The Sea Turtle Hospital

Bobby listening to the tour guide and shell damage done by a boat prop.

Bobby consented to walk down highway US1 with me to the very first Sea Turtle Hospital. It was started in 1976, when the owner of mint green, single story, cinder block 1940s motel wanted to add a sea turtle to the motel's saltwater pool, as it had only fish in it. The only way to do this was to find a turtle requiring rehabilitation. Easy enough. And thus, the Turtle Hospital and Rehabilitation Center started operations. Until Hurricane Wilma (2004), the motel

supported the hospital. Now, staff live in the rooms and the hospital operates on donations.

Over the years, this hospital led the way in sea turtle rehabilitation, and personnel trained here have begun other hospitals across the country. Each turtle brought in is X-rayed, treated as appropriate (surgery is even performed) and released once rehabilitated.

Trash deposited or blown into the ocean is the leading cause of problems for the sea turtles. The turtles get impacted intestines from eating plastic, styrofoam and etc. they are unable to digest. This also causes air to get trapped in the intestines, so they float on the surface, unable to dive and eat. Simply feed them Metamucil and mineral oil daily until the impaction passes.

Being hit by a boat causes air to be trapped under the shell. This trapped air eventually pushes up a portion of the shell - a condition known as bubble butt. At this time, the air is unable to be removed, so these turtles remain permanently at the Center (as they are unable to dive for food). Or the boat prop may cut into the shell.

Flippers amputations are common mainly due to fishing line, and the turtle is able to function quite well with three flippers. Noncancerous tumors, especially around the turtles eyes, are removed by laser. The turtle rehabs for a year after the last tumors are removed. This condition is still being studied as it appears to be a communicable virus.

Occasionally, hatchlings are seen traveling in circles instead of heading for the water from the beach. This is a neurological problem that slowly resolves itself if the turtle is brought in for rehabilitation.

All in all, an incredible idea started because someone owned a motel with a saltwater pool.

urtle with bubble butt and a hatchling with neurological problems.

On a Mooring Ball in Marathon

The Hammock of Crane Nature Center and an iguana feasting on flowers.

The Star is still swinging on a mooring ball in Boot Key Harbor, Marathon. We are waiting to see if Tom and Sandy Campbell of S/V Magic Reunion will be able to catch up with us to continue on to the Bahamas.

We have been occupied with maintenance chores, and Jenny did a quick jib sail and jib cover repair. The City Marina is somewhat in the center of things, so it is only a 1-1 1/2 mile walk to anything we need to get or do.

Sunday, Chris and Robin Blair of S/V Toucan Dream (new 42' Manta Catamaran which just splashed in the water on the 25th) had lunch with us on their way back to Sarasota after a weekend in Key West for the Manta Rendezvous. They are excited to be in the last month of rigging and other final touches of their new vessel.

Off we hiked to the Crane Museum and Nature Center yesterday. It is on a point with a natural hammock of tropical hardwood and mangroves. The center has a wild bird center to rescue, rehabilitate and release native birds. Nice to see an area of the Keys in its natural state without being cleared for housing or condo development.

The only manatee we've seen is painted on this wall by Wyland.

Made it to The Florida Keys

Moser Channel under US1/Seven-Mile Bridge

Last night we made the decision to head the shorter distance to Marathon (Vaca/Boot Key) instead of the long haul to Key West, due to yesterday's maintenance issues.

With Cape Sable disappearing from view to the east (the southern end of the Florida mainland), the Star dodged frequent crab pot lines across the shallow Florida Bay. Be aware that these lines are all along Florida's West Coast, but more so in Florida Bay.

Two miles west of Marathon, is the Moser Channel. It runs under the 7-mile bridge (65' vertical clearance) and is one of the few places where you can cross from the Gulf side to the Atlantic side of the Keys with a masted vessel. Under we go, swing east to moor in the narrow and very crowded Boot Key Harbor off Marathon. Cocktails at sunset while neighbors blow conch shells. We plan to remain here for a few days.

Into the Ten Thousand Islands of the Everglades

Entering Indian Key Pass, Ten Thousand Islands and Sunset at Russell Pass

As Jenny ran through a canal housing area east of the Marco River Marina, she discovered empty lots with marked burrowing owl burrows complete with pairs of owls standing outside. The owls are protected, but that won't protect them from homes eventually being built over their homes.

We left Marco on Wednesday for the Ten Thousand Islands area of the Everglades National Park. First, we had to go around Cape Romano and its shoals (about a 20 mile U-turn). Second, the Coast Guard boarded us off the Cape to conduct an inspection. Five Coast Guardsmen pull along side in a RIB (rigid inflatable boat) from the USCG Cutter Marlin, and 4 boarded fully bulked out in kevlar vests with utility belt (including weapons). Bobby sat squished with 3 of them in the cockpit recalling his days in the Coast Guard (many, many moons ago) while Jenny was below doing the work - bringing out the vessel paperwork book, IDs; and showing 1 Coast Guardsman fire extinguishers, flares, locked head Y-valves (proof you are not discharging sewage overboard when using the head), and oil/garbage placards. Anyway, we passed...good thing Jenny remembered to have Bobby buy new flares before we left!

Heading into Indian Key Pass in Ten Thousand Islands, we turned port into an anchorage in Russell Pass. Going to starboard, staying in Indian Key Pass, would take you to Everglades City. A very quiet spot we shared with a sailboat from Canada and a powerboat.

Today (Thursday), is Bobby's 55th birthday. Another wonderful day underway, despite the voltage regulator requiring adjustment and a mounting bolt coming off the alternator. Hey, Bobby got to save the day twice, and on his birthday even (my hero). At anchor in the Little Shark River at the south end of Ten Thousand Islands, we sipped cocktails, enjoyed crab dip for an appetizer, and dined on crab salad on toasted English muffins with melted cheese on top. Yummo. A few more boats anchored here, but still peaceful with another night full of stars above.

Evening at Little Shark River

Marco Island, Florida

Marco Island is a laid-back place, to spend 2 days doing chores, with homes/condos on numerous canals. It is also the northern-most and largest island of the Ten Thousland Islands of the Everglades. Bobby's 55th birthday present is the new dinghy outboard purchased here.

We are at the Marco River Marina, complete with store, service/parts department, and most everything needed within walking distance, including 2 ice cream stores. The entrance into Marco River from Capri Pass is a bit tricky. Stay to markers starboard (there is shoal area in center and submerged island to the south at the entrance to the river), as the other set of markers to port deal with the old ICW. Directions are available online at http://www.marcoriver.com/.

Someone's Dream Ended

Useppa Island to San Carlos Bay, Fort Meyers Beach

S/V Magic Reunion heading back to Regatta Pointe Marina and Osprey Nest

Unfortunately, S/V Magic Reunion decided to return to Regatta Pointe Marina (their home port) on the Manatee River due to generator, water maker and outboard engine issues. Tom and Sandy plan to do repairs in a week and catch up with us.

As for us, we continued to thread through the islands down the GIWW to it's end. At mile 0.0, the Okeechobee Waterway (to the Florida's East Coast), the GIWW and a channel from the Gulf of Mexico all converge. Lots of vessel traffic, which in Florida means lots of fast power boats leaving behind big wakes and the Star rocking. Once out of the channel, we anchored in San Carlos Bay in the Gulf of Mexico near Fort Meyers Beach as the weather was calm. A lovely evening sunset with the whole bay to ourselves, and under a full moon for the night.

The Sanibel-Punta Rassa Bascule Bridge "A" on the channel leading out to the Gulf is now a 70' vertical clearance bridge. So, update your charts and guides.

Full moon over Sanibel Island from San Carlos Bay

Venice to Useppa Island, Florida

Jenny was up Friday morning to go running alone, as Tom was not up for a walk (due to oysters and copious amounts of alcohol last night), while Bobby prepped for departure (he only had beer after arriving in Venice).

Not much success at sailing, as we continue on to Boca Grande Pass, as the wind was too much on the nose. Boca Grande is an area of the very rich and famous. As we head inland to the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) from outside, the majority of vessels are big and expensive or smaller fishing boats. Our anchorage for 2 days is off Useppa Island and just across from Cabbage Key. Useppa is a private island accessible only by boat if you are a club member. The homes are bigger than most of us live in full time. But, for a mere $10/couple, you may be allowed to step ashore for the privledge of spending another $10 to visit the island's museum.

Tom and Bobby have spent the day diligently working on outboard motors for the dinghies. Okay, the guys did have them worked on in the last 5 months, but neither one was recently tried out prior to departure. Ours has cracks with accompanying corrosion that deem it junk, so at our next major stop, we will be shopping for an outboard. Thankfully, our dinghy only can handle a 3hp, so not so expensive. As for Sandy and myself - we have been watching the birds, enjoying the view and reading - living the life of the rich and famous. Ta ta.

S/V Betty Boop off private Useppa Island and Sunset over Cabbage Key

Underway Again!

Departing Regatta Pointe Marina, Palmetto, Florida

It only took us 5 months to clear out of Palmetto, Florida (Regatta Pointe Marina) and head back up the Manatee River for the Gulf of Mexico. Of course, we are leaving behind new friends that we hope to see again out on the water. We are traveling south to Key West and onto the Abacos Islands in the Bahamas with Tom and Sandy Campbell of S/V Magic Reunion.

The liferaft process was finally completed mid-Jan. Bobby decided to fix the leak around the manual bilge pump thru-hull in Feb. First he took out the thru-hull (after creating a tool to be able to unscrew the 2 parts from each other) and the old backing plate. Then he immediately inserted a bung in the hole (hence - a bunghole at the back/stern/butt of the boat) to prevent us from sinking. After cutting out a new backing plate, he replaced everything in reverse with plenty of sealant. Good to go.

Alan and Susan Symes of M/V Kaos stopped at Regatta Pointe Marina for a month. They departed the marina in Texas shortly after we arrived to liveaboard the Star.

By now, it's time for spring skiing in March. We drop off Burt (the cat) in Houston with Bill and Janet Galyean, then head up to Washington to see Jenny's nephew, Paden, during his spring break from WSU, and ski the sunny days in Mission Ridge and Steven's Pass. Once back in Florida, it is time to reprovision, do laundry and last minute chores before heading out.

With Chris and Robin Blair sailing for the day on Magic Reunion. Our 2 boats headed out today for the Crow's Nest Marina and Restaurant in Venice. Once there, we met up with Troy and Betty (once another Texas marina couple) on S/V Betty Boop to consume close to 8 dozen oysters and copious amounts of fluids while in very close proximity in the restaurant's small tavern. A few more drinks onboard, made for an early night for all.

Skiing in Washington - Mission Ridge - memorial to WWII plane crash