Wow.. we sure have kept busy this past week.
Our week started with two arrivals to our little nomadic convergence. First, our friends Ann & Elliott came back over from near Savannah for another weekend in Cedar Key. And then just hitting the road RVers Cindy & Danny joined us for the week.
I was talking with Pat over at Low Key Hideaway last week about possibly putting together a boat tour, as I knew he has a small boat to take a few folks out at a time. He then suggested that perhaps our group could rent a larger pontoon boat for a day, and he’d be happy to go out with us and give us all a proper tour of the surrounding islands and waters. Fantastic idea!
A 6-Hour Tour
Pat set us up with a rental from Tidewater Tours for a pontoon boat capable of comfortably holding 8 folks plus a captain, and spent over 6 hours taking us all over the place.
We explored some of the major outlaying islands, including Seahorse Key where the lighthouse is (well, technically – a light station).
The waters around Cedar Key are incredibly shallow, and the depth can vary widely depending on the tides. Some days, you can even walk between the various islands around here. It definitely pays to have an experienced captain who knows where all the shallow spots are.
We also made a stop at Atsensa Otie, which is the original developed island called Cedar Key where the cedar mills for pencil making where – until a hurricane wiped it out. The island has been reclaimed by nature, but has some hiking trails out to the old cemetery.
Pat also took us to see a really cool sand bar that is usually populated by timid white pelicans.
Our mighty captain also braved navigating the inner channels of Cedar Key, proving just how aware you have to be while on the water around here.
After seeing how he navigated around, we feel much more confident attempting extended touring on our kayak.
At the end of our 6 hour tour, we were greeted by a pod of dolphins to share the sunset with.
And as soon as the sun dipped below the horizon, it was time to book it back to shore, as our boat has no lights.
Spirit Tour
Since we were in a touring mode already, a group of us decided to try out the Cedar Key Spirit Tour – which is a walking tour around the island focused on stories of paranormal experiences.
It was definitely an interesting perspective on the history of the area, and makes us mighty glad that Pat didn’t leave us stranded on Seahorse Key to contend with the headless horse ghost that roams the island!
Sunsets!
And what would a Cedar Key post be without your fix of sunset shots?
Our original plans had us checking out of Cedar Key on January 31st (eeeps.. this week!).
Thankfully, Sunset Isle RV Park was able to squeeze us in and we extended our stay for another month.. but our plans are now up in the air.
Love the photos of the dolphins and the sunsets…just beautiful…looks like you had a great time….
It’s a beautiful setting here, and I imagine Cedar Key will be a frequent stop for us for years to come.
Loving those pictures. It looks like paddling paradise out there. Would love to be out there!!!! Have fun!!!
Looks like a great time. Wonderful photos!
Thank you 🙂
There is some might nice paddling here, for sure. Low tide can be tricky tho with all the oyster beds to navigate around.
Glad you had a safe trip. You know the skipper and Gilligan said it would just be a six hour cruise. Well, maybe a three hour tour.
Just sit right back and you’ll hear a tale,
A tale of a fateful trip
That started from this tropic port
Aboard this tiny ship.
The mate was a mighty sailing man,
The skipper brave and sure.
Five passengers set sail that day
For a three hour tour, a three hour tour.
The weather started getting rough,
The tiny ship was tossed,
If not for the courage of the fearless crew
The minnow would be lost, the minnow would be lost.
The ship set ground on the shore of this uncharted desert isle
With Gilligan
The Skipper too,
The millionaire and his wife,
The movie star
The professor and Mary Ann,
Here on Gilligans Isle.
source: http://www.lyricsondemand.com/tvthemes/gilligansislandlyrics.html
Haha… yeah. We were all singing the tune, and even picking out who would be in what role. Between a few geeks, some life coaches, teachers and a bicycle repair expert – we should have been set, right?
“Six days a year”? Well, I guess that takes some planning!
It used to be only 3 days a year… progress 🙂