Everglades, Airboat ride and Alligators!

Friendly Alligator

                                                        Take a Ride on the Airboat!!

Airboat ride in the Everglades!

Yikes!

1/26  Saturday
     We rented  a car from Enterprise to explore the island.  We went to Everglades City and took an airboat tour with Jungle Erv's Airboat Tours.  The Everglades is made up of preserved wetlands, mangroves and sawgrass marshes and home to many different species of birds and animals.  We saw great blue herons, anhingas, ospreys, vultures, snowy egrets, a kingfisher and lots of mangroves!  The airboat ride was a great way to see the area!  The weather was very overcast, threatening to rain any minute.  So we were the only ones there!  We got a "private" tour and thankfully the rain held off. Our guide, Dave was excellent.  He took us through canopied mangroves which were very beautiful.  He stopped when we spotted something, he explained all about the Everglade's history and wildlife.  It was educational and fun.  He also gave us a great ride, doing 360's in the open areas!
     We then went to the boardwalk closer to town and saw alligators.  We could get up close and personal with several of the alligators! The alligator man, named Nathan, let us hold them and get photos.  He told us that these gators were brought up in captivity and were very docile. He would rub their necks and pat their bellies just like a dog!  The big one, named Marshmallow, had been raised  by him and is about 4 years old.  Their skin is soft and leathery, but felt very pleasant actually.  It was a little unnerving at first to hold them, but it was a lot of fun! We got lots of pictures!
     It rained the rest of the day.  I got my hair done at a very nice salon and spa, which was located in the shops at the marina.  Convenient and a nice way to spend the rainy afternoon!