Publisher's Synopsis
The author of this novel, Don Betts, knows a lot about old Florida. No, he was not one of the first settlers. But he knew Manatee County and Sarasota county when they were still sparsely populated. He was born in 1932 on the far south end of Long Boat Key, Florida. There he grew up in a Tarzan-like environment. Few vehicles on the dirt road that ran from north to south on the island. Plenty of trees and animals and birds, not to mention snakes and mosquitos. Ample time to explore the swamps and to swim in the Gulf waters with the Manatee and dolphin nearby. Always an abundance of food to be had from the Gulf by fishing with poles, netting or just grabbing with one's hands.Don's father worked for decades for the legendary circus King, Mr. John Ringling. No, his father did not tame the lions or ride the hippos. He father was a plant and flower man, the chief horticulturalist for Mr. Ringling. Therein hang many tales. Don Betts listened to the other stories that his parents and grandparents told about life in old Manatee County, before the creation of Sarasota County.Out of those true stories, plus his extensive reading of the area's captivating history, Betts brings to life a fictional adventure of an old-time Florida family making a trip to town for supplies and returning home over a three day period. It is a novel of old Florida, but it is deeply rooted in history. It reminds one of the classic Floridian novel, A Land Remembered, by Patrick D. Smith (published in 1984).It is less than 20 miles from Old Miakka to Sarasota, Florida as the crow flies. What today is maybe a 30-minute drive each way on blacktop roads, back then was a three day round-trip by a wagon pulled by a team of oxen. The dirt road back then was uneven, meaning there were roots from Live Oaks protruding and creating teeth-chattering bumps and wild hog wallows deep enough to trap a wagon in its muddy bog. This Florida couple, Joe and Aggie, had four active boys ranging from age 1.5 years to their 8-year old, George. They traveled by oxen-power, with their team usually tasked to pull a loaded wagon. On the way to town, they had their needed food, utensils, and camping gear, plus whatever they had to sell or trade. On the way home, it was still the basics but with the new-bought supplies and/or equipment. This family adventure features a mixed cast of water moccasins, gopher tortoises, mosquitos, razorback hogs, Great Blue Heron, American Egret, chicken snakes and rattlesnakes. After getting to town, they camped downtown and enjoyed nearly a full day looking, shopping, and eating one hardy, café-bought seafood noon meal. That was about all of "civilization" they could stand at one time. Early next morning, they headed the heavy wagon back home. They have one perilous encounter that left them mighty proud and happy to finally get back home. They were bone-tired but doggoned appreciative of their backwoods "Cracker" house and prairie/swamp land.
