Day 34. April 25. On to Tilloo Cay. Miles 5.5. Total Miles 487.8

 Day 34

Had a lazy morning and got some chores done - restocked the  refrigerator from freezer, cleaned the kitchen, did wash and even took a shower!   Sounds like fun?

Bill got his tools and mask and flippers put away and set to reorganizing his supplies.  He is still finding "surprises", (usually tools) where he "hid" them when we originally loaded the boat.

Weather still looks good for a Monday crossing, so we sill move today- not far- but will begin our journey south.  The outer islands here will provide good protection from the east winds we have been experiencing these past few days.

Left the mooring on a rising tide to hug the shore of Elbow Cay, taking a route similar fo the day we went by dinghy to Tahiti Beach.  This ride will be less wet and much more calm!

We pass houses on the bluffs

and the passed White Sound where we had lunch at the Firefly Inn and Resort.

Next we passed between Elbow Cay and Lubbers Quarters Cay.  This is where the channel gets real skinny, so we really had to watch our depths.  That is why we are traveling at high tide! 

At the end of Elbow Cay we came to Tahiti Beach and its large sandbar.  Lots of boats and people enjoying the beach here today.

Leaving Lubbers Quarters Cay and  Elbow Cay behind we cross  Tilloo Cut and begin traveling behind Tilloo Cay.

Tilloo Cay is a narrow  4 mile island running north and south below Elbow Key.  Its east shore faces the Atlantic and its shore on the Sea of Abaco offers many opportunities to anchor.  The island is mostly privately owned, most of the homes are on the north end of the island, so the further south you go, the more remote the anchorage.

We passed a limestone formation that has a cave carved into it and Scary Castle built by Gary Larson, creator of the Far Side comics.

We anchored behind Tavern Cay in a cove near a home and settled in.

We put the dinghy in the water to explore the salt pond.  The Bahamas collected salt from shallow ponds on the islands and had a brisk salt trade with the sailors who passed by.

We pulled over and landed the dinghy near a path that led us to the Atlantic side of the island.  We met two other couples from a power catamaran who came to explore also. 

 We were greeted by the roar of waves and splashes that rose above the island. Glad we weren't out in the Atlantic today. 

Yes, Bill did get wet!!!

Here are two videos we took.

Was amazing the old coral formations that looked like sand castles.  They were a challenge to walk on.  Also the vegetation was similar to that on our beaches, low bushes and vines.  Not much soil to hang onto but somehow the plants manage.

Getting our fill of the raging ocean, we headed back to the dinghy and to our boat.

Also enjoyed a beautiful sunset!