Exploring a hidden bit of the colorful old time Everglades history!
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Take a look at the panorama above and imagine hacking out a small clearing just above the tide line in the mangrove forest to live in and operate a clandestine moonshine still. This is what Totch Brown’s father John Brown did during the Great Depression to make ends meet in those difficult times. His life story is fascinating, and I couldn’t possibly do it justice here, suffice to say I will mention that you should just read:
Totch: A Life in the Everglades by Loren G. Brown
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In this story I will offer you a photo journey of a quest to find this “lost” bit of old Everglades history. I was joined by Ted of the Palm Beach Water Yaks meetup group and Esther from the Virginia Key Outdoor Center. The plan was to paddle to the find the liquor still, check it out, and then continue on to our campsite.
Really, a simple “overnight” trip – but with some miles to cover!
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Moonshine in the 10 000 Islands of the Everglades.
Approximate route taken over 2 days totaled up about 42 miles of paddling!
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Birds-eye view of kayak launch into Chokoloskee Bay at Everglades City.
CLICK for 360 aerial panorama!
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Since we were going to find the remnants of an illegal liquor still,
I felt it was good form to fly the colors and represent!
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To help preserve the integrity of this site,
I am purposely vague and omitting any directions – sorry!
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Camping Hell in the Ten Thousand Islands!
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Finally, the remains of the still site literally pop out of the woodwork!
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Compare these pics with this video filmed in 1993, The Everglades Outlaw, Totch Brown, watch @ 3:26 as the camp was re-created for a documentary!
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ART at Liquor Still Bay – hidden history in the Everglades
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In this video, Totch talks a bit about his life and living in the frontier of the ‘Glades: Yesterday’s Everglades Preview
As a young boy, Totch and his family lived
in an 8 x 14ft tar shack just behind the still!
Yesterday’s Everglades film at Amazon
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John Brown had filled the camp with shells and brought in debris by boat to create something akin to his own “shell mound”. The Calusa Native Americans had pioneered this way of living over many generations previously throughout the Ten Thousand Islands!
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Remains of the hard packed shell mound walkway that Totch’s father had built in the early 1930’s as described in the book.
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ART at Liquor Still Bay – hidden history in the Everglades
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“Shine on you crazy Outlaws”
CLICK to enter a time portal into the old Everglades!
ART at Liquor Still Bay – hidden history in the Everglades.
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With the Liquor Still Bay mission accomplished, we headed out into the Gulf on a slack tide. The paddling was easy and serene here, and not at all what the Gulf waters had in store for us!
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Once out in the Gulf, winds had picked up as our first “big” fall cold front had moved in over the area, kicking up 3 -5 ft seas. Our original plan was to camp at Pavilion Key, however as it was getting late we chose to re-examine our situation. As we had already paddled over 20 miles, we elected to surf down-weather towards Mormon Key, which was only a couple of miles to the south.
About 20 minutes later we were beaching the boats and enjoying
the refreshing 15-20 knot NW winds and sunset!
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Heaven or Hell: Summer paddling and camping in the Ten Thousand Islands
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Meanwhile, after dinner back at the campsite, I watched a crescent moon set and the belt of our milky way galaxy straight overhead.
It stayed windy through the night, but windy meant NO BUGS!
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NIGHT LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY and DIGITAL ART from the EVERGLADES, FLORIDA BAY, TEN THOUSAND ISLANDS, BIG CYPRESS & BEYOND!
(click pic to enter)
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The next morning was very comfortable and clear, winds had shifted to the N-NE and dropped considerably. One interesting thing about Mormon Key is that it is completely covered in shells, from pulverized microscopic pieces (i.e. “sand”) to foot-long pieces and giant clams.
The ancient Calusa ate well, I think!
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On a different note, as beautiful as it is, this beach has been overtaken by sandspurs (“sticklers”), like the one’s you’ve probably already stepped on at the beach. Sadly I don’t think you can find a spot that isn’t covered with them here! They will poke through your tent floor, and into your mattress and/or private parts, and you will need three layers of tarps to prevent this. Even after you think you’ve got rid of them all, you will find even MORE!
My final surprise was a few that managed to attach themselves to the
underside of my sprayskirt as I went in to launch my kayak!
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Finally,
a delightful 20 mile open water paddle to
Everglades City layed ahead!
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THE END!
Was followed by an awesome fish sandwich and cold beer at
City Seafood in Everglades City
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Thanks to Kayak Ted of the Palm Beach Water Yaks for organizing,
and Esther of the Miami Kayak Club for the great company!
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Continue with more paddling and camping adventures from the Ten Thousand Islands:
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Camping Hell in the Ten Thousand Islands
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Heaven or Hell: Summer paddling and camping in the Ten Thousand Islands
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ART at Liquor Still Bay – hidden history in the Everglades
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© 2012 – 2022 Flex Maslan / kayakfari.com / awakenthegrass.com . All original photographs, artworks and music in this portfolio are copyrighted and owned by the artist, Flex Maslan, unless otherwise noted. Any reproduction, modification, publication, transmission, transfer, or exploitation of any of the content, for personal or commercial use, whether in whole or in part, without written permission from the artist is strictly prohibited.
All rights reserved!
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DISCLAIMER:
The maps and images on this site are not intended for navigation, I am not a guide; use any and all information at your own risk! Your mileage may vary .. so use good judgement before venturing out!
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I hereby disclaim any sponsorship, endorsement, nor association with any product or service described herein. The photographs, depictions, products, and ideas presented on this site are for informational purposes only. Your results may vary, and I do not imply nor guarantee the effectiveness, suitability, design or operation to adhere to any standard. I assume no legal responsibility for the implementation of anything herein presented! Use any and all information at your own risk! By using any and all information from this website, you accept the final liability for any use or possible associated misuse!
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With that said..
Blessings friends!
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Rough waters, long distances, congratulations on another challenging voyage.
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love your stotries
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Interesting story
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Thanks for the tour, Flex
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