Neat tour today through some of what ‘Old Florida’ probably looked like - the Crescent B Ranch, then a walk around the marina and waterfront of Punta Gorda - all followed by ice cream on the waterfront. A neat day: old, new and ice cream. Babcock Ranch is an old ranch purchased in 1914 by E.V. Babcock in 1914, a lumberman who wanted the long leaf pines for his lumber business. This they did but they also expanded into raising alligators, ostriches and today they raise sod. When Babcock’s friends said they loved visiting and touring the farm to see what he had and should show it to others, he began the tours - which continue today.
The ranch property has quite a diversity of ecosystems, we saw some swamp areas with cypress trees, some pine flatlands and dry prairie. It’s actually part of the drainage system which ends up in the Everglades and helps to maintain the health of the Biscayne aquifer which supplies water to millions. Obviously, there is a need to preserve a good portion of the property as is but many want to develop it. Recently, in 2006, the property was sold to developers for a planned community but a large portion of this land is to be a preserve and kept as is: a working ranch with eco-tourism.
Some of the original buildings have been preserved but what has mostly been preserved is the way of life of the ranchers in the early 1900’s. They still round up the cattle using horses and trained dogs. Here the horses and dogs are being readied for some work around the farm.
We got on this fancy bus to begin our tour.
Now, we are in the dry season and, though we had some mud, the drive around the ranch was not nearly as exciting as the rides during the winter. Here’s a picture from their website showing a typical summer tour. Whoo-eee.
And, hey, it’s a ranch. Here are the cows.
Neat tour today through some of what ‘Old Florida’ probably looked like - the Crescent B Ranch, then a walk around the marina and waterfront of Punta Gorda - all followed by ice cream on the waterfront. Babcock Ranch i
One of the highlights of the tour was to see the Florida panther named Osceola. She had been rescued and the state gave her to Babcock ranch for protection and keeping. She had been declawed and thus could not protect herself very well and Babcock ranch even locked her up for the night so no predators could get at her. She was recovering from a cold or virus so didn’t look to peppy but did roam over to check out all of us on the bus.
Then she turned around and found a spot where she could relax - but still keep a watchful eye on us.
Beautiful, beautiful animal and I’m glad that she has come to Babcock Ranch for such good care.
Birds were a sight on the ranch. As our bus came around a corner, a passel of turkeys ran over and chased us for a bit because - they knew that the bus meant that they would get some corn thrown out for them.
But there were also egrets, great blue herons, small herons and wood storks which just came off the endangered species list.
Alligators - of course. Two little baby alligators swimming around.
and the low profile of larger alligators in a much larger pond.
Then our guide brought out a small alligator for us all to touch. It was a very docile alligator, named Buddy, which she even takes in to schools when she gives her educational program there. Do you think that little girl is going to touch this wild beast?
Neat tour on the Babcock Ranch and, actually much better than I had expected. It was part ecology, part history, part educational and really quite good.
We then headed into town to see what Punta Gorda is like. We’ve been so busy that we haven’t even been into the town where we are staying. Since it has a large population of tourists, it had the requisite ice cream shop which we found using Yelp. We were the only customers at the time and spent some time talking with the owner who is from Massachusetts. I have missed that accent and kept him talking so I could hear it.
We then walked the harbor where we met a guy from Quebec who is living with his wife on his boat in the harbor. He tows it down with his truck which is in the nearby parking lot, moors it and live the high life while being a snowbird. He has a boat, we have an RV. Many of the same problems and processes.
Our current resort is called Gulf View RV Resort. Yeah, and we’ve got a ‘luxury’ RV. Clever wording and I’m sure that anyone who has stayed in any campground or resort or even in any hotel recognizes clever wording. We couldn’t get a ‘gulf view’ if we were standing on top of our RV and had binoculars. It is a nice resort and most of the people here are snowbirds and down here for the winter. We’re right next to a Jimmy Buffet lover with a pirate flag in front of his RV and a neon parrot in the window. He told us that his favorite music is ‘Trop Rock’ which I’ve never heard of though I’ve got some Jimmy Buffet on my computer. Aha, Tropical Rock - I get it.
Oops, the last of our Christmas chocolate is going fast. Only enough for an after dinner chocolate. But, hey, Valentines chocolate is coming up fast - 2/15 - or, at least, that's the day Gary and I visit the stores for Valentines chocolates.
Neat day with different activities. Educational, fun, delicious and interesting.
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