Everglades

We woke up this morning to no wind & the water was dead calm, so we decided to leave Key West a day earlier than what we had planned. It paid off, because we were able to travel all day without a ripple on the gulf. The only waves were from other boats & dolphin jumping. There are swirls everywhere from all the fish. We also saw some pretty big turtles. We saw an albino dolphin. Whenever dolphin are near they race over to ride our bow wave. We were treated to a show today as 3 dolphin simultaneously jumped clear out of the water right in front of us. It was liked they were trained to jump together. The only pain today was trying to weave our way through thousands of crab traps. With all these traps I can't believe there could be a crab left anymore.

We pulled into Flamingo Lodge & Marina which is at the southern end of the Everglades. We were the only boat in the marina. What a difference from Key West. Now we are really in nature. It sounds like we are in the middle of the jungle. Birds are squawking like crazy, alligators are sunning themselves & vultures are watching us. I think they really have their eye on Hooper. There was an alligator laying on the boat launch ramp. Can't believe how fast he moved to the water when he saw Hooper. Then he just waited & watched from the water hoping Hooper would go for a swim. I think that would have been Hooper's last swim & the alligator would of had a good dinner.

It should be calm again tomorrow, so we plan to head to Everglades City & stay at the Rod & Gun Club.