Friday, January 26, 2024 - Today we rode our bikes the other way on Research Rd (out the half mile trail behind the campground). It's a 3.5 mile ride to the Nike Missile site. We did a ranger led tour 2 years ago and really enjoyed it, but since we need a nice bike ride, we thought we'd ride there for the exercise. In the evening we walked to the other side of the campground lake for the sunset.
At the Long Pine Key campground you don't get to pick your own campsite. #25 has been a nice private spot, and is really close to the shower house/bathroom
Kev is ready with his GoPro, for the bike ride
One of the 3 Nike missile barns. Each barn housed 6 Nike missiles during the Cuban Missile Crisis
Kevin found an open bunker
We've got Research Rd mostly to ourselves
We stopped for a rest and some water under a tree
We noticed this alligator close to the road, he was close and BIG. One of the rangers had told us that the best spot to find alligators is next to these culverts. They like to wait there for a fish to swim through.
The lake next to the campground
Kevin has the grill going, burgers tonight
and s'mores
sunset walk
pretty sunset
Saturday, January 27, 2024 - After 3 nights at Long Pine Key, we're headed to Big Cypress National Preserve. We've booked 5 nights at Monument Lake. This is a much smaller campground and is run by recreation.gov (instead of a concessionaire, like in the Everglades). Campgrounds run by the government tend to be cheaper and with our Golden National Park Pass, we pay half. Monument lake cost us $14/night compared to $31/night at Long Pine Key. It's an hour and a half to Monument Lake and we placed an amazon order that is supposed to be delivered today so we needed to pass some time while we wait for the delivery. We found pickleball at Water Oaks Park, Kevin played a game and we practiced on the racquetball courts. We did an 8 mile bike ride through the Hammocks and then went to Black Point Ocean Grill for a few beers and appetizers. Finally a quick stop at Walmart to stock up before heading to Monument Lake in time for the sunset.
On the way out of the Everglades we found an alligator stationed at a culvert
pickleball practice
The Hammocks was a great spot for a bike ride. The path went around this lake, with lots of nice beaches for the local residents (we're not sure if we were allowed to ride there, as there were signs saying it was private)
beers with a view and happy birthday to me?
sliders
and conch fritters
I've never used an amazon locker, it was super easy!
sunset view at Monument Lake
salads and a sunset
Sunday, January 28, 2024 - Last night was a hot night for sleeping with no electricity, but I guess we shouldn’t complain about warm weather. We woke up to a really foggy morning and enjoyed a few laps around the lake for some exercise. Kevin set up for us to watch the championship football games behind the van, since it was really windy late in the day. With the back doors open it was the perfect spot to protect us from the wind.
Morning view from the van...we woke up in a cloud
this purple flower sure stands out in the fog
It looked like it had rained last night, but the wet window was all fog
there's an alligator hanging out in the middle of the lake
really wet spider web on the sign
another gator in the water right next to where we're walking
Tiny across the lake
more purple flowers
behind our campsite, we can see the path where the alligator comes and goes. Our neighbor said he saw one hanging out behind our RV this morning. Glad we didn't run into him unexpectedly
Another gator watching us
hiding from the wind behind the van
nachos and a view
front row seat for the sunset
front row seat for the sunset
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