On Saturday morning, the 3rd day of January of the new year 2004, Frodo arrived in sunny Miami, Florida. It was a relatively short trip from Texas and the home of Alkhin, but he was quite relieved to get out and stretch his legs in the backyard of Ruthy’s home.
“Welcome to Miami, Frodo!” I said. “You must be so happy knowing that soon you will be returning home to Washington.”
“I’m glad to be out in the sun, make no mistake”, Frodo replied, “but that dog reminds me a bit of Farmer Maggots’ creatures!”
I laughed and said, “Dear Frodo, her name is Jessi and a friendlier pup you’ll never meet! As a matter of fact, her eyes are even closed! Yet, if it will ease your mind, I’ll crouch down next to her to keep her distracted from your presence here.”
“I’d be much obliged if you’d do that for me, Ruthy! I know it seems silly after all I’ve been through, but I’d like to get home in one piece, if it’s all the same to you.” Frodo stayed in his defensive pose, determined to keep Jessi’s curious teeth away from his feet.
“OK, OK! I won’t torment you!” I exclaimed. “Just allow me to take you out and show you a few places that are only found here in South Florida before we travel together to Melbourne and the arms of your beloved Hair!”
“Very well”, agreed Frodo, “I would very much like to have the sun shine on my face a while longer before I am packaged up for traveling once more.”
The very next day, we headed out the door and over by the lake by my home. I brought along some stale bread to feed the ducks that dwell by the water and Frodo seemed delighted to see that these creatures were far more interested in food than in his feet. He also noted that they had no teeth!
“Wonderful beasts, these ducks!” Frodo stated.
“Yes, they are”, I said with a grin, “Until they foul up your sidewalk with their droppings!”
We laughed together and decided to take a little ride west, to the land of the swamps.
As we drove down a long stretch of road, Frodo asked what the name of this land was.
I answered, “This is The Everglades, my dear Hobbit! We are on Tamiami Trail right now and if we follow our noses, it would take us all the way to the city of Naples, completely across the state of Florida! Let not your heart be troubled! We will not go nearly that far!”
Shortly thereafter, Frodo gasped as a large colorful building jutted from the flat landscape.
“What in the name of the Shire is that?” he asked.
“That is called a casino, Frodo. It’s a place where people from all walks of life come to try their luck and gamble their money in different ways.”
With a pensive look, Frodo answered, “I haven’t got any money to speak of, but I’d like to see what it looks like inside Miss Ruthy, if you don’t mind.”
“Not at all! Let’s go and take a look.”
Frodo quickly determined that a casino was no place for a Hobbit. Security guards eyed him suspiciously and then pointed us to the lobby where we could take a picture without getting into trouble. The noise from the machines was blaringly loud and we took a picture of Frodo standing on the beautiful mosaic tile floor with Ruthy’s daughter, Rebecca, in front of a huge Christmas tree.
We jumped back into the truck and continued our journey west, and soon arrived at the Miccosukee Indian Village.
“Who lives here?” asked Frodo.
“A tribe of Indians who have dwelled on this land for hundreds of years. They used to have homes spread across the wetlands, but now they have a fraction of the land they used to. They now all dwell within this reservation.” I noticed a shadow of sadness pass over Frodo’s face, so I added, “Do not feel bad, Frodo! They are fabulously wealthy people. They are the ones who own the casino we just saw!”
Frodo brightened and then shuddered, “I do not think that would be much of a prize, Ruthy. I’d rather have land. But I guess that this land is much different than the Shire.”
Then, he looked up at the big yellow sign and asked, “What is an all-i-gat-or?”
I grinned wickedly and said, “Come along, Frodo! I’m sure we can find one very easily!”
We journeyed west once again until we entered Everglades National Park. After parking the truck, we entered Shark Valley, which has a large path that people ride their bicycles or walk upon for miles.
After walking only a few steps, Frodo leapt back and yelled “Fell Beast!”
I shook my head and said, “No Frodo. It has no wings and a very short neck. That, my dear friend, is an alligator. And as long as we do not bother it, it will not bother us. Come, we can get closer and no harm shall befall us.”
Frodo was not sure, but looking into my eyes, he knew it was no trick. We approached the alligator that was resting on the bank of a canal just off of the path. A picture was taken and we set off for home once more.
“Miss Ruthy, please, if you do not mind, I’d like to go back in my box until we reach Melbourne. I find that there are too many animals here with large teeth and I’d feel much safer knowing that the next time I see the sun, it will be shining on the face of my mistress, Hair of the Dog.”
“As you wish, Mr. Baggins. I, too, look forward to arriving in Melbourne. Come, take your rest, for in less than one week’s time, you will be with Hair again.”
So with a tired smile, smothering a large yawn, Frodo snuggles back into his traveling case, awaiting Entmoot and the love of Mistress Hair.