A world class stage and sound system, a country band with a horn, two plates of food from the breakfast buffet (at the Seafood Depot) tasting good enough to photograph, a city employee on a golf cart who said “if any one objects to you parking here, just tell them you’re the water plant treatment plant’s security,” and sunshine and a balmy breeze on the first weekend in February, now, that’s where I want to be and I am.  It must be the Everglades City Seafood Festival, where all the music is a free concert for three days and headliners are top ten Country Southern Rockers. And I did say FREE! This town knows how to throw a party. No pets, coolers, but plenty of free parking, including where I’ve parked my nest, and enjoying a cold one not bought at the festival beer booth is OK with the fuzznics. The band playing is the Wild Eyed Southern Boys, and Big Bottom is coming. A Southern Rock Band, Baby Let Me Light Your Fire type, is next in roads into the country music society is being made here today!
    I needed a foundation for a day of sitting in and soaking up the sun, listening, and sipping an ACB. The buffet that built the foundation:  I heaped a plate full of biscuits smothered in sausage gravy, real home fries, topped with fried eggs, and a  homemade blueberry muffin on the side with abundant coffee to wash it all down.   The second plate was wedges of Florida fresh oranges, half a grapefruit, sliced star fruit, and slices of water melon & musk melon. All for $10 AYCE at the Seafood Depot right up the street from the festival and concert. While I ate I could see on TV, but too far away to hear (good), Glen Beck, Sam Donaldson and Madelyn Albright were all on the same talk show; a strange combination. I wonder what the topic could’ve been that they had in common? I didn’t even know Donaldson was still around. The fuzznics here, as in Key West, seem to know that hassling people is not necessary. If you are not bothering anybody they leave you alone. The weather couldn’t have been ordered better by the Chamber of Commerce, if there is one here - 80 degrees, warm breeze, and big fluffy clouds. Wow, and it’s February 5th.  What’s it doing in Ocean City? I’m not quite sure, but I’m sure it’s not the same.  Can’t check, my laptop quit, and I’m appreciating the technology break. Damn, those things take up so much of my time.  I’ll get it fixed, but I’m going to limit its use to when it’s dark or rainy.  
    I just walked back to the nest for a refill remembering Batman’s instructions “to pace yourself.” As I filled my 28 oz. Sheetz Coffee Cup with two of O.C. champaign beers I counted the days empties.  Too many, pace yourself???..........  It’s 4 o’clock, but who cares.  I decided after listening to Josh Grayson, the headliner, a truly country singer and band, an ACBless walk at sunset would be a great idea and it was. Is that what Mike means? That extended my day by hours! I even made it to the Seafood Depot for some delicious clam chowder and the band at the outdoor bar. I was surprised to be recognized and of course I couldn’t place the person. He said, he was the tour’s group leader that I’d mouthed on for his loud noisy talking as I was kayaking on the Turner River. He quickly apologized saying his customers had demanded he speak loudly and he hated doing it. At least I didn’t have to defend my reason for objecting. Amazing there are some good people in this world, who appreciate leaving nature as undisturbed as possible to be enjoyed. When it’s silent is when you will see nature’s best performance.
    The next day, Sunday, the bands:  Low Class Cowboys and Joey and Rory stole the show. As the Cowboys set up I could see they had a violin, small piano, two vocalists, drummer, and four guitarists.  This was more than a country band and they started by doing ZZ Top, then Ted Nugent’s, Cat Scratch Fever!!! Once they captivated the crowd full of motorcyclists Joey and Rory took over. They were very good country music.  Rory had Randy Lee Ashcraft humor, told his life stories, linked his original tunes they played to them, and beamed at his wife, throughout. Get more from the web site www.evergladesseafoodfestival.com/ .
    The festival is always a contrasting break from the wilds of Big Cypress where I spend most of February, this year sleeping amongst the panthers, bears, and alligators thirty miles deep in the Everglades. But this year I was in my slide-in camper, my nest, on my pickup at night. I’ve given up on the tent.
    Life’s a fantasy - ENJOY!