Don't Blink...

If you do, you might miss it.  Wait a second, is that really a post office?  Yes indeed, it is.

This is America's smallest U.S. Post Office, in beautiful Ochopee, FL. Never heard of Ochopee?  Don't worry, not many people have. (You can tell it's small, look at the size of their post office). Ochopee is located on Tamiami Trail in the midst of Big Cypress National Preserve down in Everglades country.

I took this photo a few years ago when I was passing through, on my way to Chokoloskee. (Don't worry if you've never heard of Chokoloskee, it's only a little bigger than Ochopee).  This drive across the Southern Everglades was made possible many years ago when the Tamiami Trail was built.  Unfortunately, the road cut off much of the water flow into the Everglades, and they have been struggling to survive for decades.  But all hope is not lost...

Several years ago, the Army Corp. of Engineers began an ambitious project to elevate parts of Tamiami Trail to restore more water flow into the Everglades. You can read more specifics here http://www.evergladesfoundation.org/what-we-do/projects/tamiami-trail/

The first mile of elevated roadway is complete, so that's good news.  There's more to be done, but a step forward is a step in the right direction.  If you have not visited the Everglades, I'd encourage you to do so. There's no place else like it in the world.  And on your back (or on your way to Chokoloskee), take a ride through Ochopee to see the post office.  Just don't blink, you might miss it...