The Rod and Gun Club of Everglades City

So, we "missed the boat", so to speak, in Goodland.  On a Sunday afternoon Stan's in Goodland is the place to be.  Unfortunately for us, we pulled in on a Monday night, so we missed the action.  We spent Tuesday walking around town, kayaking and just hanging out on anchor, which was nice and relaxing.  Tuesday night we enjoyed docktails on our flybridge with neighbouring boaters and then we all went into town for dinner at Stan's but it was pretty quiet.

This morning, Wednesday, was clear and sunny so we headed out on high tide around 8:30 a.m.  The gulf was calm but we quickly ran into a thick pea soup fog.  It's weird how that catches one by surprise.  It was so clear and sunny when we left.

Rod and Gun Club, Everglade City
Beautiful old Florida.

We inched through the fog for three or four hours, which really is not that bad.  We just followed our route on the chart plotter, watched our heading on the compass, kept in radio contact with any other boaters in the area and sounded the horn periodically for good measure.  No real problem.  Our buddies, Gary and Pat on Dancing Iguana were behind us and Mike and Marian on Midas Touch were a couple of hours ahead and kept in touch via radio.  The water was smooth and I actually kind of like being out there in the fog.  We're safe enough and it's kind of dreamy.  Maybe it's my Northern Atlantic genetic memory kicking in.

Once we arrived in the channel leading to Everglades City it cleared right up.  The trip down the channel was lovely.  This is old Florida, with a maze of mangrove islands and charming old cottages. We docked alongside the Rod and Gun Club of Everglade City.

The Rod and Gun Club was build in 1865 as a private home.  By 1925 it was converted into the the Rod and Gun Club and, as evidenced by the clippings posted on the wall, has a long history of famous folks visiting, past Presidents and movie stars, etc.

Pictured around the pool table: Left to right: Mike & Marian,
Midas Touch; Gary & Pat, Dancing Iguana; Jeff & me;
Bonnie Kogos, a lady from New York that joined
us in the lounge.  She summers on Manitoulin Island
and was excited to hear about our travels.

It is indeed a rustic and beautiful place to hang out, with broad screened in porches and cyprus panelled lounges.  We headed straight to the awesome pool, which the staff thought was funny as no one had been in it for weeks...  until the Canadians arrived!  It was a hot day and we were quickly submerged in the clear, cool water.  We spent the afternoon by the pool with the folks from our travel buddy boats.  Later, we walked around town and enjoyed the local museums and shops.  The evening was spent in the lodge, playing pool and visiting.