Stomping Grounds
In Stomping Grounds Episode 5, our crew follows the road all the way down to where it ends on the tropical sun-baked island of Key West at the southern tip of the Florida Keys. Surrounded by water, Key West is a boater's paradise with historic seaports and marinas offering a bustling waterfront with historic schooners, dive boats, sport fishing charters, parasailing adventures and scenic coastal excursions. Host Ryan McVinney hops aboard a custom hybrid diesel-electric power catamaran with solar panels, called "Squid" for an in-depth eco-tour of Key West National Wildlife Refuge, including snorkeling in a sponge garden with tropical fish. Next a quick stop in Dry Tortugas National Park via the 110-foot Gladding Hearn power catamaran the "Yankee Freedom III" to visit historic Fort Jefferson, then we jump on a 2020 Sea Hunt 255 Ultra for a ride through the dolphin playground to a secret local boating spot known as Snipe Keys with pristine white sandbars. Back in town we we board the Nau Santa Maria - a replica of Christopher Columbus' sailboat. Finally we head 50 miles offshore to ply the wakes of the shrimp boats with fishing charter captain Chris Trosset aboard his Contender 35ST center console boat.
