NBNC>Florida: February 26 2014

White Ibis Nibbling

At mile marker 102 there is an entrance to the John Pennekamp State Park. Pennekamp’s is known for its glass bottom boat tours, extensive coral reefs and mangroves that prove to be ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, today we headed to a quiet loop where a shaded picnic table was waiting for us to enjoy some fresh veggies, and the peacefulness of the bay. A few people duck-walked with their fins into the clear, shallow water of the bay to snorkel. 

Row of coromants

The park was named for a Miami newspaper editor, who helped with the establishment of Everglades National Park and the protection of what would become the state park. We enjoyed several hours of gentle breezes, quiet stillness in the shade and stirred ourselves to go to The Shipwreck Restaurant, nearby. We enjoyed the drive but not the restaurant. The building, located along a canal in a residential area is in need of a good scrubbing; the food is non-descript and the wait staff is less than personable and adequate.  After the too-long-at-the-restaurant experience, we began our way back to camp via Card Sound Road. Passing by Alabama Jack’s we had to look twice because there were less than six cars parked along the roadway and it did not look like the bar area was busy. As we drove the 11 miles on the Card we were passed several times by those roadies who would have clocked at a mere 80 mph, if not more. We wonder why the troopers are not staked along this speedway, as it would seem their budgets would be met with the summonses that could be issued on any given day.