The hard part was finding a place on Key West to park our 28 foot RV and make it onto the ferry. We knew that this would be a challenge so we got up at 5:00 a.m. to catch the 8:00 ferry. The 20 mile drive from Sugarloaf Key to Key West went by quickly as the sun started to rise on a beautiful day. As we expected, the parking garages were too small for an RV. The few open air lots had RV restrictions. The one RV friendly lot did not open till after the ferry left. A hectic hour was spent driving from one parking lot to another before we finally found a resting spot. At 8:30 a.m. the ferry left and ... we were on it .... just.
The ferry took 2 1/2 hours so we had time to recover from our early morning parking sprint and enjoy the ride. Slowly Fort Jefferson grew on the horizon as we reached our destination. This massive fort was built on a glorified sandbar in the middle of nowhere. After the American Revolution, the new country wanted to claim and defend its borders. This included the safe harbour and fishing rights around the Dry Tortugas. Without a navy to match the British fleet the solution was to build this gigantic fort.
The island was very small but there was lots to see. As we approached the dock we saw 118) *Masked Boobies on Hospital Key and 119) *juvenile Brown Boobies on a harbour buoy.
Visitors flowed off the ferry and we headed to the entrance to Fort Jefferson.
Emma at the entrance to Fort Jefferson
Moat around Fort Jefferson
One of the most spectacular aspects to this National Park was the birds. There were thousands of birds, many of which are found nowhere else in the continental United Sates.
Dozens of Magnificent Frigate birds soar motionlessly directly above the fort. The steady breeze and updraft from the fort was enough to enable the frigate birds to hold their position for hours without a wing beat.
Magnificent Frigate Birds - female
Magnificent Frigate Bird - male
A mile away from the fort was Long Key. This was a major nesting site for the frigate birds. You could see hundreds of mated pairs circling about that key.
Emma Exploring Fort Jefferson
The size and setting of the fort were breathtaking.
The interior of the fort covered most of the island. In the spring migration, this stopping point can be covered with birds that are resting on their flight across the Gulf of Mexico.
South of the fort was Bush Key and the world famous nesting sight of thousands of terns.
Bush Key
Brown Noddys and Sooty Terns approaching Bush Key
120) *Sooty Tern
121) *Brown Noddy
It was the beginning of the breeding season and thousands of Sooty Terns and Brown Noddies were starting to breed and nest on this isolated key.If speed impresses you, these birds were world class.
Sooty Terns
Sooty Tern
On the other side of Fort Jefferson was the helicopter pad and pilings from an old pier. This area attracted other bird species.
Brown Pelican
Sanderling
Ruddy Turnstone
Great Egret
122) Common Tern and 123) *Sandwich Tern
Sandwich Tern, Royal Tern and Black Skimmer
Sandwich Terns
Black Skimmers and Royal Tern
After our tour of the island it was time to get wet and sandy. We donned skin diving gear and spent a few hours snorkeling around the island. It was Emma's first time snorkeling and she loved it. The coral and colourful fish life around the island were spectacular for a first time skin diver to experience.
Emma had a blast wading swimming and generally playing in the warm tropical water.
Emma in the water off Dry Tortugas
For such a small island, there was a great deal to see and do. In too short a period, it was time to return to our departing ship and head back to Key West.
All aboard for the return trip to Key West.
Last picture from Dry Tortugas Island
Tired but happy we sailed back across the open ocean to Key West.
Key West as sunset approached.
On disembarking from the Yankee Freedom Ferry we toured the waterfront soaking up the atmosphere of Key West. There sure were a lot of chickens wandering around the streets of Key West. After marveling at the antics of the free roaming chickens we focused on dinner.
We decided on the Half Shell restaurant. The food was good but Emma's margarita was not up to par. She took the time to chat with the manager about the quality and size of an appropriate margarita for a thirsty tourist.
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