10,000 Islands- A cruise into Florida's Everglades

10,000 Islands - A Cruise into Florida’s Everglades 10,000 Islands is an archipelago that extends from Cape Romano on Florida’s Gulf Coast south to Cape Sable. This area is made up of a mosaic of small mangrove islands that form part of the western boundary of the Everglades National Park.  It was among this patchwork wilderness that we wanted to concentrate during our three week cruise from Dunedin, Florida aboard our 19 foot gaff rigged sloop, Pelagos. Although we were warned of torturous and shallow channels throughout the confusing maze of 10,000 islands, there are actually a number of natural deep channels or passes where one can find protective anchorages. We sighted New Turkey Key, our planned anchorage for the night, about two hours before dark -plenty of time to do the routine maintenance on “Gulliver”, our 5 ½ horsepower British Seagull outboard engine.  While I handed the main and jib, my husband Bill started the engine and began inching our way in.  ...