North Harbor, Warderick Wells, Exumas

Boo Boo Hill was the trail to the left of the park office so the exploration for today was to follow the trail on the right, towards the southern end of the cay.  Having to retrace the first section of the Causeway Trail, which had seemed so long and hot yesterday, was quickly traversed today since we were now familiar with the walk and did not stop for additional photo opportunities.  

The Causeway Bridge

Our goal was to walk south until we drank a little more than half our water which got us to Tabebuia Beach before stopping for refreshments and retracing our steps.  Other hikers reported that two beaches further south there were tables, chairs, beach umbrellas, and an ice chest set up with an overseer, we presumed to accommodate visitors from the 250 foot private yacht we could see anchored offshore.

Watch out where you step!

Two sailboats from Buck Harbor, ME came into the North Harbor mooring field today.  One, with a seven foot draft, ran aground entering the channel during low tide.  After a few hours it floated free and was able to enter and pick up their mooring.  Other people we met were from New Hampshire, Boston and quite a few from Canada. 

Checking out the map

 

Shady Tree Trail               

 We love to see cruising families and what an awesome learning experience this is for the kids.  Though we are very happy to be cruisers in our retirement, we are impressed with those who are able to do this in their 40’s and 50’s rather than our age with one foot on a skateboard and the other in the grave. 

North Harbor, Warderick Wells, Exumas

         

Today we walked to Boo Boo Hill whose infamy has preceded it.  This is the one spot in the Exuma Land and Sea Park where visitors are permitted to leave something behind, a piece of driftwood with their boat name on it.  The short and most direct trail crossed a mangrove flat which had a three foot wide stream of tidal runoff which had to be crossed.  With soft wet sand on either side we could not be assured that Bob could jump it without getting his feet wet so we turned back, walking the Causeway Trail which was four times longer.  Even worse than the increased distance was the time it took us to traverse the track due to the multitude of times we had to stop for the perfect picture of lava, mangroves, signage, ocean surf or views of K2F.  Slowly the clouds cleared and though we had water, snacks and hats with us there was no respite from the direct rays of the sun.  

Lava cliffs

On the top of the hill we met an American/Norwegian cruising family with two young girls who were searching for their boat name left 15 years ago.  Returning to the mangroves in the afternoon, when the tidal flat had more time to drain, the short trail was easily traversable with guaranteed dry feet.  Back at the dinghy we made a diversion around the point to visit Winsome Wind moored in Emerald Bay, a sailboat we had met in Bimini.  Running into them in their dinghy halfway across the bay, Becky and Jeff were on their way to Boo Boo Hill to leave their driftwood painted boat name.  

Knot 2 Fast Memorialized on Boo Boo Hill

Back on the boat we soaked and dressed Bob’s feet and tried unsuccessfully to get on the internet when Becky and Jeff stopped by to check on the weather forecast.  The evening was wrapped up with dinner, a weather update and an email to people we thought might have an interest in our location.  The internet service had come on eventually of its own accord and though we received an error message stating no email was sent we had received a few answers when Peggy checked in at 2am.

View from Boo Boo Hill with K2F in the bay

Today was the first day of the Bahama weather we had expected.  Before today it has been cool and windy requiring wearing long sleeves and sweatshirts but today is in the mid to upper 70’s.

View from the top of Boo Boo Hill