NORTHERN EXUMAS

We didn’t seem to get trapped in Nassau this year. After a few days of minor boat maintenance, shopping, and socializing, we had fair winds when we were ready to leave. We hoisted sail and moved down to Shroud Cay, the northern most island in the Exumas Land and Sea Park. 

Shroud’s interior is mostly a mangrove swamp and a stream through it is passable at high tide. We stopped at a well that served sailors as a fresh water source in the “olden days”. After looking at the water, we were sure glad we didn’t have to drink it. We spent a nice day of good weather exploring Shroud and relaxing. 

A frontal passage was expected and we moved to Warderick Wells to get protection from the westerly winds. We hiked to a couple of new places including Boo Boo Beach. On Boo Boo Hill, we found our beautiful Sunspot Baby sign (painted in 2005 by Don Pyke) was only a faded board. We wrote our boat name and 2004 – 05 – 06 on it with a Sharpie. It is too bad about losing the art work. It was the best on the hill. 

After Warderick we sailed to Staniel Cay and anchored off Big Majors. There are feral pigs on the island that come to the beach and even swim out to boats to be fed. We have avoided this spot in years past since we thought Toby and the pigs were not a good match. Last year another cruiser said “not to worry, either the pigs are there or they are not. If they are there, don’t go ashore. If they’re not, no problem.” We scoped out the beach with binoculars and saw no pigs. Dog and crew jumped in the dinghy and went ashore. 

Our normal drill for beach patrol is that as soon as we are in shallow water, Toby jumps out, attached to his retractable leash. Lynn gets out and takes him to do his duty while George either beaches or anchors the dinghy. The beach slope was such that we were anchoring. I heard a shout and saw Lynn high stepping it, dragging the dog, as the pigs rushed out of ambush. I don’t remember how long it’s been since I saw Lynn move that fast. While I simultaneously got the anchor into the dinghy and shouted and waved to keep the pigs at bay, Lynn wrestled the dog into the boat. 

Good news, there are other beaches which we put to good use, and at least one of us thinks it was pretty amusing. You guess which one. I sure wish we had the whole thing on video.

George Stateham

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