Upon exiting the Caxambas Pass at the southern end of Marco Island we were stopped by the Coast Guard. They were performing maneuvers with all vessels being stopped and asked to provide their destination and documentation. Knowing that Captain Mark has everything in order it is fun for me is to watch the young Coasties as they looked over our boat – most had never seen a Nordic Tug before and they were mighty curious. We could tell that several appeared rather disappointed when we were not officially boarded so that they could see the inside of the Lolligag.
Marco Island is the largest and most northern of Florida's Ten Thousand Islands. The Ten Thousand Islands are a chain of islands and mangrove islets. Despite the name, the number of islets in the chain only number in the hundreds. The 99-mile long Wilderness Waterway begins at Everglades City and ends at Flamingo at the southern tip of the Florida peninsula. The Ten Thousand Islands are steeped in history and mystery. The area is a watery maze of mangrove keys where Calusa Indians once dug canals and built land with their discarded shells. Seminole Indians and outlaws sought refuge along the sometimes bewildering, twisting waterways. Men once eked out a living by hunting alligators and crocodiles, killing egrets for their plumes, and making moonshine.
Most of the Ten Thousand Islands are too small for human habitation to be practical, but some are suitable for overnight visits. Since this is a wilderness area where wind, weather and lack of fresh water can become threatening, the Wildlife Service recommends only seasoned canoeists and sea kayakers attempt the trip. The southern tip has become a prime destination for snorkeling. The southeastern islands in the chain are included in the area of Everglades National Park.
It was a peaceful and very warm day as we made our way southward. We were running about seven to nine miles off shore due to the shallow water depths close to the shoreline. Dark clouds began to form as we headed to what would be the first of two anchorages in the Everglades. We had one of the most beautiful sunsets of the trip so far. Only a little bit of rain fell during the evening despite the ominous looking clouds.
Hours on the water: 6.25
Nautical miles traveled: 42.5
Number of locks: 0
Time spent waiting at locks: 0
Next Destination: Everglade Anchorage Number 2
What we're listening to: Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards
What we watched: The sunset and the stars
Lesson for the day: Nothing is more soothing than the sounds of nature at night
Obligatory knitting report: Finished the Carol Anderson Tunic Sweater
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