Back on the Water: Long Key State Park

We are going crazy sitting in one place. We came in at noon Friday and holed up for the storm Saturday and Sunday. It's now Monday morning. We really want to get moving again; we are sea creatures not landlubbers. As well, Sea Base is now full to capacity and we do not want to impose on their generosity.

The forecast is good - 15 mph from the NE, meaning largely a tail wind. However the Small Craft Advisory remains in effect because of 7-8 foot swells. Close to shore it looks much better. We're going out.

The swells on the Gulf side are fairly choppy but once we cut over to the Atlantic side it is pretty nice. During the crossing there are some big swells that I try to ride with partial success.

We quickly reach Long Key, just a short distance, and pull up to a very mucky landing. The campsite itself has a platform, but plodding through the stinky muck is pretty yucky. We wait for the tide to rise a bit, but then the wind comes up so we land.

The park is quite nice with boardwalks, nature trails and an observation tower. 

We are all tired. Too much town time, eating and sitting around. Our bodies seem headed back to that lifestyle already, but we are not going to let them. We have all lost weight paddling and felt good. 

The best part is that we are back on the water again. Willie Nelson's "Back on the Road Again" is joyfully stuck in my head.