It rained early this morning in Myakka State Park, FL, but cleared up by around 7. Went early to register with the Park Rangers for a wilderness pass for today (It's needed to make the trek out to Deep Hole - only 30 passes are issued each day.) Walked the nature path ending at the canopy walk. Since it was still early (and mid-week) we had the trail, canopy walk and observation tower to ourselves.
76 feet up in the tower we were well above the trees and we could really feel the wind. My guess is it was at least 40 mph. The tower swayed but there was a sign that said it was designed to so I guess it was all good.
After breakfast, we walked along the Myakka River. We saw 8 to 10 gators and lots of birds. I might have seen some wild hogs, but not sure. I think Sam got the attention of the gators who thought he might be lunch.
After lunch, we used our wilderness pass to hike to the "Deep Hole". It was a sinkhole connected to the lower Myakka Lake that is a little more than 200 feet deep. Never seen so many alligators in one place along with thousands of white pelicans, herons, egrets and vultures. We walked a total of 9 miles today so maybe we can take it easy tomorrow.
Found you can zoom in on Deep Hole using Google Earth and actually see the alligators from space! Wrapped up the day listening to rangers and park volunteers telling "Florida" stories at the log pavilion built by the CCC in the 1930s.
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