Backyard? No, Lynn’s yard!

We completed our final passage within the Bahamas to arrive back in the Abacos at Lynyard Cay late Saturday afternoon. Upon approach to the unusually crowded anchorage, we were hailed by friends on Purrfect, who heard “SaltyMare” on the VHF. Chris & Allison! We hadn’t seen them since Georgetown in March 2022 and had wondered when our paths would cross again. They kindly invited us to join them for fresh mahi – Chris hooked five of ’em on their crossing! Overachiever. 😉

The next day, our impromptu party of six – us along with Terry & Lynn from Finish Grade and Chris & Allison (pictured) from Purrfect – headed for the Coral Garden off the nearby Sandy Cay for some snorkeling.

Everyone geared up, and…

Splash! Let’s go see what we can see.

And it was pretty!

Coral Garden, Sandy Cay
A young Blue Tang
A school of Grunts
Jewel Damselfish
A school of Blue Chromis

This colorful…

Stoplight Parrot Fish…
even turned to smile for the camera!

We rode the currents with a graceful school of adult Blue Tangs and Surgeon Fish – they hang out together! (video below).

After snorkeling Sandy Cay, we all headed over to explore the nearby Pelican Cays Land & Sea Park.

After a break for lunch, we introduced ourselves to John & Lorelei, anchored nearby on Siren’s Song, another Selene 53. It is always fun to meet fellow owners and see other Selenes moving about in exotic places. John & Lorelei decided to join us for some beachcombing, bringing our party to eight.

We checked a couple of areas and then headed to the southern beach on Lynyard Cay with Susie promising Lynn she’d find sea glass (maybe even a sea bean, but definitely sea glass).

We picked up a lovely tulip shell, but this little Hermit didn’t want to give it up.

With a wave to the other husbands who decided to wait at the comfy onshore “Cruisers’ Lounge,” Todd took the ladies to a longer beach around the corner to look for sea glass and the elusive sea bean. (No, Lynn, we are not Snipe Hunting. I promise.)

We wandered along the calm side, picking up treasures until we followed our ears to a little path that crosses to the rougher, iron shore on the ocean. This is where Lynn found… (drumroll, please) …say it ain’t so!

We returned home with our tiny treasures, rinsed gear, showered and prepared to tuck in for the night. As the sun set, we couldn’t help but reflect on the true treasure from the seaside. Friendships!