Big Cypress

(Big Cypress Florida, 3/14/2010) There are 3 National Parks within short driving distance of where we stayed in Miami. After being amazed by the Everglades we wanted a change of pace so we went to Biscayne Bay National Park in Homestead Fl. The Park is mostly water...a Bay, full of all kinds of fish and wildlife. We were hoping to do the glass bottom boat ride, but the day was too windy and they were not going out. Since the only way to see the Park is by boat, we opted to drive inland to the other park, Big Cypress National Preserve.
Big Cypress does not have large trees, as the name may imply, it is simply a very very large area that has cypress and other types of trees that has been set aside as a national preserve. This one is a swamp. When we arrived at the visitors center there was some commotion near the boardwalk on the other side of the entrance to the building. We found out that an alligator had gotten on the people side of the boardwalk and they were trying to get him back in! We asked the Ranger how to appreciate the preserve in a couple hours and she said it depended on whether or not you wanted to get wet. We opted for the dry option which ended up being a driving tour around a 14 mile loop. Again we were blown away by the variety of the plants and wildlife. We stopped at a roadside viewing area and a sign caught my attention, it said "No Fishing Between Signs". There was a sign in one spot and another about 20 yards away. As if they were there to add emphasis (or enforcement?) to the warning there were gators at the base of both signs!
We also found what has to be the smallest US Post Office in the country at Ochopee, FL.