This is Fort Jefferson National Park in the Dry Tortugas. It is the largest 19th Century American coastal fort.

After setting our anchor, we came ashore in our dinghy to explore on Garden Key.

This is the entrance to the Fort. There are no facilities on this very small island. You can camp out, but no running water or electricity.

Inside the Fort which the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began construction in 1846.

Two tour boats bring tourist to the island each day to snorkel and tour the Fort.

Sea planes bring tourist from Key West daily.

Valentina is resting after a trip across the gulf.

There were four different sailboats at the anchorage and at least 10 Cuban (Key West) fisherman boats.

The Fort was open on the inside. 16 million bricks were used in construction.

Kay near the (blooming) cactus inside the Fort.

This is on the very top, 3 stories high, on the Fort, near the lighthouse.

A chart of the area.

Sonny is on the top, with Valentina in the background.

A view from the Fort

Cuban refugees come ashore almost daily to be rescued. It is about 70 miles to Cuba.

More Cuban boats that have come ashore in the past.

The Fort in the 1860's, nearly 2,000 people lived within the fort.

There is a mote surrounding the Fort for protection.

Over the years, the bricks have deteriorated and the Fort began sinking and cracking.

About a dozen, Park Rangers live in the fort in modest accommodations. But, it is still Christmas in the Dry Tortugas.

A starfish and a fish inside the mote.

Sonny was taking a break on the picnic table.

On one corner of the Fort, birds continuously soar in the updraft.

A home-made Cuban boat that made it to the island.

Another escape boat.

The inside is very primitive to haul so many people for 70 miles to freedom.

Rob Hammer, a pro fishing guide and his customers invited us to their campsite for steak and fish dinner during the evening.

We took a dinghy ride to Loggerhead Key in the Dry Tortugas.

Talk about solar panels....there was a bunch!

Loggerhead Key was prettier from afar. However, we did get some nice shells there. There is a house on the island, but no activities.

This is actually a ~300 lb. Jew fish that hovers under our boat. He would bump our boat, perhaps wanting a snack.

We also saw a Southern sting-ray with a 4 1/2 - 5 ' wing span under Valentina.

Southern sting-ray

Kay is writing in her journal. Still bruised from the Gulf crossing.

On Monday, 12/19/05 fifteen Cubans made it ashore in this homemade boat. They were being held until the Coast Guard could come get them.

Some of the Cuban's supplies. They will get to stay in the U.S. now. They made it ashore. If they do not make it ashore, they have to go back.

Outside of the boat that just arrived while we were there.