Moonshine in the 10 000 Islands
Overgrown mangrove jungle at the Liquor Still site
Totch Brown’s Liquor Still in the Ten Thousand Islands, Everglades.
CLICK for superwide zoomable panorama!
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Look at the panoramic above and imagine hacking out a small clearing in the above 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 during 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 read Totch: A Life in the Everglades by Loren G. Brown. In this post I will offer you a photo-journey-essay to find this “lost” relic in Everglades National Park.
As I was recently afforded the opportunity to paddle and find this site in the apt named “Liquor Still Bay”, I jumped at the chance to explore a colorful bit of the old time Everglades! The plan was to paddle to the find the still, check it out, and continue on to our campsite. Next day return via a different route, for a rough total of about 40 miles or as it would be.
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Approximate route taken over 2 days totaled about 42 miles
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!! ;)
The Banana Boat flying the colors at the launch in Everglades City
First stop at the Lopez River Campsite
Ted taking a “break” at the Lopez River Campsite
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Arrival in Liquor Still Bay
Liquor Still Bay
Entrance to Camp
Overgrown entrance could be anywhere ..
Remnant planks leading to the still camp
Finally, the remains of the still camp literaly pop out of the woodwork!!
First look of the Liquor Still Camp
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!
A Banana Spider guards the path
Pieces of a barrel
remains of the cistern?
The Liquor Still replica (prop) in October 2011
Original still foundation circa 1930
Liquor Still (prop) replica
In this video, Totch talks a bit about his life, and living in the frontier ‘Glades: Yesterday’s Everglades Preview
As a young boy, Totch lived in an 8 x 14ft tar shack just behind the still..
Production Company that made the films of Totch and the old Everglades
Yesterday’s Everglades film at Amazon
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Flex Kayakfari and the Still
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John Brown had filled the camp with shells and debris to create a shell mound much like the Calusa did generations previously..
Raised path made of shell material (shell mound)
Canopy provided some nice shade!
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Read an update to Liquor Still Bay and more about camping in the Ten Thousand Islands:
“Camping Hell in the Ten Thousand Islands“
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Mission accomplished, we headed out towards the Gulf on a slack tide..
Heading out the Huston River
Winds had picked up as our first “big” cold front moved over the area, kicking up 3 -5 ft seas. As it was getting late, and we had already paddled 20 miles, we elected to surf down-weather towards Mormon Key a couple of miles south. About 20 minutes later we were beaching the boats and enjoying the refreshing 15-20 knot winds and sunset!
Late arrival on Mormon Key
One of those crazy Gulf sunsets .. that’s what you come out here to see, right!?
Meanwhile, back at the campsite, I watched a crescent moon set and the belt of our milky way galaxy straight overhead. It stayed windy into the night, but windy == NO BUGS!! :)
Moonset over Mormon Key
NIGHT LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY and DIGITAL ART from the EVERGLADES, FLORIDA BAY, TEN THOUSAND ISLANDS, BIG CYPRESS & BEYOND!
(click pic to enter)
ART of Darkness – Camping with the Stars! Part II
“It’s full of Stars!”
The next morning was very comfortable and clear, winds had shifted to the N-NE and dropped considerably. One cool thing about Mormon Key is that it is completely covered in shells, from pulverized microscopic pieces (“sand”) to foot-long pieces and giant clams. The ancient Calusa ate well, I think!
This beach is made of all shell, of all sizes!
On a different note, as beautiful as it is, this beach has been overtaken by sandspurs (“sticklers”), like the one’s you’ve painfully 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..lol, and you will need three 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.. !
Sea Grape buds about to open
.. into one of these flowers
Prickly Pear Cactus growing on beach
A delightful 20 mile open water paddle lays ahead..
Launching back out over the shells
Last stop on Rabbit Key
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Read more about camping in the Ten Thousand Islands and an update to Liquor Still Bay:
“Camping Hell in the Ten Thousand Islands“
https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/trips-sea-stories-pics/camping-hell-in-the-ten-thousand-islands/
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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!
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© 2012 Flex Maslan / kayakfari.com / digital029art.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!
With that said..
Blessings friends!
:)
Sep 19, 2012 @ 03:09:38
Rough waters, long distances, congratulations on another challenging voyage.
Feb 23, 2013 @ 08:00:35
love your stotries