Riverbanks Adventure Forum

Take a stroll through Wild Florida on Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk at Fakahatchee Strand

// July 21st, 2010 // No Comments » // Adventure Vacations, Adventures, Everglades, Florida, Hiking, Nature Photography

After a spending a day hiking and photographing in South Florida, I had just enough daylight left to fit in this small trail.  I came across Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk earlier that day while researching Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park and felt walking a boardwalk into the Strand would be the perfect ending to a great day.

Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk, also referred to as the “Window to Fakahatchee Strand”, is a 1/2 mile boardwalk into a virgin Bald Cypress swamp where you can experience the wild swamps of Florida from a safe dry boardwalk. I was in awe as I strolled past Giant Bald Cypress trees encased by the boardwalk that were easily over 100 years old.  “If only they could talk, what tales would they have to tell about this mystical swamp?” I thought to myself.  I spotted rare air-plants in a hanging garden on several Cypress limbs 20 ft above the boardwalk as well as some at eye level.  I could spend hours in here trying to see everything.  Giant Leather Leaf ferns thriving amongst the Cypress Trees and a Bald Eagles nest can be seen up high in the branches of a dead Cypress tree.  An erie Strangler Fig can be a sobering sight seen growing over the boardwalk as you stroll underneath. Over decades of time this erie plant has slowly squeezed and suffocated its host plant, a bald cypress,  only to grow roots and, for no other reason, to take its place in the wilderness.  My mood lightens as I spot the fallen tree log covered with ferns and epiphytes.  We would not have this beautiful log hosted garden had it not been for the Strangler Fig….the “circle of life” continues on….

The boardwalk is located off US 41 west of SR 29 and is wheelchair accessible with two resting places along the way trek. The Boardwalk ends with a viewing/resting area overlooking a Swamp pond. Take a moment to take in the scene as the tanic waters reflect the pretty bald cypress, swamp ferns, and Giant Alligator Flag outlining the pond. Be still and watch for wading birds and alligators to appear.

100+ year Giant Cypress Tree Duo

Red Shouldered Hawk

Beauty is not without its price, be sure take plenty of mosquito repellent!
This boardwalk is built and maintained by Friends of Fakahatchee Stand, a non-profit, and donations are appreciated.
For more information about the Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk of Fakahatchee Strand contact Friends of Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve.

To view more photos visit Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk on Flickr

Visit Wooten's for an Overall Everglades Family Adventure

// June 20th, 2009 // No Comments » // Adventure Vacations, Airboat Tours, Big Cypress Swamp Florida, Everglades, Florida, Swamp Buggy Tours

Boy holding Alligator at Wooten's

Wooten's Airboat Tour

Wooten’s Airboat Everglades Adventuresoffers the best overall experience of the Florida Everglades.  Wooten’s,  located in the town of Ochopee, FL off US 41, offers an Air-boat tour through the mangroves to see bromelaids, air-plants, alligator, Great Blue Heron and other Florida birds in their natural habitat. The intricate root system of the Mangroves are an important part of the Everglades ecosystem offering erosion protection from waves and hurricanes as well as shelter for fish, crustaceans and shellfish. They also host large variety of organisms, including algae, barnacles, oysters, sponges, and bryozoans.  Mangroves are a unique plant with an ability to actually extract the fresh water from the salt water.   (more…)

"Totch" – A Life in the Everglades

// June 2nd, 2009 // No Comments » // Adventures, Camping, Everglades, Florida, Florida History

Totch a Life in the Everglades

Loren “Totch” G. Brown. His father was a skilled fisherman, hunter and gatherer. Totch learned to live off the sea and the land and survival was second nature to him.  Totch’s family lived off the land for many years in the Everglades traveling from one small island to the next. His father was skilled at building shelters and tools.  His mother was a trooper at keeping up camp and caring for small children in this harsh environment.  Sleeping under mosquito nets was second nature to them. Totch tells the tales of the early Everglades before development occurred in Collier County and before it became a National Park.  Not comfortable with civilian life, Totch still made his living skinning gators and selling them.  He spent many months outwitting the Forrest Rangers to hold on to his livelihood.  True stories written in Totch’s natural style and interesting reading for those interested in survival in the Wetlands.    I found this book both educational and intriguing. The stories and photos give a real life view of what life was like in the last frontier of Florida.

About the Author: Barbara is the owner of  an on-line store Riverbanks  Outdoor Store for several years and has frequently engaged in outdoor sports for years including camping, mountain biking, whitewater rating, kayaking, snorkeling, and hiking.    Barbara also hosts a blog Riverbanks Adventure Forum that focuses on product reviews and adventure vacations.