April 3rd

 

Punta Gorda

 

Today, we went back to Punta Gorda especially to find a multi-stage cache that took us to some of the historic sites in the town.
 

 

There are several murals scattered all over the town and this was one we had not seen on our previous visits.

 

 

A copy of “Luncheon of the Boating Party”, one of my favorite Renoir paintings, is found on a mural.

 

 

During our walk, we saw this carving entitled “Calostimucu” which came from the trunk of a monkey tree that died in 1973. The artist, Peter Toth, has vowed to create an Indian statue in all fifty states. This one depicts a brave on one side and a maiden on the other.

 

 

We have seen many of these trees in southwest Florida and we think they are the Golden Trumpet. From Brazil, it is very popular for its dazzling blooming display when the tree lacks leaves in late Winter/ early Spring. Most will flower unpredictably throughout the year.

 

 

Another striking bloom is found on the Weeping Bottle Brush tree. I wish this and the Golden Trumpet could live in our Maryland climate.

 

 

I liked the pretty tiles placed in this drinking fountain along one of the sidewalks. Upon a second look, we noticed that it has a place provided for a pet to get a drink of water, too.

 

 

At one of the stages of the multi-cache, we saw a huge Mysore Fig Tree. The roots are the main interest of this tree. This is understandable since 90% of the roots grow above ground. The depth of the roots underground is only 9"-12". It would be thought that a strong wind could blow it over but that is not the case. The wood of the tree is very dense and very heavy. This plus the size of the trunk gives it a very stable base that would be hard to dislodge and move.

 

We found a cache in Charlotte Habor Preserve State Park. It was interesting to see that the keypad for opening a gate was attached to a palm tree instead of a post or sign as I would have expected.

 

 

I was a bit nervous while poking around the palmettos after we saw this prominently displayed warning for alligators in the area.
 

 

 

I was able to drop a Travel Bug which I had retrieved from another cache. It has a unique tracking number and has traveled 11,062 miles thus far. Another geocacher will come along, retrieve this bug and move it to another location.

 

This was the hottest day we have experienced so far—the temperature reached 94°. I think it is about time that we head back north to cooler weather!!