Unbelievably,
three years have passed since Captain Bill and I first set out on our
big voyage of discovery aboard Let's Dance! We have traveled over
14,000 miles, met countless characters both on shore and afloat,
become moderately proficient at electronic navigation and weather
predicting and maintained our senses of humor. Well, mostly! We
have marveled over the 'green flash' that sparks just as the sun sets
over a cloudless western ocean, admired a full-fledged rainbow over a
rain-rinsed shoreline and counted ourselves among the lucky few to
have spent nights gently rocking at anchor in secluded, shallow
coves. Life on the ocean is full of wonders!
When
we left Daufuskie Island for southern waters this winter we did not
anticipate encountering livestock. We were mistaken. Big Majors
Spot, a small island in the Exuma chain is home to a small cache of
locally famous pigs. Last year they ignored us completely as we
brought the Love Me Tender close to the beach for a quick look-see.
They would not even leave the shade of the small, scrubby trees to
check out our offerings. This year, as we approached the narrow
beach, we saw two of the porkers paddling idly offshore in about six
feet of water. Just imagine the wee water wings keeping these fellas
afloat! We had no snacks aboard the tender, but they looked prepared
to board us anyway, so Bill quickly revved the engine and we sped
away. Who knew pigs could swim so fast? Wonder if they can fly?
Luckily,
as we bob about the oceans, most of the encounters that make us say
"wow" are more aquatic in nature. Nurse sharks are quite
common, and they often idled under the keel while we were anchored.
Tossing an occasional tidbit into the water sometimes brought them
out for a quick photo op as they circled the Love Me Tender. The
swim platform was closed for guests when these guys were in motion --
a nurse shark is still a shark, after all.
Great
shelling! That's how the inland waters of charming Pipe Cay were
described, so we timed our arrival to coincide with the ebbing tide.
Wide open sand flats were revealed as the water receded.
At
first we didn't see many shells of any sort, but as the little
ripples of receding waves revealed more and more of the pure sand
bottom, a few pale pink reflections became clearer. Conch! Some
small, some broken, some large -- all opalescent in the early
afternoon sun. Naturally I had to pick up as many as possible, very
careful to replace any with a tenant still in residence. There were
a few other treats along the shore as well. Yellow-tinged
periwinkles and an intact Atlantic Coquina for the collection. A
pair of perfect, translucent pen shells! The ebbing tide continued
to reveal her bounty and increase our awe. It was a wonderland!
We
met Sandy at the fresh water faucet serving the Island Breeze dock on
Long Island. She somehow found her way over from Florida and can't
get home again, so she stops by daily for a sip of unsalted water,
making friends with all who pass by. Lest you feel too sorry for
her plight, you should know that she has her own web page!
From
giant manatees to the the smallest shells -- the wonders of the
islands are plentiful. Bill spotted this tiny, sand-encrusted
starfish on the beach at the Land and Sea Park, and I collected a
minute sea biscuit and baby conch for the collection at another
beautiful bay.
And
the wonders we can't show you -- inadvertently scaring up a sea
turtle in the shallows of Pipe Creek, the full moon rising over an
abandoned lighthouse, the endless variety of blues and teals that
make up the ocean palette, the mystery of a million periwinkles
huddled as one mass, a spirited mahi mahi leaping high into the air
as he reaches for freedom -- it is all good aboard Let's Dance!
So, friends, we are back at home on Daufuskie. The azaleas are in full bloom, the breezes are cooling and all is well with this wonderful world. Let's Dance will pass the rest of the season in Charleston for a bit of a change of pace. Happy Spring!
Let's Dance.......Carol and Bill
Let's Dance.......Carol and Bill
