Day 12, Thursday March 12th - Dry Tortugas

We got up early Thursday and left camp at 06:30 to catch our Ferry to Dry Tortugas Island. It is about 70 miles west of KW and takes roughly 2.5 hours each way.  We boarded the Ferry and departed about 8AM right on schedule. 

The boat is a 110 ft catamaran  and cruises at about 30 mph which is pretty fast for a big boat. They served both breakfast and lunch, it was a pleasant cruise.

We sat on the second level on the inside cabin where the views were good.  The seas were not too rough and we sat with a nice couple from Missouri who helped pass the voyage; Kenneth and Debbie.

The history and beauty of Dry Tortugas is much more than either of us expected, it should be a must visit for anyone coming to Key West.

We first toured Fort Jefferson, which was established in 1845 and construction continued for about 40 years.

The fort is spectacular, you can wander it for hours and it doesn't seem to get boring. The stories of when it was a civil war prison are fascinating.  President Lincoln commuted all Union deserters sentences from death to life in prison at Dry Tortugas, primarily housed Union deserters.  Later Dr. Mudd who was a conspirator in the assassination of Lincoln was sent here, but after 4 years of helping the sick he was released by President Andrew Johnson, it is a fascinating story.

After touring the fort we went back to the boat grabbed a quick lunch and set out to go snorkeling. The beach is really nice, with white sand. We snorkeled out along the moat wall, there were fish to be seen, it was fun but we have been places with more  colorful fish.

After snorkeling we walked the moat, it is such an impressive structure and in an amazing location.

I really enjoyed watching the sea planes come and go.

About 2:45 we boarded the boat back to KW, it was a great time on Garden Key. On the ride back the bar is open, but most people sleep, what a bunch of wimps. Our new fave drink is the 'Dark and Stormy',  a concoction of Trader Vic's Dark Rum and Ginger Beer. June and I enjoyed the ride.

We docked at 5:30 and got back to camp around 7PM and decided to go to dinner at the closest restaurant to Boyd's, The Hogfish Bar and Grill. Boyd's gave us a 10% off coupon. It was about a half mile walk thru a seedy neighborhood, and then we had to wait another half hour to be seated. But we got a seat on the water, you literally could not get any closer, I could have set my drink on the boat next to us.  It was a good place and we enjoyed the dinner.  About half way back June said "did you use the coupon" ....of course not...Doh!! So, we have a coupon for anyone that is going to Hogfish...LOL.

We walked back to the campground thru the seedy area safely, despite June's fretting, and it was the end of our last evening in KW.  We had a great time.

Friday we set off for Fort Meyers to see friends.