Photos to follow, sorry, again…

It was a dark and stormy day.  We woke to find that the black-water tanks had overflowed and the sinks and toilet were filled to the brim and had to be emergency drained – YUCK!  It seems that the top of the vent pipe had blown off during the storm and the rain had gotten into the tanks to fill them – so Dad had to “get out the gloves” and do an emergency dump – what a way to start a day!

The wind howled and the rain pelted us with atomic drops that bombed the windshield. We could hardly see as we crossed the 7-mile bridge back to the mainland. I kept thinking that we could easily slide off into the guard rail and off into the ocean to meet Davey Jones, himself.  The bug bites that we had obtained the night before burned and itched in the swelter of 97% humidity.  Although we made it across the bridge, and many others in succession, we were heading back into the Everglades where ‘gators and snakes and even bigger bugs awaited us.

First, we saw dragonflies, as big as the palm of my hand, winging their way from reed to reed. I caught a glimpse of an alligator swimming down the channel with its articulated back and top of his head just above the water level and his back-end swaying to and from to propel him toward a group of water birds with wings outstretched in an attempt to dry them.  I do not know if he reached them without being noticed – but if he did, I am sure that there are some feathers floating on top of the water as the bird slid down his gullet – CHOMP. Bats circle above us, catching bugs in a complicated sonar dance. Hawks hunt from the air and soar down to pick up prey with their powerful talons and then swoop up back to their domain of the sky. Air-boat vendors line the channels waiting for victims (ahem, patrons) to sign up and catch a ride to the bowels of the swampland with a complete stranger who will show them man-eating monsters and then claim to be lost and then….have these people not seen Deliverance??? The words of the day are wise but not comforting words – just images of nature at its most violent and a warning: Beware what you can not See and See what you should Beware! If you don’t believe me – check out this link to the local news: Python Eats 76 lb Deer in Everglades!

Next the Miccosuke Indian Tribal lands lay before us.  Their villages look like they came from Tahiti or Bora Bora – but what is more surprising is that they all appear vacant.  Not a soul – or maybe JUST souls.  Where did these native peoples go?  The sign ahead gives us a clue:  Panther Crossing.  For miles, the signs continued for-telling of the menacing presence of this man-eater. Slinking into the villages, it first snatched the young ones and then the old ones – those who could not defend themselves.  But as the population of easy prey diminished, the Panther had to get more creative and had to wait until he found the more able-bodied alone in the marshes or at their huts with the men away hunting or working.  So swift and dark is he that the native people refer to him has “The Shadow”. Even more disturbing, is that was we reached “civilization” we continued to see the warning signs, indicating that The Shadow (and his progeny) is looking for more prey outside of his home base.  How far will he go?  Will he come to North Port – our stop for the next few days…If you don’t hear from me, you will know what happened!

Now, we are in North Port – the most dangerous part of our trip – alleged civilization!  We are at my Aunt’s house and her 14 year old cat will complete my horror story for the night.  Millie is a large 30-lb orange and white feline who appears friendly – at first. However, upon our arrival she bared her teeth and hissed at us with a cold-dead stare.  I tried to cajole her and was warned that she does not like company – though declawed in the front, she bites.  I laughed it off, thinking that she will just need time.  But every time we make eye contact, the teeth come out and the howl, growl and hissing begins like she really means business – still not approachable.  We have been told to keep our door closed this evening, unless we want the cat to come in. A local, possible ferrel cat – could she be somehow related to her larger cousin The Shadow?  I think we will keep it closed..