Alligators

St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, Florida

March 6, 2020 by Michael Huntley

Last Updated: July 6, 2026

St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1931 to protect the wintering grounds for migratory birds — making it one of the oldest national wildlife refuges in the United States. Encompassing over 68,000 acres of coastal marshes, tidal flats, pine flatwoods, and open Gulf waters along the Apalachee Bay, St. Marks is one of the finest wildlife destinations in the entire southeastern United States. From Manatee Springs, it was an easy three-hour drive north to Crawfordville, Florida — and worth every mile.

Historic St. Marks Lighthouse at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, Apalachee Bay, Florida, built in 1842

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Everglades City & Big Cypress, Florida

January 24, 2020 by Michael Huntley

Last Updated: July 4, 2026

From Grassy Key it was a few hours’ drive northwest to Everglades City, where we set up at Everglades Isle Motorcoach Resort for the next stretch of our winter travels. Everglades City turned out to be an ideal base for exploring Big Cypress National Preserve — one of the largest national preserves in the United States and one of the most remarkable wildlife habitats in North America. We had visited the area once before and stayed on Chokoloskee Island, but that trip was cut short when we were evacuated due to flooding from storm surge. This time, we wanted higher ground — and the wildlife did not disappoint.

American Alligator resting in cloud-reflected water in the marshes near Everglades City, Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida

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Grassy Key- Florida Winter Escape

January 8, 2020 by Michael Huntley

Last Updated: July 4, 2026

Grassy Key is one of approximately 1,700 islands that make up the Florida Keys. Located in the Middle Keys just northeast of Marathon, it sits at roughly mile marker 58 on the Overseas Highway — far enough from Key Largo to feel genuinely remote, close enough to Marathon to have access to restaurants, groceries, and activities. In the past we stayed at Big Pine Key, which is southwest of Marathon, but at the time we made our reservations, they were still rebuilding the RV park there from Hurricane Irma. Grassy Key turned out to be a wonderful alternative — a peaceful, waterfront retreat that we ended up staying at for two full weeks.

A retired small wooden boat resting beside the Gulf of America, Grassy Key, Florida

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Key Largo & Everglades National Park

December 28, 2019 by Michael Huntley

Last Updated: July 4, 2026

Key Largo was about a 3-hour drive south from Jupiter, Florida. The Florida Keys offer something unlike anywhere else in the continental United States — an island chain stretching 120 miles into the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic, connected by 42 bridges along the Overseas Highway. We were looking forward to being in the Florida Keys again, even though they can be warm and humid in December. For us, the wildlife and scenery more than made up for the weather.

A Snowy Egret facing the Gulf at sunset in Key Largo, Florida

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