Everglades City was a great location to explore the Big Cypress National Preserve. During our last visit to Big Cypress a few years ago, we stayed at the Outdoor Resorts of Chokoloskee, but we were evacuated because of flooding from storm surge. This time, we wanted to try something different and a little bit higher above the water.
Big Cypress National Preserve
Big Cypress is all about alligators and birding. Green herons are consistently good posers.
Great Blue Herons were everywhere. So impressive to see their 6.5 feet wingspan when flying low to the ground through the cypress forests.
Black-crowned Night-Herons.
We enjoyed the Big Cypress birding. There were kingfisher, anhinga, great egret, cardinal, red shouldered hawk, pileated woodpecker, black vulture, and flicker. There were birds everywhere, we just needed to slow down, look and listen.
There were so many alligators. Most of our sightings were along the Tamiami Trail or Loop Road.
A Florida softshell turtle.
Zebra and Sulfur butterflies were enjoying these flowers.
Everglades City, Florida
Everglades City only has a population of around 500 people, which varies depending on the time of the year. Come summer, the snowbirds are gone and some of the locals leave because there is no work, it’s too hot and humid, and the mosquitoes are relentless.
Located at the mouth of the Barron River on Chokoloskee Bay, it’s a portal to the Ten Thousand Islands, which are part of the Everglades National Park.
We had lunch a couple of times at Triad Seafood Market. The atmosphere was rustic and on the water. Their fresh stone crabs and shrimp were delicious.
Everglades Isle Motorcoach Resort
From Grassy Key it was a few hours drive to Everglade City. Overall, the resort was very nice. They had full service and good internet. The roads and sites were done in pavers with nice spacing between sites.
The worst part was the horrendous noise from airboats that started at 8:00 am and ended about 5:30 pm. There were at least 3 airboat operators, each with numerous airboats, who are open everyday of the year. The airboat rides are scenic, informative, and a unique way to experience the mangroves.
The clubhouse was amazing. There was a pool, spa, workout facility, restaurant and bar.
We were there for New Years Eve 2020. We started full timing in 2016, so we are now into our fourth year on the road. We are always questioning how much longer we will be full timing or if we want to be partially home based. Our goal 20 years ago was to retire to be on the Big Island of Hawaii, which is still a dream. This journey has been incredible and opened our eyes to what a diverse and beautiful country this is… and that home is truly where you park it.
