The Man in the Swamp

If you live in the Everglades, you have either seen him or heard of him. Hair sometimes in a ponytail, barefoot or wearing flip-flops. If you look in the back of his SUV, you just might find some pythons. Don’t worry, they aren’t alive; he made sure of that after he wrestled with them in his quest to save the Everglades from an invasion that began many years ago.

Dusty Crum goes by his other name, the one that puts fear into pythons across the Everglades: Wildman. It's also the name of his pizza place in Everglades City, Wildman’s Pizza, Pasta, and Pythons. It’s home to some of the best pizza around. I have proof it’s the best, too, because a few weeks ago I heard someone say, “Dusty, your pizza is better than New York style pizza, brotha!” Heard it with my own two ears, and then I heard him say he would be coming back. I’ve never been to New York so I can't compare his pizza to what they serve in New York, but I can say he makes a good pie, and I would dare say it’s the best pizza this side of the Mississippi!

The reason I can say that is because I’ve been to the other side of the Mississippi and had their pizza. It was okay and good for folks living on that side of the country. I’ve also been to Italy and had pizza there, too, and honestly, they need to take some cooking lessons, cause what they serve isn't anything like the cheesy, pepperoni-smothered pies we make over here. So maybe I’m a little biased, but Dusty spoiled me with the pizza he offers.

Oh, and if you happen to catch a python, you can bring that to Wildman’s Pizza, Pasta and Pythons and exchange it for a pizza. Where else can you go and pay with cash, credit, or python? While you're there, you can stop in the gift shop and pick up some of the finest made products around, made from Python skin. It's as soft as leather but prettier. Before Wildman opened the pizza place, he had his own television show on The Discovery Network, called Guardians of the Glades. Sounds like a movie title, one that would keep you glued to your seat and your heart skipping some beats!

The show was fun to watch as well as informative. The best part was watching Wildman wrestling with pythons who didn’t take too kindly to a barefoot, fearless hunter jumping on their back and wrestling with it till he had it subdued and in a bag.

If you ever go to his pizza place, you can see photos of the snakes in the dining area, as well as watch some videos of him doing what he does best, outside of serving up some great pizza, of course. And if he’s not too busy, you can get a picture with him.

The Everglades has a little of everything, alligators, crocodiles, deer, wild hogs, panthers, bears, the Skunk Ape, and one unique Wildman. And I’m blessed to call him a friend and a member of our church. If he sees you broke down on the side of the road, he’ll stop to lend a hand, if you're going through something he’ll offer a prayer, and if you're hungry, well, he’ll make you a pizza that will put a smile on your face.

So the next time you're craving a pizza, or you find yourself driving through Everglades City, stop in at Wildman’s Pizza, Pasta and Pythons, you just might bump into the Wildman himself, the man in the swamp.