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Trip to Key West, Florida
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Mar 28, 2018 10:54:38   #
cspear42 Loc: New Mexico
 
Thank all my UHH friends for providing very informative information for my upcoming trip to Key West. Now, I will be driving from Clearwater and my wife wants to know if it is worth going through the Everglades on Highway 41 as opposed to taking I-75. Any UHH's ever drive the Everglades route and what can we expect in the way of photo ops, etc. Thank you again.

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Mar 28, 2018 11:24:38   #
treadwl Loc: South Florida
 
If you are driving across US 41 look for the Monroe Station turn off on the right. It will be after you pass Kirby Storter roadside park. This leads to what is called the loop road. It is an unpaved (gravel) road that will take you through the big Cypress. Stop at the Gator Hook Trail take the trail for a shot walk to see cypress groves. Continue to Sweetwater (on the big curve to the left) there are some great views of BIG cypress trees, reflections, and lots and lots of birds. You should see gators as well. finish the drive and you will end up on US 41 again. On the loop road you will find lots of pull offs with photo ops all along the way. plenty of brids. Bring bug spray. If you have more questions PM me. check out my Everglades page on my web site reminisces.smugmug.com

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Mar 28, 2018 11:24:44   #
woodworkerman Loc: PA to FL
 
I live in St. Pete. 75 will get you there faster, however, due to the way Interstates are constructed, you won't get to see much. You might find 41 more visually interesting. That's my opinion anyway.

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Mar 28, 2018 12:56:38   #
JPL
 
treadwl wrote:
If you are driving across US 41 look for the Monroe Station turn off on the right. It will be after you pass Kirby Storter roadside park. This leads to what is called the loop road. It is an unpaved (gravel) road that will take you through the big Cypress. Stop at the Gator Hook Trail take the trail for a shot walk to see cypress groves. Continue to Sweetwater (on the big curve to the left) there are some great views of BIG cypress trees, reflections, and lots and lots of birds. You should see gators as well. finish the drive and you will end up on US 41 again. On the loop road you will find lots of pull offs with photo ops all along the way. plenty of brids. Bring bug spray. If you have more questions PM me. check out my Everglades page on my web site reminisces.smugmug.com
If you are driving across US 41 look for the Monro... (show quote)


I highly recommend this gravel road from Monroe station at US 41. Except for one thing. It took me all day to drive that road due to all the gators and birdlife I had to photograph on the way

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Mar 29, 2018 05:48:07   #
mikegreenwald Loc: Illinois
 
cspear42 wrote:
Thank all my UHH friends for providing very informative information for my upcoming trip to Key West. Now, I will be driving from Clearwater and my wife wants to know if it is worth going through the Everglades on Highway 41 as opposed to taking I-75. Any UHH's ever drive the Everglades route and what can we expect in the way of photo ops, etc. Thank you again.


Rt. 41 is by far the more interesting route. There are a few stops available on I-75, but none is as interesting as any of the many great places to see on 41. Big Cypress is a jewel, but Everglades NP at the eastern end of the road is the crown jewel. The Airboat rides are disappointing most of time.

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Mar 29, 2018 05:49:01   #
mikegreenwald Loc: Illinois
 
JPL wrote:
I highly recommend this gravel road from Monroe station at US 41. Except for one thing. It took me all day to drive that road due to all the gators and birdlife I had to photograph on the way


I've had the same experience in more places than one in the 'glades.

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Mar 29, 2018 05:58:05   #
dek Loc: S.W. Florida
 
another point of interest along US 41 is the 'Gallery of the Everglades'. A photo gallery of the works of Clyde Butcher, a local photographer legend, in the style of Ansel Adams

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Mar 29, 2018 05:58:42   #
VTMatwood Loc: Displaced Vermonta in Central New Hampsha
 
Yes... if you take the scenic route, which I have done, be prepared to stop ALOT to take pictures... it is a beautiful drive.

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Mar 29, 2018 06:04:22   #
Larz
 
Clyde is still alive and well after a health square. Check them out on Facebook

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Mar 29, 2018 06:33:29   #
dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl
 
cspear42 wrote:
Thank all my UHH friends for providing very informative information for my upcoming trip to Key West. Now, I will be driving from Clearwater and my wife wants to know if it is worth going through the Everglades on Highway 41 as opposed to taking I-75. Any UHH's ever drive the Everglades route and what can we expect in the way of photo ops, etc. Thank you again.


If you are driving from Clearwater, be sure to try to hit the Sunshine Bridge a little before sunrise and stop at the park/rest area on the south end (same exit as the fishing pier on the west side but go under the highway to the east side. Great shots looking North and East including the bridge just to the northwest.

There are several scenic areas going from the Sunshine bridge south toward the Everglades.. Including the Ringling Mansion, Edison's house, etc. I would take that highway all of the way down to where it turns east and cuts through the everglades. You can get off in several areas (watch your gas) as there is an exit about midway after you turn east. It has access to the swamp boats etc in the Everglades. Then you can proceed East toward Miami and take the Keys US1 south into Key Largo and down south and southwest to Key West. Be prepared for extremely slow traffic and no passing on US1 except in extremely rare places. I live in Clearwater and have taken that trip several times. It's quite a drive from Clearwater.

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Mar 29, 2018 07:08:24   #
Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast
 
41 by all means...the Tamiami Trail,its to see

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Mar 29, 2018 07:18:18   #
cspear42 Loc: New Mexico
 
Thank you Dave. FYI, my son is a corporal on the Clearwater police department, Brad Starks.

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Mar 29, 2018 08:22:49   #
nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL
 
treadwl wrote:
If you are driving across US 41 look for the Monroe Station turn off on the right. It will be after you pass Kirby Storter roadside park. This leads to what is called the loop road. It is an unpaved (gravel) road that will take you through the big Cypress. Stop at the Gator Hook Trail take the trail for a shot walk to see cypress groves. Continue to Sweetwater (on the big curve to the left) there are some great views of BIG cypress trees, reflections, and lots and lots of birds. You should see gators as well. finish the drive and you will end up on US 41 again. On the loop road you will find lots of pull offs with photo ops all along the way. plenty of brids. Bring bug spray. If you have more questions PM me. check out my Everglades page on my web site reminisces.smugmug.com
If you are driving across US 41 look for the Monro... (show quote)


Great advise, but be aware that the loop road is very bumpy and quite a long ride!

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Mar 29, 2018 08:42:37   #
Bolton Loc: jacksonville, fl
 
Unfortunately, loop road isn't dirt anymore. Still cool!! If you want to do the airboat, which is highly recommended, find you a private charter. Do not do the cattlecar rides.

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Mar 29, 2018 09:55:50   #
ashriverguy Loc: Rural Minnesota
 
I would take old highway 41 (Tamiami Trail) and stop at "Shark Valley" Visitors Center, (Everglades National Park). It’s about in the middle of the state on the south side of 41. They have a tram ride, guided by a park ranger that will take you 15 miles into the bowels of Everglades National Park to an observation tower.
This is an ABSOLUTE MUST for a photographer; I was there in the "film Days" and burned through all my film in my camera bag. There were birds and alligators galore and the views of the saw grass and hammocks from the tower were just marvelous.
I was there in February, the dry season, so there were few bugs and the ditches on either side of the tram trail held some water, so there was lots of wild life was concentrated there.
Bring bug spray, batteries, memory cards and make a reservation. Their website will provide you with all the information you need. Good Luck

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