Blessed are the Intrepid, Day 9:
Everglades National Park

Today would take me to my 25th National Park! The only one of Florida’s three National Parks that is accessible by car, Everglades National Park. I also start my quick journey East. But first, a healthy breakfast at Delicious Raw Kitchen & Juice Bar in Naples.

Like the name implies, they have healthful nourishment that’ll stop onlookers on the sidewalk, as was the case with my Pitaya Bowl–Pitaya blended with strawberry, coconut manna, mango, almond milk, maple syrup, topped with strawberry, banana, coconut flakes, maple syrup, and granola. And an almond milk latte from Starbucks, when in Rome. When Rome is as chi chi as Naples is.

When I am in a place like this, a place where everyone is fit, hoighty-toighty, and with money I think: I gotta check out their thrift stores! I headed to a Salvation Army which, as expected, had quality stuff. Though my biggest score will be a base for a mermaid costume, I got a few basic t-shirts that were $3 each and buy two get one free.

Onward I go, through Southwest Florida’s protected lands, through Big Cypress National Preserve and onto the Everglades. I was excited to do a 15-mile bike ride through but still stopped at the airboat guides to price out this realm of transport. But they needed a minimum of 3 people and things were a little slow. What, no one wants to be in a sweltering wetlands in the hot and rainy season?

The bike ride was very invigorating… but I saw no alligators along its course. I did see beautiful views and a lot of other creatures I will show you here.

I love one-person activities like biking. Maybe I’ll learn how to ride a motorcycle?

Pretty wetlands birds a-plenty

Determined

These double wing dragonflies were so cool. They’re called Halloween Pennant Dragonflies and were plentiful in the park. I enjoyed their friendly flutter. And they let me get real close for pictures.

A more shy bird keeping a steady eye on me

Tree snails are in the Everglades. The shells at least. Unless they were asleep haphazardly on the grass, they were dead.

The wetland views from the bike path

This guy was my favorite. The Ranger told me he was an Eastern Lubber grasshopper.

This one was as curious of me as I was with him.

Clouds offered some breaks in a very hot and very sunny 15 miles. Thankfully it was flat.

This photo is screaming for a photoshopped gator.

There was an observation tower at the end of the 6th mile.

Views were as expected.

A Peregrine Falcon–very handsome

Definitely a young one. Sorry to have interrupted your meal, Perry.

Towards the last miles, the sky got a bit unruly.

It poured during my last 1/2 mile–but it was very refreshing.

Onward I headed East for the first time, en route to West Palm Beach. I’d need a lunch after that bike ride, but Miami, and it’s yummy-looking vegan options, would be too annoying during rush hour. I headed farther north to Fort Lauderdale for a meh lunch at Copper Branch, an all-vegan counter spot with earthy options. My bowl, the Aztec Bowl, had sweet potato, corn and mango salsa, spiced black beans, guacamole, vegan sour cream, lettuce, beets, carrot, broccoli, organic sprouted mung beans, and organic blue corn chips with a basil olive oil dressing. It was a bit disorganized in flavor. Like someone threw everything they had in the fridge together.

I also stopped at Vegan Fine Foods, a grocery/counter spot that utilizes a lot of those vegan products–Impossible, Beyond, etc.

I came to pick up something sweet as I was almost to West Palm Beach! Pretty steep prices… $9 a slice?!

I got the Unicorn Cake. Just different food coloring.

I made it to my friend’s place in West Palm Beach! And I was looking forward to a bit of downtime before we head back south together. Here is the dress I will turn into a mermaid.

And here are my shells from the secluded Island.

That catches us all up! Time for a nap… 😴