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.

Sunday 7/28/13 at Chokoloskee

Happy Birthday, Cousin Jill.  We are celebrating it in Chokoloskee.
Around 5 pm last night, a game warden was at the docks checking catches of the incoming boats.  He was quite a character...could play the harmonica quite well while waiting for the fishermen to show him their catch of the day.  He was finding out what kind of fish were caught and/or released, and where, but he would also  check regulation bag limits and sizes and licenses.

After yesterday's near grounding, we decided to cancel our plans for today, which was to "yacht" with friends Jack & Angie, and Ralph & Debbie, and instead just meet them for lunch. So, Bob and I spent a kick back morning reading the Sunday paper and taking care of some housekeeping chores.  When Bob went to the park office to get some ice for our cooler, Sonny, the manager there ,commented that our pontoon appeared to be sinking in the back.  It really did look a lot lower in the water than the front, but we were just about to go to the restaurant, so we had to leave it as it was.  

After a very nice lunch and gab fest, Angie and Jack needed to head back to Bonita, but Debbie and Ralph came to check  out the park, as they thought they might decide to spend a weekend here in their RV and go kayaking. We had a nice visit sitting in the breezes under the chickee hut.

Jack assuring us there is life after insurance.

The tide was still too low to try to get the boat out.  We could see one of the shoals we had hit the day before.  Although at high tide it looks as though there is plenty of water, it's incredible to see how shallow it really is with the changing tides.

Later, when the high tide was coming in, Bob was able to get the boat out of the water.  He didn't find any damage, and "thumping" on the pontoons generated a hollow sound...an indication they were not filled with water.  We think it was either the way the front of the boat was tied to the dock, or the weight of the extra filled gas tanks we had on the back of the  boat, or a combination of both.

 

We tried fishing from the dock...but again, even the cat fish weren't hungry. 

Saturday 7/27/13 at Chokoloskee Island

Early this morning we set out for fishing.  The park manager gave us a map showing the Chokoloskee Pass leading to the Gulf, but even on high tide, the water was as low as 2 feet, and twice we almost grounded the  pontoon.  We did anchor in one spot that was bout 5 feet deep, and Bob caught a huge catfish.  We headed back to the marina to see if there was some other way we could go, and almost got grounded again.  But, by 11, it was too hot to sit in the sun, and even the catfish quit biting, so we came in. We might try getting to one of the mangrove islands right across from the marina later this evening when it is high tide again.

After lunch, we went into Everglades City to get a part for the boat trailer, and then back at Chokoloskee, we decided to visit Smallwood's Store, which we had seen from the water earlier.  I read about it before, and we've seen it before, but never actually went inside. The store, which is now a museum still owned by the Smallwoods, was the only trading post serving the island in the early pioneer days. It also served as the post office until a new one was built in town.  Edgar J. Watson, who was the outlaw who killed Belle Star, was killed there in 1910 by the locals for his alleged murders of migrant workers who worked his land, but instead of paying wages, he shot them,  and also two men who tried to squat on his land.  Visitors to the museum have reported seeing a woman in a dresser mirror, and town folk tell of hearing sounds and seeing people moving around in the museum long after it is closed for the day.  Today a local author, Rick Magers, was there for a book signing.  I enjoyed talking to him, and bought one of his books, Ghosts of Chokoloskee.  

Corey Smallwood, great grandson of the original store owner, Ted  Smallwood

It was in the 90's today, yet the breeze coming through here was cool and refreshing.

The dresser mirror where the "ghost" has appeared .

Double left click on this to enlarge to original size to read about the bedroom

In the foreground is the Smallwood's dining room table.  In the mid-ground is the author, Rick Mager, and his dogs.  He said he was doing research on his next book about the Calusa Indians, but I think he was taking a "dog nap", too.

The book signing.

Ted & me.  Must say he was very well preserved!

 

Chokoloskee, FL July 2013

And where the heck is Chokoloskee, you might  ask.  Well, it's at the end of the earth south of Naples and Everglades City...an old  Florida pioneer fishing village...more history to follow on that.  We're here at the Chokoloskee Island RV & Marina until Tuesday, July 30th.  Great get-away for us...55 miles from home, so Bob was able to take the boat down early in the morning and come back for our trailer, Charlie, and me after I got off from work.  The park is on the Gulf, and we can dock the pontoon right here.  Hoping to do some fishing if the weather permits.  Long day and lots of energy expended to get ready for this trip, so a short blog tonight, with just a few photos of the beautiful view, and hopefully more tomorrow.  Hope you enjoy the trip, too.

Tiki hut with swing, bbq grill, chairs, and great view of the gulf.  

Veranda outside of recreation room. Think there's a rocking chair with my name on it....

Almost sunset, with storm in the distance...