Cruise along with Friends of Fakahatchee

The Friends of Fakahatchee start a new season of coastal cruises through the mysterious mangroves of the Ten Thousands Island on Saturday, Jan. 21.

The adventure begins at 3 p.m. with a talk about the history of the area at the Everglades National Park ranger station in Everglades City. Participants are ferried to Fakahatchee Island by Everglades National Park Boat Tours, and a naturalist leads the walk up an ancient shell mount to a cemetery. On the return trip, the boat passes by a rookery where the birds will be settling down for the night. The trips ends around 6 p.m. back in Everglades City.

Additional cruises are set for Feb. 25, March 10 and March 25. Tickets are $75 per person, and space is limited. For reservations, call 695- 2905 or visit www.orchidswamp.org. ¦