Florida Keys And The Everglades, 2006
Insanity, Alligators, and Naked People
So what do you get when you take a small block V8, bolt a propellor to the output shaft, and then attach this assembly to a fiberglass sled?
You get a brilliantly effective, amusingly dangerous, and insanely fun vehicle to tear up one of nature's most delicate ecosystems. OK so the airboat rides do absolutely nothing but harm, dare I say I felt slightly guilty; but let me tell you blasting down mud canals through mangrove forests is QUITE a lot of fun. You do a lot of yawing, slewing, and occasionally spinning (intentional or otherwise) as you bound across shoals, dead trees, alligators, and everything else that can't, won't, or doesn't feel like getting out of your way. The harbor dwelling pelicans enjoy these machines, and you damn well better get out of their way as they come in for an often clumsy landing right on the boat; quite the introduction to these surprisingly large and curious birds.
Welcome to the Everglades.
Nestled among the Ten Thousand Islands is Everglades City, Florida... population = Suzie, local proprietor (read chef, waitress, busgirl, cashier) of Suzie's-Stop Restaurant (I recommend the BBQ) and local gossip spreader. I ought not forget Martha, either, the local nozy neighbor who just had to know what "press ah wuz frum" since I had me all sorts of camera gear. Martha apparently phoned Suzie, in the time it took me to cross the street, to warn of the "Yankee with the cameras" who "might all be getting hungry." You can see what kind of town this is.
After a last minute decsion, I found myself at Shark Valley, right in the middle of the 'Glades, for a ranger led tour 7 miles to nowhere. This is the land of sawgrass, alligators, and herons. A wild place that I found strangely serene and peaceful. The gators lie in wait along the path, the birds flutter around the sky, the sawgrass sways in the breeze and the ridiculously slow current. The air is fresh, and the water is pure and sweet to drink. But don't get too comfortable, as a crow screams his displeasure, vultures circle over something or other, and a gator grumbles to protect her babies. You are often reminded that the entire system is just waiting for you to screw up. The animals are always hungry, and people taste good.
Fantasy Fest
This is a must do to anyone with a pulse and a compromised set of morals. Think Mardi Gras, at Halloween, with just as much booze and nowhere near the attention. Get the idea?
While I was looking at hotels in the Keys, I could not figure out why they were so expensive. Then I found out what was going on. At that point, I decided, there was no way I was going to miss this! The pictures tell the story quite nicely.
Updated: Saturday, October 28, 2006
Florida & The Keys, 2006
Some random pictures from various places around the state. From Daytona Beach, to Tampa traffic, the Sunshine Skyway at St. Petersburg, to Everglades City and the Overseas Highway through the keys. Nikon D200.
Everglades 2006
Photographs of the Airboat Tour, Totch's Island, Everglades National Park, and Flamingo, FL. Nikon D200
Fantasy Fest 2006
Quite the par-tay. A week of drunken Halloween rowdiness is finished off in grand style with a Halloween parade rivaled only by NYC's own parade in Greenwich Village. 70,000 people descended upon the tiny island, drank themselves silly, wore crazy costumes, and bared all for the camera. The day started quite rainy, but the skies cleared and produced a beautiful evening. Nikon D200.
