Maybe it was a sign of things to come but just as we upped the anchor and were underway to begin our trip through Current Cut, a pod of 4 dolphins came over to say "Hi". We love dolphins and they seem to enjoy frolicking around our bow when we're underway.
This morning, by the time we got the camera to the bow, they were moving off to feed for the morning. What a blessing it was to have them greet us!
We approached the "cut" at about 3/4 of the way to high tide. Slack tide is best but that wouldn't arrive for another 3 hours. However, we figured the most severe current would be over and we would be running with the current.
Btw, the current goes through here, either or in or out, at up to 10 knots and there is no margin for error. Once you commit to going through, there is no turning back. Ughhh.
We tried to capture a sense of the speed through the cut but this picture really doesn't do it justice. We were going through the water at 7 knots but our speed over ground was 11 knots. The back end of the cut was disconcerting due to 2' deep shoals on either side of us and to keep it interesting, we had to follow the curve of the channel. We made it, though. PTL!!
The 8 mile trip to the Glass Window Bridge was a little choppy but pleasant.
Here you can see the amazing bridge in the background as Jim checks our anchorage details.
Our anchorage was in a beautiful, protected little cove with a lovely little beach right in front of us.
Once anchored, we dropped the dinghy and headed for the bridge.
Eleuthera is over 90 miles long and 3 miles wide in most places. At the Glass Window Bridge, the land mass narrows to where it only is a single lane road wide! The day we visited, the seas were quite active. However, the previous week, while we were hunkered down in Great Harbour, they closed the highway as the seas were crashing OVER the bridge. Wow!
We landed the dinghy & headed up to see the sights
Carol's famous "I'm not a mountain goat" pose.
Just as we got to the top of the hill, we stumbled onto a "blow hole". As the waves crashed into the island on the other side, it forced water through subterranean passages where it blew out of this hole. The geyser was blowing water 30 feet into the air!
The crashing waves at the bridge created a spectacular sight with some of them reaching 20 feet into the air.
We had heard there was a place called Queen's Bath a mile or so down the road. Just as we were ready to give up & return to the dinghy, we found the sign. Woo hoo!
Apparently on calm days, this is a lovely area with tidal pools you can soak in. Today, though, not so much!
Jim headed down to the baths area. The queen would have been swept out to sea for sure today!
It was so breathtaking, we sent up the drone up to get a different perspective. If you look closely, you can see us.
Here's a fun drone video that will help you get a sense of the tremendous power of the seas. We recommend viewing it in full screen mode. There's a small, full-screen button in the lower right once you start it. Enjoy!
