Recent Stories
Bears, hogs among Big Cypress wildlife
OCHOPEE, Fla.— The Big Cypress National Preserve is 729,000 acres of lush landscape filled with hundreds of different wildlife inhabitants. Two alligator in one of the many waterways of the Big Cypress National Preserve (Photos by Tenille Lively). It is home to the red-cocked woodpecker, Florida black bear, Florida panther,Read More…
ORVs help visitors see best of Big Cypress
OCHOPEE, Fla.— A mixture of 30-foot pines and mangrove forests submersed in seasonal rains constitute Big Cypress National Preserve. While most of the 729,000 acres in the preserve are nearly impossible to reach by foot the use of off-road vehicles is not only a means of transportation in the park,Read More…
Tiny Ochopee post office draws visitors
OCHOPEE, Fla. — “Greetings from the Everglades, home to the largest horseflies ever!” That’s what one woman wrote on a postcard to her grandmother in Tampa Bay. A postcard she planned to mail from the nation’s smallest U.S. Post Office. The Ochopee Post Office on U.S. 41 (Staff photos). She’sRead More…
Volunteers help with Big Cypress tours
OCHOPEE, Fla.— Four days out of every week, you can find volunteer couple Janie and Bob Hinson and a small band of sixth graders trying to piece together a mystery in Big Cypress National Preserve. And every one of those four days, both Hinsons are reminded of why they hopeRead More…
Big Cypress offers diverse wildlife
OCHOPEE, Fla. — I was lured to Big Cypress National Preserve with the promise of Florida panther, whitetail deer and black bears. Unfortunately, I saw none. I did however see my fill of alligators, mosquitoes and black vultures. While the Big Cypress is home to thousands of species and manyRead More…
Coopertown offers unique experience
COOPERTOWN, Fla.— South Florida is known for its beaches, diversity and tropical climate. Thousands of visitors visit Miami each year in search of the perfect vacation. However, Miami and the surrounding area are more than just beaches and shopping. My trip to the Everglades taught me that Miami has aRead More…
Airboat tours highlight Miccosukee culture
SHARK VALLEY, Fla.— The small group of anxious visitors stood in line in the small brown wooden shack on U.S. Hwy. 41 early on a bleak Saturday morning, fingering the cotton balls they were advised to take and staring intently at the brightly painted, mid-sized craft they came to ride.Read More…
Gulf Coast offers seven ecosystems
EVERGLADES CITY, Fla.— It’s a pleasant Sunday noon and the parking lot at the Gulf Coast Visitor’s Center is already close to full. A small group of elderly visitors manages from their cars to the gift shop, apparently to obtain passes for one of the many boat tours offered eachRead More…
Flamingo tours offer unique sight-seeing
FLAMINGO, Fla.— The Everglades National Park saw 1.1 million visitors pass through its gates last year. Of those 1.1 million people, 40,000 made their way to the boat tours in Flamingo, making it the park’s best-kept secret. Located 38 miles within the park’s south entrance, Flamingo offers a selection ofRead More…
Canoeing offers up-close look at Flamingo
FLAMINGO, Fla. — The soothing sounds of birds chirping and the cool soft breeze made the canoeing all the more relaxing. In the Flamingo area, there are various canoe trails that visitors can enjoy at Everglades National Park. Trails include Nine Mile Pond Loop, Noble Hammock Trail, Hell’s Bay TrailRead More…
Flamingo Marina offers boaters paradise
FLAMINGO, Fla.— Louise Tuggle and Joe Beal truly live up to the saying of loving what they do. Though they work at Flamingo Marina on a daily basis, they are constantly looking for an opportunity to go out on one of the houseboats and escape from the rush of life.Read More…
Everglades foods are unique experience
SHARK VALLEY, Fla.— The most important treasures of the Florida Everglades are often overlooked with all the fuss about the birds, snakes, bugs, fish and alligators. These culinary treasures are far away from the fabulous Miami restaurants owned by celebrities, with high prices, small portions, extravagant live entertainment and crowdsRead More…