1/16/2015
After a night filled with mishaps I just wanted to run. I needed the comfort of taking one simple step after another. I poked my head out of the trailer to find a glowing sun. There was no trace of the previous day’s rain. The cloud filled skies and the obstacles of the prior day had been wiped clean. Crystal whipped up a cheese and scrambled egg sandwich just before dropping me to the spot I left off.
The prior evening I had discovered a tree root that looked like wooden stalactites and stalagmites. They decorated the inside of a bar next to the trailer’s parking spot. The bartender working told me the wooden decorations were called cypress knees and that only the Seminole Indians were allowed to cut them. It happened that these roots sprout up from the ground to avoid getting water logged. These cypress trees grow in creeks and swampland, so as I ran I kept an eye out for them. Some of them rose two feet above the water. She said that during high tide many of the roots were invisible. People had been known to break their knees on the hidden cypress roots and that is the origin of the name.
With only twenty-two miles to Cross City, the day seemed to move quickly. The clear dry day also helped me maintain focus. I passed many timber forests interspersed with hunting areas. Crystal had gone to Cross City to finish some computer work. A few miles from the border of Cross City, I heard a notification ring from my cell phone. Crystal left a text message reading, “I’m at the lodge on your left. Come inside.”
It took me a few minutes to reach the place since I was already close to the border of town. The first properties of town came into focus. On my right, towards the gulf, I a lumber mill seemed to be operating. On my left I saw the Historic Putnam Lodge. I wondered if it was the building Crystal mentioned. I slowed down and gingerly on the red brick driveway as I scanned the property. The lodge was all white with large windows surrounding the restaurant. It looked very upscale and I felt a bit underdressed in my sweaty running gear. Crystal greeted me at the door and quickly introduced me to the proprietors Beverly and Ed. I spent some time with them learning about the rich history of the building, the local industry, and their story.
I couldn’t believe Crystal had discovered such a gem. The boards which made up the walls inside the lodge were the original materials from 1927. It was cypress wood which had markings from the Seminole tribes. I understood that the lumber was close to extinct. I was excited to hear stories about hauntings in the hotel and around town. The lodge would have been my fourth experience with a haunted hotel. Each place has been a fun stay.
With plenty of sun left in the day, we headed to the local library, a few blocks away, to look for bargain used books. Their paperbacks were a dime each. We spent forty cents and headed back to our room to relax. After a while, Crystal’s phone rang. It was Ed informing us that his granddaughter Katelyn had come down from Gainesville for the weekend and that she would be interviewing us. He asked if we were hungry and said that the chef was excellent at preparing vegetarian dishes.
When we descended the stairs, we walked into the town hotspot. There were guests laughing, and a girl performing. Beverly and Ed were hosting the guests and effortlessly flowing from table to table and conversation to conversation. The lentil bean soup and falafel was a nice Mediterranean flavor that I didn’t expect to find in Cross City. The mood was jumping and soon all the guests were dancing next to the tables. Beverly even taught me and Crystal the electric slide. I had almost forgotten about that dance. I’ve always been impressed with the energy that people bring to a place. I could see why the Tampa Herald rated the Putnam Lodge as the number one destination in the world. I feel blessed that we were able to experience this treasure.
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