After provisioning and buying those last few things we were sure we could not do without, i.e., extra propane tank, extra gas for the dinghy engine, short wave antenna, etc., we slipped out of Nassau mid-afternoon on Jan. 19, 2011. We proceeded east about 6 miles and anchored south of Rose Island:
A friend from back in our Albuquerque days, Bob Springer, used to go to Rose Island for BBQ’s put on by the Roses. Today it appears the island is still used for day excursions from Nassau, as a passenger ferry was docked there when we arrived. We took our dinghy to the southern spit, where we found the “sidewalk to nowhere.” What looked to be fairly recent construction was a roughly formed concrete sidewalk probably about a half a mile long and three feet wide running along the spit, just above the beach – very odd. At the other end of the spit we found the quintessential rope hammock hanging from two palm trees. I took a nap while Pollie searched for shells. Most cruise ship and day excursion companies do not mind if you visit their facilities when they are not in use by their guests.
The next morning we proceeded south across the Banks about 40 miles to Normans Cay:
Back in the late 70’s early 80’s half of Norman Cay that included the air strip and yacht club was owned by the notorious Carlos Lehder and was the hub for his drug smuggling operation until closed down by U.S. DEA. Some of the buildings still have some bullet holes. In the anchorage sits the remains of one of his twin engine aircraft that crashed after making a touch and go on the island.
Today, it makes a great snorkeling site.
Mo trying to prop start it
We had a great dive after way too long out of the water. Most of our forgotten skills retuned to us, and Pollie’s camera did a great job.
These guys were very curious
The old yacht club is now in ruins, but scheduled for a renewal. Adjacent to the air strip is the Normans Cay Beach Club and MacDuffs restaurant/bar, open from 12-3 for lunch and dinner by reservation. Cheeseburgers were $18 each, and beers were $6 a piece, but it was great! And, we met a couple headed down to the Exuma Land and Sea Park to be volunteer hosts.
Adjacent to the anchorage was “lone tree island:”
On the island was a monument to Aleda and Ron Turner. In addition to a stone marker was bench placed there in their honor.
Add about 30 knots of wind, rolling seas, cross current, and total darkness to this picture of Serenity at anchor southeast of Normans Cay and you will have an idea how we spent our last night at anchor there. On the up side, the wind generator did a great job charging the batteries.
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