Days 24 , 25 and 26 Pristine Bay

 

History of Elliot Key: The Homestead Act of 1862 offered 160 acres to any citizen who agreed to cultivate, improve and live on the land for at least fivers. Two years earlier an experimental patch of pineapples on Plantation Key (southwest of Key) proved there was money to be made off the keys coral rocklands. This attractive combination caught the attention of Asa E. Sweeting, an English Bahamian who had immigrated from Eleuthera to Key West in March, 1866.

In 1882, at the age of 64, Asa and his two sons, George and Thomas, sailed from Key West and found a spot on Elliott Key that reminded them of their land in the Bahamas. Asa claimed 154 acres on Elliott Key and moved there with his wife, Lillian, and five children. He later purchased an additional 85 acres. They grew pineapples and limes. George owned severals schooners to transport his produce. He also used the schooners to take mail, passengers and salvaged ships wrecked on the reefs. One big hurricane wiped out their agriculture crops and destroyed his ships. The island was donated to the Biscayne Bay National Park Service.  The ranger station and educational center is functioning on the island now. Hundreds of No Wake buoys protect the fragile coral in this mangrove bay.

So we had left our Anchorage at Sand Key and moved a short distance to Elliott's key where we spent 3 days anchored out in a quiet, protected Marine Sanctuary. We were able to go to the ranger station on Elliott's key and get fresh water. No one was at the marina or in the Ranger Station but it was open. We were going to walk across the island to the sandy beach on the ocean side however the mosquitoes were absolutely unbelievable. We did enjoy many days snorkeling along it's shore and checking out the wildlife under the mangroves. I never cease to be amazed at how much wildlife there is under the sea by these islands. As Florance sat on the front pontoon, a big dolphin playfully raced with Katmandu, dipping and diving and sharing the pleasure of the being in the wonderful bay.

We then decided to head further south and have now anchored out behind Pumpkin Key. There's a beautiful little private club on the key. We are within dingy distance now of the Ocean Reef Yacht Club which has reciprocity with the Charleston Yacht Club so we will be able to use their facilities. We plan to dinghy over there tomorrow to do some shopping, check out the club, and perhaps use some of their facilities especially their swimming pool. We also have discovered that they have a wonderful seafood buffet this Saturday night. So Florence is going to get seafood buffet for her birthday supper. She is 39 again on March 31st. 

The weather turned cooler and rainy tonight. We are expecting more wind from the NE for a couple of days. Just as well, now that we are back near a village again.