With the intent of leaving before the wicked landlord arrived, I left out Fort Pierce early in the morning. My intent was to make my way to just south of West Palm Beach and turn west, crossing the state just south of Lake Okeechobee.
A few miles to the west of West Palm Beach the sugar cane fields start and line both sides of the highway as far as the eye can see. Like most visitors to the state, I had never seen Florida's sugar lands before and was unaware that such a vast farm industry as this even existed. There are a few intermittent fields of cabbage and various citrus fruits, but the predominant crop, by far, is sugar.
Sugar cane is a major issue of concern for the Florida Everglades. Sugar cane requires vast quantities of fertilizer, the main component of which is phosphorous. Phosphorous in turn produces algae blooms which choke off the oxygen in the marine ecosystem.
Hosted by environmentalists, in an effort to "save the everglades;" there is a strong political movement that is pushing to have the state of Florida to buy back 1.7 million acres of Florida sugar land. At issue are the 2000 jobs that sugar land agriculturists say would be lost. There are no easy answers. (The links provided give some of the pros and cons.)
My ride through the sugar lands took me to Belle Glade. It was past sunset by the time I arrived in Belle Glade and found what can, quite fairly, be described as a "flea-bag" motel.
Belle Glade is, likely, not a location that you will want to put on you list of places you - "Must See Before You Die". Most likely the town father's would proclaim that Belle Glade has many redeeming qualities, but if it does - they are well hidden.
However, in all fairness, I was only in Belle Glade overnight and for part of the next day. Given the city's location, it is at least deserving of the title - "Gateway to the Everglades."
No comments:
Post a Comment