After a special birthday crescendo like that, we all had to take a break…
Nah… we’ve been playing hard, and the upcoming area doesn’t have cell service, so it’s been quiet on the posting side.
So, let’s catch you up on what we’ve being up to. Given the nice weather forecast, we decided to go to the park! First stop, Shroud Cay.
To the SaltyMare crew, Shroud Cay is notorious. Last year it was the scene of about an hour of “not fun” before we gave up and headed further south. Check the annals, it was the weather’s fault, not Shroud’s so, what the heck, let’s try Take Two!
With the weather cooperating we got to explore one of the many marvels of the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park.
Without further ado, into the park we go!
You can see on the chart the green dotted lines that make up this corner of the Land and Sea Park. The orange-gold line represents our dinghy trip into and through the interior of the island. We went literally “as far as our horses (dinghies) would go!”
For those curious, the center of the island is “marsh” that floods in and out with the tide, but not deep enough for passage.
So, into the northern creek we went!
We had a pleasant, leisurely cruise through the mangroves (3 mph speed limit in the creeks) as the tide was coming in, so we had to be careful navigating the shallows. Terry is very adept at finding the “good” side! It was wide at times and narrow at others, but finally we got across the island to …
The Washing Machine Beach!
We’d heard and read about it; time to see for ourselves.
Thinking they would once again channel those inner swimsuit models, the ladies took a seat…or tried to, at least.
The swirling current and waves surprisingly lift you right up off your, well, you know…
Susie and Lynn may not have been able to reach those inner swimsuit models, but their inner little girls giggled like crazy. Clearly, this was fun.
So next up, the gals coaxed the gents to give it a try.
During the change in cast members, Susie stayed put, claiming rolling around was easier than trying to get up and down in it. Haha.
Seeing how much fun she was having, Todd joined her in the “machine.”
Next up, Terry and Lynn gave it a go.
When everyone got up to leave the agitation cycle, they looked rather like drunken sailors.
On the trip back through the creek it was time to look for turtles, rays, little sharks, anything big enough to see in the clear water.
Keep a sharp eye out there, Captain!
The day was beautiful with threatening clouds off in the distance.
Turtles? Man, did we find ’em. Todd quit counting at 28; not sure if they were new ones or repeats! Ha!
We even captured some under water on video, which is fairly tricky from a dinghy!
Back out through the creeks lined with mangroves, occasionally being rocked by tour boats NOT following the 3 knot speed limit!
We explored a couple of other creeks on the chart before getting tuckered out, then returned to the boats for the good ol’ ball bidding the day farewell.
Our Travels 
AHHHHHHHHH thank you for the refresh! Still one of my favorite places
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Wish you could have been there, too! Hope to see you in the summer. We’ve got t-shirts to deliver. 😉
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As someone that just spent too much money on a piece of mangrove wood for the aquarium, I really hope Todd is taking the opportunity to hand pick all the most perfect decor for a nice saltwater tank whenever you guys decide to come off the boat.
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That’s funny. I inquired about that very thing!
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