Fort Pickens, Gulf Islands National Seashore, FL

I checked into Fort Pickens yesterday with plenty of daylight to go. This is a big campground set at the tip of the Gulf Islands National Seashore on the Florida side.

Drove around to see the lay of the sand, found the fishing pier which was full of people fishing but not catching, and interesting historical structures to visit later. Set up camp, had rotisserie chicken with leftover Pad Thai from lunch.

This morning got up early (it's one hour behind MD time) and went to the fishing pier to see if I can do some fishing. The parking lot was full! People were elbow to elbow and more were arriving. A few caught big sheepshead which needed a net to bring up. I walked around and took photos but did not join in the fishing. Drove around the Fort, stopped to visit the structures.

The weather has been overcast, windy, with periods of drizzle. This was a good time to bring out my induction stove top since using the gas camping stove would be challenging with the wind. For lunch, I made a soup with some roast chicken, onion, potato, carrots and tomato. Worked out great!

There was a lull in the rain, so I decided to hike with my fishing gear to see if I can find the canal I saw from the road. Talked to a fellow camper who has been to Ft Pickens several times. He said I should be able to fish the canal from the bridge on the trail.

I fished in the canal for an hour or so, lots of bites, caught a few bluegills not worth keeping. There were also a lot of turtles, two were as big as a cat, seriously! The smaller and more agile ones kept swimming towards my line everytime I cast, it was a challenge trying to reel in the line before the turtles get to it! One of them surfaced long enough for me to snap its picture.

Good long day of activities, went back for dinner, packed everything back into Millie since the forecast called for thunderstorms after midnight.