Boat Trip in Biscayne National Park
Woke up at Cracker Barrel. Had Wild Maine blueberry pancakes, coffee, and orange juice. I went to a Starbucks for a short while waiting for the park to open.
View of Miami from Boca Chita Key (Sky Modified)
It was a short drive to Biscayne National Park for The Biscayne Heritage Cruise. The cruise was a guided tour that takes visitors through the history and ecology of Biscayne Bay and the surrounding islands in Biscayne National Park, Florida. The cruise typically lasts for 3.5 hours and covers a variety of topics, including the history of the area's indigenous people, the Tequesta and Seminoles, the history of shipwrecks and salvage operations in the bay, and the ecology of the mangrove forests and coral reefs that are found in the park.
Leaving The Marina
Fifteen people were on the boat tour. We were given safety instructions much like on an airplane and were told the deepest part of the war was 25 feet. There was no mention of sharks in these waters.
The tour included a one hour stop at Boca Chita Key. It is is a small island located in Biscayne National Park. It is known for its picturesque lighthouse, built in the 1920s, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding waters and islands. The island also features a large, open-air pavilion, a dock for boats, and several picnic areas. I walked the trail that wraps around the island and was attacked by noseeums and mosquitoes.
The Heritage Cruise is a great way for visitors to learn about the rich history and natural beauty of Biscayne Bay and the surrounding islands. The tour is conducted by experienced National Park Service rangers and guides who provide informative and engaging commentary about the area's past and present.
Park Patrol Boat
Joneses of Porgy Key
Our first stop was Porgy Key. There wasn’t much to see from the boat, but Elli, our guide had studied the Jones family and presented a lot of details about the family. Israel Lafayette Jones lived and worked in the 1880 as a stevedore and handled small boats Wilmington, NC. In the mid 1890’s, after trying various trades, he headed to Key Biscayne, FL. He was hired by Walter S. Davies, a wealthy land owner in the keys area as a caretaker. His knowledge of the water and ability to handle boats probably was a major factor in him getting the job. He married his wife Mozelle and they had two sons, King Arthur Lafayette Jones and Sir Lancelot Garfield Jones (love the names).
Biscayne National Park: Caesar Creek
In 1897, Israel Jones, purchased Porgy Key, a small 60 acre key off of Caesar Creek. This is truly remarkable given the atmospher of segregation and exploitation of blacks in Dade county at the time. After clearing part of the land, the family planted pinapples, key limes and vegetables. Farming became profitable and the family became the largest producer of pineapples and limes on the East Coast of Florida. The success allowed the family to purchase Totten Key in 1911.
After becoming the largest producers of key limes in the state of Florida, their business began to decline because of competition from Mexican growers. In the 1930s, the brothers left keys to seek other work. Eventually Lancelot would return to his home to become a renowned guide in the area, fishing with notable visitors at the Coco Lobo Fishing club (Herbert Hoover, Lyndon Johnson, Bebe Rebozo and Richard Nixon to name a few).
A conservationist from Pennsylvania, Lloyd Miller, an avid fisherman, befriended Lancelot Jones. The friendship would lead to the creation of the Biscayne National Park. In an article, The Men Behind the Legacy of an Ecological Jewel, from the Biscayne Times, the author states,
If Miller is considered the “father” of Biscayne National Park, Jones is its soul. It was the sale of Jones’ family homestead of Porgy Key and two other small islands that cinched the deal behind the creation of Biscayne National Monument, saving the mostly underwater park from dredging, pollution and hardcore coastal development. The designation took years, involved congressional approval, stubborn wrangling by Miller working with a small group of committed activists and even a few fishing trips to convince key lawmakers.
Elli, our tour guide, brought this story to life. I’ve spent a lot of time scouring online articles about the creation of the Biscayne National Park. October 13 is designated as Lancelot Jones Day in Florida.
Adams Key - Cocolobo Cay Club
Adam Key has a long history of human habitation, dating back to the Tequesta people, who were the original inhabitants of the area. The island was later used by the Seminole people as a camping ground, as well as a place to grow crops.
In the late 1800s, the island was used as a base by salvage operators who were searching for shipwrecks in the surrounding waters. In the early 1900s, the island was developed as a fish camp and was later used for farming, with the construction of a small homestead.
Adam Key was acquired by the National Park Service in 1968 and became a part of Biscayne National Park in 1980. The island is now managed as a wilderness area, and visitors are allowed to camp overnight with a permit. There are no facilities or services on the island, and it is only accessible by boat.
I’ll reference the wikipedia article on the history of the Coco Lobo Club which had a rich history of catering to the rich and famous.
Boca Chita Key
We stopped at Boca Chita Key, is a small island, for a 1 hour break. The island has a rich history dating back to the early 20th century, when it was first developed by Mark Honeywell, an inventor and industrialist from Indiana. In the 1920s, Honeywell purchased the island and began to develop it as a private retreat, building a lighthouse, a harbor, and several small structures.
We toured the Boca Chita Lighthouse, which is a 65-foot tall lighthouse built in the 1930s, is the most prominent feature of the island. When open, visitors can climb to the top of the lighthouse for a panoramic view of the surrounding area. The island is open to visitors during the day, but it's closed at night.
During the Great Depression, Honeywell sold the island to the federal government, which designated it as a part of the Biscayne National Monument (later Biscayne National Park). It was used as a naval training center during World War II, but it was returned to the National Park Service after the war.
Today, Boca Chita Key is a popular destination for boating, fishing, and picnicking. We were told that on the weekend, the island is overrun with massive boats, and many are forced to anchor off shore. Many people come to the island for parties. During the week, it is popular spot for bird-watching, as the island is home to a variety of bird species. We were told that visitor enjoy swimming in the crystal-clear waters of this key. From the lighthouse we saw a six-foot shark hunting 20 feet off shore.
I was the only one on board that took the hike around the island. On the south side, I met up with swarms of noseeums. The insect repellent seemed to have no effect on these little monsters.
Garwood boat racer
The Gar Wood Racer is a historic speedboat that has a connection to Biscayne National Park in that it was used to set a speed record on the park's waters in the 1920s. The boat was built by Gar Wood Industries, a company that was known for producing high-performance speedboats during the early 20th century. In the 1920s, the Gar Wood Racer was used to set a speed record on the waters of Biscayne Bay, which is located within the boundaries of Biscayne National Park. The boat was powered by a series of powerful engines and was able to reach speeds of over 60 miles per hour, which was quite fast for the time. The speedboat was a popular attraction in the area, and the company used it to promote their boats. It is not on display in the park but it is a part of the history of Biscayne National Park.
Waneeda Green
On the way back to the marina, Elli spoke about conservationist Juanita Green who worked for the Miami Herald and the work she did to help preserve the Everglades and Biscayne National Parks. She also had an impact on force the nuclear power plant to stop heating the surrounding bay waters.
There were so many details on this trip, that I had trouble capturing it all.
Off to Vera Beach
I was headed back to Vera Beach, to stay with my friends Barry and Carol again. I needed to pick up two pair of glasses at LenCrafters. It was Wednesday night and I remembered they played Bocci Ball every Wednesday. I had fun the last time we played.