Dry Tortugas

We left for Dry Tortugas last weekend and enjoyed a great sail to Marquesas Keys.  Yes we were playing the song Southern Cross (all versions).  Winds were on our beam 15-20kts with small seas.   Arrived at our night’s anchorage around 2pm and had a lovely afternoon of enjoying  turquoise blue waters and a gorgeous sunset.  The current can be a bit swift so we did get up several times during the night to make sure our anchor and bridle were still holding firmly.  The anchor alarm was set,  but we are old school and still take bearings  to make sure we aren’t dragging anchor or plowing for corn.  Setting the alarm to wake up and check the anchor also gave us reason to check the late night sky to view the Southern Cross which was low on the southern horizon around 11:30pm. Marquesas and Dry Tortugas has very little light pollution so the night sky provides a brilliant light show.  Android phone app, Google Sky, assists in identifying the constellations but doesn’t catch the multiple falling stars.  We took several and “put them in our pocket to save them for a rainy day”…as the song goes.

Seas picked up a bit on our way to Dry Tortugas’ Garden Key but we arrived at Tortugas Harbor  in plenty of time to pick our anchorage.  There were only four boats once we arrived at 2pm but by nightfall there were approximately 10 vessels of various sizes.   

Fort Jefferson construction on Garden Key began in 1846.  The Fort was never completed due to structural issues and advances in warship armament.   Fort Jefferson and Dry Tortugas played a significant role in the Civil War as the US Navy’s blockade of supplies crippling the Confederate war effort.  Part of the Fort was used as a prison and incarcerated the infamous Dr. Mudd.  

We took the tender 3 miles over to nearby Loggerhead Key for a day trip.  

This smaller island is no longer inhabited except for occasional volunteers who live on the island for short time frames to assist in maintenance.  We met Mark and Bobbi from Arkansas who are the current volunteers living on the island for the month of April.  Their  goal is to replace some of the Island’s solar panel hardware. 







The beaches are beautiful and we were the only other people on the island.

Loggerhead Island is named for it’s turtle population but the Egrets and Frigates heavily populate the island at present...don't tell Simon he thinks he rules.

As writing these events it makes us pause to reflect on how fortunate we are to have this opportunity and passed experiences.  We initially saw the Southern Cross in 2008 while visiting our son Troy in Sydney,Australia.  In August of 2011 we were on Fernandina Beach and witnessed Loggerhead turtles hatching.  They were so numerous and emerged from their nest like bubbles from a glass.  Instinct led them to the water looking like cute little wind-up toys.  Ah, the miracles of life.

Weather has been beautiful and very comfortable until this week.  Key West is starting to become hot with temperatures in the low 80s and with full sun it feels like 90 plus degrees.  We are planning to stay for a bit longer and participate and watch some of the fun festivities surrounding the birth of the Conch Republic (Key West's Island Nation) whose motto is: "We Seceded Where Others Failed". 
We will post an update after the festivities.

Key West

 Leaving Marathon we continued Hawk’s Channel route to Key West.  Lovely sail averaging 8kts on starboard beam reach.   Passing Bahia Honda Key this picture identifies the remaining parts of the bridge Henry Flagler built for his railroad.   The area beyond the bridge is a sandy anchorage and a tender can be taken to the State Park for exploring.

Who knew?  We passed a swimming iguana over three miles off shore.  We weren't quick enough for a good picture but it was a site that will be etched into memory.   This fella was sunning himself onshore.

Simon has been chasing iguanas and chickens for exercise and entertainment.

We discovered our anchor light dusk to dawn sensor had malfunctioned.  This required Cappie (aka Steve) to make a few trips up the mast.  Fortunately he doesn't mind heights and the light is under warranty, so we await a new light to arrive from the manufacturer. The small dot is Steve 63' up.

A few pictures from atop the mast. 

The large mammal in the water (pic to the left) is a manatee enjoying a lunch of sea grass.  The marina is undergoing a major renovation and will have several nice amenities once completed.  The gym, dog park and organic vegetable gardens are available for use while renovations are made.

Our bikes have been our primary source of transport and great form of exercise.  We rode to Old Town Key West for a yacht race Easter Sunday afternoon and watch sunset at Mallory Square.

The beaches are beautiful here.  It can feel very hot with temperatures in the low 80s and full sun.  We trim Simon regularly to keep his hair short and cool.

 Plan to leave soon for Dry Tortugas and Marquesas, with no cell or Internet access for approximately 4-5 days.  We will be available by satellite and use of the InReach.