Nothing says Happy Martin Luther King day like a long weekend of car camping, right? Our band of 16 Keys moms and kids (and one brave dad) stormed Everglades National Park for 3 nights and 4 days. I think we scared off the alligators, but the mosquitoes stuck around to challenge us - though the kids' constant motion kept them safe from bites. Steamy surroundings aside, we sure made some great memories.
Our natural setting inspired lots of artwork:
This "Find and Seek Colors in Nature" activity lead the kids to a rainbow of treasures:
We love the wide open space of the mainland. And the lake provided a convenient fishing grounds:
More nature art (here, a book about scorpions is the catalyst):
The 4-year-olds did lead the way much of the time:
An interesting bug? Brilliant geodes?
Nope. Collecting pieces of a broken green glass bottle proved to be a captivating activity.
Take only memories, leave only footprints:
A close-up comparison between alligator (foreground) and crocodile skulls before a walk around the alligator-rich Anhinga Trail:
'Gator claw:
Awesome creatures, evolutionarily speaking:
Here's our 7-and-under squad:
And the over-7's:
Kids love a place where eating sans utensils and dropping food on the floor is totally acceptable:
And through the soggy air, a few glimpses of loveliness:
President's weekend, anyone?
