Lois and I spent December 28, 2003, through January 3, 2004, kayaking and camping in the Everglades.  This had been a dream of Lois' for awhile and school vacations finally worked so that we could do it.  We had almost perfect weather--no rain, day time high temperatures of 75 to 80, and night time low temperatures of about 60.

We decided to go with a tour and picked Crystal Seas Kayaking based in Friday Harbor, Washington.  I believe it was a great choice.  They provided all of our equipment and gear.  We had one other guest with us;  he was a delightful young man, Joe,  from Virginia.  Our guide, Tim, did all of the cooking and navigating.  The food was very good to excellent.  My favorite breakfast was a cream cheese/salmon omelet.  My favorite dinner was tuna steaks with a wonderful glaze.  We ate well.

We left from the Everglades City Gulf Coast Visitors Center and paddled out through the Indian Key Pass. (See map.) We spent the first night on the Kingston Key chickee.  (It is not on the map, but at the key just to the right of the word "Indian" in the phrase "Indian Key Pass.)  The second day we paddled south to Rabbit Key.  We spent two nights camped on the beach there.  The third day we paddled into a slough in the area.  There were 4 dolphins in the area, so we spent a lot of time watching them.  The fourth day we paddled through the Rabbit Key Pass and up the Lopez River to camp at the Lopez River Campsite.  On day five, we paddled to the Sunday Bay chickee, where we spent two night.  We spent the layover day exploring the area.  Then it was day seven and we paddled  over to Turner River and ended at Chokoloskee.