Weather conditions:
High: 82
Low: 60
Skies: mostly cloudy
Winds: WSW 10-20 mph
Today’s mileage: 9 miles
Total mileage: 21 miles
Where we traveled: Maul Hammock platform to Big Waters platform
Alligator sightings today: 6
Total for the trip: 10
Ate:
Breakfast: granola
Dinner: spaghetti with garlic croutons and wine
Dessert: apple crisp
7:00 a.m.
Happy anniversary, John. What a great way to celebrate a 19-year adventure.
Rise and shine. No alarms this trip. We are waking up with the sun. I could get used to this.
The wind. Between the outhouse vent squeaking and the ends of our rain fly scraping the platform floor all night, I was awake. In addition, I kept my ears alert for the sound of an alligator crawling into our sleeping area. The bugs and frogs made their presence known.
Since I didn’t have to dig a hole, I took advantage of the outhouse once during the night. I don’t usually venture out of the tent, but the outhouse was just too convenient to be uncomfortable. I killed a cockroach.
Now, to get going. We haven’t set a routine yet, so I feel stressed and unorganized, which is amplified with the presence of others.
9:00 a.m.
The boats are almost packed. I think I will take one last pee before we launch. There isn’t any place to land and pee in the swamp. In the shower, I have practiced sitting and using my go girl to pee in a Jiff jar. I don’t really want to test myself in the canoe.
It is breezy and cloudy with the sun peeking through from time to time. I have a few goose bumps but will probably forget they existed by this afternoon.
Off to pee.
1:30 p.m.
We reached Big Waters platform at 1:00. Alice, our alligator host, welcomed us. She doesn’t seem very ambitious. Besides opening her eyes a few times, she hasn’t moved.
The absence of current and the paddling conditions contributed to our paddling only nine miles in four hours. Today’s paddle was technical. The path was narrow with many tight turns under low hanging branches.
At one impasse, there was a log with grass on it across the path with a narrow opening on the right. The problem is there were branches—large branches blocking the opening.
John said, “We’re going through the branches.”
“Are you serious?”
“Just pull us through.”
While I was tugging, Gary and Linda placed their boat on the log.
John saw this and said, “Pull harder. They’re going the other way. It’s a competition. Don’t for a moment think it’s not.”
We pulled. They pushed and rocked. It was a tie!
We saw six alligators. Three of which were within the last fifteen minutes. The last one, Alice, is still ten yards from our platform even after 45 minutes. I hope we aren’t camping in her bedroom.
When John and I were in the lead, two sizeable snakes dropped from the trees into the water. Thank goodness they didn’t land in our boat! The thought of a snake as a passenger doesn’t appeal to me. We decided Gary and Linda brought us along to be their probe. They chose the friends they would least care if they didn’t take them home. We won. (or maybe lost?) We didn’t do a very good job probing, because a snake did drop beside Gary after we passed through.
We debated the purpose of the tall poles painted white on top along the path.
John said, “They are for flooding.”
I was skeptical. I said, “Ask Gary.”
“Ask Gary” has become a catch phrase. Yesterday, John told me the Maul Hammock platform would be on our left. I then asked Gary which side it would be on. In other words, “Ask Gary.”
Today, in response to the pole question, Gary said, “It’s to signify the beginning and end of lakes.”
We soon realized Gary’s hypothesis was wrong.
John added another opinion. “It’s a stripper pole.”
We still don’t know.
I wrote yesterday about the different species of flowers here. One is a yellow six-inch “spear.” Linda is an expert on wildflowers, so every time I see a new one, I ask her what it is. Her answer, “I’m not sure, but it’s in the book.” The problem—the book is at home!
Last night, John couldn’t sleep and found the name—Yellow Club or Never Wet.
The water lilies’ buds are beginning to open. With the unseasonably warm weather, they may be open by Friday.
John and I think we saw poke berries yesterday.
Since we finished early today, we will have time to relax. By the way, Alice is still here.
The platform today is nicer than last night’s. A railing frames three sides—less chance of falling off, which is nice since Alice is close.
All the platforms in the swamp come with a composting toilet. Tonight’s shuts without lifting to open and close. Unfortunately, there isn’t a vent at the top of the door, so it is dark. You know the outhouse is occupied when the door is open. There also isn’t any toilet paper (Of course, Linda and I wouldn’t go anywhere without an extra roll). On the plus side, there is hand sanitizer.
There is a light switch on the post with a sign. “Please turn off light when you leave.” No light. No wires. No electricity. Hmmm….
The stationary bench is along one rail. The picnic table is at the right height for the movable benches. With some maneuvering of the picnic table, we could fit both tents under the roof. A roof is a luxury.
Gary and Linda are adding a vestibule to their tent tonight—deluxe accommodations. Of course, they do…
John is sitting in his chair with a back playing his guitar. His guitar has traveled on many rivers.
We are waiting to put up our tent until we see how much real estate Gary and Linda’s tent requires. Then we will rearrange the furniture and put up our tent.
While I wait, I think I’ll read.
3:45 p.m.
Currently drinking wine, listening to John play the guitar, eating Chex mix, and watching Alice sleep.
Life doesn’t get any better than this.
6:15 p.m.
Alice still here.
Dinner complete.
Dishes done.
Teeth brushed.
Face washed.
Still time to relax before the sun sets.
Happy anniversary, John!! Where will we spend our anniversary next year? It doesn’t get any better than this…