Update from the Everglades

I'm having a great time in the Everglades. As the Artist in Residence for July I have a wonderful little apartment right at the entrance to the park. And since the park is open 24 hours, I can come and go whenever I please. That usually means up and out the door with the sunrise, hiking the trails taking pictures til the heat and mosquitoes are too much for me at 1:30, working on cataloging my images and creating stuff in the cool of air conditioning, and then out walking again from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

I'm finding beautiful snails, white peacock butterflies, big and little alligators, lubber grasshoppers, marvelous birds, turtles, snakes, deer, tourists from all over the world and what have to be the nicest most supportive rangers and park staff I've ever encountered. I've been here 10 days and the only downer is the lack of internet connectivity. I'm taking a short break in Miami Beach to have access. Then back to the park where you could easily while a way hours just sitting at the overlook at Pa-hay-okee marveling at how amazingly beautiful a swamp can be.

And, for everyone out there 62 or older - did you know that for $10 you can buy a Senior Lifetime Pass at ANY National Park and it's good for free entrance to ALL National Parks for the rest of your life! It has tons of other benefits also, including getting anyone else in your vehicle in free with you. This has to be one of the greatest things for seniors that this country offers. I'm loving it. Don't fail to get one if you haven't already.