How to have fun in Paradise

If you are here for fun and sun, we hope you enjoy yourself, but remember there are thorns on roses. We have some things to know about our little slice of paradise in SW Florida before you venture out.

1. If you are playing golf or boating the back waters, remember we have four venomous snakes in these parts. Eastern Diamond-backed Rattlesnake, Pygmy Rattlesnake, Cottonmouth and the Coral Snake. When searching for a golf ball off the fairways, I always tell my guests to carry a 'snake stick.' I use a five or six iron as it gives me length and weight. Snakes are generally private creatures and will try to get out of your way, but if you root around in their territory, you might not give them advance warning to do so. Slap the bushes ahead of you as you are looking. Better for them to go after your snake stick than any part of you. If your ball is visible deep in a big bush, use your ball retriever rather than crawling in after it.

2. If you hit a golf ball in or around the water, remember that we have lots of alligators in our swampy area. They keep themselves fed by grabbing prey by the water's edge. Use your retriever, not your hand. Never stick your hand in or near the water for any reason. If your golf ball is easily reachable, you will be too when you bend over to pick it up.

3. We have ticks in our trees. Never lean against a tree while out and about in the wild. They are silent, and can be deadly. If you get seriously ill after being out, ask someone to check you for ticks.

4. Pay attention to lightening. If you see lightening, it is time to come inside. 2000 people have been killed in Florida by lightning since 1960. Our thunderstorms come and go very quickly. Head to the cart barn, grab a sandwich in the grill and the danger will have passed before you finish.

5. Golf Carts are a real convenience, but they can be dangerous and costly to repair. Be extra careful when driving on slopes and down inclines. I have seen them flip over in those situations. You do not want one on top of you. Also A friend I was with recently tried to squeeze between a fence and a large decorative rock. He hit the rock with the front wheel. It bent the wheel sideways and the club eventually charged his credit card $1300 for the repair. Another friend tried to squeeze between a maintenance truck and a tree. He caught the divot sand box on the back fender and ripped it off. They did not charge him because of the maintenance truck.

6. Fire Ants – Very small but very aggressive. When a mound is disturbed, ants emerge aggressively. When they sting, a white sore usually appears the next day at the site of the sting, and can scar you for life. They will attach to your skin using their mandibles and will subsequently inject the stinger. So you see, fire ants bite and sting, but only the sting hurts. I suggest that when you are walking around outside, that you pay attention to where you are standing. If you step on a mound and keep walking then you should be okay, but if you stop, you will discover quickly why they call them fire ants.

Have fun, and remember there was even a snake in Eden. Expect no less here in Paradise.