We had a lot of fun today exploring Dry Tortugas. In order to get there, you need to board a ferry in Key West, FL and spend 2 and a half hours on this ferry going through the 70 miles of open water before arriving at Fort Jefferson. Fort Jefferson was built on Garden Key between the 1840's and 1870's and was actually never completed. What's amazing about this fort is that it is built with over 16 million bricks - which are not found on the island - they were brought there!
 |
| Fort Jefferson as we entered Dry Tortugas |
 |
| Walking around the moat |
 |
| Inside the fort |
When we first got to the park, we walked the .6 mile moat walk loop. This takes you around the perimeter of the fort, where the water is clear enough that you can see some of the plants and fish. After the moat walk, we had a 20-minute intro to the fort and then we walked around it ourselves. We found Dr. Mudd's cell, which was neat to see. Dr. Mudd is the doctor who set John Wilkes Booth's leg after he broke it from jumping from the balcony at the theater where he assassinated President Lincoln. He was sentenced to life in prison at Fort Jefferson, but because of his help with the yellow fever epidemic, Andrew Jackson pardoned him after four years.
 |
| Dr. Mudd's cell |
After the fort, we grabbed lunch on the boat and then Steve snorkeled around the fort and I caught some rays on the beach, taking a dip in the water to cool off every once in a while.
 |
| Snorkeling |
 |
| Of course he takes a snorkeling selfie (I asked Steve to add the pictures tonight, so of course this one is chosen) |
 |
| Snorkeling |
 |
| The way back to Key West turns into a booze cruise! |
No comments:
Post a Comment