Manatees, gentle sea cows, seek warm water when winter temperatures drop. This means that you can reliably paddle with them near the outfalls of power plants, like this one in Fort Myers. Thermal effluent is normally considered pollution, but in this case it keeps our mammalian friends afloat at least one more season.
We explored Everglades National Park -- that river of grass -- by foot, canoe, and bicycle. Our muddy bike tires brought us within 15 feet of a napping panther, who unfurled and sprang up the trail before my eyes could make sense of the BIG brown mass in front of me. It stopped, turned, and assessed us before reluctantly stepping into the swamp to slowly wade away. This kind of close encounter is both rare and totally exhilarating. And, no, I didn't get a picture.
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