tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3983095918374347482024-03-19T05:34:17.931-04:00King's Cruising LogDave and Peghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09197023077918294888noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-398309591837434748.post-16177175314511408292021-02-08T14:53:00.002-05:002021-02-08T14:53:51.993-05:002021 SOUTHBOUND ICW TRIP - HEADED TO BAHAMAS OR THE KEYS? WHO KNOWS⛵️<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Jan. 11, 2021 Monday. I will apologize now for any goofs I make on our newest blog. The format is much different from 2010-11 when I did the first one! But here goes:</span></div><p></p><p>We’re southbound for another trip to the Bahamas...or the Florida Keys. So much has gone on since we bought SIMPLICITY in Punta Gorda, FL back in August 2019. Same name, different boat. Our new home is a 2000 380 Lagoon. </p><p>She’s pretty unique in that she has a sling seat with mega reinforced Bimini and arch. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh7rp0AZoG8ik0LYbJw6FQ29V3HBbY9N4W2RF0han4b6e59y5YbS7B7frvUQG1Swqn2qQhixy_YyZHhKM-b9fo_WvqrJam2PLaZEuBzonQ6a5gjEvPK9BWzsu1IkygdQrDieFhxd7_-5I/s2048/FEC261BC-2109-4941-B869-C6DBA1E5D318.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh7rp0AZoG8ik0LYbJw6FQ29V3HBbY9N4W2RF0han4b6e59y5YbS7B7frvUQG1Swqn2qQhixy_YyZHhKM-b9fo_WvqrJam2PLaZEuBzonQ6a5gjEvPK9BWzsu1IkygdQrDieFhxd7_-5I/s320/FEC261BC-2109-4941-B869-C6DBA1E5D318.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It’s pretty nice since you can read or sleep when it’s nice out!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But I’ve jumped ahead in time. For anyone interested and wondering how we got here since we had moved back to Washington here’s the quick version. 2012 we bought our dream retirement home and moved to Gig Harbor, WA to take care of David’s mom. 2014 We moved to Bellingham, WA and bought Bellhaven Yacht Sales and Charters. Great business selling boats and managing a small charter fleet. We decided 2019 was time to get back onto a boat so sold Bellhaven. We learned a lot about small businesses and how important they are. We met some amazing people and hope to stay in touch with them. I know we dropped off the radar but my goal is to keep this log going. So, that’s the past....here’s our new home.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> We have an Owners Version which means we have our own “hull” with a cabin and full shower/head. Reasonable salon and the other hull has 2 cabins. We use the forward cabin for storage and the aft cabin for family and friends. One of the unique features of the boat is our sling seat in the cockpit and the super strong bimini frame. Here are a couple of pictures:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9iLV34YB5gblvy3vkcgzN6-w1ZUmyfwUTbQ-U-Qs-MRKKDXV6LRXT0ZCNpSzXyb-ssQtq_j1FlSLg2LHWMDepEQ0JO_6ruNiIy-nbSK35KuuHZ16AffwVe3SIYJac3XYV2RKCeUAUtc/s2048/1AE4806F-A6E3-4DB6-8F82-A302C50E4C25.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9iLV34YB5gblvy3vkcgzN6-w1ZUmyfwUTbQ-U-Qs-MRKKDXV6LRXT0ZCNpSzXyb-ssQtq_j1FlSLg2LHWMDepEQ0JO_6ruNiIy-nbSK35KuuHZ16AffwVe3SIYJac3XYV2RKCeUAUtc/s320/1AE4806F-A6E3-4DB6-8F82-A302C50E4C25.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjUKcXuP60iKx3cnBE9KMtU6NzsXucnkp9BS989MPE_73SaLxZI4XiFfNpRvGo6zyaCwXCEK9wmy4_k3uM8B8SIZt-PCkHmw9MbfXxcHVvznrIEsmHWmXOG4xWBdq-716xSR7KUci00cc/s2048/1FC6FAEA-11BA-45D8-8BEA-6825762CF753.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjUKcXuP60iKx3cnBE9KMtU6NzsXucnkp9BS989MPE_73SaLxZI4XiFfNpRvGo6zyaCwXCEK9wmy4_k3uM8B8SIZt-PCkHmw9MbfXxcHVvznrIEsmHWmXOG4xWBdq-716xSR7KUci00cc/s320/1FC6FAEA-11BA-45D8-8BEA-6825762CF753.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ-o6uKjCllCuKFruUkY2KTGCL_HAp4BT_-b1l2VTDgV9NnDSBY4O8RTsLY7vbJWSSTWcg0asi7kCVMFB8lTcS4Fe8Qp03N_Rm9ofDafQUFiyFz-wJhcEPHf_3S65fXEgsSzJb5R5ElM0/s2048/11633B7F-3A2E-491E-B1A7-C196A24CEFCA.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ-o6uKjCllCuKFruUkY2KTGCL_HAp4BT_-b1l2VTDgV9NnDSBY4O8RTsLY7vbJWSSTWcg0asi7kCVMFB8lTcS4Fe8Qp03N_Rm9ofDafQUFiyFz-wJhcEPHf_3S65fXEgsSzJb5R5ElM0/s320/11633B7F-3A2E-491E-B1A7-C196A24CEFCA.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBAfY0k6PlNvqqwo29TSOmcwuSzyekMBlztYuNX7Iz5fneQGcnP8B_NlIV9EYfZAQj2EE7C_vfnQ4zxYj4jE7oyXhtRI5k_GsJckCfMM9uIZqeTBv0rdeR600uNN7XQOHUDrYjju4qZk/s2048/D6174948-8E24-44BF-A614-D2E1F45B7869.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBAfY0k6PlNvqqwo29TSOmcwuSzyekMBlztYuNX7Iz5fneQGcnP8B_NlIV9EYfZAQj2EE7C_vfnQ4zxYj4jE7oyXhtRI5k_GsJckCfMM9uIZqeTBv0rdeR600uNN7XQOHUDrYjju4qZk/s320/D6174948-8E24-44BF-A614-D2E1F45B7869.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"> Our friends in Gloucester, VA, Ronnie and Renee Powell not only offered us a dock WITH power, water, TV and a tiki bar. Ronnie crafted the cabinet above for us! Wasn’t sure if we would have been able to get it so THANK YOU Ronnie😘</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0oQlUyG3c2wrfPnzvaN2C3v-6acyN8A3SP1ZVP9NNChdzjTkg2WV-EsEwVM6xVVSmrfoIlxO2Af0bKSYV66BxKtfnshviNHwfmEFuvgWEZpBhtF6d0lTskmhFpPxdkd399vwV6gu90tY/s2048/25D5DB9D-C8F9-4726-82F6-15A8205BAD87.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0oQlUyG3c2wrfPnzvaN2C3v-6acyN8A3SP1ZVP9NNChdzjTkg2WV-EsEwVM6xVVSmrfoIlxO2Af0bKSYV66BxKtfnshviNHwfmEFuvgWEZpBhtF6d0lTskmhFpPxdkd399vwV6gu90tY/s320/25D5DB9D-C8F9-4726-82F6-15A8205BAD87.jpeg" width="320" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, that’s the boat! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">TRIPS!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2019: We bought the boat in August, hired a captain to help get us down the Gulf side of Florida, around the Keys and up to Palm Beach. We started up the ICW to Beaufort, SC and Lady’s Island Marina until mid-December when we grabbed a mooring ball in Vero Beach with our cruising friends from our 2010-11 trip. Bob and Francie Sadler on BAREFOOTIN we’re here as well! We both left mid-January and crossed over to the Bahamas and spent some time in the Abacos. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We fell in love with the Bahamas back in 2010 but the Abacos we found in 2020 were devastated and heartbreaking. To say the islands went through hell is an understatement. Hurricane Dorian was a Class 5 storm that sat over Marsh Harbor and surrounding cays for 3 days. The government doesn’t know how many people got washed out to sea and claim the death toll was 60 people in Marsh Harbor and 10 on Grand Bahama. It’s mind boggling to think about thousands of people living in tents and shantytowns surviving. Marsh Harbor is still decimated and in need of everything but remains one of our favorite stops. We are confident it will come back stronger than before - it’s just going to take time. The following pictures don’t really show how devastating the storm was. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I’m not sure how to move pictures around yet so bear with me. The following are pictures from Green Turtle Cay and Hopetown on Elbow Cay. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3DxZezOQXeAGu_SSBasTVHrNSzpYyvLvtuwzADddZUz5X79XbEazMPEbP7nQih_Ox-1b-kwuURylI7SzUbXkefMQcAvWHJKq1wN8A3-x0S1Qox_wLVMMdXVPKAQ5S65BWmCJ4LUfojY/s2048/3D4C2B84-888F-4EB8-837E-933B72E4B420.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3DxZezOQXeAGu_SSBasTVHrNSzpYyvLvtuwzADddZUz5X79XbEazMPEbP7nQih_Ox-1b-kwuURylI7SzUbXkefMQcAvWHJKq1wN8A3-x0S1Qox_wLVMMdXVPKAQ5S65BWmCJ4LUfojY/s320/3D4C2B84-888F-4EB8-837E-933B72E4B420.jpeg" width="320" /></a>Hopetown</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1o7oDjaacHWM_vPRS_LtIIQm_xh9F_RaYlN6tujNNrAygLsGaKs5scXowQyZoewyvyTzIK_LkFmJapvi-ds47G_ZDvoFgu0zMfKsV4oRrarem-vAmLol56C-uTr_BLBb20_Y6xPEHz7I/s2048/49DDEF75-DECD-443E-8E97-AE873B43DDE5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1o7oDjaacHWM_vPRS_LtIIQm_xh9F_RaYlN6tujNNrAygLsGaKs5scXowQyZoewyvyTzIK_LkFmJapvi-ds47G_ZDvoFgu0zMfKsV4oRrarem-vAmLol56C-uTr_BLBb20_Y6xPEHz7I/s320/49DDEF75-DECD-443E-8E97-AE873B43DDE5.jpeg" width="320" /></a>Hopetown, Elbow Cay</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyAGqzI6ae6e7e2dk4my-_6h-IoO-LG1f-enHVCTzlm_gpsfMUCffFmh-zqBc3YmOTMjne33A1ajscm9ilHMX3Ue0vI9dd1bXdNrhf7OEzKz7ZGdkKyu7eeV0Omwq8cWSgQQaa5slFqe4/s2048/68C6C6A4-7C9E-4DF0-A7A0-FF31364D6468.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyAGqzI6ae6e7e2dk4my-_6h-IoO-LG1f-enHVCTzlm_gpsfMUCffFmh-zqBc3YmOTMjne33A1ajscm9ilHMX3Ue0vI9dd1bXdNrhf7OEzKz7ZGdkKyu7eeV0Omwq8cWSgQQaa5slFqe4/s320/68C6C6A4-7C9E-4DF0-A7A0-FF31364D6468.jpeg" width="320" /></a>Green Turtle Cay</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLZcyLbvkIkAnxSzwtSYefzPbcm9hR1oe1l2iudaPXka_PkDb-0nGoxPPNupdYfEmCLCq8r2XbCal8do2SxuGYfv4WZyK5kDbUrDZq5iRivKHRuV14tqYaL7b3pA1xgkIPWs9qQ2UhJY/s2048/488E6E92-9577-4CB9-A1AE-04234A8CECDD.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLZcyLbvkIkAnxSzwtSYefzPbcm9hR1oe1l2iudaPXka_PkDb-0nGoxPPNupdYfEmCLCq8r2XbCal8do2SxuGYfv4WZyK5kDbUrDZq5iRivKHRuV14tqYaL7b3pA1xgkIPWs9qQ2UhJY/s320/488E6E92-9577-4CB9-A1AE-04234A8CECDD.jpeg" width="320" /></a>Truman Major and Bob Sadler. We use Truman’s mooring balls in Hopetown. He spent 7 hours in his house before going to the shelter. He had sent his family to the States when it appeared the storm was really going to be horrific. Truman is the happiest man in spite of the trauma he survived.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5bIppHgZxdl9pRP0WdvIsuVFFMXjWVh_d-CMoL2frtYtNcILawTueZc-N5_gGGqaLmoXpFWRMe7h_f_So1ihkzNXVCu7VInyLKMPZvVxdwIOEJEITE4lQaa3JiKzdv-o9Zs8Y_mLXAw8/s2048/783F9CBA-A74A-426B-A347-3AA574A67DA0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5bIppHgZxdl9pRP0WdvIsuVFFMXjWVh_d-CMoL2frtYtNcILawTueZc-N5_gGGqaLmoXpFWRMe7h_f_So1ihkzNXVCu7VInyLKMPZvVxdwIOEJEITE4lQaa3JiKzdv-o9Zs8Y_mLXAw8/s320/783F9CBA-A74A-426B-A347-3AA574A67DA0.jpeg" /></a>Hopetown, Elbow Cay</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaK39dd6iHRZ6etETD2my3EI7j_Fsc5k-olnw8Q7K6qqDvPyhN2cjJbVWZ49evFtojSYGDhlG90VbrSGB-J7iZDgbSI3ygF2Bl3yewYFlrRr1zJQnlrfsg8zKWQaM5ENNU33KKA7rHsgk/s2048/F6779132-6E75-44D3-BE22-36A697353C25.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaK39dd6iHRZ6etETD2my3EI7j_Fsc5k-olnw8Q7K6qqDvPyhN2cjJbVWZ49evFtojSYGDhlG90VbrSGB-J7iZDgbSI3ygF2Bl3yewYFlrRr1zJQnlrfsg8zKWQaM5ENNU33KKA7rHsgk/s320/F6779132-6E75-44D3-BE22-36A697353C25.jpeg" width="320" /></a>Hopetown, Elbow Cay</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglipND345kcvwx85qnn_puFf3xZ8RBKtSMbarGFSi7OiWE0pZ7ATtKFJLOy0DDMJWb7qfU8A00y2v8m5KgwvJ9Ny9RSNVfcTcKtrsbYMpwpq92iCbmld7KxpLQ8yG2j5R1zbRUjc95h2g/s2048/FBB4E921-132D-4A8D-8B11-F402B7164C0E.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglipND345kcvwx85qnn_puFf3xZ8RBKtSMbarGFSi7OiWE0pZ7ATtKFJLOy0DDMJWb7qfU8A00y2v8m5KgwvJ9Ny9RSNVfcTcKtrsbYMpwpq92iCbmld7KxpLQ8yG2j5R1zbRUjc95h2g/s320/FBB4E921-132D-4A8D-8B11-F402B7164C0E.jpeg" /></a>The public dock at Green Turtle. You can see the direction the wind came in at. It was unreal trying to walk the dock. Our dinghy has the green bunting. I found it up in a tree on a walk around Hopetown. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After we left the Abacos we headed to Eleuthera and staged ourselves for the cross over to the Exuma Land and Sea Park. We fell in love the Park on our first trip so we knew we wanted to do some more exploring. And what we found was beautiful! Shroud Cay has so much to offer. Here are a couple of pictures:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvKU4P6Dd8z02S8Xawe52nq2zBak_SjDMRQ2SC-4R_HBgiy1jSPk7JFxhGskknHpDJxqO9zXK1vabLALo_8_cMcStlC6bOdPnJby6N1cja8Ol8MhLFcnvh5JVU90G7odiK1B4sP7pcQU/s2048/4A8F02AB-70AE-442E-B68A-077E17E9619E.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvKU4P6Dd8z02S8Xawe52nq2zBak_SjDMRQ2SC-4R_HBgiy1jSPk7JFxhGskknHpDJxqO9zXK1vabLALo_8_cMcStlC6bOdPnJby6N1cja8Ol8MhLFcnvh5JVU90G7odiK1B4sP7pcQU/s320/4A8F02AB-70AE-442E-B68A-077E17E9619E.jpeg" width="320" /></a>Shroud Cay</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2aRGN9Gh9e2awONWo6MuPCaNX4dpuCC951Jc_XSrabz0iS07oL21oBzakwwnX9hEIm5STM644fzp-SYcc0w8kTVwchB_7vLlRMPnQFVvaIL_hCh8ueonNnuZFcyYtwPv0WQCyEWN_TQg/s2048/9A35A9DC-03AA-46F2-B1F0-97262A3692D5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2aRGN9Gh9e2awONWo6MuPCaNX4dpuCC951Jc_XSrabz0iS07oL21oBzakwwnX9hEIm5STM644fzp-SYcc0w8kTVwchB_7vLlRMPnQFVvaIL_hCh8ueonNnuZFcyYtwPv0WQCyEWN_TQg/s320/9A35A9DC-03AA-46F2-B1F0-97262A3692D5.jpeg" width="320" /></a>Shroud</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmi_PA-GqTMh7cHUAPzS2rGrhZxFJNaMTksmchExfLfeqTIjRFJoSNkmQ4A9RhaLElCrh4IqpxyB116CR0Bk6SRgk65rvbY4lBe2usCIUEF93aPOHIsibjJFhjbmvPr2RA4FR7axs5pL8/s2048/399E28ED-3781-46AB-A50B-8BB40F41272C.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmi_PA-GqTMh7cHUAPzS2rGrhZxFJNaMTksmchExfLfeqTIjRFJoSNkmQ4A9RhaLElCrh4IqpxyB116CR0Bk6SRgk65rvbY4lBe2usCIUEF93aPOHIsibjJFhjbmvPr2RA4FR7axs5pL8/s320/399E28ED-3781-46AB-A50B-8BB40F41272C.jpeg" width="320" /></a>Shroud</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCO63kugcNEBym0R_3VNwOBm7UqSoHYX9EszqhcX9jpnp3BjgmwU5L4uJtbRiFns3Z0p0M-wIrJEQyP3hP2Vc5otIuZWAGulARS6AkdKlkMuocPzUwUiSxls7HQDep-SYlXobgD93x4vI/s2048/FA84E1D8-558C-4254-ABB3-AAFB47CE8DF1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCO63kugcNEBym0R_3VNwOBm7UqSoHYX9EszqhcX9jpnp3BjgmwU5L4uJtbRiFns3Z0p0M-wIrJEQyP3hP2Vc5otIuZWAGulARS6AkdKlkMuocPzUwUiSxls7HQDep-SYlXobgD93x4vI/s320/FA84E1D8-558C-4254-ABB3-AAFB47CE8DF1.jpeg" /></a>So many sea turtles!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Looking back on this trip I realized how depressed we were because of what Dorian had done. It’s hard to put into words and pictures how destroyed the Abacos were. I now realize that was the main reason I couldn’t do the log. How could I be so excited about being there when so many people lost loved one and ALL their worldly goods? The more I keep track of the people of the Abacos I realized how resilient and strong they are. That’s how they stay focused on recovery from all the hurricanes that try to knock them out. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, this trip was a short one. We only got to spend 3 months there before COVID hit. We crossed back to the States on March 29th and stayed in Vero for a week then headed back up the ICW headed to Deltaville Boat Repair in Virginia. We actually took our time going North and got to Deltaville on July 8. The boat was on the hard for 75 days, we had the engine problems from hell but got lots of Fiona time in Annapolis. We had left our car with daughter, Stephanie, so it was nice to be able to get it and use it while we were there. Sept. 22 we started the trek back to the ICW with stops in Beaufort, SC and Lady’s Island Marina. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As of today, Feb. 8, we are in Vero Beach on a mooring ball. We got here Jan. 17th. We feel very comfortable here. The city has a free bus that takes us to the shopping area where West Marine and Publix grocery store are across the street from each other. It’s about a mile walk to the beautiful Sandy beach and restaurants! Cruisers call it “Velcro Beach” since once you get here you always come back! I guess there are worse places to be.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hopefully, in a few days - WP (weather permitting) we’ll be headed to Ft. Lauderdale to get our covid tests THEN...head to the Bahamas. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I wanted to get this out as an update to everyone since I was such a slug last year. If you would like to follow the log you will get an email from the following address. If you prefer not to get the email just let me know and I’ll adjust accordingly! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">kingscruisinglog .blogspot.com. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Until the next time - please stay well - “this too shall pass.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">peg </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2/8/2021</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p></blockquote>Dave and Peghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09197023077918294888noreply@blogger.com0Tonga-21.178986 -175.198242-53.274491431605711 149.645508 10.916519431605717 -140.041992tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-398309591837434748.post-37348928687123058172016-03-28T23:19:00.000-04:002016-03-28T23:19:30.564-04:00<br />
UPDATE for KINGSCRUISINGLOG@blogspot.com<br />
<br />
2016 -- WHERE DID THE KING'S END UP? <br />
<br />
It's funny what a strange trip we took. I looked at my last post and I sounded pretty discouraged to say the least. I had to be away from cruising to find out how happy I really was. Life is strange.<br />
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Let's start back in 2011 - we ended up leaving the boat at Port Royal Marina in beautiful Beaufort, S.C. As it turned out we made 3 cross country trips from June to November. The first one was for us to visit family and friends along the way. We were mainly focusing on David's mother, who lives in Puyallup. After the visit we decided we needed to take care of her and, as we drove back the first time, we decided to sell SIMPLICITY. We did it for the right reason but I soon realized I wanted to finish our adventure on the boat. I remembered how awful I felt but realized I also have never felt so fulfilled. Unfortunately, we had an awesome broker and the second person who look at SIMPLICITY - bought it. It only took us a month to put on the market, survery and close.<br />
<br />
Thus the third trip back to Washington. We got here in November and lived in Oak Harbor, Washington for 6 months. In March of 2012 we bought our retirement home in Gig Harbor, Washington. I thought we would never be packing up the house again ... strange ... I now will not say "never" when it comes to our life.<br />
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The big move, again, came in July 2014 to Bellingham, Washington. Neither David or I had any small business experience - but we bought a boat brokerage!!! Yes, we're small business owners.<br />
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It's now 2016 - we're very proud of all the things we've done for BELLHAVEN YACHT SALES AND CHARTERS! As the days slip by we know we will buy another catamaran - probably name her SIMPLICITY again and go back to some of the happiest days of our lives.<br />
<br />
Yes, I know I'll have "those days" again - but they will be outweighed by the "good days!"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEias1H6hnoRuEJ5tuGY8wso2TkmlXNLXPSGZz21q6XDfOp8Qg3adSsywTUdHxNiAxSnKGUY4WkiswveMxHsrJcQasiH-ablvAsXn32FKIgzlnb2cr9luH3wxb0V07UaYM08BjKuuKZ9uCo/s1600/DSCF0105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEias1H6hnoRuEJ5tuGY8wso2TkmlXNLXPSGZz21q6XDfOp8Qg3adSsywTUdHxNiAxSnKGUY4WkiswveMxHsrJcQasiH-ablvAsXn32FKIgzlnb2cr9luH3wxb0V07UaYM08BjKuuKZ9uCo/s320/DSCF0105.JPG" width="320" /></a> We're off on our next adventure - for now.<br />
Don't be surprised to see us bobbing around the Chesepeake or the ICW or best of all, the Bahamas. We met a lot of wonderful people and really want to go back to retirement and play. Smooth Sailing to everyone. Dave and Peghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09197023077918294888noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-398309591837434748.post-43679270566564230212012-01-08T17:21:00.000-05:002012-01-15T17:55:57.498-05:00Dave and Peg's Next Excellent Adventure????Well, where to start? It seems like a long time since the last blog entry so here goes.....<br />
<br />
There's no easy or short way to tell all of our friends that we've sold the boat ..... but that's what we did. I'll start by explaining this past summer. We found a great marina to leave the boat at so we could take a long overdue trip back to the West Coast (for some the left coast or the wrong coast) to visit with family and friends. Port Royal Landing Marina in beautiful Beaufort, South Carolina was a wonderful spot, although we weren't there much. We did manage to see the mansion that The Big Chill and the Great Santini were filmed in as well as have some of the best BBQ we've ever had.<br />
<br />
I had been planning a long road trip to last from June thru August or September just to get off the boat. We were going to spent time with friends along the way and then spend time with family in Washington and Oregon. We made mooching along the way a new past time and really want to give a big thanks to: Bill and Terri McHenry, Pat & Cheryl Dietrich and Steve and Helen Bastek, all Coast Guard couples we were stationed with in our CG life. <br />
<br />
We made it to Washington and spent time with David's mother, who is 87 and lives in Puyallup, Washington (south of Tacoma) and then mooched, I mean moved, onto Steve and Kathy Penn in Port Orchard, Washington. This is where our "moving back" conversation started. We both fell in love with Gig Harbor, Washington, which is a little harbor town across from Seattle so knew we had a place to look at. <br />
<br />
I'm not sure how many people knew how unhappy I was with the cruising life. I will admit it was a lot harder than what I anticipated and for a lot of reasons I was ready to move back to the beach. When David and I started living on the boat we both committed to cruising for one year. At the end of the year if one of us wasn't happy we promised to tell the other. I can see people shaking their heads now especially if they know David would sail forever. So, after much discussion, we worked out at a plan to put the boat on the market, if it sold quickly, great, if it didn't sell we would take it to Florida and either cruise the Keys or go back to the Bahamas for one more year. <br />
<br />
I wasn't super excited about going back to the Bahamas but was glad I'd be able to see the friends we had made: Tom and Liz, Francie and Bobby, Skip and Carol and Randy and Jeanne, I even had<br />
my COSTCO list ready to go since I knew it was "just one more year" and we'd be moving back to the West Coast.<br />
<br />
You can imagine the shock when we called our broker and he told us he had about 5 people who would be interested in our boat right away. Long story short....we got back from the road trip in early September, only showed the boat twice. The last showing lead to the sale and we signed the papers to sell her at the end of October. When you sell a boat you are required to do a survey, similar to a home inspection, to see if there are any problems. We had a major problem with a crack at the top of our boom. To properly repair it would involve taking the mast and all the rigging down (it's called stepping the mast) to the estimated cost of $10,000.00. OUCH....it was time to move on.<br />
<br />
Once the boat was emptied we went back to Williamsburg and really mooched off of Bill and Terri McHenry in Kiln Creek for almost a month. Again, another wonderful Coast Guard couple. We also go to say goodbye to Tom and Terri Hessler in Williamsburg, The Hessler's lived across the street from us and our girls grew up together. Leaving Williamsburg was harder than I thought but I knew we were going back to a place we both loved. <br />
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We loaded up a 17' UHaul, complete with car trailer, and headed west, again!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhskNbWxU0AJX5EnLfpYiP-eFXDtDvBCz7ZO0D48uGsput6tm0AKdWz2l4g-J7oVBLiaaLwUue51BYGiCWmd-qldSa7VfQIFbOYLGN38JvxM8i-8CHPtNc9-6VMNIhXAk2Feuzw3sa7nl0/s1600/Trip+Back+to+West+Coast+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhskNbWxU0AJX5EnLfpYiP-eFXDtDvBCz7ZO0D48uGsput6tm0AKdWz2l4g-J7oVBLiaaLwUue51BYGiCWmd-qldSa7VfQIFbOYLGN38JvxM8i-8CHPtNc9-6VMNIhXAk2Feuzw3sa7nl0/s320/Trip+Back+to+West+Coast+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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We are now housesitting for #1 son, James, and his wife, Jennifer, who are both deployed for the next 6 months. They have a beautiful house on Penn Cove in Oak Harbor, Whidbey Island, Washington. Here's the view from the front window...can't seem to get away from the water!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOWIf6yoGGBcXtIYGtoaWLcUPXWkNpPEwszYJ-0k64tBRowGU_4kxWVo-FESzmuJwMSCMtIE5mE-vUoa1XQPr8pmASQyCcUliok7OAQNE0QdAKvTuZ0gzDFiKkJIXiu6GGychkrZSNkg/s1600/Trip+Back+to+West+Coast+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOWIf6yoGGBcXtIYGtoaWLcUPXWkNpPEwszYJ-0k64tBRowGU_4kxWVo-FESzmuJwMSCMtIE5mE-vUoa1XQPr8pmASQyCcUliok7OAQNE0QdAKvTuZ0gzDFiKkJIXiu6GGychkrZSNkg/s320/Trip+Back+to+West+Coast+022.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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We've loaded the garage with all of our worldly belongings that we had stuffed into a 10' x 10' storage unit in Williamsburg. David is actively looking for an IPA ... no, not beer, but an income producing activity somewhere around the Seattle area. We don't know where we'll end up but until then we<br />
have a chance to get back into being beached. <br />
<br />
<br />
We also connected with David's brothers in Oregon and got to spend time with Zach in Montana, where he is now a full time bread baker at the Park Avenue Bakery. He's also turned into an avid fly fisherman which suits David just fine since he also love being on the river.<br />
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We're not sure what the next chapter of our life will be. Just know we appreciate all the friends we have made along the way. If anyone is interested in staying in touch our email address is:<br />
<a href="mailto:cgkings79@gmail.com">cgkings79@gmail.com</a> We'd love hearing from you. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSAGBzkSjI1lTk2kbsJUYsoC1GbFoc3DzCGrFdNWvDmaarVrJg3XIY2qVDwRucrnrPNk-gRijwz2l0640t-Ed-UhuG9WH80EJX8Nn3ciPL5_TDpN7q8AxL4CY8jh3vsn-dIF2pBRznW34/s1600/Trip+Back+to+West+Coast+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSAGBzkSjI1lTk2kbsJUYsoC1GbFoc3DzCGrFdNWvDmaarVrJg3XIY2qVDwRucrnrPNk-gRijwz2l0640t-Ed-UhuG9WH80EJX8Nn3ciPL5_TDpN7q8AxL4CY8jh3vsn-dIF2pBRznW34/s320/Trip+Back+to+West+Coast+006.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Dave and Peghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09197023077918294888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-398309591837434748.post-14180468203811252022011-05-27T12:33:00.000-04:002011-05-27T15:22:20.560-04:00LAST LEG - HEADED HOME<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 287.25pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Greetings to everyone: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hope everyone has enjoyed reading about our ups and downs, looking at the pictures but most importantly, learning about the Bahamian people we’ve been fortunate enough to meet. We’ve had fish stories and weather tales to share.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Enjoy this last blog – I’m not doing one was we re-trace our path up the Intracoastal Waterway unless we have more “adventures” to report.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 6;"> </span>Dave and Peg</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 6;"> </span>S/V SIMPLICITY<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">GRAND TOTAL TRIP FACTS AS OF</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">MAY 24, 2011 (to Jacksonville)<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Days Gone From VA/US:<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>212 <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(to Palm Beach)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Days In Bahamas:<span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>149<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Total Days At Marinas:<span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>15<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Miles Travelled In Bahamas:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1188.45<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Grand Total Miles Travelled:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2228.05<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Things Overboard:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>David’s wallet … at the bottom of Lake Worth in Palm Beach, FL.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Total Gallons of Diesel Used: 191 gallons</span></b><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> Diesel Prices: Dec. 10, 2010: $4.55</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> May 7, 2011 5.75</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> </span></strong><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Other” Facts:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Haircuts:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2 for David<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1 for Peg<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">PK – Colored Hair:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> Mail Deliveries:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>3</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Before we start with the latest adventures of the boat I thought it might be nice to show people who haven’t SIMPLICITY what she looks like inside and out.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvJEmfPVhjeu9Pa3SPRJImrBVfyo8cX6tC5UPQUWUHXE7mN55C6SEqaoJ_yN6C3q9rwLRgrWvVThlDuvHu9Zc6y1DC063Orw5guvscJxVAL3r29VGMhMtUdouI5w8df8hZDEJIPX9Sas/s1600/IMG_0688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvJEmfPVhjeu9Pa3SPRJImrBVfyo8cX6tC5UPQUWUHXE7mN55C6SEqaoJ_yN6C3q9rwLRgrWvVThlDuvHu9Zc6y1DC063Orw5guvscJxVAL3r29VGMhMtUdouI5w8df8hZDEJIPX9Sas/s320/IMG_0688.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Galley: Refrigerator chest </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Galley: 3 burner propane stove - oven - 2 round sinks</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Master cabin - we have 2 other cabins with bunks</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Head (toilet) with escape hatch</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking from port hull thru salon to starboard side</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXvVwlG9AxxM3Ox3KBm_oF63xVJpcmHAkdI6YEAmjXfFtXGQUQuLZWgxyGpag-UEKWGADn9E1nmL_8uNVLc9-TZ-ybURJFUIp8-96Mrclg6PyNz3aQYy5wRD4Dd3yOxzO0QZ84qowXMHU/s1600/IMG_0700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXvVwlG9AxxM3Ox3KBm_oF63xVJpcmHAkdI6YEAmjXfFtXGQUQuLZWgxyGpag-UEKWGADn9E1nmL_8uNVLc9-TZ-ybURJFUIp8-96Mrclg6PyNz3aQYy5wRD4Dd3yOxzO0QZ84qowXMHU/s320/IMG_0700.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mast is 64' high - we have to watch the height of bridges we go under</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">As you can see it’s small but it’s home and we’re very comfortable living on board.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">So…back to the adventure.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">NO NAME CAY – GREEN TURTLE CAY – MANJACK CAY – LITTLE SALE CAY -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>WEST END, GRAND BAHAMA –ACROSS THE GULF STREAM<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>…….HOME TO THE U.S.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">May 10<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup></span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No Name Cay is going to be one of our favorite stops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has everything – beaches, conch and night fishing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yep, night fishing!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have gotten in the habit of leaving a fishing pole out with bait on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some time’s we get a nice<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>small to medium sized fish, other times not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tonight was the exception.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">David had left the pole out after dinner and around 9:15 I went to close the forward hatches and walked straight into his fishing line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing strange except it was on the opposite side of the boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I called him out and I pulled on the line by hand to see if something was on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure enough….after reeling this fish in, in the middle of the night, we netted a 28” long big-eyed jack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fish weighed about 10 pounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our eyes got really big thinking we had about 3 meals out it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not the case…we cooked part of it up the next night and it tasted awful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll use it for bait or feed the birds. </span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">When David went to take the hook out of the fish's mouth he found out a little grunt (good eating) had taken the bait, only to be eaten whole by the jack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>David couldn’t get the hook out and when he opened the jack’s mouth there was the tail of the grunt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isn’t<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mother Nature grand.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Here’s one more picture of just one of the incredible beaches in the Bahamas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sand is white and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the water is so crystal clear it looks like the dinghy is floating in mid-air.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beach at No Name Cay</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIVgJjVNITtqtmkGQ9mWuYa6376urHja0bGypRtYVARZVw6fIvweURm2f5UOvzr6fmqOgatVbiWxV_mSTR-J5g_tAUKz97FO_AO6_4eCIuS4x46vB02Aaau7vs0pYhR7E7UlqPO5V6BUM/s1600/NONAME+NITE+FISHING+Litlle+Sale+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIVgJjVNITtqtmkGQ9mWuYa6376urHja0bGypRtYVARZVw6fIvweURm2f5UOvzr6fmqOgatVbiWxV_mSTR-J5g_tAUKz97FO_AO6_4eCIuS4x46vB02Aaau7vs0pYhR7E7UlqPO5V6BUM/s320/NONAME+NITE+FISHING+Litlle+Sale+016.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Floating dinghy !!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">May 11 thru May 13<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup></span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were anchored off Manjack Cay waiting for a big squall to go through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had been on the other side of the island by dinghy looking to go snorkeling but the water was too rough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good think we got back when we did since the squall moved in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We clocked some 38 knot gusts and ended up doing .08 knots as our anchor drug which meant we had to raise the anchor and go re-anchor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not much fun in bad weather but we did okay.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The next couple of days we went and hiked the trail with Skip and Carol.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the evening we introduced them to BANANA GRAMS….and then played a card game we learned from our friends on MAKANI<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>called “Golf”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are going to be in the area for another week so it was time for us to tell them goodbye since we were moving north to stage ourselves for “THE CROSSING” back to Florida.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">May 14<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup></span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re headed for Great Sale Cay but, as is David’s routine,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2 fishing reels and one yoyo are out waiting for dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We managed to get 3 big strikes, 2 at the same time, but to no avail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Skunked again. </span>We were watching the weather and decided to anchor off Little Sale Cay for the night before yet another squall comes through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It showed up with a vengeance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tomorrow we’re off to the West End to get ready to cross over.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">May 15<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup></span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re still at Little Sale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We started to leave but the winds kicked up to 30 knots with 35 knot gusts…we’re waiting for ANOTHER squall as I type.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Time to shut electronics down and put them in the oven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>OVEN????<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whenever we have a lightening/thunderstorm come through the first thing we do is put the cell phone,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>hand-held VHF and GPS unit in the oven to protect them in case<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>lightening strikes us or close by that way if we do get struck we will be able to communicate and navigate.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">May 16<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th </span></sup><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to May 17<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">We made it to the West End where we waited for more<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>squalls <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to come through – which they did – complete with strong winds, lightning and thunder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scary!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>BACK IN THE U.S.A<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p> <span style="font-size: small;">Ma</span></o:p></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">y 18<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></sup><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>through May 26, 2011</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got underway at 7:15AM and are pointed directly at the U.S. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After 149 days in the Bahamas it’s time to “go home.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We saw schools of flying fish and about 6 dolphins that played under the boat and around the hull giving us an incredible show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The space shuttle went off and we saw the contrail as it made its way to the heavens!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember how proud I was watching the lift offs when I was younger and I will admit I felt the same pride as we listened to the launch on XM radio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">We made it to Palm Beach by 4:11 PM where we tied up at the marina because we had ANOTHER problem with the generator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got checked back through Customs and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>met some wonderful people,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Denny and Yvonne Spiedel, for a delicious Italian dinner at their favorite restaurant.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">David had ordered some parts for the generator while we were still in the Bahamas and they showed up so he could install them but w</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">e decided to move up to an anchorage so we could be ready for an early start up the ICW so we anchored in Old Port Cove.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily for us, the Spiedel’s live there so we got to enjoy another All-American dinner of burgers with them BUT….get ready……we dinghyed over to the marina where I promptly went into the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time it wasn’t because I was a klutz.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a ladder where we tied up and since I was wearing skorts (shorts with a skirt) it would be nice not to have to crawl out of the boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I put one foot on the bottom rung and the ladder went down.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Apparently this type of ladder is for people who either swim or fall off their boats and is designed to slide down when weight is put on it……..<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a sight:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was standing, on the ladder, in water up to my waist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I gracefully got out of the water and we decided to go back to the boat so I could put some dry clothes on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">You know what happens next – nothing good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once we got on the dock David felt his back pocket for his wallet and it wasn’t there (imagine that!!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought he had left it on the table in the salon so we didn’t think anything of it until we got back to the boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Long story short…</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">losing all your credit cards,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>driver’s license and a military ID card has been nothing but a problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We called the North Palm Beach Police Department to report the “lose” and then</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">started calling credit card companies.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">As we made our way up the ICW we left Fort Pierce and got bombarded by MILLIONS and MILLIONS of Florida “lovebugs”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our cockpit was covered with black dead bugs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were so thick David was forced to drive the boat from outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would set a course on the GPS and then go sit and watch for the next set of markers from the bow, run back, make any adjustment he needed and then go back to the bow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bugs didn’t bite which was a godsend but they tickled when they would land on you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">We radioed a local boater as they passed us who told us these bugs are a regular occurrence in Florida during May and September but this year they were the worst they have had because the winds where coming in from the west. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">We made our way to New Smyrna City Marina where we found out a Nordic Tug had pulled in before us and you couldn’t see the deck because the bugs were so thick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Welcome to Florida.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">So we’re here in Jacksonville visiting our son, James, who is a helicopter pilot for the Navy and <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>getting ready for another deployment in November.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s been a wonderful break from the boat and great seeing him.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">We want to thank all of our friends for following this adventure with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s been a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>7 year saga since we started talking about getting a boat,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>looking for a boat, finding one, and then planning this trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re taking 3 months off the boat to go visit family and friends around the states and then decide whether or not we’ll do this again or if it’s time to close this chapter and move onto the next excellent adventure – whatever it may be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our plan right now is to leave the boat at Port Royal Landing Marina in Port Royal, South Carolina for the summer. The boat has to be above Savannah for insurance purposes and Port Royal is perfect for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p>Before I leave I have to thank 3 great ladies: Francie for being my rock during a really difficult time for me. She's cruised for 8 years and helped me work through some really difficult times I was having. We shared a lot in our talks and will remain "sisters" no matter what. </o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p>I'm sorry Liz and I didn't get to spend a lot of time together but the time we did share left us with the same feeling as if we had known each other for a long time.</o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p>Last, but not least, Carol (and you too Skip). We probably spent the most time with RHAPSODY..... snorkeling, shelling, learning how to clean conch, walking and just plain laughing!!! Skip is like the EverReady bunny....he just keeps going and Carol, bless her heart, just keeps up with him. </o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p>It's hard to believe our trip is over. One of the most important lessons we learned was this: you have to grab whatever life brings you and go with it. Everyone tells us "we're living the dream." We worked very hard to make our dream come true. There is never enough time, never enough money, to do "something" you dream about. Whatever is on your bucket list ... do it now. We learned that lesson the hard way. Within the last 6 months David has lost 3 close friends - his age - from heart attacks - out of the clear blue - they're gone. </o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p>Enough of the serious stuff .... I'll leave you with this little ode. While we were cruising I started keeping track of boat names. Some good, some bad, many strange and some we just couldn't figure out what they meant. This is no great piece of literary essay...just fun. Boat names with ( ) include the names of people we were lucky enough to spend time with. Here is it:</o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Tempus Sans ITC";">DAVID AND PEG’S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE:</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Tempus Sans ITC";">An Ode to Bahama Cruisers – 2010/11<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Tempus Sans ITC";">Have you ever heard the story of David and Peg?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, it goes something like this;<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Tempus Sans ITC";">David and Peg set out on their big adventure after both retiring in 2010.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had dreamed of cruising the Bahamas – you know – incredible gin clear water, happy/smiling people and quiet anchorages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Snorkeling and fishing also topped their list.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Tempus Sans ITC";">Once they arrived in Green Turtle Cay they met Tom and his <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">CHIEF’S LADY</b>, Liz<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">(Tom and Liz.)</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They surfed the Whale along with <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">NOTOWORRY</b> whose <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">HAIRBALL</b> was like <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">WASABI</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The trip was <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">DESSIE<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Jeff and Claudia) </b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">PURRFECTIOIN (Bruce and Bobbi)</b> was hard to find.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">LUCKY</b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">DUCK </b>and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">SILVERFOXES </b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>were<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">LONG GONE</b> by the time <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">DOWN TIME TEX</b> came along to make their<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>trip more enjoyable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">, I LOST IT</b> had <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">GOOD GENES</b> and were <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">SOMEWHERE HOT</b> but we won’t go there because <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">INNOCENT AGE</b> was having its <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">LAST DAY</b> before heading to the Exumas.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Tempus Sans ITC";">Then they were lucky to meet Bobby and Francie – a super couple who did a lot of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">BAREFOOTIN (Bobby and Francie) </b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in the Bahamas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They also run into cruisers who had <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">LOST MARBELS</b> along the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People who cruise the Bahamas usually have someone <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">FORWARD MY CALLS</b> to the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">DRAGON LADY</b> which causes their <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">ENDORPHINES</b> to turn into <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">WIND DUST</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, we all know that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">WIND DUST</b> makes you get <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">GOOSEBUMPS </b>and doesn’t help your <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">YOUWARKEE</b> at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But that’s another story.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Tempus Sans ITC";">BAREFOOTIN</span></b><span style="font-family: "Tempus Sans ITC";"> Francie found the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">WORTHLESS WINCH</b> Peg on <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">SIMPLICITY</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Francie turned out to be Peg’s <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">YODA</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Peg had lost her <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">ZAFU</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">WET WINCH</b> was actually kind of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">YOUWHO</b> and wanted to make like a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">POLAR PACER</b> and get her <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">MANGO GROOVE</b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">(Al and Christina) </b>back to the States but after making it to Georgetown, Exuma<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>there was no <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">LIQUID FENCE</b> that could keep <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">MY SHARONA</b> from venturing farther out to discover the real Bahamas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The spirit of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">MAKANI (John and Kathi)</b> was with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Tempus Sans ITC";">If Peg <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">HAD A HAMMER</b> she would have hit <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">POPEYE</b> square in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">DOOR #3</b> for eating too many <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">MAGIC BEANS</b> and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">GRANOLA</b> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">COOKIE MONSTER</b> and there is a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">FINE LINE</b> before <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">FAT BOTTOM GIRL</b> starts <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">BREAKING WIND </b>before they see <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">DOC SEA N ESS </b>for a diagnosis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Tempus Sans ITC";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, by the time <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">SEA EAGLE</b> soared to new heights with <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">MICLO 3 (Rob and Ellen), MUTUAL FUN (Randy and Jeanne)</b> had everyone in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">RHAPSODY (Skip and Carol)</b> over snorkeling and spear fishing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Tempus Sans ITC";">Bobby and Francie are still out there <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">BAREFOOTIN</b> along with <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">RHAPSODY,</b> maybe with <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">CHRISTOPHER ROBIN</b> or some other lucky cruiser whose permits haven’t run out yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Tempus Sans ITC";">SHAM-A-ZADA</span></b><span style="font-family: "Tempus Sans ITC";"> -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we hope to find them all again in these beautiful Bahamas cays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Tempus Sans ITC";">Manjack Cay</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Tempus Sans ITC";">May 2011</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">So we’re signing off for now or as they say in the cartoons……</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>THA..THA…THAT’S ALL FOLKS !!!!!!!!!</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking towards the west and HOME!!!!!!</td></tr>
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</div>Dave and Peghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09197023077918294888noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-398309591837434748.post-64479333083090163622011-05-09T09:06:00.001-04:002011-05-09T09:06:33.386-04:00TRYING TO REACH ARCTICFOX IN ANCHORAGEPLEASE EMAIL US AT: <a href="mailto:CGKINGS79@GMAIL.COM">CGKINGS79@GMAIL.COM</a> THANKS PEGDave and Peghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09197023077918294888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-398309591837434748.post-43316543427941934922011-05-08T13:37:00.000-04:002011-05-08T13:37:30.552-04:00ABACOS - HEADED NORTH TO WEST END SETTLEMENT, GRAND BAHAMA<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt; text-indent: -4.5pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">TRIP FACTS AS OF:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>MAY 8, 2011 HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY !!</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt; tab-stops: 88.5pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">Days gone from VA: 202</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">Days in Bahamas: 140</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">Miles Travelled: 2,084.7</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">Things Overboard:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Tahiti Beach</b>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Captain Dave overboard getting into kayak.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Underway to Marsh Harbor</b>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One Appalachian Trail hat … no I didn’t let him go back and retrieve it.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Great Guana Cay</b>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One screwdriver swapping out anchors</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">Trip Firsts:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>David speared his FIRST fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It tasted GREAT </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 76.5pt; text-indent: 31.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";"> I finally made the best batch of conch salad since we got here</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 76.5pt; text-indent: 31.5pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">NORTHBOUND:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>LYNYARD CAY – MARSH HARBOR -TAHITI BEACH (ELBOW CAY) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- HOPETOWN (ELBOW CAY) TO MAN O’WAR - GREAT GUANA CAY – MARSH HARBOR</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">April 9<sup>th</sup></span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m going to change the format this blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got back to Abacos on James’ birthday, April 9<sup>th</sup>, and anchored at Lynyard Cay for five days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We met up with friends, Skip and Carol, on RHAPSODY, and met new friends, John and Kathi on MAKANI.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>MAKANI are also friends of Bobby and Francie (B/F) and BAREFOOTIN.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s truly a small world here and we're really glad B/F have so many friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">While there the guys took on the role of “Hunter/Gatherer” for fish and conch while Kathi and I took on “Seekers of Sea Glass” roles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> Carol did a lot of snorkeling with the guys but she loves that AND shelling/sea glass gathering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">April 15<sup>th</sup></span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the way to Marsh Harbor we hit 2000</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 20pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">miles!! Not bad for a couple of rookies!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, we settled into our home-away-from-home marina, Harbour View Marina, to fully re-charge the batteries, take on water and go to the grocery store.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While we were there we meet Jeff and Claudia on DESSIE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are the captain and chef on board <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Festiva Vacation 44’ Lagoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jeff’s from the UK and Claudia is from Germany.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We shared stories about “vacationers” and how they do on their cruises.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Funny stuff.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">April 19<sup>th:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></sup></span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We moved back down south to Tahiti Beach, just off the end of Elbow Cay where David<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>speared his first fish!! which we promptly had for dinner that night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was delicious!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">One night we all went to Rake N’ Scrape at the Abaco Inn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rake N ’Scrape is ju</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">st what it implies:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>musical instruments are a saw and either a hammer or knife, scraping the saws, however, there is no rake involved. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s music that gets you dancing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Skip and Carol are such a quiet, shy couple … NOT…they love to dance and were almost the only ones out there dancing.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While David</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";"> was snorkeling another day I was walking the beach looking for sea glass, of which there was none, but I saw piles and piles of these little shells.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turns out they are baby conch shells.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The female conch lays egg clusters of millions of eggs at one time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is what’s left when they die off for whatever reason.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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There were tons of these pods of shells in the rocks all around the beach.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">April 21<sup>st</sup>: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">We headed back to Hopetown and grabbed a mooring ball from LUCKY STRIKE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His real name is Truman and he comes by each night, usually with his 2 boys in tow, to collect $20/night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s well worth the money especially when there’s a “blow” or storm coming through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lucky us,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a really bad blow came through complete with thunder/lightening and tons of rain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since most Bahamians collect rain water it was a welcome site…except for the lightning and thunder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> According to Truman they got </span>around 3”.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">Hopetown has some of the quaintest streets in the Abacos with beautiful flowers ..and I keep taking the same pictures of them so just need to share them with you...</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;">One of the most unique plants we've discovered throughout the Bahamas are SEA GRAPES. When Stephanie was here she really didn't get to see them in full bloom so here you go Sweetiepie:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">One of my most favorite houses in Hopetown is called “Plantation House” an</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">d it’s for sale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Imagine that…only $795,000 buys you the house, a dock on the Harbor side and a magnificent view.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On one side is a Memorial Garden so you won’t have anyone building next to you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take a look….</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIoU6etGcbxNpXnoPEnVpokFF51LInJfAg8eU_rlziDqbS4NGb2HeMtSCqGvInPNnhzjQzuELzAf5aFxxVbd42mCZJQ_V7HTEORgj-5qKynTZBKrwovqfVYcsQZRYqgue47jGyg7qb2i4/s1600/Marsh+to+Hopetown++NB+082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIoU6etGcbxNpXnoPEnVpokFF51LInJfAg8eU_rlziDqbS4NGb2HeMtSCqGvInPNnhzjQzuELzAf5aFxxVbd42mCZJQ_V7HTEORgj-5qKynTZBKrwovqfVYcsQZRYqgue47jGyg7qb2i4/s320/Marsh+to+Hopetown++NB+082.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the front of the house..... here's their backyard...<br />
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</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">As you walk the streets you soon discover all the power lines run down the middle of the path. As you will see they hang down really low.....sorry Zach...you have to go to either side.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cjgTJaSjQPTSv-aHSC04T34VP_6NBIZdwRZlPon1bltabdY0DuDitoa7loTKh2SOVRpOF2rsfBGoM_k2dcHFzWiK6PMDp1HHRpIU2Ujix6HYtEGNzWdBPONPgmqExB2gZo3QBsGpQxA/s1600/Marsh+to+Hopetown++NB+078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cjgTJaSjQPTSv-aHSC04T34VP_6NBIZdwRZlPon1bltabdY0DuDitoa7loTKh2SOVRpOF2rsfBGoM_k2dcHFzWiK6PMDp1HHRpIU2Ujix6HYtEGNzWdBPONPgmqExB2gZo3QBsGpQxA/s320/Marsh+to+Hopetown++NB+078.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just so everyone knows - David is 5'10" and Zach is 6'7"!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Since I have drug David all over town he decided he needed to take a break.......it's a rough life out here.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In most of the settlements you have to schlep your garbage ashore and deposit it in bins around town where it's picked up on certain days. In Hopetown garbage days are Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM. The truck leaves the dock and they go burn it. After we grabbed our mooring ball, the captain of the BEAUTIFUL, custom made sailboat dinghyed over and took our garbage in for us. What a guy!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">One of the strangest things we’ve encountered happened during the day <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>when we heard what sounded like “thumping” on our hull.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We finally discovered the noise was from a school of fish boiling around the hull.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We decided some big barracuda was trying to make them a meal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another day David was outside and watched a big Eagle Ray jump out of the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently this is nothing unusual for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">After cruising the Bahamas you come to understand how important boat building is to the island. In the Abacos the Albury Brothers, from Man O'War, have a hugh influence. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Later, under Man O'Way, you 'll see some of the Albury's work but this is one of the small Abaco boats we found in Hopetown.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgSMt2hgvLXT-sb7E0yUK03zXaEndrAimDoDvoTERoFXZO0LgbdwZbrWZeB5YLijt9VJZ-8fyrSFb046F6XCZI-Epy44xSU5clOJPs_irqzstytI13AtvvKLeuZ3FfWMgeTNKRQeyLJxo/s1600/Marsh+to+Hopetown++NB+116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgSMt2hgvLXT-sb7E0yUK03zXaEndrAimDoDvoTERoFXZO0LgbdwZbrWZeB5YLijt9VJZ-8fyrSFb046F6XCZI-Epy44xSU5clOJPs_irqzstytI13AtvvKLeuZ3FfWMgeTNKRQeyLJxo/s320/Marsh+to+Hopetown++NB+116.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">April 27<sup>th</sup></span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We moved up the Sea of Abaco to Man O’ War (MOW) which turns out to be one of our favorite stops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I am writing this, we have come back, yet again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>MOW is a quiet settlement with no bars or alcohol sold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yep, it’s dry and they actively fight bringing in alcohol!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">We’ve met some really neat people on this trip and Lola Sawyer is no exception.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lola was born and raised on MOW.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were told by other boaters to watch out for Lola and her golf cart because she will sell you the best cinnamon rolls in the Bahamas!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were right. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Everyone meet Lola Sawyer, Cinnamon Bun Queen:</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqr8GP83JPr0GeoAhUAR2p9Yz2VvwyMfTvkLhmY8glDE79_lzDuz6SYnxGjH5kuedUL3lCcocDzksK0tnwlo3EcVw96R3QJAMDzXbOX4g8EyRPWHMHJNcJn1S9eOqg-zvqDdUZSZO92U/s1600/Man+O%2527War+-+Nippers+-+Great+Guana++NB+032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqr8GP83JPr0GeoAhUAR2p9Yz2VvwyMfTvkLhmY8glDE79_lzDuz6SYnxGjH5kuedUL3lCcocDzksK0tnwlo3EcVw96R3QJAMDzXbOX4g8EyRPWHMHJNcJn1S9eOqg-zvqDdUZSZO92U/s320/Man+O%2527War+-+Nippers+-+Great+Guana++NB+032.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">We were walking up one of the streets/golf cart paths when this nice little lady stopped us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked her if she was Lola and she said yes….the rest is on our hips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll look for her again when we come back.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">Once we reached the end of the road this is the view that<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>greeted us – it’s right next to the MOW Cemetery which is to the left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a nice place to be put to rest:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinCOOmOeMdD9u8OCcSlggDOkTDkBqi-lFxFQqyavTD230wac8lqHDzwqF6QvMn4be3c1v4FNphpyCDsfBzs5Neld1NPJlIKUXdjyZTQJ97F2ERa-hDT8Y04_YslXEYx1O3Sel4OBo7z2g/s1600/Man+O%2527War+-+Nippers+-+Great+Guana++NB+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinCOOmOeMdD9u8OCcSlggDOkTDkBqi-lFxFQqyavTD230wac8lqHDzwqF6QvMn4be3c1v4FNphpyCDsfBzs5Neld1NPJlIKUXdjyZTQJ97F2ERa-hDT8Y04_YslXEYx1O3Sel4OBo7z2g/s320/Man+O%2527War+-+Nippers+-+Great+Guana++NB+039.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">This is the name on the house right across the street from the cemetery….and probably very true:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtXav7QqXMP1U8TFm6h-JMetHj0U_0puRR0GaCccYV245V5ijPbWoErRVL6PNx6-ILNX0s3dRvyzPk5wgJeFGJmzpNhJUP1uud4XTuv1C5M_ZE-sj1MQs4fBKbXtyIbKE2_8fmL9hKffg/s1600/Man+O%2527War+-+Nippers+-+Great+Guana++NB+043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtXav7QqXMP1U8TFm6h-JMetHj0U_0puRR0GaCccYV245V5ijPbWoErRVL6PNx6-ILNX0s3dRvyzPk5wgJeFGJmzpNhJUP1uud4XTuv1C5M_ZE-sj1MQs4fBKbXtyIbKE2_8fmL9hKffg/s320/Man+O%2527War+-+Nippers+-+Great+Guana++NB+043.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">MOW is famous for their boat building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Albury Family produces some of the best boats in the Bahamas and they are VERY expensive since they are handmade and the craftsmanship is remarkable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went on-line and googled them….a used boat is close to $60,000 but well worth it (if you can afford one.)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJxiddxKakBI4F5Dx3N7qndHTnZ1Z1hqWXyXO2aEXxKwEM5rWOCfcfAXYkzyuUuOKtzBPHAbjCUy2QVkafV6v0A0Xy7FNLTZ2w_XH0NFOdGBmSPcQGgDf07ENZdpKT89LQ_GcA_jc_rc/s1600/Man+O%2527War+-+Nippers+-+Great+Guana++NB+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJxiddxKakBI4F5Dx3N7qndHTnZ1Z1hqWXyXO2aEXxKwEM5rWOCfcfAXYkzyuUuOKtzBPHAbjCUy2QVkafV6v0A0Xy7FNLTZ2w_XH0NFOdGBmSPcQGgDf07ENZdpKT89LQ_GcA_jc_rc/s320/Man+O%2527War+-+Nippers+-+Great+Guana++NB+022.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">It always seems ironic to me when we run across cotton plants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Loyalist settlers brought cotton from their plantations in the Carolinas and tried to grow it here as cash crop and failed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But here is some cotton in a one of the yards here ….. I’d like to think it’s a continuation of what the Loyalists tried to produce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>David says not, but , yeah,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it’s a nice thought.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXg2GEL96pduWG7uqJ2YSjFQ3v3GR3kaiF-If9mbD5vkmkR_vY-X7wLq4h2STQpEBzLSlufFFIHWkUknNfRA6w8A0rAjh97BdRQV0avjhsv_e1p8zuZaXNvXxMvfBZYdhiTYuBd8KeR0k/s1600/Man+O%2527War+-+Nippers+-+Great+Guana++NB+073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXg2GEL96pduWG7uqJ2YSjFQ3v3GR3kaiF-If9mbD5vkmkR_vY-X7wLq4h2STQpEBzLSlufFFIHWkUknNfRA6w8A0rAjh97BdRQV0avjhsv_e1p8zuZaXNvXxMvfBZYdhiTYuBd8KeR0k/s320/Man+O%2527War+-+Nippers+-+Great+Guana++NB+073.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">April 28<sup>th</sup> thru April 30th</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was another blow coming through so we moved back over to Marsh Harbor and anchored out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A terrible thunderstorm came through as we watched from the cockpit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a lightning strike that was so close to us it made the hair on the back of our necks stand up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But again, it brought some much needed rain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While we were there the generator decided it was time to act up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After troubleshooting and imagining<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the worst, David was able to figure out we needed a new battery which he got and saved us from having to leave for the states ASAP.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">MAY FIRST:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>HELL DAY – MURPHY’S LAW DAY – What could go wrong..went wrong:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the storm went through we had planned to move to Great Guana Cay, Home of Nippers and Grabbers – both world famous beach bars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wind was blowing pretty good – gust around 25 and some chop out in the Sea of Abaco but nothing to keep us from going.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">As we were in the middle of the passage David and I heard a strange popping noise and we both looked around the cockpit and then up towards the top of the mast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> What we saw was</span> our mainsail falling into the lazy jack bag….t</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">his is what shredded webbing looks like…</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFsPnNtEByp12DPrmwxAXbFwInJQSEIeRKS2VYz2KPTxYVJ40jTNer2lvz-NNla1hQuzTvRDB-V_5esyjlEZcz8Sqg09wda-hbTaTZ-xOvlLnrUEloIVsaOW-akO88NWY9Ew08O54O1l8/s1600/Man+O%2527War+-+Nippers+-+Great+Guana++NB+133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFsPnNtEByp12DPrmwxAXbFwInJQSEIeRKS2VYz2KPTxYVJ40jTNer2lvz-NNla1hQuzTvRDB-V_5esyjlEZcz8Sqg09wda-hbTaTZ-xOvlLnrUEloIVsaOW-akO88NWY9Ew08O54O1l8/s320/Man+O%2527War+-+Nippers+-+Great+Guana++NB+133.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Unfortunately, the ring and block are still at the tippy top of the mast so David will get to go climb up there to retrieve them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">There wasn’t anything we could do except be glad we were where we were and not in the middle of the Gulf Stream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>David put his life jacket on, climbed on top of the bimini and secured the sail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As of this writing the “O” ring is still attached to the halyard at the top of the mast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the wind dies down he’ll climb up and retrieve it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We should have figured something else was going to go after we lost the clew but…….lesson learned the hard way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had been sailing around with one reef in the sail and were doing fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, we have no mainsail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We still have our jib and spinnaker but no main stinks.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">That’s not the end of the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We get to the anchorage and the holding was terrible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a lot of turtle (sea) grass here which is great for conch but not good for anchoring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wind had picked up a bit and we tried 4 times to get the anchor to hold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now mind you,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we have been anchoring<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a lot since we got here and this has never happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Poor David,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>he’s getting frustrated,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m getting frustrated and tired and all of a sudden, we lose the starboard engine. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">Great!! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have this big yacht behind us and the owner’s out on the deck watching us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wave at him nicely as we go around him with our one engine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As it turned out,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>when we were out getting tossed around the line that<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>holds the dinghy on the davit came loose and wrapped around the engine shaft. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">My super Captain very calmly got us anchored, after many deep breaths, then donned his wet suit/snorkel and jumped in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The line must have just barely been wrapped because it came up really easily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>End of that saga.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Murphy must have been smiling as he messed with us.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">The next day we headed to Nippers Sunday Pig Roast with a couple of hundred other people and had a fine time. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">The pig was great but the people watching was better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was this guy stretched out on a towel on the beach who didn’t move……not one inch…..for several hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was worried he was dead but no one would let me go nudge him to see if he moved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He eventually got up and wondered off.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">The other guy we were watching was so sunburned – I mean BEET red.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We should have taken bets to see how much aloe he had to put on. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">Skip and Carol from RHAPSODY were with us and as usual, Skip was the life of the dance floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s a crazy man with a super attitude and really loves to have fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Jeff and Claudia off of DESSIE were also here. </span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQttkbpjE_L3Y9PcbxYEQRf4izueKOpVzxqDoODn3yqz48SycBgLlRfIsd_GTvjW9xAxOQes0JeEdnL0zWC5bpOkHacTPolzchPgWImVDTUXgAXyB6n688MjTKV8qCCmGctnCKRrKV4Y/s1600/Man+O%2527War+-+Nippers+-+Great+Guana++NB+103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQttkbpjE_L3Y9PcbxYEQRf4izueKOpVzxqDoODn3yqz48SycBgLlRfIsd_GTvjW9xAxOQes0JeEdnL0zWC5bpOkHacTPolzchPgWImVDTUXgAXyB6n688MjTKV8qCCmGctnCKRrKV4Y/s320/Man+O%2527War+-+Nippers+-+Great+Guana++NB+103.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> People in pic: L to R: me, Carol, David, Claudia, Jeff and Skip.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">The m</span>usic was oldies but goodies and really loud but I’m sure it made all the “mature” folk feel like we were back in our teenage years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>AHHHH, walks down memory lane. Here are just a few pictures to give you an idea:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-HowE7CkqLek3Lks38gNweHFEM2UzWLhnnlZat2WYg1WMJf-Y4LCwT1d8KGXTClLyByY4xOnRfsRKmoHEik8-5KYzrVQ4r65d0V2TFb4BxK6q1C8HMI8PLBruBcBorMSsdjFGQ4JQnIA/s1600/Man+O%2527War+-+Nippers+-+Great+Guana++NB+112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-HowE7CkqLek3Lks38gNweHFEM2UzWLhnnlZat2WYg1WMJf-Y4LCwT1d8KGXTClLyByY4xOnRfsRKmoHEik8-5KYzrVQ4r65d0V2TFb4BxK6q1C8HMI8PLBruBcBorMSsdjFGQ4JQnIA/s320/Man+O%2527War+-+Nippers+-+Great+Guana++NB+112.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Certainly can't beat the location and people watching... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggw2zCRNIicsCSrpfOsJOAqYXJ1s1WF-wEBCKNaQKvmKDQycELVlix6vz0RJN8HgF2FPzAZtlBx11w7viUISiIUWzPSD41VhiWr8GkA4NVCIdDLC2oRgGrQ5RR_9gRaHZYAorc1_RBERE/s1600/Jeff%2527s+Pics+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggw2zCRNIicsCSrpfOsJOAqYXJ1s1WF-wEBCKNaQKvmKDQycELVlix6vz0RJN8HgF2FPzAZtlBx11w7viUISiIUWzPSD41VhiWr8GkA4NVCIdDLC2oRgGrQ5RR_9gRaHZYAorc1_RBERE/s320/Jeff%2527s+Pics+004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">After Nippers we made our way to Grabbers Beach Bar on Sunset Beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a much a much more subdued<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>spot with live music, bocce ball and ring toss.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Here's another nice place to sit and have a drink and enjoy the sunshine:</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRvbm57qs2zi1ylW5bRTtiyI9hPfZMGtpRV8xWhb6d4uUbxvAYsBadAZuq0tqh-CRe9UCzJ-USKsHFwFoHf9xSfNlWELmp5_Zf0IPZO4yzZcscAv8Z7pTnKmBLnl58a6PduoaWTNhqjCE/s1600/Man+O%2527War+-+Nippers+-+Great+Guana++NB+120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRvbm57qs2zi1ylW5bRTtiyI9hPfZMGtpRV8xWhb6d4uUbxvAYsBadAZuq0tqh-CRe9UCzJ-USKsHFwFoHf9xSfNlWELmp5_Zf0IPZO4yzZcscAv8Z7pTnKmBLnl58a6PduoaWTNhqjCE/s320/Man+O%2527War+-+Nippers+-+Great+Guana++NB+120.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">The next day we moved down to the south end of Great Guana next to RHAPSODY and in the process of swapping out anchors we lost a screwdriver overboard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The turtle grass was terrible and finding a sandy spot was difficult but we finally got anchored up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">We took our dinghy’s to a dock that belongs to the vacant house that’s for sale – interested???</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQqrC35sK47nJ3nPdm2-4D5Gfvf3tuOuQC84G0sUhJw3wEKGCFDWec6M2q-x6bAmylOLMQvJK4doqWRrUNbCZyJB3DRTcH0WizVZWfa_W_CqGujl4ILGy-44gB4xDC9DbWYzeZkfUpUZc/s1600/Man+O%2527War+-+Nippers+-+Great+Guana++NB+135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQqrC35sK47nJ3nPdm2-4D5Gfvf3tuOuQC84G0sUhJw3wEKGCFDWec6M2q-x6bAmylOLMQvJK4doqWRrUNbCZyJB3DRTcH0WizVZWfa_W_CqGujl4ILGy-44gB4xDC9DbWYzeZkfUpUZc/s320/Man+O%2527War+-+Nippers+-+Great+Guana++NB+135.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">The house comes with a dock on the Sea of Abaco side but the lot goes across the island to this gazebo and their own beach. Not bad. I'm trying to find out how much it costs, if I do I'll let you know next blog.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">May 3<sup>rd</sup> thru May 5<sup>th</sup></span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We decided we wanted to go back to MOW so off we went.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We anchored in “our” spot and relaxed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last time we were here David went snorkeling and saw a nice grouper that kept hiding from him so he jumped back into the water and tried to find it again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No luck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the afternoon we watched as the local kids took their swim lessons at the beach by the boat. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">Once the lessons were over the kids where picked up by parents in skiffs or in golf carts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What fun.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">We went back into town and found Lola again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time we bought 2 packs of cinnamon rolls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were trying to save one of them for James with no luck. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We already ate the first batch and are working on James'. Sorry fella.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">The morning we were leaving I went out on the deck to check the anchor. The water was so clear and calm we got a great picture...</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHowVceEDHEXBcmWxWCjBc1WNX_CU58X9HgoepFLBUTf6Bc40Gci0FaDDsROmiRNP3l4rtddZiRhnalnMxcvLLLuXwXLCzkkIgNhJFHujflHlVSfYQVc1IiJH6qDog3w33mqYsI3UlcMg/s1600/MOW-Sailfish+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHowVceEDHEXBcmWxWCjBc1WNX_CU58X9HgoepFLBUTf6Bc40Gci0FaDDsROmiRNP3l4rtddZiRhnalnMxcvLLLuXwXLCzkkIgNhJFHujflHlVSfYQVc1IiJH6qDog3w33mqYsI3UlcMg/s320/MOW-Sailfish+036.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";"><strong>May 5<sup>th</sup>:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><strong> </strong>There was another blow coming through s</span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">o we're headed off to Hopetown, yet again. David wanted to go fishing on the "outside"... i.e., the ATLANTIC OCEAN. We went through the North MOW cut into the ATLANTIC OCEAN.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rollers and swells were manageable to start out but not for long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least for “Rubber Legs” Peg…. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">David said I turned white.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wouldn’t know since I took my position lying down in the salon and then </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">I'd would bolt to action when I heard the fishing pole screaming, which happened 3 times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first time David thinks it was a mahi since we were in about 200’ of water and fought a little bit but got off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The second time he pulled in a nice king mackerel, which, by the way, tasted delicious for dinner tonight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the highlight of the whole trip was a 6’ SAILFISH <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>he caught.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNsZRC5IpPjDD8TdVRERz-B-i3O7ax7hKmXWvc_ERHDJqnh4rm72oEmUcQkCTz3lnOClHPqLUzQsEGWLVeGY_aM4rPse1hb4sPJs7KdshX_xQ8IeX-oXaVYAiFwVrpG18x6XY6LEkXmY/s1600/MOW-Sailfish+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNsZRC5IpPjDD8TdVRERz-B-i3O7ax7hKmXWvc_ERHDJqnh4rm72oEmUcQkCTz3lnOClHPqLUzQsEGWLVeGY_aM4rPse1hb4sPJs7KdshX_xQ8IeX-oXaVYAiFwVrpG18x6XY6LEkXmY/s320/MOW-Sailfish+041.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTH4cBx5HAjbWhzXXntUxRoArQoxod0noY5vhzUws9-5OZRIL8m6HQ1kF3x-Fcvbmo4fO-eG8UDY1vRgzqJu4Lwhw8LDa_8zmFRsZdFvU7nojC0ceZ4AryLrJtaY5kjIyeD8pMlYy5huk/s1600/MOW-Sailfish+042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTH4cBx5HAjbWhzXXntUxRoArQoxod0noY5vhzUws9-5OZRIL8m6HQ1kF3x-Fcvbmo4fO-eG8UDY1vRgzqJu4Lwhw8LDa_8zmFRsZdFvU7nojC0ceZ4AryLrJtaY5kjIyeD8pMlYy5huk/s320/MOW-Sailfish+042.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 4.5pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">I tried to take a good picture of it as he brought it up to the boat but wasn’t quick enough.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">He did get me to Hopetown and snug as a bug on our mooring ball but not before I took a nice long nap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><strong>May 6th</strong>: <span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;">200th day away from VA.</span> </span> We were only going to stay in Hopetown overnight but good ole' Murphy reared his ugly head again.....this time it was the generator! To keep the batteries charged up we run it for an hour in the morning and an hour at night. If we need to make water we do it all at the same time. We went to start it and it just died, dead as a doornail. The next morning we talked to some other cruisers, Al and Christina on MANGO GROOVE and Hyde from WILDFLOWER. Hyde is an electrician guru and had helped Skip with his refrigeration problem so we knew he knew his stuff. Al and Hyde came over, David called the generator people in Florida and the problem was diagnosised. We needed to get a small battery charger when we got back to Marsh Harbor.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";"> We got tied up at Harbour View<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Marina in Marsh Harbor for a much anticipated HOT SHOWER,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>provisioning for the trip back and to say goodbye to friends we’ve made along the way and to get the battery charger. I am glad to report all the groceries are on board, the battery charger is installed and we're going to relax until Monday.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">One treat we got while here was watching the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Marsh Harbor Sunfish Regatta.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These little boats scream around the harbor in between all the anchored boats and the kids have a BLAST.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can hear them hollering “starboard” as they race the course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You also hear them laughing their pants off when one of them goes in the water.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">One of the nicest people we’ve met this trip is Jeff Key, “Papa Lou” , Cab No. 11.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s a gentleman born and raised in MOW.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He went off to Nassau to teach for twenty years but has come back here and now has a very nice cab business clientele built up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We learned a lot about the Bahamas in general but more specifically,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Marsh Harbor and MOW.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll see him again next year. Steph: Jeff said to tell you HELLO!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiiCIAxzsKacRxbzoYJs9R48sz6JH2dU8XFgnobU4rrlwVdKikgE4Zmg3qkChNan4fYhIycIqZb4rvm930vwk2UDYBXy4F_G9vXUsHC_fK-ZVAFlWJfGDb-VbgyckDCnhl_xEWvYrkqUQ/s1600/Last+Marsh+Harbor+NB+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiiCIAxzsKacRxbzoYJs9R48sz6JH2dU8XFgnobU4rrlwVdKikgE4Zmg3qkChNan4fYhIycIqZb4rvm930vwk2UDYBXy4F_G9vXUsHC_fK-ZVAFlWJfGDb-VbgyckDCnhl_xEWvYrkqUQ/s320/Last+Marsh+Harbor+NB+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Today is May 8th...Mother's Day. David took me out to breakfast at Mango's Restaurant where he ordered Crispy Coconut French Toast....words can not describe what it did to our taste buds...amazing...simply amazing. Of course, being the theif I am, I will TRY to duplicate it once we get back to the States. The coconut wasn't from a package and that shredded little stuff we're used it. It was grated and DELICIOUS.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">Right now the plan is to leave here on Monday, May 9<sup>th</sup> and make our way up the Sea of Abaco to Green Turtle Cay,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Manjack, Moraine and then to the West End Settlement on Grand Bahama where we’ll wait for the “just perfect” crossing weather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can bet the night before we scoot across the Gulf Stream I’ll put a seasick patch on …… just to be safe.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">Look for one short blog once we get back to the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Florida.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Until then...love to everyone.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">Captain Dave</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">Rubber Legs Peg</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div>Dave and Peghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09197023077918294888noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-398309591837434748.post-37914710249129774032011-04-18T21:14:00.000-04:002011-04-18T21:14:47.129-04:00NORTHBOUND - EXUMA PARK - GOV. HARBOUR - HATCHET BAY - SPANISH WELLS - ABACOS<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">TRIP FACTS AS OF:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>April 18, 2011</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">Days gone from VA:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>182</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">Days in Bahamas:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>120</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">Miles Travelled:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>2,000 – TWO THOUSAND</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">Things Overboard:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Set of serving spoons…oops!<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">Trip Firsts:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A pigeon in our salon</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";"><strong>NORTHBOUND:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>EXUMA LAND AND SEA PARK – ELEUTHREA:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ROCK SOUND – GOVERNOR’S HARBOUR – HATCHET BAY – SPANISH WELLS … BACK TO ABACOS </strong></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";"><strong>AND LYNYARD CAY – MARSH HARBOR</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">March 22 – 24:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>EXUMA LAND AND SEA PARK</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We made our way back to Land and Sea Park and got there early enough to get a spot in the North Mooring Field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first time we were here we hiked up to Boo Boo Hill and didn’t leave anything from our boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time we did so it will be interesting to see if it’s still there next year.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgboYhGsLD0hdZxUh6de3_HxDovrAfrb19c_8b1KgvaMQnITCPuzdxeIPUOFpQIHvUU4LQtCuEBlnzhCDsFeGvkI_yaxCx30ixD36F9g0OcGe5mmd8Hre-WhtWglBxn5FwdcboQmA8sxYk/s1600/NB++Exuma+Sea+Park+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgboYhGsLD0hdZxUh6de3_HxDovrAfrb19c_8b1KgvaMQnITCPuzdxeIPUOFpQIHvUU4LQtCuEBlnzhCDsFeGvkI_yaxCx30ixD36F9g0OcGe5mmd8Hre-WhtWglBxn5FwdcboQmA8sxYk/s320/NB++Exuma+Sea+Park+034.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">While David snorkeled I stayed in the dinghy and used the "lookie bucket" to get pictures of fish....</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY8G4Os5XNayimwf9J7F3Cg7ot0CCU5GEhXRjLbsy8GAnVWQrFtY1NKZSsAe2Peh1dw3Mx6hvHNXf4cJXqd-Wh09IFdxrb9sJdRoOHam0Mo2dnnMPdyLiVncYqpOfgrfOUR5_FLY-XV3w/s1600/NB++Exuma+Sea+Park+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY8G4Os5XNayimwf9J7F3Cg7ot0CCU5GEhXRjLbsy8GAnVWQrFtY1NKZSsAe2Peh1dw3Mx6hvHNXf4cJXqd-Wh09IFdxrb9sJdRoOHam0Mo2dnnMPdyLiVncYqpOfgrfOUR5_FLY-XV3w/s320/NB++Exuma+Sea+Park+014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">On one of our dinghy rides around the park we beached the boat and within about 20 yards and counted over 60 baby conch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bahamian’s are very proud of this park because it helps insure the future stocks of conch and fish, since it’s a “no take” zone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">One evening we watched a school of Horse Eye-Jacks swimming under the boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently, jacks like frozen peas because they gobbled everything we threw out to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBtYAGD849Xxe6OJPOlbfuJzIn2kzA6oMYGyam-6Vp7uNx0XNgVPCwf0oqLbqp-Gwr9hXkpO4YvAGwFMV-hpUHYZGkGGK7pt-CHg_qarf8rZB3DsNJoOj2DZWrbCmAt80hyl2TBuFpmx0/s1600/NB++Exuma+Sea+Park+076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBtYAGD849Xxe6OJPOlbfuJzIn2kzA6oMYGyam-6Vp7uNx0XNgVPCwf0oqLbqp-Gwr9hXkpO4YvAGwFMV-hpUHYZGkGGK7pt-CHg_qarf8rZB3DsNJoOj2DZWrbCmAt80hyl2TBuFpmx0/s320/NB++Exuma+Sea+Park+076.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">On the 24<sup>th</sup> we took the boat to another park anchorage and found the NAKED HORSESHOE BEACH… by accident for sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We met a family of Austrians while at the Park who didn’t think twice about laying outside in the buff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are obviously very sports minded too. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">The other “highlight” of this anchorage was a full size tent a yacht had put up on a sandbar so they could watch the sunset.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They beached their small boats and relaxed in luxury.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Must be rough.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">MARCH 25 – 28<sup>th</sup></span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Back to Eleuthrea and <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">ROCK SOUND</b>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was nice to relax at Rock Sound for a couple of days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the crossing from Exuma David lost 2 HUGH fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He thinks one of them was a mahi-mahi from the color he saw at the surface.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh well, there’s always tomorrow.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">The winds were perfect to put the spinnaker sail up and we did…..averaged about 6.4 knots but got up to 8.6 for a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The spinnaker is really a pretty sail … take a look….</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61aq5kQH3Pi5__NasvFyqam6f-PD7d9qhGs7ZXrSg5T_dr4YwPoDS31FeabJ_zhF8m_ktWkJrSWl6RYqcerCDsb9XOdoikpB5puZyJ-07QDL88O3zSEkdPfR0Pmlj1Ttu7aHrg4_97_s/s1600/Rock+Sound+to+Spanish++Northbound+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61aq5kQH3Pi5__NasvFyqam6f-PD7d9qhGs7ZXrSg5T_dr4YwPoDS31FeabJ_zhF8m_ktWkJrSWl6RYqcerCDsb9XOdoikpB5puZyJ-07QDL88O3zSEkdPfR0Pmlj1Ttu7aHrg4_97_s/s320/Rock+Sound+to+Spanish++Northbound+004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">Once we got anchored we started our list of chores including changing the oil in one of the engines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Long story short….we discovered water in the sail drive oil which meant we would have to get hauled out in Spanish Wells.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More on that later.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">We didn’t stop in Rock Sound on the way down to Georgetown so I’m glad we were able to spend time there northbound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While we are dinner one night at 4Points Restaurant we met Peele Hawthorne’s sister, Stuart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Peele was someone I worked with in Williamsburg and she’s the Field Hockey Coach at The College of William and Marry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s truly a small world.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">Here are some pictures of the restaurant and the view at sunset.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOdhSnk4PtpkuyXfZQREiejrsY8LgvpRW1D9xSHOTP8ie-rFU6g8a6PA8UM3VTnJYEpmyfcm9Z1JCqfQTFD3Fq0KIPG5Mb5f7EEx5gCWnOdlRGYEKpmXObPlbdqkWwSZ33LlBZJepnpKc/s1600/Rock+Sound+to+Spanish++Northbound+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOdhSnk4PtpkuyXfZQREiejrsY8LgvpRW1D9xSHOTP8ie-rFU6g8a6PA8UM3VTnJYEpmyfcm9Z1JCqfQTFD3Fq0KIPG5Mb5f7EEx5gCWnOdlRGYEKpmXObPlbdqkWwSZ33LlBZJepnpKc/s320/Rock+Sound+to+Spanish++Northbound+021.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4 POINTS RESTAURANT AND BAR PATIO</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTfdwXH4Gw7u-wzEBhVtRZkkCnSnuSzi-jZhbgR1sG8ni6F62BZBUkhy1ErEm7j5E6GmX6TJ04taR8C_cIil1cIV5AV-n6R_g5pFeNGQ2aAY9myhwkLBF0dCRqxEJL8wS6ot6_wQEdxKc/s1600/Rock+Sound+to+Spanish++Northbound+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTfdwXH4Gw7u-wzEBhVtRZkkCnSnuSzi-jZhbgR1sG8ni6F62BZBUkhy1ErEm7j5E6GmX6TJ04taR8C_cIil1cIV5AV-n6R_g5pFeNGQ2aAY9myhwkLBF0dCRqxEJL8wS6ot6_wQEdxKc/s320/Rock+Sound+to+Spanish++Northbound+022.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">MARCH 29<sup>th</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>GOVERNOR’S HARBOUR</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Southbound we stopped in Governor’s Harbour for a couple of days and we anxious to get back so we could replace the V8 juice bottle that marked our mooring ball with a float we found on the beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first time there were only 3 boats in the anchorage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time there were close to 20 so we weren’t able to put the float on…maybe next year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">Whenever we get anchored up we always try to take a walk right away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time was no different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We walked around town and found the local kids practicing for a track meet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">These kids run sprints barefooted on the dirt playing field.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1OvJ7kuiixyFUU-86CNk4_9s-kcMNphCkxFzcLp0q1ri4mwYv5S2Ff8i3wyhnoe6a3vO1qYAorfmGlOFs3MV3d32uCUK8pOTpd1gwf-065IhHWgxMYhOMhdc7xuiMxDQYo9jQo4Nuons/s320/Rock+Sound+to+Spanish++Northbound+036.JPG" width="320" /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">MARCH 30 – APRIL 1<sup>st</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>HATCHET BAY:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">We made our way back to Hatchet Bay and grabbed the last mooring ball before another blow came through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lucky for us because the next night a beautiful sailboat was dragging anchor around 4AM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We woke to an air-horn trying to wake the owner up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>David jumped in our dinghy, WITH LIFE JACKET because the wind was really blowing, and made his way over the SNOVER.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Canadian couple where glad to see him and they eventually were able to get anchored again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>David thought their anchor was snagged on a rock or something because they couldn’t move it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We talked to them<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>later and it seems the anchor found a 25’ hole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not to worry, they just pulled it up the next morning with no problems and were on their way. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">When you cruise around for awhile you end up seeing all sorts of boats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some huge beautiful yachts and …. Well….this is the dinghy from a 29’ sailboat with two young kids onboard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> We saw them at Rock Sound and David helped tow the dinghy back to the sailboat because the wind turned and the young lady didn't have a motor. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjgUE6BJzyf2wNrBl3-tXKwecHlDAEcKCsWrP6_rE5ApToLsqK8vxkz3AIMOqBhyprqnC2NV1gd8IEGGqvaOvMm2pcuOVa_eESGkRTTg87D5qtAmkx54IcE-JhbjRibf-3peS1_k0PIqs/s1600/Rock+Sound+to+Spanish++Northbound+046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjgUE6BJzyf2wNrBl3-tXKwecHlDAEcKCsWrP6_rE5ApToLsqK8vxkz3AIMOqBhyprqnC2NV1gd8IEGGqvaOvMm2pcuOVa_eESGkRTTg87D5qtAmkx54IcE-JhbjRibf-3peS1_k0PIqs/s320/Rock+Sound+to+Spanish++Northbound+046.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">We had seen the dinghy in Rock Sound and were glad they made it to Hatchet before the blow.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">The second day we were there seemed to go to the animals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was reading in the salon and David, very quietly, came in and whispered … “we have a bird in here.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right…I thought he was kidding but sure enough we had a pigeon……</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvnNT6pI6edVcATIKAJTT7dyjWuXa3poD9q0hFYkdJLg3PgmPqTBnNuGHe3ST4JVDfZIWxFFOVKiiyTI2iqF1qFbniTpcORGlDS1Mn2MLls8F2V1IdbxCOMwQW1bu7PUNp8bzEqF3yyG0/s1600/Rock+Sound+to+Spanish++Northbound+044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvnNT6pI6edVcATIKAJTT7dyjWuXa3poD9q0hFYkdJLg3PgmPqTBnNuGHe3ST4JVDfZIWxFFOVKiiyTI2iqF1qFbniTpcORGlDS1Mn2MLls8F2V1IdbxCOMwQW1bu7PUNp8bzEqF3yyG0/s320/Rock+Sound+to+Spanish++Northbound+044.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">He didn’t get spooked and we gently guided him out the front hatch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">We’ve learned to leave our fishing poles up overnight since you never know when you’ll get a fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I left my pole out complete with hot dogs pieces as bait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>David left his out with</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">Some left over conch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know why the fish didn’t like my hot dogs but it really liked the conch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>David caught about a 10# mutton snapper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>YUMMMMMM GOOOD.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had dinner for two nights.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">APRIL 2 – 8<sup>th</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>SPANISH WELLS</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got anchored up outside Spanish Wells were we met up with some friends on RHAPSODY, Skip and Carol.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all went<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>out one day to do some snorkeling. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We took the dinghys out through one of the most beautiful beaches we’ve seen…</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhw7aQ_tavsKXskOu_hArteGWpPh20x8cb549oabVKZ-B4Wij5QN4nmi2dGTfPVh30tYxunrlqZUPT6OUNeDDwqpzAAKhFnilE-VsZybV34oNVTdRBVGGoTyWTDO5plLwkKdKhwPt-pas/s1600/Rock+Sound+to+Spanish++Northbound+056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhw7aQ_tavsKXskOu_hArteGWpPh20x8cb549oabVKZ-B4Wij5QN4nmi2dGTfPVh30tYxunrlqZUPT6OUNeDDwqpzAAKhFnilE-VsZybV34oNVTdRBVGGoTyWTDO5plLwkKdKhwPt-pas/s320/Rock+Sound+to+Spanish++Northbound+056.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Skip and Carol ahead of us..... wait until you see the beach<br />
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</tbody></table> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_9JOQzMbHw7wXY4JqRZ35uk88yty8eVbtyIj4kIzf5LZjy5EyZxqWKdXbhIyFX8oUg0vCajdHGI-MkM6g5Nyhl0r_B9Gf_QDLcsgSMYe6LNO_bVmurvc-IG1FuLRLqmgxRHBjuZWfuXE/s1600/Rock+Sound+to+Spanish++Northbound+057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_9JOQzMbHw7wXY4JqRZ35uk88yty8eVbtyIj4kIzf5LZjy5EyZxqWKdXbhIyFX8oUg0vCajdHGI-MkM6g5Nyhl0r_B9Gf_QDLcsgSMYe6LNO_bVmurvc-IG1FuLRLqmgxRHBjuZWfuXE/s320/Rock+Sound+to+Spanish++Northbound+057.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">After two days “on the hook” bobbing around we decided we would move to another anchorage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turns out it was just as bad so we got a slip at the Spanish Wells Yacht Haven which was great since I got laundry done and just relaxed.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">As I mentioned before,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>due to the water in the sail drive we had made arrangements to get hauled out by the R&B Boatyard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We took the boat over on Tuesday morning,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>got it on the lift and moved into a little efficiency suite for 3 days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was really GREAT…free laundry, again and LONG HOT SHOWERS!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, there was no kitchen, only a microwave and toaster oven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Breakfast and lunch weren’t a problem but trying to “cook”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>with just a microwave was laughable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we were comfortable and together – that’s all we needed.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">Here are some pictures of the boat as it was lifted and then when it was up:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPxcDbJ6Z0FBqr-VLZL4AStPhSLqXd9nfWGsFx9BlNVBc29RKZpGBWT7o2vE4WljMP3SOP8JWLe7uSvILu198sg9AlpjGHDf4pM-Z_L1RMU5VyyuGKirNqGF17gG3sApq26kslEJFM24s/s1600/Rock+Sound+to+Spanish++Northbound+070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPxcDbJ6Z0FBqr-VLZL4AStPhSLqXd9nfWGsFx9BlNVBc29RKZpGBWT7o2vE4WljMP3SOP8JWLe7uSvILu198sg9AlpjGHDf4pM-Z_L1RMU5VyyuGKirNqGF17gG3sApq26kslEJFM24s/s320/Rock+Sound+to+Spanish++Northbound+070.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boat still floating waiting for lift to "lift" us up.<br />
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</tbody></table> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgATv9PkbRW9XV9q3ZmyHPGyZDXs6CPW62sL7-vtOnqPDnaQbvOPh-03PkokYnjwjT82588NxjhaH_U3oc09ArnqIlVCfkWdJhyphenhyphenDqeH9nWhR1qAiFWpzuFx09hRoCGMZ1vukZBOF57RvbU/s1600/Rock+Sound+to+Spanish++Northbound+071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgATv9PkbRW9XV9q3ZmyHPGyZDXs6CPW62sL7-vtOnqPDnaQbvOPh-03PkokYnjwjT82588NxjhaH_U3oc09ArnqIlVCfkWdJhyphenhyphenDqeH9nWhR1qAiFWpzuFx09hRoCGMZ1vukZBOF57RvbU/s320/Rock+Sound+to+Spanish++Northbound+071.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";"> That's Bruce, owner/dockmaster, making sure boat is centered on lift.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBd_FYiy9lH7IAqZUSB2ErdtMEa1WwIhhqUVQqfZn3C2XFL9rBrmY0ZRQR30cQK0jFdA7tEOBKfZdLj9Q8zwoaBDrrdoEKhi_nFl5yuYTwph9eHo1wuYgm7gGDvnZemKITA8qsbd6NhI/s1600/Rock+Sound+to+Spanish++Northbound+075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBd_FYiy9lH7IAqZUSB2ErdtMEa1WwIhhqUVQqfZn3C2XFL9rBrmY0ZRQR30cQK0jFdA7tEOBKfZdLj9Q8zwoaBDrrdoEKhi_nFl5yuYTwph9eHo1wuYgm7gGDvnZemKITA8qsbd6NhI/s320/Rock+Sound+to+Spanish++Northbound+075.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>This is a 42' catamaran, 24' wide, sitting on the lift that's 29' wide....high and dry.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">The boatyard cleaned and painted the bottom and it looks great, as well as worked on the sail drives. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>David got aboard and did some maintenance himself and the last day I got there and put the boat back together.</span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">One of the days I didn’t have anything to do I took some pictures of Spanish Wells.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This little settlement is one of the cleanest towns we’ve been in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The main road on the sound side is a hub of activity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fast ferry BO HENGHY II, all the mail boats and fishing boats tie up on this channel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">You can see fishing boats with their down riggers hanging over the street while they work on them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>R&B has a railway on the town side of the road that requires them to literally, LIFT, the street up so the boat and get pulled up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiHaMXgHre3ulwoSZhfuLq5I30A2fHo-Z8csXQ4KDWfCZkRdrQ_nNVkqpn9JpEilA60ujzy6Gn3x1pm6jOuwockZ0GRnxi2cGQASKlWRJrkFcB6VxXnDPeYKKRjPQWH-k23Rhm0tc77gQ/s1600/Rock+Sound+to+Spanish++Northbound+085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiHaMXgHre3ulwoSZhfuLq5I30A2fHo-Z8csXQ4KDWfCZkRdrQ_nNVkqpn9JpEilA60ujzy6Gn3x1pm6jOuwockZ0GRnxi2cGQASKlWRJrkFcB6VxXnDPeYKKRjPQWH-k23Rhm0tc77gQ/s320/Rock+Sound+to+Spanish++Northbound+085.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWpFBAddE5y3-iZC73HRbYUGqyYYWj81OGMJRKbL_5U6_8jHTnNp36oce6hQJmSwpsOgCMyn4xLpXXi9TrUTYAImbQihSgZlivDLh-ZJcqcOqP8JsM8sX7yYQ2yZJI3yPZ6-IKcXchqbM/s1600/Rock+Sound+to+Spanish++Northbound+078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWpFBAddE5y3-iZC73HRbYUGqyYYWj81OGMJRKbL_5U6_8jHTnNp36oce6hQJmSwpsOgCMyn4xLpXXi9TrUTYAImbQihSgZlivDLh-ZJcqcOqP8JsM8sX7yYQ2yZJI3yPZ6-IKcXchqbM/s320/Rock+Sound+to+Spanish++Northbound+078.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";"> The main street - dockside.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTzGl7EQBzhsx60ikhYII14ehUNMHzzT5JHs09iTBR-UR82ilnQtqZ-ZVn6P7lfvL33P8EvzjALP8ShPUL0_J6B4SN8CyKDhgJd19UKOJzzU3_LpYPYNQFHQMVW8xhtI-0pehIbWm2Ulg/s1600/Rock+Sound+to+Spanish++Northbound+086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTzGl7EQBzhsx60ikhYII14ehUNMHzzT5JHs09iTBR-UR82ilnQtqZ-ZVn6P7lfvL33P8EvzjALP8ShPUL0_J6B4SN8CyKDhgJd19UKOJzzU3_LpYPYNQFHQMVW8xhtI-0pehIbWm2Ulg/s320/Rock+Sound+to+Spanish++Northbound+086.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>This was taken looking down from our boat. The section of the road behind the boat on the railway will be picked up to let the boat slide down into the water. <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">We really enjoy Spanish Wells and have become friends with Jock Morgan “BANDIT”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jock is a pilot, owns the mooring balls and is just a really nice guy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His wife, Caroline, is just as nice.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">Last time we were there we got fresh, warm bread.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time Jock gave us some of the BEST Pepper Jelly we’ve ever had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said he was saving it for Craig and Kim, our friends from Gloucester, but since they hadn’t come back it was ours…..sorry<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>CharlieRomeo and </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">Minnow.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">We left Spanish Wells on April 9<sup>th</sup> – JAMES birthday!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and crossed over back to the Abacos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">BACK TO THE ABACOS</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">APRIL 9<sup>th</sup> - <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>15<sup>TH</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>LYNYARD CAY :<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">We crossed over and anchored off Lynyard Cay for five days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>RHAPSODY had already crossed over so we met up with them again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was lots of</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">snorkeling at the Sandy Cay Sea Park, another no take zone and a lot of sea glass and sea shell hunting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We met another couple, John and Kathi on MAKANI, and shared a lot of great meals and fun card games with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re all hoping to get back together and make the big crossing back over to Florida next month.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">APRIL 15<sup>th</sup> – 18:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>MARSH HARBOR</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>We’re back where we started at Harbour View Marina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We feel really comfortable in Marsh Harbor and are finding our way around very well.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">That’s it for now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We leave here tomorrow to meet RHAPSODY.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tuesday night will be Rake N Scrape at the Abaco Inn on Elbow Cay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where we go from there is any ones guess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">I’ll explain Rake N’ Scrape once I get some pictures so until then…..take care. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div></span>Dave and Peghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09197023077918294888noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-398309591837434748.post-75471804436917246822011-03-23T09:46:00.000-04:002011-03-23T09:46:21.821-04:00LONG ISLAND TO LAND/SEA PARK WITH STOPS INBETWEEN<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">TRIP FACTS AS OF:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>March 22, 2011</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Days gone from VA:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>155</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Days in Bahamas:<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>93</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Miles Travelled:<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> 1,</span>814.5</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Things Overboard:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>2 bungee cords rigging up Cuban yo-yo</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Trip Firsts:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Peg’s<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>first “real” haircut since Thanksgiving…..sorry Liz!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>David’s first haircut since Thanksgiving!!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> DINNER: </span>First fish caught we eat!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No barracuda this trip.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">NORTHBOUND:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Headed back to the Abacos. </span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">LONG ISLAND – EMERALD D BAY – LITTLE DARBY – BLACK POINT – BITTER GUANA CAY – STANIEL CAY - EXUMA LAND AND SEA PARK: </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">FEBRUARY 26 THRU MARCH 22, 2011</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I think it will be easier to break this down by stop instead of date so here goes:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">While we were crossing over to Long Island we passed through the <strong>TROPIC OF CANCER</strong>!! 23.30.0</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Long Island</b>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After leaving Conception Island with BAREFOOTIN (Bobby and Francie)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we all made our way to Thompson Bay/Salt Pond on Long Island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a neat spot for a lot of reasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We rented a car with Bobby and Francie and toured the island, had dinner at local “club” with new friends, Ted and Cathy from SEA EAGLE and Tish and Ellen from MICLO3, bought some HOGFISH and got a real haircut!! For people who know me and my hair this was a real exciting event. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Since there is no internet available cruisers go to the local bar/restaurant to grab it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here in Long Island you go to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">LONG ISLAND BREEZE</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a really nice, new restaurant with cottages to rent,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>laundry and a pool.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnS4DXKI13Vv0YXgnX4moeJnjnC58M3AUe73mSgeZSS5AamFlth8x1UMTvpKTp1WLwg3Irn5qzi5ghjaojPfWsV8dTH5k2kvQKOxvc9oz02zP5Okp_flbboIOqU83tCsrPB3aPu-LzOqk/s1600/Long+Island+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnS4DXKI13Vv0YXgnX4moeJnjnC58M3AUe73mSgeZSS5AamFlth8x1UMTvpKTp1WLwg3Irn5qzi5ghjaojPfWsV8dTH5k2kvQKOxvc9oz02zP5Okp_flbboIOqU83tCsrPB3aPu-LzOqk/s320/Long+Island+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The restaurant is upstairs with laundry downstairs as well as pool.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1vdqApQlf2T78X5LgpyKw_77IvRSLZJNtbRXb1itaxVcwrMRMcoKioLMWAJtljq0IDhL9gkSNIScOWvXM1gVwHQ7ZQU9CoSv9bY_-eYWnIEa-dftw3orlpzpdUOM_9eypsa3_308AMz8/s1600/Long+Island+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1vdqApQlf2T78X5LgpyKw_77IvRSLZJNtbRXb1itaxVcwrMRMcoKioLMWAJtljq0IDhL9gkSNIScOWvXM1gVwHQ7ZQU9CoSv9bY_-eYWnIEa-dftw3orlpzpdUOM_9eypsa3_308AMz8/s320/Long+Island+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is the view looking to the harbor. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We were there for a week and one of the big highlights was renting a car with Bobby and Francie and driving the length of the island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bobby had the right idea …. We rented the car for the day and went south in the afternoon and the next morning we headed north.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s way too much to drive in one day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">some of the highlights going south:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Introducing: Bobby and Francie ....</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bobby introduced us to Max's Conch Bar for lunch. Max's not only served a great Conch Burger but had the best collection of conch shells we've seen.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix0n4_xWCxgXH_ueubjMaxhqHRK65G_1m8QpuIqkv71ffsq_O1ug4iuCIckkwte1NVO9yWhHd-dUK1T-JN23ODt7nmH81gEsTsLk81A8GpJSsYkDmJ9JCcqSb-QnUbQJMIX3WsG0opMVs/s1600/Long+Island+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix0n4_xWCxgXH_ueubjMaxhqHRK65G_1m8QpuIqkv71ffsq_O1ug4iuCIckkwte1NVO9yWhHd-dUK1T-JN23ODt7nmH81gEsTsLk81A8GpJSsYkDmJ9JCcqSb-QnUbQJMIX3WsG0opMVs/s320/Long+Island+019.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Max's Conch Bar and Conch Collection.....</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMrs1rjdIUWhmfMzUidTN35olNVvJwqOabMKV-SVtZg0Vx-KhkckOAyzbroAVllcjsXqiJM8el6unKSmIRorCQuETeLriS_h3gmkTaixY3Dh-FV8ICwFcbd0FdeXQFOqYcfXz2G0E-z0/s1600/Long+Island+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMrs1rjdIUWhmfMzUidTN35olNVvJwqOabMKV-SVtZg0Vx-KhkckOAyzbroAVllcjsXqiJM8el6unKSmIRorCQuETeLriS_h3gmkTaixY3Dh-FV8ICwFcbd0FdeXQFOqYcfXz2G0E-z0/s320/Long+Island+010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;">That's a lot of conch burgers.</span><br />
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</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Dean’s Blue Hole</b> the site of the World Championship FREE DIVING competition and is 663 feet deep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The current free dive record is<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">310 …. Yep<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>….three hundred and ten feet WITHOUT WEIGHTS AND A TANK</u></i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spoooooky but true.</span> <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAvLz1tLOXg4GWzhEUK9UEtJumDrLQUAydZihlp9knhlZwwUAfFqheUKNJjEjHw1vXv9IIGFGAkVLJQkuw2XKGA0ZpyOstahI_ijzO0nm2g2ZK3zRD3uXu-DvUvZaRhQ2KK32gi845Txo/s1600/Long+Island+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAvLz1tLOXg4GWzhEUK9UEtJumDrLQUAydZihlp9knhlZwwUAfFqheUKNJjEjHw1vXv9IIGFGAkVLJQkuw2XKGA0ZpyOstahI_ijzO0nm2g2ZK3zRD3uXu-DvUvZaRhQ2KK32gi845Txo/s320/Long+Island+024.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Next stop was TRASH BEACH, one of Francie's favorite places to get shells and sea glass.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVYlAhN3WoDQ6qluRj7zW3K-pGCiYqc71O6_RDW6iRZ6QbvJ0Q1JuknO_AxGizrzgm_84hei7z0zgBczQbm4MEyrHL_6opMlmhFETN-XCCeVRtHnM8fh0z6xuJ5H0I0-0pQrHk0n8vHY/s1600/Long+Island+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVYlAhN3WoDQ6qluRj7zW3K-pGCiYqc71O6_RDW6iRZ6QbvJ0Q1JuknO_AxGizrzgm_84hei7z0zgBczQbm4MEyrHL_6opMlmhFETN-XCCeVRtHnM8fh0z6xuJ5H0I0-0pQrHk0n8vHY/s320/Long+Island+040.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> We ended up in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Clarence Town</b> at the southern end of the island.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Since rental cars get pretty beat up not only from drivers but the weather Dave found himself holding on to the dashboard so it wouldn’t fall off.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctw6mb_p6PI3-XbWyn3f-yXrftS6PeT1BqF5XL0tKzLSGw7U6NZ8XFoY6LJsntC2-KZxO833W2v_lX5l-anf67aVMJGmRtZlEH9HGF7ivoV_HhJfRwuFNG_ppzRQzp4cmNSiusIy8X2g/s1600/Long+Island+049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctw6mb_p6PI3-XbWyn3f-yXrftS6PeT1BqF5XL0tKzLSGw7U6NZ8XFoY6LJsntC2-KZxO833W2v_lX5l-anf67aVMJGmRtZlEH9HGF7ivoV_HhJfRwuFNG_ppzRQzp4cmNSiusIy8X2g/s320/Long+Island+049.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We discovered about 3 major cracks in the dash on both sides. </span> <br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The next day we headed north and went to the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Christopher Columbus Monument</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems my countryman landed on the north end of Long Island back in 1492.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Way before my time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For any Coastie/and or sailor reading this <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also took a picture of the “light” that marks land for sailors coming from the East.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The light is a 255 millimeter lens charged by a small solar panel with a battery backup.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoGiDQQso6V0nha-FsKrcViAH35e2HjgjPMfIg0G_-0oQj4XNn9t9wO7CKGz_zKutEqNLCBQ7hZ-FbDC14yj-fXxXn9OERG8kBXAD481cWPGw3N3DNXETDw-ygZl1TyD0Gg4fkB1wctBo/s1600/Long+Island+055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoGiDQQso6V0nha-FsKrcViAH35e2HjgjPMfIg0G_-0oQj4XNn9t9wO7CKGz_zKutEqNLCBQ7hZ-FbDC14yj-fXxXn9OERG8kBXAD481cWPGw3N3DNXETDw-ygZl1TyD0Gg4fkB1wctBo/s320/Long+Island+055.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After we bounced our way back to the main road, remember it’s David’s job to hold the dashboard down so it doesn’t fall in his lap, we decided it was time to have a drink at the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Cape Santa Maria Resort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Since it was 10:00 in the morning we decided Bloody Mary’s were in order.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>AHHHHH, living the life.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu6kVIGaHhj2xXonFwCUBCbL1I331Xt2uE_2wStyIcp1hy4VFvbmVZn0q4cVm4UJNV0MR6lLDHlFdIwnY4u_ZvNE-S6jAAxpqFVmYu-yOc7Om3qPEJLOUWu1v3mRFmkIe17nt6GIDB3Kk/s1600/Long+Island+071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu6kVIGaHhj2xXonFwCUBCbL1I331Xt2uE_2wStyIcp1hy4VFvbmVZn0q4cVm4UJNV0MR6lLDHlFdIwnY4u_ZvNE-S6jAAxpqFVmYu-yOc7Om3qPEJLOUWu1v3mRFmkIe17nt6GIDB3Kk/s320/Long+Island+071.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">US!!!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Later in the week we went to a cruiser tradition and that’s going to the buffet dinner at <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">TRYFENA’S Club Thompson Bay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She really put on a spread:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>cracked (deep fried) conch, cracked lobster, peas and rice, potato salad, and tons more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our new friends from Conception,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tish and his wife, Ellen, along with Ted and his wife, Cathy, along with Bobby and Francie all had a great time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t have my camera but Bobby took Tryfena’s picture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s a hoot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is also a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Justice of the Peace so she can marry you<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>AND she has rooms to rent upstairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, the rooms aren’t open but they’re there. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrNaK-Wu-7rlTfNvwgn3La3ZnRJtGcJ0TVmLrZVwAaaOKdG3UjpjjWc68GaY-8XVR4fVZ8SQ_PIP4zQKfkfy6sSEnjJgrtMKLKd4BmkepusOwRGhiX4Vw14cTwIFR20AdxAJFKM_1TmHo/s1600/Tryphena4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrNaK-Wu-7rlTfNvwgn3La3ZnRJtGcJ0TVmLrZVwAaaOKdG3UjpjjWc68GaY-8XVR4fVZ8SQ_PIP4zQKfkfy6sSEnjJgrtMKLKd4BmkepusOwRGhiX4Vw14cTwIFR20AdxAJFKM_1TmHo/s320/Tryphena4.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Tryphena </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After we left <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thompson Bay we were headed to Joe Sound on the northern end of Long Island.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">David has been so persistent about fishing he routinely puts out 2 poles and the yoyo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>SUCCESS finally showed up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is a picture of the one of two MUTTON SNAPPER he caught.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, he caught them both at the same time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One on a pole and one on the yoyo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We weren’t sure what they were so he cleaned them up and we put them in the freezer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once we anchored at Joe Sound we asked another boat if they knew what they were and they said yes…and they were good to eat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a great meal from them!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxA5k4Hb80bh0cdS4d7NxzEn770PNmHIYE9na-tKxEYKE7sgh4jD8egvy3u4ftVZIspp86iv10tqdKQdybmU4a1N0pipvpTPWtMACRO_TSX1gv5xx7EER-KI4iyFqXn3sXCR_OTgUvv3o/s1600/Long+Island+086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxA5k4Hb80bh0cdS4d7NxzEn770PNmHIYE9na-tKxEYKE7sgh4jD8egvy3u4ftVZIspp86iv10tqdKQdybmU4a1N0pipvpTPWtMACRO_TSX1gv5xx7EER-KI4iyFqXn3sXCR_OTgUvv3o/s320/Long+Island+086.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> This fish looks like it's eating David's thumb......but we had a great meal from it.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Emerald Bay, Exuma:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>We crossed over to Emearld Bay on Exuma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Emerald Bay has a really nice marina owned by Sandels Resort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>HOWEVER, the only bad thing about the place is the entrance.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When we got close David watched the BREAKERS and timed them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is what we were watching as we made the approach as well as a look at the squall that was going through at the same time.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYQWMWD9XeBReNc_KRJNA-ayD05102kCTW_rFCMrGDZv52V3AkdooQtqnW0u53zZLeRJWkk3XauGkGnC12Fexru4Drq2slhKHA0Dvrj1dn_PIjo6dFMELenw1TVRyKXn95zQrPKWnoE5Y/s1600/Emerald+Bay-Black+Pt-Staniel-PIGS+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYQWMWD9XeBReNc_KRJNA-ayD05102kCTW_rFCMrGDZv52V3AkdooQtqnW0u53zZLeRJWkk3XauGkGnC12Fexru4Drq2slhKHA0Dvrj1dn_PIjo6dFMELenw1TVRyKXn95zQrPKWnoE5Y/s320/Emerald+Bay-Black+Pt-Staniel-PIGS+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRZ1uW8oRUGtoKpy8oIT7Jl7rMaQ4cJCsO5i7PmMX17pdeBlZVClq-symToiiyhlOQX57_Kn4kdX69W-niAF5ATk48OrqSt5clJlUDs4Q9QtEAiua15SrMFY2azukbZewo1iANbsmrVw/s1600/Emerald+Bay-Black+Pt-Staniel-PIGS+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRZ1uW8oRUGtoKpy8oIT7Jl7rMaQ4cJCsO5i7PmMX17pdeBlZVClq-symToiiyhlOQX57_Kn4kdX69W-niAF5ATk48OrqSt5clJlUDs4Q9QtEAiua15SrMFY2azukbZewo1iANbsmrVw/s320/Emerald+Bay-Black+Pt-Staniel-PIGS+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Notice the green buoys to the right....</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">And we found our new boat. A 123' Palmer Johnson with room for everyone.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu3WI8GweDiAgsaQQliV09NXOVXjhTWycdo2Sz7M804QZfyuSKhDPN0Yv9by1aXJPynvkIYCHSwgn6JZphlsad7YxG9C9TTQH3KTkFpSyXx9uD3V8RgdpFOoNuzQJ7CI7S9MDKxHlQMhU/s1600/Emerald+Bay-Black+Pt-Staniel-PIGS+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu3WI8GweDiAgsaQQliV09NXOVXjhTWycdo2Sz7M804QZfyuSKhDPN0Yv9by1aXJPynvkIYCHSwgn6JZphlsad7YxG9C9TTQH3KTkFpSyXx9uD3V8RgdpFOoNuzQJ7CI7S9MDKxHlQMhU/s320/Emerald+Bay-Black+Pt-Staniel-PIGS+015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">DARBY ISLAND AND LITTLE DARBY ISLAND:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>As we made our way north on Exuma we decided to stop at places not mentioned by other cruisers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Darby is one of those places.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To get there you have to go through a cut and one of the landmarks the Explorer Chartbooks notes is “Whale Facing North”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Whale” is a small rock island that really does have the profile of a whale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pretty neat when you can pick it out.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiQja8eHD3DkgF814oF2nhHkeFVjzhbreu-6B5NjxDIgr1uFzi_crIS_dLLs_dur1Um9fFVDimfaN7LHb5aBVOZPNzvgCbpF-b2RAwbFSroS1T5V1fZrl4g_7kiULSmwjeUvBv6QoxZwU/s1600/%25232+Black+Point-Staniel+-+PIGS+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiQja8eHD3DkgF814oF2nhHkeFVjzhbreu-6B5NjxDIgr1uFzi_crIS_dLLs_dur1Um9fFVDimfaN7LHb5aBVOZPNzvgCbpF-b2RAwbFSroS1T5V1fZrl4g_7kiULSmwjeUvBv6QoxZwU/s320/%25232+Black+Point-Staniel+-+PIGS+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Once we got around the entrance we anchored in the little cut with 3 other boats and spent two days in the dinghy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since we arrived here I’ve seen what looked like shredded paper on the beaches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It turns out that it’s really sea grass that is decaying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’ve never seen it …. Here you go…..</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr7noDDDPAvkREVFT3R25tBBz_gASv5rZoyLQCv09A9h2Qzj1UXYOei33fZU75mLvkMdPtAO_bMbEziv9hviSNrkXz5yHY1gwborhAVOmjmQKjXtURN94ewEZlvVa7khP-oT-JlCuQRSM/s1600/Emerald+Bay-Black+Pt-Staniel-PIGS+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr7noDDDPAvkREVFT3R25tBBz_gASv5rZoyLQCv09A9h2Qzj1UXYOei33fZU75mLvkMdPtAO_bMbEziv9hviSNrkXz5yHY1gwborhAVOmjmQKjXtURN94ewEZlvVa7khP-oT-JlCuQRSM/s320/Emerald+Bay-Black+Pt-Staniel-PIGS+021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Cut between Darby Island and Little Darby Island.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGJfX5L5P1GSzqZt2_u0bPnQqe2KLJSLWDccCV_7uOByqQqK9-CUUJ5s8Po91eCuM5fmTXHq9DO2N9XVDP_c-7XJY0w55b1GHeQMeyTuUSgR6umCMwjJYGTkdOoksctdTuS8KHp_LtHr8/s1600/Emerald+Bay-Black+Pt-Staniel-PIGS+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGJfX5L5P1GSzqZt2_u0bPnQqe2KLJSLWDccCV_7uOByqQqK9-CUUJ5s8Po91eCuM5fmTXHq9DO2N9XVDP_c-7XJY0w55b1GHeQMeyTuUSgR6umCMwjJYGTkdOoksctdTuS8KHp_LtHr8/s320/Emerald+Bay-Black+Pt-Staniel-PIGS+028.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Washed up sea grass looks like shredded paper. <br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Goat Cay is a small island a little south of Darby and is owned by Faith Hill/Tim McGraw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I swear we were out in the dinghy one day and a fishing boat came screaming in from the Sound driven by a local with guests onboard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a guy with a baseball cap on …. Tim perhaps????<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess I’ll never know.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">BLACK POINT</b>: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can tell when a town caters to cruisers because Black Point has the only “dinghy up” laundry drop off site I’ve seen at Rockside Laundry and Lorraine’s Café is a famous cruiser wifi hotspot and gathering spot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKg5jxBLXHFI0x-E58WgAU-Kx4wLm7Q630viUabdGZ5jkI53LT5kmzNZ4wMI0dvjPYmT_fbLN-dwU9jHQyw5mSd04VGV8mBfscX10hr-Tj_dGPYbm6ATkv2kGBT7t9sYoIrYHWpBfHb9k/s1600/%25232+Black+Point-Staniel+-+PIGS+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKg5jxBLXHFI0x-E58WgAU-Kx4wLm7Q630viUabdGZ5jkI53LT5kmzNZ4wMI0dvjPYmT_fbLN-dwU9jHQyw5mSd04VGV8mBfscX10hr-Tj_dGPYbm6ATkv2kGBT7t9sYoIrYHWpBfHb9k/s320/%25232+Black+Point-Staniel+-+PIGS+036.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Rockside Laundry ... look hard under the second tree from the left and you'll see the dock. Then we have Lorraine's Cafe ...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jkECN644xp_Lq9-qI2nxPjwIkVOLvU8zlWg4sPA1ln1hu4J7lP6eiH7rP2hwDVdBMbJFo0AGLbs_00toiKvmGFVKbIsne-YWpvorh7BBb4XiUjP5cOH6JGHMMY8uJURb7aZSvMq3hz4/s1600/%25232+Black+Point-Staniel+-+PIGS+094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jkECN644xp_Lq9-qI2nxPjwIkVOLvU8zlWg4sPA1ln1hu4J7lP6eiH7rP2hwDVdBMbJFo0AGLbs_00toiKvmGFVKbIsne-YWpvorh7BBb4XiUjP5cOH6JGHMMY8uJURb7aZSvMq3hz4/s320/%25232+Black+Point-Staniel+-+PIGS+094.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On one of our walks we found the BLOW HOLE just outside of town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was pretty crazy to watch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First of all, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the trash from the ocean is scattered all over the place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At high tide you’ll hear this <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>WHOOSH sound and then see the spray from the wave coming up through the hole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next big wave you get the full force of the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found tons of sea glass and shells here. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take a look at these 2 pictures:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSn4UqmZqVSlRe_PFyUHnmWRlv_gsVPdIfdZIeMEotqvK7t4vDs25b1lmdA46OzJHLWDf7ZvdrtJi5K-PgoJpXBCZAn93oN91Ll-T91VtviYKYf2QXJUUCb6vm9tLyCuJUwY1JyTvWWU/s1600/%25232+Black+Point-Staniel+-+PIGS+079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSn4UqmZqVSlRe_PFyUHnmWRlv_gsVPdIfdZIeMEotqvK7t4vDs25b1lmdA46OzJHLWDf7ZvdrtJi5K-PgoJpXBCZAn93oN91Ll-T91VtviYKYf2QXJUUCb6vm9tLyCuJUwY1JyTvWWU/s320/%25232+Black+Point-Staniel+-+PIGS+079.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then this happened.......</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE8XIewjYS370HaA2VmtrLg1DgwlKQgJTHGjHGf19AEqDDvbymuflpI29Vub7x1VVP-35Ysi4vmPZGMalje16K6bzrwKvYjZsqaCQxJaxWbQRNEbya1jmoxejoZQCZUMcBrK7xH3g5llI/s1600/%25232+Black+Point-Staniel+-+PIGS+080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE8XIewjYS370HaA2VmtrLg1DgwlKQgJTHGjHGf19AEqDDvbymuflpI29Vub7x1VVP-35Ysi4vmPZGMalje16K6bzrwKvYjZsqaCQxJaxWbQRNEbya1jmoxejoZQCZUMcBrK7xH3g5llI/s320/%25232+Black+Point-Staniel+-+PIGS+080.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Sometimes the blow back is hugh with very LARGE blowback. This is the first blow hole we actually were able to sit and watch on the whole trip.</span> <br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On another walk through town we met these 2 local gentlemen weaving<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>straw they sell in Nassau.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Monroe Taylor was the first gentleman. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>born and raised in the Bahamas and was <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>just sitting in his golf cart talking to us not missing a beat in his weaving.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfctvimF1tieX7AJ3ZFmov-FXEZxyo72T1QcInU3a0C42vD1BMjEULnZBbujip2uhe58B2Af-0HGF5ZPTn3RY4PaGS02bmYeAnAtZae_cWF44oChw01oG_gUVR9U5pyZAeIyIe6tc5nr4/s1600/%25232+Black+Point-Staniel+-+PIGS+055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfctvimF1tieX7AJ3ZFmov-FXEZxyo72T1QcInU3a0C42vD1BMjEULnZBbujip2uhe58B2Af-0HGF5ZPTn3RY4PaGS02bmYeAnAtZae_cWF44oChw01oG_gUVR9U5pyZAeIyIe6tc5nr4/s320/%25232+Black+Point-Staniel+-+PIGS+055.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Mr. Monroe Taylor </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Later we met Bertram Brown, "The Handsome Dude", as<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>he says.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was listening to Miles Davis and then Junkanoo music on his boom box.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was sitting in the shade across the street from his house and had his extension cord stretched across the street to where he was sitting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Monroe and Bertram were really friendly and loved talking and laughing with us.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38sUajcNM-MxvL2j_gzzSRZp6GWLqR8yrCu2TvLZDgMFGSnmC-GxycKiP4fImYN_gaQ81T9YRb-P113VNwpAclV5Olc8Pq7favmwXhBWtUwthxaeTTT1y9TQHk05FQw4R2zae5e3Hbmk/s1600/%25232+Black+Point-Staniel+-+PIGS+104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38sUajcNM-MxvL2j_gzzSRZp6GWLqR8yrCu2TvLZDgMFGSnmC-GxycKiP4fImYN_gaQ81T9YRb-P113VNwpAclV5Olc8Pq7favmwXhBWtUwthxaeTTT1y9TQHk05FQw4R2zae5e3Hbmk/s320/%25232+Black+Point-Staniel+-+PIGS+104.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Mr. Bertram Brown: "The Handsome Dude"</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
We talked to Mr. Dude and he told us what the locals weave all goes to Nassau to the Straw Market and was very proud of the pile he had weaved that day. When you look at it closely it's a incredible amount of work. Take a look ....</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZvcSKNRm8CWvIxdQWsckciDJZlObKtnYUUdZo69kvOun9x8Q-pHzKO1-tMI-FqKMBo8X-wbQHvpSzVYHi0kY0a0BKUQMdgdq8bSTAwwCcBDCS2g968k_wXL2hw9TTc-aUiN7X0aIOHQ/s1600/%25232+Black+Point-Staniel+-+PIGS+105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZvcSKNRm8CWvIxdQWsckciDJZlObKtnYUUdZo69kvOun9x8Q-pHzKO1-tMI-FqKMBo8X-wbQHvpSzVYHi0kY0a0BKUQMdgdq8bSTAwwCcBDCS2g968k_wXL2hw9TTc-aUiN7X0aIOHQ/s320/%25232+Black+Point-Staniel+-+PIGS+105.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We don't know exactly how long this strip is but watching people weave just a little must be a hand surgeons dream...can you say carpal tunnel????<br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here are some pictures of what the REAL Bahamas look like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not the pretty umbrellas and big houses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When people talk about the Bahamas they usually think of resorts but after this trip you understand that most of these islands are very, very poor.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl2UhI-axJ-KBuYZ1y_iAYqQ2erJOjlU4GE6wrSUNE7KgKwWv2rCu82coS5-Pf2JwqRc35ql_Ap_k_F4Rt1ci9yYLGPGaWMrbwuKpg4rpdr5z0jhWcazFRyTxbM21R30xYeT0Y9Xlnz9I/s1600/%25232+Black+Point-Staniel+-+PIGS+112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl2UhI-axJ-KBuYZ1y_iAYqQ2erJOjlU4GE6wrSUNE7KgKwWv2rCu82coS5-Pf2JwqRc35ql_Ap_k_F4Rt1ci9yYLGPGaWMrbwuKpg4rpdr5z0jhWcazFRyTxbM21R30xYeT0Y9Xlnz9I/s320/%25232+Black+Point-Staniel+-+PIGS+112.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
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</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For all my law enforcement and Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office friends here’s the local police station, jail and police boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For all the JCC PD<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Marine Patrol guys, eat your hearts out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This patrol boat is fast and came ripping through the cut between Little Darby/Big Darby and were gone in a flash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They really know their way around these waters and aren’t afraid to drive fast.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The jail windows actually have bars on them......</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW3jDb-Ew9t9OljG3E3H7ZnAukf5pmEAhCpyBFdNSNj-zdlIogAvgqqJRE3rlgGeCaJiAqQQJp_ya3nr-InES-Efqd8w088jjaKTN4ivQA0rs6jmQYL2wFh4NoIacPPiAAX8mHzvd6VSg/s1600/%25232+Black+Point-Staniel+-+PIGS+116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW3jDb-Ew9t9OljG3E3H7ZnAukf5pmEAhCpyBFdNSNj-zdlIogAvgqqJRE3rlgGeCaJiAqQQJp_ya3nr-InES-Efqd8w088jjaKTN4ivQA0rs6jmQYL2wFh4NoIacPPiAAX8mHzvd6VSg/s320/%25232+Black+Point-Staniel+-+PIGS+116.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Zoom, Zoom Boat</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One night right around dinner time a local fisherman came up to the boat and asked if we wanted to buy any crawfish. Not one to turn down fresh crawfish we said "sure". I looked in the boat and he had a 5 gallon bucket FULL of crawfish/lobster. We eat one that night and the other is frozen, in salt water, waiting for another dinner. Andy/Kelsey..eat your hearts out. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZqQFrozapzpvgztAk3HE-yo6x1cQsX0laPiWCPxjqOSG1Ei1ZYDUdNB1GaBW7SHG5zkiYcL1WboF1OCcFPDO8Y7k6xKVqfMwIsb0B8o8qxbP60vDfMJFvhyphenhyphenxLYKVjmJxh6Xbed0Y2y18/s1600/%25232+Black+Point-Staniel+-+PIGS+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZqQFrozapzpvgztAk3HE-yo6x1cQsX0laPiWCPxjqOSG1Ei1ZYDUdNB1GaBW7SHG5zkiYcL1WboF1OCcFPDO8Y7k6xKVqfMwIsb0B8o8qxbP60vDfMJFvhyphenhyphenxLYKVjmJxh6Xbed0Y2y18/s320/%25232+Black+Point-Staniel+-+PIGS+040.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Yum!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Now one last note. We think the Road Maintenance people MAY need some assistance in signs.............</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuWV-m8nth2P4QDqRYBP6FdGw3RJlcPQhmE1GgUzCxj1rlpsLJVllM74SPDvyq_5bB61xtb_Sr5w3CIhxTPNtma4znNIp0lJC1-ZYP7DL8oCsY_oZuXEQ8raQK4RjaeWJ9x9eX7fiYIDc/s1600/%25232+Black+Point-Staniel+-+PIGS+102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuWV-m8nth2P4QDqRYBP6FdGw3RJlcPQhmE1GgUzCxj1rlpsLJVllM74SPDvyq_5bB61xtb_Sr5w3CIhxTPNtma4znNIp0lJC1-ZYP7DL8oCsY_oZuXEQ8raQK4RjaeWJ9x9eX7fiYIDc/s320/%25232+Black+Point-Staniel+-+PIGS+102.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">BITTER GUANA CAY:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>We were excited about our<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>next stop since we had heard so much about the iguanas that came right out to greet you on the beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get a look at these guys.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The first picture is of one up in the rocks trying to keep cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are really big and scary but if you leave them alone they won’t bother you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not sure if the bite or not but didn’t want to find out.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_M7FHUQyvx32usVA4vCL5YtBfjP2NnW1lrU7vHZLEjp4Bucw6Z2qBWO-qwUIjs9z_VMB7AE2PCvF3f04QmPfqbohTO2RFLFpM284oueujU0nD4wfae6AEkVGTFWVa4vckXpX7aGVyG6g/s1600/%25232+Black+Point-Staniel+-+PIGS+121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_M7FHUQyvx32usVA4vCL5YtBfjP2NnW1lrU7vHZLEjp4Bucw6Z2qBWO-qwUIjs9z_VMB7AE2PCvF3f04QmPfqbohTO2RFLFpM284oueujU0nD4wfae6AEkVGTFWVa4vckXpX7aGVyG6g/s320/%25232+Black+Point-Staniel+-+PIGS+121.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">At one point there were 7 iguanas on the beach since someone was feeding them.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">STANIEL CAY:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was our second stop at Staniel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were here when we headed south and went to the Super Bowl Party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time, we’re headed north, and when to the St. Patty’s Day Party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seems to be a pattern with<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Staniel Cay Yacht Club.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When we were here earlier we didn’t get to snorkel THUNDERBALL GROTTO because of the tide but this time David got into the water<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>while I took pictures of fish……<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>this is the entrance of the cave and the Sargent Major fish that will eat frozen peas from<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>your hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is where the cave scene in THUNDERBALL, the James Bond movie was filmed.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIS5M7aHsjlrz8mb0k864y5QdosrfvBAej6fgYqVMCwmusPqstiMtNBAI4dRBjLSewCAhqD9CsEG69Hu6Pqnoxh-wRSo0W78W_rT-69M302MV4bDrWMPJXkdnqqstoBlnn28ZxYdxg8Y/s1600/%25232+Black+Point-Staniel+-+PIGS+141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIS5M7aHsjlrz8mb0k864y5QdosrfvBAej6fgYqVMCwmusPqstiMtNBAI4dRBjLSewCAhqD9CsEG69Hu6Pqnoxh-wRSo0W78W_rT-69M302MV4bDrWMPJXkdnqqstoBlnn28ZxYdxg8Y/s320/%25232+Black+Point-Staniel+-+PIGS+141.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Thunderball Grotto from James Bond movie</span> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">These fish will swim right in your face looking for frozen peas to eat .........</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">BIG MAJORS:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>PIGS,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>PIGS AND MORE PIGS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>What can I say except everyone comes to Big Major to see the Swimming Pigs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s right….these pigs swim out to your boat looking for food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As soon as we anchored we dropped the small boat and headed to the beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As promised,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>three BIG, HUGH, pigs swam over to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The current was pretty strong so we headed to the beach trying to give them a break. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Well,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was snapping a picture and the next thing we knew one was trying to get in the boat with us…..NO LIE……<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, in my sternest voice I said “Get down!!”. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>like it knew what I was saying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>David had a handful of carrots and threw them away from us so our friend swam away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Boy, talk about<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>freaky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now we know to stay in a little deeper water or just go to the beach. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQNn828MjIBpGDkw_2DezGiar_-lkTKZrlvQHICZgWQ6PDtHwWI7KhLBjnkNojN_fmlc_oYcpt38zEH4r24GiFJv4B9kwow2DTAiY0NybYxGPJSwMZUb5MNhvQ_mwrgY9IhHzMTyJYPPo/s1600/%25232+Black+Point-Staniel+-+PIGS+184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQNn828MjIBpGDkw_2DezGiar_-lkTKZrlvQHICZgWQ6PDtHwWI7KhLBjnkNojN_fmlc_oYcpt38zEH4r24GiFJv4B9kwow2DTAiY0NybYxGPJSwMZUb5MNhvQ_mwrgY9IhHzMTyJYPPo/s320/%25232+Black+Point-Staniel+-+PIGS+184.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> That's right...swimming pigs....coming right at us!</span> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Then this one tried to climb in the boat......</span></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_Pf3GhVWUXTp1DaXTheORoPqakAGYEB4eRegAkPYHQsnD64tlcLSJKAP5kRwRYNHB_XLYj7ZAP8TKRuGQXLi9l-ubh5ZJaEAPtLuSdFEh-pkLJQWBh5bf7kiLLV37HJ9Q7qtXodI7AQ/s1600/%25232+Black+Point-Staniel+-+PIGS+187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_Pf3GhVWUXTp1DaXTheORoPqakAGYEB4eRegAkPYHQsnD64tlcLSJKAP5kRwRYNHB_XLYj7ZAP8TKRuGQXLi9l-ubh5ZJaEAPtLuSdFEh-pkLJQWBh5bf7kiLLV37HJ9Q7qtXodI7AQ/s320/%25232+Black+Point-Staniel+-+PIGS+187.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, that’s it for now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>back here at the Exuma Land and Sea Park, in paradise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not going to send pictures from the Park unless we haven’t already sent them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> We'll talk about where we go from here. Who knows now that we're finally in the swing of not having a schedule. Our cruising permit expires April 17th so we need to be somewhere close to a Customs Office to get an extension. Until the next time we'll leave you with another beautiful sunset...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgxSqJMs6Lg7xK4dgRWttVPMzeOVktT_GajnZVq5bnIOus07SNy54MErDLB9MdlfBoGAHba8rqyhYt7kK7QnoRxhrnb5jbzmYE9y4mPKoNJSxbr7ed5BNo25_y3jNZCavddefJCPm7ALI/s1600/%25232+Black+Point-Staniel+-+PIGS+047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgxSqJMs6Lg7xK4dgRWttVPMzeOVktT_GajnZVq5bnIOus07SNy54MErDLB9MdlfBoGAHba8rqyhYt7kK7QnoRxhrnb5jbzmYE9y4mPKoNJSxbr7ed5BNo25_y3jNZCavddefJCPm7ALI/s320/%25232+Black+Point-Staniel+-+PIGS+047.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">More later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dave and Peg<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div align="left"></div>Dave and Peghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09197023077918294888noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-398309591837434748.post-42766253608263464932011-03-08T14:40:00.000-05:002011-03-08T14:40:00.668-05:00CONCEPTION ISLAND<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">TRIP FACTS:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>FEBRUARY 22 through<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>FEBRUARY 25, 2011</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Days gone from VA:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>127</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Days in Bahamas:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>66</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Miles Travelled:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1,653.5</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Toilet Monster:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Struck again….we’re running out of ideas on how to fix it</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Things overboard:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing yet again.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Days without internet:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>18</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">February 22 through February 26</b>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We headed over to Conception Island bright and early the morning of the 25<sup>th</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the nice things about cruising the Bahamas is most of the islands are not that far away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have to “cross over” from major island chains i.e.,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Abacos to Eleuthera, and those take most of the day but for the most part if you head out in the morning you’ll be anchored by 2 or 3 in the afternoon.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We dropped anchor off Conception Island in beautiful clear water and white long beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we were making our approach I looked over the bow and you could see the bottom in 50 feet of water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilZ4icMxzEOtG8fmVfnvRMmfMKP8cR9J4uKfnZ0ku9iTkgQEadkNhBaB71qezSfl2i3vsKQ1R1P4kYv_Fv4mit2NapihyXNFutp56qGtfobzSDxSUoTOsUZ5NVpQqojbbt_YF5nEBGkms/s1600/Georgetown+to+Conception+062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilZ4icMxzEOtG8fmVfnvRMmfMKP8cR9J4uKfnZ0ku9iTkgQEadkNhBaB71qezSfl2i3vsKQ1R1P4kYv_Fv4mit2NapihyXNFutp56qGtfobzSDxSUoTOsUZ5NVpQqojbbt_YF5nEBGkms/s320/Georgetown+to+Conception+062.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> GIN CLEAR WATER......</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-urhq7Y57PtyjwVOoHAjvO-vmCjYknX4pQjkT3xM9UOTOWTIwQgXhOU4HkvNLbPCEnVJBV1i2C-I_wsUSqxrik5_NxvHZKjJmhT9eyEt1wzUwzg_PBDhtA1IhHxn09_DvQFduOw8sOyY/s1600/Georgetown+to+Conception+066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-urhq7Y57PtyjwVOoHAjvO-vmCjYknX4pQjkT3xM9UOTOWTIwQgXhOU4HkvNLbPCEnVJBV1i2C-I_wsUSqxrik5_NxvHZKjJmhT9eyEt1wzUwzg_PBDhtA1IhHxn09_DvQFduOw8sOyY/s320/Georgetown+to+Conception+066.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Beach at anchorage</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were 17 boats in the anchorage compared to almost 400 in Georgetown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were a million stars out at night and watching the sunsets is something I’ll never forget.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Green flashes” happen at sunset and the sun really turns green….</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-QInN_nzUjUufh00dw0tQtj9QpV5hS5t8CmQlqj-W_IhA_6lJ_HABDkgHkJvmj5GmKZdgNXDigm7dbmCrmGx3mTGJ97oESVTSwWvMkGn2dYkab991H9cSZvojVLcx0JNOQVNtNRcJ35w/s1600/Barefootin+pictures+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-QInN_nzUjUufh00dw0tQtj9QpV5hS5t8CmQlqj-W_IhA_6lJ_HABDkgHkJvmj5GmKZdgNXDigm7dbmCrmGx3mTGJ97oESVTSwWvMkGn2dYkab991H9cSZvojVLcx0JNOQVNtNRcJ35w/s320/Barefootin+pictures+009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> BAREFOOTIN took this since I haven't been able to catch one yet....... <br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The second day we took the dinghy out and just motored over the coral reefs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We saw beautiful fish and even got a picture of a stingray through our lookie bucket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The 23<sup>rd</sup> was Zach’s birthday and it was hard thinking about not talking to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As it turned out we went over to another boat for sundowners and Francie brought their satellite phone so I was able to leave him a message since he didn’t answer his phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also got to call Steph but yet again, had to leave a message.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gosh….you’d think the kids would be sitting by their phones waiting for us to call????<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it was good just hearing their voices.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The 24<sup>th</sup> we all hiked to another beach but getting there included going up a rope pull as well as walking along very narrow overhangs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once we got to the beach we found a display of hard hats that have been there for several<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s amazing to think of them staying put when a storm goes through but Francie said they saw them last year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_MVECXUdO3t2vjBbd06YNa_AYINUwyorMqTwYmqkS81KjNVSHfd6Fn4ODJ5EI2CF5R6eAF4xfOH5h8XJ4mvy_c6PvfDRdwXAe_9M8zaV9-P8g_Nq_d2YtNNpn4yid4HCP0CNjmdjo0JY/s1600/Georgetown+to+Conception+090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_MVECXUdO3t2vjBbd06YNa_AYINUwyorMqTwYmqkS81KjNVSHfd6Fn4ODJ5EI2CF5R6eAF4xfOH5h8XJ4mvy_c6PvfDRdwXAe_9M8zaV9-P8g_Nq_d2YtNNpn4yid4HCP0CNjmdjo0JY/s320/Georgetown+to+Conception+090.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> The trail was narrow and right on the edge..see that water way down there?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOMPnbyCNS6yw61JXA1puBOSMR9pvgIo3G4im_o8PH-Hg1m6sFHTmVMJ0SlJExkTiXd4rk6N9zNK9A3BucuyhVBleteKqSJ3bN7fwJqkTa2QTNCjKO1AMLUWC_6LvGUFb6mRtINFW7Tbk/s1600/Georgetown+to+Conception+099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOMPnbyCNS6yw61JXA1puBOSMR9pvgIo3G4im_o8PH-Hg1m6sFHTmVMJ0SlJExkTiXd4rk6N9zNK9A3BucuyhVBleteKqSJ3bN7fwJqkTa2QTNCjKO1AMLUWC_6LvGUFb6mRtINFW7Tbk/s320/Georgetown+to+Conception+099.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Hard hat display on the beach...the hats used to be set on coconuts <br />
but the wind blew them all down.<br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We wondered farther on down the beach and found two battered lawn chairs and various jugs to sit on where we enjoyed a snack while the guys had a beer, all the while sitting under the Casuarinas trees, which are also called Australian pine trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt6cw4HHSmQo4mBKRMTxahT-01JAYROinAdIMD28G_opXrvqE6Ci35t_ufqwz5-j9hSbZYe86VknIg0odhDFCtv0yOHQePqvaO3KL56PA7vgwo2m4hqsYNGsXEQhrrbWKZaVE_2v9tYJo/s1600/Georgetown+to+Conception+102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt6cw4HHSmQo4mBKRMTxahT-01JAYROinAdIMD28G_opXrvqE6Ci35t_ufqwz5-j9hSbZYe86VknIg0odhDFCtv0yOHQePqvaO3KL56PA7vgwo2m4hqsYNGsXEQhrrbWKZaVE_2v9tYJo/s320/Georgetown+to+Conception+102.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our last day there we were able to take the dinghys around the other side of the island to the Lagoon but not before an encounter with three dolphins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We watched them ahead of us just laying on top of the water until they heard the dinghy motor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was able to get a picture of them with my camera (don’t worry – it’s an underwater camera) by leaning out of the dinghy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The quality isn’t the best since the boat was moving but if you look closely you can see two of them.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ND_zlXtArci-54FrWHpMfzepKb5pz7mQ5DSGDGia4AxMLqGIGZ2Syg1th-Lz0CqqXjWuqU7Se_x458V212LdUejMlRVL9uxvkX8zmoo1uheAD_mk1NpB5wYR9cvapsNqBGEjB9mIGeM/s1600/Georgetown+to+Conception+118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ND_zlXtArci-54FrWHpMfzepKb5pz7mQ5DSGDGia4AxMLqGIGZ2Syg1th-Lz0CqqXjWuqU7Se_x458V212LdUejMlRVL9uxvkX8zmoo1uheAD_mk1NpB5wYR9cvapsNqBGEjB9mIGeM/s320/Georgetown+to+Conception+118.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUsoSa9yURHBH-LSiEHxPcln0yRvz0hA72_nAMdgO3HLS6jQoKVfmlnOplh7mRW3YH5Gdy_O70lOi3xrJz9h56ZgQYF-xYvjv4cns2uWf7R3aEYnG8_veUBKofKyjfcDYOWjOT6KyrLhY/s1600/Georgetown+to+Conception+128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUsoSa9yURHBH-LSiEHxPcln0yRvz0hA72_nAMdgO3HLS6jQoKVfmlnOplh7mRW3YH5Gdy_O70lOi3xrJz9h56ZgQYF-xYvjv4cns2uWf7R3aEYnG8_veUBKofKyjfcDYOWjOT6KyrLhY/s320/Georgetown+to+Conception+128.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Way to cool to describe...look to the right and you can see two of the dolphins..... WOW!!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>back to the lagoon. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lagoon is home to thousands of mangroves as well as conch, clams, sea turtles and fish and is protected by the Bahamian government so you can’t take any live creature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It gets shallow as the tide goes out so you can walk on the flats among the mangroves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mangroves have an incredible root system and grow in salt water but those roots trap small conch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the conch get bigger they can’t get out from the roots <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>so eventually die since they need to move around the bottom to feed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we wandered along you would see a black spot in the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It turned out to be a sea turtle darting out from either under the boat or to the side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think you could catch one if you wanted they are so quick.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyj9cSzshyphenhyphenDgKvd5gju9Nu-54SLMA4V78nuOGjFLFz9JOseL5nbVGVsp92zChf_pXBvD9DDIhqwxPpxlOKVCdDKf7j5_WY6J8GVd7lMF5hyphenhyphenWeC5e0oktTEywylvrpRT8LA1r8QZEpT1qw/s1600/Georgetown+to+Conception+144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyj9cSzshyphenhyphenDgKvd5gju9Nu-54SLMA4V78nuOGjFLFz9JOseL5nbVGVsp92zChf_pXBvD9DDIhqwxPpxlOKVCdDKf7j5_WY6J8GVd7lMF5hyphenhyphenWeC5e0oktTEywylvrpRT8LA1r8QZEpT1qw/s320/Georgetown+to+Conception+144.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> Mangroves in clear water</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After going up the different creeks we anchored the dinghys where the guys went snorkeling by a blue hole <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>while Francie and I looked for a conch shell so I can make a horn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kippen likes the water<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and gives us a laugh all the time. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Tv9ebx1MWphnws3EHIJb2Nv-PWn2RllAMCXRTgBNUFhkxjg0E08_0UlYMGHQ32CdvksDsJMDVyhK_W2SFTJ4aInPFWJd4LOoIVH93QAokY_SUn9ZQ-mfW_vSWay5_4eFMzhCzm6Lf8E/s1600/Georgetown+to+Conception+157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Tv9ebx1MWphnws3EHIJb2Nv-PWn2RllAMCXRTgBNUFhkxjg0E08_0UlYMGHQ32CdvksDsJMDVyhK_W2SFTJ4aInPFWJd4LOoIVH93QAokY_SUn9ZQ-mfW_vSWay5_4eFMzhCzm6Lf8E/s320/Georgetown+to+Conception+157.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFM3NjpJCpfbSjvhdpv_KQdHBMSDoUHfCPhZtAgIV5pD1IAab0JbKxY274rU_79bHIfB2w-OMdmpKpFQbv_BQoH-OIw71o5QOytnX4ba4VposVSxxk442niSAiztiXQq7CAXDF2W5zcIs/s1600/Georgetown+to+Conception+160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFM3NjpJCpfbSjvhdpv_KQdHBMSDoUHfCPhZtAgIV5pD1IAab0JbKxY274rU_79bHIfB2w-OMdmpKpFQbv_BQoH-OIw71o5QOytnX4ba4VposVSxxk442niSAiztiXQq7CAXDF2W5zcIs/s320/Georgetown+to+Conception+160.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Kippen the water dog guarding the dinghys while the guys</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> snorkeled on this blue hole by the big mangrove tree......</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a cruiser tradition at sunset if you have a conch horn you blow it marking the end of the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found a really beautiful shell to make mine with and as soon as David cuts off the top I’ll be tooting my horn at sundown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was able to find a live conch in shallow water so I used the lookie bucket adn then put my camera next to it so everyone can see a live conch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first picture is the outside of the shell,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the second picture is of its claw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look to the right of the shell and you can see it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-lBNnzEzLqmDMQ8MVCpQiqiJEkV6Ym-J_crcZhjcE5Uqmwj4JUbJvxhyHFsspHdMwuVOgC46G3F9EyFfslamFdbLEQp9Zilez8fdgPWBu06Jj9DuF8pa6kQnLcBPdLnOGeD43RjrlmA/s1600/Georgetown+to+Conception+162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-lBNnzEzLqmDMQ8MVCpQiqiJEkV6Ym-J_crcZhjcE5Uqmwj4JUbJvxhyHFsspHdMwuVOgC46G3F9EyFfslamFdbLEQp9Zilez8fdgPWBu06Jj9DuF8pa6kQnLcBPdLnOGeD43RjrlmA/s320/Georgetown+to+Conception+162.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3DZ5v8RMoy4dkh7SkP3tFPcGfOzKa9M5lFXm7Y5fm7SwOYnKBHbQnX9kekWUKUvXktdwAQ8QaNs_ul3qNYzJt7kzw5mF3CmmJEsyxMHbvbM79vyUjl5uLgO7onATd6DbDSVPqhOCFBHI/s1600/Georgetown+to+Conception+165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3DZ5v8RMoy4dkh7SkP3tFPcGfOzKa9M5lFXm7Y5fm7SwOYnKBHbQnX9kekWUKUvXktdwAQ8QaNs_ul3qNYzJt7kzw5mF3CmmJEsyxMHbvbM79vyUjl5uLgO7onATd6DbDSVPqhOCFBHI/s320/Georgetown+to+Conception+165.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwObH8SXQxUAUw5V8tW4-3lviD0mZwx3mYrVqVPSha34T0yYJComQ3wdquQTpYHnqaiiERx4hyLTV8SllNmoUlpdpJk-E42_oopKcUEJ7mSoCUQJ1LtFY3K4ZwYsTfkSlfjeygF2zXZ04/s1600/Georgetown+to+Conception+168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwObH8SXQxUAUw5V8tW4-3lviD0mZwx3mYrVqVPSha34T0yYJComQ3wdquQTpYHnqaiiERx4hyLTV8SllNmoUlpdpJk-E42_oopKcUEJ7mSoCUQJ1LtFY3K4ZwYsTfkSlfjeygF2zXZ04/s320/Georgetown+to+Conception+168.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They use their claw to move around on the bottom......</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What a great way to end the day.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Conception Island is uninhabited and surrounded by coral reefs, white beaches and trails and is now becoming a cruiser draw for people trying to get away from Georgetown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will definitely be on our list for next year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll be headed to Long Island tomorrow which is another short day sail away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once we get there we’ll see where the wind takes us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">More later…..</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div>Dave and Peghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09197023077918294888noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-398309591837434748.post-55784867884133435732011-03-08T13:52:00.000-05:002011-03-08T13:52:35.611-05:00STANIEL CAY TO GEORGETOWN, EXUMAS<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">TRIP FACTS:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>FEBRUARY <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>5 thru FEBRUARY, 21, 2011</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">STANIEL CAY – GALLIOT CUT- LEE STOCKING ISLAND – GEORGETOWN</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Days gone from VA:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>126</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Day in Bahamas:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>65<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Miles travelled:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1,614.5</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">TOILET MONSTER:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing thus far……</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Things overboard:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing again…amazing!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Trip Firsts:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>HAND FED STINGRAYS <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in Georgetown</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Days without internet:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>15</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">February 5 through February 8, 2011:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was hard to leave Exuma Park but we finally headed farther south to Staniel Cay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was going to be SUPER BOWL weekend and we wanted to see the game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we got closer to Staniel radio chatter picked up with boats calling ahead to put in their order for fresh bread and make reservations at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club for the Super Bowl Party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were too late on the bread but did get signed up for the party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Staniel Cay is the place where the movie, THUNDERBALL filmed the cave scene.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At low tide, you can swim into the cave yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have to go underwater for a little bit to get to the inside but even kids do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it was a little too rough so well do it on our trip North.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Super Bowl is a big thing here and most of the yacht clubs have satellite TV and big screens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Staniel Cay Yacht Club was ready for everyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were really lucky and reconnected with our friends, Bobby and Francie on BAREFOOTIN.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were the couple at the beach on Lynyard when I fell in!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After talking with them they took us under their wing and we’ve been buddy sailing with them, but more on that later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d like to introduce all our friends back home to Bobby and Francie AND Kippin, their crew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looking back<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to when I fell in, I’m glad their dinghy was so unique since it was easy to spot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkVxKQeFAZCOvG4-u6-wHs0iDnIJyjswQY4kDxrFQvpyN9puUw-UzptmIhCYiAQR3aBDRfCv71xCbodTw0tkQIMSQDTW-bu4LWGMp99uEZ4zArE-YfrAo80d6u-4BXaqhD81BZroBCqL0/s1600/Staniel+to+Georgetown+2-15+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkVxKQeFAZCOvG4-u6-wHs0iDnIJyjswQY4kDxrFQvpyN9puUw-UzptmIhCYiAQR3aBDRfCv71xCbodTw0tkQIMSQDTW-bu4LWGMp99uEZ4zArE-YfrAo80d6u-4BXaqhD81BZroBCqL0/s320/Staniel+to+Georgetown+2-15+018.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bobby and Francie Sadler: BAREFOOTIN and..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kippin, the Wonder Dog!!</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I will tell everyone how much nicer it is to cruise with a buddy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know if we are lucky<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but finding Tom and Liz in Abaco and now Bobby and Francie have made a world of difference to me, for sure, so I’d like to thank them all now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You guys are great!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But back to the party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you tie your dinghy up and there are fish cleaning stations the sharks and rays know when dinner time comes… we say hugh rays and at least a half dozen sharks at Stainel.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1JY8wShFqx1U5IbolTgOXvvsJY11Jk_aoYasdDUL7TjKbnXnRTJGtz7pRXTv8wtjB1_GHS-u_lKL4_G3kseg90eJOfj-ng98M-MC-tiI3FTKYG7HxtCpqVwrRX978FG5nhyACuX-Zlg/s1600/Staniel+to+Georgetown+2-15+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1JY8wShFqx1U5IbolTgOXvvsJY11Jk_aoYasdDUL7TjKbnXnRTJGtz7pRXTv8wtjB1_GHS-u_lKL4_G3kseg90eJOfj-ng98M-MC-tiI3FTKYG7HxtCpqVwrRX978FG5nhyACuX-Zlg/s320/Staniel+to+Georgetown+2-15+004.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SUPER BOWL SUNDAY ... Staniel Cay Yacht Club with a Kalik beer!!</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We were able to buy internet again which is always nice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did get some fresh whole wheat bread for $6.00 a loaf but it was really good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here’s a picture of the bakery and Isle's Grocery .. it's an adventure going to get groceries.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8OkhuTnmejditIYG4LVy4iEgAlgaOM3_pPFPSD8ZmN0Em5oy8Z_kCyv1n3ufOdPXD_GTX5s02XaHpQ8UHleCfRxycNw-QtA0L06BSJGqxd3QN9hqMAfZ22LndDx0yvWrCkGsN7l9ACI/s1600/Staniel+to+Georgetown+2-15+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8OkhuTnmejditIYG4LVy4iEgAlgaOM3_pPFPSD8ZmN0Em5oy8Z_kCyv1n3ufOdPXD_GTX5s02XaHpQ8UHleCfRxycNw-QtA0L06BSJGqxd3QN9hqMAfZ22LndDx0yvWrCkGsN7l9ACI/s320/Staniel+to+Georgetown+2-15+008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Rhonda's Bakery .. in her kitchen but bread was great....and warm!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8RlwgCNsL0mFfRsAdtQ-leSHKDk2wmf-XGW0ybuIILfNXG8Z4mEZP5HJf-pexxmqzm3DXhv59Njg7xbOrn0l7t7DsdUcQTFlGB5QyQ775UKmY31OZ1dh3XAziMDrQHSKS8NP9SXzQZ6s/s1600/Staniel+to+Georgetown+2-15+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8RlwgCNsL0mFfRsAdtQ-leSHKDk2wmf-XGW0ybuIILfNXG8Z4mEZP5HJf-pexxmqzm3DXhv59Njg7xbOrn0l7t7DsdUcQTFlGB5QyQ775UKmY31OZ1dh3XAziMDrQHSKS8NP9SXzQZ6s/s320/Staniel+to+Georgetown+2-15+011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> Isle's Grocery with drive up dinghy spaces<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">David decided to get in the water and wash the bottom while a stingray came swimming over to check him out. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said it was about 3’ across and pretty amazing to see up close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>he doesn’t work all the time….</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After talking with BAREFOOTIN we decided to head towards Georgetown before another big blow came through so we left on the 9<sup>th</sup>.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">February <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>9, 2011</b>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>BIG FARMER CAY:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anchored at the end of Big Famer Cay in between Big Farmer and Big Galliot Cay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all went shelling on the Exuma Sound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On days we sail I’ve gotten in the habit of drinking at least a half gallon of water so I don’t<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>get dehydrated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had Bobby and Francie along with another boat, SOLARIES, come over for sundowners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When people started showing up we watched a huge barracuda swim under the dinghies.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">February 10, 2011</b>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>LEE STOCKING ISLAND: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today turned out to be the first day from hell we’ve had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After we left Galliot and were out in the Exuma Sound David went to put up the sails and the lines that hold the sails in their bag came flying off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s #1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, we heard a terrible sound from our boom not once but twice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>David aways wears his life jacket when he has to go work on the sails and after he checked he discovered the webbing on the clew of the sail ripped out because the thread rotted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The clew is at the very end of the boom away from the mast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We weren’t in any danger so he just took the sail down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was #2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After we anchored the generator stopped working so David started going through his list of “what to do” in that case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After checking off two steps he found an imploded impeller, which he replaced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No problem right???<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah…it still didn’t work. As it turned out<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>some sea grass that clogged up the strainer at the water intake valve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Easily fixed but that was #3 in unfortunate things to happen in one day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had another meltdown but am proud to report<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it wasn’t enough to stop us from going on. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpTMp2IihHiJqGCRbEoxzKyI9Gvw7pL1HWVYjIyWCRdhgfqQc7duGZplCiD8yA1QrpBafj9MD0zUKP9NWvmy6OA9cSgPpYRpe6WpB2n9L0-PiVDg8V9-MkGdsbXoAe6sc5q6DaYwB6aD0/s1600/Staniel+to+Georgetown+2-15+032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpTMp2IihHiJqGCRbEoxzKyI9Gvw7pL1HWVYjIyWCRdhgfqQc7duGZplCiD8yA1QrpBafj9MD0zUKP9NWvmy6OA9cSgPpYRpe6WpB2n9L0-PiVDg8V9-MkGdsbXoAe6sc5q6DaYwB6aD0/s320/Staniel+to+Georgetown+2-15+032.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lazy jacks fell (they keep the sail in the bag nicely..#1. Here's #2 .. blown clew on main sail.....</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsFpEFn2uQUen_0uqTHA0mHBMdI57KFEYYeGKOofnuc_4MwHBuO95x7Sg_Ip8EH8uktCeM1UvdBypSOupRzfHeDzSDV5Fp6UYD5XY9QwIq2JcC2x76f2T-3UNtQCc9djGf75P5S840_7w/s1600/Staniel+to+Georgetown+2-15+043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsFpEFn2uQUen_0uqTHA0mHBMdI57KFEYYeGKOofnuc_4MwHBuO95x7Sg_Ip8EH8uktCeM1UvdBypSOupRzfHeDzSDV5Fp6UYD5XY9QwIq2JcC2x76f2T-3UNtQCc9djGf75P5S840_7w/s320/Staniel+to+Georgetown+2-15+043.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> All three things ended a wicked day on the water....but we kept on going..... </span><br />
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</tbody></table>W<span style="font-family: Calibri;">e grabbed a mooring ball off the Perry Institute Caribbean Marine Research Center on Lee Stocking Island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are studying lionfish and their impact on the coral reefs in the Bahamas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to one of the staff,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in less than a mile they got 13 lionfish right out front of the center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They take what they need from the fish and then eat the rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She also said they release the fish on a reef and watch them to see how they destroy the reef.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Very interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll take a tour of the center on our way north if we stop there again. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">February 11, 2011 through February 21, 2011</b>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Georgetown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have decided that Georgetown should be known as Adult BAY Care for boaters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went from anchorages with very few boat to Georgetown/Stocking Island with almost 400 …<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>400 boats!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Simply amazing but after spending ten days here David says it should be called Adult Bay Care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We anchored under the Monument on Stocking Island, also called Hamburger Beach, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in front of a beautiful beach and later hiked up to the top to get the bird’s eye view and see how many boats are here. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjugr1yDf7tAKloLGKb1qJ0jzYESGVmKGl5JlQS36z8Du2whyphenhyphenLRE56ldQcmj3S-U7K5lqIyTXQsAv2pWACRkXiApcnNzm4phg3WDgI_hy7ls6Lu9AlJaE5T3Q7br1acRt6BItelWo0ikSg/s1600/Georgetown+to+Conception+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjugr1yDf7tAKloLGKb1qJ0jzYESGVmKGl5JlQS36z8Du2whyphenhyphenLRE56ldQcmj3S-U7K5lqIyTXQsAv2pWACRkXiApcnNzm4phg3WDgI_hy7ls6Lu9AlJaE5T3Q7br1acRt6BItelWo0ikSg/s320/Georgetown+to+Conception+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> The start of the trail up to "The Monument" .. still need to find out what the monument was built for. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXyBTLUtz3L05pFwdANwHKBt8pkcbVxtawT4p5x2OUcw-kdpuZzf2HBByEdYvhilFD6RtfeoAIXkLXRwlr2E85XMFcJGtlAoPbegckZvgOKml8oqaL8GYF8fQa_znak9HpBtVt7Nv_08/s1600/Georgetown+to+Conception+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXyBTLUtz3L05pFwdANwHKBt8pkcbVxtawT4p5x2OUcw-kdpuZzf2HBByEdYvhilFD6RtfeoAIXkLXRwlr2E85XMFcJGtlAoPbegckZvgOKml8oqaL8GYF8fQa_znak9HpBtVt7Nv_08/s320/Georgetown+to+Conception+008.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Just a few of the boats in the anchorage ... more to north and south of this spot</span>.</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stocking Island is across from Georgetown and the dinghy ride was about a mile trip each way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Depending on the sea state and the winds you would be dry or very, very wet <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>after your trip, so going to town to get groceries or fuel was a planned out event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Y</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">ou can see how important having a reliable dinghy is as far as transportation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do you like this “parking lot”…. the first is at the Exuma Market, then the dinghy up service station to get gasoline and diesel. Diesel if they have it. When David went in they had run out and were waiting for the truck to show up.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha4qtx7XA09TQk5xoT7CmW7UAa8XEXhJmLgFJsb0oivwvY8g-ztLRDlpnAxna5GqSgxYfGO9dueFoeV7hcilghQqUQUNbstQAYHqSjuBthXok8aqAx193peAow7U4AWHH-IuJU6aDvLpA/s1600/Georgetown+to+Conception+053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha4qtx7XA09TQk5xoT7CmW7UAa8XEXhJmLgFJsb0oivwvY8g-ztLRDlpnAxna5GqSgxYfGO9dueFoeV7hcilghQqUQUNbstQAYHqSjuBthXok8aqAx193peAow7U4AWHH-IuJU6aDvLpA/s320/Georgetown+to+Conception+053.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Exuma Maket Dinghy Dock</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqFwBFDaug7DnSls5J0RhtVHlFjbdSByVmJQJtHlCKwBlHhOTrg6aCt_jSse8TjR3RibSWDUPo0WxfqOmkroiv3pHjBCXjKbNzF9117dHLZPTZuYOSRAkeqjT6swnRQYFDEDSarI5yqOk/s1600/Georgetown+to+Conception+054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqFwBFDaug7DnSls5J0RhtVHlFjbdSByVmJQJtHlCKwBlHhOTrg6aCt_jSse8TjR3RibSWDUPo0WxfqOmkroiv3pHjBCXjKbNzF9117dHLZPTZuYOSRAkeqjT6swnRQYFDEDSarI5yqOk/s320/Georgetown+to+Conception+054.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Shell Station Dinghy Up .. the dock was terrible.. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A note about dinghy rides at night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some boaters have a set of navigation lights, red and green, or like most of us, take a flashlight along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Picking your way through all these boats was interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The CRUISERS’ NET is the main form of communication for everyone at anchor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s done by volunteers and can be found in the Abacos as well as in Exuma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They cover the weather, business announcements and “ community” announcements.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Community” can consist of any of the following:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Doggie <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>clips (he does humans too),<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>immersion swimming lessons, lessons on any of the systems on your boat,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>field trips to local farms, field trips to the local high school,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>replacement dentures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s right…a boater knocked out his two front teeth and was asking if anyone had a “spare” set he could take the two front teeth out of or epoxy so he could “make” two teeth from.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was just tired of lisping and we don’t know if he was successful.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The first night we were here we went to a jam session at the Sand Bar on Hamburger Beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alvin, the owner,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>bought<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the Sand Bar and has been trying to attract cruisers with this Sunday night event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the help of a couple on another catamaran,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it’s been getting bigger every weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On Valentine’s Day there was a party at the Chat N’Chill complete with guest performers:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tina Turner, Roy Orbison and Joe Cocker all showed up!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a hoot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chat N’Chill is a beach up from Hamburger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Volleyball Beach is home to 4 volleyball courts, picnic tables and the Conch Salad Shack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s also the place where we waded out into the water with conch inerds and hand fed stingrays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you put your hand down below them they suck up the food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, I didn’t have a camera but it was amazing to see these huge stingrays slide up to you and let you pet them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Several years ago we rented a houseboat from Bahama Houseboats…. Didn’t make it here for a lot of reasons but the houseboats have been sold to French Canadians and are anchored in the lagoon behind Chat N’Chill. They come complete with water slide and roof top sunbathing!! (STEPHANIE: These are much better than the one in Florida!!)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88ggsG6iAWBiTovlyvwkd5VIWUtpfItIRYB6dudh4tUuPrAhqHGn53SzPbmhXD71qqrQZwPSjjpoAQsvBQfsAE3fQR7b9OsS0ynaABdYIFVrkdPfBayPEvEXzURaJixsa6xrR4QFVRtw/s1600/Georgetown+to+Conception+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88ggsG6iAWBiTovlyvwkd5VIWUtpfItIRYB6dudh4tUuPrAhqHGn53SzPbmhXD71qqrQZwPSjjpoAQsvBQfsAE3fQR7b9OsS0ynaABdYIFVrkdPfBayPEvEXzURaJixsa6xrR4QFVRtw/s320/Georgetown+to+Conception+041.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When people from Georgetown <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>need to get over to Stocking Island but don’t have a boat they call Channel 16 and use Elvis’ WATER TAXI.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elvis is the Harbormaster,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>water taxi owner and all round “go to guy” if you need anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’ll set a special round trip price for events in Georgetown that a lot of people take advantage off, especially when it involves adult refreshments!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPffuX6P2_IaORexQFoCCHu3qfTJ_NP1IPrt62Zg10MLGjGHjFpPskBAaDT5yWxFfMQ6MOu7tevGINREK3whWsUfJZfGE6s7dG_s0z9ziO_ttp17LUVYAJu8zVb9231XYOjkRwtcN0QOA/s1600/Staniel+to+Georgetown+2-15+083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPffuX6P2_IaORexQFoCCHu3qfTJ_NP1IPrt62Zg10MLGjGHjFpPskBAaDT5yWxFfMQ6MOu7tevGINREK3whWsUfJZfGE6s7dG_s0z9ziO_ttp17LUVYAJu8zVb9231XYOjkRwtcN0QOA/s320/Staniel+to+Georgetown+2-15+083.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Elvis' Water Taxi....going to Alvin's on Hamburger Beach.....</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJUzEgI2bokKiANR_QhBeWnpYVk4h43y_ZHfVVhLq2NQdHzvKbsUn0yam_zQ44bjGIQUiF443An-0ZCa4sKwsxrVDhfurAO0fEcIgc6-djM-_0dZLCLnl4U-lGpvY0BbfmfXRPzQintk/s1600/Staniel+to+Georgetown+2-15+065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJUzEgI2bokKiANR_QhBeWnpYVk4h43y_ZHfVVhLq2NQdHzvKbsUn0yam_zQ44bjGIQUiF443An-0ZCa4sKwsxrVDhfurAO0fEcIgc6-djM-_0dZLCLnl4U-lGpvY0BbfmfXRPzQintk/s320/Staniel+to+Georgetown+2-15+065.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is Alvin's Sand Bar at Hamburger Beach. He made a great burger and the mango rum was good too.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It sounds like the weather will be breaking on Tuesday, the 22<sup>nd</sup>, so we’re going to be heading over to Conception Island and then to Long Island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We heard Conception in incredibly beautiful, like all of the Bahamas so we’re excited to get away from the Bay Care Center. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You learn quickly where and when to get groceries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vegetables are brought in by boat so when the MAIL BOAT comes in you know to get to the store early.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You also get used to getting frozen meat that’s been cut with a bandsaw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing but uniform cuts of meat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They do have fresh meat but it’s limited and very expensive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Exuma Markets provides a dinghy dock for cruisers and is on the main street in Georgetown (picture above) … of course, getting to the dinghy dock was a treat too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You had to go through a tunnel from Kidd Cove into Lake Victoria.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the tide was changing the current was like a small river…</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik61clLLQIbdeLRknyCl9zUZeIcThdm8CbU4ayu5O33l6lBF4or-lVHcds3AzFReV6PpIKrC4JcH2rgJNtEJBqk84bQOH10ItbyaXkDlxv2_vzJCj0ECiyjAKLizP7y96hFUX4rSQNjk0/s1600/Staniel+to+Georgetown+2-15+086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik61clLLQIbdeLRknyCl9zUZeIcThdm8CbU4ayu5O33l6lBF4or-lVHcds3AzFReV6PpIKrC4JcH2rgJNtEJBqk84bQOH10ItbyaXkDlxv2_vzJCj0ECiyjAKLizP7y96hFUX4rSQNjk0/s320/Staniel+to+Georgetown+2-15+086.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Tunnel into Lake Victoria to get to Exuma Market, Straw Market and main street in town ...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8k4zJGBoH6yXTLQ2KYm-iHHZKk7jOtiA4Mx3MlYLwCv5OYJiM2XDc4G_KX2JeVVYhZ9R_f1E6PGrpptBhfwhyphenhyphen3p16iV7rIazi58bmuCYWzUHaoQmMCO2oHMnQ22C0sWlmGhYHWot1GtE/s1600/Georgetown+to+Conception+051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8k4zJGBoH6yXTLQ2KYm-iHHZKk7jOtiA4Mx3MlYLwCv5OYJiM2XDc4G_KX2JeVVYhZ9R_f1E6PGrpptBhfwhyphenhyphen3p16iV7rIazi58bmuCYWzUHaoQmMCO2oHMnQ22C0sWlmGhYHWot1GtE/s320/Georgetown+to+Conception+051.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Straw Market ...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtvZm_AvT_rJRmNSgLWKHlMDEHa0oZjyaF7KfPra6Kx4eo0kOMobhXQ4b1wRE2AacgjpTqo8k44pzaQqcYJKLSdbPLN8RX3NGGlJev-mjc1edq6y-UCiUm_7jkoGy5Omo6pXNv5d5HL5g/s1600/Georgetown+to+Conception+052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtvZm_AvT_rJRmNSgLWKHlMDEHa0oZjyaF7KfPra6Kx4eo0kOMobhXQ4b1wRE2AacgjpTqo8k44pzaQqcYJKLSdbPLN8RX3NGGlJev-mjc1edq6y-UCiUm_7jkoGy5Omo6pXNv5d5HL5g/s320/Georgetown+to+Conception+052.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> The "main" street in town .. <br />
That's it for Georgetown. Next stop is Conception Island. Until later..... love to everyone. Dave/Peg</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div>Dave and Peghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09197023077918294888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-398309591837434748.post-15384182020609083742011-02-06T13:23:00.000-05:002011-02-06T13:23:50.925-05:00EXUMA CAYS LAND AND SEA PARK - SPECIAL EDITION<strong>TRIP FACTS AS OF</strong>: February 5, 2011<br />
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Days gone from VA: 110<br />
Days in Bahamas: 49<br />
Miles Traveled: 1,527.9<br />
Things Overboard: Not one thing!!!<br />
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<strong>February 2 through February 5, 2011</strong>: We left Cape Eleuthrea on Wednesday headed for the EXUMAS!!! David was able to check off one more thing on his "to do list" so all is well. We got into the Park around 3 in the afternoon and dinghy'd over to the Park Ranger's office to sign in, pay for our mooring ball, $20 a night and pay for internet at $10 a night. We heard boaters calling on their VHF radios to get on the waiting list for a mooring ball. There are a grand total of 54 mooring balls spread out between the North Field, Emerald Rock field, where we were, and the South Field. <br />
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Before I goosh about how beautiful this place is let me give you some history. The Bahamas National Trust, a non-governmential organization, was created by the Bahamian Parliament in 1959 to manage their park system. Parliament also set aside 176 square miles for the ECLSP to protect marine and land animals in the Park. The park is 22 miles long and extends out 4 miles on either side of the cays and includes 15 islands and many tiny cays. It is a NO TAKE zone so you can't pick up the conch you see in the water or go fishing. Their motto is: <span style="color: blue;">TAKE ONLY PICTURES AND MEMORIES, LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND. </span><span style="color: black;"> </span><br />
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If you've ever seen pictures of the park you usually see the North Mooring field , which is the most famous. <br />
For those of you who haven't it's a channel in a cresent shaped channel with a hugh sand bar in the middle that gets dry when the tide goes out. Here you go.... enjoy...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9GinS6N7eXXIgJtBRd4PZNuVefZLJ6NWeQqgz1ZPW5Xgxy2GujH_MHlJaR2DQ7PCTOpDtyL5CQrd7r2k61Tcfont5usNIrXcYo5GLxt0h-vIXxySY4QUq4CbDKwxRVso5CqIi7T3Iltk/s1600/Exuma+Cay+Land+%2526+Sea+Park+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9GinS6N7eXXIgJtBRd4PZNuVefZLJ6NWeQqgz1ZPW5Xgxy2GujH_MHlJaR2DQ7PCTOpDtyL5CQrd7r2k61Tcfont5usNIrXcYo5GLxt0h-vIXxySY4QUq4CbDKwxRVso5CqIi7T3Iltk/s320/Exuma+Cay+Land+%2526+Sea+Park+035.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> North Mooring Field - ECLSP - low tide<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmusu7iEyyOv9toAZJy84lOS9OBbqptBIkpJFPJgkU7v6NDx94ofkk1r5dTQSwdtWrIcEdo2b_zZjf9v9oi6DzdPChDVt6NFRLAvq_owx1qlzPiL9rYs-f9DxoAjfGwdirFtX_WjiRZKg/s1600/Exuma+Cay+Land+%2526+Sea+Park+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmusu7iEyyOv9toAZJy84lOS9OBbqptBIkpJFPJgkU7v6NDx94ofkk1r5dTQSwdtWrIcEdo2b_zZjf9v9oi6DzdPChDVt6NFRLAvq_owx1qlzPiL9rYs-f9DxoAjfGwdirFtX_WjiRZKg/s320/Exuma+Cay+Land+%2526+Sea+Park+014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>One of the famous spots at the park is BOO BOO HILL. There are two thoughts on how the hill got it's name. The first is from locals who say that settlers shipwrecked on the island and their spirits haunt the cay. The more scientific explanation is that after centuries of storms, rain and wind erosion, a series of BLOW HOLES formed and when the tide and wind are just right the holes produce a "booooo"ing sound. I like the locals version myself. Back to the hike. To get to the top of the hill you cross over BANSHEE CREEK.<br />
Banshee is home to a mangrove nursery and at low tide you can see what the mangroves root system looks like. They survive in salt water and no water and are pretty amazing to see. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY10YK-7gsuVvFzRELJAdEQHAdpanoda-nUaWP7OI45sItVEToqKcuMgWdNYxMK2TVxi8w9Y8bq-lAE5prvtNvTBTsFAuns8pHzgnTGQvlVr1nBByr803yuZruEOqSrRHcki47Mf0iR3I/s1600/Exuma+Cay+Land+%2526+Sea+Park+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY10YK-7gsuVvFzRELJAdEQHAdpanoda-nUaWP7OI45sItVEToqKcuMgWdNYxMK2TVxi8w9Y8bq-lAE5prvtNvTBTsFAuns8pHzgnTGQvlVr1nBByr803yuZruEOqSrRHcki47Mf0iR3I/s320/Exuma+Cay+Land+%2526+Sea+Park+027.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mangrove roots at low tide.<br />
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</tbody></table>While we were anchored in Spanish Wells we saw what looked like pieces of grass bobbing in the water. They turned out to be mangrove seed pods waiting for the tide to drop so they could plant themselves in the soft sand like this:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK1WG66JA9h37aZdGveAxZ9MJNrAjfJqMpNr5BgG5KDHeIZRqaSTbCeU5p-PJYno_MdN22JSqisPwglf2i6OiMQqWh8l0F5Niy99i5xGk5b_Xdd_8qITLCJFyu536nDqbB0qxw6nC76mg/s1600/Exuma+Cay+Land+%2526+Sea+Park+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK1WG66JA9h37aZdGveAxZ9MJNrAjfJqMpNr5BgG5KDHeIZRqaSTbCeU5p-PJYno_MdN22JSqisPwglf2i6OiMQqWh8l0F5Niy99i5xGk5b_Xdd_8qITLCJFyu536nDqbB0qxw6nC76mg/s320/Exuma+Cay+Land+%2526+Sea+Park+028.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mangrove nursery..........</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Once we hiked to the top of the hill we found the collection of "natural" (no plastic ANYTHING) name plates left by people. Most of the nameplates were made of wood inscribed with names, dates and boat names. We picked up a piece of bamboo driftwood and will etch our info on it and hike back up to the top of the hill when we head north later this month. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghtl3y3G9grxY80T4REN_6eYkBnqbqjMwGCL0GPkhhD6Kavz_-top8AmYPMIpA_KbzpUjkiUdW-2XVqsePkvfNdut4Tls0qVJMoLWLY-Qu7nNMdsXKroMHT-rByaLpTiHPLXD3mJAArQs/s1600/Exuma+Cay+Land+%2526+Sea+Park+050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghtl3y3G9grxY80T4REN_6eYkBnqbqjMwGCL0GPkhhD6Kavz_-top8AmYPMIpA_KbzpUjkiUdW-2XVqsePkvfNdut4Tls0qVJMoLWLY-Qu7nNMdsXKroMHT-rByaLpTiHPLXD3mJAArQs/s320/Exuma+Cay+Land+%2526+Sea+Park+050.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">World Famouse BOO BOO HILL ........</td></tr>
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The tide/winds weren't right for us to hear BOO BOO so we hiked over to the beach. The trails on the island don't have a nice boardwalk for you to follow. Rangers have hacked the trial through small palms and other vegitation that have grown up through the limestone bedrock. Someone discovered the limestone even makes "music". We stopped and David picked up a small piece of limestone and tapped on 3 big pieces of rock.....each piece did have a different "sound" to it...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAy_P_AkHmrTSCpZnlpeGvZ8UQcgoLpSXaIXKLKbABHElgG4h15eAGVgLQy0B4-IWvVVgap6iDHus88a-io74in-YAE422cAGeE4N9anVzOFKpAw2fs79SwumMULPmBZuhqhPo3LQYxaY/s1600/Exuma+Cay+Land+%2526+Sea+Park+079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAy_P_AkHmrTSCpZnlpeGvZ8UQcgoLpSXaIXKLKbABHElgG4h15eAGVgLQy0B4-IWvVVgap6iDHus88a-io74in-YAE422cAGeE4N9anVzOFKpAw2fs79SwumMULPmBZuhqhPo3LQYxaY/s320/Exuma+Cay+Land+%2526+Sea+Park+079.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Musical Rocks"..look at the texture and that's what we walked on..really sharp & rough<br />
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</tbody></table> Limestone is sharp and jagged from being worn by all the years of rain and storms. Some of the limestone has been worn down so deep that when the Spanish came to the Bahamas they would find these deep wells and gather drinking water.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN_kF24oGPKCP__RHLVMdE-yXUe7MYOlCAsHC0PrHCuwJUw_ceOJhGrdhyphenhyphen2uprsGetNPIFzXrFsjjXq8A4MIu_2sl0CvwciWUiO9tUaoIi26kJu-3RS2HcaSRuciLRjdc_-BNmNp6ng2U/s1600/Exuma+Cay+Land+%2526+Sea+Park+125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN_kF24oGPKCP__RHLVMdE-yXUe7MYOlCAsHC0PrHCuwJUw_ceOJhGrdhyphenhyphen2uprsGetNPIFzXrFsjjXq8A4MIu_2sl0CvwciWUiO9tUaoIi26kJu-3RS2HcaSRuciLRjdc_-BNmNp6ng2U/s320/Exuma+Cay+Land+%2526+Sea+Park+125.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Imagine drinking from this????</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Walking around the beaches you could see conch in the water just scooting alone. One of the statistics on conch show that the conch concentrations are 31 times higher than outside the park Which is great since it means there will be conch for future generations. There are similar statistics for crawfish (lobster) and Grouper. The park serves as a nursery of sorts keeping areas open to recreational and commercial harvesting fully stocked. Here's what a baby conch looks like "scooting" ...look to the left and you can see the trail it leaves....</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEP1om8esT0jaLi1QWQSNUwtLFJjFcPVWc-09UJNQdgUY9-Y_NinW_GPWoUsnSFbgeJrVJXgkblPhevbqCLDSuQ0GQDDN68awZ3ozhsQcnw1M-KT97JdiVQYKDplBKf7ipZRPgQ1PNATo/s1600/Exuma+Cay+Land+%2526+Sea+Park+090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEP1om8esT0jaLi1QWQSNUwtLFJjFcPVWc-09UJNQdgUY9-Y_NinW_GPWoUsnSFbgeJrVJXgkblPhevbqCLDSuQ0GQDDN68awZ3ozhsQcnw1M-KT97JdiVQYKDplBKf7ipZRPgQ1PNATo/s320/Exuma+Cay+Land+%2526+Sea+Park+090.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Baby conch - they can grow to about 12"..this one was about 5".</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">We ended up hiking 3 trails the second day we were here - The Davis Plantation Trail, the Loyalist Beach Trail and the Alive Beach Trail. While we on the Loyalist Trail we counted 10 of those wells that had water in them. After reading about the Bahamas I imagine the Davis Plantation was started by an American Loyalists who were not ready for democracy. Plantation owners from the South came down, built homes and tried to duplicate what they had in America - to no avail. After seeing the limestone and land they came to you can understand how difficult it was for them.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">At the end of our last hike we were headed back to the beach and came to an opening and this is what we saw......</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ze5LL6FG7DJnVxlD1pCmKPotbLrzGUkP7sJ4eoy3rdK46lQBUoMQogq1kooU8jB7T0ciqfvnYvj5DFQ1LDaPRb-ls80cjs3ig-vhD0aDs1L_RSypP9nza2fdO3C5706L36ajiRHBh_4/s1600/Exuma+Cay+Land+%2526+Sea+Park+152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ze5LL6FG7DJnVxlD1pCmKPotbLrzGUkP7sJ4eoy3rdK46lQBUoMQogq1kooU8jB7T0ciqfvnYvj5DFQ1LDaPRb-ls80cjs3ig-vhD0aDs1L_RSypP9nza2fdO3C5706L36ajiRHBh_4/s320/Exuma+Cay+Land+%2526+Sea+Park+152.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's US.....in the Emearld Rock Mooring Field<br />
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</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">We left the park on Saturday, the 5th, headed for Staniel Cay and the SUPER BOWL game. We'll head back to the park on our way North later this month and finish hiking the rest of the trails and just enjoying the beauty. Looking down at the water and seeing two Horse-Eyed Jacks swimming around the swim step was amazing and apparently isn't the best the park has to offer. We'll call ahead a couple days so we can get a mooring ball in the North Field since we've talked to people who say that fish and sharks come through there a lot. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Hope you enjoyed our visit in the ECLSP. We took their motto to heart - <span style="color: blue;">we took tons of pictures and have great memories and only left ....</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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More later.... Dave and Peg<br />
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</div>Dave and Peghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09197023077918294888noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-398309591837434748.post-69771053923984589492011-02-01T21:20:00.000-05:002011-02-01T21:20:40.505-05:00Hatchet Bay to Governor's Harbour to Cape Eleuthrea<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><strong>TRIP FACTS AS OF: February 1, 2011</strong><br />
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Days gone from Virginia: 106<br />
Days in Bahamas: 45<br />
Miles traveled: 1,473<br />
No more toilet stories!!<br />
Things overboard: Nothing this trip.<br />
Trip Firsts: A FULL day with the sails up!!! In all the days we've been gone this was the first real sailing day.<br />
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<strong>January 27 through February 1, 2011: </strong>We left Hatchet Bay on Jan. 27 headed for Governor's Harbour. Hatchet Bay is on the outside of this cut. We really grabbed a mooring ball in Hatchet POND...big pond but well protected. The cut getting is was blasted away as you can see by the picture. It's pretty amazing to see tankers come into this narrow cut.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjuwwcC68Oq9s2n-09m_mBznU8fVSFOtFogEt4NDOIMWhJ-g2HZGpt1xs1p93apGgvn7t281UQbtdWdzfy9wgXqwMl0XoEiHxbD7OBH1NXAn6620Li-qa7TDz-FpUp1LUeJTuNQ0kTomQ/s1600/Hatchet+Bay+-+Gov.+Harbour+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjuwwcC68Oq9s2n-09m_mBznU8fVSFOtFogEt4NDOIMWhJ-g2HZGpt1xs1p93apGgvn7t281UQbtdWdzfy9wgXqwMl0XoEiHxbD7OBH1NXAn6620Li-qa7TDz-FpUp1LUeJTuNQ0kTomQ/s320/Hatchet+Bay+-+Gov.+Harbour+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Early in the morning before we took off I was in the cockpit and heard what I thought was a bird diving into the water...as I turned around I saw a MANTA RAY about 3' across jump twice. Amazing site. We left Hatchet early in the morning and we anxious to get to Governor's Harbour because our mail was waiting for us. Take a look at what $105 DHL delivery looks like...then look at what's next to it. Yep, it's a hard pill to swallow but the picture after that says it all.....look at the smile on David's face. We got Christmas cards that were really appreciated.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj39TEViSjQygM0z4gIguPK3UPh5wCHL-TSWYoNA8xLinjGxh2lJU6A50JT7PE3sQ8CzATTd-22Fd8gHgU2jowh3448t7kJGJHLBfuibBHHr_g1UpbgTtW65I0qGTqDhZkd774SErgWtqM/s1600/Hatchet+Bay+-+Gov.+Harbour+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj39TEViSjQygM0z4gIguPK3UPh5wCHL-TSWYoNA8xLinjGxh2lJU6A50JT7PE3sQ8CzATTd-22Fd8gHgU2jowh3448t7kJGJHLBfuibBHHr_g1UpbgTtW65I0qGTqDhZkd774SErgWtqM/s320/Hatchet+Bay+-+Gov.+Harbour+013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> $105.00 DHL package.......it was worth it because it made David.....<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUXdusII4BTvm75aLJCfzTFci61Mq9cAPiYgrE0b0VrXddemFIIB62LrkWnJTYk4xnRbKlkUzDn-elyJqvu5N0pcGdRmQRTl9WtFLBL8kVVHQT_awU18NIBVvh0He49fpmGn28p0XkBoE/s1600/Hatchet+Bay+-+Gov.+Harbour+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUXdusII4BTvm75aLJCfzTFci61Mq9cAPiYgrE0b0VrXddemFIIB62LrkWnJTYk4xnRbKlkUzDn-elyJqvu5N0pcGdRmQRTl9WtFLBL8kVVHQT_awU18NIBVvh0He49fpmGn28p0XkBoE/s320/Hatchet+Bay+-+Gov.+Harbour+014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> S M I L E ! ! ! !<br />
Mooring ball markers are a strange breed down here. We've seen floats, styrofoam balls and the like but this takes the cake...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYtOzCAwt6iPe6f8JMunSC3mRr5iGdNI_ihkhyphenhyphenk99yItR7zZh_I0NyjbLkDHwNK_V9FBLSSc45gG4i5xEPPAfwb0CLidNJk5lVa7MNi_yLUAJWNH-pcKv8Qq0Dw5v_f7ngbb3PYBglmm8/s1600/Hatchet+Bay+-+Gov.+Harbour+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYtOzCAwt6iPe6f8JMunSC3mRr5iGdNI_ihkhyphenhyphenk99yItR7zZh_I0NyjbLkDHwNK_V9FBLSSc45gG4i5xEPPAfwb0CLidNJk5lVa7MNi_yLUAJWNH-pcKv8Qq0Dw5v_f7ngbb3PYBglmm8/s320/Hatchet+Bay+-+Gov.+Harbour+012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Hummmm....U. S. Coast Guard Approved V-8 Juice Buoy ..... what can I say?<br />
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After we get the boat squared away we try to get into town to walk as much as we can. It's great to stretch our legs and this time we talked to the DHL lady and she told us where to get fresh fish, who to rent a car from and where to eat!! We ended up walking around and found the locals selling fish....talk about fresh..<br />
Take a look at this. His crawfish (lobster to us - crawfish to Bahamians) ranged in price from $10 for the small, $20 for medium and $25 for the large....needless to say we have a delicious dinner.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqfrz4Ndbc6xHJTLCPyQJmwHug3YoVVv1xlDQH6tsU1NZvKMPCfevz_zxHdYGGpKuSi6_g0n-UR0fdikQ8CBuYCeK35JCJxhyphenhyphenqYaNQOTAkYTNT_eOD6Zv-aNGugfdPJdsprMAC3qrnnis/s1600/Hatchet+Bay+-+Gov.+Harbour+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqfrz4Ndbc6xHJTLCPyQJmwHug3YoVVv1xlDQH6tsU1NZvKMPCfevz_zxHdYGGpKuSi6_g0n-UR0fdikQ8CBuYCeK35JCJxhyphenhyphenqYaNQOTAkYTNT_eOD6Zv-aNGugfdPJdsprMAC3qrnnis/s320/Hatchet+Bay+-+Gov.+Harbour+023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Dinner anyone? They clean everything right in front of you....<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt5jeEKiaIIV90-UW4N7eMZTSz3BXC9IzSzcAtZ6oHJmpxKHhRFKpX44Fx3Bt8sCHLkshvnB2EdnOGvSSjbGs3xrPJchG-U9qVISOhVM-HFtAjyDVc-2-YOv0e68Hac-40cjcFytwrK4Q/s1600/Hatchet+Bay+-+Gov.+Harbour+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt5jeEKiaIIV90-UW4N7eMZTSz3BXC9IzSzcAtZ6oHJmpxKHhRFKpX44Fx3Bt8sCHLkshvnB2EdnOGvSSjbGs3xrPJchG-U9qVISOhVM-HFtAjyDVc-2-YOv0e68Hac-40cjcFytwrK4Q/s320/Hatchet+Bay+-+Gov.+Harbour+010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Governor's Harbour looking to the west. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xsYF6F21nyqkAgozf0ls9WGwmuqFtd5m3J7irJuZP7gLGhdYwgXQzimd2bfykHCJRL_NWM0ARhFnwe3ApB5OsfW3V5wES2qF95vzgzqNfAJ4zzeS3A13jbMzFyC_87qPhZDxJCuOqVM/s1600/Hatchet+Bay+-+Gov.+Harbour+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xsYF6F21nyqkAgozf0ls9WGwmuqFtd5m3J7irJuZP7gLGhdYwgXQzimd2bfykHCJRL_NWM0ARhFnwe3ApB5OsfW3V5wES2qF95vzgzqNfAJ4zzeS3A13jbMzFyC_87qPhZDxJCuOqVM/s320/Hatchet+Bay+-+Gov.+Harbour+030.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> This is Cupid's Cay ... on the east side of the Harbour.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaBWzsAr-KPxUEEvYNJj7uuXqmA6MYVrUDaIkHyc4lXZkKv94v6Iro0tF1rcvNLAo3Z2g9Rnx8GewuFPcm6wNdBf-EIh0QduJuQfGxFftjMl7iV8ZC1dmWv7_P8esxFbcsNFiBHmA14pE/s1600/Hatchet+Bay+-+Gov.+Harbour+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaBWzsAr-KPxUEEvYNJj7uuXqmA6MYVrUDaIkHyc4lXZkKv94v6Iro0tF1rcvNLAo3Z2g9Rnx8GewuFPcm6wNdBf-EIh0QduJuQfGxFftjMl7iV8ZC1dmWv7_P8esxFbcsNFiBHmA14pE/s320/Hatchet+Bay+-+Gov.+Harbour+036.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Looking north at the only boat in the Harbour...ours.</div><br />
We also saw these 2 little kids eating ice cream getting ready to go to Junkanoo.....they were really sweet. One thing about Bahamians, they are all smiling, happy and so polite.<br />
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We spent the next few days doing projects we needed to catch up with including servicing the watermaker.<br />
Our fresh water maker costs over $6,000 but was brought to a halt by a simple $2.00 "O" ring.<br />
After spending all day working on it David finally got it going so we are back to making fresh water. Thank goodness because hauling jerry jugs from the beach is awful.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Yesterday, Jan. 31, we rented a car and drove the entire length of Eleuthera. We went up north to see the GLASS WINDOW and PREACHERS CAVE then headed all the way south to Rock Sound. We only missed 30 miles of the 110 mile long island. Of course, there are some spectacular beaches and sites to share with you but dumby here forgot my camera. So you'll have to suffer through my descriptions:<br />
Glass Window is a bridge that was literally moved 7' to the west by a rouge wave that broke it lose from its foundations. It's a awesome testament to the fury of Mother Nature. Unfortunately, it cut the island in half until it could be repaired. Preacher's Cave on on the beach opposite the Devil's Backbone in Northern Eleuthera. Earlier I had described about the first settlers on Eleuthera who got shipwrecked here back in the 1800's. I was mistaken...it was in the early 1640's. Survivors climbed up the bank and found a cave where they survived the storm. The cave is about 100' across and about 200' deep. They settled there and also built an alter for the church services. <br />
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One of the really big highlights of the trip (for me, anyway) was being able to pick up my fresh, clean, folded laundry from a wonderful little old lady in town. She did 1 load of whites, 2 loads of darks and towels for $19.00. Amazing!! I wish we could have left her $100 dollars after seeing the state of her house. She smiled the entire time. <br />
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Now I will be honest with everyone. I also had a major meltdown here. I was ready to "be back home"...but I am home and after much calming discussion by the Captain we decided to move onto the Exumas. This adventure, while exciting and romantic sounding, is hard work. I've gone through missing my kids terribly, missing my friends and wanting a apt./condo or something to call home. But we are home and were able to talk things through. <br />
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<strong>February 1, 2011: </strong>We got underway headed to Cape Eleuthrea Marina and Resort. David was really happy because for the first time this entire trip he was able to sail all the way down from Governor's Harbour. The winds were perfect and we made 6.5 to 8.5 knots the whole way. We decided to treat outselves to a marina since it's been 18 days without a real shower/hot water and a full battery charge without running the generator!! Whoopy, hot shower tonight. Unless you've done a lot of camping or sailing you don't know how exciting this can be. The resort is owned by the man who also owns the Orlando Magic basketball team. It's an eco-friendly place, very quiet with tons of fish in the "harbor", water costs .45 a gallon for water, .65 kwh for electricity and it's $4.00 for a 5 minute shower (.50 for each extra minute). But it's beautiful and worth every cent. Here's what we saw when we came in...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKqz98sQ139aju4tsxWNYnhSHVHhuiR9J6AqAVu2kMecYPdGnP_WOFOIvBzDZ2_l8gtOdjFVhHRh-issFsCN814Bl5fbm5eY4QjKugc-JrC0jJ_E7eMFFg6Atk6rNsty087E0b3rsR-Q/s1600/Tractor+-+Cape+Ele+-sharks+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKqz98sQ139aju4tsxWNYnhSHVHhuiR9J6AqAVu2kMecYPdGnP_WOFOIvBzDZ2_l8gtOdjFVhHRh-issFsCN814Bl5fbm5eY4QjKugc-JrC0jJ_E7eMFFg6Atk6rNsty087E0b3rsR-Q/s320/Tractor+-+Cape+Ele+-sharks+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Cape Eleuthrea Marina and Resort entrance.....<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiad55qoF1szuJCghq4hMTIeLlLd-j5zYZU_3vpX1n_8PeSX0s1Ev13eOgseHk7Co3MYMljrnBU5IwJWFSwGFc1rbTxFOVQwwbNqhaMFRxMcIq0TNn6PK_KCv1Yf_r8BzM7kjf2JptrRhc/s1600/Tractor+-+Cape+Ele+-sharks+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiad55qoF1szuJCghq4hMTIeLlLd-j5zYZU_3vpX1n_8PeSX0s1Ev13eOgseHk7Co3MYMljrnBU5IwJWFSwGFc1rbTxFOVQwwbNqhaMFRxMcIq0TNn6PK_KCv1Yf_r8BzM7kjf2JptrRhc/s320/Tractor+-+Cape+Ele+-sharks+014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Condos......<br />
Everyone is really friendly but we hope business picks up because right now it looks like there are about 6 staff for each guest. The brochure said you would be able to see all sorts of fish and sharks in the crystal clear water. We were also told we could buy fresh fish from the local fisherman that came in here to clean their catch. What they didn't tell us was .......what we would see.......take a look.....<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGX4DFR26qoSRXcfYnmzjnOniaNrvs6eYMOTWLACKifonktslHtP4X_BnxKhq_O79fmoBGufk3HISPty7YmwqA9evMXsYVQ515sSz0MpRWAWdcB8TFGbc6lFRlbtmM-B0U7CVID6M_Tg/s1600/Tractor+-+Cape+Ele+-sharks+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGX4DFR26qoSRXcfYnmzjnOniaNrvs6eYMOTWLACKifonktslHtP4X_BnxKhq_O79fmoBGufk3HISPty7YmwqA9evMXsYVQ515sSz0MpRWAWdcB8TFGbc6lFRlbtmM-B0U7CVID6M_Tg/s320/Tractor+-+Cape+Ele+-sharks+024.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>There were about 15-20 sharks under the cleaning table waiting for their dinner......we saw at least 2 bull sharks and the rest nurse sharks.<br />
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</div>This is Luke in his boat. He showed me how to clean conch. the easy way. We ended up buying 9 "feet" of conch and some grouper. Each conch has a "foot" which is the meat inside and yes, Jimmy, it almost tastes like chicken. Grouper dinner was tasty!!!!<br />
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There are so many different kinds of fish right here in the harbor it's amazing to watch. While I was cleaning the conch I heard some fish who had schooled up by a foot bridge literally jump out of the water. I didn't see what was spooking them but we did see a barracuda in the stream earlier..who knows...it was just awesome to hear.<br />
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We leave here tomorrow, Feb. 2nd, for the Exumas. We'll be checking into Warderick Wells and the Exuma Land and Sea Park. We're excited because they have a volunteer program you can donate time to. We'll see what we end up doing. Again, we're not sure about internet connections. We had to pay for a day with one of the providers here so we're hoping there is the same thing in the Exumas.<br />
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Until then....we've been keeping up with the awful weather most of you are having and are concerned for everyone. Please take care and be safe and warm. More later..... Dave and Peg<br />
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PS: If you're set up on SKYPE let us know via our email address. We've talked to my brother, Bob, and to Stephanie and to Tom, our Hilton Head friend. We'd love to hear from you. Take care =)<br />
<strong> </strong>Dave and Peghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09197023077918294888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-398309591837434748.post-43537652201717899662011-01-25T11:47:00.000-05:002011-01-25T11:47:13.722-05:00Lynyard Cay to Spanish Wells then onto Hatchet Bay, Eleuthera<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">T<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">RIP FACTS AS OF</b>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>January 25, 2011</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Days gone from Virginia:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>99<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Days in Bahamas:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>38<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Miles travelled:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1,406</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Things overboard:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Technically: none, although Peg fell out of the dinghy-see Lynyard Cay</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Toilet Saga:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Victory for David…no more problems</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">TRIP “FIRSTS</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">”:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>this is a new section since we’re doing some things for the first time;</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">ü<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">First hair trim while in Treasure Cay</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">ü<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Fresh water made at Royal Island</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">ü<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Fresh bread baked while at anchor</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">ü<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">First fish caught on crossing from Abacos to Eleuthera</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">ü<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">First “conching” trip successful while at Spanish Wells</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">ü<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">First laundry done – while watching dolphins play in mooring field in Spanish Wells</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">ü<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">First (and only time) dinghy floated away (while concentrating on cleaning the conch) – see section on conch</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">January 15, 2011</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Underway to Lynyard Cay, Abaco to get ready for crossing to Eleuthera: We anchored off Lynyard Cay for the evening to get ready for our early morning crossing to Eleuthera on the 16<sup>th</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We saw the anchorage when we took Stephanie to Pete’s Pub at Christmas and thought it would be a great spot to walk over to the Atlantic side to go look for sea glass.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">The sea glass trip was successful but also a little depressing when we saw how much garbage was on the shore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For sailors – that’s called flotsam & jetsum … garbage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were no less than a dozen plastic bottles in a small 10’ x 10” area and old fishing lines and mooring lines were all over the place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can understand the mooring lines because of the Atlantic storms and the wreck on the beach but the rest of it is just trash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, please, make sure you take care of plastic bottles….<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is a picture of the waves crashing on the beach and the garbage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you love the water it really does make you feel sick to see this stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of a wreck up on beach along with other garbage.....</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Enough of my soap box.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will also be honest and tell you when we dinghy’d over to the beach I was getting out of the dink, planted my foot on the sand and promptly, and unceremoniously, fell into the water. Nice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought the sand was solid but it was very soft and my foot just sank down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If falling in wasn’t bad enough, I did it in front of people I KNEW we would never see again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here’s a picture of the nice, calm, sandy beach for you all to get a good laugh out of…….(more on the people who where there later.)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 129.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Really rough getting out of the dinghy...</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 129.0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 129.0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">January 16, 2011</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Underway at 7:30AM to make our crossing from Lynyard Cay, out into the Atlantic Ocean headed to the Northeast Providence Channel (open ocean).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the things you learn sailing is waiting for the right wind direction(weather window), which can be one day or three days, so you just keep checking to see what the forecast is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had the right winds and headed out with another boat, LAST DANCE with Mike and Susan Murray from Fernandina Beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have a Lagoon catamaran so we both sailed about the same speed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a 7 hour trip to make it across to Royal Island, Eleuthera and luckily, the sea state wasn’t bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>David put out 2 fishing poles and one “Cuban YoYo.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s a Cuban YoYo?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s handheld spool with fishing line, a small weight and a lure that you throw out. It skims the top of the water and is capable of catching nice fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 129.0pt;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cuban Yo-Yo</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 129.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">The trip across was pretty uneventful until we were about a hour away from making the turn to get into Royal Island and David got a fish on which meant we had to slow down, pull in the yoyo and other pole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He got the fish onboard but we weren’t sure what it was so we put it in the cooler filled with water and got back on track.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once we anchored we figured out it was a small barracuda and let him go. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 129.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 129.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">In the anchorage, we met a nice couple on CLOVERLEAF .. he’s 80 years old and she’s 76!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have sailed in one form or another most of their lives and they invited us over to their boat along with another couple from BAREFOOT’N for sundowners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we were heading over I noticed the dinghy from BAREFOOT’N and was SHOCKED.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the couple from the beach where I went in the drink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all had a good laugh about it when we introduced ourselves but that just shows you how often you run into people cruising around this area.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 129.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">We stayed anchored another day at Royal Island and made our first batch of fresh water!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s amazing how excited you get thinking about taking a HOT shower with water that doesn’t drain your tank.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now that we know we can make good water it’s made life much more comfortable and yes, it tastes fine and we drink it straight from the tap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 129.0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">January 18 through January 24, 2011:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Underway to Spanish Wells.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We headed for Spanish Wells and grabbed a mooring ball at the end of the channel leading out of town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We rented a golf cart for an hour, toured the village, which is by far, the cleanest and friendliest town we’ve been in, and found the grocery store.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spanish Wells has one of the prettiest beaches we’ve seen so far, especially at low tide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We noticed how clean and well maintained all the fishing boats are and according to Jock Morgan, owner of our mooring ball and lifetime resident, the boats are all a cooperative, the boat is owned by the crew, not the skipper or some corporation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His son is the cook on SEA GEM and each one of the crew members takes pride in the condition of their boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I tell you this is a friendly place I mean it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jock’s wife, Carolyn, baked fresh bread one morning and Jock brought us a loaf early in the morning. David says it’s the best French toast he’s had in a long time.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 129.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Since we were going to be here a few days we decided to take the BO HENGHY II, the fast ferry, over to Harbor Island, and let them take us through DEVIL’S BACKBONE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s called that for a reason – narrow, shallow, coral heads and sand bars all over the place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most people hire a guide, like Jock, and get led through the Backbone to make sure they get through it without incident.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first wrecks on the Backbone date back to 1865 and now total 5 major sites you can dive on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 129.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A little history: Back in the 1800’s some of the first settlers to Eleuthera wrecked here in a storm, thus the name, and made it ashore to a place called Preacher’s Cave where they built an alter in the cave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 129.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Also, if you remember the BAREFOOT BANDIT from last year – the 19 year old kid who stole <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>planes and boat across the US – was captured here by the Bahamian Defence Force in a small bay, sound asleep, in a boat he stole from the Abacos. Apparently the police offered him flip flops which he refused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This guy is either really, really stupid or someone the police need to hire as a consultant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not sure which.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After sailing from the Abacos to here in our boat and the ferry ride through the Backbone it’s hard to imagine this kid making it to this spot alive.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 129.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Back to the ferry:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ferry has to navigate a narrow channel through Spanish Wells at the right tide conditions to head for Devil’s Backbone and Harbour Island. </span><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Once we got to Harbour Island we rented a golf cart for the day and drove around town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We weren’t impressed with all the hype about HI.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was dirty, lots of construction was started and not finished with all the supplies just laying around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were chickens all over the place but their claim to fame is the PINK SAND beach on the ocean side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not really pink but was impressive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We eat lunch at the Blue Bar at the Pink Sands Hotel on the Atlantic side… nice view…..</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 129.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 129.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJP8DbXgRvLPTLNqKJKoyo4fpQBD8Rhp2k6prMdVhkpopDPKc0KGJjxKMx9BHCweTT2vOllzcps5O2sRRU8QdglxwwtxHfXSfa4JAD0Uj-1tuXR5Wi0GeqT-OouYsGwP5bQTJri4SQORs/s1600/Royal+Island-Spanish+Wells+conch+tree+053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJP8DbXgRvLPTLNqKJKoyo4fpQBD8Rhp2k6prMdVhkpopDPKc0KGJjxKMx9BHCweTT2vOllzcps5O2sRRU8QdglxwwtxHfXSfa4JAD0Uj-1tuXR5Wi0GeqT-OouYsGwP5bQTJri4SQORs/s320/Royal+Island-Spanish+Wells+conch+tree+053.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 129.0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 129.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">The next day we took our dinghy out to go “conching.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a sailboat next to us and the owner told us he had gone out at low tide and walked through the grass and found some conch so we thought we’d take a shot at it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We didn’t find any in the grass so moved over to some small rocks and started to walk the tide zone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We found some conch with what we thought were hermit crabs in them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>NOT – it was conch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We took gathered 7 of the right size and took them back to boat for cleaning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJ5YOnTflHJ3XD_uI-kcT3v26r7EvIz8DfI8i9IoihtgzQmGlP3awIx4A4iLk3Iv2pILnyqsQk662bmp-01vjci2CTYOhH4P0Yaa2k9YRdTPk511kb6dNtI6OfxsOxlxUxvihfWshYy0/s1600/Royal+Island-Spanish+Wells+conch+tree+112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJ5YOnTflHJ3XD_uI-kcT3v26r7EvIz8DfI8i9IoihtgzQmGlP3awIx4A4iLk3Iv2pILnyqsQk662bmp-01vjci2CTYOhH4P0Yaa2k9YRdTPk511kb6dNtI6OfxsOxlxUxvihfWshYy0/s320/Royal+Island-Spanish+Wells+conch+tree+112.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFhNunD2sQUkZjv_5UzQYzFyz_jp0KrNlkAIZs6WnZ84ZyQyOaNRwrlaTDcuq1YFys46FoSwS6nzyKg2gk1gbs1QPgP4BLdzNV71h0dt7zeTszgIBC5Ny5mNCefN7mwtJppYXBWmGVZ8/s1600/Royal+Island-Spanish+Wells+conch+tree+116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFhNunD2sQUkZjv_5UzQYzFyz_jp0KrNlkAIZs6WnZ84ZyQyOaNRwrlaTDcuq1YFys46FoSwS6nzyKg2gk1gbs1QPgP4BLdzNV71h0dt7zeTszgIBC5Ny5mNCefN7mwtJppYXBWmGVZ8/s320/Royal+Island-Spanish+Wells+conch+tree+116.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Look at the top picture and you'll see the conch leg come out as he tries to escape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He tasted really good in the salad we had the next day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since I already did my “silly thing” it was David’s turn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was cleaning the shells out on the trampoline and I hear “Peg our boats leaving!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure enough, when I tied the dinghy up to the boat I didn’t make sure it was secure and we see the dinghy floating away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>David dove in and brought it back but it was sure a sight seeing it peacefully floating about 10 feet down the channel. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 129.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 129.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Laundry is always a fun thing to do but here in the Bahamas you get a few extras..like beautiful colored water and dolphins……..don’t need to say anymore than this –</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL3SLFl5WHY44APzO85vzbdLZEPUJA3uQDDCv2WafDyEpzzghcJ2GfF1b4Mjao6NkfguoYwiO7tX7AMcVWTozHy4ktjlNFCVufZRWLI8qdNzBDj00mqHdFLUncLg8VKSy1f7EegYvbmeM/s1600/Yoyo+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL3SLFl5WHY44APzO85vzbdLZEPUJA3uQDDCv2WafDyEpzzghcJ2GfF1b4Mjao6NkfguoYwiO7tX7AMcVWTozHy4ktjlNFCVufZRWLI8qdNzBDj00mqHdFLUncLg8VKSy1f7EegYvbmeM/s320/Yoyo+010.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still need clean clothes....but look below<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifvpDB1O2S9A50bqtAQnZQuggr9QcKQ3tasYuZm9YB_QQIY-TkkR3oWPgztJtql0wwEN_YO8y7rFDpuGiDzDDrDKdht5_qeQFOXRRtiJCTATFMw1LKx7vYS8kU25yrkOnRc8KoGCFXReQ/s1600/Yoyo+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifvpDB1O2S9A50bqtAQnZQuggr9QcKQ3tasYuZm9YB_QQIY-TkkR3oWPgztJtql0wwEN_YO8y7rFDpuGiDzDDrDKdht5_qeQFOXRRtiJCTATFMw1LKx7vYS8kU25yrkOnRc8KoGCFXReQ/s320/Yoyo+011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>There were 3 dolphins just playing in the mooring field......what a life! </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 129.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">January 24, 2011: Underway at 8:45 AM to Hatchet Bay. To get to the other side of Eleuthrea and the towns we want to visit you have to go through CURRENT CUT. For any of you sailors: you'll appreciate the pictures and the fact that the boat's engine was turning 4 knots, the current through the cut was 5.5 knots so we were moving through at 9.5 knots. The cut is 200' wide, 56' deep and only about a quarter mile long......</span></div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKyibhb1H2ZjfGa6NhZK3waoSYmcNqnkbG6zkPNZOeurFwin2TdimQFk8AYbHJoEd36S1SWgMLtEwNo-ADmqnTJ0RcfYC93bG8FeOFbs2UkY5Pqh2sSLQAe3-VvMt8g_Fy-l-7KZQ3L4/s1600/Clouds+-+Current+Cut+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKyibhb1H2ZjfGa6NhZK3waoSYmcNqnkbG6zkPNZOeurFwin2TdimQFk8AYbHJoEd36S1SWgMLtEwNo-ADmqnTJ0RcfYC93bG8FeOFbs2UkY5Pqh2sSLQAe3-VvMt8g_Fy-l-7KZQ3L4/s320/Clouds+-+Current+Cut+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Somewhere out there is the Current Cut<br />
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</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-RqixGa0P7_aBefxoFFDrI_hSgxKW882V6Bp35BYASsbQjwTE3kBjDvUgv22CGX1cJHpcGvcBnLrxte3WFp7r4sZp9FTVAPmn7I5SVnb2ZSTnXqIYHwouWfUn_WCVbkCN0VivYWwCAUI/s1600/Clouds+-+Current+Cut+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-RqixGa0P7_aBefxoFFDrI_hSgxKW882V6Bp35BYASsbQjwTE3kBjDvUgv22CGX1cJHpcGvcBnLrxte3WFp7r4sZp9FTVAPmn7I5SVnb2ZSTnXqIYHwouWfUn_WCVbkCN0VivYWwCAUI/s320/Clouds+-+Current+Cut+004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTD7eOflodWc7PP4-NF7smR9oQvF8sjIO8CENZrRFfL8D-AvoW6s4NJFOIdXEd9wH9x1hLCpryT_a7WP-j7PIO4u5kxIEP-P-MX-rb_VQGmYb7SoT1dBxYUlXEjC6Wi664I-s8UDTPvw/s1600/Clouds+-+Current+Cut+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTD7eOflodWc7PP4-NF7smR9oQvF8sjIO8CENZrRFfL8D-AvoW6s4NJFOIdXEd9wH9x1hLCpryT_a7WP-j7PIO4u5kxIEP-P-MX-rb_VQGmYb7SoT1dBxYUlXEjC6Wi664I-s8UDTPvw/s320/Clouds+-+Current+Cut+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
After we got through The Cut the wind kicked up to gusting in the high 20's and steep 4' waves with an occassionaly 6'.....lovely trip NOT. We finally found the opening for Hatchet Bay which is 90' wide and got into the harbor. We grabbed a mooring ball, fixed dinner and then I (Peggy the sailor) went to bed at 7:30PM. It's now about noon on Jan. 25, I woke up around 8AM ready for the next day. We're headed into Alicetown, which is the town around the bay. We have a few things to look for...steel wool, M&M's and sour cream. Fresh veggies will always be sought but not always found. <br />
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That's it for now. Sorry this is so long but with sketchy internet we take advantage of a good connection when we get it. Until later...everyone take care. More later Dave/PegDave and Peghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09197023077918294888noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-398309591837434748.post-36965662716391438532011-01-15T09:20:00.000-05:002011-01-15T09:20:19.563-05:00Treasure Cay to Marsh Harbor back to HopetownTRIP FACTS as of January 14, 2011<br />
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Days gone from VA: 89<br />
Days in the Bahamas: 27<br />
Miles traveled: 1,326.9<br />
Things overboard: Today - one Tag Hauer watch - RECOVERED: one Tag watch!! more on that later...<br />
Toilet Saga: Toilet 6 (1 more this trip) - David -0- .. more on that later too.<br />
Visitors: 1 <br />
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Before I catch everyone up on the trip I thought you might enjoy some FACTS about living/cruising in the Bahamas. The one consistant thing is the color of the water!! It's amazing and I still marvel at it. That's the only thing consistant. Power and internet go on and off without any notice. When you go to the store if you miss "the boat" you can be without milk and fresh produce and meat until the next "boat" comes in. <br />
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<strong>FUEL AND GROCERIES</strong>: Here's a sample of the prices you pay here:<br />
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Diesel: Was $4.65 when we first got here...it's up to $4.65 as of today.<br />
Milk: 1/2 gal. of non-fat: $2.75 (they freeze both milk and bread when it's shipped from US) <br />
Eggs: 1 doz. ex-large: $2.49<br />
Chips: (hold onto your hats): 1 regular bag of Frito/Lay Corn Tortilla: $6.49<br />
Variety bag of Frito/Lay: $11.29<br />
Produce: Iceberg lettuce: $2.49, Cukes per lb. $1.39 Broccoli crowns per lb: $2.69 <br />
Canned goods: Can veggies run anywhere from $1.99 for green beans to $2.50 for canned tomatoes<br />
Lunchmeat: Oscar Mayers Smoked Turkey: per lb. $8.49<br />
Beer: Local Kahlik beer - 1 can $5.00<br />
Mooring balls: Usually run around $10 per night but go up as far as $20 per night. If they are owned by a marina you get access to their showers and laundry if they have them.<br />
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The farther away from Marsh Harbor you get the higher the price gets. For the most part, Maxwell's, the big grocery in Marsh Harbor, uses Costco as their supplier. They have a good supply of beef and local Abaco chicken but it's expensive. The one thing we have found and really enjoy are the local bakeries. The pastries are incredible .. tons of butter in them .<br />
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<strong>DAILY SCHEDULES</strong>: Our "normal" schedule depends on whether or not we're underway. Underway days usually start around 7:30 when we have breakfast. We move out around 8AM and sail until 2 or 3 in the afternoon. Any later is not safe due to the shallow water and the mooring balls get taken up. We have a lunch routine pretty set. We keep a canvas bag with snacks and munchies in it. If it looks like it's going to be a rough sailing day I make sandwiches ahead of time and keep them in the frig. When it's time to eat I just grab them out into the cockpit.<br />
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Non-sailing days start around 7:30 - 8:30 AM. Most days one of us is up so we can listen to the CRUISERS NET. The "net" as it's called around here is a daily briefing on weather and announcements from local businesses, done by volunteers trying to help all the cruisers out. You wouldn't think something so simple could be so important but it really is. So after the net is over we'll start whatever projects we've got going. At some point we either go for a walk or take our bikes for a ride. If we're tied up it's much easier getting our bikes to the dock. Ferrying them in the dinghy is tricky but we've figured out how to do it. It's much, much easier when the tide is high but sometimes we're not that lucky.<br />
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At the end of the day it's dinner time and, depending on how we feel, we've gotten hooked on HEROS and 24. We only had the first season of HEROS (the second is on it's way..hopefully with this next mail batch) and our friends have loaned us Season 1 of 24. So... exciting times here on SIMPLICITY.<br />
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<strong>Now for trip progress:</strong> <br />
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<strong>January 5 though 10th</strong>: We stayed at Treasure Cay anchored out doing projects and fishing - didn't catch anything but had a nice day except for the toilet overflowing - again. David thinks he may have figured it out again. More as progress develops.<br />
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I was able to bake bread with a quick recipe our daughter-in-law found. Unfortunately, my oven only gets to 365 but the bread was still fresh, homemade and WARM!! The most fun we had was making fresh conch salad with some frozen conch we bought in Green Turtle Cay. We also bought some conch fritter batter that we froze so were able to break that out and fix those. As you can tell, we really like conch and are hoping to get to some places not harvested by too many people and get a couple on our own. If we do, pictures will follow.<br />
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We were still in contact with the Harborview Marina in Marsh Harbor since that's where our mail was supposed to go. People told us not to expect much as far as mail catching up with us and they were right. Our mail was sent DHL from Fort Lauderdale on 12/23. Adding to the frustration were all the holidays and the fact it sat in Nassau for we don't know how many days...then it got to Freeport - a little bit closer anyway. We think it made it to Marsh Harbor sometime around 1/7. In any event, we finally picked it up on Jan. 9th and got Christmas cards which were enjoyed tremendously.<br />
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<strong>January 10 thru 14th</strong>: Sat in Marsh Harbor at anchor and then went to tie up at Harborview!! We've become friends with the owners and talked them into giving us a key for the showers!!! You really appreciate a hot shower when you can't get them everyday. We left Marsh Harbor on Jan. 14th headed to Hopetown. We were here with Steph at Christmas time but this time the weather was much better.<br />
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We grabbed our mooring ball here in Hopetown around 1PM and David lost his Tag Hauer watch overboard while attaching the mooring ball. He ran down below, jumped into his wet suit, grabbed fins/mask and we lowered the dinghy in the water. One of the things you discover, after laughing a lot, is that a glass bottom bucket is an important thing to have onboard. You check your anchor with it, look at fish or you find the $400 dollar watch your husband has just lost. <br />
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We got the dinghy to the approximate location just off the bow and BINGO....I stuck my head into the bucket looking around and found it. David threw the little dinghy anchor out to mark the spot, went down twice and came up with it...SUCCESS!!! After than we hiked up the Lighthouse and took some pictures of Hopetown from the best view around. <br />
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Hope you enjoy these:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-2ggxUanWWxL9Fb56HOujFBjBzr6xUhsYlH5jk4lMEvoW0ENK75NYlrUvOMYS58oqubeLqNCoG-E2SqNxzFwrRfLKoXcuadoPgmC1NPKeqnoGJDANiY5R5Aa96tiP9qzzTbX16K0WhJ4/s1600/2nd+Hopetown++Views+%2526+lighthouse+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-2ggxUanWWxL9Fb56HOujFBjBzr6xUhsYlH5jk4lMEvoW0ENK75NYlrUvOMYS58oqubeLqNCoG-E2SqNxzFwrRfLKoXcuadoPgmC1NPKeqnoGJDANiY5R5Aa96tiP9qzzTbX16K0WhJ4/s320/2nd+Hopetown++Views+%2526+lighthouse+026.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sea of Abaco - looking towards west</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg89htVAgxOHjWBn5CuDyYUOnsq0cEcRfNBWFdfJ4hXSg_LYi6TbeRqteNHFnoY2GEcMcvoPZb9BUXc5eCCfChdZX2iDqEViFbezAYHs4CvkafinV0ZtcAncfwmra2_2Pt4rZj6TDEvwoI/s1600/2nd+Hopetown++Views+%2526+lighthouse+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg89htVAgxOHjWBn5CuDyYUOnsq0cEcRfNBWFdfJ4hXSg_LYi6TbeRqteNHFnoY2GEcMcvoPZb9BUXc5eCCfChdZX2iDqEViFbezAYHs4CvkafinV0ZtcAncfwmra2_2Pt4rZj6TDEvwoI/s320/2nd+Hopetown++Views+%2526+lighthouse+034.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Main entrance to Hopetown<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZkGNzTC-p7TU263NY75pjxiHwmng29K5fPeyQs8tRCt9u1QVjGEUDHveyRUNj6mL6bOJjk6zdFcflYdt1jCSCc9x9H1lOP5l61vJdQ07RJi43amxJST7M3ExtJGfTGe-8rTOvWCkDCw/s1600/2nd+Hopetown++Views+%2526+lighthouse+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZkGNzTC-p7TU263NY75pjxiHwmng29K5fPeyQs8tRCt9u1QVjGEUDHveyRUNj6mL6bOJjk6zdFcflYdt1jCSCc9x9H1lOP5l61vJdQ07RJi43amxJST7M3ExtJGfTGe-8rTOvWCkDCw/s320/2nd+Hopetown++Views+%2526+lighthouse+029.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Main channel into Harbor<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSGtc989nSb1vii97JJSXafEKHCfNMbGag56d1tatJ-lmuL7nvnLIgluxTyg2LMW_sszHv6L1qO0w2Gs6EYrHgsEqvysCUfOppNxA2Hp4bQcYX8Jok_oLB_8Gark16f3Bdi4mDhKpLg9A/s1600/2nd+Hopetown++Views+%2526+lighthouse+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSGtc989nSb1vii97JJSXafEKHCfNMbGag56d1tatJ-lmuL7nvnLIgluxTyg2LMW_sszHv6L1qO0w2Gs6EYrHgsEqvysCUfOppNxA2Hp4bQcYX8Jok_oLB_8Gark16f3Bdi4mDhKpLg9A/s320/2nd+Hopetown++Views+%2526+lighthouse+038.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Main Harbor looking towards Atlantic Ocean</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-lZfg9hQnY4Cb-EENG4YKYpR0paJkX0xQD_NSI0xrt4lDI-yR4CwbKph11yNRQdPKb_b6tRUAnzDqyaFwdmZH9Qj6pKWcx2ZqbBDymnLGUWvRtzbfpg9Z6yXxpF9RtgO6QmcjbwUd7U8/s1600/2nd+Hopetown++Views+%2526+lighthouse+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-lZfg9hQnY4Cb-EENG4YKYpR0paJkX0xQD_NSI0xrt4lDI-yR4CwbKph11yNRQdPKb_b6tRUAnzDqyaFwdmZH9Qj6pKWcx2ZqbBDymnLGUWvRtzbfpg9Z6yXxpF9RtgO6QmcjbwUd7U8/s320/2nd+Hopetown++Views+%2526+lighthouse+027.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Far end of Harbor .... our boat is in the middle of the 2 white houses on the far side </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAyL-Tu_2Z-Nql1ZInqn_4JWF693NPrpOIhzXTOCsTEGBx__4Ksedwe9zemLqyqTQ4EQ3EvZbn8VA4vsjOPdE5UaKUAi4FXRY4sHPw0ofYu55akjDRRDqGy6q6qc9BQPNMw95Ra1avYNo/s1600/2nd+Hopetown++Views+%2526+lighthouse+054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAyL-Tu_2Z-Nql1ZInqn_4JWF693NPrpOIhzXTOCsTEGBx__4Ksedwe9zemLqyqTQ4EQ3EvZbn8VA4vsjOPdE5UaKUAi4FXRY4sHPw0ofYu55akjDRRDqGy6q6qc9BQPNMw95Ra1avYNo/s320/2nd+Hopetown++Views+%2526+lighthouse+054.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hopetown Municipal Building - Post Office, Commissioner's Office and Police Station<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQi7AtKpXeCj7ccWDuvQ_TFHvUl0byji68YXTHjUy5mfmFOzev7fZK5Ifxu1H4srqHKkth3-qZaeS0iqDu2Iqm0P-X4pB6lNYzNlswXToB8iKTb2d-Kyxw03TUHQHXM-DFrEhAtM75b8/s1600/2nd+Hopetown++Views+%2526+lighthouse+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQi7AtKpXeCj7ccWDuvQ_TFHvUl0byji68YXTHjUy5mfmFOzev7fZK5Ifxu1H4srqHKkth3-qZaeS0iqDu2Iqm0P-X4pB6lNYzNlswXToB8iKTb2d-Kyxw03TUHQHXM-DFrEhAtM75b8/s320/2nd+Hopetown++Views+%2526+lighthouse+014.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rental cottages at entrance to Harbor</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And now for the more technical aspects of sailing: Coming into some areas RANGE MARKERS are what guide you into the area safely. Here are the range markers going into Hopetown:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7QuqvFoGldg-kknldk7K9DdMfIYd36nJbNBlMzf0KMXkgIV_PwA0AD5hRGYoUeUnMmN_fN1npCBvE9ijHmAlAZ5EjRpbfNmReIX0K8tnfZ_L39QOAL9Wen7GaKJNKfk_tYaxHj2YlqC4/s1600/2nd+Hopetown++Views+%2526+lighthouse+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7QuqvFoGldg-kknldk7K9DdMfIYd36nJbNBlMzf0KMXkgIV_PwA0AD5hRGYoUeUnMmN_fN1npCBvE9ijHmAlAZ5EjRpbfNmReIX0K8tnfZ_L39QOAL9Wen7GaKJNKfk_tYaxHj2YlqC4/s320/2nd+Hopetown++Views+%2526+lighthouse+011.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look carefully to the middle of the picture just by the 2 chairs and you'll see 2 red triangles, one on the bottom and the second above it on the telephone pole. These are lighted at night. You may not be able to see the upper one but it's there....trust me...we've used it.<br />
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<div align="left"><span style="font-size: small;">So that's it from beautiful downtown Hopetown, where the church bells chime every night at 6PM. </span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><strong>Jan</strong> <strong>15th:</strong> We start our trip south to Eleuthera. We'll anchor out at Lynard Cay. Lynard is a very narrow island and everyone says it's the best place to gather up sea glass and shells. We'll see. Our next blog will be sent from Governor's Harbour, Eleuthera. Until then take care... more later pegDave and Peghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09197023077918294888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-398309591837434748.post-91365554197630979632011-01-03T13:15:00.000-05:002011-01-03T13:15:06.441-05:00Welcome to the Bahamas!!<strong><u>TRIP FACTS AS OF JANUARY 3, 2011:</u></strong><br />
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Days gone from Virginia: 78 <br />
Days in Bahamas: 16<br />
Miles travelled since October 18, 2009: 1309.6<br />
Things overboard .... -0- at this point..including each other!!<br />
Times heads overflowed while sailing: 4 (3 portside/1 starboard side) ... we think they're fixed!<br />
Visitors from home: 1 ... yeah Stephanie!!!!<br />
Times we think about/talk about our friends: Countless<br />
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<strong>December 17, 2009</strong>: 0400: Finally, after what seemed like forever in Fort Lauderdale we positioned ourselves on a mooring ball by the Las Olas Municipal Marina for a 4 AM, yes, 0400 departure through Port Everglades and onward into the Straits of Florida and the infamous GULF STREAM. David has sailed the GS before but I've only heard stories.. some good, some not so good, so we were anxious to get across. The weather/winds can't be coming out of the North since the GS flows northerly. Don't ask my how/why..it just does. <br />
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If you've never seen the color of the GS it's impossible to describe. The closest thing we've come to is the color of the Skye Vodka bottle.. almost like cobalt blue. It was beautiful!! The seas weren't that bad and we settled into a comfortable rhythm and settled back and motored the whole way. I've never seen FLYING FISH but believe me when I tell you those little suckers can go about 20-50 yards skimming the surface. Amazing to watch.<br />
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We didn't see one ship until we got close to the West End of the Bahamas!! when we saw a US Coast Guard Cutter and a trawler named "Chief's Lady" .. more on them later. We watched the color of the water change from cobalt blue to aquamarine in front of our eyes.<br />
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If you've ever seen pictures or been here you'll know what I mean. I've taken some pictures of the beautiful colors I'll add later. So, we get to the West End to clear Bahamian Customs/Immigration only to find out the toilet/head on the port/left side (which happens to be my side) has flooded!!! NICE.....<br />
It was bad enough having to spend time cleaning up the water but because we had provisioned for 4 months, we had supplies ( in freezer ziplock bags in plastic bins) in the bilge. So we had to empty out the bilges, use clean water with lysol and bleach to clean the bilges. This wouldn't have been bad except I had a killer headache, the starts of seasickness I'm convinced, and we were both bone tired.<br />
Long story short, we cleaned the bilges and headed to the beach bar for CONCH SALAD and a rum drink. AHHHHHHHH, the sand was warm, the sunset beautiful and we finally where here.<br />
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The next morning when we getting ready to leave we bought fresh, warm Bahamian bread from the bread lady and met Tom and Liz Fieldstead from Hilton Head, on Chief's Lady. Tom is the retired Fire Chief from the Island thus the name. We didn't have time to chat but exchanged pleasantries and said we'd see each other along the way.<br />
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<strong>December 19th</strong>: Underway for Great Sale Cay: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First lesson learned here is that CAY is prounounced KEY. We made it to Great Sale and anchored out in this protected harbor. I've already talked about the color of the water....here's an example. This boat was anchored behind us towards the opening of the harbor:<br />
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<strong>December 20 and 21st</strong>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Underway for Green Turtle Cay: Three years ago we anchored out at Green Turtle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The town is New Plymouth and is a quiet village with very narrow streets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Golf carts are the favored form of transportation and during the holidays, Christmas and JUNKANOO (more on Junkanoo later) residents decorate their carts up and have a neat parade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once we got anchored up we took the dinghy over to “CHIEF”S LADY” and talked with Tom and Liz, the couple we talked to at the West End.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One thing lead to another and we have quickly become good friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After much discussion and checking the weather we both decided we would leave Green Turtle on he 22<sup>nd</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had to get to Marsh Harbor to be able to pick Stephanie up and they needed to get to Treasure Cay to get ready for their kids, so the decision was made to take off early on the morning of the 22<sup>nd</sup>. Here are a couple of pictures of the harbor and the streets so you can get a feel for what it’s like.<br />
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<strong>Street in New Plymouth, Green Turtle</strong><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Beach on Atlantic Ocean side</strong></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>New Plymouth Harbor</strong></td></tr>
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<strong>December 22<sup>nd</sup></strong>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> We both </span>left Green<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turtle early in the morning to be at a certain location right at high tide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Don’t Rock” is named that way because it’s the “short cut”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that saves boats from going around Whale Cay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whale Cay opens to the Atlantic and if the winds are not right you either 1: don’t go, 2: take a chance and battle winds and sea state.<br />
As David approached “Don’t’ Rock” it was clear that the swells from around Whale Cay were probably going to be a hazard so he decided to go ahead and go around Whale Cay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were several other boats, sailboats, catamarans and a small troller, ahead of us so off we went.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you hear people talk about boats “surfing” down the face of a wave….yep….here’s what <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tom and Liz looked like from our cockpit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>NO KIDDING, after we were able to talk we decided the rollers must have been at least 12 to 15 foot rollers with breakers close by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was pretty amazing!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once we got thru Whale we headed for Marsh Harbor to pick up Steph and they went onto Treasure Cay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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Surfin' at Whale Cay .......<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ1sKhccDQWKP1RgB47fxYUJ-gX4Op9RVgAZO1cVEEPm0Dz0Kjz7VurseUerz0YEqR9kXIT_S9HXzf1yT2ejvLM-u_CZmOM2ybbgg_8Jp39zz0BeWLB4CrvXeGxBaEg4cTT9dlxiKKlSw/s1600/Green+T+to+Whale+Cay+Marsh+Harbor+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ1sKhccDQWKP1RgB47fxYUJ-gX4Op9RVgAZO1cVEEPm0Dz0Kjz7VurseUerz0YEqR9kXIT_S9HXzf1yT2ejvLM-u_CZmOM2ybbgg_8Jp39zz0BeWLB4CrvXeGxBaEg4cTT9dlxiKKlSw/s320/Green+T+to+Whale+Cay+Marsh+Harbor+018.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Looking UP at Chief's Lady........Whale Cay</strong><br />
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</tbody></table>After 45 minutes of Whale Cay we both went out seperate ways and we got tied up at the Harborview Marina to patiently wait for Steph’s flight only to be disappointed because of all the snow and backed up flights in the States she didn’t get in until the 23<sup>rd</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We took advantage of the time to clean the boat up and get some rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also gave me a chance to find <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>GEORGE, the conch salad maker, next to the Marina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a treat, fresh conch salad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had picked some frozen conch up in Green Turtle so George explained to me how to make it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>TASTY!!<br />
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<strong>December 23<sup>rd</sup></strong>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Happy 28<sup>th</sup> Anniversary to us……Stephanie finally made it in.<br />
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<strong>December 24<sup>th</sup></strong>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christmas Eve .. no tree, no decorations!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christmas in the Bahamas is something hard to figure out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were some decorations but for the most part you really couldn’t tell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bahamians really celebrate New Years with a huge celebration called JUNKANOO.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s similar to Carnival in Brazil - lots of brightly colored, homemade, costumes and LOUD, LOUD drums and whistles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we were in Green Turtle we got the privilege of waking up at 5:30 AM to hear them practice on their drums as they marched up the street next to the harbor.<br />
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If you’ve ever read anything about the Abacos which is where we are, you may have heard about Pete’s Pub in Little Harbor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pete’s parents were artists who found their way to Little Harbor, set up a foundary and started a small art colony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pete opened up a Pub as well as a small outdoor restaurant and mooring balls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If no one is at the bar everything is on the HONOR SYSEM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s a jar behind the bar to leave money for your drinks and your mooring ball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We didn’t make it down there when we were here for sailing school three years ago so David thought it would be a good thing to take Steph so off we went.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfYzCAxLLqLxwdb5mK401eA92jQU3ZtmKDYQ71FA5RGeDW3hlhodjICDvthZgvmMpOnfQTiUClp7DJLymK-7uJJKLZFQDwIqTKew8FWnF7BE-CenIiSiKh-xamMvLx8jcnluDcc7O0zYQ/s1600/Marsh+H+-+Petes+-+Hopetown+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfYzCAxLLqLxwdb5mK401eA92jQU3ZtmKDYQ71FA5RGeDW3hlhodjICDvthZgvmMpOnfQTiUClp7DJLymK-7uJJKLZFQDwIqTKew8FWnF7BE-CenIiSiKh-xamMvLx8jcnluDcc7O0zYQ/s320/Marsh+H+-+Petes+-+Hopetown+012.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Welcome to Little Harbor and Pete's Pub........</strong></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-IdrgCxtEWPWfoGxmCkTQpdiz1mhCvvPxe6eYo8kmaLcUCgpBH_VAGE_4F3my0McBpmuxpEZjHIcV_8CQZlMRnep4jew71GQYQ3eBbX98ffD71Ivfh4RX5-VRHzopuB6jy18X1rfaGdE/s1600/Marsh+H+-+Petes+-+Hopetown+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-IdrgCxtEWPWfoGxmCkTQpdiz1mhCvvPxe6eYo8kmaLcUCgpBH_VAGE_4F3my0McBpmuxpEZjHIcV_8CQZlMRnep4jew71GQYQ3eBbX98ffD71Ivfh4RX5-VRHzopuB6jy18X1rfaGdE/s320/Marsh+H+-+Petes+-+Hopetown+033.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>The Infamous....Pete's Pub - complete with t-shirt ceiling!!</strong></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuKegWb6RvVt8gaHk8COkiLmFVdbLPIFcNPdPnsl93noAu9ILFqAmMdKhVSGlBN2f3KO4LfEkUCK2rJA6yKdhx2A09pNu9xem9gjI5IwB9XKGtcITD9OWW-mj-pofrCLRgE6j9my5qIRI/s1600/Marsh+H+-+Petes+-+Hopetown+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuKegWb6RvVt8gaHk8COkiLmFVdbLPIFcNPdPnsl93noAu9ILFqAmMdKhVSGlBN2f3KO4LfEkUCK2rJA6yKdhx2A09pNu9xem9gjI5IwB9XKGtcITD9OWW-mj-pofrCLRgE6j9my5qIRI/s320/Marsh+H+-+Petes+-+Hopetown+009.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>View of the harbor...very small.</strong></td></tr>
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We only spent one night there because the winds were going to shift and we needed to get to Hopetown on Elbow Cay.<br />
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<strong>December 25 thru 28<sup>th</sup></strong>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Got into Hopetown thinking we would only spend one night there and then head over to Treasure Cay and meet up with Tom and Liz so they could meet Steph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The winds trapped everyone there for three days with gusts up to 40 knots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we all hunkered down for lots of reading and playing cards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Steph, by the way, is the World Champion Rummy Player.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were anxious to get back to Marsh Harbor with no delays since her plane was leaving at noon on the 29<sup>th</sup> so we left Hopetown on December 28<sup>th</sup>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIclJ0wKtXC_S9Znx1KWgfx9LgDSZIeqzW8OBwW1ajHi64Y1dsQtu7T2gNEwUCSCcDkTaIwNHV_KSdy1x4VhmHTcJtT63T-0gaRR8j0nTZ9avk6H1FLA7BLZaOIBa8g6Y5_geZ8cDhyCA/s1600/Steph++Hopetown+Marsh+H+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIclJ0wKtXC_S9Znx1KWgfx9LgDSZIeqzW8OBwW1ajHi64Y1dsQtu7T2gNEwUCSCcDkTaIwNHV_KSdy1x4VhmHTcJtT63T-0gaRR8j0nTZ9avk6H1FLA7BLZaOIBa8g6Y5_geZ8cDhyCA/s320/Steph++Hopetown+Marsh+H+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Steph all bundled up reading .... </strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<strong>December 28<sup>th</sup> thru 30<sup>th</sup></strong>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stayed tied up at the marina back in Marsh Harbor, got Steph on the plane December 29th and waited for our mail…which never showed up, by the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think we’re getting used to “Bahamian time”…which just means don’t get in a hurry because nothing ever happens like it’s supposed to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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<strong>December 31<sup>st</sup> thru January 3<sup>rd</sup> or 4<sup>th</sup> or 5<sup>th</sup>…who knows</strong>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re anchored here in Treasure Cay Resort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sand at the Resort Beach is quite frankly, hard to do justice to with words so<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll just let you judge for yourself…..<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEers0-L7_mKKx5rOdmvjH4oap-rYPhK5Z2-I7MKTUud7-9KUJGoYf5TTKrbBMqA2H2Ox4kuNYF956KnYKJAZ9PbiT8Em-TFzkMfGqz71L57sQIo_rXjRGTaqYpJGfk_FPFpqxL57bofQ/s1600/Treasure+Cay++Tom+%2526+TJ+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEers0-L7_mKKx5rOdmvjH4oap-rYPhK5Z2-I7MKTUud7-9KUJGoYf5TTKrbBMqA2H2Ox4kuNYF956KnYKJAZ9PbiT8Em-TFzkMfGqz71L57sQIo_rXjRGTaqYpJGfk_FPFpqxL57bofQ/s320/Treasure+Cay++Tom+%2526+TJ+004.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Beach at Treasure Cay Resort</strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table> New Years Day we all jumped on the Green Turtle Cay Ferry and went back to New Plymouth for JUNKANOO. The sounds/noise level and atomsphere are hard to describe so here's a picture.....<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-SMFcB2A30AR5M0KjZi6sgiUWHZ-DqDGoQeaVzJCkvQCTqGkiGGm68aE9TAhYwxLX9mdYroj4EVbluTwFwDkzU1-j4DMuBBryPsFauU7fIpXQC40jYdQuXhZs1JPx9L8fEgdY5A8Iba4/s1600/Hopetown-Steph-Junkanoo+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-SMFcB2A30AR5M0KjZi6sgiUWHZ-DqDGoQeaVzJCkvQCTqGkiGGm68aE9TAhYwxLX9mdYroj4EVbluTwFwDkzU1-j4DMuBBryPsFauU7fIpXQC40jYdQuXhZs1JPx9L8fEgdY5A8Iba4/s320/Hopetown-Steph-Junkanoo+015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk1dCVSbhBEICN5i3ZVvUIuxaPrkwPnqF0tFvSDp5QSkkQcSq-f2JIhgxbgy6EFDyMCF70dhzU4xnZXklJ6iSbRnbR4pMs65kpPuseE_HsHgGxitdTUjaTTv8-rzSB91CxQOWPcR8J8IA/s1600/Hopetown-Steph-Junkanoo+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk1dCVSbhBEICN5i3ZVvUIuxaPrkwPnqF0tFvSDp5QSkkQcSq-f2JIhgxbgy6EFDyMCF70dhzU4xnZXklJ6iSbRnbR4pMs65kpPuseE_HsHgGxitdTUjaTTv8-rzSB91CxQOWPcR8J8IA/s320/Hopetown-Steph-Junkanoo+019.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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That brings us to New Years in Treasure Cay and at this point in time, no plans for where we’re going or how long we’ll stay once we get there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will be doing some fishing and snorkeling/diving with Tom and Liz but after that we’re not sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sorry this update is so long and I promise to keep them shorter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until then,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and celebrated the New Year with friends and family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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P.S. Today is Jan. 3rd...we're still waiting for our mail.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxaXdvQMV8lh9F5F-p8XkscDgKbFxE9g5B1dYzWwl37HoKkgICuJkgwvpW1bEokY1Ztu9S59pxLoAe3tRcNcH3m9lk4HUkcj4dhaIj9G-GZtYGv4y59CtSt71r0w22apy7im6p6XXkyMk/s320/Green+Turtle+Cay++12-2010+008.JPG" width="320" /></div>Dave and Peghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09197023077918294888noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-398309591837434748.post-20334437751704037302010-12-12T22:52:00.000-05:002010-12-12T22:52:20.851-05:00Waiting in Fort Lauderdale....<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">Dec. 12, 2010: We left Jacksonville on the Monday after Thanksgiving. Our son, James, and his wife, Jennifer are both stationed at Jacksonville Naval Air Station so it was a great chance for us to spend Thanksgiving with them. We had a wonderful, wonderful visit and were also able to get a jump on provisioning but more importantly, get a hot shower every night. If you've done any sailing you'll know what I'm talking about. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaXH3mHzoJLVV8NDbViscm_5EGH7rLYaptN9a5hF2E_kes1GHafule0mbYYG4vJJ1iP4okevUEqQZKJYNX-6zxCk_XKjkv93QJph59NBjWb26ANc2KILl-S4mojZOpJbX7tSFCwv4Tqx0/s1600/11-2010+JAX+to+Ft.+Lauderdale+146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaXH3mHzoJLVV8NDbViscm_5EGH7rLYaptN9a5hF2E_kes1GHafule0mbYYG4vJJ1iP4okevUEqQZKJYNX-6zxCk_XKjkv93QJph59NBjWb26ANc2KILl-S4mojZOpJbX7tSFCwv4Tqx0/s320/11-2010+JAX+to+Ft.+Lauderdale+146.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">We arrived in Fort Lauderdale on Dec. 7th. We're lucky enough to have friends who have a house on one of the canals right on the ICW and they offered us their dock (picture above.) Along the way we saw some pretty unique sites...</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpreFhly9WveIgSOnGAaw87LCpTm8VNOhXR0Qqg0JrFGH17OLKMd1SacI5z24lLtRpd4lIc970snY-VXtmcmOQ5D3E5PrD2AUfhnowx-BZKNMZQD0UcPG-BquvBaDE2VP4XrIEcRsSQ-Q/s1600/11-2010+JAX+to+Ft.+Lauderdale+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpreFhly9WveIgSOnGAaw87LCpTm8VNOhXR0Qqg0JrFGH17OLKMd1SacI5z24lLtRpd4lIc970snY-VXtmcmOQ5D3E5PrD2AUfhnowx-BZKNMZQD0UcPG-BquvBaDE2VP4XrIEcRsSQ-Q/s320/11-2010+JAX+to+Ft.+Lauderdale+003.JPG" width="320" /></span></a><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">Do it youself drydock</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijJ5tuHE2EdXd1DWbTfv7hxp6cs_Abw_4h4297FBEo7KHBaL-ty9EGvwQX9spE2CKtoy45VAJdQ5x_v9cjpFbFZPp_XI6V9-kGXSZbPwdMLv07oFkcFN949xpG6C2ZK6n6IUQ2PvHF4SQ/s1600/11-2010+JAX+to+Ft.+Lauderdale+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijJ5tuHE2EdXd1DWbTfv7hxp6cs_Abw_4h4297FBEo7KHBaL-ty9EGvwQX9spE2CKtoy45VAJdQ5x_v9cjpFbFZPp_XI6V9-kGXSZbPwdMLv07oFkcFN949xpG6C2ZK6n6IUQ2PvHF4SQ/s320/11-2010+JAX+to+Ft.+Lauderdale+006.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"> Bed and breakfast offering fishing trips!!! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">Here's David as we crossed the 1,000 mile mark as we were getting into North Palm Beach. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd2s7u_qgj8wXkuEqDTVOIq-D1chYoDxemSmBduGIOLNph0n0kG0XP2DUCNsvHvfKgthrFLA4N8C7hTnUj1PV15k0CCsLdHyewo_xLpw8CEx8hE1e_OirTvP1BxIq7DvY-rCQJgIbyLRU/s1600/11-2010+JAX+to+Ft.+Lauderdale+063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd2s7u_qgj8wXkuEqDTVOIq-D1chYoDxemSmBduGIOLNph0n0kG0XP2DUCNsvHvfKgthrFLA4N8C7hTnUj1PV15k0CCsLdHyewo_xLpw8CEx8hE1e_OirTvP1BxIq7DvY-rCQJgIbyLRU/s320/11-2010+JAX+to+Ft.+Lauderdale+063.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">Going through Palm Beach was amazing especially when we saw all the "other" boats .... like MEGA YACHTS..... These guys have so much money they bubble wrap their boats.....the boat to the right is probably 120 feet or bigger.... must be nice.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYa6S0CRCZ6QF2dfIGENs1PrgnczNArCMt3_j9R4ZU-Bmyy43SXpoqV55X3eaoL1jUVgibsDUFrWUv6AEMXd1u3gVmlRwzQFOssw08nD5fpBYR9b2RlAeDk-Hrf7VDsPai0zPelVFpk3k/s1600/11-2010+JAX+to+Ft.+Lauderdale+085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYa6S0CRCZ6QF2dfIGENs1PrgnczNArCMt3_j9R4ZU-Bmyy43SXpoqV55X3eaoL1jUVgibsDUFrWUv6AEMXd1u3gVmlRwzQFOssw08nD5fpBYR9b2RlAeDk-Hrf7VDsPai0zPelVFpk3k/s320/11-2010+JAX+to+Ft.+Lauderdale+085.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">The other mind boggling thing we saw were the homes...tons of mega mansions down to tiny beach cottages. Here's just one example:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlyTKoHYqrgO9rKYFCySra61mZl5eF4_jBJT7P8LYwIHbNFxiy8Lqt5ns2mBJeJV6oSRiOTZ1R-gCBCSfc8E8r0Q1yslf5qqpC_wMMz__ap9avHqVsQ6cwH9WAcc7DWItqfEDyjssDaMk/s1600/11-2010+JAX+to+Ft.+Lauderdale+106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlyTKoHYqrgO9rKYFCySra61mZl5eF4_jBJT7P8LYwIHbNFxiy8Lqt5ns2mBJeJV6oSRiOTZ1R-gCBCSfc8E8r0Q1yslf5qqpC_wMMz__ap9avHqVsQ6cwH9WAcc7DWItqfEDyjssDaMk/s320/11-2010+JAX+to+Ft.+Lauderdale+106.JPG" width="320" /></span></a><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">Well...maybe more....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlyTKoHYqrgO9rKYFCySra61mZl5eF4_jBJT7P8LYwIHbNFxiy8Lqt5ns2mBJeJV6oSRiOTZ1R-gCBCSfc8E8r0Q1yslf5qqpC_wMMz__ap9avHqVsQ6cwH9WAcc7DWItqfEDyjssDaMk/s1600/11-2010+JAX+to+Ft.+Lauderdale+106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOyx2hhPJ6jWEzP0iGoZUAWD64FCJv7PuGpz22PRpCjf3BYuXRwKNh-g06K3WCRBqOmSb7tmmMNsiNx_i9gtPwF62AL0nbTuGmnOYoviSpB-tZ4n0dWDNKqSrXmI_gks9zOV0tHNTNY5Y/s1600/11-2010+JAX+to+Ft.+Lauderdale+110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOyx2hhPJ6jWEzP0iGoZUAWD64FCJv7PuGpz22PRpCjf3BYuXRwKNh-g06K3WCRBqOmSb7tmmMNsiNx_i9gtPwF62AL0nbTuGmnOYoviSpB-tZ4n0dWDNKqSrXmI_gks9zOV0tHNTNY5Y/s320/11-2010+JAX+to+Ft.+Lauderdale+110.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">As we neared Fort Lauderdale we looked up ahead and thought this boat was tied up because it was HUGH and didn't appear to be moving. Well, it was moving, very slowly, right towards us. When it passed it actually blocked the sun. It's hard to imagine this was someone's personal yacht. There was only one other boat in front of us and we both looked like little puddle jumpers.......</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQ7lIQZNDdu5BrbWEZvbtIRqCh2o59UBoKalNkhTHAZwkEZztGV0AcS273mCk5MRVjcBIuJiCQgPH6pab5JZMUbxxpzjIS-0N8CjgbjPZZrPH1-pHl1llsWCzCT3YWrd16WNfo1bzD38/s1600/11-2010+JAX+to+Ft.+Lauderdale+134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQ7lIQZNDdu5BrbWEZvbtIRqCh2o59UBoKalNkhTHAZwkEZztGV0AcS273mCk5MRVjcBIuJiCQgPH6pab5JZMUbxxpzjIS-0N8CjgbjPZZrPH1-pHl1llsWCzCT3YWrd16WNfo1bzD38/s320/11-2010+JAX+to+Ft.+Lauderdale+134.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">So here we are. Waiting in Fort Lauderdale for the weather to break so we can get across to the Bahamas. We've had a wonderful trip. We're at Mile 1060, tied up at a friends house right on a canal right on the ICW. We're use to cul-de-sacs, in Florida, they have canals where people tie their boats up..some small boats and some not so small:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLRKPaom1abwvdAl9GUUQ-Yf94ouYHBaiVeEsd2ARWcCDMhmBRE3HHE9SmC9qlLkm2H3N-E5S4CzrSjAQK9npn7GEDPfZofQRwqJUJJXPObO2hGY2TwrPgcYF_Omb1SvW8W_x-T5nAJpY/s1600/11-2010+JAX+to+Ft.+Lauderdale+144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLRKPaom1abwvdAl9GUUQ-Yf94ouYHBaiVeEsd2ARWcCDMhmBRE3HHE9SmC9qlLkm2H3N-E5S4CzrSjAQK9npn7GEDPfZofQRwqJUJJXPObO2hGY2TwrPgcYF_Omb1SvW8W_x-T5nAJpY/s320/11-2010+JAX+to+Ft.+Lauderdale+144.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">Once the winds shift from northerly to southerly/westerly we'll move the boat to an anchorage close to the Port Everglades opening to the Atlantic and leave around 4:00AM. The trip over to check in with Bahamian Immigrations will take about 10 hours..long day but we'll finally be there. We're hoping to get out by Friday, Dec. 17th. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">Not sure if we'll get another edition of the blog done before Christmas so we want to take this opportunity to wish each and everyone of you a very <span style="font-size: large;">Merry Christmas</span>. This will have to do in place of the annual photo card we have sent out for the last 29 years. Until later..... Dave and Peg </span>Dave and Peghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09197023077918294888noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-398309591837434748.post-89826012552688095492010-11-30T20:54:00.000-05:002010-11-30T20:54:18.467-05:00We made it to FLORIDAIt's the last day of November and we're tied up to a mooring ball here in St. Augustine. We stayed<br />
on the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) the whole way and have been really enjoying seeing a part of<br />
the country you don't see if I95. <br />
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Here's a picture of David on the beach on Jekyll Island, GA. There wasn't a soul on the beach looking up and down the entire length...nothing like OBX!!.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjYT-by_f3LI-9miaWxtvCKsmLf7iMK25lvTLAnbTlJx4KsdGY5W_dhs3T3ujd0SiSOfEZ8PlqZLuk3E91e3DM-O9Flza_8E5Iu_abFnG4pfwqsXYLU3IPNNdIxgwMGxrdcSCoajMhD0I/s1600/Jekyll+to+St.+Augustine++2010+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjYT-by_f3LI-9miaWxtvCKsmLf7iMK25lvTLAnbTlJx4KsdGY5W_dhs3T3ujd0SiSOfEZ8PlqZLuk3E91e3DM-O9Flza_8E5Iu_abFnG4pfwqsXYLU3IPNNdIxgwMGxrdcSCoajMhD0I/s320/Jekyll+to+St.+Augustine++2010+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: right;"></div><br />
The next big stop was visiting with our son, James, and his wife Jennifer. We stayed at the Jacksonville Naval Air Station for Thanksgiving. Our week with the kids was wonderful and being able to catch up and do laundry. We drove to St. Augustine in about 45 minutes ... of course, when we left Jacksonville yesterday it took us a day and a half to get back to St. Augustine..... here's a picture of the harbor.....<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQIAX7bBD6EtyZgTJRLPQZ2isyzYlYX2AiZJdnrCMNvoqakoNhlREk3eUiUH10iBHol-Hmu9yI_OvCO-B8WrS-uP3CJKwid6u8xOLlEkC6ajcs3zjao2Xs5N_g3lF4NWGkvlqF3KDEURA/s1600/Jekyll+to+St.+Augustine++2010+091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQIAX7bBD6EtyZgTJRLPQZ2isyzYlYX2AiZJdnrCMNvoqakoNhlREk3eUiUH10iBHol-Hmu9yI_OvCO-B8WrS-uP3CJKwid6u8xOLlEkC6ajcs3zjao2Xs5N_g3lF4NWGkvlqF3KDEURA/s320/Jekyll+to+St.+Augustine++2010+091.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
So friends...we've travelled over 766 miles since we left in October. We've been in thunderstorms, seen more marsh grass than you can imagine. Haven't seen any alligators except in the Alligator Farm here in St. Augustine ... like these ...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCJQ7FqrNdijcZjDZ8xBg6y7i4sKMMRMhyphenhyphenECUQ1GWDZods21XuhTFQ9GcQFnudSA413WI19gizupEB7za-VH-zkgLLwcxGUwD4gxNjyg7l16IWFYnUYwX2wR9az8bFPhUC06cI6JcZc4c/s1600/Jekyll+to+St.+Augustine++2010+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCJQ7FqrNdijcZjDZ8xBg6y7i4sKMMRMhyphenhyphenECUQ1GWDZods21XuhTFQ9GcQFnudSA413WI19gizupEB7za-VH-zkgLLwcxGUwD4gxNjyg7l16IWFYnUYwX2wR9az8bFPhUC06cI6JcZc4c/s320/Jekyll+to+St.+Augustine++2010+030.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We haven't seen any manatee's yet but tons of bottlenosed dolphins. We're headed to Ft. Lauderdale tomorrow morning. Until later.... much love to everyone. Dave and PegDave and Peghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09197023077918294888noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-398309591837434748.post-40721632313818917902010-11-17T20:29:00.000-05:002010-11-17T20:29:28.731-05:00Bay Trip 9/15 to 10/4/2010<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5UedCdagf6KUWitOwmJ7dPau-MqnclkDuMjbuG8PlH5sVjw80UiQvfVy2bAnHLTvYkYz1Fxi00DXkSq3Or63R37FiPOSN8Bvyusz6Rgj6MwSrE9_KAQAENoA9IqqjuhKughg3U-jZl1c/s1600/Blog+Pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5UedCdagf6KUWitOwmJ7dPau-MqnclkDuMjbuG8PlH5sVjw80UiQvfVy2bAnHLTvYkYz1Fxi00DXkSq3Or63R37FiPOSN8Bvyusz6Rgj6MwSrE9_KAQAENoA9IqqjuhKughg3U-jZl1c/s320/Blog+Pic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Hi everyone: I'm not sure when everyone will get this since I have to get our address book complete so bear with us. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We started our trip leaving York River Yacht Haven on 9/15 and returned home on 10/4. We learned a lot about the boat and each other and saw some great little towns on the Chesapeake Bay and anchored in some peaceful rivers as well. Here's a list of towns and rivers we got to: </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Deltaville and Indian Creek in VA. Crisfield, Oxford, Cambridge, Rock Hall, Solomons, the West River, the Rhodes River, the Magothy River and the Honga River. We logged 363 miles this trip. Unfortunately we didn't make it all the way up to Balitimore, maybe next time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">We were able to meet up with some of our cruising friends in Rock Hall and got to go grocery shopping - something we don't take for granted anymore. We have to plan our trips carefully especially when we have to carry everything back ourselves...no putting everything in the van!! We sat in the Solomons (a nice little town south of Annapolis) and waited on a mooring ball for 3 days while Mother Nature dumped 13" of rain on us. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8GY3U13gwLonY5uOce84IQ367Cq09pOtG7jVN2g_tjk0KAOKpkERQ_NeTwkIaa2WjDA3ebMQs3QH12ABXjzIE-TOOafzBvsoTklgrdyhaXZCRR5c2LTMiOj1h2aH_7fnzNwt3gYCH_E/s1600/OBX+-+Bay+Trip+078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8GY3U13gwLonY5uOce84IQ367Cq09pOtG7jVN2g_tjk0KAOKpkERQ_NeTwkIaa2WjDA3ebMQs3QH12ABXjzIE-TOOafzBvsoTklgrdyhaXZCRR5c2LTMiOj1h2aH_7fnzNwt3gYCH_E/s320/OBX+-+Bay+Trip+078.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Cambridge, Maryland is a great little spot and we found a free bulkhead to tie up at right down in the harbor! Anytime you can tie up for free you grab the chance. Of course there wasn't any electricity or water but we have all that on the boat so it was great.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGZIZrzPSjG1fvuHC_ZE62CK7XFn5w8yY1dWpkjvg18R4AoBikMmZj5CNaL1-S_EffwTJJvFI-nLslO_E8n1Dzd4ZedPowHFhXY-gPjc6StixBQdOFpZZuKnJ9m8j2gyLGzZEv0Ke-Rk/s1600/OBX+-+Bay+Trip+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGZIZrzPSjG1fvuHC_ZE62CK7XFn5w8yY1dWpkjvg18R4AoBikMmZj5CNaL1-S_EffwTJJvFI-nLslO_E8n1Dzd4ZedPowHFhXY-gPjc6StixBQdOFpZZuKnJ9m8j2gyLGzZEv0Ke-Rk/s320/OBX+-+Bay+Trip+021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The highlight of the trip was "surfing" home on Monday, 10/4!! We waited for 2 days with a good friend close to Kilmarnock and decided we needed to get home to start making preparations for the trip south. Dave thought it I was funny sitting all snug in the corner of the cockpit staying warm!! The wind was coming from behind betwen 20-25 knots with some gusts of 30 knots. The fun started when a big wave came up from behind and I could feel the boat speed up. I asked Dave our speed and his eyes popped out and said 14 knots...on the downside of a wave... whoopy!!!! But the boat did great and so did we! We're looking forward to the next leg of our adventure. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf1G7GG-A0tLpZQQXYkwjdCU6lGBvohUr30HSyVAYPtV2jJLmuR28NyMMFmeHIGA84E5f-sfP7-ac4PAkG7uIx3IvkBPanuCULSEnNTXDI604fFcDHNubsDs1ENRHtH_hAdPXJeBPYBcE/s1600/OBX+-+Bay+Trip+096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf1G7GG-A0tLpZQQXYkwjdCU6lGBvohUr30HSyVAYPtV2jJLmuR28NyMMFmeHIGA84E5f-sfP7-ac4PAkG7uIx3IvkBPanuCULSEnNTXDI604fFcDHNubsDs1ENRHtH_hAdPXJeBPYBcE/s320/OBX+-+Bay+Trip+096.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ60JXzry6-Pm7Bm2Bl2e7w7o9OV7YlU5t2IwfRCmahgN70qYCj8AXmHOgDdqrGpg9SvQaez5FJvW1nsgWHVYn2bjKOYfv-_jkuJlY4VunuauY_3XGxxtyZ0ZopSBAUcdmM5xXfJvTn-A/s1600/OBX+-+Bay+Trip+094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ60JXzry6-Pm7Bm2Bl2e7w7o9OV7YlU5t2IwfRCmahgN70qYCj8AXmHOgDdqrGpg9SvQaez5FJvW1nsgWHVYn2bjKOYfv-_jkuJlY4VunuauY_3XGxxtyZ0ZopSBAUcdmM5xXfJvTn-A/s320/OBX+-+Bay+Trip+094.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">We head south through the Intracoastal Waterway around Oct. 15th. Until then take care... more later......Peg and Dave</span></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Dave and Peghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09197023077918294888noreply@blogger.com2