We returned to Venice, Florida to visit my aunt and uncle and cousins once again.  Our campsite at the Camp Venice Retreat, yet another beautiful spot, was set amidst live oak trees and overlooked the Myakka River. The Myakka River has been designated by the state of Florida as one of only two “wild and scenic rivers” in the state, a Federal designation designed to preserve the Myakka River Basin in its natural state. The setting on the river, along with an adjoining restaurant, “Snook Haven” are considered very “Old Florida”. The “Snook’s” first modern-era occupants were smugglers (smugglers in Florida, really?) seeking to unload contraband during the prohibition of the late 1920’s and 30’s.  Snook Haven’s location on a remote peninsula along the shores of the Myakka River, upstream from the Gulf of Mexico, made it ideal for them to land and ship their illegal wares to a thirsty Florida population.  Add a still for some moonshine, a mule path and you have the beginnings of Snook Haven’s role as a community “watering hole”. The setting was used for filming exotic jungle movies, including the 1931 French Foreign Legion Classic “Prestige”.  It’s also rumored to have been the setting for some Tarzan movies, a rumor that is apparently not true. Our plans for this area were very simple and included paddling on the river, visiting with family in Venice and driving over to Sarasota one afternoon. We paddled on two different days and spotted alligators (including babies), turtles, an armadillo, and many birds (of course).  As we passed various alligators sunbathing on the banks of the river, they slid into the water and submerged.  Very Tarzan movie indeed. We spent quality time with my aunt and uncle and cousins.  My Aunt Myriam and Uncle Bob will celebrate their 57^th anniversary in June (just don’t ask me how I know that).  They are witty, fun and fabulous. When I was young, I spent a couple of summers with this family.  It was during a tough time for me, just getting used to being in a second “new” place, Miami (after leaving Puerto Rico for New York), a new stepmother and just being a teenager. My cousins were always welcoming, easygoing and fun.  We met a couple of times after Hector and I were married, but it had been quite a long time since I’d seen them. My connection with these cousins, the Murphy-Vega clan, was still strong and we had a wonderful time together.   We had a lovely dinner at my cousin Dorothy and her husband Bogie’s house with the entire clan and met my cousin Mimi in Sarasota for a brief and slightly chilly walk on Siesta Key and dinner. These are two smart and fierce ladies. We also went to see my cousin Jerry, who among other talents, plays lead guitar in the band “The Smokin’ Pineapples”.  We saw them rehearse in their awesome “man cave” also known as the Pineapple Palace.  Not that I’m biased, but the band is amazing and Jerry is a great guitar player.  It felt like Hector and I had our own private rock concert.    A short, but wonderful visit with family. ~ Brenda