{"id":1206,"date":"2016-03-22T22:29:18","date_gmt":"2016-03-22T22:29:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/?p=1206"},"modified":"2016-04-01T15:34:10","modified_gmt":"2016-04-01T15:34:10","slug":"fort-and-the-beach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/2016\/03\/22\/fort-and-the-beach\/","title":{"rendered":"Fort and the beach"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Many people agree that the beach at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park is one of the best in Key West. \u00a0With a beach <em>and <\/em>a cool historical fort to see\u00a0this seemed like a perfect outting for the day. \u00a0So the kids grabbed their Florida State Parks junior ranger folders and off we went. \u00a0But before that it was a quick stop to the southernmost point.<br \/>\n<a title=\"Southernmost Mama and Papa\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/136797225@N05\/25999685651\/in\/album-72157664148781333\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/farm2.staticflickr.com\/1526\/25999685651_005661183a_n.jpg\" alt=\"Southernmost Mama and Papa\" width=\"320\" height=\"240\" \/><\/a><script src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>I know I&#8217;m in the wrong place when there are people lined up to take a picture with a hunk of concrete. \u00a0So instead of waiting in line we just got our picture taken with other people in the background. \u00a0Then we went just a couple feet south, behind the concrete and took our picture there&#8230;ha, we are even further south and didn&#8217;t have to wait in line! \u00a0Everything in this part of town is southernmost: southernmost house, southernmost hotel, southernmost lobby of southernmost hotel. \u00a0It was neat to see I guess but I&#8217;m glad we didn&#8217;t spend very much time there. \u00a0With that stop taken care of it was off to Fort Zachary Taylor.<\/p>\n<p>At our <a href=\"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/2016\/02\/23\/backyard-beach\/\">first Florida state park<\/a> the kids each got a free pass for one state park. \u00a0We used one to get into <a href=\"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/2016\/02\/28\/sunday-and-saint-george\/\">St George Island State Park<\/a> and used another one today. \u00a0We gave ourselves the guided tour but noticed a ranger taking a group of people around. \u00a0We debated whether we should join or not and ultimately decided not to. \u00a0We got the gist of things by reading the signs but on our way out we stopped to ask a different ranger about the kids&#8217; junior ranger stamps. \u00a0And this guy erupted with a geyser of really neat information about the fort. \u00a0He was cool because he was talking to the kids and you could tell this guy loved what he did. \u00a0And he knew what boys liked&#8230;&#8221;did you guys see the 10 holer?&#8221;. \u00a0&#8220;No&#8221; we replied. \u00a0&#8220;Oh, you gotta go check it out! \u00a0You and nine of yer buddies could drop dueces together!&#8221; he told us. \u00a0And to keep it educational and historical he explained how the latrine was designed for tidal flushing. \u00a0Remember our <a href=\"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/2016\/03\/05\/toilet-joy\/\">hero in the\u00a0villain story<\/a>? \u00a0In this story the hero is stranded on a little ledge and as the tide comes in it drowns him and carries him off to sea.<\/p>\n<p><a title=\"10 holer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/136797225@N05\/25793169090\/in\/album-72157664148781333\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/farm2.staticflickr.com\/1590\/25793169090_1bc7fa56d6_n.jpg\" alt=\"10 holer\" width=\"240\" height=\"320\" \/><\/a><script src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Key West remained part of the Union throughout the Civil War. \u00a0The ranger had all kinds of interesting stories about the different versions of the confederate flag and the 34 starred flag that flew on the grounds of the fort today. \u00a0He told us how the fort was originally made of bricks but only a few years after completion cannons had progressed to the point that they could easily take out brick walls. \u00a0So they added a layer of concrete to the outside of the fort. \u00a0To save on concrete and to make use of all the old wimpy cannons they used them as in-fill, like rebar, in the concrete. \u00a0I should have been taking notes&#8230;.this guys was a treasure trove of info.<\/p>\n<p>After our little tour we ate our sack lunch at a table in the park before heading over to the beach. \u00a0It is indeed a nice beach and quite popular. \u00a0But we carved out a spot on the beach, lathered up with sunscreen and got in the water. \u00a0This time the kids actually went out and swam in the water instead of their usual wading. \u00a0Caden and Brielle had fun body surfing the little waves coming in and Dacen and I built a fort out of sand. \u00a0But, borrowing from the geniuses who built Fort Zachary Taylor, Dacen decided to use beach rocks as in-fill. \u00a0He used sand like mortar between the rocks and also as a sort of stucco. \u00a0We used some sticks and leaves for the roof and Dacen found some other stuff that washed up on shore for the cannons and the flag.<br \/>\n<a title=\"Swimming\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/136797225@N05\/25463422293\/in\/album-72157664148781333\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/farm2.staticflickr.com\/1587\/25463422293_2edf77896a_n.jpg\" alt=\"Swimming\" width=\"320\" height=\"240\" \/><\/a><script src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><a title=\"Dacen made a fort\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/136797225@N05\/25463422693\/in\/album-72157664148781333\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/farm2.staticflickr.com\/1613\/25463422693_5942c22450_n.jpg\" alt=\"Dacen made a fort\" width=\"320\" height=\"240\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>While we were at the southernmost point earlier in the day we could see some land that seemed to be slightly further south than the southernmost point. \u00a0While were were at the beach we recognized that this was the place that could be further south than the southernmost point. \u00a0If you trust Google earth&#8217;s orientation then I believe the beach at the fort is further south&#8230;less crowded and less touristy.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"border: 0;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/embed?pb=!1m14!1m12!1m3!1d5430.483376265606!2d-81.80561084591828!3d24.547864237862957!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!5e1!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1459391535218\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><script src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>After we had enough sun we stopped by the <a href=\"http:\/\/floridakeys.noaa.gov\/ecodiscovery\/visit.html\">Eco-Discovery Center<\/a>. \u00a0We got there at 4:30 and they close at 5:00 so it was pretty abbreviated visit. \u00a0But Caden asked this lady working there how to properly pronounce <em>conch<\/em>. \u00a0She answered him and then went on to tell us a TON of info about conchs and mulosks (octopus is a mulosk believe it or not).<\/p>\n<p>We took a quick jaunt down to Mallory Square&#8230;this is supposed to be a pretty cool place. \u00a0And it is if you like shopping or bar hopping. \u00a0There weren&#8217;t any street performers while we were there so after an ice cream treat and Dacen buying a Key West shirt we took off for home. \u00a0On our way home we took a detour to see if we could find a less crowded place to take in a sunset. \u00a0I think we ended up in the parking lot of a community college dormitory. \u00a0We stayed till golden hour but everyone was hungry and tired (<em>hangry<\/em> as Steph calls it) so we headed on home.<\/p>\n<p>If there is one lesson I&#8217;ve learned today its to ask questions&#8230;because very often the people you ask will be thrilled to share their knowledge with you! \u00a0Oh, and its pronounced <em>konk<\/em>&#8230;.like what I do with my head quite often.<\/p>\n<div id=\"flickr_72157664148781333_9305\"><div class=\"slickr-flickr-slideshow landscape medium \"><div class=\"active\"><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1464\/25793170940_104124a773.jpg\" title=\"Line for southernmost point\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Line for southernmost point<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1718\/25793171330_8b5972e3cd.jpg\" title=\"Southernmost kids\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Southernmost kids<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1526\/25999685651_005661183a.jpg\" title=\"Southernmost Mama and Papa\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Southernmost Mama and Papa<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1490\/25793171120_03870ce587.jpg\" title=\"Southernmost Wachs\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Southernmost Wachs<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1702\/26066025585_0d7ac5613b.jpg\" title=\"One human family\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>One human family<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1451\/25999685221_dcd55b1992.jpg\" title=\"Whos idea was that?\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Whos idea was that?<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1588\/25999685151_7a8034b2fe.jpg\" title=\"Southernmost lobby\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Southernmost lobby<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1535\/25973479242_89de1ec4b7.jpg\" title=\"Southernmost house\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Southernmost house<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1666\/25461258414_1e12b41d2b.jpg\" title=\"Southernmost hotel\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Southernmost hotel<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1444\/25461258284_a5054c426d.jpg\" title=\"Southernmost lobster\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Southernmost lobster<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1497\/25461258214_b3a4bfaf81.jpg\" title=\"Lovely couple\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Lovely couple<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1720\/26066024775_67cd46c509.jpg\" title=\"Take that hill!\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Take that hill!<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1514\/25999684591_4b2baf5d3e.jpg\" title=\"On the fort wall\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>On the fort wall<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1635\/25973478272_497108c30e.jpg\" title=\"Get outta the way!\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Get outta the way!<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1662\/26040083536_64db98c4cc.jpg\" title=\"The boys\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>The boys<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1561\/25461257394_d50dfd3ce6.jpg\" title=\"Casements of cannons\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Casements of cannons<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1527\/26040085816_640a614dc7.jpg\" title=\"Brielle at the fort\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Brielle at the fort<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1497\/25999683961_5da5db6424.jpg\" title=\"34 star flag\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>34 star flag<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1554\/25461257074_dae4a623de.jpg\" title=\"Lessons from ranger\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Lessons from ranger<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1590\/25793169090_1bc7fa56d6.jpg\" title=\"10 holer\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>10 holer<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1718\/26040082936_33f73a9ba1.jpg\" title=\"Arms in the air like I really don&#039;t care\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Arms in the air like I really don't care<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1691\/25999683431_3c0349a233.jpg\" title=\"Bri&#039;s nettie pot rock\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Bri's nettie pot rock<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1613\/25463422693_5942c22450.jpg\" title=\"Dacen made a fort\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Dacen made a fort<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1587\/25463422293_2edf77896a.jpg\" title=\"Swimming\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Swimming<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1704\/25463425783_c45be5035f.jpg\" title=\"Bri&#039;s heart shaped rock\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Bri's heart shaped rock<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1539\/26066023015_2015b02f82.jpg\" title=\"The girls\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>The girls<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1478\/25793168280_299ecfd385.jpg\" title=\"Ay ay captain\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Ay ay captain<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1471\/25793168200_e80d0fee35.jpg\" title=\"Playing at the beach\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Playing at the beach<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1643\/26066026045_0f1d696bf2.jpg\" title=\"Papa and Dacen taking it all in\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Papa and Dacen taking it all in<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1701\/25463421913_d32dfccecb.jpg\" title=\"Which way?\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Which way?<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1590\/25793171910_fdab4f90ba.jpg\" title=\"Cool boy and tree\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Cool boy and tree<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1712\/25793167810_498c33cd67.jpg\" title=\"Nature center\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Nature center<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1628\/25463421693_8bd577767b.jpg\" title=\"Sea lab at nature center\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Sea lab at nature center<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1501\/25999685811_2a97f906f5.jpg\" title=\"Really?\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Really?<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1494\/25461255684_df91835ef4.jpg\" title=\"What the?\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>What the?<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1575\/25973476192_32253c2b6d.jpg\" title=\"Pretty lady\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Pretty lady<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1631\/25793167410_4217d9c45c.jpg\" title=\"Ay carramba\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Ay carramba<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1442\/25463421413_1f9e4a90f4.jpg\" title=\"Rockin&#039; chic\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Rockin' chic<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1618\/26066021915_76ab327026.jpg\" title=\"Dahling!\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Dahling!<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1587\/25973480412_a500464fb2.jpg\" title=\"They are NOT peeing\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>They are NOT peeing<\/p><\/div><\/div><script type=\"text\/javascript\">jQuery(\"#flickr_72157664148781333_9305\").data(\"options\",{\"delay\":3000,\"autoplay\":true,\"transition\":500,\"link\":\"next\",\"target\":\"_self\",\"width\":\"\",\"height\":\"\"});<\/script><div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Many people agree that the beach at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park is one of the best in Key West. \u00a0With a beach and a cool historical fort to see\u00a0this seemed like a perfect outting for the day. \u00a0So the kids grabbed their Florida State Parks junior ranger folders and off we went. \u00a0But before [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_s2mail":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[13,33],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1206"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1206"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1206\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1216,"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1206\/revisions\/1216"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1206"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1206"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1206"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}