A Road Trip to the Keys - Part 3
Part 1 Part 2
January 11-20, 2000
The wind had become stiff and swift it howled around the boat. The captain had no choice but to take safe harbor behind the fort of the Dry Tortugas. The weather forcast was for the winds to come down blurring that night. But for now we were sitting in a natural ocean preserve. Translation no fishing allowed! Talk about frustration but the dog was biting on this trip.
We went to sleep hoping the winds would calm down and we would be able to travel onward to our fishing destination. I had a feeling that night before I closed my eyes to the sound of water on the hull of the ship. Mother nature had her own plans. When I awoke and went above for a coffee and a ciggarette. The wind was howling to 40 knots. Who's to blame? You want to blame someone. It's a fisherman's perogative. Should we kill the weather man? Maybe a human sacrifice will please the gods. I don't think the one who got the short straw would approve. Who's to blame? It's usually the captain or the people who think they have doctorate degrees in weather. Personally, it's mother nature's fault. If a front stalls and intensifies...welcome to fishing! It must be frustrating for any captain that's why most of them are bald and have no nails from chewing. And for this four day trip, this went on for the entire time.
Thank god for a good story of people who had a sense of humor and realized we were not going anywhere fast. So the cards come out and we played marathons. I mean if I never play spades again, it won't be too soon. My brother has a warped sense of humor that kept me laughing. So the guys smoked cigars told long stories from beginning to end...Those people sure got to know one another. I'll tell you. They had a few beers and made the best of it. The motor were a good bunch of guys. I don't say this for the sake of hearing myself speak. They were great for the whole time trying to make the best of the time.
One of the days we made a little indian trade with one of the shrimp boats for some of the biggest, jumbo, fresh shrimp I ever had. The cook made a meal that was leathal. This Italian at 3 plates of pasta and shrimp and almost died from overeating.
The third day the park allowed us to visit the great fort for 3 hours. What a relief to say the least. If you are into photography, this place is incredible. I did some filming, took my photos and explored.
I had great time checking out this old spanish fort. The skies were liquid blue against the red bricks.
The ocean through the stone openings where the cannons lay was turquoise...just beautiful!
Did I tell you the captain beached the boat on the sand to get on land? This was a first...I've never seen a party boat right on the sand...pretty cool.
Well, another day went by we all held it together as best as possible and we headed home on the fourth day. Hey, welcome to life. We make plans and God laughs! It was an experience I will never forget. Good, bad, it's all part of life. The captain had done his best under the circumstances. And, yes, I will highly recommend this boat for doing this trip for I got a taste of what you could do in four days. There is some of the best bottom fishing out there but you have to go the distance to get them.
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The wind had become stiff and swift it howled around the boat. The captain had no choice but to take safe harbor behind the fort of the Dry Tortugas. The weather forcast was for the winds to come down blurring that night. But for now we were sitting in a natural ocean preserve. Translation no fishing allowed! Talk about frustration but the dog was biting on this trip.
We went to sleep hoping the winds would calm down and we would be able to travel onward to our fishing destination. I had a feeling that night before I closed my eyes to the sound of water on the hull of the ship. Mother nature had her own plans. When I awoke and went above for a coffee and a ciggarette. The wind was howling to 40 knots. Who's to blame? You want to blame someone. It's a fisherman's perogative. Should we kill the weather man? Maybe a human sacrifice will please the gods. I don't think the one who got the short straw would approve. Who's to blame? It's usually the captain or the people who think they have doctorate degrees in weather. Personally, it's mother nature's fault. If a front stalls and intensifies...welcome to fishing! It must be frustrating for any captain that's why most of them are bald and have no nails from chewing. And for this four day trip, this went on for the entire time.
Thank god for a good story of people who had a sense of humor and realized we were not going anywhere fast. So the cards come out and we played marathons. I mean if I never play spades again, it won't be too soon. My brother has a warped sense of humor that kept me laughing. So the guys smoked cigars told long stories from beginning to end...Those people sure got to know one another. I'll tell you. They had a few beers and made the best of it. The motor were a good bunch of guys. I don't say this for the sake of hearing myself speak. They were great for the whole time trying to make the best of the time.
One of the days we made a little indian trade with one of the shrimp boats for some of the biggest, jumbo, fresh shrimp I ever had. The cook made a meal that was leathal. This Italian at 3 plates of pasta and shrimp and almost died from overeating.
The third day the park allowed us to visit the great fort for 3 hours. What a relief to say the least. If you are into photography, this place is incredible. I did some filming, took my photos and explored.
I had great time checking out this old spanish fort. The skies were liquid blue against the red bricks. The ocean through the stone openings where the cannons lay was turquoise...just beautiful!
Did I tell you the captain beached the boat on the sand to get on land? This was a first...I've never seen a party boat right on the sand...pretty cool.
Well, another day went by we all held it together as best as possible and we headed home on the fourth day. Hey, welcome to life. We make plans and God laughs! It was an experience I will never forget. Good, bad, it's all part of life. The captain had done his best under the circumstances. And, yes, I will highly recommend this boat for doing this trip for I got a taste of what you could do in four days. There is some of the best bottom fishing out there but you have to go the distance to get them.