Collecting Sea Beans

During the past few days we've had a great time with the now 2 boats who are with us in the Keys - s/v Two If by Sea and s/v Cantagree. Today we are Elliott Key and we collected sea beans to make necklaces. Sea beans float in from tropical plants whose pods are washed down rivers and gradually into the oceans. They can come from as far away as Africia, Costa Rica, or other tropical locations.

Maureen promised to show Patty and I how to make a necklace from our treasures. Apparently, all we need to do is polish the beans, drill little holes into them and attached them to wire or leather necklace material. Most of the beans I found today are called "hamburger" beans because they have the shape and look of minature hamgurers! Check out this website for more fascinating info about sea beans - http://www.seabean.com/ Joanne

We also had a fun time playing Hand and Foot and Sparkle. Snorkeling around the Mangrove lined coast of Sands Key, Joanne & I saw for the first time in the wild, lobsters, big ones! In fact, about six lobsters were hiding under a log just few feet from our anchored dinghy. A few other tropical fish , one with horns, also made a appearance. Upon moving to Elliott Key, the next day, a pilot fish joined Eagle's Wings.


We are now starting to backtrack our route since we have gone all the way down the Keys to Miami. We are now heading back toward Marathon and will be revisiting our favorite spots. Tomorrow, more conch fritters at Alabama Jack's Restaurant one more visit to John Pennykamp Park for snorkeling.