It's a Swamp! No, It's the Everglades.

Southern Florida is filled with National Parks. There is Big Cypress in Ochopee; Biscayne in Miami, Key Biscayne and Homestead; Dry Tortugas in Key West; and the Everglades in Miami, Naples and Homestead. Although it is August and Florida is hot and humid this time of year, I found myself at Big Cypress and the Everglades.

Originally, when I thought of Southern Florida National Parks, I thought of swamps. Lots of swamp land with not much else to see or take in. Well, little did I realize how much life was there. In fact, this part of Florida is full of life.

If you are lucky, you may catch a glimpse of a manatee, an American crocodile, American alligator, a Florida panther and one of the many species of amphibians, birds, fish and the list goes on. There is so much to see and experience here than first meets the eye. There are trails and roads where much of this area can be explored. You can kayak and even camp here too.

At one of the park stops, a National Park Service ranger mentioned how the Everglades was not a traditional National Park. It is not like the Grand Canyon or Yellowstone where it is apparent, with one step inside the park, why it's a National Park. Instead, the Everglades is a park that protects an ecosystem, an ecosystem that is so unique and so vast.

Keeping this in mind and after gaining a better understanding of this diverse area, I began to understand how it was much more than "just" a swamp. Instead, it allowed plants, animals, insects, etc. to exist in a way that is quite special. I'll admit, visiting this area in August may not have been the most ideal time, but if you come armed with sunscreen and bug repellent, you will be in store for a special experience.

Learn more about the Southern Florida National Parks at nps.gov. Also, stay cool while visiting these Florida National Parks by wearing an Adea camisole.

- Aimee