After a night of itching and scratching due to a multitude of bites that we got somewhere on one of the beaches in the keys, we woke up early to a violent thunderstorm – One crack was so loud that I was certain we had been hit by lightning. The rain started and put a hitch in our plans to tour Everglades National Park. However, after a few strikes, we found a willing air boat operater at Coopertown, who took us on a great private tour.
The kids were thrilled to spot 7 alligators as well as other assorted wildlife. Our guide “the mayor” could imitate the sound that a baby alligator makes, and it would always make the adult gators swim close to the boat to investigate. One old 12 foot alligator, that had been blinded in a fight, bumped right into the boat – it was a bit unnerving.
He also took us to an old duck hunting cabin on a hammock (island) where they had filmed scenes from “The Creature from the Black Lagoon” and several other films and TV shows. With the dark stormy skies, it did feel a bit like we could be in a horror movie. Luckily the engine always started back up and we were spared all but the barest of rain sprinkles - just enough to keep us cool. Almost immediately upon heading out, after farewells to Kieth & Dagny & Ann, the clouds let loose and it rained all the way to the west coast of Florida.
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