Everglades Expedition By Chris Veno

           Everglades Expedition By Chris Veno

            We had a long drive to get down to Florida, but it was a fun drive because we were jammin’ to our music.  The first campsite that we stayed at was Manatee Springs State Park and we had a lot of fun there.  While we were there we dug up loblolly pines because they were invasive and they outgrow the longleaf pines.  Digging up the loblolly pines was a lot of fun and we uprooted a large loblolly pine.  At Manatee Springs some of us went swimming and others went fishing.  At Manatee Springs I saw a brown water snake chillin on a tree. 

            The next place that we went to was Collier Seminole State Park and that is when Sophie braided my hair on the van ride there.  My braids are sick and twisted.  Everyone says that I look like an indigenous tribe member with braids.  At Collier Seminole State Park Aaron took pictures of me head banging while playing “Another Way You Can Die” on Alex’s acoustic guitar.  Next we left for our canoe trip in the Everglades.  On the first and second day of canoeing I was paddle partners with Alex Wilds and we told lots of funny stories to each other.  On the third day I paddled with Doug and we were jamming to LYNYRD SKYNYRD on my iPod Touch and it reminded me of when dad used to drive me to school and we would jam out to LYNYRD SKYNYRD in the car.  On the last days of canoeing I paddled with Alec Thompson and we came up with a good paddling system that benefited both of us.  On the last day of canoeing there were dolphins that were swimming right next to our canoes and following us.  We also got along really well and he is now a great friend. 

            The Everglades are absolutely amazing and I identified a couple of species of plants and animals.  I really want to go back there some time because it is very pristine and beautiful.