March 30, 2015

March 30, 2015

Monday:  Normans to Shroud

Eldridge C pulled up their anchor early this morning, we waved them off and pulled up our anchor shortly afterward.  We checked in with Cruiseheimer's to announce our departure and made contact with Eldridge C also by SSB radio.  Thanks to all who have helped me get this far in understanding this mode of communication. 

We picked up a  mooring ball with the greatest of ease and settled in to explore this area once again on our own.   We met up with Toucanne and we both wandered through Sanctuary Creek, the northernmost creek through the mangroves.  We came out on the Exuma Sound side of the island and beached the dinghy.  We discovered an uphill path which we couldn't resist.  Once at the top we realized we were at Camp Driftwood.  In the 1960's a cruiser by the name of Ernest Scholtes began building Camp driftwood.  Ernest built the trail up the 50 foot hill and carried sand to smooth the path.  He collected driftwood and plants to form a picnic table.  Cruisers throughout the years added to his collection leaving shells, sea beans, and all other memorabilia to decorate the area.  Unfortunately, cruisers with poor intentions left trash atop the hill destroying the ritual of passage  for admittance to Camp Driftwood.  Park officials now request that nothing be left behind at Camp Driftwood.  

During the years that Carlos Lehder ran his drug business at Normans Cay, DEA set up cameras on this ride at Camp Driftwood on which to spy on Carlos.  They aimed the cameras at the runway on Normans and were able to identify plane id numbers to help locate the planes and pilots helping Carlos with his illegal activity.  

Joy