The Ten Thousand Islands, Florida: A Watery Wilderness | Untold Stories | Florida History

these videos are very comforting to a Florida native who’s Florida is changing… I feel further away from these stories than I did a few years ago. Thank you for these pieces of history maintained … the photographs are always great

My friend and I canoed it back in our 20’s , my roughest adventure to date . Paddling across vast stretches of 3’ deep water in a loaded canoe fighting the wind and small chop. Paddling our butts off to try and outrun massive thunderstorms , got drenched. Raccoons stole his sunscreen on the first night beach camping . Dudes ears were blisters after another day and half on the water . Second night at the old homestead site the no seeing were so bad they were eating our eyeballs and we picked tent and went to sleep without dinner or anything . Brutal place , and this was only April .

Lived in Marco Island as a child. I distinctly remember the bus ride to kindergarten at Marco Island Elementary because of all the water and bridges. I don't know why it has stuck with me all these years. The beaches were beautiful back then. You could collect coconuts off the beach. My mom would make coconut pies for my dad so often that I got so sick of them I wouldn't eat coconut for years to come. It was breathtaking back then.. much less populated.

"History hovered over this forbidden place- neither land nor water, nor forest, yet a combination of all three... this is a country that must be understood" Beautiful quote. Neat video, thank you!

A friend of father’s took me fishing in 10K... got there early...when tide was out, you were in mud flats, with creeks running through..raccoon washing a crawfish. Tide comes in, and you’re among a bunch of mangrove islands, fish coming in to feed. Incredible transition.

I was born in Tampa and grew up traveling all over FLA. The southern part of the state was always my favorite. My gramps had an airboat tour and guide business for a while in the late 70s and early 80s and we lived outside of Everglades for a few years before moving over to Ocahatchee for another few years then up to Sal Apopka then Pananma City and finally going full circle down to Lakeland before I joind the Army and settled up north. My childhood was the greatest, days full of fishing, hunting, boating and camping.

I have been in some pretty cool places in the world. Machu Picchu. Death Valley. Redwood national forest. 10,000 islands is at the top of the list. I’ve done many 6 day boating trips with multiple other boats. Mostly camping at Highland Beach and fishing all day long. I have also kayaked from Chokoloskee to flamingo twice. With no GPS or cellphone and not on the marked trail. Compass only. No room for error. I did it once with my girlfriend and then again solo. Trolling a gold spoon the whole time. Snook for breakfast. Redfish for dinner. Sharks, crocodiles, manatees, bald eagles, the nightmare, Broad River, White Water Bay. That place is heaven.

What a great video. I love the 10,000 Islands, the Everglades and SW Florida in general. What a great lesson in history of the area. I have much more respect for the area now than ever. When I come to Florida, usually every other year, this is the area that always draws me back, again and again. You can keep Orlando and Miami. I love seeing OLD Florida and getting lost in its wilderness.

One of a million things that fascinates me is...how did ppl 'map' such spectacular and accurate maps before aerial views were possible??

I'm not a resident of Florida, but this was very interesting.

It’s still an amazing place, just never know what you’ll run into. So much beauty and so much danger. They need to leave the Everglades alone.The Flamingo are coming back, which is quite nice. Even in the 80’s you could see hundreds of them and they all take off together such a beautiful sight to see, it’s truly a place where to this day feels like a good adventure any time you go. You do feel like your back in time and cut off from the rest of the world. Nothing better than the Everglades.Great video ❤️🙂😂

Camped on the bank of shark river back in 1971. Beautiful place. My Stranahan highschool girlfriend Laurie Philips' dad was a Fort Lauderdale architect and he used to take me fishing there. Caught lots of red fish and sea trout in the channel bends.

Three of us with Jon boat spent 3 days out camping and fishing on islands nearest gulf in the early 70's. Don't get stuck back in the mangroves when the tide goes out, you get to pull the boat. Great adventure.

I love Floridaa history!

Some of the greatest fishing in the world!!👍💕

If you're able do yourself a favor and kayak the Turner river South of 41 into the 10,000 islands. It's pristine Everglades beauty. I grew up hunting around Turner river and it has a special place in my heart

I lived on Marco in the sixties, great place to grow up.

So many memories of this Absolutely Beautiful part of Florida!!!

I am amaze by the professional quality of these videos. I just wish other Fl counties would emulate Collier County.

Thank you so much for posting these great shows!