TUESDAY
TOTAL MILES TRAVELED TODAY: 22 NM
The howling winds died down to a “doable” blustery day and we gratefully accepted the peace offering and made our way back into the
Intracoastal Waterway. Our travels were fine but, gazing out to see at the tumultuous sea, I was glad to be on the
GIWW.
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| QUEST AT THE ROYAL PALM MARINA |
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| SO LONG ROYAL PALM MARINA |
We stayed out of the way of this little auto ferry that took folks from Lemon Circle to
Don Pedro Island. It only opened on one end so the cars had to back out when they reached the other side.
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| CARS BACKING OUT OF THE FERRY |
The Gasparilla Causeway Swing Bridge kindly opened her portals for our passage. There were no bridge mishaps today!
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| GASPIRILLA CAUSEWAY SWING BRIDGE |
This flat, swampy land in Southern Florida was once inhabited by the Calusa Indians, a fierce and tall people. Because the Calusa Indians were not an agricultural society they relied on the sea for fish and shell food to sustain their people. The shells from their harvest were used for weapons, dishes, tools and jewelry. They would pile the abundant seashells into mounds to construct a basis for their village dwellings and ceremonial temples. We began to see evidence of these mounds in the elevated areas on the islands we were passing.
Today’s destination was Cabbage Key and it was like stepping back in time. In 1929, this island was purchase by the son and daughter-in-law of the famous author,
Mary Roberts Rinehart. The immediately began construction of their winter estate which are now the grounds of this popular resort. The present owners, the Wells family, have preserved the charm of the resort and maintained the delicate echo system.
We walked their nature trail, climbed the 41 steps to the top of the old water tower, caught sight of this beautiful pileated woodpecker and were able to view several
shell mounds form the
Calusa Indian days.
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| THE OLD WATER TOWER |
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VIEW FROM THE TOP OF THE TOWER
NOTE THE PILIATED WOODPECKER IN THE CENTER OF THE PHOTO |
Image by Sam Howzit via FlickrThe bar and restaurant is straight out of the 50’s. They are slammed with boating customers during the rest of the year but it is very quiet now. Every square inch of the walls and ceiling is covered with a donated and signed one dollar bill. It is said that this establishment was the inspiration for Jimmy Buffet’s famous Cheese Burger in Paradise. His signed photo and dollar bill lends credence to this tale. There is also a signed poster and book cover from Florida author,
Randy Wayne White.
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| CABBAGE KEY RESTAURANT AND BAR |
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| CHRISTMAS TREE, DOLLAR BILLS AND TARPON |
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DOLLAR BILLS HANGING EVERYWHERE
POSTER FOR RANDY WAYNE WHITE'S BOOK "CAPTIVA"
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The birdlife is abundant around the boat but they are definatelly not wild criters. The ducks make their way to the fresh water bucket for a drink then waddle back to the shore to forage for food.
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| THE DUCK BAR |
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| NOT EXACTALY A WILD BEAST! |
We spent a delightfully peaceful and calm night in our quaint little hideaway. All you boaters NEED to stop here and enjoy their amenities.
