Warderick Wells 1-22-07

Monday, January 22, 2007 - Warderick Wells Cay

On Monday, January 22, we sailed to Warderick Wells in the Exuma Land and Sea Park. It’s the park headquarters and one must call ahead for moorings. Apparently, a big crowd was expected because there were no moorings to be had. So we anchored near Emerald Rock. On Tuesday, we dinghied to the park headquarters where there is a museum, gift shop, book swap and a mailbox. Had we but known, we might have brought some money and sent a postcard or two. This part of the Exumas is protected. Visitors are not to disturb any of the flora or fauna. No fishing either. There were some interesting hiking trails. Mike and I hiked to Boo Boo Hill, a place Mike had been anxious to see. Visitors leave mementos from their boats such as driftwood carved with the boat name and date. The view was spectacular: Exuma Sound on one side, Exuma Banks on the other. The water was all shades of glistening blue, turquoise, and emerald green, surrounded by pristine white beaches. We hiked over mostly limestone rocks peppered with holes, some small, some huge with trees growing out of them, some filled with water, one with a ladder down into it. The sun was high and hot, but the hike felt good, having not done a lot of walking since Nassau. We ran into the young couples on Alleluia and Mola from Allan’s Cay as well as the kayak sailors from Shroud Cay once again, and met a new couple, Doreen and George form Ohio on Island Star. In the late afternoon, we snorkeled around Emerald Rock, then watched a beautiful sunset from our cockpit