Shark Valley with the TriLocos

Yesterday I took my first trip to Shark Valley in the Everglades. To get there we had to drive west, leaving all vestiges of civilization behind until the cypress took over the landscape and the only buildings were tiki huts for airboat ride operators. Wow - this was turning into a real adventure! All of a sudden, in the middle of nowhere, we pulled over and parked on the side of the road. The sun was rising over the clusters of cypress and we were getting ready to take a bike ride. We stocked up on water bottles and some snacks, lathered on the sunscreen and sprayed on the bug repellant, and off we went.
Once beyond the gate we found ourselves in another world. There were beautiful birds standing guard on the banks of the canal. We ventured on and gathered at the visitors center. This was the start of the Shark Valley Loop - a 15 mile loop out to an observation tower and back through the wilderness of the Everglades. The path is narrow - barely fitting 3 riders across - and flanked by water and a few trails for those on foot. You can take a tram, walk, or ride a bike, with some cruisers available for hire. We planned to do 2 loops at an easy pace and I was told we would stop at the observation tower, and that the wind would slow us down on the return half of each loop.
What a great ride! We saw at least 8 gators on the first loop, with one resting just on the right hand side of the path at the observation tower! The second loop there were many more, and big ones too! Seeking some sun, they were out along the path, gazing lazily at us, or in the water with their eyes and jaws just visible enough to make me jump! A huge gator on the banks of one of the pools of water was smiling so broadly you just couldn't be scared! There were anahingas, blue herons, egrets, ibises and even an owl. Turtles and gators were swimming around and I was in awe. I can't wait to go back with my camera.
And I'm registered for the Turkey Trot but haven't run since the lighthouse run so this will be interesting!