We were prepared to face a stormy day, but were pleasantly surprised that the much talked about front passed to the north of us. Internet reports from Bimini, Eleuthra, and the Abacos all told of rain and winds gusting up to 60 knots. Here it was another gorgeous day which started with a bit of a flourish. The mooring field at Cambridge Cay was full when we arrived yesterday, so we had anchored. We didn't mind being on the hook, but as the wind clocked around overnight, we found ourselves rotating closer than we cared for with a neighboring sailboat. Bright and early this morning, the boat in front of us dropped their ball and pulled out. We were able to quickly swoop in claim it for our own. Barely awake, still in sleeping clothes and no shoes, we removed the anchor bridle, raised the anchor, shook out the bowlines and strung them up as a mooring bridle, fed them over the anchor and around to the port door where I snagged the pendant and strung it up. It was a harrowing few minutes, but well worth the effort. We now have better spacing between us and other boats in the anchorage and no longer have to run the anchor monitor for possible dragging in the shifting current and wind.
At 9:30 our park host Bill led a group of cruisers on a tour of Cambridge Cay. He covered geological history, extinct indigenous (white pine) and invasive vegetation (casuarina and this cactus), and current day issues (over fishing and trash disposal). We followed a trail to the ocean where we the grasslands were stark and barren from wind exposure. The Teacup rock formation was just offshore. Also this morning, two large motor yachts came in and claimed the final large-ship mooring balls. It is amazing how big these guys are. Ti Amo, a 47-foot sailboat, looks tiny compared to the hulking 130-foot charter boat in front of her.
After lunch it was off to do some snorkeling with Greg and Glenda. Our first stop was the site of an airplane crash. I cautiously stayed in the dinghy as I had not gotten up enough nerve to jump in. (Actually jumping in doesn't phase me, its getting back in that creates the angst.) From the plane wreck, we moved north to The Aquarium, off of O'Brien's Cay. We secured the dinghies to a mooring and all hopped in. Yes, thanks to a little reassurance from my dear friend, I took the plunge. The clear water was 15-20 feet deep and full of colorful fish and coral. It was an unbelievable experience. Once Barry and I got back into our dinghy without too much drama, we were heading to Ti Amo to pick up Jaxon for a trip to the beach.
This was the same beach we visited yesterday, but somehow with just a few hours difference in the tide cycle, the sandbar looked completely different. Glenda and I walked out on the sand flats which were under only a few inches of water and extended far into the horizon. We spotted several live conch, many beautiful bright pink pieces of broken shells, and some little coral. The highlight was watching Jaxon play with two large and friendly Labradoodles. Up and down the beach he raced, having a great time. At the end he even began fetching and carrying around the large dogs' throw toy. A final visit and beverage aboard Ti Amo closed out another incredible day.
At 9:30 our park host Bill led a group of cruisers on a tour of Cambridge Cay. He covered geological history, extinct indigenous (white pine) and invasive vegetation (casuarina and this cactus), and current day issues (over fishing and trash disposal). We followed a trail to the ocean where we the grasslands were stark and barren from wind exposure. The Teacup rock formation was just offshore. Also this morning, two large motor yachts came in and claimed the final large-ship mooring balls. It is amazing how big these guys are. Ti Amo, a 47-foot sailboat, looks tiny compared to the hulking 130-foot charter boat in front of her.
After lunch it was off to do some snorkeling with Greg and Glenda. Our first stop was the site of an airplane crash. I cautiously stayed in the dinghy as I had not gotten up enough nerve to jump in. (Actually jumping in doesn't phase me, its getting back in that creates the angst.) From the plane wreck, we moved north to The Aquarium, off of O'Brien's Cay. We secured the dinghies to a mooring and all hopped in. Yes, thanks to a little reassurance from my dear friend, I took the plunge. The clear water was 15-20 feet deep and full of colorful fish and coral. It was an unbelievable experience. Once Barry and I got back into our dinghy without too much drama, we were heading to Ti Amo to pick up Jaxon for a trip to the beach.
This was the same beach we visited yesterday, but somehow with just a few hours difference in the tide cycle, the sandbar looked completely different. Glenda and I walked out on the sand flats which were under only a few inches of water and extended far into the horizon. We spotted several live conch, many beautiful bright pink pieces of broken shells, and some little coral. The highlight was watching Jaxon play with two large and friendly Labradoodles. Up and down the beach he raced, having a great time. At the end he even began fetching and carrying around the large dogs' throw toy. A final visit and beverage aboard Ti Amo closed out another incredible day.
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