Blackwater River in Collier Seminole State Park

Collier-Seminole State Park is part of the Everglades, but not the Everglades National Park. This peaceful and tropical hammock is a great place to picnic, camp, hike and paddle. Collier-Seminole State Park is more than 7,200 acres with mangrove swamps and a hardwood hammock, pinewood flats and cypress swamps. The hammocks consist of:  Royal Palms, gumbo-limbo, satinleaf and mastic trees.
The mangrove swamp is a designated wilderness preserve with tidal creeks, bays and a labyrinth of mangrove islands you can explore via kayak or canoe.
You can find hiking trails on the northern section of the state park, or by bicycle.
The Blackwater River winds southward into Florida's great mangrove swamp. This is a beautiful blueway to paddle down, go birding and just relax. Wildlife inhabitants of this estuary include; manatees, alligators, crocodiles and river otters. Birds such as ospreys, bald eagles, brown pelicans, wood storks and roseate spoonbills call this park home.
Collier-Seminole State Park is located at 20200 E. Tamiami Trail, Naples, FL. 239-394-3397, www.FloridaStateparks.org/collier-seminole

Where to start paddling in the Everglades

This beautiful, one-of-a-kind tropical oasis is a challenge, respite and natural wonder for everyone. The Everglades, not just the Everglades National Park, is an awe-inspiring place that everyone should visit at least once. It's a sanctuary for people and animals. A living museum. The Everglades encompasses thousands of acres, 1.4 million to be exact, from the headwaters near Orlando, south to Lake Okeechobe, east to Biscayne National Park south to Flamingo and then west to Big Cypress State Park. 

The Everglades has been referred to as, "The River of Grass," by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. It is the jewel of America. I love exploring these ecosystems, eight in all, with their diverse habitat and terrain. At first glance, to most, they may appear similar and uninteresting, but if you stop, breath in the fresh air and just gaze into the hammocks or sawgrass, you will be amazed, surprised and delighted.

(more to come)