Revisit to Big Cypress and another stop at Everglades

Date of visit: February 18th, 2014

On the last day of the Derry's visit, we decided to make a run out to the Oasis Visitor Center for Big Cypress, the Shark Valley VC for Everglades, and get in an air boat ride to finish off the day.  

It was about an hour ride through a bit of traffic to Oasis, but it did not disappoint-  Lots of bird wildlife present on the drive out the Tamiami Trail and lots and lots of wildlife present at the lagoon at the center. Got two stamps, but did not see any of the three bonus stamps. 

Then, about 10 miles back towards Miami, is the Shark Valley Unit of the Everglades.  Not much going on here, just one stamp, and we were in a hurry to get the airboats, and we had previously visited here, but we did get the two stamps.  

Then, David and the boys went on a 45 minute air boat ride, which they said was very cool. 

Weather was perfect today, 77 or so, no humidity, no bugs, bright sunshine.  

Park # 278 Dry Tortougas National Park - Florida

The Derry's (David, Ryan, and Christopher) and I made the long trek to this park yesterday, #278. We boarded a boat at 0700 in the morning and made the 2.5 hour trip across the Gulf of Mexico to this old fort, Fort Jefferson, which formerly was a National Monument, until in 1992 when they included the environs around the 11 islands that make up the Dry Tortougas chain, added elements of underwater habitat, and bird sanctuaries, and such, and named it Dry Tortougas.  

It was a bit of a rough ride out, a big storm having past through the previous night, and several riders got quite sea sick.   

We were able to spend about 4 hours on the island before having to make the return voyage, which was much smoother and much more enjoyable.  

Got all 5 stamps listed for here, a site stamp, a 25th anniversary, and an Underground Railroad one as well.  I also got two lighthouse stamps,  

 A view down the halls of the fort at the casement level 

 The boat that took us out to the island-  Nice ride, great crew, super food. 

 View from the stern on the way back 

 Views of the big cannon 

 A view seaward 

 2 Views of the lighthouse on the island.  

 Another seaward view from the 3rd deck, overlooking the moat 

 Entrance sign  

 View to loggerhead Light, 3 miles distant 

 The main powder magazine 

Revisit to Biscayne National Park Feb 12, 2014.

We are here in the Metro Miami-Dade area with our stamping pals the Derry's. We arrived in town today, and picked them up at the airport at about 130- then decided to make the run down to Biscayne.  The weather was threatening all the while, then finally a strong gale front came through, and we got a good rain. 

I picked up the 4 site stamps here, including a bonus I had to ask about, but the volunteer was nice about finding it. 

 They weren't running the boats today, so we just watched the movie and walked around a bit before the rains came.  I did get a hiking medallion, but they didn't have a site pin here, but I had one from my last visit.