I've spent my life in Florida, most of it in coastal areas up and down the east and west coasts clear to the Florida Keys. This is an unusual piece of real estate by any yardstick as Florida is a peninsula with a violent history -- both from the weather and the endless clashes of man. Its literally covered with layers of ruins that date back at least 7000 years -- some say much more. Remember the accidental discovery of the mysterious Miami stone circle a few years ago?

A recent issue (Nov.25, '04) of our local Pelican Press here in Sarasota carried a piece about new artifacts found at Little Salt Spring near herewhich are now determined to be over 12,000 years old. A body found there some time ago was established to be over 7000 years old and its DNA considered extremely rare in modern populations, more reminiscent of Egypt or other old world civilizations (The Sirius Connection by MurryHope).

During the last 12,000 years the water level has raised 165 feet, covering many ruins and Florida's ancient history according to Professors at the University of Florida. Then hurricanes have come along from time to time to rearrange the coastal areas -- baring some historic sites, while covering others up again.

This is Indian mound country -- seven large mounds were destroyed right here in downtown Sarasota to obtain the land fill to build our bay front. (Indian Mounds You Can Visit by L.Mac Perry list 165 mounds here on the west coast)

Further south is the Everglades and 10,000 Islands -- 70,000 plus miles of coastline, most of which has never been explored or mapped in any detail. Ruins, artifacts, mounds, ancient ship wrecks, and buried treasure abound there. Besides Spanish galleons (Read Mel Fisher's story in "Treasure" by Robert Daley), Confederates hid much of the Confederacy's wealth there at the close of the Civil War (Buried Treasure in the United States by Robert Marx).

Looking for something a little further out of this world? . Try Capt. Bill Miller's "Tampa Triangle -- The Dead Zone". Many strange happenings witnessed by many people over the years offshore here where I live that defy explanation.

There are certainly many other areas of our country and the world that justify further examination for ruins, artifacts, treasure, or solving mysteries, or disappearances but one thing increasingly holds exploration back. There's no way to get there in many cases. This is the story of designing a high speed craft that can travel long distances at high speed in shallow, uncharted water, stay at a site for days if required, photograph or salvage valuables, and do it in relative safety and comfort. They don't build boats like that these days. This would be described as something of a cross between a Russian Ekranoplan and a jet
powered multihulled powercat -- both explained in detail in our 21st Century Yahoo group.

Such a craft demanded a light supercharged air cooled motor for the speed over long stretches of shallow uncharted water. So the Gator supercharger was born. The story will resume shortly so stay tuned to the 21st Marine Group....

The Real Safaris Survival book began more than a decade ago as a collection of survival tips, emergency repairs, and heavy duty modifications for building an older car or truck for use off-the-beaten-path. Affordable vehicles that filled the void between the popular light duty boulevard cruisers of today and the more costly heavy duty off-road 4 wheel drive vehicles. Some of the best fishing, hunting, and exploring are still found down secondary roads where turnpikes haven't yet reached.

Such vehicles don't need 4 wheel drive but do need to be able to carry gear for whatever activities you like to pursue. This need to carry considerable extra weight and bulk tends to dictate 80's or older tougher station wagons and sedans that can take the punishment of heavy loads and rough roads with little complaint, and can be more easily repaired when needed. You will find literally hundreds of ideas in this book that will make your recreational activities more pleasant.

A few years ago I began updating the above material with marine information -- cheap, lightweight boats, mostly simple multihulls as seen in the photos section and described in the 21st Century Marine group. These multihulls offer many advantages over conventional monohulls because they can be carried to these remote areas "knockdown" on a roof rack, then quickly assembled at the adventure site.. The advantages are many -- no storage costs, vandalism, theft or hull problems like the worms and barnacles we have here in sunny Florida.

When your vacation time is over, you can simply disassemble the multihull and load it on a roof rack and take it home, where it can be safely stored overhead in the garage during off-season or until you have the urge to get away again. Also covered are many tips on finding and buying cheap undeveloped recreational property and setting up and operating out of "base camps" in secluded areas that don't offer all the conveniences of the big city.

If you're looking for a change of pace from crowded city life, this is a book filled with affordable ways to go places and have adventures others can only dream of.

The Real Safaris Survival Book is only $5.00 plus $4.00 priority mail.

Send your check or money order to ...

Dick Datson
PO Box 49614
Sarasota, FL 34230