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Everglades National Park (Shark Valley). Where Gumbo was #37

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Gumbo was visiting Everglades National Park in Florida.  Specifically, he was at the Observation Tower in the Shark Valley region of the park.  Congratulations to PortMoresby for accurately nailing this location (again!)

 

Trail and ramp leading to the Shark Valley Observation Tower

 

Shark Valley represents just a small part of Everglades National Park, a truly expansive wilderness.   The Shark River is so broad and the valley so flat (less than a meter change in elevation), it's hard to even appreciate you're in a valley.  It seems just a typical part of the Everglades' "River of Grass" ecosystem and is rich in bird and other wildlife, like alligators.  

 

Shark Valley Observation Tower

Shark Valley Observation Tower

 

The main attraction at Shark Valley is a great flat paved one lane road/trail that loops into the Everglades for a round trip of 15 miles (24 km) long.  The trail's midpoint is the observation tower featured in the highlighted photo which was opened to the public in 1966.  You can gradually walk up to the tower's observation deck via a long ramp (wheelchair accessible), to a height of about 14 m (45 ft)  for an expansive unobstructed view of the River of Grass.  You can reach the tower by hiking, riding a bike, or leisurely enjoying a 2 hour guided tram tour (Shark Valley Tram Tour)

 

Trail leading to the Shark Valley Observation Tower

Trail leading to the Shark Valley Observation Tower

  

You can read and see more about TravelGumbo's visit to Shark Valley on this blog post.

 

 

View of the Everglades from Trail leading to the Shark Valley Observation Tower

View of the Everglades from Trail leading to the Shark Valley Observation Tower

View of the Everglades from Trail leading to the Shark Valley Observation Tower

Alligator on trail closed to Shark Valley Observation Tower

Attachments

Images (11)
  • Shark Valley Observation Tower
  • Trail and ramp leading to the Shark Valley Observation Tower
  • Ramp leading to the Shark Valley Observation Tower
  • Shark Valley Observation Tower
  • Shark Valley Observation Tower
  • Trail leading to the Shark Valley Observation Tower
  • Trail leading to the Shark Valley Observation Tower
  • View of the Everglades from the Shark Valley Observation Tower
  • View of the Everglades from the Shark Valley Observation Tower
  • View of the Everglades from the Shark Valley Observation Tower
  • Alligator on trail close to Shark Valley Observation Tower

Twitter: @DrFumblefinger

"We do not take a trip, a trip takes us".  John Steinbeck, from Travels with Charlie

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