At the end of the first day, after 58 miles of mostly city riding, the Everglades Hostel pizza party was most welcome. The hostel staff and volunteers baked made-to-order pizzas in a frog-shaped horno (outdoor wood-fired oven).

The next morning most of us explored the Everglades National Park, much of it unsuitable for bicycles, so we switched to paddles.

The paddle route took us through barely-navigable mangrove tunnels.

But, when the vegetation got thicker, we got out and walked.

And, the hunt for the elusive Florida alligator was also successful.

Momma ‘gator hung around because her brood was near. We gave them respectful distance and moved on.

After our Everglades adventure, we checked out “Robert Is Here,” the famous fruit stand in Florida City.

Back at the hostel, plates of jackfruit, dragonfruit, papaya, and avocado were shared around the table for a fruit lunch, along with tamarind and cajun-spiced boiled peanuts.

It was, as advertised, a unique experience. Where else do you get to see a cow orchid in the wild?