FLORIDA'S SUBTROPICAL JUNGLE

After Paynes Prairie we stopped to visit Les and Jane of the Mallery Clan and then continued traveling south to explore Highlands Hammock State Park near Sebring. The hikes on the swamp boardwalks along the Cypress Swamp and Fern Garden Trails were our favorites. We are now in Big Cypress National Preserve in south Florida for a few days, camped on the edge of Monument Lake, and it's only $8.00/night with our Senior Pass. One of the reasons Florida is unappealing to us is the over development. As Dick says, "If someone dies in Michigan they have to send down here for pallbearers". Actually, that's all part of traveling and you have to deal with that anywhere you go. We try to stay away from the madness of over-populated areas with their masses of humanity as much as we can. When we reach these beautiful state and national parks it makes it worthwhile.