A little rambling and The Florida Caverns tour

Ahoy! It's been a bit since last wrote anything. Mostly I get uninterested. Sometimes I think that no reads this stuff anyway so why should I do it? Then I came to the conclusion that it doesn't matter, that it is mostly for my benefit and if somebody wants to read then let em do it. So with the ramblings out of the way, on to adventure!

A while back I posted about Perdido Key. The second part of that adventure is on the horizon. Sometime around mid day I started heading back to the home port. As the call for adventure and exploring not quite satisfied, the urge to take a side road began to overtake me and as the path stretched ahead for miles of endless trees and pavement. Heading back towards the rivers and creeks of the the home port a little town called Marianna came into view of the spyglass. Marianna has a state park called Florida Caverns State Park. Indeed! This sounds like just the place for some exploring!

Arriving at the front gate, and talking with Attendant, I found as I was just in time for the last tour!

Well By Thunder! This be me lucky day for sure! The road winds from the front gate through some trees and around a bin splits in to a fork with the left fork taking you to the the caverns. There at the gift shop, you can purchase your tickets for the caverns, get your livations, collectables, and if you need one, rent a lamp. Above the gift shop is a museum, explaining how the Caverns were formed, the flora and fauna of the area, and the importance that the caverns play in the ecosystem of the area. As the time drew near for the tour, it was time to head down to the staring area. There a set of benches arranged in a square so the tour guide can stand in the center and get your attention are placed. Once everyone was gathered and the the tour started, there is a short walk down a path, then down a flight of stairs and then begins the tour. The cave winds back to the right and then to the left wit a lot of amazing formations, stalactites, stalagmites various colors of limestone. The formation that stood out the most was the Cathedral, which like the word states, looks like a Church. We did see one bat, but he was a loner. What a great time! A recommended adventure for the Family, or yourself, if your looking for a getaway for the day! There is a lot more to do than just the cave, although that is the draw. There are nature trails and little places on the road to stop and look at, each one having it's own draw. If you want to stay more than one day, they have a camping site as well.

With the day coming to an end, It was time to head back to home port. The brilliant sunset behind me a golden yellow, fading to to light red then to darkness.

The Perdido Key Experience

Ahoy Mates!  welcome back to the hideaway. recently I went to a place called Perdido Key. you may ask "Shipwreck, why did you go there?"
Well me hearties the story begins one night sitting  at the hideaway, missing out on pirate adventures. So I flipped on the moving picture box to see what kind
of adventures were to be had. As I turned the knobs and dials, into focus  an episode of Tanked came into view, and of course this episode was pirate related, so it quickly grabbed the attention of me little black heart. It talked of a pirate ship tank in a faraway land of Perdido Key, which for me wasn't actually that far away.  I decided it was time for an adventure to see this "Tanked" tank  for meself. an early rise the next morning  and the coolness of the night air brought, with the moon shining brightly over the port bough of the Pewtered Shark.  I set off for this Key that is home to the tank. arriving into port a little  after the sun was glistening a golden yellow, kissing the emerald waves as they met resistance from the white sands of the beach, it was time to find the port of this tank. A short ride down the way found the Perdido Key Welcome Center where the tank makes it's port.  I went into the center and right in the middle of room there it was, as big as life  itself! as I cannot remember the exact dimensions, it won't hurt to take a stab at em'.
The ship's main  deck is about 4 feet high with the 400 gallon tank atop the main deck. the  after castle  is another 3 feet high, with  sails another two to three feet above that
the figurehead is a beautiful mermaid, and the bowsprit is about 2 1/2 feet. the tank is filled  about twelve different kinds of beautiful tropical fish including
 a blue damsel for Dory and a clown fish for Nemo. The prettiest prettiest one to me was the purple one, which I believe the guide told me was a purple and yellow Tuka Anthias. The Tank also has a treasure chest that opens and closes with the aerator for the tank,  and a ships wheel that turns as well. The people at the Welcome Center are very friendly and helpful, and the beaches on the key are very nice, with beautiful white sandy beaches and the state park beach is well kept and clean. everyone there is very friendly and it is a nice place to for a day visit. there are plenty of motels to choose from if you are the weary traveler.
Just south of Pensacola, the key is located right on the Florida-Alabama border. a place to visit for the beach goer and for the pirate enthusiast too!
Perdido Key Visitor Center
Installation Article
Tanked Facebook page

Down Time

Ahoy Mates!  Tis been almost a month since I last wrote about anything. Mostly because I haven't done anything to write about. You may want to call it down time. just doing the hum drums of work and that's really about it. No new adventures  or nothing to to review at this time.   A couple of things coming up. Cedar Key Pirate Invasion, which is coming up next month September 16-18.  you may remember I did a post on this last year. It is a great adventure, family oriented with things for the little pirates as well as the more mature ones. its shaping up to be another great time, and I  am excited about the the chance to go again. Also in October, Panama City is hosting their Pirates of the High Seas event.  It is a fun for the whole family event. I am excited about going as I  have never been but it should be fun and exciting.  looking forward to both of these events as well as other things. Until next time, Fair Winds.

Lawful Evil

Ahoy Mates Its the middle of the summer, and sadly I haven't done much in the way of pirating. The last  adventure fell through so I am here doing yet another review, which  for the Pirate "metal head" may be something fresh.
  With that being said,  there are very view choices for the pirate who likes rock, at least only a few I know of. One of the best in my opinion is The Dread Crew of Oddwood, and their newest album is definitely top notch! Lawful Evil is right in in line with with what you  expect from The Dread Crew. From the beginning they were one of my favorite pirate bands, and this album is no exception. I find myself stomping  my feet and quoting lyrics, and they are a regular presence in my stereo. Some of my favorites from this album are Sulfur,  Dead Man's Medley, Storm Riders, and Raise your Pints. The whole album is exceptionally well put together  and it is worth your silver. For facebookers, you can find them on Facebook or  look them up on their web page. All of Oddwood's albums  are fantastic and if you have the coin it is worth it!

Pirate on the cheap

Ahoy Mates! I am Shipwreck John, Boatswain of The Cursed Few. New recruits and potential recruits ask how did I get my piratical clothing or as we like to refer to it, garb. Well to be as honest as pirate can be, I acquired most of mine from merchants as am not a skilled tailor. That means I can't sew very well. With that being said, you may say, Boats, I don't have a lot of coin just laying around where I can just get everything I need at once, what do I do? I says price mil is an option, meaning get it as you can. Not including footwear it ran me about 90.00 dollars to get my garb initially and I didn't buy that all at once. There are several places to acquire the items you need which I won't go into detail here, but let's say you want to come and see what we do and hang out with us. Pirate on the cheap and get what you can when you can. A couple of ideas for guys, Do you have and old white dress shirt you don't use? You can cut the collar off, cut the sleeves off or just roll them up and make some tea and soak it to discolor it. Cut shirt tail so it is even around the bottom. Wear and old pair of black pants, and take off the back pockets and an old pair of dress shoes you don't use or are thinking about getting rid of,
and there you have it. You don't need to be fancy right away, for most of us have been doing this for years and acquired everything over a long period time. I say start simple and build as you go. Want to know more about where I get my clothing or other questions about my piratical adventures with the Cursed Few? You can contact me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/shipwreck.sons or shipwreck_sons@yahoo.com

Teasure Island with Charlton Heston

Ahoy fellow buccaneers!  Just finished watching the version of Treasure Island with Charlton Heston.
 Even though I have 3 other versions of this movie, and the Disney version  with Robert Newton will always be my favorite, I have to say that this was a fantastic movie. it was on point with a few details that is left out of the Disney version that I felt was was should be told.  The first being that when  they reach the island  and Jim runs away, the pirates set out looking for him and Long John gets into a fight with a new "recruit".  This scene shows the scallywag  that Long John really is and  why he is feared by his crew even with just one leg.  The other  was the  capture the ship scene  where Israel Hands and Jim Hawkins go at it. This version is more true to the novel which makes more appealing to the true pirate fan.  The music in this version fits the story in my opinion, and it shows what a schemer Long John really is playing both his crew and Captain Smollet's company to get the end result.  It also reveals that though Benn Gun  may have been marooned 3 years, he didn't lose his treacherous side and  the end  result was he was able to outsmart  Long John and his crew.  Long John gets away in the end, as so goes the novel and makes off for smoother waters. This  a great movie for the pirate at heart and is recommended  for your collection of swashbuckling movies

The Weazelteeth Experience

Good Times to be had at The Weazeltooth's hideaway!

The Cursed Few and Scarlett Fortuna had a a crew camp-out for a little ARR and ARR. It was fine food and great friends having fun  with a bit of teaching and learning. We all gathered Friday and set up camp. The Friday meal was  the "luck of the Pot" as everyone brought a little something to feed our faces. Saturday was awakened by the rain  and the  the southern breakfast. Grits with cheese and eggs and ham. The rain soon cleared out and the out came the weapons where our resident battle master showed the crews  some ship boarding techniques and defense moves. Then it was supper time with  pulled pork and  Macaroni salad. After good eats it was time to sit by the campfire and enjoy the evening with story telling and revelry. Sunday was the sad day as we had to say our goodbyes. We awoke to the cold and quickly hunted down the coffee.  Breakfast was biscuits and gravy followed by  a couple of surprise visitors. Before we all packed up and headed our separate ways we had the last meal, taco soup. Soon it was goodbyes and the fabulous weekend was over. Great Friends !!!Fabulous Food!!! How can you ask for a better weekend?

Songs of Warship

Ahoy Mates. I hope the winds be fair with ye this day. I recently had the pleasure of listening to the New album by Below the Gaff.  It was really good I caught myself  tapping along to the beats of each song as I listened to the various string instruments  producing harmonic rhythms of the various songs.
They are all very good and it's hard to pick favorites, but if had to I would say the instrumental version of Seven drunken Sailors, The Wench and the Pirate, Casanova, and The Dread of the Deep, would be my favorites. Get your copy today from Below the Gaff  and follow them on Facebook!

Doldrums and Pirate Santa

Ahoy Mates, already its been a month, with nothing posted. What's going on with ol Shipwreck ye ask? Well to ta be quite he honest sailor, nothing. been dry docked and landlocked this month doin' "honest " work  ashore, so no pillaging this month. The crew had their 12th night gathering which was grand time, and now we are dealing with our civilian side of life, waiting for the weather to get better.  In the mean time it's long stretches of no posting, hopefully changing soon.

  My First review this year is a book that has been out a bit.  It is called Pirate Santa. Wriiten by  Clay Talderoy from Studio City Tattoo It is a children's Christmas tale with a bit of a twist. Talderoy who is something like a Pirate King in the Pirate community and has his very song written by The Pirates Charles has teamed up with Mark Summers of  Talk Like a Pirate Day to come up with this great little story.  About  an old Sea Captain, Captain Slappy, who happens to be the cousin of Chistopher Kringle, Good ol' Saint Nick, who get in an argument about who can receive toys on Christmas, As Chris is bound by rules that don't let him give toys to pirates and ninjas, as they are not not considered "good",  the Captain thinks this is unfair and that all kids should receive gifts. He devices a scheme to give to the children St Nick does not, all the while not knowing that was his cousin's plan all along..
 A great Story for your little Pirates that should be read at Christmas.  Buy  your copy today from
http://www.piratesanta.com/.
 

Happy New Year Shipmates! May your mug always be full and the sailing be smooth

Cedar Key Pirates

It's a bit late  posting, but here goes.  The Cedar Key Pirate Invasion
 was a grand time. to put it in the words of  Black Dog from treasure Island, "this here be a quiet cove" or at least until the pirates invaded.  Lots of  music and cannon fire throughout the weekend.  Friday night the pirates had dinner with the public, which I was unable to attend, but my crew-mate Dungeon Dan Blackheart
says it was a grand time. Saturday, was the main day, as I awoke to smell of the campfire, and soon breakfast. Biscuits and gravy along with the morning grog, Coffee, was soon divvied among the crew. The day then kicked off with a parade,where the pirates "pillaged" the town "running" through the streets singing and otherwise ranting and roaring. Then the treasure hunt begins. As legend has it, The dread Pirate John Laffite has buried treasure somewhere in Cedar Key, and guess who just happens to steal a treasure map from some drunken sailor? No not I, but The infamous Bloody Sam Rackham of  The Cursed Few
He gathers up his crew(which in this case is all the children in attendance)  and set out to find the treasure.  A hunt around the cove  and then treasure, divvied among the crew. Shortly thereafter a battle begins for it seems that Bloody Sam has struck good fortune again, but not for long. As he and his crew decide what to do with the treasure found upon the cove,  the Captain of The Scarlett Fortuna
had overseen the the taking of said map as mentioned earlier, and decided to claim to claim the riches for himself, recruited the local garrison, promising to "share the wealth" he then proceeds to confront Bloody Sam and a fight ensues. during the battle a third party who was also at the pub and saw everything, sneaks in from shore during the fight and as the first two crews  are firing lead and swinging cutlass, the treasure is being taken.  As James Hawk, the Fortuna's Captain, confronts the two rogue pirates, he gets an oar smashed against his head, by the boatman and the oarman (yours truly) runs off with the treasure, loads it in the longboat, to take back to the Mutineers ship, only to be double-crossed by the first Mate. Shot dead and left to die on the sands of Cedar Key.  With the making off with treasure the Mutineers won the day.  the Garrison tried shooting at them with a cannon but missed, and the second was way too short.  The rest of the day was spent listening to  The Bawdy Boys
and Tricorn
and so ended the Saturday hoorah, with a night fire performance  from Mcfly
Sunday was spent looking through the wares of the local vendors, and listening to the bands, just having a grand time being a pirate. It was a grand time to be had as anticipated, and I hope to it again next year!

 

Ahoy!  As Talk Like a Pirate Day soon approaches,The Cedar Key Pirate Festival  is also just about a week away. It will be an exciting time  for all pirates in the Florida area as it promises to be even better than last year. It will my first time attending,  so come introduce yourself  if you are there. As well as a Historical Pirate Encampment, there will also be  live  fighting action. It  promises  to be a Grand Time! So If your in the North Florida/Gainesville  area   stop by and see the action!!

Yo Ho, Pull Together Hoist the Colors High!!!  There be a new Radio Show for the Pirate at Heart!!  Arr yes the Scoundrels Inn opens it's doors every Wednesday at 9:00 PM Central and plays  the Music of the scallywags of the Sea!!  Musical Blades and Bilgepumps, which I have talked about before, as well as Tom Mason  Captain Dan, and many others.  So get yer Rum, or any other beverage you like,  get  in yer favorite Captain's Chair and turn on the Sea Shanties!! Scoundrel's inn website

Ahoy Shipmates!  it has been quite a spell since I have sailed these waters..  It's not like anyone reads this stuff anyway. I feel like maybe I should post now and again just for the heck of it.  nothing piratical as of late... but it is almost September.... which means Talk Like a Pirate Day!!! so get your grog ready for September 19th! read up on yer pirate knowledge as to impress the Ladies... or depress them whichever the case may be...  here be the link to get your Pirate on!!!Talk like a pirate day

Ahoy Mates and welcome to me hideaway. I have just recently dug up another treasure that had been buried under the rest of me cd arrs. This CD has been out a while as well as the one on the last review.

The Bilge Pumps, another great Pirate band, released their Bail Money CD back on September 19^th.

It's a great CD with a lot of traditional shanties, such as Strike the Bell, Santiano, and The Derelict. I have always liked their version of Johnny Jump UP and The Dark Lady, and on this album, they are still fantastic. Banana Boat Ride and Beggarman would have to be my new two favorite songs from this album. It is a fun CD in the traditional Bilge Pumps way, with a few “After Dark” songs on it, meaning put the youngster to bed before listening to certain songs. But then it wouldn't be piratey if didn't have at least one song “pushing the boundaries” It's a great CD for music collector or just someone who wants to hear different types of music now and again. You can go tohttp://thebilgepumps.com/music.cgi?action=display&album=bailmoney to get your copy today.

aye it has been a fortnight or two since  me deadlights  have wondered through these waters. Now I have repainted the ship er website, I will be havin to make a change or two here or there till I figure out if I likes wot I sees!! So far so good. now to get back to the pirateing  business.   a quick review of the Musical Blades CD Pieces of Eight Treasures of Old.  I liked what I heard of course, and would recommend it to any swashbuckling music fan. The version of The Derelict on this CD is probably the best I have heard simply because the music seems to fit the song more so than the song is piratey, as many many groups  have a version of this song, including Skip Henderson, which is one of my favorites and a more upbeat version. Getting back to The Blades,  Pieces of Eight had some of my favorite songs  including  Pirate Heaven, Johnny Home and a little newer version of Hollywood Pirate. Good stuff for the Pirate enthusiast. Treasures of old was a cd included that had  traditional
shanties and I fell in love with quite a few of them  including Fire Maringo, The Girls of Dublin town, Wild Colonial Boy, Byker Hill and Roll the Woodpile Down. Good Music for the drive to work, hanging around the house,  around the campfire or sailing the seas. Get your copy today!
http://www.musicalblades.com/

Ahoy! Have you heard of the new TV series on NBC? Crossbones! That show is a pretty god one and very piratical in nature. Although it is fiction and is not bases on any historical facts, as far as I can tell, It brings out the probable lifestyles and and culture of a pirate camp/community in the 1600's. It looks like a place if one existed like this, could possibly rival that of Tortuga and/or Libertalia,  If it was a known place. To take one on a journey here is to take a piece out of the original Pirates of the Caribbean, In which only those can find it , if they already know where it is. The loosely based on the fact of the figuring out of longitudes, and how it works with time to know where you are when there is no way to tell,  would make such a place clear possibility in the time setting that it is in.  A passing ship would probably think it is just another deserted island, possibly with natives on it, and that is all, The Cove where th ship is anchored is hidden by a long and shallow channel that no Kings ship would dare to navigate, making it a safe hideaway, and therefore the community itself hidden from the outside world. The  plot originally for Thomas Lowe, a king's man to go under cover, discover where Blackbeard is, and kill him, has turned into  Thomas Lowe ally to Blackbeard, with a sneaky every man for himself type of feeling. It has a very good plot, and I would recommend anyone with  a pirate enthusiasm of any sort to  watch it.  Until next time May the wind always be at your back 

Crossbones Facebook Fan Page

Crossbones TV series online

Pirate Music!! It is some good stuff coming in all genres. The latest one coming out by the Musical Blades looks to be a great album a two album  set of great Music!!

You can get yours from Kickstarter. until Jun 30. After that you will have to wait until. it's release on September 19th.  Get yours today at http://www.musicalblades.com/ . Start your Pirate Music Library today!

Ahoy and welcome once again to Shipwreck's Hideaway. Today I had the pleasure of going to a local school for Pirate day. It was the most fun a sailor could stand when he isn't at sea, and not in a courtesan's house or other such establishment of ill repute. There were somewhere around 40 young lads and lasses this time, and all eager to ask ol' Shipwreck their question. things like Are you a real Pirate, where is your sword, where is your ship, Can I ride on the ship, How did you get this far inland, do you take baths and the list goes on a fun day to be had for sure but nothing I can really show due to school policies. I did slip this little bit of piratical pleasure in before we went out to look for treasure.


Then It was off to find the Treasure! Loot and plunder the whole of the playground before we finally found it.   A jolly good time had by all. finishing the day with a bit of grub and a jolly farewell, I must say it will be a pleasure to that again!!

Batten down the hatches

Ar ! foul Weather. We all have to deal with it at some point. The last couple of days have not been especially great. in the home port. At least it hasn't been near as horrible as those poor souls in tornado alley. It hasn't been great either. No fishing for ol' Shipwreck, which is my favorite pastime, when I can't go pirating. It reminds me of a story of long ago when I was a bit younger lad. The adventurous sort that I tried to be in my younger days, there was this time when on, about this time of year, My Father and I when on a trip with a friend of ours to the gulf coast for a day trip. We arrived in a little port on the coast of Florida called Keaton Beach. Our Friend had a 20 foot water vessel and was going to take us for a journey we only have ever dreamed of. Our own vessel couldn't get us past the breakwater on a calm day so we mostly fished tidal creeks and tide water, but today it was going to be different! Grouper, Snapper Amberjack, Mackerel,and any other ocean leviathan we could get in the vessel!!! Or so we thought. As we set sail south out of the channel, we stopped to catch a few pinfish for bait. once we had a dozen or so, we headed out for the big water. Now on the flats it takes a little bit of time to get in to any really deep water. So we were clipping along talking and having a jolly time going towards our destination, and once once we got close enough our friend, The Captain, started maneuvering the vessel to get a good anchorage. Anchors deployed, lines out and and the fun begins!! For 5 minutes. Just to our south was a nasty cloud that appeared on the horizon and with a burst of cold air on a hot day we decided this was not a good sign for this scurvy crew and the Captain decided to move to a different location he knew about a bit closer to shore, about a 10 minute trip. Once we were anchored at our new location and reached for the gear catch the big ones, we noticed a thin black line on the horizon, and this time we would barely escape with our lives. As we all noticed it was a massive squall gaining on on with the speed of a cheetah,It was time call this day a bust. As we hurriedly hoisted the anchors and prepared to make our way back to port, the storm as already upon us. We turned the vessel around and before we had made any headway the seas went from calm to 2 foot swells. Within a matter of minutes it went from 2 feet swells to 10 foot chops, and the Captain did all he could to keep the vessel from capsizing!! This day Our Lord would keep us safe, and we would pull through the rough part, but with choppy waves half the size of the craft we were in, it was a tough ride, hanging on for dear life hoping the Captain could get us to the other side, and we all got a bit seasick, with dentures disappearing in the ocean as we were gagging. when we finally made back to land we are all glad the The Lord had kept us all safe, and we heard the stories of other countless fishermen telling their horrid tales of near drowning. A day to remember and not soon forget. I thank The Lord often for keeping us alive this day!! This also reminds me of a song one my Favorite Pirate bands sings...... The Squall!! Pull Hard On those ropes boys, and Maybe we'll survive!!!