Florida's southwest Gulf coast offers some incredible opportunities to enjoy nature and wildlife. One of the best is Babcock Wilderness Adventures, located an easy 20-minute drive east of Punta Gorda.

This wild nature preserve is part of the 90,000-acre Crescent B Ranch and is also a working cattle ranch and sod farm operation. Babcock offers a 90-minute swamp buggy ride through a variety of habitats, including pine flatwoods, oak hammocks and cypress swamps. The "buggy" is actually a converted school bus, painted camouflage green with all the windows knocked out - sort of like what a real school bus might look like without adult supervision.

This was a comfortable and fun tour led by our very knowledgeable and entertaining guide, Cheryl. The entire trail was dry on my trip, but Cheryl assured us that during the rainy months--July through September--the bus often navigates through several feet of water in the swampy areas.

Wildlife observation is the main feature of this trip, although we also got a look at some skinny "Cracker" cattle and threw corn to some very hungry feral hogs, which have become part of the Florida wilderness experience. Here's a partial list of the wildlife I saw on the trip:

• Florida wild turkey
• Dozens of wild gators
• Bobcat crossing the trail ahead of the bus
• White-tailed deer
• Sandhill cranes
• Black racer snake
• Two river otters crossing highway 31 near the ranch
• 2 fox squirrels (about 3 times the size of a gray squirrel)
• Red shouldered hawk
• 2 panthers (captive)

I recommend taking the early morning trip for the best chances of seeing the most wildlife. It's great to know that people are working hard to preserve Old Florida. If you enjoy the outdoors, you'll love the Babcock Wilderness Adventures swamp buggy tour. Dress according to the weather and bring insect repellent during the warmer months, just in case.

Babcock Wilderness Adventures also has a gift shop (they sell some excellent saw palmetto honey), a small museum, restrooms and a snack-bar with tables.

Website: Babcock Wilderness Adventures Eco Tour

Reservations required: 1-800-500-5583

Location: 8000 State Road 31, Punta Gorda, FL 33982 (links to Google map)