Cape Santa Maria, Calabash Bay to Thompson Bay

Thursday June 21


This morning Mercy-dog and I went in for a quick beach romp, and to thank Don for his help, and fill him in on the latest pump shipment. Then we ventured to the north to see if we could get to the high bluffs and likely looking caves inside the next cove to the north. The sand beach closest to the bluff is rocky and shallow out from shore, so we anchored at the sandy beach further south, and began looking for a trail. We hiked along the beach and rocks until we gave up on the idea of there being any path in that direction. The tropical vegetation was too thick to traipse thru without a machete, and it was too far to cut a path anyhow. That, and I'd left the machete on the MERCY.





It was interesting looking at the tidal pools behind the rocks, and the various pieces of rocks and coral thrown asunder by northwesterly waves. I found one interesting rock I wanted to save, and can't believe I lugged it all the way back to the Whaler from the further point away that we went. Mercy didn't mind me decorating her litter box bathroom.





In the afternoon, we headed south for Thompson Bay, and Salt Pond. I cruised a meandering route, going a little closer to the coast that I had on the way up, looking through binoculars for likely looking caves.





I saw a small boat anchored alongside a small rock island, and was surprised anyone was out diving in the 20 kt wind. After I was alongside them, still a half mile away, I saw two guys get into the boat. I watched them for a little bit, and realized they couldn't get their outboard started, and then they were paddling like crazy, trying to make the point before blowing past it. I circled the MERCY around and headed towards them, and they stopped paddling and dropped anchor when they realized I was coming to them. I anchored the MERCY and took the Whaler in to take them under tow, a much appreciated gesture! One of the two young men rode on the boat with me, so he could direct me where to go. Kevin Miller, of Millers (the community) has lived there all his life. He pointed a cave out to me (without me even mentioning caves!) and told me a good spot to get conchs.





I continued on to Thompson Bay, and anchored where I had spent the time at the regatta. There aren't many places I can attend church, and look out the window and see my boat at anchor!





The NEXT GIG was anchored a little further north in the bay, a couple on a power boat who had been anchored in a couple of places around Eleuthera where I was last year. I went over and we visited for awhile off the stern.





The wind has died a little this evening, but this is such a nice anchorage, I'm protected from the prevailing wind direction.