Adagio stopped at Everglades City, population 421, where we experienced a slice of Old Florida at the venerable Rod and Gun Club. Walking into the lobby was like walking into a time warp complete with ambience and original furniture from the turn of the 20th century. First established in 1864 and later purchased by Memphian Barron Collier in the 1920s, the Club became the playground of wealthy Americans, U.S. presidents, writers, actors and other celebrities too numerous to mention. Sadly, Everglade City was decimated by Hurricane Donna in 1960 and the town never fully recovered. Today the city is home to several tour operators who offer high-speed air boat tours of mangrove jungles in the everglades.
Four distinct ecosystems comprise the everglades, including marshlands, pine forests, cypress swamps, and the coastal everglades and mangrove jungles. We took an air boat tour into the mangrove jungles near Everglades City to see part of this ecosystem. Mangroves help stabilize Florida's coastal ecosystem and prevent erosion, especially during hurricanes and storms. They remove carbon dioxide and salt from the air and provide habitat for all sorts of shellfish and other creatures. The tour was a highlight of our Loop so far.

Looks like a boat full of fun
Impressive! Reminds me of trip to Pecan Island in the dark! It was exciting! Have so much fun! Love you both! Ruth
WonderfuAndrea