Goldenbackpacker.com

EVERGLADES - STAY FOR LESS "$$"

The EVERGLADES is the 2 nd largest U S National Park after Yellowstone , a broad fresh water river flowing South from the huge Lake Okeechobee . Visually it's a vast sea of spiky sawgrass but on average only 6 inches deep with isolated islands of trees called hammocks. It's a unique area for flora & fauna with 45 indigenous plants found nowhere else, 350 birds, 500 fish, 55 reptiles & 40 mammals, which inhabit the Park. GB's visit is based on Florida City just South of Homestead on the East coast, an area which was devastated by Hurricane Andrew in 1992 with a 35-mile swath of the Park.

ACCOMMODATION

NO 1 – EVERGLADES HOSTEL at 20 SW 2 nd Avenue , Florida City , FL 33034 (just off Highway 1) Tele 305 248 1122 or local 1 800 372 3874 – www.evergladeshostel.com – Email:gladeshostel@hotmail.com - $15 dorms incl. sheets in main building. Kitchen building with meeting & separate Mega TV room. Amazing garden with tent area ($11 night) & mystical theme corners, hammock & benches. It's a great social Hostel with very friendly & well-organised management.

RESERVE – Not necessary as Everglades Hostel has the policy of always offering hospitality

FOOD – supplies are not really needed at this hostel as the kitchen is well stocked with free food, the breakfast pancakes & syrup are a treat & the evening meals, at $3, a must. If you have the need for snacks the local shops, around the corner, has a bakers with delicious homemade cakes & pies. For more substantial requirements a super WAL-MART store is just a long walk/ bus ride away

TRAVELLING AROUND – arriving from either Miami or Key West the Greyhound Bus will drop you at the isolated Homestead Bus Station but the transfer to the Hostel is simple. All you have to do is ring the free phone number from the outside phone & you will be picked up (also dropped off when you leave) thank you! Access to the EVERGLADES , however, for independent travellers is a little more difficult, the solutions are:

1. join one of the excellent tours offered by the Hostel, best value is the Park Maintenance trip where you work then get a free tour. Organised tours include All Day in the Park & Sunset Canoe with great guides & the best way to see the glades.

2. For the more independent is to hire a bike from the Hostel who will also deliver you to the entrance 10 miles away for you to explore on your own.

3. Is to ask around the Hostel, as GB did, for anyone with a car who is going to the Park & will offer you a seat. I paid the $10 Park entry fee (valid 5 days) as my thanks to Tom & Marianne.

For local transport around FC the 38 bus takes you to the local shopping malls.

FREE SIGHTS TO SEE

1. FLORIDA CITY HWY 1 – major Eastern US Highway, New York to Key West so see the rush
2. “ “ WALK – typical Florida farming community with animal bushes at City Hall
3. “ “ HOSTEL – magical haven with relaxing areas insulated from the traffic outside
4. ROBERTS FRUIT FARM – on road to the E.Park, animals & giant tortoise only, fruit pricey

CHARGE SIGHTS NOT TO MISS

1. EVERGLADES VISITOR CENTRE – 1 st stop - maps, brochures & “ River of Grass” exhibit
2. ANHINGA TRAIL – boardwalk into willow head at tip with alligator eyes popping from water
3. PINELANDS TRAIL – forest of Slash Pine with path, quiet apart from hammering woodpeckers
4. MAHOGANY HAMMOCK – ½ mile boardwalk to a rare outcrop of massive Mahogany trees
5. PA-HAY-OKEE OVERLOOK – dwarf Cypress & raised platform facing great track of sawgrass
6. ALLIGATOR FARM – 5miles to snakes, wildlife & alligator shows plus noisy Air Boat ride
7. KEY LARGO – to the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park has displays, beaches & mangroves
8. BISCAYNE BAY – at the Dante Fascell Center has boardwalk & looks over to Boca Chita Key

* Owhnn & Mum, Nicole, Rustin & Teresa, Uvi, Edwin, Sarah - Danielle, Morris, William, Dao, Paul