Key Marathon and Key West

We have been settled in Key Marathon for a little over two weeks.  Up to Easter, the RV park was full of snowbirds and families taking advantage of spring break.  After many left, we were able to move so we now have view of the gulf to the northwest.    What a difference a view and fewer people make.

The downside to the park clearing out is that Max lost his new best friend, Gus.  Gus is owned by Adam and his wife, who were down from their farm in Ontario, Canada with Gus and their new 5 month old baby.  Gus was rescued as a young puppy after he, his sister and mother were taken, with permission, from a First Nation tribe in northern Ontario.  There are no veterinary services in those areas and the animals are often neglected and starving.  Adam said Gus, his sister and mother looked like they belonged in Ethiopia.  Gus was the darling of the park, getting along with all people and dogs.  I have never seen Max play so vigorously and he slept well after his romps.

The local advice was to watch the cruise ship schedule when planning a trip to Key West and go only when there was no more than one in town.  Learning of such a day, we headed down about 60 miles to visit the Mel Fischer Atocha Maritime Heritage Museum, the Hemingway House and have a look around the town.  Max was taken to a local day care so there would be no worry about overstaying our visit.   Parking is a challenge in Key West and we found a spot, close to the museum, but pricey at $5 an hour.  For the privilege of paying a fortune to park in the dirt in a crowded spot the attendant had  the most unpleasant attitude imaginable.  

The centerpiece of our visit was the treasure Museum established by the family of Mel Fisher.  

Museum Entrance with the Ubiquitous Chickens

Mel Fisher lived in California where his parents owned a chicken farm.  He became interested in diving and ran a dive shop in Redondo Beach but relocated with his wife to Florida to pursue treasure hunting.  After researching lost ships, Mel began looking for the Nuestra Señora de Atocha.  Mel searched for about 15 years and on July 20, 1985 the ship was found.  The Atocha was built in Cuba and was part of a convoy returning new world treasure to Spain.  Ships could only sail to and from the Americas at certain times due to rough winter weather in the Atlantic as well as late summer/fall hurricanes.  The ships were six weeks late leaving Cuba and only one day after departing, on September 5, 1622 the convoy experienced a severe hurricane.  Four ships were sunk, including the Atocha,  and 260 passengers and crew were lost.  What Mel found was valued at $450 million and included 40 tons of gold and silver as well as famous Columbian emeralds.  Interestingly, only about half the treasure was discovered.

Mel Fisher holding gold chains

Included in the treasure were a number of gold chains.  At the time Spain taxed bullion at a higher rate than jewelry so chains were made to transport gold back to Spain.  Not only would taxes be reduced but the pre-measured links were soft and could be twisted apart and used as an easy and discreet form of payment.

Spain Cornered New World Wealth

How do people figure these things out?

Emerald Pendant from Colombian Mines thought to be Destined for Clergy

For those interested in Spanish history and its one time domination of the seas and treasure of the Americas, this is a nice summary

http://www.melfisher.com/Library/AtochaMargStory.asp

On the way to the Hemingway House we saw some interesting sights.

At Hemingway's suggestion the bar was named after one in Havana

There are some free spirits in Key West

The Strangler Fig looks beautiful but invasive

Our parking time was about to expire so we skipped the Hemingway House tour but were able to go to the gift shop and on the way we got a glimpse at the lovely property.  Maybe next time.

Heminway's famous six toed cats