Random Tortugas: Day Two - Dry Tortugas, FL

From touring every nook and cranny of the fort, its paths, and the island; to snorkeling every coral enclave full of tropical fish; to working hard on our Junior Ranger Badges; it's been a fabulous journey of discovery! 

The boat comes in every morning around 9, and then departs at 3. While it is in dock you can interact with the docents, and purchase lunch, snacks, drinks, or waterproof cameras. 

But the best part about camping is the pure solitude that engulfs your senses when the boat loads up the day visitors and heads back to Key West.  

All alone on this glorious island...  

There's nothing like it! 

Gone Fishin' - Dry Tortugas, FL

Mornings like these...

Hands on experiences, natural encounters...

Pure childhood, pure learning.

How anyone can ever purport book-learning as a superior method to real-world, hands-on experiences is beyond my understanding.

You tell me.

Would you rather read about the food chain on a dry page of a boring old book, or would you rather swim in it as you watch the cycle unfold all around you? 

Small fish nipping at tiny bits, while barracudas stealthily approach. Safety in numbers? Birds dive from above, just as quick as the predator fish split the pack from below.

How about the crab? Where does he fit in?  Watch out for the birds!

360 degrees, every sense engaged...

Hold it in your hand.

Touch, feel, smell. See it. Hear it. You can even taste it.

Lessons learned forever.

When the world is your classroom.