May 10th: Crane Point with the Rahns

Walkway to the Bay

Next on our agenda was a visit to Crane Point. There is a golf cart tour led by a volunteer who relates the history and a great deal of information about the plants, animals and ecosystem. There was a little walking across some wooden pathways to get to the Florida Bay.

Craig and Karen on the overlook of Florida Bay

The overlook provides a great view of the Florida Bay. Craig and Karen were looking for the nurse shark that resides close by.

Fish to the left of the nurse shark

We were fortunate to see a lot of colorful fish and the resident nurse shark we saw when kayaking. The shark is about three feet long. The water is about three feet deep and was nice pretty clear.

Nurse shark

Fish pedicure

We continued our tour past the Crane's home and to the protected pool they created for swimming. Water from the bay flowed in and out keeping it fresh. There are small catfish that like to eat the dead skin off of peoples' feet. Free fish pedicure. Of course we had to try it. They feel funny nibbling away. It's quite relaxing!  

Boat used for immigrants to
escape from Cuba to the Keys

The pictured boat is an actual boat that people used to escape from Cuba to the United States. Our tour guide informed us that there are still many such boats that people are using to get to the United States.

Unscrupulous people smugglers attempt to bring immigrants into the Keys. In March an overloaded boat with 300 people on board capsized off shore and many swam ashore. Any people entering illegally are subject to deportation if caught.

There is also a wild bird refuge center on Crane Point. It houses many recuperating birds and some permanent residents with injuries that can't be repaired. Most of the pelicans in this picture will be released. In addition to the pelicans we saw a falcon, a burrowing owl, roseate spoonbills, egrets, hawks, osprey, buzzards, etc. You get the idea! Unfortunately, the screening in the cages made it difficult to get a good picture.

A special feature of Crane Point is the oldest house in the Keys outside of Key West. It has been restored to it's original condition with the exception of a tin roof instead of thatched. The original residents, George Adderley and his wife, were true pioneers. When Henry Flagler was building his railroad through the Keys he needed to go right through the Adderley's property. George Adderley refused to sell but offered a permanent lease for the railroad if Flagler would put in a stop so George could take his sponges etc. to Key West, That was far easier and safer than sailing to Key West with his products.

George Adderley History

Sunfish

At the entrance to the museum is a large pool with various fish in it. This replica of a huge sunfish is hanging over the pool. Sunfish actually get several times larger in the ocean. I've seen them when on a fishing charter and they look very strange in the water. They hang around near the surface eating jellyfish. Made for a fun picture.

Karen made a great discovery in the lobby of the museum gift shop as we were leaving. They sold ice cream bars. I was going to pass until I saw this one. It was coconut milk with the mango, strawberry and kiwi fruit frozen into it. It was great.

There is a great deal more information about Crane Point at these two links if you would like to learn more.

Crane Point Hammock

 Crane Point History