Everglades National Park, Homestead

It's water and trees and some animals. Not so special. It wasn't worth the money and the time we spent on this trip. If it was my first National Park I think I would have liked it.

Our experience in the Everglades was absolutely amazing. We started out with lunch at the Miccosukee Indian Restaurant. The main dishes weren't anything special, but the appetizers: fried frog legs and gator bites, were delicious. Afterward, we went on an airboat ride through a driving rainstorm, which was very exciting. We were completely soaked, but it was FUN. As for the park itself, there were LOTS of animals. Lots of gators, and not all of them looked dead asleep. Actually saw a few of them swimming around. Lots of exotic birdlife...if you love wildlife and birdwatching, you'll love this place. Bring your insect repellant though--mosquitos are everywhere.

My favorite part was the airboat ride through the everglades. It felt like a ride at the amusement park, a once in a lifetime experience. The National Park is an experience in itself. You can get up close to real live alligators in their native environment. Not as frightening as you would think.

My girlfriend and I bicycled the 15-mile paved loop known as Shark Valley. What a gorgeous ride! Hardly and bugs and lots of alligators and wildlife. It took only about an hour and a half and she hardly complained at all. That's how you know it rocks... My girlfriend hates nearly everything.