Thursday morning we left to go west (back where we had come from) to Moser Channel so that we could cross to the bay side. We headed off for Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park.

There are 5 complimentary mooring balls there. When we arrived there was one other boat there, a larger powerboat. We tied up, put the ding in the water and went for a speed run. There is an effort here to help the eel grass grow back. The areas are well marked and you often see sticks coming up out of the water.

I thought all of these birds were just standing at a attention for us! I guess water birds like to get out of the water! The couple on the other power boat told us that it you get into the eel grass. STOP. Get your towing company to pull you off. The fine is huge. The damage to the eel grass area is based on the square inch of ground disturbed and length of the eel grass cut. One of his friends was fined $40,000 for a mishap.

Friday we went over to the park for a tour. There is a wonderful old home there built by a Miami chemist in 1919, a William Matheson.

His son is the one that seems to have had the most fun there. He brought over a pick-up truck and made walking trails. You can’t go on the trails without the ranger now and then that walk is limited. But the young ranger gave a great talk about the trees there and the wildlife. The state along with the nature conservancy is bringing that island back to what it originally was. This house made it through the largest storm to hit the States which was in 1935. Pretty remarkable. It is made out of coral rock. The inside was darling. It was all tung ‘n groove. There were 3 bedroom and 1 bath. The kitchen was charming. The living room was inviting. It made me wish we could stay there and work on puzzles or play cards. It reminded me of Camp Liberty in Maine ( our friend’s camp).

Well, we are leaving tomorrow to go back to the other side and down to John Pennekamp State Park. There is a storm coming and we will not have any protection here.