In 1958, the Bahamian Parliament set aside
176-square-mile area known as the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park as a land and
marine protected area. Parliament also
established the Bahamas National Trust as a non-profit, non-governmental
organization to manage the 27 national parks of protected areas with the
Bahamas. The Exuma Cays Land and Sea
Park, stretching from Wax Cay Cut in the north to Conch Cut in the south, is 22
miles long and extends out approximately 4 nautical miles on either side of the
cays. It includes 15 large islands and
many more tiny ones. Its stated purpose
is to provide a safe haven and replenishment area for the wildlife native to
the Bahamas and to educate the public in saving this beautiful environment for
future generations. Some of the islands
in the Park are privately owned and the right of private landholders is
maintained. Landing on these privately
owned islands is by invitation only. The
Park controls the seabed throughout its boundaries.
The Lore of Warderick Wells
Warderick Wells is said to be haunted and it
is reported that on moonlit nights the sound of a congregation singing hymns
can be heard. When the singing ceases a
number of voices can be heard calling to one another. There are three shipwrecks off the coast of
Warderick Wells. The one in the vicinity
of Boo Boo Hill reportedly was of a ship laden with missionaries. In 1989, the Assistant Warden wrote to the Society
for the Propagation of the Gospel, based in England, and they could not verify
any missionaries sent to this area or any shipwreck. The term missionaries at the time might have
meant something other than religious missionaries, perhaps a government boat
went down laden with bureaucrats bound for some mission on the outer
island. The boat may have been loaded
with French missionaries, some of which did land at Long Island. There is no verification of this and nothing
in the Archives, but it makes for some very interesting nights at anchor.
Whew!!!!
What a ride today! We made it here but
we sure did have to fight the wind, current, and waves! The wind was blowing 28 knots the whole way
off of our nose, and the waves were slamming the front starboard side all the
way! We were happy to drop anchor!
Once
we got here we put the dinghy in the water and drove into Warderick Wells Exuma
National Park. What a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
location! Tomorrow the winds are going
to be high again and blowing right into us so we are not going anywhere. But we are going to move into the park area
and get a mooring ball. It is just too beautiful to pass up! Besides we need to go to Boo Boo Hill and
drop off our Storymaker sign!
I’m
still trying really hard to get internet service and cell service but I’m not
sure it’s going to happen here. This is
a park and there are no amenities here. If we can’t get service we are moving
on Christmas Eve to Staniel Cay; I know they have service there!
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