The clouds surrounded and sheltered us, as a home. Clearly the ananay hakavod were a miraculous and Divine state of consciousness which surrounded us all the time. This was in the merit of Aaron the High Priest. It descends from the air of keter to the home of malchut. Well of Miriam was for drinking and also for washing clothing.
Water serves two purposes.
One is for drinking, when it becomes part of the person's life force. The second purpose is for cleansing the body and clothing. The skin itself is also clothing of the inner dimensions of the body. The fact that water is necessary for washing, is the way to meditate on the Chotam Hamithapech. The water of the Well of Miriam, in addition to being used for drinking, comes to wash the clothing of the Jewish People.