Within the Bahamas and the string of Islands known as the Exumas is the Exuma Cay Land & Sea Park. The Bahamian government has set aside this area for marine research and tourism, fishing is prohibited. We made this a 2 day stopover to give us a chance to explore Warderick Wells. Day one was primarily to get our bearings on land and to visit the park headquarters. As we were studying the map of the island and the 4 miles of trails a small bird flew in close to us and landed on a branch very close to us. Jokingly, I stuck my finger out as a perch and the bird flew over and landed on my finger for just a few seconds, not long enough for anybody to get a picture.
The next day Sharon and I prepared for a long hike, big breakfast, back packs with hydration bladders, hiking clothes and shoes. We were ready. Rick and Deb joined us onshore as we set out for the trail leading to the "ruins". Shortly into our walk Deb, who has the bad leg from her fall back at Governor's Harbour, decided it was too strenuous of a hike for her bum leg. Rick and Deb encouraged us to go on and they would stay in contact with us by portable radio. Sharon and I walked south to the wall built by the loyalist along time ago. We then turned and walked to the east towards the eastern coast of the island. Sharon and I consider ourselves to be in shape for long walks and hikes. What we were not prepared for was the heat and the intense sun. About 2 hours into the walk along the coast I started seeking shade to get relief from the sun. We had planned on walking north to Boo Boo Hill to meet up with Rick and Deb but decided to take a path west to the other side of the island. We arrived at Butterfly Beach only to find that we would have to backtrack on the trail to get to the next beach south of our current location. Not wanting to walk additional steps in the heat, I decided to walk on the limestone ledges to shortcut to the next beach. Not a good idea, shortly after starting out, Sharon lightly overturned her ankle and returned to Butterfly Beach. I, being a hunter from Pennsylvania, breezed over the limestone as if it was the rocks on Stoney Mountain that as a hunter I was always told by my father and uncle to stay of the rocks. Within an hour, the knight in shining armor that I am returned to Butterfly Beach with the dinghy to rescue my damsel in distress.
(Click on any photo to enlarge and hit back button to return)
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| Group photo - Deb, Rick and Sharon |
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| Above - crystal clear waters and sandy beaches need palm trees | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| Above - Not Iguanas but the local lizards of Warderick Wells Cay |
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| Above - Warderick Wells Cay eastern coastline -we never get tired of the clear water or the beaches. |
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| Above - a sample of the limestone coastline I crossed to get to dinghy after Sharon twisted her ankle. |
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| Above - View of dinghy from hill as I was returning to get dinghy and rescue Sharon. |
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