The perfect place to exercise your License to Chill
There are those times when we all need to get away, remove ourselves from the hustle of everyday life, or, as in our case, simply enjoy the pleasures of retirement. St. Somewhere is our sub-tropical hideaway, located on the southern property of Tranquilla Cove Homestead overlooking Gillis Pond. This ideal retreat consists of an elevated Observation Dock, Tranquilla Breeze Tiki Bar and Grille, and L’ Attitudes, a screened sanctuary to take advantage of the lakeside peace and pleasure that is St. Somewhere.
Gillis Pond ~ Observation Dock ~ Tranquilla Breeze Tiki Bar ~ L’ Attitudes
Gillis Pond…
Gillis Pond is a 45-acre pond in our backyard! It is ‘fed’ by the wetlands to the West, which we call ‘The Smokehouse’ due to the haze often seen over the wetland. Though there are several homes situated on the pond, they are not intrusive and the entire West end of the lake has no homes, due to the wetlands.
Gillis Pond is 16′ at its deepest point, located in the Southeast section. The water level, over the past 12 years has fluctuated 11′, with the lowest in June 2012 and the highest in Sept 2018. Gillis Pond is healthy hosting numerous fish including large 10#+ Bass. Several species of Turtles inhabit the pond as do Alligators, Herons, and Anhingas. There are several species of aquatic plants along the shoreline including Sawgrass, Maidencane, Pickerelweed, Southern Cutgrass, Buttonbush, Banana Lily, Spatterdock, Duck Potato, Water Lily, and Coontail. Tree species include Southern Pine, Red Maple, Red Bay, Sweet Bay, Bald Cypress, and Water Tupelo, to name a few.
The pond is great to swim in and we spend many an afternoon in the water!
The Dock…
Situated approximately 6′ – 8′ above the waterline of Gillis Pond, the observation dock is an open deck, overlooking Gillis Pond’s southern shoreline from the East to the West. Beautiful sunsets can be observed year-round, with the best sunsets occurring from mid-October to mid-April. After dusk, the dock is the perfect place to view the stars and constellations in our southern skies. Scorpio is an old familiar friend. Plenty of chairs, a gas hot plate, and freshwater, provide ample means for an evening or morning snack.
Below the dock is Gillis Pond. Depending on the water level there is plenty of shade to set up a chair, enjoy the water, and have a cool drink. This is also the Kayak launch for Tranquilla Cove. Rentals are available at Donna’s Kayak Shack, in close proximity.
Tranquilla Breeze Tiki Bar…
Be sure to watch your head as you pass under a secluded walkway below the dock and enter a hidden paradise. This is Tranquilla Breeze Tiki Bar. Located just east of the observation dock, the bar is 6′ lower than the dock, nestled among Bay and Tupelo along the shore, and bordered by large majestic pines and bay with a thick understory of palmettos along the rear and north side of the bar area.
L’ Attitudes…
L’ Attitudes is a state of mind. It is a retreat, within a retreat. A simple 8′ x 12′ screen room down at the lake’s edge. The ceiling is 8′ high with a ceiling fan. The room has a 2′ high wainscot lined with bamboo on the North, East, and South sides. A very basic room to retreat to on the lake and enjoy insect-free evenings!
St. Somewhere Photo Gallery
