S/V WAHOO: Key West and the Dry Tortugas

Sunset from Wahoo - Key West Anchorage

Funny how time slips away. We've been swinging nicely on the hook near Key West Bight Harbor for 2 weeks except for the challenging 4 day sailing trip to the Dry Tortugas with Dave and Angela. When we arrived on April 20 we knew that we had to get us and the boat prepped for the trip. Even the guide book says that if you aren't willing to prepare correctly for the trip to the Tortugas - don't go! So there was the normal and abnormal stuff to fix - the aft head decided to need a new pump etc.

Sec Gen of the Conch Republic with us at Louie's

But first we had friends to see, bikes to get and sunsets to watch. Especially at Louie's Backyard - a wonderful restaurant and bar looking toward the Atlantic where Dink Bruce and friends gather for sunset each evening.

It was also the 29th Independence Day Celebration of the Conch Republic.

"As the world's first fifth world nation, a sovereign state of mind seeking only to bring more humor, warmth and respect to a world in sore need of all three, the Conch Republic remains the country who seceded where others failed."

Sir Peter Anderson, Secretary General of the Conch Republic

The Conch Republic was established after the Florida Keys seceded from the USA in response to the roadblock set up on US 1 in April of 1982. The roadblock forced all cars coming from the keys onto the mainland of Florida to stop and the occupants prove citizenship. To read a more complete history click here: http://www.conchrepublic.com/history.htm

Drag Queen Races

The Officials

Wreckers Race to the Reef and Wahoo went along for the fun.

It was a great week to be in Key West. Drag Queen Race and Pirates; a Wreckers Race to the Reef, a Conch crawl down Duval Street and a sea battle in the harbor. It was a Key West Mardi Gras.

And of course, Pirates!

Dave just hoisted the mainsail

It also fit neatly into the fact that we had to wait until Tuesday for the weather to be right for the sail to the Tortugas. The Dry Tortugas are made up of several islands and get their name from the green turtles once so plentiful there and the lack of any fresh water. They are the western most of the Florida Keys and are pretty much out of touch with everything. We left before dawn and saw Fort Jefferson rising on the horizon about 2pm.

Cuban Chug - imagine that ride for 90 miles!

Lighthouse Loggerhead Key

Us swimming on Loggerhead Key

The clear azure water contrasts with the red bricks of the fort to make a striking picture. We joined 3 other boats at the anchorage in front of the fort. The anchorage is surrounded by small islands which are now bird sanctuaries. One day we sailed over to Loggerhead Key, where the door to the lighthouse has a sign (in Spanish) saying that if you have reached here and are standing up just wait - the USGC will be along soon to take you in.

While there we saw 2 Cuban Chugs, the home made boats that Cubans use to make there way across the 90 miles separating them from freedom.

Fort Jefferson

Inside - gun Casements go On and On

Wahoo from the top of the Fort

Once back in Key West Angela and Dave left and Nancy Lozano arrived for another round of Conch Republic fun. Now everyone has gone and we are waiting on a part for the dingy motor. Come Friday, maybe Saturday, we set sail up the keys to Fort Lauderdale which will be the start of our Bahamian adventure.