Airboat Adventures continued . . .
After reading all the comments/questions on the previous post, I see the need for a little more explanation!
This was only a 2-seater airboat, but we stuck Termite right in front of me on the bow. D.R. and I were doing some exploring, and of course Termite refused to be left behind! And LilSis might be right–he is getting quite an education, is he not?
For those of you who don’t know our background, Termite (the tenacious one) is the last of 5 children whom I have homeschooled. From kayaks, to canoes, to mudboats, to pontoon boats and now airboats, he is definitely a captain-in-training!
As much as I would love to add an airboat to my tour business, I don’t see one in my near future. They offer an exciting ride “above” the water level, but the drawback to using them for tours is the “noise”, which makes it difficult to explain things as you go. If all you want to do is offer and ride and a visual experience, it is ALL THAT and a bag of chips!
And if this airboat were mine, I’d line you up and take you each on the ride of your life!!!
Mrs. Coach? You are right about the smells. The marsh mud is so rich that the smell, once stirred up, is unmistakable–unless you mistake the smell for boiled eggs, that is!!! If the cypress trees were still alive, they would emit a fresh, evergreen scent through the air, magnified as you brush past the needles.
Saltwater intrusion did kill the above trees . . .
and miles of trees beyond. But I can’t leave you with this barren image . . .
because I’d much rather leave you with this one of the back side of the Mauvais Bois Cypress Swamp, which exists a mere 12 miles west of the dead cypress swamps. This photo was taken before Hurricane Ike pushed six feet of saltwater across this whole area in September. The long-term affects of the burning saltwater have not yet been determined. This spring shall tell us a little more. And this beautiful swamp is the positive side of why I do what I do.
Another quick lesson? In the foreground is a very special type of freshwater marsh called “flottant” or floating marsh, made up mostly of maiden cane, which we call “Paille Fine” (pie feen) marsh.
And there you have it–another lesson in swamp/marsh ecology.
Keeping it real!
BW
BW, Sheryl here again. I don’t live near Chicago. I live in the southern part of the state. Before moving to IL, I lived in Florida for 14 years. I do miss the sulfur smell of the water. I sure hope to get to your neck of the woods someday.
Guess I could pick this Sheryl up on way down sometime if not attached to someone or something. Do you fish? #1 of 2 criteria.
Sheryl, I can honestly say I’ve been through there–every time we’ve driven to Ludington, MI! Since you describe the smell as “sulfur”, I absolutely know you’ve smelled it, then!
Blu, want me to give her your email address? LOL! If she rode an airboat in the Everglades, chances are she’s thrown a line or two, eh? And maybe even wrestled an alligator or three?
BW
Seen plenty of gators, but never wrestled them .Ha
Ah, but you did not answer Blu’s question——do you fish? LOL!
Look out readers. It looks like BW is expanding her resume to include “match maker”. LOL
I had a 1/4 acre pond in Florida. I fished in it most every evening with the Bull dog. It was full of fish. I wouldn’t call it much fishing……just catching. ha We had a 10+ pound cat fish we named uncle Cletus. I caught him twice. That was a site ! I would run with him till I got him on the bank ,then some one else would have to release him. A fisher person I guess I am not , however I really do enjoy fishing. And no I am not afraid to bait my own hook!
Wow, I haveALWAYS ALWAYS wanted to ride on/in an airboat…I am soooooo jealous but tickled for both of yall!!!
sorry I didnt make it back for the contest, congrats Sue. I love my new cellular access, but it bugged out on me, guess we are still in our getting to know each other phase….still better than dial up, and am happy to be back on line. I deffinately will be watching for upcomming contest, would love to win one of those babies!!!! Hey blu, perhaps if she doesnt fish, may want to ask if she can “cook” de fish!!! lol
Deb
What a great adventure! Thanks for taking us along! 🙂