We made another drive back to Key West before we left the Keys in general. It just made sense since who knows how long it will be until some of us will decide to drive this far south again. Several of the group did discuss that having been here, if we returned it would be worth sitting out on line months ahead and trying to snag a spot in Bahia Honda State Park. And it would make the stay less expensive.....
Driving through Key West in two cars, we made our way to Fort Zachary Taylor State Park at the tip of the last island. Though the fort was build and maintained through many years, it was never fired upon or never fired a shot. Being were it is, so close to Cuba, it did sport listening equipment in the later years. The fort originally had three floors but when it was turned over to the navy, according to out ranger guide, the fort was not maintained and for safety the top two floors had to be removed because they had deteriorated so much.....
It was a two cruise ship day! Yea! We had been warned to avoid the town on a two cruise ship day. Apparently the only thing worst is if one of the cruise ships is a Disney Cruise. An earlier tour guide had mentioned that Key West is really not designed to entertain children. It is more an adult playground and full of history which is not always the top priority of children.
Notice the thickness of that wooden door?
We all got a chance to tour the old facilities. Unfortunately for the soldiers of the times, there were not very many seats given the size of the fort. A second problem was the low and unpredictable tidal waters that were expected to come in and clean out the facilities. The tides were often not enough and left much to harbor odors and diseases.
The earth around the fort and moat was added as the Navy needed a deeper port for their boats.
After a week in the Keys, some of the travelers headed up for cooler weather and electric as they slowly made their way towards home. Three of us headed off to Long Pine Key Campground in the Everglades National Park. No electric and very limited Verizon service levels that came and went.
Did I mention how much I love showing my "Access Pass" at the gate of a National Park and getting waved on in the park without fees?
As we heard and saw throughout our stay and tours and hikes. The Everglades are a diverse environment but are well known for their "Sea of Grass." (...with water moving 100 feet a day....)
There will be more of these pictures. Depending upon whether or not there was any visible water around the flat and the grass reminded my of the flat plains of the West this summer.
In driving down farther south to visit the Flamingo Campground Liz and I passed several pull offs and areas of interest. This Pond had the most birding interest.
And the view from the Flamingo Park Visitor Center.
Back home at the camp site, I used the EasyUp to provide extra shade without worry that a gust of wind is going to send the awning over the roof. It provided more shade and plenty of choices to attach extra shade options....and then the temperatures dropped and hunting for shade was not as important.
Nan's house.
I liked the slash pines.
This sign was observed at the marina next to the Flamingo Visitors Center. (We didn't go in search of the crocodiles while there.) I realize that many of the gulls and other birds may not bother you at night but if the hooks and fishing line injure wildlife in the daylight, won't they still potentially injure them at night...well maybe?
We stopped to investigate one of the trails. We thought it would be a bit cooler because of the shade. Well maybe?
No pythons were observed, but there were "snake-y" looking trees.
Trees with fingers? The more I traveled through the different environments in the Everglades the more I thought of all the Hobbit and LOTR movies and the swamps and enchanted trees that are created for fantasy films. This environment full of fantasy....
and full of wild creatures....
And it was hot and humid, shade or no shade.....we did not make the entire trail. Three miles in the heat was enough. So glad that I don't have to do Florida in July. The natives that lived in these lands have my admiration. How does anyone find their way through the mangroves....
