CRANDON HAMMOCK

HELLO FOLKS,

THIS IS GATORDAN HAILING FROM THE MYSTERIOUS ENCHANTING EVERGLADES. FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT FREQUENT our WEB SITE (WWW.AAOF.US) I'M SURE YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH MY GOOD FRIEND GATORMAN, GLENN WILSEY. GLENN AND I GREW UP IN THE GLADES. SINCE BIRTH, THE EVERGLADES HAS BEEN OUR PLAYGROUND AND HAS GIVEN US OUR FONDEST MEMORIES. WHO KNOWS WHAT MYSTERIES SHE WILL REVEAL TO US IN THE FUTURE? I'VE BEEN FOLLOWING GLENN'S STORIES (I'M SURE YOU HAVE TOO). HIS LEAD, AND THE SYSTEMATIC DESTRUCTION OF OUR HERITAGE, HAS COMPELLED ME TO BEGIN A SERIES OF STORIES THAT DOCUMENTS THE HISTORY OF THE OLD CAMPS SCATTERED THROUGHOUT THE GLADES.

THERE ARE SEVERAL CAMPS, BUT I'LL START WITH THE CRANDON CAMP LOCATED ON A HARDWOOD HAMMOCK (SEE GLENN'S PAST STORY ON HAMMOCKS) IN WHAT IS NOW CALLED THE EAST EVERGLADES.

ORIGINALLY, THE MICCOSUKEE INDIANS INHABITED THE HAMMOCK. THE MICCOSUKEE ENTERED THE CAMP FROM THE EAST OR WEST SIDE. THOSE ENTRANCES HAVE LONG SINCE OVERGROWN. TODAY, THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY INTO THE CAMP ON THE NORTH END. YOU CAN STILL FIND INDIAN BEADS AND POTTERY PARTS AROUND THE HAMMOCK. IF YOU WANT TO KEEP THE KIDS OCCUPIED ON A CAMP OUTING, JUST GIVE THEM ALL A TEASPOON, DIG UP A BEAD WITH THE SPOON AND THEY'LL JUMP IN SEARCHING AND DIGGING FOR HOURS. WORKS EVERY TIME. THE REMNANTS OF A "WHITE" SEWING MACHINE THE MICCOSUKEE USED TO MAKE CLOTHES, 1950'S MODEL, IS STILL HANGING IN THE CAMP.

FOLKLORE HAS IT THAT CHEKIKA, THE INDIAN THAT ATTACKED DR. HENRY PERRINE ON HIS PLANTATION IN THE KEYS IN ABOUT 1840, WAS CAPTURED ON THE THURMOND HAMMOCK JUST THREE MILES NORTH OF THE CRANDON HAMMOCK. THE MOST DISTINGUISHING FEATURE OF THE HAMMOCK WAS A GIANT ROYAL POINTCIANA TREE ON THE NORTH END. THE BIGGEST TREE OF ITS' KIND IN THE EVERGLADES. FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY DATED THE TREE TO 115 YEARS IN OR AROUND 1982. IN THE EARLY SUMMER WHEN THE TREE BLOSSOMED, YOU COULD SEE THE BRIGHT ORANGE BLOSSOMS ALL THE WAY TO THE TAMIAMI TRAIL, WHICH IS 10 MILES NORTH. HURRICANE ANDREW BLEW THE TREE DOWN IN AUGUST OF 1992.

CRANDON'S (AS WE CALL IT) CONSISTS OF THREE SEPARATE STRUCTURES. A COOK SHACK, THE BATHROOM, AND SLEEPING QUARTERS FOR 8. THE ENTIRE CAMP WAS CONSTRUCTED BY GARY CRANDON IN 1960. GARY, A NATIVE OF MIAMI, WAS BORN 1940. HE EVEN WENT TO MIAMI HIGH (NOW I'M REALLY DATING HIM). THE COOK SHACK IS AN OPEN POLE BARN COMPLETE WITH GAS REFRIGERATOR AND STOVE. THE BEAR /RACCOON PROOF CONTAINERS HOLD ALL THE POTS, PANS, AND COOKING UTENSILS ANYONE COULD POSSIBLY NEED TO WHIP UP THE BEST OF MEALS. SEVERAL OVERHEAD CUPBOARDS HOUSE ALL THE SPICES ANYONE COULD POSSIBLY NEED TO COOK ANYTHING. A LONG HOMEMADE PICNIC TABLE CAN ACCOMMODATE 20 ROWDY REDNECKS FOR THE FESTIVE OCCASIONS THAT FREQUENT THE CAMP. THERE'S EVEN TWO CEILING FANS OVER THE TABLE.

THE BATHROOM IS EQUIPPED WITH A WATER HEATER (GAS OF COURSE), LAVATORY, POTTY, SHOWER STALL, TOWEL RACKS, SOAP RACKS AND STORAGE SHELF. I USUALLY SCHEDULE A STOP AT THE CAMP SO FIRST TIMERS CAN USE THE RESTROOM FACILITIES AND MARVEL AT THE ACCOMMODATIONS SO FAR FROM CIVILIZATION. GARY INSTALLED A VERY LARGE WATER STORAGE TANK (LOOKS LIKE 120 GALLON TANK) 8' OFF THE GROUND FOR GRAVITY FEED TO THE BATHROOM. ALL ANYONE NEEDS TO DO IF THEY INTEND TO SPEND SOME TIME AT THE CAMP IS HOOK UP A MOTOR TO THE WELL PUMP (ALREADY INSTALLED), FILL THE TANK WITH WATER AND ENJOY A HOT SHOWER AT THE END OF THE DAY. IN FACT, SINCE THE STORAGE TANK IS OUTSIDE, THE SUN HEATS UP THE WATER ENOUGH DURING THE DAY TO TAKE A SHOWER AT NIGHT.

TO REALLY APPRECIATE THE CAMP SITE, YOU WOULD HAVE TO VISIT IT AND EXAMINE THE QUALITY OF CONSTRUCTION. THE CONVENTIONALLY FRAMED HIPPED ROOF IS THE FIRST THING THAT CATCHES YOUR EYE ENTERING THE SLEEPING QUARTERS. ALL THOSE JOISTS SUPPORTING THE ROOF WERE CARRIED IN BY BOAT AND THIS CAMP IS IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. AFTER HAULING ALL THAT LUMBER IN, GARY HAD TO MAKE THE COMPOUND CUTS ON THE JOISTS BY HAND. THE INTERIOR WALLS ARE 1" X 6" TONGUE & GROVE. MORE LUMBER, MORE WORK. I'VE BEEN VISITING THE CAMP FOR DECADES AND I STILL MARVEL AT THE "WORK" THAT WENT IN TO THE INITIAL CONSTRUCTION.

GARY AND HIS FRIENDS SPENT MOST OF THEIR TIME AT THE CAMP DURING HUNTING SEASON. I'VE HEARD ALL KINDS OF STORIES ABOUT THE ADVENTURES AND MISADVENTURES OF THE CRANDON CREW. GETTING BOATS STUCK, RACING AIRBOATS FOR BRAGGING RIGHTS, FALLING IN THE WATER DURING DUCK SEASON (COLDEST TIME OF YEAR), AND ALL THE SCHANIGANS A BUNCH OF CRAZY GUYS END UP PULLING ON EACH OTHER OUT IN THE WOODS. THEY OBVIOUSLY HAD A GREAT TIME. I RECENTLY TALKED TO GARY, NOW RESIDING IN OCALA, AND LEARNED THAT MANY A CHRISTMAS WAS ENJOYED WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY AT THE CAMP. GARY AND HIS FAMILY, LIKE GLENN & I, FEEL CLOSER TO THE CAMPS IN EVERGLADES THAN OUR HOMES IN THE CITY. MANY OF THE PEOPLE I CALL "FRIEND" TODAY, I MET AT CRANDON'S.

THESE ARE LASTING FRIENDSHIPS FORGED IN A WILDERNESS WHICH BINDS US IN A MANNER THAT'S HARD TO EXPLAIN. NOBODY REALLY TALKS ABOUT THE TIMES ONE FRIEND NEEDED ANOTHER TO HELP THEM OUT OF JAM DEEP IN THE EVERGLADES. CRANDON'S IS SO FAR IN, THAT "911" IS WORTHLESS. A FRIEND, IN EVERGLADES TERMS, IS SOMEONE WHO TAKES YOUR CALL A 2 A.M. GETS OUT OF A NICE WARM BED. HOOKS UP THE BOAT. DRIVES TO THE BOAT RAMP. LAUNCHES. TRAVELS FOR AN HOUR BY AIRBOAT THROUGH A BITTER COLD SWAMP. FINDS YOUR DISABLED AIRBOAT WHEN NO ONE ELSE CAN. JUMPS INTO THE COLD WATER RIGHT BESIDE YOU AND HELPS YOU GET THE BOAT GOING OR PLACES HIS OWN EQUIPMENT IN JEOPARDY TO GET YOU BACK SAFELY.
DO YOU KNOW ANYBODY LIKE THAT? WHAT TO MEET EM? JUST TRAVEL TO CRANDON'S CAMP ON ANY SUNDAY.

GARY WAS ALWAYS VERY GENEROUS WITH THE CAMP. EVERYONE WAS WELCOME ANY TIME. ALL GARY ASKED OF YOU IS TO LEAVE A LIST OF THE THINGS YOU USED SO HE COULD REPLENISH THE CAMP STOCK AS NECESSARY. OF COURSE MOST OF US NEVER USED UP THE CAMP STOCK. WE ALL BROUGHT OUR OWN PROVISIONS AND REPLACED ANYTHING THAT WAS IN SHORT SUPPLY. EVEN TODAY, THE CAMP IS STILL USED BY THE AIRBOATS THAT FREQUENT THE AREA. UNFORTUNATELY, MOST OF THE WILDLIFE THAT ORIGINALLY INHABITED THE HAMMOCK, ESPECIALLY THE DUCKS, HAVE LEFT THE AREA DUE TO HIGH WATER MISMANAGEMENT FORCED ON THE AREA BY WATER MANAGEMENT OR THE PARK SERVICE.

THE WEBMASTER, SCOTT, TOOK SOME PICTURES OF CRANDON'S FOR A BETTER PERSPECTIVE. THE CAMP DOESN'T LOOK LIKE MUCH IN THE PICTURES. IT'S ALL THE GOOD TIMES SHE GAVE US THAT MAKES HER BEAUTIFUL.

TAKE A GOOD LOOK FOLKS CAUSE THE CAMP WILL BE DESTROYED BY THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE VERY SOON. EVEN THOUGH MAN HAS UTILIZED THE HAMMOCK FOR CENTURIES, THE NPS HAS ALWAYS MAINTAINED THE ERRONEOUS NOTION THAT THE "NATURAL STATE" EXCLUDES HUMANS. AS EVIDENT BY THE DEMISE OF THE EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK (ENP) THE EXCLUSION OF HUMAN INTERACTION IS BIOLOGICALLY CORRUPT. ONLY A HUMAN CAN MAKE THE LAND PRODUCTIVE. THE MICCOSUKEE PRACTICES THAT STIMULATED GROWTH TO MAINTAIN A LARGE HERD OF ANIMALS, WHICH SUSTAINED THEM, HAS BEEN ELIMINATED BY THE NPS. AND THE NPS WONDERS WHY ALL THE WILDLIFE HAS DISAPPEARED. AS THE OWNERS OF THE HAMMOCKS ARE FORCED TO SELL AND THE LAND IS GOBBLED UP BY THE NPS, THE OLD CAMPS WILL BE BURNED. ALL THE PRANKS, KIDS LAUGHING, MUD FIGHTS, FISHING EXPEDITIONS, SCARY CAMPFIRE STORIES, LIFE LONG FRIENDSHIPS, OUR HERITAGE. BURNED TO THE GROUND.

BEGINNING IN 1988, THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE (NPS) BEGAN DESTROYING ALL THE OLD CAMPS IN THE BIG CYPRESS NATION PRESERVE (BCNP). THE BCNP IS JUST 15 MILES DIRECTLY WEST OF CRANDON CAMP. THE BCNP WAS DESTINED TO BE DEVELOPED BY THE BIGGEST CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. THE ONLY REASON THE BCNP ACT WAS PUSHED THROUGH CONGRESS, AND THIS ABSOLUTELY ENCHANTING SECTION OF THE EVERGLADES PRESERVED FOREVER, IS DUE TO THE GARGANTUAN EFFORT AND HUMAN SACRIFICE VOLUNTEERED BY THE SPORTSMEN & WOMEN THAT SO DEARLY LOVE THIS PIECE OF PARADISE.

THE NPS DIRECTOR AT THAT TIME (1974) WAS GEORGE HARTZOG. HE DID EVERYTHING HE COULD TO STOP THE BCNP FROM BEING PLACED INTO THE PARK SYSTEM. THE PEOPLE THAT FREQUENTED THE PRESERVE AND EAST GLADES ARE THE INDIVIDUALS THAT CONVINCED CONGRESS TO INTERVENE AND STOP THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE AREA. NO SMALL TASK. CONGRESS HEARD OUR CRIES AND THE PEOPLE PREVAILED.

THE NPS HAS REWARDED OUR COMMUNITY BY BURNING THE CAMPS WE'VE TREASURES FOR DECADES AND DENYING OUR CHILDREN ACCESS TO THEIR HERITAGE. MANY OF THOSE OLD CAMPS DATE BACK TO THE 1930'S. THAT QUALIFIED THEM FOR THE NATIONAL REGISTER. BUT THE NPS DESTROYED THEM. THE VERY AGENCY THAT TRIED TO STOP THE DEDICATION NOW TAKES OVER AND PUNISHES THE PEOPLE THAT PRESERVED IT.

TO TRULY UNDERSTAND OUR PLIGHT, A REPORT ISSUED BY VIRGINIA TECH CONTAINS MANY QUOTES THAT REVEAL THE HORRIFIC ACTIONS OF THE NPS, WHAT THEY DID TO US PSYCHOLOGICALLY. JUST CONTACT R. BRUCE HULL @ VIRGINIA TECH. 540-231-7272 AND ASK FOR A COPY OF THE "BIG CYPRESS OFF ROAD VEHICLE RECREATION AND ITS BENEFITS". THE REPORT WAS ISSUED IN 1998.

EVEN TODAY THE NPS INTENDS TO EXPAND THEIR DESTRUCTIVE CAMPAIGN TO THE EAST EVERGLADES. MOST OF THE EAST GLADES IS PRIVATELY OWNED. THAT'S THE ONLY REASON THE CAMPS HAVEN'T BEEN DESTROYED YET. BUT THEIR TIME IS LIMITED. THAT IS WHY I WRITE TODAY. THIS WAY, AT LEAST I'LL HAVE A PICTURE AND STORY TO GIVE TO THE KIDS. THE NPS INTENDS TO DESTROY ALL THE EMOTIONS (MOSTLY LAUGHTER) GARY BUILT INTO THE CAMP. AS THE NPS PRACTICES CULTURAL GENOCIDE, THE PEOPLE THAT ENJOYED THE CAMPS, A WAY OF LIFE, A PLACE THE CHILDREN LET LOOSE AND LEARNED, WILL ONLY BE A MEMORY FOR THOSE THAT WERE LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE CAMP. THE NPS INTENDS TO DENY FUTURE GENERATIONS THIS BIRTHRIGHT.

A CITY IS PRETTY ROUGH ON A KID. CRANDON'S ALWAYS CALMED THEY DOWN. ONCE SHE'S GONE, WHERE DO THE CHILDREN GO TO ERASE THE TENSION AND OBTAIN LONG CHERISHED MEMORIES BY THE CAMPFIRE? ALL OF US DOWN HERE IN THE EAST EVERGLADES ARE FIGHTING DESPERATELY TO PRESERVE THE CAMPS. THE RIGHT LETTER TO THE RIGHT CONGRESSMAN! CAN YOU HELP? THE CONSEQUENCE WILL BE PICTURES OF A BURNED OUT CAMP.

WELL, THAT'S IT FOR CRANDON'S. I'VE ALREADY STARTED ON THE "DUCK CLUB".

REGARDS,
GATORDAN

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