Paradise: aka Warderick Wells

02/28/2010   
Warderick Wells Exhuma Cays Land and Sea Park: N 24 deg, 23.622' ; W 076 deg, 38.100'


176 square miles, no houses or resorts, only the park headquarters.  No fuel, fresh water or bathrooms.  Just unspoiled nature, well-kept but unobtrusive trails, a few bouys to secure dinghies while snorkleling in the crystal clear water, and excellent, well-protected moorings.  Everyone respects the rule: Take only photographs, leave only footprints.  We have been here a week. Every time we think about leaving, another front comes through, it blows 35 kts and we say, "Maybe tomorrow."  Ben, this is one of those times that we are greatful for our watermaker.  Our fast dinghy (motor finally humming like a sewing machine and pushing us along at 20 kts --not bad for 9.8 hp--) is perfect for exploring all the little cays and beaches.  Heidi and I have of course discovered a beach just big enough for a picnic for two naked people. (Don't worry friends and family, no pictures.)


Many of our old friends who left Miami a week after we did because they were waiting for calm conditions to cross the stream have caught up with us here.  Since we will be going north again to pick up Paul and Mary Beth on Friday, March 5, we expect we'll meet a whole new batch of south-bound cruisers.  It seems that many people are content to just cruise the Exhumas and then go back to Florida, and why not, the Exhumas are paradise.  I think we'll have to follow the rule that our friend Dirk who single-handed from Germany (See Heidi's previous posts) adopted: anchor off, dinghy ashore; if you see a footprint, leave.  Even with that rule, we are going to have to impose some limits on ourselves.  Fortunately we have to meet Paula in Georgetown March 23.  Eighty nautical miles in three weeks: we should be able to pick up our pace enough for that!


Tomorrow we really will shove off for Highborn Cay, 25 NM north so we can prepare to meet Paul and Mary Beth.


We miss you all.


Bill


Click here for more pictures   http://picasaweb.google.com/heidiberger2/WarderickWells#