Wednesday, May 9, 2018
Sunday, May 6, 2018
Fish Shack Fun
During the first week of December, my little town celebrates Founder's Week. Many groups, especially historically-minded ones, host events as money makers. At last year's Founder's Southern Supper, an auction was held. One item up for auction was a boat trip for you and five of your friends to the historic fishing shacks located in the Pine Island Sound (circa 1920's, 1930's and 1940's).
Image from Internet
The Colonel and I have wanted to visit the fish shacks for as long as we've known of their existence (about 12 years). Frank and Michael, who are co-owners of one of the historical fish shacks, were offering the boat trip. When it was up on the auction block I made a bid. Someone across the crowed room immediately made a counter-bid. Back and forth it went (forever it seemed). I was not going to let this trip slip out of my hands. The Colonel was at my side, supporting me (and egging me on) as I continued to bid against the other person. I was prepared to go higher when the other bidder dropped out after my $600 bid. I could have strangled the auctioneer...he took forever to say "sold". He kept asking if there were anymore bids from any one else. Finally, he said the item was sold. I could breathe easier and my blood pressure returned to normal. Look again at the aerial photo of the fish shacks above...the shack we won a trip to is the third one from the top of the photo, before the red shack.
Now that we had won the boat trip, it was time to ask friends to join us and to set a date. The original friends list and date changed due to job obligations and weather.
April 30th was the new date for the boat trip and joining The Colonel and I were Judy, Kelly, Martha and Mary. We all met at 8:00 that morning and Kelly carpooled us to the Pineland Marina in her new SUV.
We pulled into the parking lot just as Frank and Michael were pulling up to the fuel dock of the marina. After a visit to the restroom for all the ladies (no T.P. in the restroom. Thank God Mary had a packet of Kleenex in her purse) it was time to board the boat.
Before the boat left the dock, Frank and Michael made a mimosa for anyone who wanted one. You can see we all, but Kelly, had one, as she was our designated driver for the day.
We pulled away from the dock. Frank was piloting the boat and Michael was our tour guide (Frank also chimed in with facts and stories).
We passed by islands like Useppa, where we saw the beautiful Collier Inn and Cayo Costa State Park with its gorgeous water and white sandy beaches.
We also saw some manatees in the water but I could not get any good pictures of them. As Frank piloted us through the water, Michael told us about the area and recited some of his poems which gained their inspiration from this environment.
It was time for us to go to the fish shack. Frank's wife Teresa was waiting there for us. She had been getting our breakfast ready. She met us at the shack's dock.
We all were eager to see what the inside of the fish shack looked like. The use of the space was perfect. Here is the kitchen area. It was just to the right as you stepped through the front door.
The dining area was opposite the kitchen.
The master bedroom was just off the kitchen.
Above the master bed and above the dining area were lofts with mattresses in them for more sleeping space. There was a hatch in the kitchen floor that when opened, could be used for fishing. It looked kind of Captain Nemo-ish.
There was a front and back door and large windows on each wall. These were open and a most wonderful and refreshing breeze was coming through them. The fish shack was surrounded by a wide porch. Some of us sat in the dining area for breakfast as others sat on the porch. Teresa had a nice spread set out for us. There were little quiches, fruit and cornbread.
Michael serenaded us as we ate our breakfast. When we all had our fill, Frank announced it was time for another boat ride. He took us to the other side of Cayo Costa State Park where we saw a rookery with several types of birds.
We also saw the old pilings of an ice house. The ice house would pack the fish the fishermen caught in ice and then it would be shipped to the local fish company for processing and then sold across the country.
We headed back to the fish shack and Teresa had a lunch of ribs and mac'n'cheese waiting for us. It ended with a delicious slice of Key Lime Pie. After lunch Michael broke out his guitar again and sang a song about the fish shacks. He said he needed the ladies to sing back-up for him (I think the beer helped).
The sun, wind and full tummies made some of us a bit sleepy. Martha and Judy stretched out in the dining area and Michael caught a few winks on the porch decking.
I took some photos of the other nearby fishing shacks and a visiting pelican.
I also took a photo of the gray fishing shack through a window of the shack we were in. It looked like a painting hanging on the wall. So pretty.
Frank was not sleepy at all...he decided to take a quick dip in drink.
The Colonel and I feel very fortunate to have been able to experience the historic fish shack and share our time there with friends. It is something we will always remember and treasure.
(Note: As a thank you for including her on the trip, Mary gave The Colonel and I a small basket of gifts and she wrote the following poem about the trip)
We pulled into the parking lot just as Frank and Michael were pulling up to the fuel dock of the marina. After a visit to the restroom for all the ladies (no T.P. in the restroom. Thank God Mary had a packet of Kleenex in her purse) it was time to board the boat.
Before the boat left the dock, Frank and Michael made a mimosa for anyone who wanted one. You can see we all, but Kelly, had one, as she was our designated driver for the day.
We pulled away from the dock. Frank was piloting the boat and Michael was our tour guide (Frank also chimed in with facts and stories).
We passed by islands like Useppa, where we saw the beautiful Collier Inn and Cayo Costa State Park with its gorgeous water and white sandy beaches.
We also saw some manatees in the water but I could not get any good pictures of them. As Frank piloted us through the water, Michael told us about the area and recited some of his poems which gained their inspiration from this environment.
It was time for us to go to the fish shack. Frank's wife Teresa was waiting there for us. She had been getting our breakfast ready. She met us at the shack's dock.
The dining area was opposite the kitchen.
The master bedroom was just off the kitchen.
Above the master bed and above the dining area were lofts with mattresses in them for more sleeping space. There was a hatch in the kitchen floor that when opened, could be used for fishing. It looked kind of Captain Nemo-ish.
There was a front and back door and large windows on each wall. These were open and a most wonderful and refreshing breeze was coming through them. The fish shack was surrounded by a wide porch. Some of us sat in the dining area for breakfast as others sat on the porch. Teresa had a nice spread set out for us. There were little quiches, fruit and cornbread.
Michael serenaded us as we ate our breakfast. When we all had our fill, Frank announced it was time for another boat ride. He took us to the other side of Cayo Costa State Park where we saw a rookery with several types of birds.
We also saw the old pilings of an ice house. The ice house would pack the fish the fishermen caught in ice and then it would be shipped to the local fish company for processing and then sold across the country.
We headed back to the fish shack and Teresa had a lunch of ribs and mac'n'cheese waiting for us. It ended with a delicious slice of Key Lime Pie. After lunch Michael broke out his guitar again and sang a song about the fish shacks. He said he needed the ladies to sing back-up for him (I think the beer helped).
The sun, wind and full tummies made some of us a bit sleepy. Martha and Judy stretched out in the dining area and Michael caught a few winks on the porch decking.
I took some photos of the other nearby fishing shacks and a visiting pelican.
I also took a photo of the gray fishing shack through a window of the shack we were in. It looked like a painting hanging on the wall. So pretty.
Frank was not sleepy at all...he decided to take a quick dip in drink.
The Colonel and I feel very fortunate to have been able to experience the historic fish shack and share our time there with friends. It is something we will always remember and treasure.
(Note: As a thank you for including her on the trip, Mary gave The Colonel and I a small basket of gifts and she wrote the following poem about the trip)
People and Places
In this great state
Make our Florida home
Exciting and great
A shack on the water
Like no other place
People that share it
Put a smile on your face!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
