Day #27: Check out time from Exumas Park was at the crack of noon. We somehow managed to get the most for our $15 mooring rental with an 11:45am departure. The morning was filled with a few basic chores which included a second coat of cetol on the exterior brightwork.
Today's trip north was like traveling through an acquarium. In the 15 foot waters we could clearly see fish and colorful coral reefs beneath us. By mid afternoon we dropped the hook in a mere 7 feet just off of Shroud Cay. We have this anchorage to ourselves as most sailboats and larger power boats need a bit more water to accommodate their deeper keels.
Shroud Cay is known for its mangrove swamps which actually devide the Cay into several smaller islands. After a swim (which included scrubbing Nellie's water line)we took the dinghy into one of the mangrove creeks. The creek's depth varied from inches to about six feet. The surprise for us was the abundant sea life that was so visable in the cystal clear water. There were bone fish, schools of colorful fish swam along the mangrove roots, a 5' wide sting ray floated under the dinghy, a small shark darted in front of us and a beautiful sea turtle glided through a patch of coral. We returned to Nellie D. an hour later to toast the sunset--we looked for the green flash, but alas there was none. As we ate our BBQ steaks on the aft deck the stars began to appear. It was then that the full moon took center stage, rising with a red glow. To quote Captain Ron, "Isn't this great!"
16 nm today/493 total. BJH
