You've seen the pictures. You've heard the stories. But being in the Keys on a beautiful summer weekend is almost beyond description. SCJR members Curt Smith, John Kerekes, Bill Howe, and Brad Gilbert journeyed to Key Largo in early June to enjoy the weather, the clear green waters, the laid back restaurants and of course the eye candy.

Curt and John went first and rode the semi flat seas. That means it wasn't rough but it wasn't glassy as it can sometimes be in the summer. It also means that it was lots of fun to be out on the high seas and hauling butt in the mangro trails. Exploring is part of the fun too. Indian Key was the subject of this trip's exploration. Indian Key is located about 1/4 mile offshore oceanside about mile marker 75. It is a small 10 acre little island that was inhabited in the 1830's. The foundations of numerous buildings like the hotel, post office and even the grave of the founder are still visible. The streets are still laid out too. The people that lived there were "wreckers". Which means they made their living from what they could collect from the sailing ships that ran aground on the reefs. But in 1840 the local Indians took exception to them being there and attacked the little island in a surprise raid. They burned the buildings down and killed several people. Most survived by hiding under piers and in the mango groves. But they never rebuilt the little town. It survives today only as a historical site under the Florida Park system.

Next stop was the sand bar at Holiday Isle. If you've been there you know what its like. And if you haven't it is worth the trip just to see the sights. And of course no trip to the northern keys would be complete without a visit to Holiday Isle, known far and wide as a fun destination for tourists and locals alike.

Brad and Bill came to partake of the sights and sounds of Key Largo. Unfortunately, 15 minutes into the trip Bill's ski just stopped. After much deliberation, it was decided to have Brad tow him back to shore. Once that hour plus tow was completed, Bill jumped on Brad's ski and off we went on an abbreviated Keys excursion. After several hours of open water riding and mango trail twisting, we settled down at Snook's Bayside restaurant for some grub and good old fashioned jaw boning and tall tails. After which we reversed our trip back to the boat ramp and headed home. The trip was not very long in duration but for most people a few hours in a place like this makes any trip worthwhile. Sun, fun and green water. What a great combo.