Anyone been 'Slogging' in the Glades?

MM1 · 01-05-15, 09:53 PM

I just returned home (Brooklyn) from our annual Christmas time visit to the in-laws in South Florida. In past visits, I have taken boats rides, walked trails, biked trails, and walked boardwalks in the Everglades. This time, I decided to get my feet really wet and actually walk around in there. The Park Service offers these 'slogs' during the drier (and less violent weather) winter months. I chickened out on bringing my camera (just my phone in a ziplock) out in thigh high water. It was actually really a lot of fun and very educational. We trudged with our walking sticks through the slough (sawgrass prairie) out towards a cypress strand. It was amazing in there. So quiet and at least 10 degrees cooler in there than out in the slough. You can see how wildlife (and people) could actually find shelter and make a living out there. There were 10 in our group, so I think we probably spooked any gators that may have been nearby ( would've been really cool to see even one from its own point of view). Lots of herons, vultures, and other birds, though. I did get to see a bunch of gators in another area from a path, though. Saw an anhinga trying to swallow a fish it had speared for about 10 minutes. Didn't see any snakes, but observing the gators was interesting at times. A big 10+ footer was zigzagging the pond by the visitor center for a good while but didn't seem interested in trying to eat anything (he had opportunities of both the fish and bird variety). Most interesting were a pair of gators I saw, for lack of a better phrase, 'hanging out' together. One, about 6-7 feet, swam around a bend of tall grass and sidled up in the water next to a slightly larger one and just parked him/herself next to the other. Then they actually cruised around the area under the boardwalk together for a few minutes, periodically making contact. I know mating season isn't until spring, so I thought that was unusual/interesting. Next time I'm down there I'm definitely getting my feet wet again and will look into getting some quality photo/video of the trek. Just figured I'd share and ask if anyone has done similar.

**Minkness** · 01-05-15, 10:00 PM

Makes me miss home. ...I'm from all over Florida. My 3 favorite places is st. Augustine, the glades, and sarasota. =)

Where I lived was an inlet and we had several gators there lol. I'd LOVE to live in FL again and be rich so i can have a legit pet alligator lol.

MM1 · 01-06-15, 08:40 PM

Actually, we did stop in St. Augustine on our way down (decided to road trip it this year) and stopped by the Lighthouse, the Fort, and the Alligator Farm. Had a couple of good meals downtown as well. We saw the huge saltwater croc, Maximo, and his much smaller 'wife' (lol) Sydney. He's pretty amusing. He actually drifts around in the pool and looks over the visitors through the side glass window. Mouth slightly open, teeth on full display, then turns just a little to the side and gives everyone the eye. Then he swam over and gave Sydney a little nudge with his head and floated back to the surface of his pool. That was worth the admission right there. Also, the 2 Komodos were out basking in the sun in the outdoor portion of the enclosure. One was sort of napping while the other came up to the glass when we approached, tongue flicking and looking us right in the face. As far the Glades, I would definitely go on that trek again. Maybe next time go into a full cypress dome or a hammock and see what it's like in there.

**Minkness** · 01-06-15, 08:51 PM

I like the historical parts of st Agustine. Especially the grave sites. =)

Next time you go to the glades though, look up a little restaurant called Cracklin' Jacks.

**millertime89** · 01-07-15, 09:29 AM

Have not but I'm looking into doing it this spring when I'm down there. It's always been a dream of mine. If they're not offering it anymore we'll be going by air boat.

MM1 · 01-07-15, 09:07 PM

If you go to the NPS website for Everglades, somewhere under Plan Your Visit and Ranger Led Programs, it should have a current schedule. The slog hikes are usually from like Nov/Dec until maybe April. After that, the afternoon heat and the bugs start to pick up. They have other activities, too. Plus there are bike trails and walking trails that you can navigate yourself. Actually, if you're comfortable and know what you're doing, it's allowable to actually go off on your own; it's just that during the late spring and summer, the water is usually higher, the weather is more unpredictable, and I have no idea how big bull gators take to visitors during their testosterone filled mating season. As you said, their are numerous private tour operators where you can get boat rides, camping, etc. from 20 minutes to all day depending on your budget. The ranger programs are free and I think you can go to different spots depending which entrance (Shark Valley, Royal Palm, etc.) and which ranger you get that day. We must have spooked any gators, but there were lots of bird species; plus we actually munched on some sawgrass (apparently the white part at the base is edible). I'd like to get the chance to explore a full hardwood hammock on a visit. I might get a chance to go back in early April. Hope you have a good trip.

**millertime89** · 01-08-15, 08:03 AM

Awesome! Thanks for the info!