Exploring Rock Sound

Half Moon Bay/Little San Salvador to Rock Sound/Eleuthera |  7 Hours  |  42 Miles 

We had to vacate the Half Moon Bay anchorage before the cruise ship arrived at 7:00. Our little flotilla was moving at first light. Shooting Star was first out and set their sails in the low light of dawn. Behind us, No Limits and Dragonfly were viewed against a much more vibrant background.

On cue, two cruise ships appeared around the corner of Little San Salvador island. Carnival Legend turned a safe distance behind Shooting Star toward Half Moon Cay, although the massive ship looked to be on a collision course with the 42-foot ketch. The second ship, Carnival Sunshine, turned north and headed to Princess Cay on the southern tip of Eleuthera. After clearing these two, the ocean swells disappeared and we had a beautiful run into Rock Sound. We followed our prior tracks into the protected harbor and anchored close to our previous spot. We dropped the dinghy and awaited the arrival of the other three boats. Over the VHF, we heard talk of a waterspout to the west. We could see the funnel drop from the dark cloud, but the storm dissipated and was no threat to us.

We all went into town to scout out the scene. A bright mural was painted on a building at the end of the new public dock. Bougainvillea in pink, purple, and salmon lined the streets. We made our way to the Wild Orchid restaurant where we shared beverages and some appetizers. One of the infamous Rock Sound roosters was wandering around the deck. I'm sure this guy (and all his relatives) will be going loud and strong tomorrow morning. As we left I spotted a plumeria loaded with blooms -- my favorite.

We wandered the streets to see what was where. We asked the police officer where the laundromat was. When we found it, we asked the gentleman outside where we could buy some fresh fish. The spry 69-year-old said he was a commercial fisherman and THE man, but was sold out for today. Walking by the school we watched softball practice and learned of beach access, a homecoming rake-n-scrape, and the report of zero Covid infections of the island. We located one of the grocery stores, but it had already closed. The road led us to the Ocean Hole and we all gazed upon the 600-foot-deep inland salt water lake. The group headed back to Wild Orchid and picked up a following of dogs in the process. We were quite a sight walking down the middle of the road -- eight cruisers and five dogs. The group stayed to listen to a local band that began playing at 6:00. We headed back to Crossroads for Barry to make a tech support phone call. The wind is supposed to kick up starting tomorrow. We will be here for a few days, but there is plenty to do and see, and the folks here are exceptionally friendly.