Today we reach Flamingo, for us the last point on the continental US, finishing just over 600 miles. Next we cross Florida Bay and paddle in the Keys for the last 100 miles.
The water is murky again today, so no snorkeling or swimming. We have seen very little clear water; perhaps clear water is a summer thing? The last time I tried swimming in shallow murky water I got spooked by a five foot shark that suddenly appeared less than a foot in front of me and brushed against my legs.
The plan is to spend an extra day in Flamingo and then take the slowly-slowly three day route across Florida Bay. But unlike most National Parks the Flamingo campsite is ugly; really it is just a mowed field. It has all of the appeal of camping in a neighborhood ball field. Apparently all of the palm trees and even a lodge blew away in Hurricane Wilma.
And did we mention the buzzards, lurking on every surface? They stared at us with those beady eyes as if waiting for us to keel over. They boldly stalked us, waiting for us to turn around so they could peck into our food bags. They walked on picnic tables, covered the grass and ate windshield wipers off the parked cars. Yuk.
The forecasted weather is okay for two days (low winds though some rain), and then turns nasty with 20-25 mph winds from the North. We quickly change the plan and itinerary to cross Florida Bay in the next two days.
The restaurant is still closed due to the hurricane (almost a decade ago!) but the café had salads and pizza. Yum! The pizza was actually pretty horrible but to our hungry bodies it was great!
No comments:
Post a Comment