Dry Tortugas
For the past few days, it's been impossible to turn on the television without hearing about Cuba, Florida, and Hurricane Ike. Rightfully so. With all the talk of Southern Florida, The Florida Keys, and The Everglades, we're reminded of a place we've always wanted to visit, Dry Tortugas National Park.Here's some info:
The Tortugas were first discovered by Ponce de Leon in 1513. Abundant sea turtles or "tortugas" provisioned his ships with fresh meat, but there was no fresh water-the tortugas were dry. Since the days of Spanish exploration, the reefs and shoals of the Dry Tortugas have been a serious hazard to navigation and the site of hundreds of shipwrecks.U.S. military attention was drawn to the keys in the early 1800s due to their strategic location in the Florida Straits. Plans were made for a massive fortress and construction began in 1846, but the fort was never completed. The invention of the rifled cannon made it obsolete. As the military value of Fort Jefferson waned, its pristine reefs, abundant sea life and impressive numbers of birds grew in value. In 1935, President Franklin Roosevelt set aside Fort Jefferson and the surrounding waters as a national monument. The area was redesignated as Dry Tortugas National Park in 1992 to protect both the historical and natural features.
While "Terrapin Station" would clearly be the best choice for the musical accompaniment , we don't want to beat you down with Grateful Dead.Next best thing:MP3: The Turtles - Earth Anthem (Thank you Brendan and the amazing Rising Storm)