Ah, Port Mayaca, my sanctuary! It is one of the most remote places in Florida and is also (in my opinion) one of the most unique. Though the area is very desolate, it has an interesting history and does attract some attention. It is right on Lake Okeecobee, so a lot of boaters crossing the state via waterways will pass through the locks at Port Mayaca. One of the main roads in the village is 441, a popular road for bikers as well. Perhaps the most well known aspecct of Port Mayaca lies in its cemetary, the largest part of the whole area. Port Mayaca Cemetary is home to one of the most famous hurricane memorials. The memorial is a mass grave of the victims of the infamous 1928 hurricane that killed nearly 2,000 people.

This particular picture was snapped in the summer of 2003 after an abundance of rain. During the dry season, the foliage in the foreground is much shorter and/or dead. The foliage grows on a concrete deck that sits on top of the Saint Lucie canal, and this deck is where I stood when I took this picture. As I type this new description, I'd like to point out something in the picture. Right above the foliage in the center of the picture is a water tower. After hurricane Frances swept through with 90 MPH wind gusts in early September 2004, that tower collapsed. It was truly amazing to see that landmark tower welcoming me to Port Mayaca laying on the ground none the worse for wear. Port Mayaca is truly becoming Mother Nature's land again, as all hurricanes that hit the area seem to leave their mark in this desolate but beautiful place.