Lignum Vitae



Today we finally got away from the dock.  Day dawned sunny and light winds, although still cool by Florida standards.  With topped up water and fuel tanks, we headed south.  Today's objective was not too ambitious, a Key called Lignum Vitae, about 10 miles south. The trip required very focused attention, averaging 5 to 6 feet of water, and literally thousands of lobster floats.  They are not supposed to be in the marked channel, but that doesn't stop them. Traveled at a leisurely pace though, so no issues.

This island is a state park, with a virgin tropical hardwood forest that was once common on most of Florida's Upper Keys; most of these forests have been lost to development on other islands. Lignum vitae is otherwise known as Ironwood, one of the hardest and heaviest woods.  This island is also notable for having the highest point of land in the Keys, at 19 feet!

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A Miami man bought the island in the early 1900's and built a private retreat.  The whole island is now a state botanical park, and the park and house can be visited Thursday to Sunday.  Since we were here on Tuesday, we didn't go ashore.  Will save that for the return trip.

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We hung on a mooring buoy, the only boat using one of the five available.   We enjoyed a beautiful sunset, and enjoyed the very clear night and bright stars before retiring for the night. The breeze dropped off to near zero overnight, and we had a very peaceful night.


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