The Everglades this week - advice needed asap

Hi all, I'm in West Palm Beach for the week enjoying the sun before heading back to cold and wet England!

I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions fo good area's to go to in the Everglades right now and where might be a good place to stay. We are planning on heading that way probably tomorrow and staying overnight (but don't have any gear for a campsite unfortunately). Thinking of either going in the Long Pine Key route and down to the Flamingo Visitor centre are or heading the Sharp Valley way and going across to stay somewhere around Everglades City then maybe heading across to the West Coast the following day.

An times on good locations for wildlife this time of year would be appreciated.

Thanks all

The Flamingo Lodge, restaurant, and cafe are currently closed due to the damage caused by strong winds and storm surges from Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma in 2005. For the latest status information, you may contact the lodge directly at 239-695-3101, or contact the park switchboard at 305-242-7700.

http://www.npca.org/southflorida/redeveloping_flamingo.html

Lodging is available in communities that border the park, including Homestead, Florida City, Miami, Everglades City, and Chokoloskee. Contact the local chamber of commerce or visitor information bureau for a listing of local accommodations.

For birds - Herons, Egrets, Ospreys, Bitterns, Red-Wing Blackbirds, Palm Warblers, Blue-Grey Gnatcatchers, , Alligators you could go to Wakodahatchee Wetlands west of Delray Beach, about 1/2 hour from West Palm and also Green Cay Wetlands.

Here`are links to their sites:
http://www.pbcgov.com/waterutilities/wakodahatchee/

http://www.pbcgov.com/waterutilities/waterfacts/green_cay.htm

Another area close to West Palm is the Loxahatchee area of the Everglades: http://www.fws.gov/loxahatchee/

---Milt
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As mentioned above, Wakodahatchee and Loxahatchee are north of Miami/Fort Lauderdale and both are worth visiting if you plan to stay up in the Palm Beach area. Wakodahatchee has a boardwalk that loops around through their wetlands. Loxahatchee is much larger and has a short boardwalk but mostly trails. There is no overnight camping in either.

Just a quick note to thank you for the replies