Florida Everglades Paddle Trip
This is the real event. Sign up for this meetup to be included in further communications regarding this trip.
There will be a mandatory planning meeting on Tues Nov 4th at 8pm in Hamilton ON. Location will be emailed to participants. If you have never tripped with me, you must attend this meeting.
Length of trip: 8 days (Flying) 10 days (Driving)
6 nights in the everglades + logistic/travel nights
RSVP COST: $100+$3.25 paypal fee
Why $100? Because if you decide to back out last minute you are going to really mess up driving plans and rentals & other peoples costs. Once you commit to the trip the $100 is non-refundable. It will go into the vehicle fund for drivers or flyers and will be used as such, even if you can't make it.
Prefer to send cash? You can Interac E-Mail Transfer me the $100 to adventureswithken (at) hotmail (dot) com.
please make the password "florida"
Transportation Costs (Flying):
Flight (Spirit From Niagara Falls $175)+Bags (Checked $32 each way)
Rental Van ($480USD/5 = $100),
Total $339 (Assuming 5 people per van)
Transportation Costs (Driving ~2400km):
Gas ($190 each Assuming 5 people per van)
Thank you to driver for use of vehicle ($40 each)
Total = $230
Shared costs
Park Fees ($14)
Boat (Canoe $105 each, Kayak $210 each)
Food($150)
Hotel accommodation on last night ($50)
Aprox Total: $658 Flying
Aprox Total : $558 Driving
Basic Logistic Outline
Jan 1st
2am - Get on the earrrly flight to FLL
6am - arrive in FLL
6am-noon - Get van, find a grocery store & get some food
noon-2:30pm - Drive to Everglades City
2:30pm - meet driving group in everglades city
2:30-3pm - sort our rentals & permits
4pm - get on water & paddle to first campsite
Jan-2 to 6th
Paddle, fish, swim & relax at our campsites.
Jan 7th
Paddle back to outfitter & return gear
Drive back to FLL/MIA Area
Rest up in hotel - tour the city
Jan 8th
Explore the area
Fly home - 10pm
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 in the past.
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.
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.
Please Fill Out This Google Doc Below With Your Info
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hQQ7-qHCYteHyiwZr_vT1jlmyaqG1HCzRuAphZueaeA/edit?usp=sharing