We were
anchored off the southeast corner of Anclote Key not far from the mouth of the Anclote River.
The crew had just returned from exploring as much of the back waters that could
be navigated by row boat on a mission to rediscover an old secret trail to the
Anclote Key light.
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| Rowing the Anclote Key Backwaters |
Docking our wood lap
strake dink along side and climbing aboard HideAway takes coordination, timing
and balance. The procedure includes gliding up to the boat and shipping the
oars while the crew holds onto HideAway. The next step is to secure a
tight bow and stern line to HideAway’s stern and jib cleats to keep the dink against
the boat and perhaps slow down a capsize.
The Last Gasp Grasp
The grab, certainly
frantic, left the Capt. hanging by one hand off HideAway’s back stay with one
foot on board while the other hand and foot flailed away at a rapidly
retreating dink. The Last Gasp Grasp prevented a picturesque if not life
changing back flip into the drink and dink although not likely in that
order.
All events that end with
undesirable consequence on HideAway are reviewed by the crew after the adrenaline
and/or blood has been staunched. A thorough investigation completed by
said crew took place in the cock pit shortly after the incident with enough quiet
aplomb to empty the entire anchorage of all floating craft, flying creatures
and fish so fearful that some leapt at the chance to join the gettaway.
Add your boat photo and name!
The
Wonderful Days of Yore
Once upon a time this
area featured a fine crescent beach and a trail that snaked through the
wilderness to a sidewalk covered by a canopy of old growth jungle that eventually
found the light. Built in 1887 the light was abandoned almost a hundred years
later. The
components of the original light were long removed leaving a gapping hole in the
floor protected by a traditional light tower metal roof. The metal tower was
the color of old rust inside and out. A broken down fence and an
open doorway tempted the adventurous soul. The large island was
unregulated. You could wander the beaches for hours without company and
camp wherever you pleased. Natural law and common sense prevailed.
It was memories of our Magic Pearl, a Sea Pearl 21, which
brought us back to this enchanting place of endless powder white beaches that
squeak as you walk on it like snow on a cold winters day.
In the latter years of
the millennium just past, folks of stout hearts and brave souls dared to climb
to the top of the broiling hot cylinder on a narrow spiral staircase held
together with one hundred year old rusty bolts of questionable integrity while
navigating missing steps and other hazards deemed best ignored.
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| Anclote Key Light circa 1986 |
At the top of the light
a metal cat walk protected by a suspicious railing provided a view as if from
bird’s eye of a tropical jungle and secret places with sandy beaches set in
clear waters and framed by a brilliant blue sky. It was the stuff of
dreams.
The panorama has been
known to cause rational thinking to sail away on the afternoon sea breeze
compelling anyone who dared to climb that glorious rusting tower to shrug off all
concern of danger and become completely captivated by the beauty of the
moment. Oh the adventure!
For What is Life to Free Range Sailors if Not Risk?
The light has since been
restored to operation in all its former glory and the entire area is under the
control of the Florida State
Parks system.
Philosophers and land developers can argue about change being a good idea;
however with change often come regulations that prohibit freedom. The
light is off limits to the public and a permit, although free, is required to
camp, but only on the northern shore and only if you bring your own boat and
leave it anchored in open seas.
After nearly two decades
“our” beach has been completely overgrown by mangroves. The trail that
had never amounted to a real trail in the first place was not to be found in
the dense undergrowth. (A later viewing of a satellite image proved the
HideAways were only a few feet from a serviceable route to the light.)
An elevated wooden
walkway from the light services a not-for-public use pier. You can anchor near the pier in unprotected
waters, row ashore and follow a path to the northern end of the
walkway. The path begins on the south west corner of the key but
the waters there are much too shallow for HideAway to anchor. There is a
string of sand extending south of the key that may have held HideAway at high
tide but would have been questionable at any other level.
Faced with those choices
the HideAways chose to make their way from their anchorage along the south
eastern shore to the pier. With the pier
in view the shore line water became too deep to walk in, the undergrowth
impassable and the mission abandoned. Still it was a pleasant row and
hike in complete solitude with plenty of wild life to observe above and below
the warm crystal clear waters.
Besides
the shadows of morning had long cast off on their journey and we had to fetch Caladesi Island before the sea devoured the sun.
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| SV HideAway Leaving Anclote Key FL |
SMALL BOATS ROCK!!
