We were planning to take a three day trip in the Everglades last week, but the weather did not cooperate, very windy with three to five foot seas and eight foot waves possible! No thanks… We decided to car camp, taking day trips to the Turner River and three state parks we had not been to. [Gallery]
We got a few miles down the Turner through very low mangrove tunnels. We stopped where a canal historically merged with the river. On the way back we encountered an eight to ten foot alligator sunning himself.
We tented at Collier-Seminole State Park with temps down to the low 40s. We spent a few hours on the scenic drive through Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve. [Panorama]
We then visited Myakka River State Park on our way home. They have several nice nature walks including this eighty foot tower and canopy walk.
There were lots of birds including Bald Eagles, Black Stilts and these Roseate Spoonbills feeding in a small stream.
They look like vacuum cleaners in this video.
Back in St. Pete we went to see a kite flying competition.
