The large area of mud, water and mangroves on the west side of Ramrod Key used to be privately owned.
Florida has an odd history of development by speculators though it boggles the mind that anyone could have bought acres of what is little more than semi-submerged tidal flats. Nevertheless there is a plaque across from my house recording the fact that the Nature Conservancy now conserves the land for the state, and a very good thing that is too. I prefer not to boggle my mind wondering what the Spottswoods got in return. For me at least the sunset view will remain unimpeded for as long as I live on Indies Road. 
The salt flats are dry this time of year but not too dry to provide some kind of fishing for locals. 
As the summer rains gain in intensity the flats fill up with water made salty by the minerals in the mud and the mangroves will appear to be growing out of a lake.
For now the winter drought persists and the drying mud gives off a barnyard smell that reminds me of a childhood around pig pens and cow stalls. A very odd agricultural smell not at all associated with these islands where growing a cabbage takes effort and ingenuity.
Florida has an odd history of development by speculators though it boggles the mind that anyone could have bought acres of what is little more than semi-submerged tidal flats. Nevertheless there is a plaque across from my house recording the fact that the Nature Conservancy now conserves the land for the state, and a very good thing that is too. I prefer not to boggle my mind wondering what the Spottswoods got in return. For me at least the sunset view will remain unimpeded for as long as I live on Indies Road. 
The salt flats are dry this time of year but not too dry to provide some kind of fishing for locals. 
As the summer rains gain in intensity the flats fill up with water made salty by the minerals in the mud and the mangroves will appear to be growing out of a lake. 
For now the winter drought persists and the drying mud gives off a barnyard smell that reminds me of a childhood around pig pens and cow stalls. A very odd agricultural smell not at all associated with these islands where growing a cabbage takes effort and ingenuity. 
It makes for quite a wild view off the west deck of my house. Not a view I would willingly trade for a home in Old Town Key West.
1 comment:
Ahhh, Birds. Nice Blog.
Jack • Reep • Toad
Twisted Roads
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