Another gorgeous day in the Keys, even if slightly overcast in the morning. There are several anoles living on or near the palm tree in our yard. This one stayed still long enough that I could get a quick picture. I believe this is a non-native brown anole but i need a better picture to confirm.
We checked the weather and even thought it was calling for rain in Key West there was no rain predicted for Cudjoe Key. We have only had one day with a few sprinkles since we arrived almost 3 weeks ago. Our destination today was Tarpon Belly Key. Tarpon Belly is about half way to the Gulf from where we are staying. We have been there in the past and was glad to see no obvious damage from Irma.
Typical of most of the Keys, Tarpon Belly does not have a sandy beach. but we were still able to get close enough that we could tie off to a tree so we could explore. Randy worked on the Mako while it was beached.
Tarpon Belly Key was one of two small islands that were purchased (in 60s or 70s) to develop a shrimp farm. Two canals about 100 feet wide, 500 feet long and 20 feet deep were dug on Tarpon Belly Key. The farming operation eventually failed. We have been able to see one of the canals but have not been able to view the second canal. Because of the shallow water we will have to go back with a kayak to get to the second canal.
Tarpon Belly Key
We got a closer view of the Blimp flying today as we headed back from Tarpon Belly
The Blimp is a blimp-shaped Air Force surveillance balloon tethereed to a base on Cudjoe Key. I believe this is named “Fat Albert” but I saw a news article where they were flying two. Only saw one today so do not know if this was the “big” one or a smaller blimp.After leaving Tarpon Belly Key, we explored a housing development on the other side of US1 on Cudjoe Key. It had a small but deep channel entering the development.
By the time we got back to tie up the Mako the sun finallly made an appearance so it was back to the pool for a nice afternoon. I am really liking this retirement lifestyle!