One of my favorite day trips from the Keys is to take the ferry out to the Dry Tortugas. Rich in pirate lore and American history, these little islands are beautiful gems. 72 miles south and west of Key West, Fort Jefferson is a ruin on Garden key, A fortress against invaders, the prison of Dr. Mudd. And PERFECT Snorkeling.
Except April is way too early. Freezing. + there was a freak storm the night before and the water was cloudy. This was photo-girl's first trip with the underwater kit. She really wanted pictures of Christmas worms. The Ferry tickets are really expensive for people on a budget - and wimpy or not, we aren't going back anytime soon. SUCK IT UP! I learned that the body will adapt to very cold water if the motivation is high. I also learned that swimming fast with fins is a very cardiovascular activity. and I am old. and out of shape.
It was worth it, but we will need to get back when it is a little warmer. May is perfect, but we have to skip school. June is early Hurricane season - but is usually OK. The next trip down we will probably go out to Loo Key, but we really want to go back to Fort Jefferson, and spend a few days camping. Maybe next year.
I am sure I did not spell the Deaux right.
There has been so much going on in the last few weeks, it is difficult to post about the rest of the Awesome, Fun, Wonderful break with photo girl.
Key Deer! Always too friendly, usually require at least a little illicit incentive. To be fair, the first time we let them have food they stole it, but it gave us lots of opportunities to take pictures. And they are very aggressive, like big awkward chipmunks. We stop by to see them every year, and always feel suitably guilty about the "incentives" the little buggers demand. We only let them have completely organic produce - raw almonds, dried fruit, fresh fruit. It does not make it any more legal, or less damaging to the well being and safety of these beautiful creatures, but assuages my guilt a little. This time, there was no need. They seem to just want the attention. And there were BABIES. They are tiny little deer anyway, but the fawns are beyond adorable. Please do not feed, harm, molest, or harass the Key Deer. The picture shows pretty clearly why they are endangered.
On the way back from the deer trip we watched the sky darken, and as we pulled on to the 7-bridge it hit. Torrential rain. Florida at its Finest. Seriously? We are months away from Hurricane season - we go snorkeling in the spring to avoid the cloudy storm stirred water. Damn.
The next day was intermittent showers, luckily it was clear during the Dolphin Encounter. I highly recommend the Dolphin Research Center in Marathon. Fun, educational, informative, the age limit on encounters is low, as long as the child is comfortable in the water and can swim. Oddly enough, the Girl Child's favorite part was not the dorsal pull, she most enjoyed the training where she gave the dolphin a signal, and he (Pax) acted on it.
They usually come in ill, maimed, and covered with these horrible little cancerous polyps that are believed to be caused from - - - - Oh come on, you can guess this - - - - Pollution. I'm feeling a little less guilty about the Key Deer thing, at least I clean up after myself. The turtle is scrubbed up, probably it's only bath of it's whole life, re-hydrated in fresh water, X-rayed, surgery if applicable or possible, and put in private tanks to recuperate. Interesting note - because of the structure of the shell, it is actually an extension of the spine and ribs, they cannot perform internal surgeries. If the turtle can't pass the garbage (including huge fishing hooks and hats) on their own, they will die. Olive oil helps.
In order to be placed back in the wild, they have to have 3 working flippers, one good eye, and the ability to dive. They chip all of the turtles, so if they are hurt again and picked up by another rescue, the medical record can be shared. The finder names the turtle. This year, because of the brutal and extended cold here in Florida they had over 200 turtles suffering from cold shock brought in in January.
wow - Still so much to share, I haven't even posted about the Dry Tortugas, or Camping in the rain, or - oh by the way, sorta quit my job yesterday - YAY me. Instant down-size on the stress factor, potentially more money as a per diem employee - I'm just going to keep pretending that I work there until they quit giving me patients.
First - children should not be promised specific things in the distant future when the parents financial situation is not in perfect balance. 2nd - children should not be promised things unless the parent fully intends to deliver, irregardless of pain and hardship.
I get the girl child for spring break every 4 years - at ages 8, 12, and 16. When these arrangements were made, I told my beautiful little girl that at 12, she would get to swim with the Dolphins. I knew it was expensive - but wow. Anyway - Momma has delivered. When we get home, I will add pics to this post. All in all this has been an amazing spring break.
We left after school and Friday, with the intention to stop in Naples, the Gateway to the Everglades, so we could stop along the Tamiami trail for photo ops and fun throughout the day on Saturday. Our first stop was Oscar Scherer state park. I have always wanted to stop there, and it was pretty nice, except right next to the freeway, and close enough to civilization that it attracts people that are more interested in seeing nature than taking care of it. Weird little phenomenon - if you are going to take the time to scoop your dog's poop into a bag - why would you leave the poop bag on the side of the trail? all 4 or 5 of you with various colored bags of various ages? Weird. The coolest thing we saw was a tortoise, he seemed a little nervous, while posing for pictures, but not in a huge hurry to get away. We left him at the side of the trail and walked casually toward our goal. Scrtchy, Scrtchy, scrtch. What is that? louder and faster. We turned - to see the tortoise hurling down the road at break-neck tortoise speed, heading right toward us. He stopped when he saw us looking, and turned into the brush at the side of the road. We moved on. Scrtchy, Scrtchy, Scrtch. Quickly we turned, he was back on the path, closer now, more determined. As soon as he saw us he turned back into the bushes, but he did not stop. Under the protection of scrub and palmettos he continued is quest, closer and closer he came. Rushing tortoises are not very fast, and we soon decided to not wait for the attack of our stalker tortoise, and we again turned down the road toward our car. I'm sure he was relieved to have our backs to him once again, because he popped back on the trail and continued towards us. It is sooo much easier to pull a sneak attack if your victims do not keep turning around to look at you. Oscar, as we came to call him, eventually tired, his footsteps came slower, and fainter, he headed toward a log, probably to rest, not knowing that he was losing his one chance to ensnare the paparazzi child that had plagued his life. We escaped. Breathless (with laughter) but safely back on the road.
No matter how scenic you expect it to be - I do not recommend US41 from Venice to Naples. Took way too long. So glad to stop at the hotel around 8:30pm
Everglades. US41 (the Tamiami Trail) IS the way to go south if you have time to kill and want to see real Florida. We take the trail either south or north everytime we come, and have never been disappointed. Our first stop was at some little state park with a board walk on the East side of the road. barely room to park two cars, couple of port-a-potties and the typical "Florida State Parks" sign. We pulled in behind a small van of birders. As we got out of the car we heard a very large bull-frog, I teased the girl about it being spring, and how the 'gators were mating, you have to be careful. Interesting question from the photogirl - why do bird-watchers travel in noisy, chaotic packs? looking up at the trees, all dizzy and disoriented arguing about the little specks flitting in the branches? Wouldn't it be easier to go alone? quietly? We soon scurried past them, leaving them to their flock.
One thing about swamps, once you are in it, especially around the edges where the cypress and oak trees cover everything, they are quiet. and eerie. We saw some really interesting tree formations, squirrels, birds. At the end of the board walk there was a HUGE alligator in the water. We watched him for awhile, got a few pictures, noticed some immature Ibis' that distracted our attention, then the 'gator let out a noise. Bull alligators are said to sound like bull frogs. NADA. Raising its huge head straight out of the water, puffing its throat up in preparation, tail and body undulating out of the water like a giant dragon dancing to mesmerize its virgin sacrifice, he Bellowed. Deep, and loud, a cross between and angry bull and a triumphant lion. He split the forest with his call. Whether seeking love, or issuing a challenge I don't know, but it was Awesome, in the true sense of the word, inspiring reverence and awe.
One of those "once in a lifetime" "change the way I look at the world" experiences. Nature hikes in the spring? only on board walks or not near water. Let my child swim in Florida in fresh water in the Spring? NO! I have always felt that nature is safe if you respect it, are aware of your environment and not stupid. I now think being in water near alligators in mating season is stupid, disrespectful, and shows a complete lack of awareness of your environment. Just my opinion, but one I will act on.
It was worth it, but we will need to get back when it is a little warmer. May is perfect, but we have to skip school. June is early Hurricane season - but is usually OK. The next trip down we will probably go out to Loo Key, but we really want to go back to Fort Jefferson, and spend a few days camping. Maybe next year.
Key Deer! Always too friendly, usually require at least a little illicit incentive. To be fair, the first time we let them have food they stole it, but it gave us lots of opportunities to take pictures. And they are very aggressive, like big awkward chipmunks. We stop by to see them every year, and always feel suitably guilty about the "incentives" the little buggers demand. We only let them have completely organic produce - raw almonds, dried fruit, fresh fruit. It does not make it any more legal, or less damaging to the well being and safety of these beautiful creatures, but assuages my guilt a little. This time, there was no need. They seem to just want the attention. And there were BABIES. They are tiny little deer anyway, but the fawns are beyond adorable. Please do not feed, harm, molest, or harass the Key Deer. The picture shows pretty clearly why they are endangered. 
