A Bit of a Snag

Hello Friends!  I hope you enjoyed the video I posted.  I have run into a bit of a snag on continuing this project as my video making program crashed. However, I am hopefully soon going to have it up and running again within the next week and hope to bring more content for you to view. With That being said I am currently have plans to make 3 more backyard adventures. The first is a second version or redo if you will, of the rain catch experiment. the second is an adventure bag video to do my backyard/ outdoor adventures with. and finally, a hobo stove. Why a hobo stove you ask?  Well, I have attempted this project in the past, but the design is a bit flawed. Also, my do it yourself burn barrel can use some improvements. that is where I am going with the channel and blog in the near future. I am hoping that you stick with me and continue to check in with me now and again. Until next time. To quote the Prates of the Caribbean movies, "May the wind always be at your back Mates!!"

The Rain Catch Experiment

 Hello Friends! I hope your all having a wonderful day!  The first video is now posted!  I saw a survival video where someone took a plastic bottle and made a water catch, I decided to give that a try with my own twist to it. I performed this experiment while away at a relative's property. It turned out to be somewhat of a success. The idea was to catch drinkable water from the passing rainstorm occurring that evening. As it turned out, the rain came in the next morning and was not as much rain as I had hoped for, but enough to test my idea, The results are here in the video. Here is the link.  

The Rain Catch Experiment (youtube.com)

Another Reboot

 So here it is three years later with only 2 posts, No worries, Friends. I am still around. i have tried to do a few videos but the files are too big to post, with that being said. i will have to post them on YouTube and link them here. Still, I will give a written account of my adventures and may post more pictures here than videos since videos take more time to produce and to be honest, I am very poor at making videos, mostly it is due to not having very good speaking skills and pronunciation. i tend to run words together and slurr a bit, I will fight through that. In the meantime I will do what  can to keep anyone who is intrested in my outings and backyard adventures more updated here.back with you soon with  a new adventure!

Merry Christmas!

 Merry Christmas everyone! I hope yours was grand!    

Reboot

 Ahoy me Hearties!  It seems since covid hit I kind of lost interest in doing the pirate things. I may twist this and just talk more about different things! So there isn't much to talk about as of now. but I will try and fire this thing back up for anyone who may be interested. That's all for now!

AVAST! Madman's Window

A happy belated Valentines to ye me hearties! Tis the season to be a givin' yer heart to to ye true love, iffin ya have one. Unless of course you are François l'Olonnais, who will just take out your heart for himself! With that being said, today's yarn is about Madman's Window and their album Avast!. It is 8 songs of Nautical/ Irish/Folk music of traditional music that leaves you looking to the sea for adventure!

My Favorite must be Soggy Bones, a tale of the pirates life, and the wishes of being buried at sea. Other songs include Sam Hall, which is a lot like William Kidd, Whiskey in the Jar, and all for me grog. An adventure for the ears, to be sure! You can get your MP3 copy from Amazon music, or you can listen to it on Spotify. Get your copy today and get to listening!

Any Requests

Ahoy Mates! Happy New Year a month late! As the weather of late did not permit me to travel to Hoggetowne this year, so I will have to talk to you about that another time. As of late I have been anchored in the home port, so there is not much on the adventure side of things to spin a yarn about.

As far as the latest in Pirate news, Under the Crossbones latest episode features Ray Arnoult of Pirate Guitar Effects, and Scoundrels Inn latest episode, Best Laid Plans features the latest top 10 pirate music voted on by you, the listeners. On Cindy Valor's website, pirates and privateers, this weeks Pirate History is February 2: Robert Culliford steals the Blessed William and goes on the account. On a side note Cindy Valor's site is definitely worth looking at for historical information.

This week Cheeks and Phoenix new album Any Requests is out for pre-order. It has been up for pre-order for some time, but I just found out, and already have a copy of the music.The official release date has not been released as of yet, but if you contact them through their Facebook page, you can still pre-order it. This album of Nautical, Folk and Celtic music leaves you toe tapping at the tunes and wanting to hear more. It features 14 songs, all of which are excellent. These are the songs most requested at their events, so they are all fan favorites. My knew favorite has to be Lover's Wreck. They also have fantastic version of The Dark Lady, and my favorite sea shanty, The Derelict. You will definitely want to add this album to your pirate Collection. You can get yours by contacting them through their Facebook or their website. It's never to late so start toe tapping today!

The Buccaneers of America

Ahoy Mates! This here time be about the holiday season for buccaneers and landlubbers alike! So before I begin Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all you scallywags!

The Buccaneers of America is a book written by Alexander O. Exquemelin. He was a surgeon who sailed with Henry Morgan in his buccaneering days. The first part of the book explains the plant and animal life of Hispaniola and the island of Tortuga. Hispaniola is now modern day Haiti and the Dominican Republic. It also describes the landscape as well as the fort on Tortuga. The second part describes how the buccaneers came about and some the raids they were involved in, and the last part shares in detail about the raid on Panama by Henry Morgan. A very interesting read with a lot of great information. It also talks about the French Buccaneer FranccoisL'Olonnais, and his exploits as well as the attack on Maracaibo and Gibraltar. A must read for the Buccaneer at Heart! You can get a free downloaded copy from Underthecrossbones.com or buy it from several other book stores, including Amazon.com. Get your Copy today!

The Beauty of Nature

Ahoy Shipmates! Tis been a bit since I've come aboard to tell ye me tales. It seems there are not any to speak of and since it has been a spell, I figures I just need to throw ye a bottle to let ye all know Shipwreck is still about, however mundane this post may seem.

With that being said, I have no stories to tell, so I will make one up. I was sitting on me Captains chair, which in my case is a couch, listening to on the Under the Crossbones podcast, and decided I would share me spyglass viewings with ye. The Spyglass being a cell phone, which according to the pirates life website, which doesn't seem to exist anymore, “ pirates don't use cell phones, they yell across the sea!” Nature is a beautiful thing, weather it is a small part, like a beautiful flower or massive and spectacular\, like a mountain landscape or tropical beach with white sands. The photos I share today will be more of the former but still beautiful in my mind. I will soon get back to my pirate writing, if I don't slack off again. It comes and goes, whenever I am in the mood. If you like pirates, you can visit my crew's page or my crew facebook page. Stories of historical Pirate Characters can be heard every Tuesday on Under The Crossbones, and Pirate music can be heard every Wednesday on The Scoundrels Inn. Until next we cross paths, Fair Winds and following seas!

Big Shoals

Ahoy Mates!  It's that time of year! Holiday Season!  That's Right feasts are all abound! Thanksgiving,  Christmas, New Years! Turkey, Ham, and all the goodies that go along with it! I hope everyone has a fantastic holiday season. As many of you know,  I am in a Pirate Crew that participates in some festivals in the South East. My Crew recently went to Calloway Gardens. Not a festival, but more of a getaway. Kind of our wrapping up the season before we go to spend time with our families.
   It is a newer post so you can read about that on our web page. Since our web page only allows one post without going through a lot of red tape, I am excited to announce the we also have a new blog page where any old post will be added once we  post to our page again. This year our season isn't quite over yet as we have two more events in short order. the first is The Cedar Key Pirate Invasion and the second one is our invasion of Hogansville.  I wrote a trip report on the Cedar Key Festival a couple of years back. you can read about that here.
  My last adventure was a recent trip to Big Shoals of the Suwannee River. It is the only class III Rapids in the State of Florida.  It drops  some 9-11 feet over a short distance. Located  approximately 5 miles from White Springs, Florida, it's about a one mile hike from the parking area to the shoals.  At the the beginning of the trail head, there is a kayak launch, and the peaceful still waters of the river, shows no indication of the  swift and dangerous shoals just a mile down. The Suwannee is a blackwater river getting a lot of it's color from the Okefenokee Swamp from where it starts. After leaving the parking area  you travel along the canopy trail adjacent to the river, There are a lot of oaks and palmettos  and other various trees and bushes. Soon, in the distance you begin to hear the faint sounds of the rapids flowing over the rocks. As you approach the sounds get much louder until finally the shoals are right before your eyes. A breathtaking view, as the water turns from a dark  color to a foamy white  from the turbulence of flowing over the rocks. There are a couple of viewing spots about 20 yards apart from each other with the last giving the best view. I would recommend  this park for anyone looking for an exciting outing in nature. Pack your backpack and get ready for the short hike of adventure and amazement on the historic Suwannee River. You will be glad you did!

photos of the shoals trip

Mission San Luis

Ahoy Mates, and welcome once again to Shipwreck's Hideaway. Today's tale is one of adventure and exploration. Although not about piracy, it may perhaps tie into it towards the end. Yours truly had the opportunity to visit the Mission San Luis in Tallahassee Florida. Its a great historical site and the people are courteous and willing to answer any questions you may have.

But before the tour is talked about, it is best for the reader to know a little more of the pre-European aspect and the events leading up to it, The peoples of the region, were Native American, and their tribe were the Apalachee. The area in which their lively hood was an area called the red hill region, and from the info I have been able to gather, stretched from the Aucilla on the east to the Ochlocknee on the west and as far North as what is known as the Georgia state line. That is where the know information ends and the speculation part begins. It seems that, at least by an information board at the Lake Jackson Indian Mound Site, that there were trade routes with other tribes, such as the Etowah in Northern Georgia and even as far as Tennessee. The Apalachee were part of the Missippian culture of mound builders, according to references.

Getting back on track, the Chief 's of the Apalachee sent for a Friar from St Augustine, according to the tour guides, and the first ones came in 1608. The Chiefs formally requested a mission to be built in 1612, but the first mission effort didn't start till 1633.

In 1656, the site was moved to the present day area due to military strategy reasons, and the community was established. It was there until the English raids in 1704 when it was destroyed by residents before the English could take it over.

     As you walk into the settlement of you find the Mission, the living quarters of the Friar and the Priest, a Spanish settler house, a Blacksmith Shop, and the Council House of the Apalachee Chiefs.

There is a Museum, just before you enter the settlement which explains a lot of the diet and culture of the settlement. On the far end of the settlement, is the fort. Which is more of a blockhouse with cannons. The Fort itself is not very large but would probably be enough to fend off attacks. It looks like it had 4 cannons, one on each side. It looks like the corners are cut to fit a canon on the corner. There is a palisade around the fort and a dry moat, and according to one of the information boards, was filled cactus. This would make anyone think twice about trying to cross over it. The fort was going through repairs so there wasn't any chance of going inside on this visit.

The Spanish Mission is some 40 ft high at it's peak, 30 ft wide and I believe the Guide said 60 ft long, and capable of holding upwards of 1000 people. Standing room only. Literally! No furniture. You either kneel or stand. The pulpit is on a center post above the audience. It would most likely give him a larger than life appearance, being above everyone like that. The confession and the baptistry are in the back of the mission and so is the choir loft. It has lots of very beautiful paintings. As with all of the Spanish type buildings it has a clay type wall with a whitewash.. a limestone type mix to keep the inside cool. The roof is thatch.

The Friar quarters has a study for the friar, a choir loft, much like that of the mission, only this one is more for teaching the songs to children, who will eventually be in the choir. It has a small chapel on the inside as well as prayer area. In the middle part is a storage room foe medical supplies. In the back of that is a sleeping area and dining area, in the back part, away from the main house, there is a separate room for cooking. To the side of the house is a garden for growing medical herbs.

The settler's house is not very big. Can't recall the exact dimensions, but it's something like 20 feet wide and 30 ft long. This according to the guide, it was elaborate for the time. A place to eat, an a place to sleep was about all the room you had. Outside was a little garden with beans, squash and corn, the main staples of the settlement. Meat was usually brought in by the hunters, if you were lucky that day.

The Blacksmith's shop was close to fort, for obvious reasons. If he had to make some sort of weapon, he could get it to them without much effort. Also for repair items such as nails could be passed off rather quickly.

The Council house was some 120 in diameter and could hold upwards of 1000 people. It is very tall, much like the Mission, so in estimation it could possibly 40-50 foot high in the center. This where the chiefs would hold their important meetings, and celebrations would go on throughout the night.

There is your basic layout of the Mission. The Garrison according to sources were only about 25 strong. The natives would make up the rest of the defenses. Trading was important to the colony, but getting supplies would come from traders in the Caribbean. From the Saint Marks area, or San Marcos, as the Spanish called it, would be brought to the Fort by an ox team, and trade goods going to Havana would be taken back. The typical trade route could last as little as four days to 15 depending on weather. Now that is the one stop back and forth trade route. A trader would usually make many stops and be gone months at time. And once back would spend many days and nights trading goods with the locals until he had enough goods to trade with other ports to start again. This would then bring us to the pirates. The traders bringing goods to the mission would be an easy target for pirates during this time period. The mission built in 1656 and lasting till 1704 and the golden age of piracy running from 1650 to 1730, the traders would be targeted for the goods coming from the Caribbean to Florida. There was one story told to me about the St Marks fortification being raided during the time of the Mission's existence, but the only documentation was I could find was after the Mission was burnt down.

So if your looking for something to do, go check out Mission San Luis. Native American history, Florida history, wars, and a hint of piracy all wrapped in one place. A great place to go and spend a little time!

Photos of Mission San Luis

Photos of Lake Jackson Indian Mounds

The Scoundrel's Inn

Ahoy Mates! Are ye looking for the best shanties on the Seven Seas? Well look no further than the Scoundrels Inn! Every Wednesday at 9 central time you dance a jig to your favorite tunes. With some 114 down-loadable episodes and counting, you can dance a jig every night for 3 ½ months! Come Join Captain Jack Gonzo as he plays tunes from all your favorite Pirate bands. Bands like The Jolly Rogers, The Musical Blades, The Bilge Pumps, and The Pirates Charles, just to name a few. Everything from rap to rock, folk to metal, if it's pirate, it's here. Don't hear your favorite pirate band on his show? Let him know and he will to contact them. Of course, it helps if you let them know too.You can tune in to Scoundrel's Inn on Spreaker or your favorite app. Also downloadable on Itunes! So for a smashing good time, listen to Scoundrel's Inn. You catch the live broadcast on Wednesday night, you can join the chat room and join in on all the fun! Come listen in, and have a great time!

Under The Crossbones

Ahoy and welcome once again to Shipwreck's Hideaway. It's time once again to talk of adventure, pillaging and looting! The Pirate's life is adventurous to be sure, and in modern day Piracy it takes on many forms. Sailing to singing, diving to fishing camping to fighting and looking for treasure. You may ask “ Shipwreck, how do you have time for all of that? The answer Mate, can be found in once place. Under the Crossbones is the place where the Pirate can find all the adventure that you don't have have time to go on yourself. What is Under the Crossbones? You may ask. Well it is a Pirate podcast hosted by by Comedian Phil Johnson, who has interviews with all kinds of Modern Day Pirates! From Blacksmiths to Salvage experts, Musicians to Historical documentation experts, and of course Reenactors. As of now there are some 105 episodes with a lot more to come. If your looking to hear about some great adventure be sure bookmark underthecrossbones.com. With a new episode coming out each Tuesday! It will keep you on the edge of your seat! That's all for now Mates until next time Fair Winds!

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?