Blue-Collar Wanderers

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Every January we like to make goals for the new year. In 2015, we thought it would be a good idea to begin to travel internationally. We didn’t have much experience in that area, but we did have valid passports and time to save a few bucks. There were just a couple of requirements: the location had to be warm, affordable and fairly safe. We also wanted to be able to communicate easily–this was our first big trip in a long time and neither one of us is good with foreign languages. So, after many hours on TripAdvisor and Google, we settled on Belize and booked a trip for April 2015.

Cost was a huge factor–basically, it couldn’t cost much. We were willing to scrimp on luxury accommodations in order to do as many fun activities as possible. We found Maya Mountain Eco Lodge and it fit the bill. They set us up with amazing excursions (we were often the only people on the tour) and provided us with fresh, homemade gourmet meals for our entire stay.(There are no pictures of this because we don’t take pictures of our food. However, the food was beautiful as well as tasty.)

Path to the common area

Our humble abode

Our humble abode

The staff was kind, attentive, and understanding. They answered every question we had and continually put us at ease before and during our stay. The coffee was always fresh. Although the accommodations were basic, the rooms were clean and sufficient for our needs; we were rarely in them.  The grounds were well maintained and beautifully landscaped.

Our family was more concerned than we were when we showed them our itinerary for our trip: tours of ruins, caving, ziplining, hiking. Family members who had been on cruises and stopped in Belize tried to talk us out of going. However, we could afford the tickets, English was the official language, and we could book a caving expedition where you had to swim in before you took your shoes off to climb. There was no turning back!

Let the Tours Begin

The air everywhere in Belize smells like a campfire. It’s because of the slash and burn agriculture. It isn’t overpowering. It is a scent that is comforting, like camping as a child. We are firefighters so we don’t hate the smell.

Everything in Belize is also 2 to 3 hours away. It doesn’t matter where you begin, wherever the ending is will be two to three hours from the start…on roads with little to no pavement…with lots of “sleeping policemen.”

Our first trip was to Caracol, an ancient Mayan city.  Within Caracol is Caana, the “sky palace” which is still one of the largest man-made structures in Belize. To get to the site we went through a military base and a national park. We also braved our way through howler monkeys who did not want us there. Guards with automatic weapons sat in the sun in various spots around the site. Nearly everything in Belize is on the border of something else and must be guarded accordingly.

Howler monkeys

“sleeping policeman”

Caana

Caracol complex

Caracol

Steps up the back of a temple

Unlike some other ancient sites, every ruin in Caracol is available for climbing and touching. It is far enough away from cruise ship traffic that we felt almost alone. We had time to explore and climb in peace. The noises of the jungle were all around us. Magical.

Hot, Hot, Hot

Did I mention that Belize in April is about 105 degrees? And sticky? We went in the dry season so we would be able to participate in all the adventure activities, but dry does not mean cool. However, we were very pleased about the lack of stinging insects. We didn’t get stung by anything.

On our way back from Caracol, we stopped at Big Rock Falls to cool off. We parked in a sandy lot and hoofed it about a half a mile through the woods and then down a singularly unique rickety wooden staircase decorated with bottle tops.

Stairway down to Big Rock Falls

Big Rock Falls

Big Rock Falls

The falls themselves were lovely and, thankfully, not too aggressive. Mandy is not a great swimmer and it was all she could do to get to the ledge. Mark was much more daring and leapt off the high rocks. If it had been more Niagra-like, Mandy would have remained dry.

So, what did we learn from our first day out and about in Belize? Bring water. Bring toilet paper. No, you didn’t put on enough sunblock. Yes, fresh watermelon juice is about the best thing we have ever tasted. Surprisingly, there are no Dairy Queens or Starbucks here so plan accordingly.

  The air everywhere in Belize smells like a campfire. It's because of the slash and burn agriculture. It isn't overpowering. It is a scent that is comforting, like camping as a child. We are firefighters so we don't hate the smell. Everything in Belize is also 2 to 3 hours away. It doesn't matter where you begin, wherever the ending is will be two to three hours from the start...on roads with little to no pavement...with lots of "sleeping policemen." Every January we like to make goals for the new year. In 2015, we thought it would be a good idea to begin to travel internationally.

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This trip started a year ago when Mark read an article in his Field and Stream magazine about alligator hunting in Florida. He was able to talk Mandy into taking this trip with him. The last big hunting trip we took was to Newfoundland Canada. Mandy got a cow moose; it was her first successful hunt. Mark was able to get a woodland caribou. That was in 2006.

We are people who like to prepare and have plans. Mark communicated regularly with the outfitter and watched every alligator and hog hunting video on YouTube. Mandy bought waterproof bags—you can never have too many.

Next we went out to our hunt club property to sight in the weapons. Mandy uses a Browning A-bolt in 270 Winchester and a Parker crossbow. Mark uses a Remington 700 in 300 Win. Mag. We zeroed the rifles at 100 yards. The crossbow has a red dot scope that is on out to 35 yards. Mandy is a better shot than Mark is.

Mark made a pig silhouette out of an old piece of plywood. After the rifles were sited in I would set up the pig target down range in the weeds off to the side. Then we would take turns walking up on it and taking an off hand shot. We would then move it from one side of the shooting lane to the other and change the distance. Mandy is not only an excellent shot, she is also excellent at describing how ridiculous it is to sneak attack pig targets for hours.

With the weapons ready it was time to think about logistics. Tom has an arrangement with the PG Waterfront hotel in Punta Gorda, Florida for special rates for hunters. We booked a room with a waterfront view. The hotel was rated 2 ½ stars on Trip Advisor so we were very skeptical at first; however, we were pleased with the property in general. The balcony had a stunning waterfront sunset view. It was conveniently located near the main road and many good places to eat. The room suited all our needs. It had a microwave and a fridge. The waterfront park had a paved walking/jogging path that was very scenic, and safe, and went on for miles.

The first day of the hunt we met at Tom’s property. Our guide Kyle was there and talked to us about how the hunt would go. We had originally decided to hunt pigs from stands but Tom up graded us to a dog hunt. Mark was a little nervous about getting so close with the pigs. We signed the waivers and after Tom, his wife, son and the other guide, Colton, arrived with the dogs we started the hunt.

Our guide said it would happen fast and he was spot on. Less than five minutes after we began, the dogs cornered a 200-pound sow. The dogs were running after the pigs and we were running after the dogs. The dogs had the hog’s head secured and the guide grabbed its rear legs. Mandy was up first. Colton handed her the knife and Mandy made a quick kill. The hog was dead in less than 30 seconds. Kyle and Colton put the hog on the back of the ATV and the hunt started again. The dogs chased two more hogs for about 30 more minutes. We chased the dogs. The weather was in the 80s and the dogs needed to cool off. Tom went back to dog pen where we parked to swap out dogs. While he was gone the other dogs caught a 140-pound boar. We ran toward the squealing. It was about a 100-yard sprint. After we all arrived and secured the pig it was my turn to finish the job. Like Mandy, it was quick; two pigs in less than 1 hour. The hogs were loaded and taken to the meeting area. My wife and I talked to Tom and his wife while the guides skinned the hogs and put the meat in the coolers we brought.

Back at the hotel room Mandy and I talked about the hunt. This was by far the most exciting hunt either one of us has ever been on. We were both impressed by the guides the dogs and the way Tom took such good care of us. We could hardly wait for the next day.

Hog Hunt, Florida

The next day after breakfast and a morning workout we prepared for the alligator hunt. This was a night hunt. The Captain of the airboat was named Dave. He was wearing a headlamp and had a spotlight. As we drove across the lake he would turn his head right and left looking for reflecting red eyes. When he spotted one we would head strait for it. As we approached we would slow down. There is nothing like flying 50 MPH across a lake through tall grass in the dark. And then stopping on a dime. Dave, an expert, would determine if it was of legal size—a 6 foot min. and then ask if we could see it. We were not experts and often could not even see the animal. However, there were red eyes everywhere. If it was big enough he would ask if we wanted to try for it. We passed on a few 6 footers hoping to do better.

Mark found a keeper about 45 minutes later. As we approached it in the dark, the gator turned away from the boat and Mark was able to place the crossbow bolt in the back of his neck. Mark pulled the gator to the boat with the line. Once Mark got the alligator close, the Captain handed him a 44 cal. “bang stick.” While the gator was pulling the boat and Mark was trying to keep the alligator close, the “bang stick” was used to take the animal. Mark’s gator was 7’10.” What an adrenaline rush.

Two hours later Mandy had a 7 footer in the boat. Her’s was heavier and older. She always gets the biggest animal! No one told us to bring gloves, so we both pulled our gators in barehanded. We also both got them with one shot. Guess all that practice in the weeds did pay off!

We spent a few more days sightseeing in Fort Meyers, Sanibel, and Captiva before heading back home. This was a great trip. It combined Mark’s love of hunting and Mandy’s love of the beach. We recommend it all the time to our friends and co-workers who hunt.

There are several outfitters that provide these types of hunts. We recommend getting references. We used Tom Walker’s Outdoor Adventures. It was cost effective and fun!

Enjoy our hunting and beaching escapade. We hope it inspires some blue-collar wandering of your own! This trip started a year ago when Mark read an article in his Field and Stream magazine about alligator hunting in Florida.

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What we’re about

The rarely classy, never costly, frequently unusual adventures of two empty-nester firefighters wandering the globe. 

Find us @ www.bluecollarwanderer.com