The Beauty Of The Park In Late Summer
As I look out on the glassy calm waters of the park this morning it reminds me of what is so wonderful about South Florida in the late summer. Yes, it is a little warm and humid, but being out on water that is clear enough to not just see the bottom, but clearly see a spiny lobsters antenna waving 6 feet below the surface or a cuttlefish gracefully swimming in mid water helps you to understand why Biscayne National Park is such a unique place.
View from the top
A paddleboarder glides on top of the clear waters, his reflection in front of him while he spots a juvenile nurse shark swimming under him. Cruising out on the edge of the Gulf Stream looking at the schools of hundreds of fish swimming around the wreckage of the Mandalay, with only the gentlest of an ocean swell letting you know there is nothing between you and Bimini, Bahamas 40 miles away is something that just does not happen much during our windy winter season. Best of all is slipping into the 82 degree water to snorkel, with no cold shock, just floating in total relaxation for over an hour without feeling the slightest chill. Even being becalmed in the middle of the bay, sails hanging limply as you walk around the boat peering into the clear water gives you a real sense of the beauty that surrounds you.
The kids will head back to school soon, the lobster hunters have put away their gear till the start of next mini season at the end of next July. For the lucky few of us still on the water it really can be a magical time. Won’t you come join us?
