Photo from the lighthouse on Boca Chita Key

Thanks to everyone who made suggestions for our trip to the three Florida National Parks. My husband and I took an early flight from Boston on Thursday, February 19 non-stop to Miami, Florida, and rented a car at the airport. We did decide to get the toll pass for $69 for the week so that we didn't have to worry about what road we were taking (thanks for the heads up on that, Tomn), and I also did the refuel option so I didn't have to think about filling up (their price was $2.94 a gallon which was exactly what we were paying at home). We had made reservations to take the tram tour at the Shark Valley Visitor Center in Everglades National Park which was wonderful. We saw tons of alligators, one crocodile, and many interesting birds - blue herons, white ibis, and one big bird that we watched catch a fish and try to swallow it. We were tired that night after our very early start.so had a quick dinner at Denny's and went to bed early at the Quality Inn in Florida City. It was what you would expect - a mediocre breakfast, standard room, but it did have a heated swimming pool and an nice garden area.

Friday we drove to Marathon on the Keys (a very pretty drive down with water on both sides of the road most of the way) and first visited the Turtle Hospital which we thoroughly enjoyed - got to see the operating room where they were operating on a wounded flipper, and then all the turtles in various stages of recovery and learned all about the different kinds of turtles. We checked into our room at Kingsail Resort which was very nice and had a decktop pool that was lovely and we were right on the water. We happened upon the Cracked Conch for Happy Hour bites - we had been hoping for frest seafood and it did not disappoint. We liked the shrimp kabobs, peel and eat shrimp, and conch bites so much that we actually went back and had the same menu again, topping it off both nights with key lime pie.

Saturday morning we got up very early and drove a little over an hour to the Yankee Freedom ferry in Key West. Lodging in Key West was very expensive which is why we chose to stay two nights in Marathon before and after the ferry ride out to Dry Tortugas. That was really the highlight of the trip for me - we had a complimentary light breakfast and lunch on board, took the extended 20 minute tour and 45 minute tour of Fort Jefferson and learned all kinds of interesting things about the fort and why the government decided to build it out there. There was also time to go swimming on South Sand Beach which was lovely and warm water - that is until we heard that someone snorkeling earlier had been stung by a Portuguese Man of War that was still in the area. I decided that was enough swimming for me! We got back to Marathon just before 7 PM, had supper and went to bed.

Sunday morning we got up late , had breakfast across the street at the Wooden Spoon - a VERY popular and busy place - and then headed back up to the Quality Inn in Florida City where we had booked two more nights. It was record-breaking 90 degrees and we toughed it out and walked on the Anhinga Trail in the Royal Palm area of the Everglades - that was suggested by SophieG and it was a great suggestion. Again we saw alligators, turtles and all kinds of birds and the wildlife was plentiful. It was a .8 mile walk all on a raised boardwalk. We had a delicious supper at Capris because my husband wanted shrimp and I was looking for eggplant parm and it had both - and we had plenty of leftovers for the next night.

Monday morning we woke up to a 30 degree drop in temperature 57 degrees) and VERY windy. We wondered if the Heritage of Biscayne boat ride we had booked would be cancelled, but it wasn't. It was pretty cold and windy and I put on every bit of (not much) warm clothing that I had brought and was reasonably comfortable. It was about an hour boat ride out to Boca Chita Key and we climbed up to the top of the lighthouse there, walked the grounds, and waded in the water. It was a very pleasant hour on the island.

Tuesday morning we had breakfast at the hotel and then drove to the Guy Bradley Visitor Center in the Flamingo section of the Everglades stopping at all the pulloffs both ways and walking on short trails. That was very different Everglades than we had seen in the other two sections. There were boat tours from there that were probably good, but we were feeling like we had been on enough boats.On our way back we stumbled upon Robert is Here which someone had suggested and saw all the animals and produce, jams and jellies and honey.

We drove to the Miami airport rental car place, turned in the car, and shuttled to our Best Western Miami North hotel which was lovely - big room with a king bed and separate seating area. Since we had turned in the car, we walked .4 miles (my husband has difficulty walking) to Bryson's Irish Pub and had a tasty supper. We were up to take the 6 AM shuttle to the airport and were back home at around 3:30 PM. There had been a huge snowstorm on the east coast with lots of flights cancelled Monday and Tuesday, so we were very glad to have no problems on the way home.

I collect magnets from each national park that we visit, so I had three new ones to put up on my refrigerator. The end of February was a great time to visit all three parks - the temperatures did go up and down but were mostly in the 70's-80's with a breeze and we did not see a single mosquito. One day for Biscayne and Dry Tortugas was perfect, and we enjoyed being able to spend parts of three days in different sections of the Everglades.

I keep a journal and have a very long report, with many pictures, that was much too long to upload. I'd be happy to email it to anyone who would like to read the blow by blow description. Sixteen more national parks to go!

Thanks for sharing you trip with us.

Thanks so much for reporting back. I think it's a beautiful and fascinating part of America and well worth the time of any traveler. Since you already know how to post a photo, could you find the time to post five of your favorites?

Nope I can't figure it out. The only way I know is to email my whole long report that has pictures. Sorry.