Egmont Key - Part 1

Egmont Key is a small island not far off the coast that has on it an old fort and remnants of the base there as well as a lighthouse.  We've never been there and Drew wanted something fun to do on his weekend off.  Problem solved.  Especially since the Tybee Lighthouse was so neat, I wanted to check out the one down here, too. 

You can only get there by boat so we all got a little boat ride to go along with our sightseeing excursion.

Mackenzie and Norah enjoying the boat ride.

The last sliver of land recedes as we head out to Egmont Key.  They will drop us off and return for us 2:45 or 3:45 this afternoon.  If you miss both opportunities to return, you are stuck on the island overnight.

Here is the Ferry dropping us all off.  It is around 11:00 am, we will have about three or four hours of playtime until they come get us, depending on which boat you take back to land.  The captain told us that a boat had sunk over night and two men were rescued, but the third wasn't found.  He also said he didn't want to come across a floating body.  When we returned and watched the news that night, his story was confirmed.  

Goodbye, Ferry.  Don't forget to come back for us!

Norah admiring her new shoes.

It was interesting to see a Mississippi River type barge ply next to the island.

Florida scrub.  Hard to think anything can grow in this sand, but it does.

The Egmont Key lighthouse.  It is automated and still shines a beacon but there are no tours inside.  

This little fellow was surprisingly quick and heading to small patched of greenery where he would chomp them down and head for the next one.

Norah leading the way.  She was properly slicked up with sunscreen and told to wear her hat.  It was a tough heat today and lugging the camera backpack wasn't easy, especially when Miss Norah needed a couple arms to hang out in.

Here's Drew checking out some of the old foundation of the Army base that was here.  The Spanish-American War must have been big deal down here.  Of course, with all the activity in Cuba surrounding the war, and with its close proximity to Florida, I guess it stands to reason.  Fort Dade with its three battery stations pointing to the South still remain.   

Some of the old rail that assisted in the off-loading of material still remains.

This is another view of the above picture, looking out at what was once the base harbor.

Roadways and sidewalks are about all that remains now of the base that was here.  On down the road were some foundations left of barracks and officers houses.  Also the gymnasium and a couple others buildings, now long gone.  

Part Two Tomorrow.