Beau The Cephus Explains His Trip To The Dry Tortugas
Beau The Cephus has had an exciting time visiting Garden Key and Fort Jefferson. I, Langston am here and now present to translate his thoughts, desires, feelings and experiences.
After Sunset Celebration on Friday evening and effete Beau stumbled up and down Duval. He stopped by Captain Tony’s and Sloppy Joe’s for the music and to watch all of the activities. Beau said “I have never seen so many people jumping up and down, spinning, swaying and rubbing up to each other with music.” “They were eating and drinking as though there was no tomorrow to come ever. They were having such a great time.” He stopped in front of all of the live internet street cams and put his best side forward. He did have to slow down as a human wheelbarrow race came his way. So many people on their hands going down the asphalt. Sometimes they would end up on their heads. He did not think it a good idea to eat and drink for a while then be upside down going head first down the street.
Night had passed, the time was moving on into the early morning and the people were departing Duval. The delivery trucks were on the street depositing supplies with restaurants, bars, hotels and T Shirt shops. There were several ice trucks with bags and blocks of ice. Beau cannot tolerate Ice. Beau is a warmth seeker. He went up Caroline St. to Turtle Kraals for a little breakfast with his fellow freeloading kitties. There is always larapin eats at the Turtle Kraals.
Beau ate his fill of the vittles then curled up in the corner on the roof waiting for the warmth of the sun to arrive. He was aroused by the sounds of the ever-present seagulls landing and walking on the metal roof. They all seemed to be able to eat every morsel they found. They would swoop in take any food that Beau had near him. He jumped down onto the dock and walked over to the Dry Tortugas ferry. Beau traipsed up the ramp on the boat. He proceeded into the cabin. People were arriving on board. They were all talking at once and were very anxious to ride the ship.
Fort Jefferson, Garden Key
National Park Service Photo
One lady from Omaha was upset talking real low and setting still staring down at the sole of the boat. The boat has not yet left and she was one sea sick puppy. Beau knew what would come next if she didn’t take her sea legs medication. He changed sides of the cabin just to be sure that he would not be in range of her illness if it came to that.
A man came over to her with a paper cup in his hands. The guy suggested that she have a few sips to calm her upset stomach and to help make the sea level. Beau said “I would smirk if cats could smirk. But alas very few cats can make faces of amusement”. This woman took a few sips and bent forward toward the floor. In a few minutes she took a few more. She continued taking sips until they pulled the gangplank on board. Then there was a large swallow and a small belch. The “Yankee Cat” ship slowly pulled away from the dock. This woman was setting up straight looking out of the windows as she drew an another long sip from the cup into her mouth and down into her gullet. She gave forth a larger belch. As the ship pulled out of the bight she moved outside and walked around the deck still working on getting that marvelous ocean calming liquid. Beau figured that for her the sea was now as flat as a sheet of looking-glass.
Beau came out from his hiding place to check out all of the recesses and crannies of the boat.
He saw a young woman with the start of a sunburn. Beau has had many sunburns in his day. He loves to lay with his feet up in the air and let the sun feast upon his belly. She was fast becoming pink.
She had blond hair and was enjoying her day. Beau jumped up on the bench behind her and began to style her beautiful hair with his finely tuned tongue. The girl stroked Beau and he worked harder. A young man stuck his head into the cabin and motioned to the girl while saying “Charly come see the fish around the boat.” The girl gave The Cephus one last stroke down his back to the end of his long tail and said “Bye Bye Katzen” and headed out the door onto the deck.
Laying on the upper deck behind the wheel house in the sun was a roar for Beau. He walked to the edge of the upper deck and watched the water slide past the boats hull. He saw large green sea turtles swimming slowly the crystal clear gulf water. They looked like large brown plates with a small head. Beau fantasized about riding on the back of a large one to the island.
The captain told everyone to look to the north for a small group of islands he called the Marquesa. How grand it would be to stay on one of those islands. Beau does like his comforts. Water, and a clear piece of beach being just two things he really needs. He could eat the crabs on the beach all day long. He did need fresh water to wash them down. With none in sight he decided he should stay aboard. So on goes the trip.
He saw a few old boats that had sunk, just laying on the bottom, resting in the white sand. . One was just rocking side to side in the gentle gulf current.
Charlene from Micanopy
He imagined himself and his friend Charlene from Micanopy on the bow of a large sailing ship. Beau thinks having two different colored eyes like Charlene is very cute. Cutting through the warm water with the wind blowing through their hair. Ah, that my human friends would certainly be a true “Cats Meow”. The boat would be called “The Catanic” . He liked the name, but not the ending.
Beau was just laying in the sun on the edge of the deck watching the waters for turtles. He would occasionally look up at the sky for a chance to see some Brown Noddies or Masked Boobys fly by on their ways to another island. He loves birds. There is a preference for a Sooty Tern on a spit. Some times just a little wren will do. That is a 2 small claws lunch, which is like 2 stars. Left or right he does not care which claw. He can eat with either.
While watching he noticed low flying gulls that would fly by and give, the old “I am going to pick you to the bone, kitty”. Being ever prudent and fearful The Cephus moved back into the cabin. He needed his nap to prepare for his arduous job of checking on the Fort. He curled up on a bench and began rubbing his eyes as they were closing.
I Langston, must await for his instructions when he once again begins to speak.
