December 27, 2011

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

I must have gotten plenty of sleep last night because when I woke up I thought I overslept and it had to be close to noon.  I quickly gave myself permission it was okay to sleep until noon and got up anyway.  The thought of coffee invited me to the galley and was perking just in time to take a cup up with me to the cockpit and welcome this beautiful day.  Fred finally got up and joined me and said “I think we will spend the day here”.  I was excited because Allen’s Cay was really the first real deserted island we anchored at.  I noticed a stack of rocks at the top of the hill on Allen’s Cay and asked Fred about them.  He explained that these were called Cairns and were built there hundreds of years ago as landmarks from sea.  I was drawn to them through the binoculars and also noticed small shrubby trees full of what looked to be small citrus hanging from the branches.  “Fruit” I thought and free at that.  I was ready to explore...right now!  We hopped in the dinghy and made out way to the small beach we passed coming into the entrance.  The sand was white and loose.  Limestone sand I suppose since the island is made up of limestone, but not the kind of limestone I had ever seen before.  It was full of holes, cracks and crevices, evident the water  had worn it’s way through creating the most eerie landscape.  Deep cave like crevices, some large some with water in them and others dry each eaten away by the sea.  It wasn’t an easy feat to climb but I just had to check out those ancient Cairns and the fruit.  The top revealed more carrins we couldn’t see from our anchorage.  One wouldn’t want to fall on this island as injury would be certain.  We found some more of those fruit trees but they weren’t citrus.  Fred, brave as he is, cut one in half and yelled over to me, “it looks like an egg with a yoke inside.”  He said the outer part was tasteless and the center bitter.  I said “it may be poisonous”.  I don’t think he swallowed  it, just tasted it.  He’s still breathing so I guess he is okay.   I had to take a specimen back to the boat just so I know what they were so I will look it up on the internet when we ever find a connection again..  Leaves looked almost like a rhododendron but the fruits ranged from green to yellow.   On our way back I heard this groan and there was Fred, one leg in a hole (which he just a bit ago warned me to be careful of)  and the rest of himself trying desperately to catch himself.  Yes, I got a picture and Yes, I laughed, when he resurrected himself from the foot snatcher.  He was okay, just a few scrapes.  He would never tell me if he wasn’t okay...men.  I found a really neat piece of wood, aged by the sea and claimed it so we could carve Casa Mare’ with our names and date on it to leave “Boo Boo Hill” on Warderick Wells, another island we will get to on this journey.  I had heard about this when my Brother Jim, Linda and Jennifer told us about it and left one with their names and “OPUS”.  Fred said we would be going there also.  Its just a tradition cruisers do when they get there.  Like the mailbox on Wrightsville beach but this is out in the middle of nowhere.   I found a few shells on that little beach at “Allen’s Cay” and brought them back with us.  Fred said the water actually looked good to cruise on so we decided since we had explored the area yesterday and today, we could move on to “Norman’s Cay” which has some interesting history itself.  It is one of the longest islands in the Exumas, 6 miles long & 1000 feet wide, It used to be a base, under control by drug Lord Carlos (Joe) Lehder for smuggling cocaine.  The only reminders from the late 70’s and early 80’s are the bullet holes in some buildings and the remains of a plane crash in the water.  I already had started to do some laundry but that wasn’t anything that couldn’t wait and do while under way.  The trip was rougher than we thought it would be, but short, a few hours or so.  And he promised me that each island would be prettier than the last.  He was right.  Coming into Norman’s Cay was like a picture from a vacation magazine.  The colors of the water, the islands, beaches and coral just beautiful.  We didn’t waste any time hanging the clothes on the lines and hopped in the dinghy to go see a plane wreck just a few yards from Casa Mare’.  I managed a few pictures but it was a bit windy so I am hoping for a calmer day while here and get better photos.  We then went to this little island Fred named “Patti’s Island” because I loved it so much.  One palm tree and a bench someone had placed there in memory of a couple who loved it as much as I do.  I couldn’t wait to get out of the dinghy.  We hit the sandy bottom before we even got to shore so I anxiously grabbed the line and stepped out of the starboard side.  One leg out and two tries were unsuccessful to get my other leg out and the third was a charm.  Fell right into the water, under the dinghy, came back up over the bow clutching for dear life and said “don’t worry, I got it under control”.  Lesson:  never exit a dinghy when the tide is coming from the other side.  The dinghy will float right over you, after you are in the water.  Not only Fred was laughing but a family on the shore was laughing as I resurfaced.  Not too sure what they were laughing at, the fall or me nearly loosing my britches over that spill.  The island was rich with great finds.   Coral, starfish, shells, sand dollars.  I couldn’t get enough of it.  I felt like I was in heaven!  I didn’t take pictures this time, I knew we were going to be here for a few days and plenty of opportunities for that.  The water is cold, found out the hard way and everyone I see snorkeling have wet suits on.  I really want to see what’s in store for me to explore under there though.  I can’t wait.  Most of Norman’s Cay is privately owned but it doesn’t feel like it.  MacDuff’s is a promised treat while here.  I could stay here for a long time!  It’s amazing how things would look if people didn’t build over God’s wonderful creation.  I am so blessed to be here!