Ed asked me what I wanted to do for my 62nd birthday. My immediate reply was “Let’ go to Everglades National Park”!
In order to entice him, I even promised to go fishing, something I usually do not do as I feel sorry for the fish. “We’ll throw them back,” I laughed. I’ll learn to identity them. It will be fun”!
The traffic was brutal, but we made it there from Stuart to Flamingo, the resting place of Guy Bradley, who in 1902 became Florida Audubon’s first game warden tasked with protecting wading birds. Of course he was shot and killed after confronting a man and his two sons hunting egrets for their plumes. At the time plumes were worth more than gold. Warden Bradley and others like him changed the course of environmental history – with their lives. Many do not remember him today, but rather focus on enjoying the natural resources of the area.
Ed and I were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the lodge. Â Repurposed steel shipping containers make for a great stay. Very clean, functional and affordable, Ed and I plan to return.
It was in the 90s , but with a breeze the mosquitos were in our wake. In the early morning Ed and I took to the water. I captained the skiff  and Ed practiced his fly-fishing.
So hot! Water so still! Not a one fish bite, but believe it or not, a school of mullet jumped into the boat!
Ed asked if I wanted to cut them up for bait. “No”! I said, and we returned them to the water to reunite with their friends.
Smiling from ear to ear, I recalled the stories of the late Ernie Lyons, Editor of the Stuart News, who wrote about St. Lucie River’s early days when there were so many fish in the river they jumped into your boat.
“Ed we’re just like Ernie Lyons!” I teased. Ed rolled his eyes.
As we approached the shoreline, I saw the crocodile. So ancient, so wise, so intimidating. I slowed down to be careful to go around him and thought of all the changes his kind have seen in 240 million years.
Returning after a great day, Harbour Master, Reuben provided excellent service helping bring in the skiff. As I stepped out of the boat, I asked about the gigantic osprey nest still ominous and hanging.
“This year the female osprey returned as she has for many years. She called and called and called, but the male did not return. You know they mate for life,” Â Reuben said. “She was crying for over a month. But nothing, no mate, no chicks. We really miss them; they are like family.”
“So sad.” I replied….
I looked at Ed and thought about how lucky I am that he always comes home.
“Hey babe, do you want to get a drink”?
We made our way to the Flamingo Lounge and Restaurant right next to our cargo lodge room, ordered a couple of vodka tonics, telling fish stories about the tarpon we will catch next time! 🦟
Flamingo Tours, Everglades National Park
Thanks for the quickie tour I’m planning a fishing trip to Flamingo
Hey! Happy Birthday! Great to see your smiling faces. Looks like another great trip.
Thank you to your husband’s former practice and the docs there who helped me this Spring with a minor surgery! Beautiful office.
I would like to order a copy of the book: A Pictorial History of Palm City, Florida
Bounded by the North and South Forks of the St. Lucie River, the Okeechobee Waterway, and the C-23 Canal
Sandra Henderson Thurlow and Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch
Can this be mailed to Connecticut?
I don’t see it on Amazon -link doesn’t work.
Thank you!
Happy Birthday Jacqui! That looks like a great adventure! My kind of outing. Enjoy your summer and keep in touch.
Jacqui.. Wonderful story.. And thank you for mentioning my old friend Ernie Lyons, whom I enjoyed talking with when I was over at their house. He’d take us fishing also!
Even Flamingo changes. Thank you for showing and reporting on the shipping container lodge. It looks both attractive and functional.
Hello jacqui, Scott potter. Love this. One evening around 1988. My girl and another couple were camping on the south spoil island so went to hole in the wall to pick out a few clams for a snack. All ok until we took the gals ashore to see the two old shacks tha remained there. Once we made to the rndd of the old 20 foot dock we were all COVERED with the b 52 size monsters sounded like a bomber attack. Have a good one. God bless. Scoo p.
Oh dear Lord! I’m not sure if you’re brave or nuts! When we lived all those years in Homestead near the park, our rule was NEVER go to ENPark from May until December! Those skeeters will pick you up and carry you off! But I’m glad you enjoyed your visit. I’ve long felt a connection to Guy Bradley and the sacrifice he made trying to protect our beautiful birds, so seeing your photo of his marker was touching. I’m looking forward to seeing the new lodge–maybe in January or February. We rented a boat years ago and cruised Whitewater Bay, and from your photos it looks about the same. And I loved seeing the crocodile! You two have the best adventures.
Hi Jacque, what a great adventure and thank you sharing! I will plan to do all of this with my husband Travis – also the fisherman of my family!
Happy belated birthday. I love your guys adventures. Being a Dade County guy, I know and appreciate the Flamingo area. And the skeeters sure so make for adventures. Thanks for sharing your fun. Hello to ya both.