Today's route was across Florida Bay from the keys to the tip of Peninsular Florida and the Everglades National Park outpost at Flamingo.
The first 20 miles of our route was due north and although the forecast wind was north east to east it turned out to blow directly from the north. We proceeded under power because we needed to cover 30 miles today and if we had worked our way to windward under sail we would still be out there tonight. When we reached Cape Florida and turned east towards Flamingo the wind went calm and then came up from the east! So we powered all day.
The pioneer settlement at Flamingo has always been a remote spot. When the National Park was established they built a marina and motel here, but the whole area was substantially wiped out by Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and the motel has still never been rebuilt after 22 years. Now besides the docks there is a campground, a convenience store and $3 cold showers. There was no good reason to come here except that the next place to stop would have made it a 40 mile day- too far. We are the only cruising boat here. After dinner we walked over to the convenience store and treated ourselves to ice cream. There was a large crocodile swimming in the marina basin beside the store. This is the only area in the United States where crocodiles are found. They are about equally at home in freshwater and saltwater. When swimming crocs look different from alligators: their whole back is visible instead of just the eyes, nose and shoulders which you see on an alligator.
After dark the mosquitos came in but so far they are held at bay with repellent.
For the next 2 or 3 days we will be cruising the south west coast of Florida in the Everglades National Park. There is a good chance we will have no data connection. Do not be concerned if we can't update our blog.
They do roam elsewhere in Florida. One was caught in Lake Tarpon not too long ago, but it was unusual. Perhaps that's the place where they are most plentiful?
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