Turtle Hospital

Today was rent a car day.  There's an Enterprise Rental nearby and David got on the bot/scooter and went to pick up the car.  He put the bot in the trunk and was back to the boat in 20 minutes and we were almost ready to go.  We had reservations for the Turtle Hospital tour at 1:30, in Marathon.  We went into a big room where our guide gave us lots of very interesting fun facts, some good stories and lots of pictures.  We followed her out to the hospital water tanks where there were 52 recovering sea turtles. Four of them are permanent residents because their injuries were so bad they could not survive out in the ocean. One of them is named Bubble Butt, his shell was injured (jet ski, boat propeller or ??) and he got an air bubble under his shell which prevents him from diving down both for food and protection.  Our guide gave us each a small spoonful of turtle kibble and we got to feed them.  That was such a sight, so cool!!  After we were done there, we drove the hour back to Key West and did a drive by of the Southern Most Point in America.  There were probably 50 people in line to stand in front of the monument to snap a picture.  Since there was no parking, we drove on, but at least Jake got to see it. We made a quick stop at Publix to get the makings for a Key Lime Pie.  Jake really loved the one yesterday.  We made one as dinner was cooking and then invited Kirk over to join us for pie.  Sam came too and Ellie got persnickety, grrr.  We all had a fun day and we are looking forward to calm seas to take the boat out and go fishing in the morning.  PS. There are probably too many turtle pics and it was a painfully slow upload, so tomorrow there will be too many turtle videos, ha

  Beautiful creatures, even with a damaged shell

  Baby turtle

Leslie and Jake


  Listening so intently, is there going to be a test?


  David feeding the turtles snacks 

  Jake






  Time to harvest the coconuts








  The southern most point in America





  This poor little guy was so weak he is on a breathing aid (dog bed) so he doesn't have to lift his head to breathe















  A lot of these creatures have a Papiloma virus growth.  This turtle has one on his eye and a big one under his chin. Surgeons will remove them to restore eyesight




  Iguanas 

  Scenery on the way to the hospital water tanks

  Pam & Leslie


  The best taco truck, OMGosh, the food was amazing

  Palapa Taco Truck


  Local color housing

  Recipe for Key Lime Pie

  Orchids growing by hanging from a tree


  Sunrise


Comments

  1. JackieMarch 17, 2022 at 1:18 AM

    I swear Leslie looks just exactly like she did at 15, so beautiful. Looks like Jake is in his element with everything to see and do. Such a wonderful trip for them. How many kids can say they have grandparents living on a boat and sailing the Eastern seaboard. Great, great memories for all of you. Love and miss you all.

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