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An Ecotourist's Guide to the Everglades and the Florida Keys
Packed with adventure and a local’s expert advice, this guide is essential reading for a fun-filled trip through the world’s most famous wetland, the Everglades, and the spectacular marine environment of the 130-mile island chain formed by the Florida Keys.
From the Ten Thousand Islands to Big Cypress, the Everglades, and the Florida Keys, Silk stops through alluring locales, such as a mysterious Coral Castle in the Redland/Homestead area, and the exceptional waterside campgrounds of Biscayne National Park. Silk’s tour of the region even features an eerie Cold War–era missile base deep in Everglades National Park. Awe-inspiring boardwalks, paddles through mangroves, dives to imperiled reefs, a ride on the famous African Queen boat from the eponymous Bogart and Hepburn movie, and a sampling of the scenic and quirky attraction of Key West complete Silk’s journey.
Along the way, the reader will learn about local history and culture and discover some of the eclectic, locally owned restaurants, watering holes, and attractions that possess the charming Old Florida character.
From the Ten Thousand Islands to Big Cypress, the Everglades, and the Florida Keys, Silk stops through alluring locales, such as a mysterious Coral Castle in the Redland/Homestead area, and the exceptional waterside campgrounds of Biscayne National Park. Silk’s tour of the region even features an eerie Cold War–era missile base deep in Everglades National Park. Awe-inspiring boardwalks, paddles through mangroves, dives to imperiled reefs, a ride on the famous African Queen boat from the eponymous Bogart and Hepburn movie, and a sampling of the scenic and quirky attraction of Key West complete Silk’s journey.
Along the way, the reader will learn about local history and culture and discover some of the eclectic, locally owned restaurants, watering holes, and attractions that possess the charming Old Florida character.
- GenresNonfictionTravel
214 pages, Paperback
First published April 25, 2016
13 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 20, 2021
I've been looking at travel guides for my upcoming Florida Keys trip and thought this might be up my alley.
Sadly, not so much.
Visually, it's quite a different take on the normal tour guide books, with absolutely no color pictures. Page quality leads me to wonder if it is in fact recycled paper. The pictures are black and white, which is a bit weird, especially with sort of semi-close ups of scenery one might take on own's own kayak trip. The one of two mangrove islands in the distance looks suspiciously like one of those eye tests at the doctor's office with thick lines and thin lines. We aren't talking Ansel Adams, here.
There are two maps, but the one that opens the book is mostly for highways and the general area, just so the reader gets a sense of the areas covered and the Highway 1 going from east of the Everglades down to Key West. There's also a detailed street map of Key West, so if the reader is expecting much in the way of geographical orientation, this will not be the resource to use.
Besides a foreword, author note and index, chapters break down into:
-Introduction
-When to Go
-A Diverse but Connected Ecosystem
-Rising Seas
-Everglades City and the Western Tamiami Trail
-The Big Cypress and the Eastern Tamiami Trail
-Redland, Homestead, and Biscayne National Park
-Everglades National Park
-Upper Florida Keys
-Middle and Lower Florida Keys
-Key West and Dry Tortugas National Park
In terms of activity, it seems very much focused on walking trails and kayaking. I read a couple different sections on snorkeling, and noted that a couple of sentences were repeated word for word.
I was surprised at the number of historical sites that were mentioned (Fort Taylor, Museum of the Everglades, Coral Castle) that didn't necessarily have an outdoor focus. The Key West section is particularly notable for places I wouldn't have necessarily called 'eco:' Key West Cemetary, the Botanical Gardens, Audubon House, Key West Garden Club, etc. I guess 'nature focused' might be a more appropriate word.
It's strength probably lies in the ecological and historical perspective of the different preserves. The section on Everglades City, for instance, talks about the ghost orchids and the movies they were in, the size of the park, a history of preservation for the Fakahatchee, a couple of walking trails with notes on one that is not well maintained, mosquitoes and a scenic drive. It continues with a description of what can be found at the visitor's center and then a section on paddling in the area, including a list of seven launch sites. Not that I was intending on any such thing, but note these sections:
"During the summer, though, you'll want to stay very close to the Sandfly Island dock to avoid the mosquitoes and the island's namesake biting flies. After leaving the island you can return to the visitor center... the route can be confusing, so be alert.... A diverse and fantastic inland paddle is the 8-mile-long Turner River trail... You might have to deal with some harmless spiders in the mangroves. There's also a good chance you'll see one or more alligators. But don't be deterred. They shy quickly away from approaching kayaks. Just use common sense."
There's a lot of this kind of offhand remarks here, which makes me wonder who this book is targeted at. Perhaps the outdoors confident but Florida-naive nature-lover? But that's weird too, because he doesn't mention kind of spiders. Nor did I note a general 'how to safely manage alligator sightings' section. I think it's wise to point out hazards but then unhelpful to not suggest an intervention. But perhaps his plan is to scare off people and further protect the Everglades? Because if you didn't make me reconsider at 'biting flies,' I think spiders and alligators would have pushed me over the edge.
Not particularly recommended.
Sadly, not so much.
Visually, it's quite a different take on the normal tour guide books, with absolutely no color pictures. Page quality leads me to wonder if it is in fact recycled paper. The pictures are black and white, which is a bit weird, especially with sort of semi-close ups of scenery one might take on own's own kayak trip. The one of two mangrove islands in the distance looks suspiciously like one of those eye tests at the doctor's office with thick lines and thin lines. We aren't talking Ansel Adams, here.
There are two maps, but the one that opens the book is mostly for highways and the general area, just so the reader gets a sense of the areas covered and the Highway 1 going from east of the Everglades down to Key West. There's also a detailed street map of Key West, so if the reader is expecting much in the way of geographical orientation, this will not be the resource to use.
Besides a foreword, author note and index, chapters break down into:
-Introduction
-When to Go
-A Diverse but Connected Ecosystem
-Rising Seas
-Everglades City and the Western Tamiami Trail
-The Big Cypress and the Eastern Tamiami Trail
-Redland, Homestead, and Biscayne National Park
-Everglades National Park
-Upper Florida Keys
-Middle and Lower Florida Keys
-Key West and Dry Tortugas National Park
In terms of activity, it seems very much focused on walking trails and kayaking. I read a couple different sections on snorkeling, and noted that a couple of sentences were repeated word for word.
I was surprised at the number of historical sites that were mentioned (Fort Taylor, Museum of the Everglades, Coral Castle) that didn't necessarily have an outdoor focus. The Key West section is particularly notable for places I wouldn't have necessarily called 'eco:' Key West Cemetary, the Botanical Gardens, Audubon House, Key West Garden Club, etc. I guess 'nature focused' might be a more appropriate word.
It's strength probably lies in the ecological and historical perspective of the different preserves. The section on Everglades City, for instance, talks about the ghost orchids and the movies they were in, the size of the park, a history of preservation for the Fakahatchee, a couple of walking trails with notes on one that is not well maintained, mosquitoes and a scenic drive. It continues with a description of what can be found at the visitor's center and then a section on paddling in the area, including a list of seven launch sites. Not that I was intending on any such thing, but note these sections:
"During the summer, though, you'll want to stay very close to the Sandfly Island dock to avoid the mosquitoes and the island's namesake biting flies. After leaving the island you can return to the visitor center... the route can be confusing, so be alert.... A diverse and fantastic inland paddle is the 8-mile-long Turner River trail... You might have to deal with some harmless spiders in the mangroves. There's also a good chance you'll see one or more alligators. But don't be deterred. They shy quickly away from approaching kayaks. Just use common sense."
There's a lot of this kind of offhand remarks here, which makes me wonder who this book is targeted at. Perhaps the outdoors confident but Florida-naive nature-lover? But that's weird too, because he doesn't mention kind of spiders. Nor did I note a general 'how to safely manage alligator sightings' section. I think it's wise to point out hazards but then unhelpful to not suggest an intervention. But perhaps his plan is to scare off people and further protect the Everglades? Because if you didn't make me reconsider at 'biting flies,' I think spiders and alligators would have pushed me over the edge.
Not particularly recommended.
February 25, 2019
It's about more than just places to visit; it gives you persepctive and history. This book is knowledgable and insightful. It also paints a picture of the eccentric characters that have given places like Key West its colorful history. My favorite is the inclusion of B.P. Roberts gravestone at the Key West Cemetary, with the message, "I told you I was sick." Chock full of information, this book makes me want to plan a return visit to the Everglades. I will know what I'm looking at, and looking for, much more cearly than the last time I visited.
April 11, 2020
I took a trip down to Florida and saw this book at the Visitor Center. I wanted to learn more about the Everglades and the Florida Keys and this book had a lot of the answers to what was there to see in the Keys and the Everglades.
It broke it down into parts and even gave a brief history of how the area was formed. There were a couple of sections on the Everglades north and south of the park, and then the ark itself. The Keys were broken in the the upper, middle and lower keys, with Key West and the Dry Tortugas National Park, a chapter by itself.
If you want a book that tells you about the Everglades and the Keys, this is the book to get
It broke it down into parts and even gave a brief history of how the area was formed. There were a couple of sections on the Everglades north and south of the park, and then the ark itself. The Keys were broken in the the upper, middle and lower keys, with Key West and the Dry Tortugas National Park, a chapter by itself.
If you want a book that tells you about the Everglades and the Keys, this is the book to get
November 9, 2022
Easy to read. Perfectly accessible for those on the go. Easy paging through for travel tips, with some great insider bits and anecdotes to explore, simultaneously backed up a text that is comprehensive about the region.
Full of flavor. Professional and fact-based with a touch of light-hearted whimsy and affection for a region the author is clearly passionate about.
The guide works as a pleasant and efficient delivery of succinct information, brought to life by Silk as your local story-teller.
Full of flavor. Professional and fact-based with a touch of light-hearted whimsy and affection for a region the author is clearly passionate about.
The guide works as a pleasant and efficient delivery of succinct information, brought to life by Silk as your local story-teller.
July 10, 2022
I’m going to both is these places in the fall and bought it to get inspiration now I think I need to spend over a week in both places! If you like nature and want to explore these places I’d recommend this book!
November 20, 2021
So weird that a travel book written in 2016 gives phone numbers and not websites for places
February 14, 2022
This offered a good taste for where to go and what to expect from a trip to southern Florida, but not as much detail as I'd like about how to spend your time.
April 11, 2022
Super text-heavy, not many pictures (the ones that were there were all in black & white). More like an essay book than a travel guide.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews