USE NEW MEETUP TO SIGN UP FOR FLORIDA
Details
I am looking to gauge interest in a trip like this. Please RSVP if you are interested in attending. I will add another event if & when we decide if we are going.DO NOT BOOK FLIGHTS OR HOTELS YET.
There will be at least 1 mandatory planning meeting held in Hamilton should this trip run.
This fairly inexpensive winter canoe trip is in a beautiful location & has fairly easy access.
Length of trip: 7 days - 4-5 nights in the everglades + logistic/travel nights
Costs:
$12+Flight, Rental Vehicle, Boat, Food, hotel accommodation on last night.
Aprox total cost: $450-$650
Aprox cost breakdowns:
Rentals: (Available at the park office)
$35/day per canoe
$35/day Per Kayak
Permits: $10.00 per permit + $2 per person per night
Flight To Ft Lauderdale: $150-250 from Buffalo/Niagara Falls NY
Rental van for 7 days ~$500 - split evenly
Park Fees: $12
Canoe Rentals: $175/boat /2 = $87.50
Kayak Rentals: $175/person
Food: $150 should cover whole trip incl restaurants to/from the trip or You determine (We can shop when we arrive in FL)
I will be eating at the amazing Cuban restaurant in Everglades City at least once (Maybe twice!).
Gas - Budget $30 each (will be more than enough)
1 night hotel on final night: $25-100 depending on sharing options - we want to smell clean(ish)for the flight home!
Reservations
Backcountry sites can not be reserved except in person when we arrive. If no sites are available there are several accessible keys (Islands) just outside the park if we need to use them for the first few nights. This has never been an issue for me and we can plan to spend new years on a key just outside the park for a great celebration with other back country campers (Can be anywhere from 35-120) . Last time I was there on NYE (2009) there were plenty of fireworks that showed up too.
Types of sites:
We'll generally stick to the beach sites in the keys facing the ocean. Although you can have interior sites, they can be very buggy and come with other concerns (Like crocodiles). Many sites are double occupancy, which means that we could be sharing with another group. We can also try to book both slots for the beaches we are on inside the park but this is not guaranteed.
Wildlife
In my 3 trips here I have never seen a Croc but I have seen wild dolphins & manatee on every trip. There are thousands of birds, many of which you would never see here in Canada.
http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/5/2/d/2/600_423801202.jpeg
Ospry in its nest
http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/5/4/a/8/600_423801672.jpeg
Manatee
Temperatures
In late December/Early Jan temps can be between 65 & 80 deg f. Water temps are generally in the low to mid 70s. I have never seen anything but sunshine on my previous trips.
Pictures
Here is an idea of what to expect:
http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/3/0/a/4/600_423792452.jpeg
Typical Beach Campsite
http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/3/a/2/2/600_423794882.jpeg
New Years Morning 2009
http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/3/7/c/a/600_423794282.jpeg
Please Fill Out This Google Doc Below With Your Info
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1lvLcy9Rrt429lToTi8lZiUO_kn51x5y-JFcsw66znxs/edit?usp=sharing