10,000 Islands Need Exploring!

A dry cold front, or norther, was due through this afternoon, so we decided to go exploring.  After all, there are over 10,000 Islands and we've seen just a few.  So off we went in the dinghy bound for Tiger Key -- we wanted to explore what looked like an interesting anchorage to one side of Tiger Key.  We didn't realize it was a Everglades National Park campsite until we found it.  There are lots of kayakers "backpacking" around the Everglades Trail and camping at isolated islands like Tiger Key. 

Because of the strong winds from the south, we wove our way inside a maze of mangrove islands ... wondering if we would ever see Winterlude again.

Looking across the opening between the islands, we were fairly sure there is no open water allowing us to anchor beside or behind Tiger Key, but the water was too rough to check soundings in the dinghy.  Another day.  You can see brown water extending almost all the way across, and breaking in alot of places.  But there is a narrow channel of blue water over against the next island.   This anchorage requires more reconnaissance than we can do today.

So we contented ourselves with exploring the little island, found a great horseshoe crab shell, hopefully we can get it back to the lake and show the kids. 

And another sea turtle if you look REALLY close right in the middle of the photo.  Lots of dolphins playing and a manatee.  Birds galore.  It's even fun watching the National Park excursion boats to see what they're investigating.  I may have to ride one, maybe they'll tell me more history about this area. 

More boats in this anchorage that we've ever seen, mostly because it's secure for a cold front.  But no one went exploring except us and two boats who ventured to Everglades City for lunch.  If the weather calms, most are leaving tomorrow.  We're staying, we have too much to explore to leave after only one day to venture out!