March 4, 2007 - Lovers Key

First things first!!

Yup, Barb and I are grandparents for the 5th time.  Second grandson--James William.  Good old fashioned names from both sides of the family.  Son Doug (the father) is actually James Douglas, my oldest brother named his first son James, Doug's mother's father was James, my younger brother was William (deceased)........ah, if we don't look out a proud grampa will go on all day.  Arrived late last night and his folks were all ready for a daughter.  As usual, his mom didn't get a lot of notice before the arrival, so dad and sister were in Philly when the little guy made his appearance in St. Louis.  We're as excited about it as if we had something to do with it, you know.

Almost forgot.  Why do we consider newborns like we do a good fish?  Give the weight and length, eh?  Anyway........7.2 pounds, 19.5 inches.  Pretty good size for both baby and fish in my mind.

And now for the more mundane things of life........

Occasionally, when we have a day off we'll leave the park.  Usually we'll stay right here or run errands like grocery shopping because most of what we love Florida for is right here in our "own" backyard.  Barb had read about Venice Beach being a place to find fossilized sharks teeth, and it had been confirmed by some locals as well, so off we went.  Who says the beaches in Florida are crowded?  The people trying to get you to come to their beach instead maybe?

See that bird in the photo on the left?  It's in the center of the photo, and there it is cropped a bit on the right.  We get a kick out of surprises like this when we're out poking around.  Notice the sand?  It's a bit grainier than we have on Lovers Key and has a salt 'n pepper sort of coloration.

Same song, second verse.  Different place, different bird.

As you can tell from the size of the breaker, the surf we have here is about the same as at Lovers Key.  One of the reasons we like the gulf side of the state so much is the rather "quiet" surf.  Of course, it's fun when there's a storm and it builds up, but normal surf like this is just fine for us.  No sneaker waves, those treacherous rascals that are much bigger than all the other waves that can soak an unsuspecting sheller or clam digger like we have on the Pacific coast.  I have no idea, of course, why that tire with a flag is out there.  It's not a marker for a diver unless all they had was a red flag and needed some kind of marker.

Speaking of shellers......Barb's got her "digger" shell and is collecting some shells while in the process of looking for sharks teeth.

Look out!  Beach is getting crowded!  In the photo on the right, you can see how shallow the shoreline runs.  There's a person out there and the water is still not chest high on them.  Water is still a bit cool at about 68 degrees.  Well, cool for us, not you Northerners who are still able to walk on yours!

At this point (after a couple of hours), I'd decided that the only shark's teeth in Venice Beach were in the Chamber of Commerce office.  I found a lonesome log on the beach and decided to keep it company.  I sat on it for a while, then I leaned back on it for a while, and eventually used it as a pillow and caught a nice nap.  All the while, Barb was convinced there were sharks teeth on this beach, and if she kept digging long enough she'd find at least one little one.  See the beach towel there?  That's where she started digging this trench, and she kept it up until I was finished with my nap and suggested we go play another game.  Gotta give that girl credit.....she's persistent!  End result: several nice shells, no teeth.

Someday I'll remember to lock the aperture on the camera before taking pictures for stitching, but until then you'll just have to live with the funny little shaded lines.  I'd climbed up a few stairs on the life guard station office, so I could get these shots of the entire beach.  Life guard with truck on the left, observation tower on the right, and a free beach wheelchair for those needing it.  Lovers Key has several of the wheelchairs, but no life guards.

The "next game" that day was a short drive over to Myakka River State Park to see what the "Volunteer Village" looked like in case we ever wanted to volunteer there.  Turned out the village was situated under these beautiful huge live oak trees with Spanish moss all over them.....and no way were we ever going to be able to get a reliable signal for the internet or TV dishes mounted on the roof.  We went sightseeing anyway.

No, that Great Blue Heron is not sitting on a nest.  They nest in trees.  It's just being a GBH there in the weeds.  And speaking of Spanish moss....

We'd been to the park before, but couldn't really remember it until we found the observation tower and swinging bridge.  Last visit can be seen here, and on the next page from there.  These are a couple of shots from the observation tower of the swinging bridge.

Barb spotted this red shouldered hawk while taking a short walk.  I'd stayed in the Jeep, having pretty well worn my walkers out on Venice Beach.  Beach walking is great exercise and Barb does a lot more of it than I do.

On the left you can see the three distinct environments that make up the park.  The dried grass of the prairie, the green grass of the wetlands (with an egret sticking its head up), and the treed hammock.  Besides the big birds we like, Barb also found these little Yellow-rumped warblers.

Next venture out of Lovers Key was to visit another State Park, of course.  In this case it was Collier-Seminole State Park where they were having their Native American & Pioneer Festival.

The festival featured the 1857 Third Seminole War battle reenactment, Native American crafts & exhibits, Active Seminole & Army encampments, 1850's Period demonstrations and of course, live Bluegrass music.

The fellow above is explaining how the early settlers worked animal skins to be used for clothing.  Everything he was wearing (that we could see!) he made himself, and, in addition to showing us how things were done, he had a table of things we could buy.

More of the "skin guy" and a blacksmith.  I was particularly drawn to the blacksmith as my grandfather was one, and I grew up using many of the tools, albeit not as a blacksmith.

We so admire people who can make useful things and make them beautiful in the process.  See that vice?  We had one just like it when I was a kid, and I can attest to the fact that if you're not careful, that handle (which slides through the screw head) can raise some mighty big blood blisters!  Here the smith is turning the rod he's working to make those nice twists.

While I was drooling over the blacksmith's useful art, Barb was next door admiring "beads 'n stuff".

The "bead lady" and a look at the backside of one of the Seminoles who was talking to one of the "settlers" and another Seminole.

One of several portable gun racks, holding not only the black powder long guns, but the paraphernalia that goes with it.  The front of the guy we'd seen the back of just recently.  Wonderful use of jewelry!  I want some earrings like that, but Barb protests mightily whenever I suggest even a demure gold ring in my ear.  Narrow minded, she is.

A "finger weaver" and some of her wares.  She makes things for the black powder long guns, among them these powder horns and other gadgets they use.  I liked the boxes as well.

This Seminole saw me lining up to take his picture, and he grinned and hid his coffee mug behind his back.  Right after I took the picture, he assumed a serious frown for me, but I liked his grin better.  Another of those portable gun racks that fascinate me.  That strap hanging on the right was made by the finger weaver.

Beautiful but expensive carving.  $20 for a single spoon!  No wonder our forbearers took such good care of their stuff, eh?

More beautiful beads.  I'm a sucker for blue, can you tell?

Why is it that watching a spinning wheel, and the accomplished person using it, is so calming to me?  Making everyday things by hand takes patience, skill, and hard work, and maybe the appreciation for that is somehow comforting.  I like handling things like those carved spoons and platters, I like the texture of the homespun blankets.  The raw wool itself has a special feel to it that is only enhanced as it's carded and spun.

When I told her I liked her hat, she responded by saying, "I made everything you see except the feathers.  God made those".  I responded by saying that between the two of them, they did pretty good work, and we enjoyed a short conversation as she went about re-stringing the spool.

She watched what she was doing, but it was a distracted watching.  She could have done it blindfolded I think.  Barb commented on her shoes, and she said they were special made by another of the craftspeople there and expensive, but worth it for their comfort.

The tall shelter to the right is the stage, behind it the food vendors (one of my favorite things to do at these kinds of events) and to the left some exhibits regarding the reason the park is here, as well as general "real Florida" things like information on Florida fauna and flora.

Barb is browsing through some of the more commercial displays that only marginally fit into the theme of the event, but are still great fun for us.

I think some of these hats and rings were on display at Quartzsite, AZ, last time we were there, weren't they?

HA!  I used to do this (much to the dismay of my parents) when I was a kid, but never ever thought of a commercial application for it.  Think of what I'd be doing today if at the tender age of innocence when I was doing it, I'd seen its future.  Naw, I didn't (and don't) have the patience for it.  The fellow sure had on some colorful clothes though.  Wonder if his mother is missing some of hers!

Some of the handiwork the fellow with the glass has done.  He would burn the name of the purchaser as well.

Where would these parks be if it wasn't for us volunteers, eh?  This couple were a wealth of information, and just as much in love with Collier-Seminole as Barb and I are with Lovers Key.  We learned a lot from them, and as a consequence, went to see what the volunteer village looked like.  Again, too many nice trees for us, so it's another park we'll take a pass on working in.

The music was toe-tapping good, and the girl on the left couldn't help but get up and do a pretty good rendition of some clogging steps, quickly followed by the two others.  Those of us eating our whatever (corn on a stick, barbeque pork, chicken, beef sandwiches and other delectables) were lavish with our praise and applause at the end of the show.

Because of my interest in how things work, please bear with me on this next batch of pictures. They are big on purpose.  Little pictures are fine for landscapes and such, but to read all about this fancy contraption, I needed big pictures.

Don't try to read "How the dredge walks" because it's the next picture.

Barron Collier was the prime financier for the road from Tampa to Miami called the Tamiami Trail.  State Hwy 41 still bears that name, and you can still drive from Tampa to Miami on that road.  Parts are through little towns with lots of signal lights, and parts are through the Big Cypress Swamp with lots of alligators, birds, and an occasional tourist trap offering swamp buggy and airboat rides.  Collier county is named after this businessman.

And this plaque that's also on display at the Collier-Seminole park, and that's the end of the big pictures. 

At the appointed time, we all stood/sat/squatted behind the yellow ribbon to watch the whole reenactment battle shebang.  First we got a bit of a description of what caused it.  First the Seminole guy came out and said that all they were doing was defending their homes.  The lands where their ancestors were buried on.  The land where they'd lived forever. Now, we know that the Seminole people actually consisted of several diverse groups.  Some original Caloosa, some escaped slaves, some captured slaves, and even some freedmen who chose to live with the Indians. We were reminded of the previous two battles, and how the army had forced most of the remaining Indians to move to Oklahoma which is known as the Trail of Tears.  Many history books have written about that time.  

Then the Army Captain gave his version of the reason for the battle.  In condensed version it was mainly because from the settlers view, the Indians considered the settlers cattle to be nothing more than slow moving very tasty deer, and they (the settlers) were tired of loosing them.  So, some of the settlers got mad and went and raided one of the Indians big gardens, and the Indian took exception to that activity  and shot at them.  They then went crying to the Army and the rest, as they say, is history.

The enactment started with the Army hauling their cannon and firing away, and then the Seminole responded.  The Army was well organized with the members all quite obedient to the commands given.  The Seminole, on the other hand, just did what needed doing when it needed doing.  And when the shooting was over, both sides assembled in front of us all for one last volley of shots into the air.  With the Army leading off, the command was given, "Ready, Aim, Fire (huge boom)."  Then it was the Seminole turn, and their leader said, "On three!  One, Two (huge boom), Three!....long pause, final BOOM."   Much gleeful applause followed for a show well done.  If you'd like to see the pictures from the battle, click here for part 1, (intro and Army) and here for part 2 (Seminoles and finale.  Had to break it down because it was so long.

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