Tampa Florida

We have travelled South through central Florida. The highway wound its way through forested and pastoral countryside and historic communities. Now we are camped south of Tampa Florida at a State Park. We are under a canopy of moss draped live oaks and mangrove trees. We went for a canoe ride this morning down an inlet which is right outside our door permitting visitors to explore the park’s remarkable wilderness. It was so peaceful and quiet. We can certainly tell that we have finally reached south Florida. I can feel I am in a swamp, what with the vegetation and the water and all the different critters. Also many Red Cardinals here and they are so very bright and pretty. We are on the Gulf Coast. No sign of any oil. But I am NOT going swimming here. (see picture). We met some nice people who live on the Florida Keys and they gave us some information. Looking forward to seeing all that the Everglades have to offer.   

Thursday – May 26 – Today we took a tram tour into the everglades. This park features a wealth of vegetation and wildlife Saw lots of alligators and different types of birds. There are very large blue herons here. We thought the ones we have at home were big but these are huge. The land is very flat and swampy. Met a nice couple from Germany who are also travelling. The tour had people from all over the world. Very few were actually from the US. Tonight we are in Miami. We will be staying here for a few days as it is the US Memorial Day weekend and everything is booked. There is a lot to see and do here and the campground is quite deluxe. Off for a swim now. More later …….