Peace River, The Everglades and Florida Panther N. W. R.

Tuesday Bev and I went for a short ride and ended up on the Peace River at the Desoto Marina. They have boat and air boat rides which we didn't take this time but may in the future. The Nav-a-gator restaurant is located at the marina and Saturday we will be meeting Don and Joni for lunch there. The views from the marina are great.

Yesterday we decided to take a long ride south towards the Everglades. We left the campground heading south on U.S. 17, turned left onto Highway 66, right onto U.S. 27, right onto Highway 29 which went all the way to Everglade City and Everglades National Park - Gulf Coast Visitor Center.

Along the way we stopped at the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge. The Refuge was established in June 1989 to protect the Florida panther and its habitat. The 26,605 acre refuge is located within the heart of the Big Cypress watershed in southwest Florida.

The Florida panther is one of the most endangered mammals in the United States. The Florida panthers are primarily found in south Florida; however, a few males have been documented north of the Calooashatchee River. Panthers need very large home ranges, although they usually avoid urban and intensively managed agricultural areas.

By early 1990's the population was less than 50 due to inbreeding which caused health and reproductive problems, further endangering the species. In 1995, to restore the genetic health of the Florida panther, eight female Texas pumas were relocated to south Florida to breed with male Florida panthers. Since then, the population of Florida panthers has increased to about 120 due to the genetic restoration.

We walked one of the hiking trails while we were in the refuge and thankfully we didn't run into any.

Bev had her walking stick and was ready to defend me if a panther attacked us.

Continuing on down highway 29 we arrived at Everglade City and Everglades National Park - Gulf Coast Visitor Center.

This was just a quick trip to scout the area. We will be returning to each area at a later date to go for boat and air boat tours. It is such a large area, the only way to see it well is to camp in the area and spend a week or two following the Everglades Trail.

Anyone visiting the area can plan their adventures along the Everglades Trail. The trail is not a specific route so you can tour for a day, weekend, or longer. You may want to spend your entire time at one site, or visit several a day. Look for the Everglades Trail highway signs along the way directing you to the designated Everglades Trail nature sites. Each site will have a green-roofed kiosk, with interpretive signs on the Everglades and information about where you are within the ecosystem. Along the Trail you will find museums and attractions featuring nature and culture in one of America's wildest places. Information and map of the Everglades Trail can be picked up at any visitor center.

This was a very scenic ride and we can't wait to return to see more of the Everglades.

It was getting late so we headed home but of course we had to stop for dinner. We found a great restaurant along the way. "Maine's Best Seafood".

The food was great and Bev had enough left over for today's dinner.

It was a long day and we were glad to get back home to the camper.