Our Long Goodbye

Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Look What We Found at the End of the Rainbow, Warderick Wells

Just before we left Staniel Cay/Big Majors our generator died for good. Unfortunately we heavily rely on the generator for battery charging, the freezer and the water maker. This failure cements our need to return to the states. Unfortunately, a new one will take 2 1/2 months to arrive. Before leaving we stopped at the fuel dock to fill our water tanks. We know once we are in the Exuma Land and Sea Park there will be no water, so we are now on a major rationing (ie salt water showers and salt water dishes with quick fresh rinse)

Fun in the Sun on the Sandbar at Warderick Wells

We left on April 18th for Cambridge Cay. We missed some of the snorkeling here on the way south because it was just too rough. Upon arrival we did a late day, low tide snorkel at Rocky Dundas. There are two amazing caves here and amazing coral and fish. This was one of my favorite places to snorkel in the Bahamas. There was even a giant Elkhorn coral by the entrance to the cave.

Sunset at Cambridge Cay

On the 20th we left for Warderick Wells. Enroute we decided to stop into Hog Cay aka Pirates Lair. This place was beyond amazing and we decided to stay the night. The small mooring field surrounded by Warderick Wells to the west and Hog Cay to the east is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. The small beaches were pristine, the water amazingly calm and blue. For awhile we had it to ourselves and it was so quiet. We took our stuff and set up on one of the beaches for the day. We swam, walked, threw the football and just had a blast playing all day. We all got way too much sun.

Our Perfect Little Beach at Hog Cay / Pirates Lair

Bullet Loved the Beach at Hog Cay / Pirates Lair

On the 21st we arrived at the Warderick Wells north mooring field, another favorite spot. We hiked to Boo Boo Hill but surprisingly couldn't find the sign we placed there only 3 months before. Mike and I snorkeled Judy's Garden by the entrance to the mooring field. Amazing fish and coral. An amazing snorkeling spot. I couldn't believe the huge schools of fish. The next day we took the dinghy to the eastern shore of the island to check out some caves. It was surprisingly calm and we got to explore a bunch of caves and grottos. We brought the kids over to Judy's Garden so they could check it out. It was a wonderful snorkel until the kids and I noticed a reef shark swimming past us. Trying to keep them calm I swam them in the other direction where we met up with a barracuda. OK, time to head back to the dinghy. Luckily Mike had seen the shark and came to pick us up. Later we snorkeled off the boat and checked out the sunken boat and saw a few turtles hanging around our keel.

The Signs at Boo Boo Hill, Warderick Wells

North Mooring Field at Warderick Wells

Exploring the Caves off the East Coast of Warderick Wells

One of Mikey's Favorite Activities in the Bahamas, Cave Exploration

More Warderick Wells Caves

We keep discussing when we will make our exit to the US. We are really not ready to go so we decided to head back to Staniel for more water and provisions so we can stay a bit longer. I really wish we could just stay. It is amazing here and I'm not ready to deal with US life again. Somehow we managed to only use only about 44 gallons of water in the last 6 days, or about 7.5 gallons per day. Wow!

The View North from Boo Boo Hill, Warderick Wells

On the 24th we headed to Hawksbill Cay. We took a quick dinghy tour of the mangroves and then decided to head to Shroud Cay because it was just way too rolly. The next day we headed to Norman's Cay to snorkel the partially submerged drug plane owned by Carlos Lehder. After the snorkel we headed back to Warderick Wells to wait for our weather window to begin our exit. On arrival we ran into the previous owner of our boat. He is cruising with a friend for a few weeks in the Bahamas. It was fun catching up over dinner and drinks.

We left for Nassau on the 28th. We spent one night in West Bay but did not leave the boat due to Covid restrictions in Nassau. The next day we arrived in Chubb Cay and stayed at their very nice (expensive) marina. The pool with the swim up bar was just what we needed after a long hot sail. Next up was Great Harbour Cay. We stayed in the marina for 2

nights waiting on our weather window for the crossing. We did lots of laundry, shopping, filling water tanks, fuel tanks etc in preparation of what should be a 3 day trip.

Exciting Passage To Nassau

Very Narrow Entrance To Great Harbour Cay Marina

We finally left the Bahamas on Sunday, May 2nd.

'Clown Car' Our Trusted Transportation