We went on a full day trip with Garl himself. We started on a off-trail hike/slough slogging in the Everglades. Initially we were dubious as we were slogging through knee deep mud and weren't quite sure what the destination was. But Garl kept things interesting as he pointed out interesting plant life and wildlife including snakes, air-plants, birds, and orchid varieties etc. Then he led us to an alligator nest and an alligator water hole and we had multiple close encounters with these magnificent creatures. Garl really knows this ecosystem including all of the wildlife, history, stories about everglades, and details about these areas (down to where you can wash your shoes at the end of the walk). He is also an avid photographer and did film-making with National Geographic in the Everglades. He calls the cypress forests his office as he is there all the time. He knows how the alligators are going to behave, which route the alligator is about to take, what the frustration level of that alligator has by its "facial expression", absolutely amazing. He is careful not to disrupt wildlife and leave little footprint. We also went on a mangrove kayak trip and saw more wildlife, including all sorts of birds, fish, more alligators, and then onwards with a Florida Bay kayak trip seeing sharks and flamingos, and a beautiful sunset. Then we finished the night with a night walk looking at alligators come alive at night and tracking them swimming in the water with lanterns. It was worth all the time and money spent. There is definitely some adventure loving and off-trail comfort level required, but it is a truly memorable and wonderful experience. (Garl has the good quality mosquito outfits from "Original Bug Shirt and pants", wear them. seriously. the mosquitoes are vicious). ps: there is no cell reception anywhere in the everglades, so just be prepared to be off line for 8-10 hours.