Deserted Island Camping

When planning a getaway, the phrase "primitive camping" does not typically come to mind. Sharing a living space with wildlife, holding my breath while using an especially pungent port-o-potty, and brushing my teeth with a splash of water from a gallon jug do not rank as top priorities on my vacation must-haves. Even so, I packed up my bags in November 2013 and headed to the Dry Tortugas for a one of a kind camping experience.

Garden Key is not what one would call a "typical" campground. Located 70 miles west of Key West, this destination is reachable only by ferry boat or sea plane. The Yankee Freedom ferry hauled us over the deep blue waters of the Gulf, and we even "caught some air", or at least it felt like it, while plunging through the choppy waters of Rebecca's Channel. Although the ride was a little rough at times, the staff was knowledgeable, friendly, and even fed us a hearty breakfast and lunch. A great way to cruise down to the Dry Tortugas while experiencing a genuine taste of adventure on the open seas.

We were advised to bring everything we would need for the trip, as there would be "no services" available on premise. "No services" equates to no food, no fresh water, and no running water. Only the beach, a small charcoal grill, and three of the worst smelling port-o-potties I've ever encountered. So we packed our bags with care, and set out for one of the most remote camping sites available- The Dry Tortugas!

Camping Supplies - A Pink Bag Was a Must!

Our one night stay was nothing short of incredible. The Yankee Freedom and the sea plane charter company host day tours with an option of overnight camping, so once the day tour crowd sailed away, we felt we were truly stranded on a deserted island with only the neighboring campers and our packs to aid us.

Part of our camping crew

Dinner that night consisted of hot dogs and Fireball whiskey, although our neighboring campers chose to fish for their dinner in the crystal turquoise waters of the Gulf. Cellphone service? Fahgettaboutit. You might as well shut it off. So instead, we entertained ourselves with the hermit crabs that surrounded our campsite, setting them up for races and placing bets on who's crab would be the fastest. (No crabs were harmed, although some of the slower crabs did receive quite the verbal heckling...)

Racing Hermits

We also toured the Fort (which has a surprising amount of history behind it) and found hundreds of amazingly intact conch shells lining Bush Key. You aren't allowed to take anything from the islands (National Park rules) so I took pictures of my specimens before returning them to the wild for others to enjoy. 

Shells, Coral, and Sea Fan discovered in the Dry Tortugas

Although we had no delicacies and certainly not even half of the common place luxuries we take for granted, the glow of a Caribbean sunset, bathing in the warm gulf water, and being surrounded by all of nature's undisturbed glory was an incredible adventure I'll cherish for a lifetime. 

Sunset in the Dry Tortugas

To read more about the Dry Tortugas National Park and to plan your getaway, click here. 

View of the moat from Fort Jefferson

"Ladies' Night" Novel Showcases Sarasota Beaches

Happy 9th of July! I'm a little behind schedule after spending five days on the west coast, then taking the red eye flight home. Never again will I sacrifice sleep for cheap air fare! I had an awesome (and insanely expensive) time visiting my cousin in Santa Barbara, CA. The weather was nice and the food and wine were fabulous (so fabulous that my pants would no longer button by the end of the trip). As nice as California was, however,I found myself homesick by the 3rd day. Between the three hour time difference, the California drought, the $80 dinners, and the wine that costs more by the glass than I'm used to paying for a bottle, I was feeling incredibly disconnected from my friends, family, and general way of life. 

My saving grace on this trip turned out to be a novel that my cousin recommended I pick up- Ladies' Night by Mary Kay Andrews. MKA is actually a pen name for the real author, Kathy Hogan Trocheck, who is a St. Petersburg native and writes "chick-lit" based in the southeast. Her novels are typically set in Georgia (she currently resides in Atlanta) so I was excited to see her finally write a novel centered around Florida! Ladies' Night takes place in Sarasota and references Anna Maria Island, Coquina Beach, Holmes Beach, Siesta Key, and Longboat Key. As I traveled across the country this past week it was incredibly comforting reading Andrews describe our afternoon rainstorms, searching for shells on the beaches, and even the sweltering humidity that are all characteristic of our area.

If you're a female looking for a great beach read this summer, I highly recommend Ladies' Night- especially if you're going out of town and want to take a little piece of Florida with you.

For the full summary of Ladies' Night, click here!