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The Dry Turtles

by Brian on February 9, 2011 in Florida

Ponce de Leon found so many sea turtles around the island chain that he named the atoll Las Tortugas, or The Turtles. Years later, the name changed to The Dry Tortugas in mock reference to the lack of fresh drinking water on the islands, a real problem for those constructing and manning a defensive fort that occupies most of Garden Key. Our concern, though, wasn’t a lack of water, but too much. A nasty looking storm clouded the horizon and our spirits during the 68 mile boat excursion to the island from Key West. For much of the trip, we feared a complete washout. But shortly before we arrived, the skies cleared, the winds calmed, and the turquoise water beckoned.

The Dry Tortugas National Park covers 101 square miles, most of which is underwater. Its borders contain Fort Jefferson, seven small islands, miles of coral reef, dozens of diveable shipwrecks, hundreds of exotic birds, and thousands of colorful fish. We went for the snorkeling, which is amazing. But getting to one of the most remote National Parks in the system is no small feat. It’s a two and one-half hour trip by boat, or a 45 minute jaunt by seaplane. We found traveling five hours round trip for a few hours of snorkeling to be a bit much, although a couple of rum runners helped speed the return voyage. Next time we’re flying in on one of these bad boys, like guests at Fantasy Island.

Mallory Square Monday

by Brian on February 8, 2011 in Florida

Sunset at Mallory Square is one of the big celebration events on Key West. Every night tourists and performance artists gather at the square to watch Selene chase Helios from the sky. Every night, that is, except Monday. On Mondays, Mallory square becomes a parking lot for cruise ships so large they blot out the sun, and the celebration.

Key West Travel Tip: Skip Mallory Square on Mondays and head straight to Sloppy Joes instead.

House Envy?

by Brian on February 7, 2011 in Florida

Even before we downsized and took up residence in a 300-square-foot home-on-wheels, I had a fascination with over-the-top, Gothic-style houses. Most of the ones I’ve coveted were in Europe (and they were castles), but the Vizcaya Museum in Miami delivered in the fantasty department–in spades. There are tapestries, crystal chandeliers, winding stone staircases, an indoor courtyard, and a piazza straight out of Venice with a gorgeous view of Biscayne Bay. A bonus: stunning French- and Italian-style gardens. Maybe they’ll let us park the RV here for a while if we promise not to touch anything.

Going Underground

by Brian on January 29, 2011 in Travel

We’re going to be off the grid for the next week or so . . . no cell phone service, no internet, no electricity . . . thus, no blog posting. Check back in a week and maybe by then we’ll have finished our margaritas and be back on a normal posting schedule. But then again, maybe not. Who knows.

Monkeying Around

by Brian on January 26, 2011 in Florida

Lets face it, people suck. So when we found a place with the advertising tagline “where humans are caged and monkeys run wild” we knew it was going to be worth a visit.

Monkey Jungle began 78 years ago when six Java monkeys were released into the dense South Florida forest. Since then, the original troop has grown to more than 80 members, all of which run free in a 30-acre preserve. It is one of just a few protected habitats for endangered primates in the U.S., and the only one open to the public. The monkeys forage for food in the wild, but they also benefit from scheduled feeding times that encourage the critters to congregate for public viewing. In addition to the Java troop, howler monkeys, black-capped capuchins, and about 125 squirrel monkeys inhabit the park’s “Amazonian Rainforest.”

A total of 30 species of primates occupy Monkey Jungle, but not all have free reign. Many of the larger species, like orangutans and gorillas, reside in traditional enclosures. These exhibits, together with a small aviary, make Monkey Jungle feel more like a traditional zoo than it is. But the aviary, at least, is actually a sanctuary for pet birds adopted by a non-profit organization created to rescue abandoned parrots. Abandoned, no doubt, by people who suck.