Winter Days in the Keys

Still at Boca Chica

As we were driving away from the marina one day I noticed something on a big pile of rubble along the road. It was kind of orange looking and I decided it must just be an old log. The next time we went by I looked closer and it was a large iguana. They are usually green but I read that they turn orange during mating season. It must be mating season in the Keys because the orange is really prevalent now.

Since then I have seen several in different places. I did some research and found that they are not a native species to Florida. They are from Central America and the speculation is that some were pets who were released into the area. I can’t imagine having one as a pet because they can grow up to 3 to 5 feet long.They have become a real nuisance since they have no natural predators here and they eat all kinds of vegetation – including expensive landscaping. At the Botanical Garden there were signs saying that the iguanas were being controlled by a local service. I hear they taste like chicken…

Our friend Rusty, we see him almost every day - about 2 or 3 feet long
 

We have been to gardens, the Truman Little White House, and other sights around Key West. Because it has been so windy we took a ferry instead of our own boat to Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas which are 70 miles west of Key West.

We are enjoying our time here and the following photos show just a few of the things we have experienced on our adventures.

Huge Banyan tree at the Garden Club Gardens
 

 

Cuban Petticoat Palm at the Botanic Garden
 

 

One of the chub boats on display at the Botanic Garden which
brought Cuban refugees to the Keys during the 1980 Mariel Boatlift
 

 

Gathering at sunset with friends on one of the docks
 

Quite often some of the live-aboards here at the Boca Chica Marina gather at the end of the dock to watch the sunset. There are a couple of very proficient people who know how to blow a conch shell as if it was a horn and they sound the horn as the sun settles into the horizon. We may have to get one for our boat since Key West is known as the Conch Republic, as well as Paradise. It may take some practice on our part but it would be a great memento of our winter stay here.

Steel drum band, Island Time, plays at the Navigator Bar
The musician on the right is playing a banjo made out of a conch shell
 

 

We do the touristy thing at mile marker 0 in Key West
 

 

All ready to go snorkeling off the Dry Tortugas with boating friends
Patty and Jack who are just starting their loop trip on
M/V Nearly Perfect         Photo by Ross Keddle
 

 

 A fire baton twirler entertains us after sunset at a beach-side restaurant
 

We are relaxing and enjoying the warm sunshine but the Captain is getting itchy to be on the move again. The winds are still pretty strong so he is watching for a good weather window to cruise the five hours back to Marathon and then parts East and North. That may be next weekend or maybe in two weeks. He keeps me guessing and I will keep you posted about our next move on the Great Loop.