In this corner of South Florida the rich traditions of the Miccousukee tribe of Native Americans are everywhere to be found. In my own way I am honored to end a year at the Miccousukee Casino. Now the fun begins.

Tourists rush up and down this busy two lane highway. The local Native Americans are responsible for police services. I stop at a Miccosukee restaurant to enjoy the local food. Great fun, maybe.

Tourists flocked to the paved swamp bicycle trail at Shark Valley national park in the heart of the Everglades. I meander, on foot, along the same trail walking in the opposite direction to the bikers. A slight breeze helps ease the feeling of mugginess. In the shallow canals alligators splash joyfully and occasionally show themselves. I keep moving. It is a swamp for sure but the paved path makes me feel I am in a safe park. False security?

A wicked winter storm in blanketing the mid-west so returning to Missouri to continue Stage 10 is out of the question. Again impacted by cabin fever, even though I am in sunny south Florida, I decide to tackle part of Stage 14 again. I had just returned from 12 days on the road walking Stage 13 in Central Florida. But family and Christmas commitments prevent me from driving to the Stage 13 start point again. So here I am walking Stage 14, headed south from the end of Stage 13, a point I had already completed.