The drive east from Punta Gorda to Lake Okeechobee was a refreshing change from driving through dense jungle to much more open farm land with cows, sheep and various crops including citrus trees and sod farms. I could finally see the homes and farms, and see a bit of the landscape. I only drove about 100 miles yesterday, so not only was it pleasant from the point of view of the scenery, but because it wasn’t just a hard drive to get to the next hotel room.

The town of Okeechobee was an even better refreshing change – it is actually a “town” in the old time town sort of way. The area feels very rural, but the town has a lot to offer – there must be a much larger population than it feels like. I wonder how this place managed to maintain its feeling of community while so many others have not. I think it might have to do with a few subtle, but important, design features. Apparently someone thought it all out, or maybe it was just an accidental sort of thing – but it appears to work.

The first thing that is apparent when entering town is that it is chopped into four quadrants by intersecting four lane highways. It is chopped into big pieces, but not bypassed. The speed limit on these highways is reduced to 30 mph through town with several sets of stops lights, so they can be crossed easily with vehicles or on foot. The main east-west road parallels the “town” main street, perhaps 200 feet to the north. The main street still functions as a main street, but has easy access to the highway. There are two large shopping centers less than a 1/2 mile to the south of town on the N-S highway. Main street has many shops that are too small, or too different, to have competition from the shopping centers. There are perhaps ten little eateries of various types. There is an old-time style cafe, an organic restaurant, a Mexican place, a sweets place with candy and coffee, a coffee shop, and others. There are three pawn shops, and a second-hand store next to “Hippy Haze” which is a consignment place with beads, crystals, tie-dyed things, bells, incense and that sort of thing. There are two dress shops and a western wear store. I am sure I am missing several other offerings, all of which appear to be thriving.

The center strip between the highway and main street was a long, green park containing an interesting art display featuring full sized bronze statues of a couple of working cowboys, a cow dog and a bunch of cattle being driven though the park. The sculptures were created by a guy named J. Michael Wilson from Lehi, Utah and cast in Alpine Utah. Obviously these are important art works for the community, they must have cost a lot. The town must be pretty “sensitive” and appreciative of much more than seems typical in their part of the world.

The other side of the highway is more “industrial” in nature, including city hall, the sheriff department, some granaries, the schools and a few larger restaurants of the “bar and grill” nature. All of these are part of “the town” just not on main street. Everywhere I went people were relaxed, friendly and inviting. I felt none of the tension that I have been experiencing for the past few weeks, it just felt comfortable. The bar and grill that I went to for dinner last night appears to be a “gay bar” given the clientele and the signage on the walls. Even that is accepted in this little town.

I had a pleasant meal watching them enjoying themselves playing pool, or just sitting around chatting with each other. Once again, it was just comfortable and inviting. I also stopped in at a more rowdy appearing bar and grill, just to get a feeling for the “macho” side of things. Once again, although it had all of the appearance of being a “western style” rough and tumble place, it was very pleasant and friendly. I enjoyed my visits with the locals, just talking about “things” in general.

During the afternoon I went to the lake to see what I could see. The lake is not very accessible because it is contained by a 15 or 20 foot levee all the way around. There is a road surrounding the lake, built at the bottom of the levee so you can’t see the lake except at the few locations that are built up as parks with lake access. I found one of these and just settled down to watch it for an hour of so.