crossing & recrossing Sir Francis Drake Channel

The next morning we motored across Sir Francis Drake Channel, through four foot seas to Cooper Island Beach for more snorkeling and a great restaurant for dinner.

happy diners

And then came The Baths, a place I was sorta reluctantly dragged to cause I had no idea but I had taken a shower Saturday like always and this was only Thursday so I didn’t really want a bath yet!  Let me tell you, if you can get to the Caribbean do not miss The Baths, it is the most awesome rock formations of house size granite boulders that were tossed into unbelievable piles that you thread your way through to the most tranquil pools of crystal clear water imaginable.  They don’t even have towels or soap, so don’t worry!  

After climbing over, around and through the rocks we hiked up a narrow trail lined with all types of cactus.   It is after all, a desert island!  The trail ended on top of the hill about 500’ asl and offered the views we have become accustomed to.

home is where the heart is

looking forward to something to drink at the top

guardian of the baths

From there we motored back across Sir Francis Drake Channel in four foot seas to Marina Cay to grab a mooring ball and rest up.  They have wonderful views (as does everywhere) ice, water & fuel,we opted for ice & views and much needed rest except Dave had to change mooring balls during the night cause the wind shifted and he was too close to his neighbor.

On the way  to Limerick Bay across Drake channel (I’m beginning to get my fill of Sir Francis & his 6’ seas) once again, we stopped at a place called the dogs, several little rock islands with protected coves where you can snorkel.  The pics of snorkeling will be added later.

It was like being in a huge aquarium except no big fish.  Then we went on to Limerick Bay to a slip that gave Sally 3 days of air conditioning, she was a whole new woman.  We rented a car to get an extension from immigration and then came back & picked up Dave & Rene went to Spanishtown shopping and then went to the first copper mine in the caribbean.  It was built by the Indians and the Spanish took it and really operated it.  Now it is being run by goats.

sorta happy campers

taking in the grandeur 

ancient copper mine

mine operators, I count 6

guardians

our boat is just behind the bush on the left four slips down from the big white boat

Dave & Rene left and the next morning we pulled out to St Maarten.

Renee's happy dance leaving

Chris Parker, weather guru, said this was the best day to go in two weeks.  He was two days off.  We had our usual 4-6 ft waves 4-6 seconds apart and winds 20 its gusting to 34 direct on our nose.  It took 17 hours to motor across and one of the 10th waves threw me across the deck banging my head on a rail leaving a goose egg the size of a golf ball that lasted a week.  Sally was sure I had a contusion or aneurism but it was just sore.