Last Getaway Day July 29, 2013

We were going to try a boat ramp by The Rod and Gun Club in Everglades City which is on the Barron River, a deep canal, but decided instead to do something different for a change...nothing much except relax.  We did go into Everglades City mid day to see if the library that is in the City Hall had any books for sale (which it didn't).  We were surprised how multi-funtional City Hall is! In addition to the library, you can also get your fishing license, pay water bills, and the Hall also houses the offices for the tax collector and clerk of the court, Council Chambers in which there was a small art display, and at one time had a deposit box for one of the local banks.  From there we went to the historical Rod and Gun Club. It was first built in 1864 as a home, but when it was purchased in 1922 by Barron Collier, who bought and developed most of the land around Naples, Collier made it an exclusive club whose guests included several presidents.  The Club was bought by the Bowen family in 1972, and has been owned by them since then.  Now it is open to the public as a restaurant and lodging.  A scene from "Gone Fishin' " with Joe Pesi and Danny Glover was shot at the historic inn.   We intended to have lunch there, but despite there being only two other tables with diners, service was extremely slow, so we left before the waitress even acknowledged we were there.  We had a very good lunch at a place called the Oyster House, which Bob had wanted to try in the past.  Glad we did.  Back at the park, we were thinking of doing some fishing off the dock, but the rain finally caught up with us.  So, more relaxing is in order, and later we will start getting ready for our trip home tomorrow morning.