Shroud Cay May 8

A quick check at the book exchange closet before departing Highbourne

Getting ready to depart a marina always seems to bring a bit more work to do.  Our first project was to rework the shelves that fell apart during our rough crossing.  Followed by cleaning out the cooler, fill the water tanks, get a bag of ice, secure things below, not to mention paying our bill and saying goodbyes.  At 11:00 AM Sno’Dog and Moonstruck began their 15.15 NM and 2.5 hours later dropped anchor at Shroud Cay. 

It is only about a 10 NM route, however Henry wanted to show us some of the northern part of Norman Cay through a very,  very shallow channel. Even our 2' 4" were too much for this passage at low tide and we had to make a U turn.

Sno' Dog making a U-turn

We are now in the Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park, that was established in 1958 to preserve and maintain the delicate ecological balance of marine life in the Bahamas. 

After a quick bite to eat, it was time to lower the dink, pickup Henry and Nancy and go exploring Sanctuary Creek – motorized dinghys are permitted to explore this northern estuary at idle speed.  The creek has shifting channels with numerous shallow sand bars and is only passable near high tide. Classic movie fans will identify with “African Queen”.  Diane was looking for Humphrey Bogart and the Rum!

This opens up to the Exuma Sound and with 20++ knots of wind the waves were pounding the beach.  Unless you have been to this corner of the world it is difficult to explain just how beautiful the water is and all the magical colors.  

After dropping Henry and Nancy off at  Sno’ Dog we continued along the shore line and saw a man in a dinghy working on his boat from St. Petersburg, and after turning in to say hello we spent some time chatting with David and Lenore on Mr. G.  The world is very small.

Lenore and David on Mr. G

It was a quiet evening with dinner of Canned Chicken, Refried Beans, Rice, Tortilla and Girl Scout Cookies, a little different from our 5 star dinner at the Highbourne Restaurant the night before.