The flat areas of southern Florida are covered in water. The water flows slowly to the south, but it looks like land because grass grows and covers the water. Native Americans used to live on little hills, and they traveled from hill to hill by canoe. They lived with alligators and used them for food. They also used alligator teeth and bones to make tools. These days, no one lives on these hills, and people use modern airboats to travel. They have a giant fan on the back, so they can go anywhere in shallow water. I took an airboat with some other tourists, and we visited two old native American sites. The pilot made it more fun by giving us a wild ride back and forth through the river of grass. (132 words)

A long time ago, I wrote about a six-year-old boy who sold cucumbers for his father at a roadside stand. Robert’s father made a sign that said, “Robert is Here,” and business was great. Robert made money and bought some land at the age of 14. He grew fruit and made his fruit and vegetable stand bigger. I was excited to see the Robert is Here Fruit Stand on my way to Everglades National Park. Robert is now 67 years old, and his stand has become famous. You can buy many different types of tropical fruit and vegetables there. They make milkshakes and smoothies with the fruit, so I ordered a passion fruit milkshake. It was delicious!   (117 words)

Everglades National Park is in the south of Florida near Miami. It is one of the biggest parks in the U.S. People visit the park to see alligators, manatees, and birds. I decided to stay in a tent near the water so that I could watch the birds in the morning. It wasn’t real camping. It was glamping, glamorous camping. I had a tent with a bed and chairs, and I could look outside and see the water. When it got light on Monday morning, hundreds of birds such as white egrets and blue herons flew to nearby trees. I watched as an osprey landed on the ground and picked up dry grass for its nest. It was a birdwatcher’s dream come true. (123 words)

Hello from the U.S.! I’m sorry, but I won’t have WiFi on November 18 and 19, so I cannot send out stories on these days. I will send out the next Jaremaga on November 20. Regards, Douglas Jarrell

My daughter lives on a farm, and her friend’s parents raise chickens. They have about 20 hens and several roosters now, and they are raising 15 more young chickens. They keep the chickens outside during the day, but the chickens go into a small wooden house called a chicken coop at night. If they stay outside, they can be killed by wild animals such as racoons and bears. The hens lay eggs every day, and the farmer puts out a sign in his driveway that says, “Fresh Eggs.” People come to the house and buy them, but the farmer doesn’t sell all of them. My daughter and her friend get some. My daughter says that they are the best eggs she has ever eaten. I agree. They are very good! (130 words)