Welcome to the Lake
"O" Treehouse!
This tree house was built, and
is maintained, by the Glades Airboat and Buggy Association (GABA)
on Kreamer Island, which is located in the south-eastern part Lake
Okeechobee.
Kreamer Island was first
settled in the 1800s as a fishing and agricultural
settlement. There were several dwellings in this settlement,
including a general store, a church, a school and a post
office. Access was (and still is) very limited so most
everything was brought by boat. Over the years, the village
suffered many hardships. The inaccessibility and the weather
contributed, greatly, to the "end" of this community. Several
hurricanes damaged the village with the "great" hurricane in the
1920s that killed over 1000 people around the lake. When the
dike around the lake was raised from 6 feet to 20 feet, much of the
area was flooded. It is reported that some folks lived on the
island into the 20th century but, all are gone now. Kreamer
Island is now considered a "ghost town".
Other tree houses have been
built on Kreamer Island, but Mother Nature has taken them all
away. We hope this one is here to stay! GABA has done
an incredible job on this tree house! It is built in, and
around, some incredible Banyan trees. GABA invites everyone
to visit their tree house whether it be to take shelter, rest or
socialize. If you are really feeling adventurous, bring a
sleeping bag and stay the night. The only thing they ask is
that you PLEASE RESPECT the time and money they have in the tree
house.
Typically, the only access to
this area, of the island, is by airboat. However, kayaks and
canoes can make the trip (and even swamp buggies during severe
drought). Originally I had stated that motor boats would not
be able to make it to this location, however... a friend of ours
made it, this past weekend. If you choose to attempt this in a
motor boat, use extreme caution and keep an eye out for rocks and
low water.
This tree house is so
wonderful! I couldn't wait to get a cache here so I could
share the area with you! When placing the cache, a few
members of GABA were there doing some maintenance. Sweeping
decks, hanging a new door, picking up trash, etc. They
thought it was pretty neat to have the cache placed here and some
even gave suggestions for hiding spots. The cache IS located
at the posted coordinates but I suggest you enter via the "ENTRY"
waypoint (N 26° 45.674 W 080° 44.744) so you get the full
affect. Besides the cache...PLEASE explore the tree
house! There's even a hammock on one of the decks, in case
you want/need to take a little nap. Across the front "yard"
you'll find a swinging bench and some rope swings to play on, if
the mood hits you.
Bring bug repellant!
Depending on time of day, and year, the mosquitoes can be
horrible! Wild hog have been seen on the island so you'll
want to be on the lookout. Wild hogs will give chase.
And... if you've never seen a Banana Spider (a.k.a. Golden Silk
Spider), you'll be able to check it off your list after this
visit. They are all over the island, high and low. When
water levels on the lake are high, you may have to trek through
water.
Depending on where you "put
in"... you will have, at least, a 5 mile trip (one way).
For those of you making the
trip by kayak or canoe... keep in mind... this is prime airboat
territory! I would HIGHLY recommend you travel with a "flag"
on your vessel. Weekends see the heaviest airboat traffic.
Also, mid-August through the beginning of November is alligator
hunting season. Hunts take place at night and as a result,
airboat and motor boat traffic is extremely heavy from dusk to
dawn, during the hunting period.
Congratulations to: footTRAX, HurricaneJuan, Pilot
searcher, auyantepuy and LwGeO for FTF!!!