2019: Lignumvitae Key Anchorage Florida

23 November 2019

Depart: Pumpkin Key Anchorage 8:55

Arrive: Lignumvitae Key Anchorage 1:45

Distance: 38 nm

With some unexpected rain showers and Clark having some tasks to address before we left, we did not get moving as early as we hoped this morning.

Our view of Pumpkin Key from "Sunset Delight"

 As we moved along, Clark suddenly said, “Look! A sailboat on plane!” I laughed to think of such a thing and then was amazed to see a sailboat rapidly approaching with a sizable wake.

Sailboat buzzing by on plane!

 We went from wide open Biscayne Bay into mangroves.

Then out of nowhere … resorts in Key Largo, Florida.

Anchorage Resort - Key Largo

Gilbert's Resort (across from Anchorage Resort)

Then on to hard-to-find channels through more mangroves.

Where's the channel?

Dead end?

Slow speed zone

We passed Tarpon Basin – an anchorage we considered for the night. We arrived way too early in the day to stay here.

Tarpon Basin Anchorage

As we maneuvered through this portion of the ICW, we had shallow water of around 6’ (2’ under our keel). Looking over the side of the boat, we could see the bottom!

Clear blue and shallow water

We opted to pick up a mooring ball at Lignumvitae State Park. The only problem with this location was the number of fish traps we had to dodge. When we picked up the mooring ball, one of the traps ended up right behind our swim platform.

Mooring at Lignumvitae Park

Fish trap - a little too close for comfort!

I thought we might go for a dinghy ride, but Clark suggested we pull out the kayaks to enjoy the beautiful water and scenery.

Clark's view of the park

Mangroves at the park

We got to have a tour of the house and stroll around the grounds at the park.

Cannons on grounds

Caretaker's house - suffered severe damage in
Labor Day Hurricane 1935

Ev with park ranger at entrance to caretaker's house

Kitchen tools (Like Clark's mother used to use)

Ice box and Stove in the Kitchen area

Hurricane Shelter on Island
12" thick concrete walls built after
Labor Day Hurricane of 1935

Entrance to hurricane shelter

1936 Dodge Truck used by caretakers of Island

When we left, the park ranger came out on the dock to collect the park flags and chat as we readied to leave. She pointed out the large number of snappers by the dock and told us a story. A man stood on the dock eating an orange and throwing the peel in the water. When he was done, he dipped his sticky hand in the water to rinse it. Almost instantly he was attacked by the snappers and pulled back his bloody hand.

 Shortly after, we were on our way back to “Sunset Delight”.

Heading back to the boat

By the time we had the kayaks secured, the sun was getting low in the sky.