Our morning started with temps in the high 70’s! Wonderful! So nice to be in one location for a period of time; gives time to get land legs back and catch up on stuff.
After a morning of projects and laundry, our plan was to drive to the Everglades and visit with the gators! From Marathon, we headed north on Highway 1. After a quick stop at West Marine in Key Largo (which draws boaters like a magnet), we were off to Shipwrecks, a small, local bar and grill located off the beaten path on Garden Cove Drive. This quaint laid-back place overlooks the canal…and specializes in seafood!
We dined on tuna and grilled seafood platter with sweet potato fries while we enjoyed the outdoors via in their screened in porch. The pictures below tells the story! Delicious!
Outside the city of Homestead, our little blue Chevy pulled to a stop at “Robert Is Here”, a HUGE fruit and market stand. They were having a big celebration with petting animals for the kids, etc. and there were long lines of people waiting for fruit shakes and farm market purchases. This was THE market with hundreds of items- fruits, vegetables, bakery goods, gift items, crazy coconut art monkeys…
Steve headed to the “milkshakes” line!
Here’s the story…In 1959, when Robert, the owner, was six years old, he sat on this same corner and tried to sell cucumbers, but no one would stop. His dad made a big sign that said, “Robert is Here” and the next day he sold everything! Gradually, he added more items and he spent all his time at the stand; all vacation days and every day the bus would pick him up and drop him off at his stand. When he was 14, he bought his first ten-acre piece of property and planted an avocado grove. He’s old now, and the rest is history! The strawberry-banana shake was worth the wait!
With the milkshake container empty, we were off to the Ernest Coe Visitors Center and Everglades National Park. There are two season in the park: wet (gobs of bugs) and dry ( still too many bugs) with a variation of six feet in water level. The plants and animals adjust to the water levels. Hint: Get the National Park Pass when you hit that “golden age” for free entry and wear bug spray!
Our first stop was Anhinga Trail (named after the bird) skirts the edge of a freshwater slough and is a not-to-miss spot in the park. The park brochure suggests to take a stroll and explore the trail where “alligators, wading birds, and other wildlife are easily spotted”. This six foot gator was ON the trail and definitely got everyone's attention!
We continued down the park road to where it ended at Flamingo, a very busy marina and visitors center. Named after the large flocks of flamingos in the area, Flamingo is a birder’s paradise with Roseate Spoonbills, Reddish Egrets, Mangrove Cuckoos, and White-crowned Pigeons and great views of the bay!
It was a long ride home from the park, but we were treated to a gorgeous sunset on the way!
Sunday, January 12, 20014
Today it is 73, with cloud cover and sun promised through the afternoon with temps in the 80’s.
At 9:30 am while driving down Highway 1, we saw a man holding a sign by the side of the road directing us to Vineyard Community Church. People were lined up to enter the church. This large church has five services, great music, free breakfast, and an inspiring message on the Beatitudes. “Be at peace with God… Experience the peace of God…Live at peace with everyone…Proclaim the gospel of peace”. During the “meet and greet” portion of the service, Mary met Jane who gave us a connection for long term boat dockage-just what we needed! Wonderful!
History...
Initially, Key West was inhabited by Caluso and the Tequesta aboriginal cultures, but due to disease and war were gone by the 1700’s. The Miccosukee and Seminole sought protection in this area. Ponce de Leon arrived from Europe and claimed it for Spain and it became a fishing and salvage village. In 1763 Great Britain took control and moved the Spaniards and Native Americans to Havana. Later the area, returned to Spain, again. When Florida became part of the US, Key West changed hands many times and in 1822, it was finally claimed for the US with no protests. In the early 1800’s, pirates were known to haunt the area, and soon the US Navy had cleared them out.
Settlers arrive planting groves of Key limes, pineapple, tamarind, and bread fruit. Many of the Key West immigrants were from the Bahamas and known as Conchs. Wreckers who salvaged goods from damaged ships, sponge harvesters, cigar makers, and wealthy visitors came to Key West in large numbers and Key West flourished. By 1889, Key West was the largest and wealthiest city in Florida. Many buildings in Old Town are from this time. Many Cubans fleeing Cuba and confederates from the Civil War moved to Key West. In 1912, despite three hurricanes, the Overseas Railroad conceived by Henry Flagler was completed to Key West. The famous and wealthy were drawn to Key West. Hemingway was drawn to the islands and the sport fishing. Things were going well until the Depression.
About noon, we picked up Nick, our son, and Susan, his girlfriend, at Key West Airport and were off to experience Key West!
We Love Garbo's Grill!
Want the best gelato in Key West? We found it at Duetto on Greene St.!
Choose a flavor......strawberry and peppermint gelato hit the spot!
With temps in the 80’s and beautiful sunshine, we were ready to experience Key West on scooters. Great Fun!
Of course, you can see all the important sights in three hours: The southernmost point in the continental US marked by a concrete buoy, Harry Truman Little White House, Hemingway House, Ft. Zachary Taylor, Maritime Museum, Key West Lighthouse, Historic Seaport, St. Mary's Star of the Sea Church, and all the streets and bridges in town.
We met a handsome Newfoundland along the way. Wow, that fur coat must be hot!
This is an interesting piece of art work on the beach.
Let's hear it for D. J. 's Clam Shack! Yummmmmmm!
(pictured above) Our last spot which was filmed for Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives was D. J.’s Clam Shack on Duval St. Created in 2009 by partners from Ipswich, MA and Blue Point, NY, this is how to prepare amazing seafood at reasonable prices. The chosen menu items by Guy: Nick enjoyed the fried clams with fries in the bottom of the paper cone and Mary enjoy the fried shrimp with coleslaw.
As we were walking down colorful Duval Street, we stopped a cigar shop and chatted with a gentleman rolling cigars. Duval Street is a hotspot and great people watching!
Back at Dream Chaser, we had a warm breeze blowing through the cabins, and we were lulled to sleep by the slight waves.
Monday, January 13, 2014
After breakfast of eggs, bacon, and toast, Nick and Susan were off to go fishing on a charter, Marathon Lady. Mary and Steve worked on boat projects and ran errands.
We are docked in an interesting
area. This work of art is along
the short road to our spot. Friday
nights and Saturday nights are
especially busy; they are
bustling with night life: people,
music, dinghy motors, and
cars.
About 1:30 pm, Nick and Susan returned with 13 fish, but had fun catching mangrove snappers, yellow tail snappers, yellow grunts (when you pull out the hook, they grunt), yellow tails, trigger fish, and progy. Susan caught an eel, but they cut the line-not wanting it in the boat. See below.
Before...
After...
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
It’s 6 am, and we are up early. Today, Dream Chaser is taking us to sea for fish!
After finishing breakfast, there is a run to the store for groceries and bait. The poles, reels, and equipment purchased last night are organized, and we are ready to go.
At 9 am, Dream Chaser headed out about 6-8 miles to a reef to catch the “big ones”! Kendall Klay, a local resident, a boat captain, researcher, and fisherman is joining us in our search. One ft. waves were predicted yesterday, but they have grown to 3-5 ft., so lots of motion in the ocean! We are battening down the hatches as things roll around inside the cabin.
Off to our port side, a huge (200 lb.), green, loggerhead sea turtle was making his way along.
We are anchored 6-8 miles off shore with 3-4 fishing rods off the back when the first fish strikes and is reeled in by Mary. “Holy Mackerel” It’s a 16” Spanish Mackerel!
Mary is motivated
to fish, now!
Everyone was catching fish!
This is a Doctor Fish.
We reeled them in............ and we netted them.
We caught more Spanish Mackeral and grunts, but a 30” Mahi-Mahi got away! The Spanish Mackerel can be kept because they all are over 12” in length.
After trolling for awhile, we returned to anchor in Moser Channel under the 7 mile bridge. There we caught little Grunts, Doctor Fish, and threw the Leatherbacks back in.Dream Chaser then headed back out to the Seven Mile Reef and some serious trolling.
We are using bait fish, BallyHoo- pictured below.
We can actually see the fish zooming towards the fishing lines. We hear a zing……shouting and yelling begins...There are fish on the lines. Reeling them in takes a lot of effort and energy, and we end up with three 23-25” Dorado/Mahi-Mahi.
The fish are tossed in the ice chest immediately after they are caught. Here they are to prove that it was a good day at sea!
It’s 5:30 pm, and sun is setting soon, so Dream Chaser reluctantly turns towards shore.
Rods are reeled in as the sun sets.
It has been a beautiful day with bright sunshine and temps in the low 80’s.
What a great day of fishing!
Tonight, Nick's pre-birthday dinner was in the Tiki Hut at Salty's Waterfront Grill in Marathon. The good news (and at times the bad news) was that it was "Karaoke Night" at Salty's. We started with conch fritters, the house specialty... they were very good! It was a great time and everyone was ready "to hit the sack" after a great day of fishing.
Great Fishing, Great Food, Great Day!
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
The day began glorious with sunshine and temps in the 70's! Today, Nick and Susan must head back to MN. Our breakfast was fabulous: fresh fried fish from yesterday's catch, eggs, toast, and Key lime pie! Happy Birthday, Nick!
At 8:45 am, Nick and Susan exited the boat and bid farewell to Kendall Klay, our fearless fishing leader from yesterday, and his friend, Justin Smith, a sailboat captain, who were kickin' back "Keys style"by the boat. We began our journey to Miami International Airport to drop off our "visitors" for their flight back to MN. After several stops and the purchase of three fishing rods and reels for future use, we arrived in Key Largo and Buzzards Roost in Garden Cove. What a wonderful spot to for Nick's birthday lunch!
About 300 years ago when pirates like Black Caesar and the Seminole Indians called Key Largo home, this Garden Cove area was important because of its location on high ground. The cove, a natural waterway, drew sea captains for supplies and citrus fruits The Seminoles called this higher ground, "Wachula"which translates into Buzzard's Roost. Modern day pirates used this easy access to the cove for smuggling, and drug runners would pick up their "product" in the cove and head to Miami.
Delicious
Hog fish!
Amazing Key Lime pie!
Happy Birthday, Nick!
Nick, Susan, and Steve chose one of the specials, blackened Hog fish and coleslaw! The report was...delicious! Mary chose the shrimp salad and was delighted.
Key lime pie with a lit candle followed for dessert. Yum!
After hugs and well wishes, Nick and Susan entered the Miami Airport and began their journey home. Steve and Mary spent the rest of the afternoon running errands and enjoyed a quiet evening kickin' back like the locals.
FYI...We have been informed about Keys Disease and are watching for the signs.
Key’s Disease is an infectious, but rarely fatal disease affecting humans. It is thought to be airborne brought on by ocean breezes, intense sunshine, and a party atmosphere. It can cause several days of euphoria and high excitement followed by an indifference to time commitments. Boaters (especially loopers from MN), fishermen, and anyone in the Key West area for any period of time is susceptible. Clinical signs of the disease include, but are not limited to: bare feet, ankle bracelets and toe rings, unshaven faces, deep tans, over-sized sunglasses on women, absence of wristwatches, and ignorance of national political news. Treatment consists, but is not limited to: driving in Miami traffic or heading north to Minnesota during a snowstorm in January. The disease in not fatal and actually may prolong the lives of those who are prudent.
P.S. Steve's lost his shoes, hasn't shaved lately, and has never listened to national political news.
Mary is getting some nice color, quit wearing her watch, and has never liked wearing shoes.
Continue the party.
ReplyDeleteFantastic read, even at -2 up here!
ReplyDelete