Archaeologica.org

NAPLES, FLORIDA—A canal that was probably used as a shortcut for transporting goods by the Calusa has been dated to between 800 and 1100 A.D. Robert Carr, executive director of the Archaeological and Historical Conservancy, said that the canal is part of a complex web of canals in southern Florida. This section of the canal was found with ground-penetrating radar in the center of modern Naples. “These canals are the only transportation canals in North America outside of Mexico. So, in that sense they are a major engineering marvel that indigenous people have constructed,” he told WGCU.

http://www.archaeology.org/news/2129-14 ... lusa-canal

This is part of a little realized trade route through inland Florida.

Once you get to the Caloosahatchee River you can go all the way to Lake Okeechobee.
(There are remains of canals with locks around rapids on the Caloosahatchee.)
Once in Okeechobee you have access to the whole chain of interconnected lakes in an inland band that can take you all the way to Jacksonville.
While the Gulf is relatively smooth and quiet for off shore boating the Atlantic can be somewhat wild and unpredictable.
A protected and smooth water route to the east coast would be much preferred.

The Calusa Indians seem to have been in control of most of the south west coast of Florida.
They would have been the major middlemen for the waterborne Gulf to Atlantic trade.
To avoid them would mean a much further north landing with a overland trek across a hot and dry area.

While the Gulf is relatively smooth and quiet for off shore boating

Except during hurricane season...but they would have known when that was, of course.

Minimalist wrote:

While the Gulf is relatively smooth and quiet for off shore boating

Except during hurricane season...but they would have known when that was, of course.

Hi min -

You'd probably enjoy visiting Key Marco.

Too many gun nuts in Florida!

Minimalist wrote:Too many gun nuts in Florida!

Not as many as in the Middle East.

I'm even less likely to go there.