Conception Island Trip
Well, we took a side trip to Conception Island, with plans to return to Thompson Bay. We had a great few days, enjoying one of the jewels of the Bahamas. Conception Island (CI) is a national park with no development and no taking or leaving of anything. The waters are as clean and clear as anywhere.
We left Thompson Bay and Salt Pond with “Miss Alice” and “Barefootin”. We decided to go to Calabash Bay on the northern tip of Long Island, and visit the Cape Santa Maria Resort.
Cape Santa Maria Resort, Restaurant and Bar
This was a very fancy place, peaceful in all aspects. Rasheed, the bar tender, is a master of mixed and frozen drinks. His frozen dacquiri was a masterpiece, as were other creations.
We met a bunch of folks there from around the world, and had a long and interesting conversation with Navy Lt Scott, an F/A-18 pilot from California, and his beautiful wife. A young couple taking time off together after his third deployment to the middle east.
Dennis, Bettye, Kathy, John, Francie, Bobby
Barefootin’ and Son of a Sailor took off the next day for Conception, an easy 20nm northeast run. Of course, the wind was on the nose all the way. Miss Alice headed northwest for the 60 mile run up to the central Exumas, hoping to get there in time to meet guests at Staniel Cay.
Passing Cape Santa Maria and the Columbus Monument
The first day, Bobby led us about a mile and a half south of our anchorage to the mouth of a tidal creek that went all over the interior of Conception.
Wide, shallow creek on Conception (from Barefootin’)
We circled all the way around and came back to the backside of a beach that we combed for a couple of hours.
All new shades of blue around Conception Island
Bettye and Franci combing the beach
After leaving the beach, Bobby spotted a deep hole in the creek, and anchored his dinghy to take a swim. What a spot! We played in the water for an hour, like a bunch of kids.
Friendly shark sharing the deep hole
Bettye finally gets wet!
How clear!
Bobby, Franci and the boat dog, Kippin
The camera’s tiny lens really fractures the subjects below the water!
Peaceful…
Francie and Bobby — BAREFOOTIN’
Get it? Their boat’s name is “Barefootin” and they’re barefootin’!
Bettye barefootin’ too…
Gotcha!
What an afternoon. Later we enjoyed snacks and sundowners on board Barefootin.
Next day was a short walk to the ocean side of CI, and some exploring of the reefs.
Combing the ocean side…
Bettye relaxing…
Reefs on the north end of Conception Island
What a great time. We left on Friday to return to George Town, hoping to meet s/v Palladin, who had been trying for months to get over here. We got back, met Keith on Palladin, and Dennis promptly came down with John’s cold! (Miss Alice) So for the last 5 days, Dennis has been face down in the berth, while Bettye plays Texas Holdem and weaves her baskets, something she is doing very well.
George Town is quiet, maybe 40 or 50 boats in the entire harbor. Wind is up, and won’t lay down until next week, when we plan to return to Long Island, then work our way north. Wish you were here!
