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OUTDOOR The Call of the Wild Discover nature and her creatures with Everglades Hummer Adventures Words by Marta A. Oppenheimer When thinking about New York, a big red apple, bright lights, and skyscrapers come to mind. Cowboy hats and boots are reminders of Texas. And Florida is about oranges, pink flamingoes, and big, green alligators — many of those alligators live at leisure in the Everglades National Park. The Everglades are wetlands that begin at the Kissimmee River near Orlando and end in Lake Okeechobee. The Everglades National Park was established in 1947 to help in the conservation of flora and fauna and protect many species such as the West Indian Manatee, the Florida Panther, and many varieties of sea turtles. There are many ways to experience these wetlands. Everglades Hummer Adventures is one of them. At the entrance of Everglades Safari Park, a bright yellow Hummer awaits with promises of the unknown. Visiting the Everglades is an exciting adventure. What a fantastic way for a couple to spend the day. Observe the outdoors with the entire family! For this trip, teenagers will leave computer screens and video games behind. Everglades Hummer Adventures allows a peak at this fantastic world in the comfort of an oversized, air- conditioned car. The Hummer climbs through any obstacle and even goes through water. It's a joy ride for sure. David, the driver and guide, is packed with knowledge and enthusiasm for the world he shares with his passengers. There are many everglades animals that can be viewed on this tour. Spotting an Otter is a rare treat. They live mainly in cypress pools and are one of the oldest inhabitants of the Everglades. American Black Vultures perch high on branches searching for food. The Great Blue Heron is the most famous heron species in the Everglades. When its wings are open in flight, the blue feathers and its beauty is exposed. Snowy Egrets linger on the water and fish with their yellow beaks. Dozens of American Alligators, the most famous residents in Florida, can also be seen from the comfort and safety of the gigantic yellow car. Discovering them is simultaneously exciting and intimidating. An adult male alligator can reach 13 to 15 feet in length, a female about 10 feet. They look peaceful swimming or sunbathing on the rocks. Do not feed the alligators! Alligators in the wild feed mostly on a variety of small fish, turtles, birds, small mammals, and frogs. They are not really interested in snacking on humans, especially the humans safely stowed inside a Hummer. Sawgrass, named because of its rough side resembling a tiny saw, is everywhere! It gives the Everglades the nickname "River of Grass". Sawgrass grows dense and uniformly —looking all the same. Getting lost in the Everglades is very easy. Keep in mind, the Sawgrass root is edible and can help add a few days to survival. During this tour, the ValuJet Flight 592 Memorial is visited. This is a memorial to the victims of the ValuJet flight that crashed in the Everglades right after take off in 1996. It consists of 100 concrete pillars, one in memory of each life on board. Take the Four-Hour Off-Road Hummer Adventure, four hours through the Everglades National Park and Big Cypress Reserve. It includes a documentary on small televisions throughout the Hummer with information on the wetlands. Add an Airboat Safari, a trip to Panther Reserve, Horseback Riding, or even a Helicopter Ride. There are many Hummer adventures. Or create your own, the options are limitless! Arrange for a private door-to-door pick up. Evergladeshummeradventures.com 1-888-637-4448 ML MIAMI LIVING 87