"Ft. Jefferson Trip - Third Day - Jan 28, 2001" Top 5 Page for this destination Dry Tortugas National Park Travelogue by grandmaR

Dry Tortugas National Park Travel Guide: 75 reviews and 282 photos

Bakery in the Casement walls - Dry Tortugas National Park

January 28, 2001 - Sunday

Bob looking out from second tier of the fort

The tour guide suggested that we might walk around the 2nd tier of the fort and the moat walls, so we went over early and walked around the 2nd tier before the tour groups got there.

Anchorage and picnic tables from inside fort

It was very peaceful and we had a chance to see Dr. Mudd's cell. The guide had said that there was no place to swim to from here, so if you wanted to escape, you had to stow away on the mail/provisions boat. Dr. Mudd tried that a couple of times, so he was in irons, whereas mostly they didn't bother.

Looking out to ferry anchorage

I went into the gift shop and bought a snorkeling camera and some postcards. The lady at the shop said the radio telephone might work or might not. They keep a sign on it saying that it is out of order, in case it doesn't work.

On the other side of the fort

I tried it and was able to use it (couldn't use a phone card - had to use a major credit card) and phoned our daughter, but she was at church. Spoke to our son-in-law for about a minute to tell him that if anyone wanted to get in touch with us, they'd have to call the Coast Guard and have them contact the park rangers at the fort.

Moat wall and fish

Then we went over to the swimming beach to snorkel. (See the Accommodations tip for photo.)

Bob got in about to his knees and declared it was too cold, but I went in and snorkeled for about a half hour. The water was a bit cold - about 70 deg F., but it wasn't too bad. I was wearing a dive skin. I thought about suggesting that he wear one too, but even that probably wouldn't have been enough for him.

Fish under the coral

Then we went back to the boat for lunch. The work boats will apparently trade fish or lobster for rum or beer, but we didn't ask them as Bob didn't think we had any beer, and we knew we didn't have any rum.

A small sports fisher came in with a barrel (presumably of fuel) in the cockpit and towing a dinghy with another barrel in it.

School of fish streaking past

We listened to the weather guy on the SSB and checked in. Bob was going to go back tomorrow, but Herb the weather guy (and I) thought we should wait, so we decided to do that. A cruising sailboat named FELICIDAD came in - they had a flag with a navy background and a union jack in the corner, with a red oval and a white anchor on the main part of the flag. Found out later that this flag is called a defaced ensign and only flown by certain yacht clubs. They had a little poodle on board.

That night, we listened to the super bowl on the radio. The reception was lousy.

Even the NOAA weather from Key West isn't too clear down here.

Next Day 4

Page Updated Jan 24, 2004
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Hot and Dry
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Comments (7)

windsorgirl Dec 17, 2004 at 8:56 AM Report Abuse

I would love to make the trip from Key West to the Dry Tortugas...unfortunately I am prone to seasickness, I think I'll have to skip breakfast!
mtncorg Feb 26, 2004 at 12:51 PM Report Abuse

Another place begging for a folding kayak! Great tips. The father of one of the boatmen on my Grand Canyon trip was a Ranger here. Maybe he was on vacation?:-\
b1bob Aug 28, 2003 at 8:10 AM Report Abuse

Nice job!
mrclay2000 Aug 16, 2003 at 11:01 AM Report Abuse

A park I missed on my Florida tour. Forts and tropical wildlife are always tops with me, though I could skip the beach without regret. . .
kaloz Feb 18, 2003 at 4:54 PM Report Abuse

Fort Jefferson, where Dr Mudd was sentenced. nice page.
margaretvn Feb 17, 2003 at 11:00 AM Report Abuse

great travelogue and lovely photos
WFTR Jan 4, 2003 at 7:37 PM Report Abuse

Awesome travelogue!!