After leaving Key West we headed to the Marquesas Keys.  This gem of an island is worth the day trip.  It was a little unnerving at first due to getting around the shallows (also known as the quicksands).  We came upon the west side which was absolutely beautiful, however it was so shallow that anchorage would have been impossible.  The water was so crystal clear that you could watch the blades of grass sway with the current.  A turtle was spotted not far from our boat, a sight always worth seeing.  Unfortunately we had to move to the south side of the island.  I say unfortunately but truthfully that side was just as gorgeous.  Again it was somewhat shallow but not as bad as the west side.  There was another boat (a power boat) anchored near the shore.  A bunch of young guys were enjoying the clear water and the cool evening.  After they left we were the only humans there.  Jim figured it was a good spot to anchor.

The boat floated just at the surface of the grass, rocking gently on the soft ground.  Jim was not concerned because once we were ready to leave he would simply bring up the center board,start the motor and go.  ( It did work by the way.)  The gentle rocking was a different feeling then we normally feel and made for great sleep.

The scenery was amazing.  It surprised us with its size.  Much bigger than we expected.  Also we call it a Key or an Island but it is made up of many little and bigger islands or land masses. Because it was late we didn’t dinghy to shore, but dreamed of meandering through the many channels.  One day perhaps.  We contented ourselves with watching the fish in the grasses below, the birds above,  and enjoying the immense quiet.  This is not a key like Key West but a tropical solitude.  This is where civilization ended for us and was not missed.