When in the Everglades bug spray is a must! Do not skimp on it, coat yourself in 40% Deet Max bug spray. If you do not then don't bother getting out of your car!

Summer is the off season for this National park. The average temperatures run in the 90's but with the heat index and humidity it feels like 110. It was 102 degrees F the day we visited so our hiking was very minimal. There a quite a few places to just pull over and view wildlife without having to delve too deep into the marshes.

The smallest and still operational post office in the United States can be found along Tamiami Trail. A newly opened alternative to driving through the Everglades along alligator alley on I-75. The scenic driving trail has quite a few roadside attractions along the way. You will find bug spray at all of them!

I will admit, the Skunk Ape HQ was a bit of a disappointment. After visiting the Bigfoot HQ in Cherry Log, GA, I had high hopes for some entertainment. I found out they recently archived most of their research online and really the HQ is mostly just a reptile house, gift shop and tour operator now.

They had the biggest snake I have ever seen.

Our 3rd stop was H.P. Williams Roadside Park.

Lots of turtles and gators here. We also stopped in Big Cypress National preserve and the Shark Valley visitor center.

Fun Facts about the area:

•  One of the largest wetlands in the world — but used to be much larger.
•  The largest remaining subtropical wilderness left in North America.
•  Composed of the largest contiguous stand of protected mangroves in the Northern Hemisphere.
•  Home to unique, rare and endangered species.