It was after 7PM Friday night when I called Park Place to inquire if a room was available. Yes. I then did a search to see what was happening in Cedar Key-singular,the town, this weekend. Open house at Seahorse Key. Bango! I arrived at sunrise. 7:24 AM
Overcast and choppy
Seahorse Key is the tallest point on the west coast of Florida. 52 feet. The Lighthouse is short, the tower where the light was is 72 feet. It has not been in operation since 1915. The Key and its buildings are used by the University of Florida as a Marine Laboratory. The general public may only visit a few times a year. Today was one of those days.
Loon
If not for the Open House, I would not have ventured out on the high seas. But, the wind was at my back, and the last marine forecast I looked at, 10pm, Friday said seas would be rough overnight, then a light to moderate chop, Saturday. I would say they were choppy as I paddled to Seahorse Key.
Via Astena Otie Key
Fewer birds than usual on the dock
Oyster catchers on oyster bars on the west side of Arsena Otie
Buffleheads
Once past the oyster bar and Grassy Key, one has to rely on flying or swimming creatures for wildlife
Seahorse Key
Grassy Key is not on this map. Must have been made at high tide
I only saw one boat enter the channel to the main dock for the Lighthouse. Had to be an official boat, as all occupants had orange life vests on.
I landed at the foot of a staircase around a point. It was just past 9. The Open House was from 9-3. Two ladies came through the gate at the top of the stairs, with small nets and buckets. "Looking for life" I asked if the Open House was today. Yes. I headed up the steps and trail.
Bald eagle
About to go down but first, a look at the ladder to the top
Looking up from the bottom. The shortest lighthouse you will climb. The Key supplies most of the height.
I had an orange. With the permission of a man who was knocking them off the trees. Before they got too ripe and fell off. I have never had a tastier orange. I repaid him by picking up a few and putting them in his bucket. Should have put some in my pockets.
Views from the dock area.
Spike on dock piling
This trail is a dead end.
Marine Laboratory
An engine like this one was used to power a pulley to bring supplies up the hill from the dock. My private tour guide, aka a Fish and Wildlife officer, said this is not the original. I was looking for Briggs and Straton
I did not see any
Back to the beach
Took a short walk. Had to pee, and people came down the trail just behind me. They went the other way.
Nice when the only footprints are yours.
Another artifact.
Underway at 10:30
Saw gulls diving to the surface, and thought, has to be a dolphin.. and there it was. Briefly, to windy and choppy for a photo.
Wood stork
I landed
Cistern, I think
Tower
Blades
Both
Another new sign
List of names and dates in the cemetery. This has been here, but a new, easier to read sheet has been inserted.
The flowery, 19th century tributes on some of the markers is wonderful
Out the back of the cemetery, a nice view.
But, what else would you expect?
Back to the kayak
Wood from the surrounding area was processed in slats which were made into pencils.
Unless you are a tern, gull, pelican, or cormorant
Shell midden detail
Off the main trail
To the beach
To the water
Ate lunch, began this Tale, then biked to Sandy's.
Back on the water at 4:20. I had left the kayak on the beach
Spoonbill and pelican at Old Fenimore Mill
Young yellow crowned night heron
AdultMergansers
Cloudy, but still beautiful at sunset
Landed at 5:50
It reads "Peace"
This cost $46.00 on Sandy's
The first of several meals. 4, so far. Still have a lot of clams left as I end this Tale on New Year's Eve.
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