Sunday June 18 – BIG MUNSON ISLAND
Captain Frank dropped us and our catch off on a floating dock about 300 yards from BIG MUNSON ISLAND. Our dry bags and snorkel gear were on the floating dock waiting for us. The crew agreed that Zach, Kurtice and Doug would fillet and bag the fish while the rest of the crew waded our gear ashore. (7 dry bags, 7 snorkel bags, 2 five gallon bottles of drinking water, 3 three gallon Jerry jugs of water for clean up and four fishing poles)
Wading to shore you get to go through about 10 yards of floating sargassum. The sargassum greets all BIG MUNSON ISLAND visitors with its aroma from well before the floating docks.
Once all the gear and the crew were ashore, Zach led us to our camp site. It was about a half mile hike from where we had come ashore. It was a hot day and it took two trips to get all of our gear to camp. Tents were picked, gear was put away and camp chores were decided on. Doug and Kurtice would cook, Kevin and Forrest would start a fire and clean up after the meal.
Before we started dinner and a camp fire, the crew attended Chapel on the beach of BIG MUNSON ISLAND. The Chaplin also provided information and readings that allowed Mr. Schlak to complete requirements towards earning his Duty to God Award. Be sure to ask Mr. Schlak about the Duty to God Award patch he earned at Sea Base.
Key Deer were in camp when we arrived and roamed in and out of camp at will during our stay.
Returning from Chapel, it did not take Iron Chef Kurtice and Iron Chef Doug very long to have the camp stove going and the makings of a great meal underway. Iron Chef Kurtice would be preparing Mahi-Mahi using his secret seasonings and cooking techniques. Iron Chef Doug would be preparing noodles Alfredo, using his own secret ingredients and sauce preparation techniques.
Forrest and Kevin quickly gathered kindling and fire wood and with a little help from Mr. Schlak, started a great camp fire. Once the fire started, the bugs left our camp!
Iron Chef Doug and Iron Chef Kurtice prepared the best meal that was served during our entire Keys Adventure. Everyone had seconds, most had thirds and a couple of crew mates had fourths! Everything was eaten and it was great.
After dinner we sat around the camp fire, told stories, talked about future plans and other possible adventures. Zach suggested we hike down to the beach to sit by the ocean for a while.
On the hike we saw florescent plants and many hermit crabs. Zach pointed out the Poison Wood trees and Night Shade plants that should be avoided at all times.
On the beach, more stories were told. The stars were amazing. A few songs were sung and then Doug took over and entertained everyone with his wit and sing-song rhyming abilities. Mr. Neff laughed so hard he cried.
Zach mentioned several possibilities for adventures on BIG MUNSON for the next day. The crew agreed to review their options again in the morning – after everyone was up and fed.
