Ruins, Rides And Bees 03/27/21

Gamble Rogers State Park, Flagler Beach, Florida

So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were pledged to marry his daughters.  He said, “Hurry and get out of this place, because the LORD is about to destroy the city!”  But his sons-in-law thought he was joking. ~ Genesis 19:14        First, a brief history lesson.  These two men are called sons-in-law even though they’ve not actually married Lot’s daughters.  It was the custom at the time – and continuing through Mary and Joseph’s time for certain – that once you are pledged to marry (become engaged), you were considered married by law.  The actual ceremony and consummation of the marriage took place a year later.  It would seem that Lot’s influence was weak, even within his own family.  Or the sin of these two men was so great, they couldn’t see beyond it.  Wouldn’t you think the crowd’s blindness would’ve convinced them?  So very sad! 

Today we thought to stop by a new place Blaine read about – Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park.  That’s pretty much all he read about it.  We like old ruins and it was in the vicinity of the place we wanted to paddle today, so we stopped by.

We had no idea the information we’d soak up here!  It turned out to be a great spot for history!  And even more interesting as I researched a bit.  I located enough information, that I’m posting a “Special Edition” piece next.  That way, you can skip the entire history if you want.  😊

It was a beautiful drive to get to the Park and it’s interior!

There weren’t too many people around.  I think not very many know about it.  I’m thinking about submitting it to Atlas Obscura.  We’ll see if I take the time, and can figure it out.  😊

Anyway, here are the pictures we took so you can read a brief history.

We found it astounding that anything remained during the 109 years from when the place was burned down in 1836 until the Florida State Parks acquired it in 1945.

Up next, we went kayaking.  We had great expectations, but ended up disappointed.  That could be, at least in part, because it was soooo hot!  We paddled for about a mile or so, got bored (and stinkin’ hot!) and turned around. 

And that’s when the “fun” began.

Let me set the stage:  There are no homes, or boats practically as far as the eye can see, and when you do see them, there’s no way to get to them.  We’re in an inflatable kayak.  We’re in a marshy-type area where the water level is somewhat controlled by the movements of the tides – high tide, higher water level, etc.  That also means that the water moves in and out ever so slightly.  And then there’s the wind, which also kind of affects us (although not as much as in our former boat).

When we decided to turn around, we noticed we were now facing into the wind and the ‘outgoing’ tide waters.

I began paddling as hard as I possibly could, but we weren’t making any progress.  At all.  And I was getting really nervous!  If we can’t get out of here, we’ll have to continue paddling further and further away from the Jeep, with no means to get back to it.  Yikes!!

And then I found out why we weren’t moving.

My practical jokester of a husband was paddling against me, holding us in place!  He found it very funny.  I, however, did not.  And I let him know.  He didn’t understand. . . .

What do you say, ladies?  Do you find it funny?  It’s okay to laugh out loud, but just remember, I know where some of you live . . . .

It didn’t take us long to return, once we began working together.  😊

Our final stop was at another Park that boasts a mile-long boardwalk near the intercoastal.  It was a little more crowded than the other two places we visited today.

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Later this evening, our oldest sent us pictures of the new ‘drive-in’ he installed in his backyard.  I asked if he needed a building permit, and if he was going to charge the neighbors admission.  He said it doesn’t stay up all the time – just the poles, and the neighbors can’t see it.  I say, he missed a great money-making opportunity.  😊