of animal it is. Wow! I'd love to see one in real life. I have a few friends who live in Florida but I've never visited them. I hear they live in a very beautiful part of the world. One day I might see this national park for myself!

Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes said...

Thanks, Sue! You would love South Florida. Our children love Austrailia.