Recap and Afterthoughts

So the recap of the trip goes a little like this:

-On Sunday we flew out of Milwaukee and into Orlando. Picked up rental cars and drove to Florida City, FL.

-Monday and Tuesday of this week we worked in the Everglades with some very amazing people. Not only did we do work, we learned a lot about the environment around us.

-Wednesday we went to South Beach Miami. We had an amazing time just playing in the ocean.

-Thursday and Friday we worked in Biscayne on Elliot Key. Our last boat ride into the mainland we saw a sea turtle which was hte reason we ere woring where we were.

-Saturday was another day of travel, leaving Florida City to go back to Orlando. We boarded a plane and flew back into Milwaukee.

I can't even explain all of the good feelings that I have about this trip. I went to Florida thinking I was going to learn a little about the environment I was working in and a little about communication within a group but I learned a whole lot more. We discussed one day what our favorite part of the trip was and I couldn't answer it without saying everything. Everything we did was a little different so it was hard to say that one thing was better than another. Everything was equally important. I thought that I would bond with one or two people on this trip and instead I made seven new friends. I thought that the day off in Miami was going to be the best day but I learned that everyday was amazing. I loved that we not only did service work but learned a great deal about where we were working. The hostel was a little scary for me the first day. I had never stayed in an environment like it, but that was just another learning experience. I think there is a plan for a few of us to go back soon. I can't erase the permanent smile that is on my face and that is a great feeling. I f given the opportunity to do this again, I would do it for sure.

Final Day

We all woke up by 8:30 am to a very cold Florida. I knew it was the last day and although I missed my family, I didn't want the trip to end quite yet. It was kind of a quiet morning overall. We had to finish packing, clean our room, eat some pancakes and say good-byes to all the volunteers at the hostel. As I got in the car for the four hour drive back to Orlando, I started to get a little teary-eyed. We had an amazing group that all fit together so perfectly. I can honestly say that I have never laughed so hard or so much in my life.

The drive back to Orlando was long. We hit traffic near Miami plus it was raining so traffic wasn't moving as fast to begin with. We made a couple bathroom breaks along the way but made it to the airport with time to spare. Unlike the travel to Florida, the travel home was easy. There were no long lines so things moved very quickly. We had a little time to get something to eat or shop after going through security. As we boarded the plane, a couple people joked that they would have to make sure I got off of it in Milwaukee but I understand why.

On the plane, we watched the most amazing sunset I have ever seen. We had a lot more laughs and continued to laugh as we landed in Milwaukee. We got our luggage and everyone left while I sat in the airport waiting for my husband and kids to pick me up. I was excited to see them even though the kids were all sleeping when I got in the car. When I got home I got to tuck them all in for the first time in a week.

Day 6

Yesterday we had to wake up at 6:30 am to make it to Biscayne by 8:00. We started by finishing unloading the barge then got on the boat and headed to Elliot Key. The water was unbelievably calm so we were able to make it to the island in no time at all. When we got there we loaded up the four-wheeler and got on the mules to get back over to the Atlantic side of the island. We picked up a lot more garbage and piled up the bags for pick-up when we were gone. After we finished the area, the rangers decided that we had worked hard enough and that it was a Friday so we were let go a little early. On the ride back to the mainland, we spotted a sea turtle that looked as though he was waving. We all watched in amazement as it took off diving into the water.

When we got back to Florida City we ran up to Robert is Here fruit stand and got fresh fruit and fruit smoothies. All of the locals know this place and always recommend it. After that we dicussed dinner plans making sure everyone could eat wherever we decided. We wanted one last meal together. The rest of the night was spent at the hostel packing and sitting around the fire.

Day 5

Yesterday we went to Biscayne National Park to help remove trash from sea turtle nesting beaches. We started just a half hour away from the hostel at the Visitor's Center. We filled out a little paperwork and found out a little history on Biscayne and Elliot Key which is where we were working. We learned that the Florida Keys has the third largest reef in the world and that we were working on the northern most Key. We also learned that Biscayne National Park is actually 95% under water. We then jumped on the boat to headed 45 minutes away from the mainland. When we arrived to Elliot Key we docked on the Biscayne Bay side and immediately started working. There were students at this location earlier this week that picked up the trash but our job was to load it onto a small barge and get it back to shore. The piles of garbage were immense and almost unbelievable. They explained that all the garbage in the world washes up on shore here and that they rely on volunteers to help remove the trash only a couple weeks a year.

After we finished loading the barge, we got on the mules and drove to the other side of the Key. The road was called Spite Highway and was about the width of a four-wheeler. We got to a beach on the Atlantic Ocean and was amazed at what the beach looked like. In all honesty, it was almost impossible to walk without stepping onto garbage, ropes or broken glass. We ate lunch then headed back to work, this time picking up the garbage and recyclables ourselves. After a couple long hours of this we road the 20 minutes back to the other side of the Key and headed back to the mainland. When we arrived there we helped empty the barge onto a truck. When the truck was full and the barge wasn't quite empty, the rangers called it a day. We decided to be back early today.

When we got back to the hostel last night we all agreed that it had been a long day and decided to eat and just relax for the night.

Day 4

Today was our day off. We have been discussing plans for this day for awhile now, but due to weather changes we decided to go to Miami.

So the day started off by us sleeping in until 8:30. When we woke up we discussed plans for the day and decided to head to South Beach. On our way there we hit traffic and had to find a place to park, which wasn't as easy as you would think. We decided to eat before anything else. The interesting part about trying to find a restaurant is that when we walked by a few and saw the prices we were going to find a new place to eat, but we didn't have to as we were offered half off our meal. I have never seen so many restaurants fighting for customers in my life, but that is why we were able to eat where we did. After we ate, we headed straight to the beach. Although Florida has been cold, the magnificent blue water was amazingly warm. Not planning to be getting into the ocean, nobody brought swimwear. Apparently that wasn't going to stop us. We jumped in jeans and all and had a blast. After playing in the water for awhile we sat on the beach trying to give our clothes time to dry in the sun. AS the sun set we headed to the coffee shop to get warm and headed home. Although we hadn't done any work, the crew was a bit tired and agreed to make it an early night because we had to be up early for volunteer work in Biscayne National Park. Overall, our day off was in great need and everyone really enjoyed it.

Day 3

Yesterday was an amazing day filled with a lot of hard work, but it payed off. We met at the Visitor's Center again and took another 45 minute drive back to Flamingo. We continued to work in the same area as we did on Monday, eradicating the Lead Tree. At lunch we went to the Marina in hopes of seeing some crocodiles. As we sat down to make our sandwiches, one of the people in our group saw one. We also had an interesting experience with the seagulls at lunch. I have been to the Everglades before and had given a warning to the group about the aggressiveness of the birds here, but I don't think people expected what happened next. When we sat down after seeing the crocodile, we started have issues with the seagulls flying a little close to our heads. After a couple minutes of this, they began attempting to land on our table and heads to steal the food we had.

After the lunch fiasco, we headed out to a new location in Flamingo. Our afternoon task was the same but we were in a entirely different atmosphere. We were working on a trail that was blazed just a few days earlier, and the risk of running into snakes was a lot greater. As part of our group continued to pull and cut the Lead Trees, the other part blazed a trail down to the Florida Bay. The view was amazing and the fact that we were probably the only people ever in that exact location was just crazy. As we finished up our work and headed out of the Everglades we stopped at yet another Visitor's Center overlooking the Florida Bay. We decided to take a walk down Mahogany Trail. After the walk down the trail, we had to say our good-byes to our guides. Most of us were near tears as we gave everyone hugs and exchanged names, number and/or e-mails. We all new we were lucky to have met and learned from such amazing people. The rest of the night was spent in the hostel relaxing and trying to stay warm as it has been unusually cold here. I know we are all interested in what our work on Thursday and Friday of this week will be and I'm sure we are all looking forward to making new friends. Now off to Miami for the day.....

Day 2

The group woke up extremely early this morning considering most of us didn’t get to bed before midnight last night. We left the hostel by 8:45 am to get to the Visitor’s Center in the Everglades by 9:00. There we met our guides Louie, Alice, Sam and Sirisa. All four are volunteer staff. Our task today was to eradicate an invasive plant called the Lead Tree. Before we did anything we were told of the dangers of working in the Everglades, particularly the places we were working in at Flamingo Island. I think due to weather being a little colder than usual, the three different species of rattlesnakes weren’t really an issue but there was a very poisonous tree that we were working around quite a bit called Poison Wood.

Louie, the boss, gave us a bit of a break today by letting us go a little early. Instead of working they gave us a tour of a few places in the Everglades. We went to the marina hoping to see crocodiles or manatees, but no luck. We saw all different species of birds plus tons of alligators on a walk down the Anhinga trail though. After we were done and made it back to the hostel, we discussed dinner plans for the group. We just got home from eating and are making plans to hang out with other people staying at the hostel later tonight. Tomorrow we will be back in the Everglades working and taking advantage of the time spent there to learn all about the inhabitants of this amazingly beautiful National Park.