The Dry Tortugas. February 2021

Feb. 13-17, 2021. Made a last minute decision to fit in a trip to the Dry Tortugas as the weather that was not looking to cooperate made a slight change.  The Dry Tortugas are a National Park (as of 1992) and are 70 miles east of Key West.  There is one main island and several small patches of beach that constitute the other islands. Most of the other islands are nature habitats and you are not allowed on them. We shared the anchorages with about 10-15 boats throughout our stay but there is also a ferry and several seaplanes that bring tourist from Key West for the day. 

On Bird Island, which was part of the bay where we anchored it was mating season for the Sooty Tern, a small white bird that very seldom lands and this is one of their major breeding areas.  There were literally thousands of them flying (and squawking) all the time.  High over the Fort the large Magnificent Frigates soar non-stop.  Although the islands are named for the tortoises, we did not see any.  The term Dry was added to the name years after the its discovery for the reason that there is no fresh water here.  

There is very little for protection from the frequent storms that come out of no where so we tried to have a 5-7 window to allow us to travel & enjoy a short stay. We left on Feb. 13 at first light and cruised the 120 miles from Marathon to arrive by 2:15.  The weather was getting a bit dark as we anchored and within a few minutes a 'blow' came up and several of the dozen boats anchored broke loose and it was a half hour of chaos.  We were exhausted and with the extra wind and waves we stayed on the boat and just watched the activity.  

The next day we visited Fort Jefferson.  This remote National Park is a well preserved fort from the 1850;s-1860's.  Never completed or shot upon, but it had a vibrant life.  Prisoners and slaves did much of the manual labor.  The most famous prisoners here were Dr. Mudd and a couple associates who were some of the coconspirators of Abraham Lincoln's assassination.  Dr. Mudd ended up taking over the Fort hospital on site after all the other doctors and medical staff died of yellow fever.  Walking the fort, you can get on all levels (with no railings or precautions) and much of it is being repaired.  

The waves were a too big in the area to get to some of the wrecks which are good snorkel/scuba sites but we did some snorkeling close to the Fort which was very abundant with fish and plants.  Explored in the dinghy, did a few boat projects, read and enjoyed the beautiful scenery fo couple more days.  Headed back with a stop over for the night in Key West.