Day 3 Lostman’s Five
Last nights festivities take a toll on both Bruce and I, not crawling out of our tents till the sun was over the horizon. We had spent the night sitting around a beach fire doing shots of Jose and drinking hot apple cider laced with Black Seal Rum, there had been no one else camping on the beach so we can get a wee bit crazy without fear of disturbing anyone’s solitude.
This morning we are in no hurry, the tide had turned at 6:00 and there was 50 yards of mud flats, worm coral and oyster beds still exposed. Our plans called for us not to break camp until 10:00 so that we could take advantage of the incoming tide which would aide in negotiating Lostmans River. Today’s route will take us 4 miles back north along the coast and then 8 miles east up the river. The Lostmans River twists and turns through a maze of black mangroves with numerous shoals that offer many chances to spot wading birds and alligators that can be seen sunning themselves on the banks and shoals.
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)I break down my tent and stow my gear after putting water on to boil for our meager instant oatmeal breakfast and strong black coffee. By the time we are packed and have eaten our breakfast the tide had risen enough to float our kayaks and we line to deeper water. The morning breeze is out of the east and with today’s weather prediction calling for gust to 22 mph, partly cloudy skies, and temperatures in the mid to upper 70’s.
The 4 miles to the mouth of Lostmans River goes by quickly with the aide of the incoming tide, preparing to turn east into the river, I notice the remains of a cistern, which for the early inhabitants of the area was the sole source of fresh water, we consider the possibility of stopping to investigate, this would certainly put us off our schedule, so we decide to paddle on.
We enter the river now paddling east into the wind as it starts to pick up negating the effect of the incoming tide that had been pushing us along. It’s now noon so our attention turns to the subject of lunch and where we should stop. Bruce remembers a shoal that at high tide is only a few inches deep, we had stopped here 3 years ago to rest the shoal being only another mile and around a bend it is really the only place we could take lunch even if we had to sit in kayaks to eat.
Rounding the bend the shoal appears on river left and to our surprise is already occupied by some locals.
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)Well after seeing these two we did the only thing that two insane paddlers could do, we got out for stretching and some noshing, the 5 footer entered the water with a splash and the 6 footer took his time checking us out to see if we would make an easy meal.
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)I would never try this in the month of May which is the alligators mating season and they become very territorial.
After an interesting lunch and with only 4 miles to Lostmans Five our site for the night we push off. We arrive at Lostmans Five at 3:00 and start unloading the boats. Lostman Five was the sight of a boat landing that was operated by Poinciana Land Development Company, where in 1925, they would bring prospective buyers to see the area. In September of 1926, before they named hurricanes the area was struck by what would be known as the "Big Blow", packing winds of 150 mph, thus ending the grand idea for the Miami of the Gulf.
Lostmans Five is protected from the wind on three sides by the thick mangroves forest and has a northwest view. The site is listed as an improved site having two raised platforms with an adjoining walkway each platform having enough room for a party of four. The site also offers a privy, 2 tables and a dock making this a favorite camping spot for the fishing guides who bring their customers in on flats boats to ply the inland waters.
Bruce grabs his fishing rod and heads up the Lostmans Five River for some more fishing and a little exploring. I decide to stay and have a look around the camp when poking around I spot an epiphyte or air plant in bloom it’s growing on a tree at the very edge of the camp near the bay.
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)An hour and a half passes before Bruce returns to camp with no fish in the creel. I set about preparing chicken quesadillas and fiesta rice for dinner. We finish dinner and Bruce cleans the dishes, while I go about preparing hot toddies for the two of us. We walk out onto the dock in a light breeze to watch the sunset over Lostmans Bay while enjoying the warm drinks.
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)Lingering on the dock as the stars start to appear in the clear cool moonless sky we talked of our next trip to Minnesota and Quetico.
Day 4 North to Watson’s Place
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