Great, sounds like you have a plan, Deb. I am a Canadian from Vancouver so yes, I can say for sure it is a different world down here. (except today when we are having a very rare taste of cold, wet, grey PNW weather) We're sailors, so usually are commuting across Alligator Alley (I-75) with boats in tow. We have stopped a few times on our way across the Everglades to check out the gators, but never really gone 'in depth'. You'd enjoy crossing via Hwy. 41 instead. It's the 'scenic route'.
To be honest, I'm not sure you'll be able to do more than barely scratch the surface of the Everglades in a few days. It's an enormous and complex ecosystem and I know people who go camping down there for a couple of weeks every year who say "the more we see, the more we know we haven't seen". You can't just park by the side of the road and go for a hike, as you'll either run into sawgrass 7ft. tall that cuts you, knee deep mucky water, or jungles of impenetrable vines. Go for the State Park option, they've made it all more accessible to casual travelers and have also cleared out a lot of the invasive exotic species and plants so it is actually more "natural" than the wild areas.
The Fakahatchee Strand Preserve
http://www.floridastateparks.o... is supposed to be fascinating, and is home to some very rare native orchids although not sure they'd be in bloom in Feb. Absolutely fabulous birds, bring binoculars! Be prepared for insects, snakes and gators! Especially put insect repellent on your ankles and lower legs against chiggers that abound in the long grasses. Very itchy bites! I like the natural insect repellent "Herbal Armor" available from REI. Use lots of it, and even if you get bit, put it on and it takes away the itch! (for me at least)
I must admit, I've always found it tiring not knowing where my next meal or bed for the night is going to be. It's not quite as spontaneous, but more relaxing to have coffee and cereal before setting out, and know the way back to the base if you have a place reserved. No packing/loading every morning either. I guess it comes with age, huh?
