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The word “Everglades” conjures up images from old
Tarzan movies with crocodiles sliding through the water to greet us
and deadly snakes dropping into the boats. Nothing could be further
from the truth. Our Everglades kayaking route stretchs along the coast of the Gulf
of Mexico in a region known as the 10,000 islands; the count may be
off, but there sure are a lot of them. Finding a course through the
mangrove maze is a job for a guide so you can sit back, paddle one
of our sleek kayaks, and enjoy the sun and dolphins. Here the fresh
water of the sawgrass meets the salt water of the Gulf and creates
an incredible mangrove estuary brimming with life. Dolphins,
manatees, sea turtles, rays and fishes are abundant. The Everglades
is famous for its bird life and you will see some great examples of
that from great white herons to a bald eagles nest and the
ever-present ibis and egrets.
Your trip will start at the Everglades National
Park’s Gulf Coast Ranger Station in Everglades City. Everglades City
is a small town with a rich history of Seminole Indians, pirates,
murder mysteries, and smuggling. Both Ernest Hemingway and President
Truman came here often for the great fishing. We will send you a
list of places to stay and eat in town. You will also be provided
with a packing list of gear and a reading list.
We meet on Thursday morning at 9:00 on the day of
the trip. We will meet you and hand out waterproof bags for your
equipment. We then load the boats and hit the water. Our paddle is
about ten miles and “how hard” depends on the wind and the tide.
Lunch will be served on a beach along the way.
When we arrive at our island, the guides will
introduce you to your home for the next few days. Because breaking
camp is a time-consuming procedure we always try and stay at the
same camp for all three nights.
On the middle days, we will take day trips to
some of the interesting islands in the area. Some of these islands
are ancient Calusa Indian mounds dating back thousands of years and
other are fragile barrier island. These day trips are designed to be
half day excursions so you can have time to bask in sun, read, hike
the island or just look at the water.
Our great meals are served on the beach. The menu
includes such treats as Crabs Benedict for breakfast and hearty fare
like pasta salad and burritos for dinner. Included on the desert
list is the incredible Ibis Tours Key Lime Pie. Wine is included
with all dinners.
Ibis Tours is the originator and leader in
Everglades kayaking tours. Bardy Jones, the head guide has
been paddling these waters for over forty years and guiding here for
over thirty. Our guides know the biology, botany, history from
Native American to European incursion to settlement era and the
environmental struggles of today and even the tall tales handed down
from old-timers. Your guides can speak Gumbo Limbo, cook up some sea
pork, hold a passionate discussion on the sex life of horseshoe
crabs and show you how to have the vacation of your life.
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