Bob and I took the kayaks on this trip since it was just a Florida trip. When we travel out west, the drag on the car is too much when we are sightseeing and they are more trouble than we care to manage. So of course, we took Larry and Connie kayaking. We found a great spot to launch the kayaks at Boca Chica Naval Annex. Connie and I went out first and paddled around the bay.
Bob and Larry took a turn....
....and then Connie and Larry rented ocean kayaks so we could paddle out farther.
After an enjoyable kayaking trip, we stopped in the Boca Chica snack bar and had lunch. Then it was time to head back to camp to get ready for our next adventure--a trip to Ft. Jefferson in Dry Tortugas. We left early in the morning to catch the ferry, Yankee Freedom III. We ate breakfast aboard as the trip took a little over 2 hours.
Sixty eight miles west of Key West, we arrived at Ft. Jefferson.
The only ways to visit the fort are by boat and seaplane.
Two seaplanes were docked near our ferry.
After disembarking, it was picture time. We had to prove we were actually at Ft. Jefferson!
We enjoyed walking around the fort and learning the history. Dr. Mudd who aided John Wilkes Booth after he shot Lincoln was incarcerated at Ft. Jefferson.
This is a view of the moat as seen from inside Ft. Jefferson . You can walk around the fort on the moat wall. A few people braved the cold water and snorkeled around the outside of the moat.
Ft. Jefferson was a nice place to visit, but one trip out there is enough!
We made one last trip to Mallory Square before our time was up in Key West. We caught a pretty good sunset.
Alas, our time in Key West drew to an end and we had to play like northerners and return north. We did stop at the casino again on our way out of the Keys. Our goal was to bicycle Shark Valley in the northern portion of the Everglades. Unfortunately, Mother Nature had other ideas. It was a cloudy, rainy day!
We were able to walk about a mile of the 15 mile trail. And yes, in that mile we saw a lot of wildlife that you would expect to see in the Everglades.
We also walked Otter Cave Trail before the rains really came down on us.
From the casino we headed north to Wauchula, Florida and the Escapees park. It was just a stopping place on our way to our next destination--Universal Studios!
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