Map 11: ThirdBay toRodgersRiverBay(3.5miles)

Third Bay and Big Lostman's Bay are in the drainage of Lostman's River. These bays are fed by numerous fresh water creeks flowing out of the surrounding everglades. At the east end of Big Lostman's Bay, Lostman's Creek leads into one of the prettiest areas of the Park and to the turnoff to the campsite on Willy Willy Indian mound (see Map 12).

BOATING SAFETY -continued

Safe boat handling

Boarding: never jump into boat; step into center. Be sure lines are secure. Hand gear from dock to center of boat.

Loading: don't overload boat; distribute evenly and keep it low.

Getting underway: start motor before casting off. Start slowly, watching for other craft. Make sure non-swimmers and children are wearing life jackets and that additional life preservers are nearby for other passengers.

On the water: Be alert for bad weather, other boats, swimmers, sand bars, fishermen, and low branches of submerged logs in narrow creeks. Operate at safe speeds. Do not stand up in small craft unless necessary. Watch for fire hazards on board. Stop to help others if needed.

If you're in a large boat, watch out for smaller ones. You are responsible for the wake of your own boat. You will pass numerous fishing parties; remember to slow down and not make them struggle to keep from being swamped.

When traveling through narrow creeks and rivers, always be prepared for the approach of an oncoming boat. Travel at a slow enough speed as to not cause the other boat lo have to run ashore to prevent a collision. When underway also be sure to watch for fishermen who might have nets out.

When boating in any waters remember to be courteous. If you are uncertain who has the right of way, yield. Local Coast Guard stations or the Florida Boating Council, Tallahassee, Florida, supply information on boating regulations and safety. Boaters should be as familiar with these as with the laws governing the driving of automobiles.

Learn and observe the boating "Rules of the Road." Coast Guard and United States Power Squadron boating courses are available in many communities.

See also "Survival in Backcountry," p. 48.

Map 12: RodgersRiverBay co CabbageIsland(3.5 miles)

Lostman'sCreek Turnoffto Willy Willycampsite

To reach Willy Willy camp, proceed up Lostman's Creekto RockyCreek, which flows into Lostman's from thenorth. Asmall mangrove islandwith one cabbagepalmmarks theturnoffto RockyCreek. Asthe name implies, there are rocks inthiswaterway,and duringperiodsoflow watertheycan be hazardstoboaters. You will beable to seethe rocksjuttingupfrom the creekbottomthrough thecrystalclear water.

This irregularly dissolved limestone rock underlies most of the everglades and can be seen where fire has burned off or water has washedoff the overlying peat soil. Because of its rugged appearance it is called pinnaclerock.

Like many of the other campsites on elevated land, the Willy Willy mounds are shaded by such tropical trees as gumbo limbo, marlberry, cabbage palm, strangler fig, pigeon plum, and white stopper. These trees are also found in the hammocks or tree islandsthatoccur throughoutthe openeverglades.

Going through Rodgers River Bay southward, notice the two small islands indicated on the map that have served as a rookery for nesting Americanegrets, anhingas, and cormorants. Theseislands,aswellas many other similar ones, are close to vast foodsuppliesandoffer partialprotection from predators such as raccoons and bobcats. These animals have beenobservedswimming inthecreeksandbaysin thisregion,however,so complete protectionofnestsisnotpossible.

Birds may be seen roosting from February through October, with the heaviest nesting activity beginning in June. The area should not be approachedcloselywhenthe birdsarenesting.

Typical vegetation ofhammocksorformerIndian mounds

Airplants onbuttonwoodbranches

Map 13: CabbageIsland toBroadRiverBay(3.1 miles)

Passing through the Cabbage Island region of the Wilderness Waterway, taketime toslow downandlook at thevegetation. Among the branches of many of the buttonwood and mangrove trees are numerous epiphytes,or airplants.Theseplantsincludesomewildorchidsandbromeliads,many of which resemble wild pineapple plants. These air plants are not parasites, but take all their nourishment from the air. Rigorously protected here in the Park, these aerial gardens should be ofinterestto passers-by formany years.

At the eastern end of Broad River Bay, at marker 26, boaters can follow the rivertoCampLonesome,anotherParkServicecamp locatedon an Indian mound. Tropical vegetation is plentiful on this mound, with gumbo limbo, cabbage palms, bananas,seagrapes,and nickerbean growing at this site. When approaching the camp, look for the arched mangrove trunkthatmarkstheboatlanding.

While many of the Seminole Indians hunted in thearea now belonging to the Park, very few established their homes in the area. One notable exception was Camp Lonesome where, as late as 1947, well built chickees werelocated.

In the Camp Lonesome area evidences of fresh water marshes can be seen. Look for the tall stalks of maiden cane, a close relative of bullrush. These plants are found near sloughs andpondsthroughoutthe everglades.