Sea Turtle!

Dry Tortugas National Park

The Tortugas, Spanish for turtles, is a cluster of seven islands… overgrown mangroves on coral reefs really… The isles, like its transient pirate inhabitant, have little integrity yet hoards of treasure hidden just under the surface.

It is an isolated outpost more than 70 nautical miles off the coast of Key West home to pirates, explorers, soldiers, immigrants, prisoners, and now researchers and tourists. It is accessible only by boat or seaplane.

We wish we had taken the later after our voyage out. The swells were wide and deep and the hour and a half trip was stretched into to three. I was starting to dread my decision to take this trip. Luckily the crew was quick to assist those in need. By the time we spotted the fortress on the horizon the entertaining snorkeling instructions and video had turned our attention to coral reefs, rare birds, and tropical fish.

Some opted to tour Fort Jefferson, while others of us headed straight for the beach and to snorkel the coral reefs. Unfortunately the previous days’ storm and the winds kept the waters murky and the fish hidden from view… not to mention that the water temperature was a wee bit chilly for my thin Florida blood. The birders were quite happy. Over 70 species of bird were identified including two from Cuba. No passport required.

Fort Jefferson and its moat all but covers the island but for a small strip of beach, the boat dock, and room for less than a dozen primitive campsites.

Can you imagine the starry constellations at night? I think I would be too excited to sleep.

All in all a good day and another National Park checked off my bucket list!

PS.  Key West was fun too.