Wow! We got caught up in all the election results and forgot about blogging. That and there is a tropical depression out in the gulf we have been monitoring as well. When our time was up in Key Largo we drove 81 miles over to Midway Campground in the Everglades National Park near Ochopee, FL. We planned to spend more time there but with the depression brewing up we decided to only stay two nights.
That did give us time to check out one of our favorite bike trails in Shark Valley. We used our National Parks Senior pass for entry and rode our bikes about 12 miles on the trail. My first impression was we have never seen as much water in the everglades in all our visits until this year. There was water everywhere as we noticed immediately as the water had risen so much as to cover the road in places.
As a result we saw way less wildlife as the critters chose plenty of places to hang out rather than in the deeper waters near the visitor center. We were still able to see some alligators and a few birds while on our the bike ride. At one point I was looking out over the swamp when I suddenly saw a water snake right in front of me. If I hadn’t seen him when I did I would have surely run the poor snake over.
The highlight was seeing a hawk making a kill on the trail beside us. We aren’t exactly sure what it was but my guess was a mouse from the distress calls it was making. We took a few photos zooming in on its talons but still couldn't tell what it captured.
The next day we hiked a few of the boardwalks in the area and spotted a few more gators some of which were quite large. After our two nights we drove on up to the WP Franklin Locks campground, a COE park. We love this park and this time scored a great waterfront site. Again our plan was to stay longer but it was now becoming apparent that the tropical storm going through Central America was going to come our direction for sure.
Knowing we would be making a mad dash out of the storm path we decided to stock up on groceries and made a long loop drive to include a Trader Joe’s to pick up some favorite items there as well. I also snuck in a quick visit to Bonita Beach (one of our favorite beaches in the USA) just for memories sake. We had originally planned to winter there but alas, Covid changed our minds. I’m glad we made the quick stop.
We are now sitting in Inglis, Florida still watching the depression and altering our plans as we get more info on its track.
Heyduke, I'm looking at the weather map now on the tv weather station. The tracking is so weird....the anticipated tracking is in the shape of a hook. First heading out to Key West and out into the Gulf of Mexico, then it will whip back and follow Florida's west coast for a while, then ETA takes a more easterly route crossing diagonally the state between Orlando and Jacksonville. Then ETA will probably head up my way (Charleston). Time is of the essence, but you could out race it up to Jacksonville and make a turn due west on I-10 and you would be out of the way. You will be trapped if it crossed the state to Jacksonville before you do.
ReplyDeleteWe will be in Holt FL by end of day... That should be far enough away. It definitely has a weird projected path!
DeleteWhoot Whoot! SoCal finally saw some rain! You're want to avoid it, having seen enough ... but we so need it. Stay Safe and dry.
ReplyDeleteHeyduke, ETA's rain has made it up to the Charleston area; since we are high off the Ashley River, the only thing under water is our stationary dock. Our son, Todd, and his family are now experiencing a lot of rain and flooding southeast of Raleigh; I'm sure your daughter and husband are, too. Be safe!
ReplyDeleteYes, there is tons of rain up there, glad to here you are okay.
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