Hatchet, Road Trip

We head to the dinghy dock at 7:30. Unfortunately, Emmit apparently is sleeping in today and is no where in sight. After 10 minutes or so, Emmit does appear, looking like he just woke up, even though his store says open at 7:00 AM. Apparently a Bahamian 7:00 AM.

 

Where's Emmit?

Another car with Japanese instructions

We drive north to Gregory Town for breakfast. Gregory Town is kind of a surf town. There are some well know surf beaches on the east Atlantic side of the island here. We have breakfast at “Da Corner Cafe” mainly "take away" place serving breakfast and lunch. We have a very good breakfast on one of their two outside tables after we move a couple chairs from the other table.
 

Nile, Linda, Karen & Mark at “Da Corner Cafe”

After Breakfast we head north to the “Glass Window”. This is a narrow neck of “land” connecting north and south Eleuthera by bridge. Years ago it was a natural stone arch. Then it was a two lane bridge. Now many hurricanes later it is a one lane bridge. It has frequently been moved westward by the pounding Atlantic surf. 

 

Glass Window viewed from the north, Atlantic on right Eleuthera Sound on the left

Wave in

Water out

Early this month several people climbing on rocks near the bridge were injured and an American visitor swept offshore remains missing according to Bahamian police. The bridge is often closed. I have talked with locals that have stopped and directed traffic passing over the bridge between waves. Today it is only moderately rough, but still quite impressive.


This idiot survived, Believe it or not
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkncilCQPr0

another video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NZDYiVBBCc

From there we head to the north end of Eleuthera to visit Preachers Cave. Early white settlers shipwrecked near the here and found shelter in this large cave.

Preachers Cave

Coffee Shop that we passed

Traveling back south to through Gregory Town we head out to surfers beach. Don’t get to see any surfers. 
 

Surf Beach

Continuing south we stop just north of Hatchet Bay to visit the Hatchet Cay. This is one of the longest caves in the Bahamas. Mark and I explore a 1/3 of a mile or so. Supposed we can exit out the other end near the shore, but don’t have the time to check that out. Unlike northern caves that are rather cool, usually the temperature inside is the yearly average temperature of the outside location. The same thing applies here, unfortunately that makes the interior in the mid 70’s, so hiking around it kind of warm and sweaty.
 

Cave Entrance

Some long straight sections almost like a lava tube

From here we head further south to Governors Harbor for lunch at the Buccaneer, one of our favorite restaurants. As we drive by the Harbor we see no boats, but lots of white caps. We did well not anchoring here. 

 

The Buccaneer, I miss the chickens roaming around the tables

After lunch I walked a couple blocks back to the harbor and run into a couple that seems familiar. They have been seeing our AIS signal for a number of weeks and we have seen their boat a number of times. Susan has to remind me that last fall we helped her and David on their boat ”Jacquelin”,navigate south out of Wrightsville Beach and then that evening we had dinner with them at St. James Plantation Marina. As first time south bound cruisers they had lots of questions. Just like we did on our first trip south. I am sure we will see them again. I catch up with Linda, Mark and Karen in town and we explore a number of shops.

Next we head to the Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve a few miles south on the Atlantic side. Late afternoon we drive back to Hatchet Bay and return the car. Dinner and to bed early after a long day.