Sea Base

In August of 1997, Troop 81 took their first trip to Florida Sea Base. Here is a diary of our trip (as recorded by Mike Goodnight). Items in italic were added later for clarification.

Day 0
We left this morning from Suzi's at about 6:40 a.m. Waited for Tyler as he left his crew shirt behind. Figured they would meet us at the airport. They did, although we started to worry.

Flight went good. For Brandon "B"and Tod "B" this was their first flight. Both asked for and got their wings!

Got in and got our rental cars, off at about 3:30 p.m. Traffic was at standstill due to tanker truck explosion on 836, went down about 3 miles and turned around, back past Highway Patrol and asked alternate route to Key West. Was told to U-turn and go back 4 to 5 miles to US-1 then south!

Took forever! Finally got going on US-1 good by 6:30 p.m.

Stopped at Subway for dinner as everyone was starved. Set trip meter to 0 after about 10 miles. This would be helpful later on.

We drove and drove and drove, not sure where Sea Base was. The city of Marathon stuck in my mind, but was that where Sea Base was or where we would turn in the cars. I knew, from what Craig Barczak told me, the cars were to be shuttled 20 miles, so at 25 miles or so past Marathon we stopped. Oh, we had stopped in Marathon to ask directions but the (peg legged, really!) man said he had no idea.

Anyway, after going over the 7 mile bridge (was this the one in True Lies?) we looked over the sheets from our meeting. Aha! One said 75 miles south of Miami. My tripmeter said 118 miles, plus 10 if we went that far before I reset it. So a little math said "53 miles back!" So back we went. Brandon "B" said "depends on where you get out of Miami" so we set our search window to 40 to 50 miles.

At about 46 miles I spotted a HUGE American flag and wondered if that was it. When I visited national office in Dallas I had looked for the largest flag around to locate it in the office park.

On we went, to about 50 miles and stopped to ask again. Brandon went into the convenience store and asked. The lady knew, and gave directions saying it was across from a resort (Corel Cove?). We went back, past the flag (which was not at Sea Base) and pulled over across from the resort. We still did not see the Sea Base sign which was recessed back, when a group of boys were knocking on the windows......our boys! They had been waiting for us for several hours.

Time in....10:30 p.m. A 7 hour trip. We got our bunk assignments and hit the hay!

Day 1
Up at about 6:30 a.m. we got in swimwear and headed down to the docks. Snorkel gear was issued, I went to the room for mine.

Swim test went well and everyone passed.

Back up on the shore for the rules of the road. Then back to the water for snorkel lesson and checkout.

Out and dry and breakfast time. About 8:00 a.m. now, need to leave at 8:30 a.am. to leave cars off. So quick breakfast and to the cars. Got going about 8:45 a.m. or so to Marathon. I took the lead since hey, I had been in Marathon twice the day before. Looking for the airport, no problem.

We decided not to go for gas since we did not want to hold up the return van (mistake), and let them charge us $3.31 per gallon. Took a long time as they were trying to sort out cars for a returning group of Scouts. Charges for the cars were high what with gas, taxes added fees, etc. We should have gone for gas consider the cost and the time it took. Finally off, at about 10:00 a.m. back after a stop at the post offices so the driver could mail some items.

About 10:30 a.m., time to head on out. Our boat was the Trade Wind with Captain Pete. It was a 41 foot Morgan ketch. The other crew had the South Winds, also a 41 foot Morgan ketch, with Captain Clark. On board, we got under way. Weather is not cooperating and we hit quite a rain squall (we all, I think, took Dramamine to be safe) causing some rocking.

Moored and went in for our first snorkel adventure. Dark, so no cameras. Huge brain coral (6 feet across or so) with a plaque but must have been 30 feet down so I could not stay to read.

Set off and went on to our first night, joining physically with the first boat and moored together. I had taken off my watch so times are not specific now.

Dinner was BBQ pork chops, grilled by Craig Barczak, plus salad, corn, and stuffing.

Bedtime...I stretched out on a bench up top with my sleeping pad and sheet and pillow. During the night however I moved down and forward as I was uncomfortable due, I think, to not being on all the pad and getting the benefit of it. Slept well there....very well.

Day 2
Off to a reef for more snorkeling. Breakfast was scrambled eggs, English muffins, and (burned) sausages.

Dropped anchor and snorkeled again. Took the camera as the light was better

Oh...I forgot, on Day 1 we caught a mackerel and two barracuda (large teeth!). Kept the mackerel, Captain Pete filleted for later.

Anyway, lots of fish around the reef and I saw two sharks maybe 4 or 5 feet. Craig yelled at Chris "F" for chasing one! Came in as the rain started, we called it a fresh water rinse, and headed to Pelican Bay (or Cove?). Quote of the day was from Brian Clare to me "Why are you letting the anchor OUT?" as the rope whizzed through my fingers.

Pelicans all right, in the trees and water. Boys went into look for lobster. Brandon "B" and the adults stayed on board to fix lunch (hot dogs, beans, and chips) Brian "R" caught two lobster and we have just finished lunch.

The boy's lobster were too small and had to go back. Craig Barczak and Brian Clare spotted a keeper but it "got away". Off to anchor off Key West. Will pull in in the morning when boats pull out.

That night we had burgers and macaroni and cheese (Craig Barczak and I cooked).

During the night a storm came in and we had to separate from the other boat. We almost hit another boat, twisting anchor lines with our sister boat. Removed and everyone down below to sleep till morning.

Day 3
Clearing now, and an early slip is open so we are heading for it. Breakfast is cold cereal so we should be out and about soon.

Back in from a day in Key West. Everyone had a great time. Sunny and hot out so sunscreen, hats, light clothes, as well as frequent stops inside the local establishments helped keep us cool. Went to Jimmy Buffets, Sloppy Joe's, Rum Runners, Turtle Crawl, Hogs Breath, and Crabby Dicks to name a few. Shopped for the family, enjoyed a good cigar, and had a great time between us.

I think the kids all had a good time too!. I know several visited the aquarium, and Ripley's Believe it or Not.

We had lunch at Sloppy Joe's, and dinner at the Turtle Crawl (seafood fare).

Back to the marina about 9:00 p.m. and enjoyed the pool until 9:45 p.m. curfew back at the boat.

People plan on sleeping below tonight as we had the air on all day on the boat.

To bed soon, tomorrow we pull out of Key West. Some plan on an early run over for breakfast, but I plan to stay here.

Day 4
Slept well,as usual, kept cool by A-C. Early morning rain forced several others below. Brought on fuel and water. Most went to Pepe's for breakfast, I had Rice Krispies and coffee here. Squalls here and there so we pulled out of our slip to moor offshore for a while to let things clear a bit. That makes rain every day at some time or another. At least Key West day was beautiful for being out for the day. People are reading various books to pass the time.

We stopped at Pelican Shoal for a while to look for lobster. Our boat got about three keepers, with Captain Pete getting two of them. Buggers are fast, gotta get the net behind them as they scoot backwards as Chris "F" found out. Off now to Looe Key. Lunch should be soon, starting to get hungry. Halfway through Robin Cook book, will continue on.

Stopped at the reef, other side, for the best snorkeling yet. Captain Pete threw bread to the the fishies to lure them in for us to see. Some of the crew saw (Macko?) shark, Hiram Haney saw a sea turtle feeding and everyone saw a good share of barracuda. The kids decided to come in when the barracuda started to outnumber them and were circling.

Pushed on to our next mooring (finally went under full sails without the engine) and began cooking dinner. Steak, lobster, and grilled the mackerel too. Rice, salad, milk, and rolls topped off the fare.

Slept on deck under the stars. Nice and clear, even saw a shooting star. Like clockwork we got driven downstairs at 4:00 a.m. by rain. Hot and stuffy down below. A taste of how it must have been in the sailing days, thankfully just a taste.

Day 5
Finally went back up before sunrise. I got a good sunrise picture.

Headed on up ocean-side, but it got a bit rough. Given a choice of 5 hours of rough making to Duck Key or to head through the 7 mile bridge (it was used for True Lies, an old portion rebuilt and blown up) to bay-side to Marina Faro Blanco (White Light, for the lighthouse, see picture below). Cleaned the boat inside and out and then went for showers, drinks, and the pool. Lounged around, had dinner (Captains had their wives down to have supper) and back. Boys finally made some female contact at the pool. Doing some writing and will read, enjoying the A-C.

Day 6
Pushed out of Faro Blanco and on towards Sea Base. The trip is coming to a close I am afraid.

This morning breakfast is a free for all, as this is our last day. Milk is bad, the guys mixed up a batch of juice (orange and pineapple I think). I had English muffins with jelly and peanut butter, and two granola bars. Saw brownies, corn chips, and cereal being consumed.

I believe we will make a stop or two in some lobster areas before we get in.

Had some water in the fuel so we stopped for a bit. Snorkeled but visibility was very poor. Got under way, looking for another stop to snorkel, hopefully with clearer water.

Lunch was whatever - cookies, brownies, etc. Close to Sea Base we stopped again to hunt lobster. Saw none other than those in traps, of which I took some pictures. Saw a ray lying on the bottom too. Justin "C" said he saw a few lobster together, but they were all small. Brian Clare saw a big-un but it got away. Saw a few old broken traps as well.

Spud is (gasp!) cleaning up down below. I threatened to throw some of his stuff overboard earlier. Got to clean up everything before we get off at Sea Base. My stuff is all put together. Never really got spread out. Can't say the same for the boys though.

Talked a bit about our explorer post. What loose plans to tell people as we sign them up. We need five new youth, Brian "R" said he had about that many interested. Some more talk about coming back in two years for scuba. Want to check out dive certification in the spring, maybe with Brian Beltz. Then maybe some lake dives in the summer.

Passing by the Heritage of Miami, a 65 foot schooner which holds a larger crew. Couple of days ago a 43 year old Scout leader died of an apparent heart attack shortly after they started out.

Almost back to Sea Base now, got our slip assignment of 1A. Pulling in now, and docked.

Checked in and the boat got cleaned up. Went shopping at the trading post for knick knacks for me (bolo, t-shirt, neckerchief, etc.)

Checked out, and lounging around. We will have evaluations at 5:30 p.m. then crew pictures at 6:00 p.m. as we did not get one taken before we left. Luau and dinner later on, as well as skits and songs later at 8:00 p.m.

Evening went good. Dinner was Mai Mai with rice/shrimp Creole, and corn. Finished with pineapple cake.

Brian Rivet got a certificate for the biggest edible fish, the 24" mackerel. Another boat got one for inedible for a 24" shark. Skits went on and on and on. Boys, and some adults, played volleyball and we got to bed about 10:00 p.m. or so.

Day 7
Up at 6:30 a.m. showered and flag at 7:50 a.m. followed by breakfast.

Craig Barczak, Brian Clare, and Bob Sprague went to Marathon to pick up cars at 8:30 a.m. We expect them to be back at about 9:45 a.m. or so. Boys are cleaning the dorm, and fighting amongst themselves so things are returning to normal!

Trip back to Miami was uneventful, stopping at McDonalds for lunch. Most of the boys were borrowing money for food.

Got delayed an hour due to batteries, or fuel, or weather, depending on what United Airlines person was telling the story. Missed our flight from Chicago to Milwaukee and had to get, luckily, on a later flight.

I guess that makes the adventure officially over.............

Send comments or changes to gdc.bsa@gmail.com
Last edited on 4/9/07