January 27, 2011 "Everglades Wonders!"

Today was a great day for me as a guide! Not only did I have six great folks with me enjoying a cruise on the Everglades Adventure and airboat, learning about the Everglades, I also had my oldest grandson Benjamin accompany me!

Thanks to all of you for making this day special for me and thank you Benjamin for coming to the Everglades with Papa!

We did not see many gators out today, however, that's not too surprising because it was quite cool this morning. I was happy we saw two out on the airboat ride and we saw a couple in the pond by the chickee.

The birds were wonderful today for sure and I certainly enjoyed seeing the Roseate Spoonbill fly over us (we actually saw several flying around) and of course as always, the endangered Wood stork made a grand entrance on a few occasions!

I hope you all enjoy the pics and videos and share them with others. Check out the links on the side of the blog and if you think you may want to help others in decisions as to where they may want to spend some time while on vacation in south Florida maybe you would take time to make a comment in Trip Advisor. You can find a link on the side of this blog. Also don't forget to check out the blogs on the Swamp Buggy Races and the Swamp Cabbage Festival if you would like.

Have a great day and enjoy the winter! Gator D is heading out for another adventure!

Swamp Cabbage Festival!

My blog focuses on South Florida Adventures and for 44 years the locals here in South Florida have created a wonderful adventure known as the Swamp Cabbage Festival!

For those of you who do not know what swamp cabbage is, I will briefly explain! The Florida State Tree is the Sable Palm. The Sable Palm, otherwise known by us southern folks as the Cabbage Palm, can be harvested for its "terminal bud" which is at the heart of the new fronds. This extracted bud can be used for food and greatly resembles the taste of cabbage when boiled up with some seasoning and bacon in a big cauldron. Fancy folks call this the "heart of palm". You can buy it in grocery stores. It grows all over South Florida and has been used for decades as a food source. We, of course, call it swamp cabbage. Goes SOOOOOO good with roasted pig BBQ and boy does it sooth the savage beast!

I just finished off the last of the big "to go" cup that I purchased this past Sunday for my mother-in-law. She did not eat it all and did not put a sign on it that said "hands off" so I had it for lunch! UMMMMMM! Goodness! I love it.

Anyway I digress! So, for 44 years now, in the little town of Labelle, Florida, some 20 miles east of Ft. Myers in cattle country along the river, this wonderful celebration has continued. Sonja, our friend Kayak Don and I, headed that way for a day of activities.


Of course we ate swamp cabbage, swamp cabbage fritters, and even somehow made room for a polish sausage dog about the length that the three of us shared (with lots of onions). We enjoyed the armadillo races, the bands, the concession stands, and got to hear some beautiful wind music from a Seminole wind flute player.


Well, truth is, with all that swamp cabbage being devoured at a fast rate, we may have heard OTHER wind music but we won't go there. All I know is that the porta potties were well used by the end of the day!

The motorcycle show was great and we got to watch some of the games while we roamed the street and looked at some gorgeous bikes. We also got to the rodeo grounds and met our good friend Dave, his daughter-in-law and his "little big man" (grandson) to watch the bull riding show.

The day was great. The weather was perfect and we even got some sun on our faces. What more could you ask for!

That's about it for now I hope you enjoy the pictures. Come on out next year and see for yourself a great South Florida Adventure! Oh, and by the way, next we we are back at the Swamp Buggy Races to see the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP! YAY! I LOVE FLORIDA!