Blessed Are The Intrepid, Day 11:
On the Keys 🌈🏝️

After a day of convalescence, I was back on the road… but this time with a co-pilot! We would be heading south to the Florida Keys, a neat opportunity to drive off the continuous United States for some tropical beauty.

An important stop on the itinerary was the Turtle Hospital in Marathon. Sea turtles make a home in south Florida’s warm waters. Since 1986, the Turtle Hospital has rescued, rehabilitated, and released over 1,500 sea turtles.

Whomever finds and initiates the rescue of a sea turtle admitted to the hospital gets the power to “name” them. Their names are then marked on their shells. This is Stacey. Stacey is rehabilitating from the treatment of Fibropapilloma, a herpes-like virus that causes tumors in sea turtles. Though the tumors are benign they can impede important daily functions like swimming, eating, and vision. The condition is caused by biotoxins in the water–pollution. (Man made.)

Another sea turtle, like Stacey, almost ready for release. I didn’t catch her/his name.

This sea turtle, Geronimo, is being rehabilitated from another common form of injury: being hit by a boat (Man made. Again) He is partially paralyzed as the interior shell contains the turtle’s spinal column. Also notice the gash in his face.

A special buddy gets a big breath of air. This sea turtle is a Loggerhead, a species of sea turtles named by the early fisherman who were fooled into believing they were logs (“Log ahead!”).

Maisy, also recovering from Fibropapilloma appears to be another species of sea turtle, a Green Turtle, known for their beautiful “tortoise shell” tops… and their green internal organs. But the Hospital think she may be a hybrid-A Green/Hawksbill turtle. Green Turtles like eatin’ green, herbivores during their adult life. Buying real tortoiseshell products is illegal since the 90’s but many products from other country can infuse US markets.

Serenity is another Green Turtle who had tumors develop around her eyes. She has endured several surgeries for their removal, the only treatment. She has more to endure before being released back to the sea.

What a beauty!

Bernie is a permanent resident and was a “floater” when he arrived at the Hospital. A “floater” is a sea turtle who has been hit by a boat and its shell regrew to cover the wound, creating an air pocket that does not allow turtle to swim and hunt well as they stay afloat. Treatment includes weights to the shell to help the turtle fully submerge itself. Because the shell continues to grow, the weights cannot be considered permanent. So he is living his life as a permanent resident at the hospital.

Another permanent resident afflicted with “Bubble Butt,” the term given to this conditions by the hospital to honor the first sea turtle they saw with this affliction.

A rainbow in the permanent residents’ waters

An informative way to spend the afternoon. Meeting the adorable sea turtles helped me and many become aware of how we may be negatively impacting their survival.

We then headed to our campsite at Curry Hammock State Park, also in Marathon, Florida. The park was a secluded respite from the development of The Keys, though the amenities were updated and clean.

Raising our flags at our campsite.

My car tent looks pathetic now that I am no longer with my tent poles. I left them Fort de Soto Park! I would learn that though still functional, the tent is not as rain repellant without them.. and the flaccid hood just flaps annoyingly in the wind while you try to sleep. I’ll have to order the replacement part.

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We set up early to enjoy the rest of the sunlight without interruption. I’m on the edge fo the world!

We got set for the beach, but the clouds became threatening.

The water was warm, but still refreshing. Not a soul in sight.

Sorry about the constant foot pictures. But not sorry either.

The first of constant rainbows. This is a wonderful thing about the wet season.

I got very excited by this rainbow on top of the beautiful waters.

The rain grew heavy and forced us in our respective tents prematurely. When we emerged later, the stars caught my eye and I set up for a night shoot. Spoiler alert… I saw the Milky Way AGAIN. My next post will be all Milky Way because though I have not yet uploaded any of the prints, I believe my shots were more impressive than my first Milky Way sighting. Stay tuned!

Oh, here is some food. Miami’s DIRT’s Vegan Egg, Sausage and Cheese woumi ld be better in my head. It was a vegan “sausage” patty, tofu scramble, cheddar “cheese” from Miami’s Atlas Meat-Free Deli on a vegan brioche bun from Miami’s L’Artisane Creative Bakery. The best part was the bun, inspiring the addition of L’Artisane to our Miami list–when we could tolerate Miami again.

The Adashah was another best part, wondrous cubes of lentils, chickpea flour, and flax seed.

It is nice to discover an old school veg eatery slash grocer in this island paradise. Food For Thought offered homey food options at their counter, along with juice and smoothies, and aisles full of needed craving quenchers.

My Meatball Wrap with their housemade raw walnut meatballs, mushrooms, zucchini spirals in a balsamic dressing wrapped in a sprouted tortilla. Hearty stuff I needed badly. And great service with a smile. In the distance, her sprouted grain bagel topped with cashew cream cheese, avocado, tomato, onion, sunflower sprouts and hemp seeds.