DuPuis

DuPuis Management Area

23500 SW Kanner Highway 
Canal Point , FL 33438
561-924-5310

DuPuis is a 21,875 acre multi-use natural area interspersed with numerous ponds, wet prairies, cypress domes, pine flatwoods, and remnant Everglades marsh. The area provides miles of hiking and horseback trails, an equestrian center, graded vehicle roads, backpack and group campsites, and seasonal hunting. There is no fee for camping in DuPuis, which is on a first-come, first-served basis. There also is a group camping site off the DuPuis Grade.

Wildlife: Several bald eagles nest here. Herons, egrets, wood storks, and white ibis hunt for food in the marshes close to the road during the wet season. Look for white-tailed deer, wild hogs and turkeys around dawn and dusk. 

Laurie and Dylan, Dick and I went on the DuPuis Auto Tour this afternoon.  It's a wonderful, varied, huge area which contains many different types of eco-systems.  We didn't see any wildlife at all, doggone it - except for a couple of birds.  But it was the perfect day for a drive, and we were fascinated with the variety of vegetation - many types of trees and shrubs.  My favorite is the beautiful dahoon holly.   It was a total standout in a sometimes bland landscape!

Dick discovered that there were caches in the park, and with our three teams we couldn't miss!  Dylan is now a member by himself and his caching name is Zoroan.  We found two caches - my favorite was the Shell Lake cache at the fishing pier.  I've never seen such elaborate wasp structures as these mud dauber "buildings".  We all searched and searched - and it was quite a thrill when Laurie found it!

Found it 01/15/2012 You found [Traditional Cache] Swamp Monster
 Riding with the sharkie crew on the Dupuis road tour and a close cache popped up. A short walk and a quick find. signed the log, took a tea bag and left a fire truck. TFTC

Sharkie Crew searching for the swamp monster:


 Found it 01/15/2012 You found [Traditional Cache] Shell Lake Visit Log We were out for a ride with sharkiecrew and zoroan this afternoon. Their goal was to share and show this beautiful park to us. We enjoyed the road tour, came to the finish and resolved to find the cache at the end. Four pairs of eyes searched low as well as high with out success. We poked and prodded numerous mud dauber nests without finding either insect or cache. The Basswoods had reached the end of their rope when Mrs. Sharkie said, "Here it is" Thanks to Gator Man for the cache and to Mrs Sharkie for the find.

What a pleasant afternoon we had!

 For dinner we went to Lola's Seafood Eatery - it's a great little place - emphasis on the little - with great food.

Boat Show and Gates, Gates and More Gates!

The Boat Show is in full swing today! Lots and lots of people are there - many have to walk three blocks from the parking area. There are some shuttles, though - buses, bicycle rickshaws, golf carts - but most people are just hoofing it. Admission is $10 per person - they must be making a bundle! Dick took the opportunity to walk on the Roosevelt Bridge and take pictures of the festivities.

Even though the show is right outside out front door, it's really not a problem.  They have it all very well organized and they've anticipated anything that could go wrong.  We haven't had any problems with extra people in the area, or with parking at the condo - it's very well patrolled.


In the afternoon we went back out west to finish the Citrus Gate Series.  We almost succeeded!  After we recover from gate aversion, we'll probably go back out there and find the rest of them.

DNF 01/14/2012 You couldn't find [Traditional Cache] Citrus Gate Series #7
 I think we got tired of rubbing gates this afternoon.

 Found it 01/14/2012 You found [Traditional Cache] Citrus Gate Series #6
 Another nice hide. TFTC

 Found it 01/14/2012 You found [Traditional Cache] Citrus Gate Series #5
 The baggie was ripped so we replaced it. TFTC

 Found it 01/14/2012 You found [Traditional Cache] Citrus Gate Series #4
 LOL This is the hide we've been looking for. Signed log and left a jack. TFTS
 (It was a wire down a pipe.)

 Found it 01/14/2012 You found [Traditional Cache] Citrus Gate Series #3A
 The No Parking signs made us a little nervous but what are you going to do? Signed log, TFTC

 Found it 01/14/2012 You found [Traditional Cache] Almond Joy
 The boat show and all its traffic is in our back yard so we decided we needed a break and a ride in the country. We came out here to seek a few caches. This is a very nice change of pace from running our hands up and down and all over fence gates. Very creative hide. We signed the log and left Jack Squat. TFTC
(It was in a coconut!)

 Found it 01/14/2012 You found [Traditional Cache] Citrus Gate Series #3
 Wow! A huge cache! Took away some trash and left our card and a punch ball. TFTC

 DNF 01/14/2012 You couldn't find [Traditional Cache] Citrus Drinks
 Don't know why we thought we'd be able to find it when so many others could not.

 Found it 01/14/2012 You found [Traditional Cache] Citrus Gate Series #2
 Very tricky. TFTC

 Found it 01/14/2012 You found [Traditional Cache] Citrus Gate Series #1 - South End
 We'd had enough boat show traffic so we came over to grab a few caches. TFTC

 Found it 01/14/2012 You found [Traditional Cache] Lost and Found
 Well, I did it again. Why take the time to find the best route to the cache when you can just bushwhack? Of course we don't have the wonderful saw palmetto in Michigan. Signed the log, it's a bit damp but still functional, took some roadside trash and left our pathtag, some skin, and a bit of blood. TFTC
 (Quite a bit of blood, actually!)

 Found it 01/14/2012 You found [Traditional Cache] Caitlin can see you!!!
 We're thinking that Caitlin goes to the nearby school. Since we came by on a Saturday, she probably didn't see us today but we left her a prize if she visits her cache soon. The log is full so we placed a new one. Signed log and left the perfect coin for this cache.
 (It was a magnetic key holder coin and it went into a magnetic key holder. Sometimes life is just fun.)

 After all of this caching we were feeling a little scuzzy (and bloody) so we went back to the condo to freshen up a bit. We picked up Chinese Take Away at Pei Wei and took 5 dinners over to Chip and Laurie's. Pei Wei has Dylan's absolutely favorite food so we knew it would be a winner. Watched a little football and then came home.

Loxahatchee River Battlefield Park

This park used to be called Riverbend Park. Laurie's family has used it many time for biking, canoeing and kayaking. The other day when we drove down to Ft. Lauderdale, Laurie noticed the name change, and wondered what that was all about. Today we went back down there to check it out. It was especially nice because all five of us went. There's a nice new road, and several caches. It was a great drive and we enjoyed the whole day immensely. It turns out that the name was changed to Battlefield Park because it was the site of two battles in January of 1838 during the Seminole War.

Loxahatchee River Battlefield Park ENTRANCE: 9060 Indiantown Road, Jupiter, Florida 33478 CLASS: historical/regional ACREAGE: 64 acres HOURS: seven days a week (including holidays); sunrise - sunset LOCATION OF Second Seminole War Battles Powell's Battle - January 15, 1838 Jesup's Battle - January 24, 1838 Loxahatchee National Wild and Scenic River

Buddha's Tree
 Found it 01/10/2012

 A visit to the park with the sharkies today. We parked and "bushwhacked" to the cache. Although, in Florida, can you call it a bushwhack when you don't get your hat knocked off, your legs ripped by saw palmetto's, and your socks covered with various burrs and other hitchhikers? When we arrived at GZ, (with proper reverence I assure you) as a northerner, I had to have explained to me the propensity of the Florida version of the ficus to assassinate the tree which provides it shelter as a child. At home in Michigan, the fig is much better behaved. (Of course it doesn't live as long). Since we didn't really expect to do any caching today, (and when we do, down here, ammo cans are a rarity) we didn't have our stash bag with us. Signed log, left nothing and took only oranges,(That's another thing we don't gather up north) and hopefully, not a dose of poison ivy. Thanks for one of our favorite Florida caches.

 Cachers Box
 Found it 01/09/2012
 We came down today with the sharkie crew to check out the improvements which have been made since our last visit a couple of years ago. We are impressed and vow to return for at least another canoeing expedition. We weren't thinking about caching when we left home but the smart phone said it was here so the dumb guy tagged along and found it. Thanks for the excuse to get out of the car and enjoy the sunshine. BTW, there is a neat osprey nest just above GZ. He yelled at us but when we refused to leave, he did because he didn't want his picture on Facebook.

 Since we were near Jupiter, we went to lunch at this great place that Laurie had heard about but had never been to. It's called Guanabanas, and it's an open-air, tiki/chikee kind of a place with great service and very good food. We felt very "Florida" having lunch there :)  It's the kind of a place you want to go back to.  I think that next Christmas we should plan for the whole family to come here!  It is really special and different.

Old Photo

My nephew Dan posted this picture on Facebook. It's my brother Jim and me at a reunion a couple of years ago. I really like this photo - I hadn't seen it before!

Caching and Christmas and NFL

01/07/2012 You found Trash In - Cache Out
Mrs Sharkie spotted it first. I took the message to heart and grabbed an empty Publix bag from the car before we walked the trail. By the time we got back it was full. TFTC

01/07/2012 You couldn't find Busch Street Series-Get Me Out if Here!
We read fuzbill's log also but it didn't help us today.

01/07/2012 You found Busch Street Series-Unearthed!

I think it was zoroan who spotted this one first. We had a fun walk in an area which was new to all of us. TFTC

01/07/2012 You found Busch Street Series-End of the Berm

Sharkie Crew and Zoroan shared a morning adventure with us. We found a few and got skunked by a couple. This one was large enough to leave some swag. Left a mermaid and our card, signed the log and replaced as found. Thanks for bringing us out here today.

01/07/2012 You found Busch Street Series-To the left of Center!

This exemplifies the concept of "hidden in plain view". Three pairs of eyes drawing a blank until Mrs. Sharkie spotted it. She waited while we continued searching. Then Zoroan spotted it. I was ready to surrender when - there it was. TFTC

01/07/2012 You found Busch Street Series-It's Right There!

This one was spotted first by Zoroan. Sharkie signed for us and I took some trash, wound up with a bag full by the end of our hike. Left Jack Squat. TFTC

01/07/2012 You couldn't find Busch Street Series-Right off the Trail!  Enjoyed the walk this morning even if we came up empty twice.

01/07/2012 You found Busch Street Series-Leftovers!

Nothing better than erasing a DNF, especially when it's such a unique hide. (I'm already planning to copy it.) Came back today with reinforcements but didn't need them. It does help to carefully read the description and past logs. Retrieved cache, gave it to Sharkie to sign and then replaced as found. Thanks for the fun.

From: Geocaching
Date: Sat, Jan 7, 2012 at 6:35 PM 
Subject: [GEO] John&Jelene contacting basswoodbend from Geocaching.com

To: basswoodbend@gmail.com 

Hi Basswood!

So glad to hear you all had a nice day out caching today! What a glorious day it's been, huh! I'm so sorry you missed the one on the Busch Street Series, we'll go check on it Monday! 

You all are GOOD cachers, especially with "Left of Center'" that's a tricky one! WELL DONE my friend!!!

I hope you two will be joining us this year at Cacheapalooza 6 on January 21st, we'd love to have you join in the fun!!! 

Happy New Year and thank you so much for the really cute logs, you two made us smile tonight! 

Thanks for that!
                                                         
Warmest Regards, Jelene!
                                                                     ******
A nice morning of caching, as noted above.

A great lunch at Panera Bread, then off to Laurie's to help put away Christmas. I loved wrapping the beautiful ornaments in tissue - some of them have many good memories.

It's ironic that we're putting away the Christmas things and at the same time today is Christmas Day in the Russian Orthodox Church.


Chip got lasered in the cockpit at 6000 feet at the Raleigh airport tonight.  He had to deal with a bunch of questions and fill out forms, etc.,  procedures which don't exactly encourage reportage.  All is well, no harm done.

Came home to watch the Lions - right now the score is Lions 14, Saints 10 at half time.   It's a minor miracle.  The final score was Saints, too much - Lions, not enough.  45 - 28

Bad Medicine

I broke my vow never to take the Indomethacin for gout because it's a powerful nsaid, and I can't tolerate that because it causes internal bleeding which I am prone to. At 2:30 in the morning it seemed like such a good idea - I took it and woke up 5 hours later. I'm going to keep taking it until the symptoms are totally gone because I don't want the gout to linger the way it did in my foot for three weeks after Thanksgiving. There may be a price to pay, but the relief and being able to move my arm may be worth it.

Happy New Year?

Heck of a way to start 2012. Major gout attack - right elbow. I didn't know that was possible, until I googled it (with my left hand). Very painful and impossible to move - no real range of motion. Phooey. I object.

Sugar Bowl Champs !!

Jan. 4, 2012

Site: New Orleans, La. (Mercedes-Benz Superdome)
Event: 78th Annual Allstate Sugar Bowl
Score: #13 Michigan 23, #17 Virginia Tech 20 (OT)
Records: U-M (11-2), Virginia Tech (11-3)
Attendance: 64,512
Next U-M Game: Season Complete

NEW ORLEANS, La. -- Junior/sophomore Brendan Gibbons (West Palm Beach, Fla./Cardinal Newman) kicked a 37-yard field goal in the first overtime session to give the University of Michigan football team (No. 13 AP/No. 12 USA Today Coaches) a 23-20 win over Virginia Tech (No. 17 AP/No. 11 USA Today) on Tuesday (Jan. 3) in the 78th annual Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

Junior Hemingway was named MVP.  It was a fun, exciting game, with a little bit of everything - turnovers, penalties, even some hipper-dipper.  I loved it.  Tom was texting from China!  It was fun to find out that the CEO of Allstate is an alumnus - who knew?  (It was the Allstate Sugar Bowl)

Loggerhead Marinelife Center of Juno Beach

Started the day at Oracle Lab for 2nd blood test. That took about a minute and a half. Then we went to Winn Dixie to pick up some things. Laurie never goes there - she prefers Publix. I thought Winn Dixie was just as good - but that's just based on one visit.

 Laurie drove us to Juno Beach to see the rescued sea turtles at the Marinelife Center of Juno Beach. I never thought of sea turtles as cute beings - but these were quite cute in their own way! Each turtle had a name, and a plaque with a description of the type of injury and the treatment that it is receiving. The Center was crowded with families and kids of all ages. The Center does a great job, and admission is donation only.

Back in Palm City, Chip got home from work, and we ordered Chinese take away - very yummy. After dinner, we all watched the end of Abduction and it was time for bed.

Bye Bye Jana

Our farewell to Jana breakfast was at Mulligan's in Stuart.  I think that it's the best breakfast place we've been to yet in Florida.  The food was yummy and the service was splendid.

Laurie drove Jana to the airport, and we stayed with Dylan for an hour or so, and then we delivered him to Peyton's house for the rest of the afternoon.  When Laurie got back, they shifted to Saint Creek Drive, and Peyton came along to spend the night.

 The rest of us watched the first half of the movie "Abduction" - I'd never heard of it, but it was a really fun movie with at least one spectacular explosion!

Dick and I got tired half way through the movie, so we left and planned to watch the rest of it tomorrow.

Lion Country Safari

Jana has to leave tomorrow, so today she wanted to do something special that she's never done before!  We chose Lion Country Safari, which is always a treat even if you have been there before.

It was the perfect day for an outing - cool, clear, sunny- perfect, as I said.
Great for picture taking, too.  We drove through at a very slow pace and had terrific views of most of the big animals. Afterwards, we stopped to eat at Bru's Room Bar and Grill in Royal West Palm Beach - they do a wicked salad!

This is one of a pair of lions guarding the front gate.  He reminded me of Aslan in the Chronicles of Narnia.

Lions are very sleepy in the daytime.  The CD guide we were listening to said they sometimes sleep for 20 hours per day.

A wildebeest, or gnu.  We thought he looked like a grumpy old man.

Mom and baby white rhino

Horses in striped pajamas

Zoo buddies

Gibbon

\

Yard ornament

Giraffe - sweet close-up

THANK YOU JANA

One lion did get up and walk around - she flopped right back down in the shade.

Gnus

THE END

Bye Bye Tom. Hello Cirque

Since Tom is leaving today, it's the perfect time to have a farewell breakfast at the Galaxy Diner. It's almost a tradition.

Laurie drove Tom to the airport to fly the first leg of his trip to Melbourne, Australia. He flies first to Houston, waits 3.5 hours, then flies to LA, waits another 3.5 hours, then off to Australia - a sixteen hour flight. We will all miss him - he's such an integral part of the family.

The remaining six of us went off to Ft. Lauderdale to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts to see the Cirque Holidaze Dreams show. It was such a colorful, spectacular performance, filled with impossible physical prowess and flexibility. By the end of the show, the splits were just ho-hum! It seemed as though everyone on stage could do the splits. The two child performers were very impressive - I especially enjoyed the little girl in pink who must be double jointed in every possible joint.

 Dylan and Laynie with the Cirque Toy Soldier in front the the Performing Arts Center:

Dylan and Laynie seated and ready to watch:

Grandma and Grandpa can't wait!

Steiger/Gillespie Christmas Day

Dick found this water at Publix - perfect for you know who!

Laurie Jane - hostess and chef extraordinaire :)

Dylan had a stocking to explore.

His first gift was - ta da! - an iPhone!!

We were so happy that he had an iPhone that we all called him.

I'm sure that Tom is recommending some really good apps.

Host and Hostess with the Mostess !!

Brave Tom brought this all the way from China!

Chip's first moments with his new grill - Merry Christmas!