The Dry Tortugas

Monday, November 2, 2015
What a fabulous day today!!!!

We were up before the sun so as to catch a taxi and get to the port for the Freedom of the Seas tour boat to the Dry Tortugas National Park before 7:00 am.

We shared our taxi with another couple staying at the Guesthouse that was also going on the trip. Terry and Chris are from York, England visiting Florida for a month - their first journey to the U.S. It was interesting chatting with them. Shortly after checking in, our host of the day shared some basic travel information with the approximately one hundred passengers and then we all boarded the boat
for the two and a half hour trip out into the ocean to the island.  A buffet breakfast bar was all in place and we were invited to partake immediately.  All of the seats were around tables so we could enjoy the meal in comfort and watch our travels through the huge windows.  The boat can accomodate around 250 passengers so we had lots of room to spread out on our trip.

We were amazed at the number of islands we could see throughout our travels.  There are a huge number of Keys some of which are part of the Everglades National Park.  Much of our trip out was narrated and very informative concerning the area, the islands and history of the vicinity.  And many chose to go outside and just enjoy the warm breezes and views.

The view of the island and the huge Fort Jefferson was awesome! It is three stories high and massive taking up most of the island.  A place built to provide a deep water and protective harbor for sea going vessels during bad storms and later used to stop confederate blockade runners during the Civil War as well as hold prisoners.  It was started in the 1840s but never completed.

The fort is surrounded by a moat with small sections open to the surrounding ocean so it filled with fish, coral and other sea life as is the surrounding ocean.  Many people came to snorkel and dive but others of us wanted to see the fort and see the island itself.  For those of us curious about the sea life their was an hour + tour led by a ranger with a marine biology background who led us around the fort on the moat wall pointing out the huge variety.  

The waters were so clear we could see the conch, sea urchins, brain coral, sea fans, fish of all sizes and colors including snapper, yellow butterfly fish, blue tang, and barracuda, and several types of jelly fish. It was a great way to do it and not mistakenly come in contact with things that sting or cause skin irritations plus we could get a far more in depth story about the things we were seeing like learning that parrot fish eat coral and poop white sand - the lovely sand of the Caribbean Islands. It was difficult to "see" the life through a camera lens but very easy to see with or eyes.

We then returned to the ship for our lunch which was also set up as a buffet with a good selection of foods to eat along with a selection of drinks.  It also gave us a chance to get back into the air conditioning and cool off from the high humidity and temperatures outside.

This island is a paradise for birders at certain times of the years because so many birds stop here when migrating.  It is also the location where brown terns mate and raise their young returning even to the same bush to make their nests after flying from as far as Africa.  The only time they settle on land is when procreating and raising young-being born and dying.  Otherwise, terns remain in the air all their lives taking short naps while sailing on a jet stream with their wings wide spread.

There is a Visitor Center in one of the fort rooms where we were able to watch a film about snorkling and the marine life using 3 D glasses.  It was amazing.  Just like putting on the fins and mask and climbing into the water for a personal view.  They also had displays of the various shells left by the marine life including the many sea turtles that helped give the islands their name of tortugas.  The dry part of the name refers to the fact that there is no fresh water on the island so you must bring your own.   A limited amount of water is kept on the island in bottles for the rangers who live there in rooms that are part of the fort itself. (see the picture below for the small balcony and walled areas)

In the afternoon we went on an hour and a half tour of the fort learning a bit of its history and noting such things as the height of the ceilings (very high), the well done brick work (amazing especially in the myriad of arches and coved areas) It took over 10 million bricks to build it most brought in by ships from the north some of which sank even as they approached the island because of the nearby dangerous waters.

The over 400 cannon "windows" 

For cannon like these to shoot balls over 3 1/2 miles slitting apart and becoming lots of projectiles.

This fort held many prisoners during the Civil War including Dr. Mudd who treated John Wilkes Booths broken leg after he shot Lincoln.  He was eventually released after providing lots of medical care after the doctors on the base died and so many were suffering from malaria, cholera and other diseases.

The Fort is the first bit of the United States and lies close to Cuba so when Cubans started trying to escape they often tried to dock their homemade and falling apart but very loaded boats here and get out quickly on to the dry land because our laws say if both feet of a foreign person are placed on US land they will be accepted into the states otherwise they are turned back.  Cubans are still landing here on a regular basis like every couple of days in boats like these.

Our guides told us that this is a place they choose because their are no military here to stop them. Then if no other arrangements can be made to get them off the island where there is no food or water for them, they are often sent to Key West on the tour boat we rode on.

When we got up on the top of the fort and looked down we happened to see a shark in the water as well as a good view of the surrounding islands and of course the inside of the fort as well.

Some people came in on float planes which we saw go in and out a couple of times while we were there.

and others arrived by private boats and docked a distance out so that the passengers could snorkel and dive

On the trip back, a snack bar was open for the purchase of drinks and snacks as well as a small "store" with offerings like shirts, books, cards, etc.  Several scrapbooks compiled about the island were made available to flip through, and there was a small amount of commentary.  But mostly the trip back was a time to relax and enjoy the ride and for many to take a bit of a nap after all the exercise from hiking and swimming.  Ken and I both enjoyed our books when not doing other things.

As we drew close to Key West itself, we could see it from the water and all the restaurants and hotels that line the waters edge as well as the tremendous number of boats in marinas.

It was near sunset time when we arrived so we quickly walked seaside board walk a mile or so to an area where we hoped to be able to see it.  The view was pretty good but there were few clouds to capture the color and hold it for any period of time.

We then returned to Duval Street and walked the "main drag" of shops and restaurants stopping for supper at Caroline's 

an outdoor patio restaurant

At the nearby Hard Rock Cafe we found a shirt to give to our grandson in Michigan and later spotted another football one that was perfect for our fourteen year old football playing grandson in North Carolina.  Other then that we simply enjoyed the walk just peeking in to see the bands playing and do lots of people watching.  By the time we got back to The Guesthouse where we were staying we'd walked our legs off and simply climbed in bed and went to sleep.