Glory Hole continued
As we progress in this lifetime, more and more memories surface at the oddest times. The other day, Sam Porco and I were reliving the old Glory Holes of Flamingo, Everglades National Park. Some of the special spots seem to be surviving, however, many have just dried up and vanished. The sea grasses out front are non-existent anymore and the back country where it used to be fresh water is now brackish and
Not clear at all. This change has happened over the last several decades and it does not look good for the near future.
I understand the history fairly well, but the preservation of our natural treasures should be paramount. We do not need to drain the everglades anymore, thank goodness the Westward development movement has been curtailed. The areas South of Lake Okeechobee have been farmed to a point where the muck is only inches deep, in contrast to the twelve feet, or more, of the nineteen forties. Change is inevitable I understand, but I certainly do not enjoy it.
When I was a lot younger, my buddy and I would bike to some great spots around town, including US Highway 1 at the intersection of Snapper Creek (North of Kendall Drive). The fishing under the bridge was exceptional and a small Cypress swamp was situated where the East end of Dadeland shopping mall sits today. In the winter, we could run our johnboat up the creek and when we got all the bass and mangrove snappers we wanted, we could slide into the swamp and shoot a wood duck or two for a great feast that night. If you got real bored, on one of our trips, we would huff it across the street to the state road department depot, which used to be a German POW camp in WWII. We would meander around the fence looking for German money or such. Never did find any, but the romance was always there. Then Dadeland came and with the widening of US1, our little Glory Hole was lost forever.
The list goes on and it is a shame to see some of these places dissolve. On a positive note, some of our best Glory Holes are still functioning and providing entertainment and food for the table. Trout Creek I believe runs a concert hall behind the mangroves, every time I visit it I get the impression that music is surrounding me. I hear the trumpets blare in the background and violins drawing me deeper in. There are “No Entry” signs to keep you out of the crocodile sanctuary, but plenty of area to fish or just watch the birds still remains.
Like anything else, you must explore and establish your own “Glory Holes”. The opportunity is available and a lot of them do not require extensive assets to attain. Just keep your eyes open and mind clear as to what is around you.