Wald's World On Wheels: A Skunk Ape???

Our First stop in the Florida everglades was in Big National Cyprus Preserve. Home of the Skunk Ape Research Center. This place was no joke...to some. The elusive Skunk Ape is "indigenous" to the Florida everglades and is a distant cousin of the more popular Big Foot. It is a little smaller and walks a little more upright. It's name is in reference to the potent odor that comes with being a large hairy un-washed woodland creature that stands on two legs, at least so I'm told.

The Skunk Ape Research Center was just one of the perks we had when we stayed at the Trail Lakes Campground. The campground by most standards was sub-par. It didn't have full hook-ups, paved parking pads or very clean bathrooms, but to our surprise was one of the best campsites we have had on our trip, it was a true diamond in the rough. Over the past 7 months one thing that I have taken away from our experience in RV Parks/Resorts is that the best of them have everything to do with the people and our fellow travelers. Some of the most well maintained manicured RV Parks can be very strict with a laundry list of rules filled with people who want to stay to themselves, which doesn't fit my family very well at all. In addition to great people and fellow campers, our spot at the campground was right on the edge of the park which gave us a beautiful view of the everglades every morning when we stepped out of the camper.

While staying at the campground we had free access to the Skunk Ape Research Center which was a one man operation that I'm guessing had no government oversight or carried any academic credentials, which is why we loved it so much. I'm drawing this conclusion based on the fact that my kids were invited to crawl into the python cages with an 18ft 250lb python. SARC was run and maintained by Rick. Rick was a great people person and was very knowledgeable about the animals under his care. We visited with him on two separate occasions for over two hours each just talking about the animals and letting the kids handle them which was awesome for the kids.

Here is a picture of the skunk ape we pulled off the website. The picture was taken by Dave Shealy of SARC.

Ttristan with a baby Alligator

Sidney with a baby Alligator

And me kissing the baby alligator. It is illegal in the state of Florida to harass alligators so I hope I'm not crossing the line... I can't help buy sing" you never close your lips anymore, when I kiss your lips" every time I see this picture.