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Visiting Family in Florida & Tennessee + 2 National Parks - December 2024
Updated: Mar 31, 2025
"The miracle of the light pours over the green and brown expanse of saw grass and of water, shining and slow-moving below, the grass and water that is the meaning and the central fact of the Everglades of Florida. It is a river of grass". -- Majorie Stoneman Douglas
"Time together as a family is a gift" - Joanna Gaines
Day 0-3 (15-18 December). We started packing the van on Sunday in Maryland, the snow adding a bit of Christmas cheer. On Monday, we headed south, stopping for one night in Rocky Mount, North Carolina (Harvest Host site) where we enjoyed some good food and drinks. Tuesday brought warmer weather as we headed further south to the Yemassee KOA in South Carolina for a night — enjoying good stories and holiday drinks. And on Wednesday, we had our first family visit of the trip, spending time visiting Jack’s mom and sister - Karen in Oviedo, FL (forgot to take a picture).
Day 4 (19 December). We ventured to The Everglades — National Park (NP) #4 in the Van — stopping at the Ernest F. Cole Visitor Center and taking a few short hikes on the Pa-hay-okee and West Lake Trails. That evening, we set up camp at the Flamingo NP Campground, and biked to and from the Flamingo Lodge for dinner and a beautiful sunset. Thank goodness we biked as the mosquitoes would had ate us alive if we walked.
Day 5 (Friday 20 December). That morning, we enjoyed a Back Country Boat Tour from the Flamingo Marina, where we were lucky enough to see Crocodiles, Ospreys, and Anihingas. Then, we took a quick hike on the Mahogany Hammock Trail. By the way, did you know that a hardwood hammock is a dense stand of broad-leafed trees that grow on a natural rise of only a few inches in elevation...and (amazingly) rarely flood.? That afternoon, we took a Ranger-led tour of the Nike Hercules Missile Range, learning about the relationship between the NP service and the Department of Defense during The Cold War. We also moved our van to the Long Pine Key Campground where we stayed the next 3 nights.
Day 6 (20 December). We set off to visit our 5th NP — Biscayne NP — just 15-30 miles from the Everglades in Homestead, FL. Biscayne NP is 95% water, consisting of “a mangrove-covered shoreline…and about 33 keys. As a result, we took a boat tour, visiting Boca Chita Key. Did you know that a Key is developed by biology, whereas an Island is developed by geology? at least, according to our guide.
Day 7 (22 December). We experienced another Ranger-led tour — this time a bike tour on the Everglades Long Pine Key Trail — where we learned about the Indigenous people, the wildlife, plants, and why they call it ‘The Everglades’. (Because the glades seemingly go on forever) That afternoon, we hiked the Anihinga and Gumbo Limbo Trails.
Day 8 (23 December). We departed Long Pine Key Campground and headed to Shark Valley, Everglades NP (just over 1 hour from Long Pine Key), where… wait for it… we biked 15 miles and saw 42 Aligators - yep 42- sunning on the side of the trail. We also saw several beautiful birds, including the Great Blue Heron. That afternoon, we had a fabulous tour on an Everglades City Airboat (Jack’s favorite part of the trip). Finally, we headed north to visit Gina, Nate, Tyler and McKenna (again, I forgot to take a picture). It was so nice to spend time with them.
Days 9-10 (24-25 December). Jack’s birthday and Christmas with my Dad. It was great to see him and we felt comforted that he is enjoying Florida with his friends.
Day 11-13 (26-29 December). Camp Margaritaville to relax, bike, and listen to good music
Day 14 (30 December). After 3 years of not seeing our Rosie, we had the opportunity to visit with this amazing young lady, who we missed so much and we cherished the time we have with her!
Day 15 (31 December). This was our last day and made it home safely and early enough to unload the van and winterize it for the season!
5 Tips for the Everglades and Biscayne NPs
If you can bike, take the bike tour with a park ranger on along Pine Key, and definitely take your (or rental) bikes on the 15-mile flat loop at Shark Valley to see the alligators.
Enjoy a meal at the Flamingo Lodge (NP food does not disappoint)
Take an airboat tour - it’s a must in the Everglades and we recommend Everglades City near Shark Valley.
At the flamingo marina, enjoy the Back Country Boat Tour. The guide was very informative and we saw crocodiles.
Take a boat tour at Biscayne. The sites were just ok, but the guide was excellent.
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