Southwest of Somewhere

Once upon a time in China, a young general and a small army were faced with overwhelming odds. The battle that was to take place the following day was inevitable and the young general was willing to try anything to help his men and improve his chances. From a nearby village, an old alchemist appeared and privately promised the general victory if a secret scheme and new idea could be employed. Full story »

Off in the west, where the sun goes to rest, many miles from Marco’s shallow shores, denizens of the deep grapple with the imagination. Sebastian de Ocampo sailed around Cuba in 1509, and was the first European captain to enter the Gulf. For more than 100 years, the newly discovered Golfo de Nueva Espana was a forbidden zone to all but Spanish ships. Full story »

Whales take refuge in Marco waters and inspire an inquiry into the folklore, facts and futures of leviathans in the Gulf. A Southwest of Somewhere series. Full story »

Southwest of Somewhere: Whales take refuge in Marco waters and inspire an inquiry into the folklore, facts and futures of leviathans in the Gulf. A Southwest of Somewhere series. Full story »

On a recent blustery day, when the Gulf was awash with whitecaps, and the salt spray softened the windswept beaches, we cranked in on the headsail and the little catamaran was flying. Full story »

Christian Frederick Martin was born in Germany in 1796. At 15, he began his career as an apprentice guitar maker. After three years of study, C.F. Martin knew he had found his labor of love, but the young Christian also felt frustration with the local politics regarding the manufacture of stringed musical instruments. Full story »

For anyone growing up in Eastern Tennessee, Easter is a special event. Normally, Easter coincides with the early spring weather that sends everyone outdoors. When Easter arrives late, the blossoms of apple trees are beginning to bud, crocuses and daffodils are purple and yellow, popping through the grass, and everyone — especially the kids — are trying to pretend that its already summer. Full story »

Before the Beatles’ British invasion, live rock and roll audiences in America were tame compared to after the boys from Liverpool arrived. There can be little doubt that Elvis was the King of rock and roll, and that most of the girls in the Elvis audiences were screaming, but even though Elvis crooned, charmed and cultivated controversial emotions, most everyone that attended an Elvis concert could actually hear the music. Full story »

During a sun splashed summer day in 1513 the famed explorer Ponce de Leon was searching for his elusive fountain of youth. He had promised the royal courts of Europe an elixir of life but as his voyages and explorations continued he became troubled and unsure. Full story »

Long before the big bridges arched over the Marco River, there was a railroad trestle and a railway line. When the first model A and model T Fords began making tracks onto the sandy trails of Marco, they crossed from Isles of Capri on a ferry. Full story »

“I can talk about it now,” Joe explained. “My lawyer says it’s okay.” With the dock water moving under the planks, and the salty scent of the tide on the rise, Jack’s Lookout on Marco Island could not have been a more perfect setting for a behind-the-scenes and honest interview with a former Southwest Florida smuggler. Full story »

When Jamie Yuccas was a little girl, her grandfather gave her all day to be prepared. She learned from the beginning how to schedule her time and how to fit all of her chores and playtime into a busy day. Full story »

Of course, most everyone knows that there are scallops in the gulf. On any beach in Southwest Florida, the ribbed and curved seashells that are the classic pattern and logo for the Shell gas company are easy to find. Full story »

After two years of working at the hotel, I felt fairly confident when my boss took Saturdays off. I knew all of the everyday procedures and how to handle most of the problems; or so I thought. Full story »

With the soft winter sunlight golden on the water, and not enough wind to take the polish of the waves, our sturdy little vessel stood out in the channel between the two spits of sand that were foaming and awash with the incoming tide. Full story »