Billie Billie Bayou

Last full day at Okeechobee and last chance for a swamp buggy and airboat ride, so we acted apon that desire and drove down to the Seminole Reserve. We both are feeling somewhat better today and we did want to go back to Swamp Billies again.

Left about noon and drove the 40 miles to the Seminole Reservation, and to the Swamp Billie complex. A word about the Seminoles, if interested go to:
http://www.flheritage.com/facts/history/seminole/
where you will find their whole history
While there we went on a Swamp Buggy tour through their wildlife Safari Property -

Lots of wild animals and crocs. Many of these animals were not really native to the area. Some were from Africa, and other warm countries, so the tour was more like through a zoo, but never the less entertaining and fun. Nice to see how all those there could intermingle without conflict.



Then we went on a 1/2 hour airboat ride through the hanging everglades. This is what I had always invisioned as what the Everglades would be like. Hanging vines, mangrove trees and swampy conditions.


Enjoyed this very much well. Saw more crocs and lots of water birds as well as a couple of racoons.


Actually, as a whole, the most of the southern part of Florida, called the Everglades, is comprised of Sawgrass swampland, and low bush type vegetation. I guess the impressions I had of the area was from movies that highlighted the hanging mangrove type of envirionment. African Queen was one that came to mind.


Then we stopped at the gift store!!!!!
Denice found a real nice blouse made by the Seminoles.

I mean really nice, if you know what I mean! We thought the day would cost at least a 100$, well ------------- Even Denices mouth fell open when they told her the price! She looked at me, and I at her, Oh what the heck, go for it!
I also bought a good leather Safari hat for 45$. Pale alongside of a Seminole Blouse!!!
Returned to ELTORO to end a successful day.