by Wayne Jensen, Independent writer.
With the high price of gas, I had decided to hang around St. Joe this summer, but then the kids started to drive me crazy. What’s a guy to do?? So I grabbed a cup of Joe and got to thinking about my dilemma. Then it hit me!
I remembered a couple good ol’ Joes who had discovered a solution to this problem when I was one of those over-energetic kids. Joe Detheridge (sp) and Joe Welty’s Garage wizard mechanic, Marshall Harlow, had led a parade of Joes up the highway to a place called
We exited at Squaw Creek and drove west on 159. This scenic road took us through the Squaw Creek Natural Wildlife Refuge that offers side trips through the preserve. We decided to save those for another day, and forty-five minutes after leaving St. Joe we were pulling into
The manicured lawns, walnut tree grove and swaying cottonwoods welcomed us to the park. A quick left hand turn took us to the public shelter house and playground for the kids. We then trekked on down to the 78-site campground nestled among the trees. To my surprise, I saw other Joes who knew about this hide-away; they were setting up camp getting ready for a week of campfires and fishing.
The kids were tired of sightseeing, and like all kids, they had sniffed out the swimming pool. So off we went. I particularly liked the fact that the pool sloped in and I didn’t have to hassle with those tiny pool steps. It made my heart happy to see a girl in a wheelchair able to access the pool and have a good time too. It didn’t take too long for the kids to realize they were dying of hunger and so a trip to the Water’s Edge Convenience Store in the Park saved the day. Just in the nick of time I was able to fill them up with ice cream and save them from certain death from starvation. Mrs. Joe, however, went into shopping mode with the hand made items from local craftsmen. While she shopped the kids and I cooled off in the air conditioning and played a game of pool and darts in the recreation center. I had my sights set on the eight ball in the corner pocket, but unfortunately the cue ball went in instead!
Refreshed, we set out to explore more of the park. Our hike to Boy Scout Island took us past the motel and cute little cabins sitting along the shores of
We then met up with former St. Joe-ite, Ron Eggers, at the newly installed marina docks at Big Lake Resort. He came by with his boat, so we all hopped on board and went for a cruise of the lake. From all the pictures I had seen of last year’s flood, I couldn’t believe I was on the same lake. This is one community that really rebounded from last year’s disaster and narrowly missed the bullet again this year. And it certainly didn’t look like the same lake I remembered as a kid. There are building projects going on everywhere and there’s water in the lake! We saw lots of people boating, jet skiing, water skiing, tubing, fishing and swimming. Again I understood why so many Joes have come here over the years.
Ron and his wife, Mary Kaye, and brother-in-law, Jerry Loomer, have taken over the concession at Big Lake Resort in the park. Besides putting in the new convenience store and recreation center there is also an internet café with free wireless. The kids were happy to be able to send those ever-so-important e-mails to their friends in Joe town.
As we were hungry again, we headed over to their newly remodeled dining room, The Water’s Edge Dining Room and Lounge. We were greeted by Edgy the Egret in front of the waterfall in the main room. (Be sure to ask Mary Kaye about the Legend of Edgy the Egret!) We chose a table by the window and had the most spectacular view of the lake. A super-friendly waitress brought us cold drinks and recommended their Podge Hodge appetizer, so we tried it. I must warn you that the fried green beans are addicting! With the wide range of offerings on the menu we all found something delicious to eat and managed to save a little room for one of the desserts, but had to save the Double Trouble Tower of Chocolate for another day.
Just when we thought we had seen it all, the sun set on