Kansas City couple experience Seminole adventure By Madeline DeJournett Advance Staff Writer On the Road Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation, Florida: Jeff and Rowena Matthews, a couple from Kansas City, MO, recently spent the night up close and

MADELINEDEJOURNETTadvancensc@sbcglobal.net Jeff and Rowena can be seen on the deck of the chickee cabin where they spent several nights in February.

Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation, Florida: Jeff and Rowena Matthews, a couple from Kansas City, MO, recently spent the night up close and personal with a friendly raccoon, a 12-foot alligator, and a 2,000 pound water buffalo.

On their way to Key West, Florida, the couple decided to make a side-trip to the Billie Swamp Safari in Big Cypress.

This reporter spotted the couple on the deck of their chickee cabin on Feb. 13, 2015 and chased them down for an interview.

MADELINEDEJOURNETTadvancensc@sbcglobal.net This is probably the water buffalo who rubbed up against the Matthews' cabin during their first night on the reservation.

"I saw online that the Safari rented these primitive chickee cabins, and I wanted to try them out," said Jeff Matthews, who has done work with the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Historically, chickees are open-sided structures with thatched roofs made from cypress logs and palm thatch leaves. The structures were developed during the early 1800's, when the Seminoles were being hunted for removal by U.S. troops and needed quick and disposable shelter.

Billie Swamp Safari, a Seminole-run tourist attraction, uses the chickees with added canvas flaps for a variety of purposes. The more hardy guests can rent the cabins for very reasonable rates; however, there is little more than bunks inside--no water or toilet facilities. When nature calls, the guest must walk 100 yards to the public restrooms.

photo courtesy Seminole Tourism The chickee cabins on the Billie Swamp Safari compound are furnished with cots, clean linens and blankets--and nothing more. An overnight stay is a unique experience, as Jeff and Rowena Matthews discovered.

Despite the hardships, Jeff and Rowena Matthews signed up for a three-day stay.

"We got in late the first night, after taking a private air boat tour," explained Jeff. "We were bone-tired."

Rowena picks up the story at this point.

MADELINEDEJOURNETTadvancnsc@sbcglobal.net This large alligator is most likely the one that Jeff and Rowena saw under the deck of their cabin. The photo was taken from the deck of one of the cabins.

"I woke up during the night, and there was a raccoon in bed with me!" Rowena exclaimed. "He stole my blanket!"

It got worse.

"I heard something scraping against the cabin," Rowena continued. "I looked out through the curtain and saw something big and black. I used my cell phone light, and there was a huge water buffalo! He grunted and took off! I scared him as much as he scared me!"

The next morning, the couple saw a 12-foot alligator under their deck, which, of course, extended out over the swamp.

Billie Swamp Safari personnel came and fixed the hole that the raccoon used to gain access to the cabin, so the couple's next two nights were bound to be a little more restful. Temperatures during this period were about 50 degrees at night, and as high as 79 during the day.

One thing is certain, the Matthews will have quite a story to tell their friends back home!