Camp Lulu key is well known in the area by locals and visitors who have camped and attended large parties hosted by a hermit living in the island who claimed to own it. It is close to Marco Island and we could see Marco Island from our camp on the west side of Lulu. The building where this hermit lived is still there with some remnants of his camp. Apparently he would barter with potential campers who would trade him goods for the opportunity to camp on the island. The Island is now State land and you are allowed to camp there without a permit. We decided on Lulu while looking at alternative camp sites outside the National Park so that we could take our dog on his first back country camping trip.
We left Chokoloskee in the morning on a low/rising tide on a 14 foot aluminum tracker boat with a 20 HP motor. The island is 13.8 miles away from base camp and it took a little over 2 hours to get there at 8-9 knots. The boat was loaded heavy and we were on a low tide where we had to avoid the shallows and oyster bars at every corner.
On a low tide the water retreats exposing all kinds of sea life and tempting you to walk as far as you can. We walked around the island and ran into a large group of Kayakers having to carry their equipment about a 1/4 of a mile to the edge of the water early in the morning. When on a kayak they have to plan their route with the tides and leaving on a low tide is their only option if they want to get back.
On a high tide the mullets and other fish come really close allowing us to catch bait and food with a short cast of a net. We fished all day but the biggest catch where large mullets. I smoked them whole for lunch, smoked then in fillets for dinner, and added them to my "huevos rancheros" for breakfast. It would have been nice to catch a redfish or snook, but I was happy with my catch. There is something about being out there in nature coexisting with other predators while eating what they eat. Even the dog loved the mullets. He also ate them every which way including raw! On one occasion I found him eating the bait right off the hook on a rod I left by the camp. Its unlike him to do that and he knew to guard what I was cooking while patiently waiting for his portion. I guess he just didn't understand why we were giving it away to the fish too.
Being out here is breathtaking and although very tiring, it refuels the soul. I loved every moment of it, but my favorite was being able to share the experience with my wife and life long companion who loves being out here more than I do. It makes it that much more special sharing it with someone you are in love with and I am very thankful for her company out here.
