Farmer's Cay Days
Ambler Isle
V and S
Tue 17 Mar 2009 17:03
see "Little Jeff" for our lobster trade. Little M.J. was there again.
Back aboard the "Amber Isle," we did a few chores before going to the beach.
The Exuma Bank beach, (inside) is calmer, and nice, but we craved the
excitement of the Exuma Sound side (outside, in the Atlantic Ocean.). We
tromped through brush and iron shore about a mile and reached the sandy
crescent. It was strewn with sea flotsom, like most ocean beaches. When we
first saw such a beach, we were angered that no one took the time to clean
it up. But now we realize that mother nature makes new deposits daily: it
is impossible to keep uncluttered. Besides, it may have certain treasures,
as I described before. We are always hunting sea beans, but only certain
ones. Also sea glass, but only special peices, and only one type of float.
Valt took the high path and I the low one by the water. With a long stick
we turn over the dried sea grasses that wash up. Heavy item are on the
bottom. After a bit, my shoulders began to ache and my mind wandered. I
spied a coconut and shook it vigorously, but it was all dried up. No good.
I spotted a few bits of sea glass, but they were still works in progress,
not ready for my jewel box. I flipped more weeds. No sea beans. Valt is
much more diligent aout his search, and always finds more that I do. After
a two hour hunt, we met back at the lone tree on that beach to rest. Valt
began building a makeshift bench, and as he moved some wood, a big hamburger
bean popped out! Delighted, he began turning over more sand by the bench
and found a nice purse bean. This is only the third one we have ever found.
We laughed that we'd spend so long searching and found them in the most
unlikely spot. Going back up the rugged path, we climbed up to the cave.
Actually it is a rock house, not unlike the one by David and Karen's house
in Kodak, TN. This one is full of stalactites and stalacmites. Someone
left a bucket under one of the continuous water drips from the ceiling, and
over the years it had calcified into stone. It fills with fresh water
filtered through the rocks. A small ladle is for taking a drink from the
"fountain of youth."
Back on the boat, we sat outside for the sunset, and incredibly there was a
green flash. A rare event. I steamed our fresh lobster and we dined like
kings. Exhausted from the day, I promptly fell asleep on the couch while
Valt finished his latest book. There was a gentle rock from the tidal
surge, and we soundly all night.