April in Florida: From Gulf Breezes to River of Grass
This morning we woke to the salty air and swaying palms of Chokoloskee Island—tucked away in Florida’s Ten Thousand Islands, where pelicans soar and the Gulf murmurs just outside your tent flap. A serene campsite here feels a bit like stepping back in time, a reminder of Old Florida’s quiet charm before the high-rises and highways took hold. Locals here still launch boats before sunrise, hoping for a good haul or just a good story.
Today, we’re trading island tranquility for untamed wilderness, pointing the compass east toward the Everglades. The drive is scenic and hypnotic—just you, the sawgrass prairies, and the occasional gator sunning itself along the roadside. Keep your camera ready and your gas tank full—facilities are few and far between once you hit the park boundary.
We’re well-provisioned (thankfully), because in Everglades National Park, amenities take a backseat to alligators, anhingas, and airboats. But that’s part of the charm. This isn’t a theme park version of nature—it’s the real deal. Expect muddy boots, breathtaking silence, and a night sky dusted with more stars than you’ll see anywhere near the coasts.
Adventure awaits, and the River of Grass flows quietly beneath it all. Stay curious, stay flexible, and don’t forget to pack the bug spray.
Want to keep this going as a travelogue or journal entry?