North America - Clean Breaks: 500 New Ways to See the World - page 192

Recycling facilities are
comprehensive, restaurant
scraps are used as compost
and, according to the
owners, “the vegetables
grown in the garden are
incorporated into our menu
to help move us towards
being ever more 'locavore'”.
Day-trips are organized to Julia Pfeiffer-Burns
State Park and Limekiln State Park, but if you
want to get out into the big blue, you can go ocean-
kayaking at the southern end of the Monterey Bay
National Marine Sanctuary, the largest protected
marine area in the US - home to sea otters, harbour
seals and dolphins.
Afterwards you can kick back at the camp and
relax in a wooden “nest” - a small cradle up among
evergreen trees overlooking the sea. It was created
by local artist Jason Fann of the Big Sur Spirit
Garden (a creative and musical community centre an
hour north of the camp; W www.bigsurspiritgarden.
com; T [phone]). The idea of the nest,
insist the owners, is that it's either for an overnight
“extreme eco sleep” or for spending an afternoon of
quality “alone time”, where you can “ponder, meditate
or pray”. Though this is only available 3-6pm daily,
“weather permitting”. Only in California.

wellies almost waist-deep in water. But this
is an Everglades “wet hike” and you're here to
appreciate the wilderness, alligators and all.
Considered one of the most important wetlands
in the world, the Everglades is a vast sodden
expanse at the southernmost tip of Florida.
Dragonfly Expeditions runs three-hour guided
tours through its swamps, around the complex
tangles of mangroves, sawgrasses and cypress
trees that rise up out of the watery quagmire.
To stop your feet getting wet, you'll wear snug
neoprene aquasocks and water-shoes, and be
given a walking stick to help you stay upright on
the slippery undergrowth as you search for river
otters, wading birds and of course those 'gators.
Many coloured orchids - including, occasionally,
the endangered ghost orchid - and bromeliads
hang from boughs overhead, while frogs croak
loudly and butterflies dance above the surface of
the water.
You'll be convinced grasses in the water are
snakes as they wrap around your leg, and you'll
probably jump the first time your foot hits a
branch underwater. But you'll soon get used to
the sensation, by which time the magnificent
wildlife will probably have monopolized your
attention - plus there's a great slap-up lunch
of fresh seafood and locally grown salad in a
gourmet restaurant overlooking the Barron
River to look forward to once you return to dry
land.

The swamp waters of
the Everglades

Need to know For directions, prices and
reservations see W www.treebonesresort.com; T +1
877 424 4787. If yurt camping is your thing, check
out these other yurt camps in North America: W www.
yurts.com/how/yurt-vacations.aspx. For prices
and reservations of the full-day hiking see W www.
centralcoastoutdoors.com; T [phone]. For
ocean kayaking see W www.kayakcambria.com; T +1
800 717 5225.

Need to know The best time to visit is mid-
September to mid-May. A percentage of every
tour goes towards conservation efforts in the
Everglades. Dragonfly also offers kayaking
trips and the chance to see manatees up close.
For prices and more information visit W www.
dragonflyexpeditions.com; T [phone].

252 TAke A wALk on The weT
Side, fLoRidA

Spotting an alligator basking a few metres
away on the banks of the swamp might make
you wonder what you're doing, standing in your