A local ranch family owns the island, which depending on water levels is anywhere between 1,800 and 3,500 acres. It's home to several endangered species and lots of other unique wildlife. I could go in to a lot of detail on just how neat this place is and still not even scratch the surface.
We all met up on Saturday morning and took the barge arcoss the lake to the island. Once we got there a couple of the cowboys and some of the ladies stayed behind at the camp house to get lunch ready while the rest of us loaded up in to the trucks and toured the island. We saw axis deer, fallow deer, goats, rams (?), bald eagles (they have 18 nests on the island), alligators and more.
The island is also home to the oldest documented oak tree in the state of Florida. This tree is more than 400 years old, has survived at least 7 hurricanes and 2 lightning strikes. It's awesome! 
After the tour we went back and enjoyed a great steak lunch before loading back up on the barge and heading back home - well, that's what some folks did anyway. One of the guys volunteered to take some of the kids, and by default a couple adults, on the airboat rather than the barge. Since neither BBug or I had ever been on an airboat we decided it would be fun to ride together. On the ride back we saw a few more alligators and had lots of fun.
It was such a neat experience and we're so blessed that we're able to do stuff like that together as a family and with friends. I love the fact that our kids get to see and experience such fantastic places!
And I know this post kind of jumps around, but I'm not having the most 'streamlined thought' kind of night so it is what it is. Sorry!
2 comments:
Wow that was beautiful Tamara. Hope you were able to get a bit of sleep last night.
What a fun trip! the island is beautiful and that big ol oak tree is divine. Glad y'all had fun.
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