We were looking for three days of good weather to travel to Fort Jefferson – Dry Tortugas. However, the cold fronts and winds were not on our side. We decided to go on the Yankee Freedom III, a ferry boat which is a 110-foot catamaran. We picked a sunny but windy day, so we could see how bad the waves could get. (Janis was not thinking about the other persons on the boat and if they would get sick or not).
The Fort Jefferson is 70 miles due west from Key West. It took about 2.5 hours to get there. The waves were 4-6 feet with a few 8 footers showing up at times. There were about 150 people on the boat but we were able to get a seat up near the bridge so we could watch the captain drive. It was nice to see that the big ferry boat also had to dodge lobster and crab traps. On land they sold single shots of dramamine for a buck. We thought that was just another way of hosing the tourist. We got a bit worried when the crew began to hand out “white airplane bags” but everyone near us was a little green but didn’t toss their cookies, thank goodness!
Once we arrived you could listen to a 20 minute talk about the Fort, take a 45 minute guided tour, or just walk around for a self tour. There was plenty of information to read and they provided a walking tour download before our trip via email so we had enough to do the self guided tour.
This was neat to see – they would heat up cannon balls before they shot them at boats. Hot balls would set the boats on fire. Who knew how evil we could be.
IRMA took out this section of the moat wall. It stood for over 200 years before Irma. Amazing that it could do that.
While we were eating lunch we talked to a person who was camping. You can spend up to 3 nights on the island. There are only a picnic table at each site. Anything you take on the island you must bring back including your trash. The ferry boat serves as a place for the campers to use the restrooms – take a shower – eat a lunch each day. We thought it would be fun to camp for two nights sometime. The stars must be great out here away from the lights on the land.
The trip back was not quite as bumpy and they had a cash bar open so we relaxed up top enjoying the sites and our drinks.
We passed Malory Square before sunset and could see the crowds building to watch the sunset. This is an every night event.
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