Turner River and more. Wednesday, October 14

Still dark at 6:53 AM, but I had to get moving.  Going to meet Don McCumber, of Everglades Area Tours at 8 AM.

 

Baron Collier Memorial

I was a couple minutes late at the rendezvous, where I met Don, in person for the first time.  And the 3 people taking his, "Orchids and Alligators Tour" on the Turner River

We were on the water at 8:42.

Pond apple

Florida holly

Don's classroom

Swamp lilly

Bladder wort.

Don is a Florida Master Naturalist.  He knows his stuff.  He is a heck of guide. The person who was in charge of the kayakers that escorted Diana Nyad from Havana to Key West, has to be.  When he asked if I wanted to join one of his tours, I did not hesitate.

Don finds an orchid.

Tight mangrove tunnels. I had paddled the Turner River twice before, so I knew what to expect.

The alligator's name is Lucy.  Don recognizes her by battle scars on the tail

Landed at 12:50.  Don, and his paying clients, had landed earlier. 

Stop at the Big Cypress Visitor Center

Did not go inside, just checked out an overlook.  View from the parking lot, below.

Next stop, Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park. I just read, it is the largest State Park in Florida.  Not a lot of amenities.  This is the Janes Memorial Scenic Drive.  

A very rough road. After a couple miles,  I got out and walked.

Back to the car.

Next stop, a few miles down US 41, the Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk.

Royal Palm

Snake

I asked Don for sunset view suggestions.  "Ten Thousand Islands"   Not having time for that,  he said, Tigertail Beach, in Marco Island.  My own research showed that spot had a lagoon, where I could paddle.  Also, the closest beach to Collier-Seminole State Park. 13 miles.

Boardwalk from parking to beach.  Actually, to a sand road, and another 2000 yards to the beach

Huge beach

I went back to the car, and drove to another parking area. 

Views from an observation tower.

Lagoon views.

Went back to the car, got a kayak.

Tide was out

On the water at 5:30

Low tide meant lots of birds

Landed, and walked the Gulf beach.

The sunset

Sunset from the kayak

Instead of the long walk I first did, people wade across the lagoon to the beach.  Or, in this case, back to the mainland as the sun was down.

Landed at 7:06