As the first part of our Weddings and Parks vacation adventure, our first stop was the Florida wedding in Destin, FL.
We’d been watching a tropical storm brewing in the Gulf – early projections having it make a turn northward toward Alabama and the western part of the Florida, though with uncertain intensity.
Sadly, the weather gods had plans for that wedding.
As the date approached, all eyes were on the forecasts as the storm strengthened into a category 1 hurricane still on course for a panhandle landfall. It was two days prior to the wedding and while in the air, we got word that the panhandle was under mandatory evacuation orders.
The wedding party, already in the area, were forced to cancel the wedding though were able to hold a quick makeshift wedding (a Florida wedding license!) and stream it live! Wow, what a story to tell!
For us, we were able to get a bit of a jump on the next leg of our itinerary by re-routing our flights to head directly to family near Fort Myers, and from there, continue on our Florida National Parks – Everglades, Dry Tortugas, and Biscayne.
Everglades
Saying farewell to family, we headed southward to torward Keys, passing through the Everglades National Park, a natural stopping point in the roughly 240 mile trip to our next lodging/stay.
Of course, we’d seen pictures of the Everglades and the airboats that skim across the grassy water, though this was definitely a first for us. There are a number of vendors, some official park concessions, others not – we’d decided on one through GetYourGuide.
Getting there was interesting on it’s own. Driving west to east on Rt 41, there isn’t much – in fact, nothing except maybe “Alligator Alcatraz” ! And the pickup point was next to what appeared to be a pumping station – kinda sketchy – though it was part of the Taylor Wildlife Management area.
After a very brief safety briefing, we were off and seemingly flying across the water and grass, following what appeared to be “trails” (water channels) in the otherwise grassy landscape. The breeze was a welcome change from the stifling heat and humidity.
Our guide (the boat’s captain) stopping periodically to narrate about the glades, it’s formation, and the animals which call it home.
And while the baby alligators were really cute – and reminiscent of the baby dinosaurs from Jurassic Park, needless to say, we did NOT get out of the boat! Come to find out, the Everglades is home to other critters, such as bear and deer. Seemed unlikely, yet our captain had the receipts and showed us a video on his phone!
It had been a quick trip, yet fun and factually interesting. We returned to our launch point, climbed into the sweltering car, and continued to the Park’s Visitor Center and signage cameo.
Dry Tortugas
The second waypoint in our trio of Florida National Parks was Dry Tortugas National Park. A mid-19th century Fort – Fort Jefferson – was built on Garden Key island and intended to control shipping between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf Coast.
Not so easy to visit, the only choice being either a 2-1/2hr ferry or a 35min seaplane. Both costly, the seaplane was more than double the ferry cost, yet IMHO it’s the much preferred option for a better experience.
The first plane trip departing Key West at 8am, arriving 2hrs before the first ferry. With the 10 passengers on the plane, we double the parks inhabitants – the “park” (the fort) was basically empty except for the National Park Service employees. Very enjoyable!
Quite the feat of engineering, considering it was built in the 1800’s – nearly all labor, manual, with little automation, and in a faily hostile environment! Many hours sailing time from the mainland with little natural resources and oppressive heat!.
16 million bricks! Guess that provided some flexibility, rather than specific pieces intended for a custom fit.
The largest brick structure in the western hemisphere! surrounded by a moat and with a large parade field in the center!
And of course, a fort implies cannons. Yup, got those too!
While a truly impressive structure all around, it’s hard to imagine the context that would require such a structure so far from land. Indeed, the fort was never completed, and abandoned not long after our Civil War, though not before playing host to the Lincoln asassination crew!
Biscayne
We said goodbye to the Keys, it’s oppressive heat and headed north toward Miami. Our plan was to stop in the third of Florida National parks trio – Biscayne National Park – for a short kayaking adventure through the mangroves in the park.
Interestingly, there’s not too much to see above water – the park is nearly 95% under water, supporting over 500 wildlife species. Established first as a national monument, as the environmental outgrowth/response to real estate development heading southward from Miami, the park finally gained “parkhood” in the 1968.
For many, the park is a naturist’s dream, whether above water in the mangroves or underwater, exploring the many coral reefs lining the shoreline!
And with that, we continued on our journey to our Miami accommodations in preparation for the second half of our Weddings and Parks adventure in Colorado. Not before a visit to more family in Jupiter, Florida, a short 90 miles from Miami.
On reflection, we were once again amazed at the beauty and diversity of our National Park system. Each of these three uniquely different, centering on natural beauty or a significant piece of American history (similar to Cuyahoga National Park).
Collectively, an amazing national treasure! What do you think?
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