Day 67: Funnel Cloud and Squishy Sand.

Today was out last full day here at Long Key State Park and we were determined to make the best of it. Even with those gloomy dark clouds out there in the distance.

As we got closer to coming down to the Florida Keys, we checked the weather report daily to see what kinds of weather we would be dealing with. Every time we looked, the weather always called for rain each and everyday of our visit. After talking to some of the locals about that, we found out that the weatherman always says it’s going to rain here.

Today he was right. It definitely rained. Just not on us. Whoever is under that storm cloud is probably not having a good vacation.

These menacing clouds in the distance even produced a few funnel clouds that touched down right on the ocean. Clouds, whatever you are doing over there, stay away!

Even though we still have not left the park since we got here 2 days ago, we at least got out of our campsite for once. We first had to walk to the park office at the front gate to get some mail we got forwarded here which arrived just as we were walking in.

Along the way there, a little hole in the bushes takes you out on a canoe dock where visitors can rent one of their many canoes for a paddle along the protected waters of the key. Having an infant pretty much takes us out of a lot of these types of activities but it was so hot today, paddling a canoe under the sun didn’t sound like that much fun anyways.

Even Ava decided this warm weather was perfect for a little afternoon nap in the stroller. This is probably her 2nd mid-day nap of 2010. We celebrated this special occasion by both sitting down and taking a deep breath.

Down on the other side of the park was a small boardwalk trail. After Ava awoke from her nap, we went there to check out what it’s all about.

Along the boardwalk, a lookout tower gives you a bird’s eye view of what the canopy looks like from above. This one is not quite as high as the one Ava and I went on at Gumbo Limbo in Boca Raton the day we left for our intermission trip but it stills gives you a little peek-a-boo view of the Atlantic.

As you get to the ocean end of the board walk trail, we saw these awesome dry camping sites. Each one was in a gazebo right on the water.

The beach here, like many other beaches in the keys, is not what you would expect. The grains of sand are so fine, it almost feels like wet clay. Just like what what happened to me at Sunshine Key, your feet sink like you are in quicksand. I quickly took off my sandals fearing that I might lose yet another pair here.

Even this hermit crab is smart enough to stay on the boardwalk and away from the quicksand.

Tomorrow, we will wrap up our stay at the keys and start heading up along the east coast of Florida. I am sure you are by now tired of seeing us in paradise. Don’t worry, I sense a couple of nights at Wal-Mart in the not-so-distant future.

over and out,
dan