March 25, 2014 Exumas Land and Sea Park........Big Blow

Hello Campers!
Today we are at the Exumas Land and Sea Park in Waderick Wells, Exumas.  But no, it is no "waterpark" this place is a wilderness of sea and land wildlife.  Very beautiful but very remote.  As we tied on to our mooring ball last night we saw nurse sharks under our hull.  On land there are Iguanas that run by your feet. 

Unfortunately we are waiting out a blow.  It currently blowing about 25 kts of wind.  We have had our first real rain of the trip which was welcome as it washed some salt off the boat.  With fresh water down here costing anything from 25cents to 80 cents a gallon, boat washing is a luxury!

Austin is currently with us for Spring Break.  He and Salty just headed for land and a little exercise.  So due to weather we are kind of held up on the boat but taking the time to chill out.  Internet is sporadic at best, but we have a connection right now from the ranger's station

Yesterday was a good day.........errr most of it anyway.  In the morning on the slack tide we went into Thunderball Grotto.  We actually stayed on a mooring ball right opposite the entrance.  it was an amazing sight inside -  a real view that was actually used in the James Bond movie......this was the real thing! As it says in the guide book - no Hollywood sets.  I will post photos at some point when I have a reliable connection.  Fish in their thousands followed us through the underwater cavern.

Then - well we provided a little entertainment for the other cruisers moored or anchored in the area...yes, we ran aground and grounded. As they say down here, any sailor who has not run aground has either not sailed much or is a liar.  Well I guess we have sailed enough now!  we were about 10 ft off our mooring ball.  I was turning to the channel and we grounded........geez!  how embarrassing.  Two cruisers came to help.  Both had dinghies with small outboards.  One pushed the bow, and one pulled our halyard.  With full engine power, and bowthuster running we spun Midnight Sun off to applause from onlookers.  The cruise drink for this trip is "Captain Salty's Anti-grounding Rum".  And no, I had not had one, it was too early in the day.........but after that experience, I put things to right and had a significant splash of anti-grounding rum!  All was well for the rest of the day!