The Florida Everglades, a hidden place of wonder.
When I first entered the Florida Everglades I never realized how vast and utterly beautiful this place was. Sure it was filled with dangerous predators, venomous snakes and bugs beyond words. Sure it was wet, damp, muggy, and scary in so many ways, yet once I started to explore it by boat and on foot that all changed. I started to come to terms that possibly the reason it was such a dangerous place was to keep those who were not prepared to enter it out. Perhaps it didn't want its secret revealed, perhaps it wanted to remain wild and free with little human interaction. With that thought in mind, I will say that on my journey across the glades I have come to understand that the Everglades is not what some perceive it to be. In truth it is a place of serenity, a promise land, an unspoiled piece of nature left alone to be wild. A refuge where animals could exist freely and where humanity could not taint it so easily because of the harsh terrains.
About the Glades:
Everglades National Park is a 1.5-million-acre wetlands preserve on the southern tip of the U.S. state of Florida. Often compared to a grassy, slow-moving river, the Everglades is made up of coastal mangroves, sawgrass marshes and pine flatwoods that are home to hundreds of animal species. Among the Everglades' abundant wildlife are the endangered leatherback turtle, Florida panther and West Indian manatee.
The everglades became our escape and the deeper and deeper we hiked within its swamps, the more and more we fell in love with it, the greater became our desire to be within it and to capture the very essence of life that many take for granted. To me the everglades is the true unspoiled marvel of Florida that supersedes the attractions, the beaches and the notorious theme parks aka tourist traps. It is a place that rids you of stress, of anxiety and makes you come to terms with yourself and your place upon this earth. It is a healing ground that grants unto you life changing experiences that you could not find within civilization, and the peaceful serenity of inner calm that may come with them. You may enter the glades with issues and weight on your shoulders, but I can say when you leave that all disappears.
However let me clearly say that the Florida Everglades is not for everyone and caution must be used at every turn. It is the home of many predators such as the American alligator, the crocodile, black bear, bobcats, panthers and an array of venomous snakes. If an emergency occurs within the glades there is no calling 911 when you are in trouble. There is no ambulance pickup, and cell phone receptions is scarce. There is only emergency evacuation by airboat or helicopter if you are lucky to survive. This is why it is ever so essential that people hike it with the proper gear and necessities that may save your life such as: Food, water, first aid kit, bug repellent and some form of protection. The last thing you want is to be there and not have something that can help you in a fix.
In all my years exploring the glades it never quite hit me until I decided to fly over it one day. It wasn't until we took a plane up and above the Florida everglades that we realized how vast these swamps are and how tiny we look from the skies looking down. If someone was to get lost here, your options of survival decrease per day. Now that may scare many people, however for us it does not. We know the risk involved when we venture out and into this promise land, yet we still do so. Now I am certain some people may ask why we do this and my answer is quite simple.
"In order to discover happiness and true beauty outwards and within, we need to leave our comfort zone and journey forth into the unknown. "
~ George