We visited Everglades for one spring break and it was a very memorable trip. We stayed with a fantastic Airbnb host in Homestead, FL (contact me if you would like to get more information about this wonderful host). Instead of doing airboats, we wanted to do something more adventurous. Finally, we found a local tour guide, Garl’s Coastal Kayaking, who leads tours into the swamp, marshes, and mangroves. Be aware when looking for tour guides in the Everglades. Tour guides need to have a permit from the National Park to lead tours inside the Everglades. We found a list of permitted tour guides on the National Park Service website. Before we started the “slough slog” adventure into the swamp, we stopped at a visitor center. One thing that I was excited about before the trip was to look for alligators. I saw an alligator leisurely swimming in the water from the trail. But, I didn’t expect that I would see an alligator so easily without even looking! There was also a colorful beautiful bird behind the alligator inside the bushes. I learned that this bird is called “American Blue and Purple Gallinule Bird”. Isn’t it beautiful?
There were many other beautiful birds posing for pictures!
There were some happy turtles bathing in the sun too!
We then drove for a few minutes and stopped by the side of the road in the middle of nowhere where our “slough slog” adventure began. Most of the field near the roads looked flat and I could see pretty far.
From a distance, there were many clusters of tall woods in the middle of the flat field. Our guide, Garl, told us that these are alligator holes. One alligator occupies one alligator hole, which is its home and hunting ground. We entered the first alligator hole. The ground was very muddy and soggy, like oatmeal.
After entering the alligator hole, the view changed dramatically and I suddenly felt that I was in a totally different world! The view was totally beyond imagination inside of the alligator hole. The pictures can’t even capture the shockingly magical view of it!
After some slough slogging around, we found the owner of this alligator hole. Somehow, I felt the alligator look pretty happy and content here. We slough slogged around some more and I totally lost my sense of direction. We suddenly came up to the same alligator from its back. Amazing!
We entered another alligator hole and couldn’t find the owner after slough slogging around. But we spotted her right before exiting the hole! Her name is Princess.
There were many interesting looking plants inside the alligator holes.
We also saw alligator droppings and their trails.
We found some baby alligators swimming by the edge of one alligator hole. Babies are cute! Even an alligator baby is cute!
Next, we headed to the water and kayaked through mangroves.
Along the way, I saw many more alligators (by the end of this trip, I was so tired of spotting more alligators!). They were either sitting in between the plants by the water or swimming in the water. One was REALLY close to the kayak when I passed by it. I was so scared. I didn’t stop to take a picture because I just wanted to pass it quickly!
Right before we reached the land again, a crocodile showed up in the water! Everglades is the only place in the world that we can see both alligators and crocodiles. We were lucky that we saw both in one trip!
We didn’t do sea kayaking this time, because of the wind. I highly recommend a visit to the Everglades for everyone and I think a slough slog tour is definitely a life-time memorable activity. Before the trip, I didn’t know how shockingly beautiful, impressive, and magical this place is. From a distance, the field doesn’t look that different from many other places. I had no idea there is a fairy story-like world inside these tall woods. After this trip, I felt that I love this land and our earth even more! I was there during the dry season and would like to learn how it is like during the wet season. I will come back to Everglades and see more of it.
Here are some hints if you would like to do a slough slog adventure. Since you will be walking in swamps:
- Wear something that you don’t mind to throw away, because you will get extremely dirty and muddy.
- Consider something made out of synthetic fabrics, so your clothes will dry fast and you won’t be uncomfortabe all the time.
- Bring bug spray and a hat.
- Choose shoes that won’t get loose easily (or just don’t wear shoes!) and be prepared mentally that you will be moving very slowly in swamps because the ground is very wet and muddy and you will frequently find yourself deep in mud.
- And don’t forget to look around and enjoy the magical views!
Everglades National Park Homestead Entrance
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