Emerson Point Preserve, Manatee County, FL 2009

Philodendron climbs a tree by the temple mound at the Portavant Mound complex

SECRETS

Me: “What can you tell me about your traditional burial practices?’’
Chief of Florida’s Muscogee Nation: “Nothing.’’

Me: “I see. How about the afterlife, what’s that like?’’

Chief: “I’m not going to tell you that either. Look, you have to understand, only a couple of generations ago my having this conversation with you would have been a killing offense.’’

Next: Along the Calusa Heritage Trail, Pineland, Lee County, FL 2011