Smallwood Store

Photos taken by Lee Smith

Traveled to Chokoloskee, FL to take a kayak tour with my friend  Don McCumber from the Everglades Area Tours company. The area is alive with beauty and it is vast. An August trip does have a few set backs as far as heat and the mosquitoes, but if you plan carefully it is all doable. We traveled a few miles from the Everglades Area Tours store back to 41 to a location called Turner River where there is a secluded boat launch. We loaded our two man kayak and set off on our short trip as we traveled a few miles down stream through the tree lined river shores and the Mangrove Tunnels that opened to a sea of sawgrass. It was a very comfortable trip on this day with a small breeze, but in some areas there were fierce mosquitoes & slow branches almost blocking our path. My guide, Don,  knew exactly what to do and how to travel through the dense areas. I sat up front and was taking photos as Don paddled guiding us over the river. It was an awesome area full of beauty. I saw many birds and only one small alligator, but in the beginning of the morning we heard the growling of the larger Everglages gators as they were waking up. I look forward to doing another Kayak trip – the Team at Everglades Area Tours were awesome – I rented my kayak, vest and paddle from them as well. Contact the Everglades Area Tours to arrange a kayak tour, they have plenty to choose from!