Kim Chu

Our gps took us to the Ernest E. Cole visitor’s center. Got a map and bearings on where to go.
$30 to enter this park but decided to buy $80 annual pass that allowed access to all the federal parks in the US-well worth it for us.
There are several viewing areas; walked to the first and closest designated area - also deemed as the most worthwhile re. animal sightings. WOW! It did not disappoint!!
Firstly, the whole walking path was paved or was long stretches of boardwalk into the marshes; this allowed us to pay more attention to the wildlife sightings and less on our footing. Boy, let me tell you…what sightings!!!…Huge turtle right by our foot digging a hole, great blue herons only few feet away from us, fish, alligators…
One alligator lay right across the boardwalk resting/getting warmed as we all carefully walked around it in awe.
At one point, we saw a huge “king size” alligator fight with another, then slowly swim down the swamp as if to display his dominance. Another WOW moment!
You cannot help feel complete elation to soak in this amazing environment with these magnificent animals in their natural environment-not in cages, zoos, farms for show, but in their own habitat! Cannot get better than this!!!
Definitely a bucket list item! Three thumbs up! 😁😊