Gators galore!

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We left Big Torch Key early enough to make the start of the Tamiami Trail (the highway that runs to the west coast through the Everglades) by about 11am. The new section of bridge we being built when we drove down to the keys didn't seem to have gotten any longer since then, indicating how much time the whole highway must have taken to build!
I have always wanted to go on an airboat, so I was really excited to find that there was no lack of airboat operators along the highway. We picked one that was run by the local Seminole Tribe, as we figured they'd probably know their way around. It was awesome!
Continuing past the airboat tours into the Big Cypress National Park, clearly the couple of alligators we saw on the airboat tour were not a rare sighting. I saw hundreds basking in the sun just off the road as we drove along. Yikes!
Tonight we're in a nondescript Best Western motel somewhere near Fort Myers. Tomorrow we're going to explore the Tampa area. I decided to book a couple of nights in Clearwater on the internet as an alternative to just rocking up. We'll see how that goes...

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Photos

Airboat tour
Fantastic fun!

Comments

[Mum and Dad Bennett]

See you later alligator.
Mind you keep them there fingers out of the way of the gators. It is hard to imagine them laying basking in the sunshine - a bit like the crocs in Northern Queensland. Keep the blog coming - the comments are great to read too. Love Mum and Dad B.

[Dani & Trevor]

So that's what they're called!
Well, just shows you, live with someone for years and never know that they wanted to go on an air boat...It seems as if you all are having a "dream come true" holiday! Did it go fast? Were there seat belts? Did they go out just for you? So many questions! Lots of love to you all xx

[nec2007]

answers
twas fast with no belts, dude driving was a a bit quiet and if was just us. We stopped out in the glades and wlaked over gators on very rickety platforms. No health and safety on that indian reserve. Top fun though

[Goo, Mich & Lucy]

Hi guys, just read through all the holiday blog, sounds like the holiday is absolutely fab! Look forward to reading more and look forward to seeing you all, especially CJ when you make it to WA. Luc said CJ was very lucky cos he got to meet Mickey Mouse. Take care xx