tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16104619322971322972024-03-05T01:18:59.787-08:00Irish Eyes to the BahamasAdair and Bill Murdoch's 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2022 sailing trips from New Bern, NC through the Bahamas and return, and our 2020 trip when coronavirus stopped us in Miami.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger99125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1610461932297132297.post-2905998464370225492022-07-05T10:48:00.000-07:002022-07-05T10:48:12.706-07:00<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZWU3QoIoYpL92yAcYy6YlnExlZz8VRxacYcS37qvOijBXYJAucKV9ZTm9LlB81a_CIkBFCYk7T_fCahq5RP1IetseRDnJJ0BocntWeoBNbGPfyf34MPRYvu7Ir4AJ1po5JG8vAnWM2zxCCE_fmt2TF91-Y9qLw1PtnvjMp_vUWX97iWIOJzEzksFL/s3909/PXL_20220616_001703148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2943" data-original-width="3909" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZWU3QoIoYpL92yAcYy6YlnExlZz8VRxacYcS37qvOijBXYJAucKV9ZTm9LlB81a_CIkBFCYk7T_fCahq5RP1IetseRDnJJ0BocntWeoBNbGPfyf34MPRYvu7Ir4AJ1po5JG8vAnWM2zxCCE_fmt2TF91-Y9qLw1PtnvjMp_vUWX97iWIOJzEzksFL/s320/PXL_20220616_001703148.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Sunset at Adams Creek in North Carolina off the Neuse River
and near Oriental.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s our last night at anchor at the end of the trip.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijR4S-0T42EdTABVrOnt0bNOfU3M-PlS9TIq5rY1k0B67QMijKdGZy0GOLj9Cbr8bItoCa3OoHdT-r-M8YE68199LoGdn3oyvQGVD1Tq6uFMejcvxMBxTKz0gjQsKkPFpZNAL0Yd-Jid276deA1MHFLeTmhL6yfYNaMho0pkw4VbihrQnnV71LjH-I/s3355/DSCN2280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2517" data-original-width="3355" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijR4S-0T42EdTABVrOnt0bNOfU3M-PlS9TIq5rY1k0B67QMijKdGZy0GOLj9Cbr8bItoCa3OoHdT-r-M8YE68199LoGdn3oyvQGVD1Tq6uFMejcvxMBxTKz0gjQsKkPFpZNAL0Yd-Jid276deA1MHFLeTmhL6yfYNaMho0pkw4VbihrQnnV71LjH-I/s320/DSCN2280.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><p class="MsoNormal">After posting so many pictures of pretty things on
these trips, it may be time for a “Boat Horror”. This piece of bronze piping dips to the
bottom of our toilet waste holding tank and is used to suck out whatever is in there. You can see the corroded hole in the side
that kept us from completely emptying the tank during the last months of our
trip. Bill made a special trip to New
Bern after we got back home to replace the whole thing. Yuck, yuck, and double yuck.</p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Hello from Tennessee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Bill and I are in our land home, and Irish Eyes is tied in her slip in
Northwest Creek Marina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is nice to be
in our cool house and not to have to fret about the weather.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We left our peaceful anchorage in Cow House Creek in the early
morning of June 13 headed north.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
tidal currents were in our favor, and we were rapidly washed up the Waccamaw
River to Socastee and then all the way through Myrtle Beach to the Little River
Inlet crossing with the ICW.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did not
go out the inlet because the seas were still high from the offshore
weather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the crossing a tug and very
large barge was aground in the ICW.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was quite a feat for the tug captain to get the barge out of the shallow water while
dealing with the fierce tidal current.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tug
had to turn the barge completely around to get it free.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We passed by the tug as it was maneuvering and
managed to stay ahead of him all afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We worried about the two shallow trouble spots in the next stretch,
the Shallotte and Lochwood’s Folly Inlets, we did not have any real trouble with
either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We anchored in Dutchman’s Creek
Park near Southport, NC as the sun set. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was a very long day, 72.5 miles.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The next day, we were up and away early to have favorable
currents in the Cape Fear River and then through Snow’s Cut.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We made good time until we arrived at the
Wrightsville Beach Bridge where the scheduled noon opening was delayed by an
EMS crew that was attending to a medical emergency on the island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We thought about leaving the ICW and going
outside to Beaufort, NC, but again bad weather in the ocean nixed that idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our anchor went down in Mile Hammock Bay in
Camp Lejeune as both the sun and the temperature went down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All was nice, quiet, and calm until the
marines started their nighttime operations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The sky overhead filled with helicopters and Osprey tiltrotor aircraft all coming and going from the adjacent airfield lighting us up with their
spotlights and making a deafening racket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Bill just slept with his good ear buried in his pillow seeing and hearing
nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At 2 am when the marines finally
stopped, I was ready to go outside and wave a white flag.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">A dry cold front passed over us during the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The air was cooler and drier, but the post
frontal wind was 20 knots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a lot
of small boat traffic between Swansboro and Morehead City, but we managed to completely
avoid the Big Rock Fishing Tournament traffic in Morehead City.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was a relief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Big Rock had 220+ large sport fishing
boats competing for a total prize pot of $6,000,000.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Understandably, the sport fishing boats would always be in a hurry and not have time to be polite to little slow sailboats like us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a short day for us; we were anchored
in Adams Creek by 5:30.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thursday, June 16 was an even shorter day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With only a 3 or 4-hour trip to Northwest
Creek, we did not depart until almost 10.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We watched a thunderstorm, with lots of lightening, bomb the town of
Oriental.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily for us we only had a
few sprinkles of rain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Irish Eyes was
tied up in her slip at 2:30pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got
the car unlocked, moved the air conditioner to the boat, and said goodbye to
the summer heat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ah, Freon, my dear friend.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I was looking forward to a shower with unlimited hot water
and the use of a regular flush toilet. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
do have a 5-gallon water heater on Irish Eyes as well as an excellent marine
toilet, but I was just ready for the conveniences of modern household plumbing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To my dismay, the marina women’s bathroom was
being remodeled and could not be used.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
closest women’s toilets and showers were at the recreation center a good distance
away and only available during their open hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To Bill’s dismay, while I was using our
on-board toilet, he could not replace the corroded and leaking piping on our
holding tank. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh well.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We packed our clothes, food, and Bahamas boat stuff and took
them to the car then moved the things that we had stored in the car back to the
boat and did a little boat maintenance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That sounds so simple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took four days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While we were in New Bern, we had dinner with
three other couples we met years ago while cruising. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two of the couples now live in New Bern, and
one couple was just passing through on their boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a wonderful time catching up.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We left New Bern Monday June 20 and made the long drive back
to Kingsport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most things here in our
house did well. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The refrigerator was not
working properly, but Bill has worked on it, and it seems fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The washing machine had a leak, but Bill
fixed that too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is probably one of
the things I am most grateful to have, a very handy husband.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Hope you all have a wonderful summer.</span><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1610461932297132297.post-64316790843198129052022-06-11T18:27:00.005-07:002022-06-11T18:37:22.429-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCssSwO2F2UGm7WCcNcKJgi1o7Cp2tao6pejL20uvZ-p5bqrD0-an4Z0ZB9YHghPXoyytHFh88uYhUNB9_uRTt10TWPjHOOMh8tA0VpLyI08BIw807V9HYSMaFuyQTd8uJwbD9wc_hHRnQ8m0FAbpmcmbO2T1Cr6Pw1rD6-uTRDG18oluFBv0k4f8w/s4608/DSCN2209.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCssSwO2F2UGm7WCcNcKJgi1o7Cp2tao6pejL20uvZ-p5bqrD0-an4Z0ZB9YHghPXoyytHFh88uYhUNB9_uRTt10TWPjHOOMh8tA0VpLyI08BIw807V9HYSMaFuyQTd8uJwbD9wc_hHRnQ8m0FAbpmcmbO2T1Cr6Pw1rD6-uTRDG18oluFBv0k4f8w/s320/DSCN2209.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">While
sailing between Eleuthera and Abaco, we had three LNG tankers cross our path
along with several other ships.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This one
was the closest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The US is apparently
exporting a lot of LNG right now.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tx5R4YZsNyYuNXVHazRldnADbtuTFHgvI_la_ciDGb1cW-Evq6QA_hHnF0PtQvj7saFEzjwI-l4jEL75aa23nApy5gyZWYh6PY79DVxqckpQGPBcZjhUj6aLuxl3sItYsgc6ZMUwDEHNymMzTcSyf6Cq-9TTzZtZN2vGx_sy8-ELDhUv4MRFegqX/s4608/DSCN2214.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tx5R4YZsNyYuNXVHazRldnADbtuTFHgvI_la_ciDGb1cW-Evq6QA_hHnF0PtQvj7saFEzjwI-l4jEL75aa23nApy5gyZWYh6PY79DVxqckpQGPBcZjhUj6aLuxl3sItYsgc6ZMUwDEHNymMzTcSyf6Cq-9TTzZtZN2vGx_sy8-ELDhUv4MRFegqX/s320/DSCN2214.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In Little
Harbour, Abaco we came across this cork tree in full bloom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The open blossoms are yellow, and the older
blossoms turn red.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_3rF6UjeWWHd1RArKAAruPRwY0EQVaRVmkitzmpi1ubFaJ8Yxip8oduuu7vXMWWPn7NNEX3uBE3HFbozJsQar0QLriNqZSbFLO13t57doBAK4Fusj19MLbcKovQU0OMKfDsZn6EtFqdR7PT0RgvODI5DfuqOT0kIb4Lz7n5CMV-EFIeabhpVaiEEt/s4608/DSCN2216.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_3rF6UjeWWHd1RArKAAruPRwY0EQVaRVmkitzmpi1ubFaJ8Yxip8oduuu7vXMWWPn7NNEX3uBE3HFbozJsQar0QLriNqZSbFLO13t57doBAK4Fusj19MLbcKovQU0OMKfDsZn6EtFqdR7PT0RgvODI5DfuqOT0kIb4Lz7n5CMV-EFIeabhpVaiEEt/s320/DSCN2216.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">These pretty
purple flowers are butterfly peas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
saw no butterflies nearby, but that was its name.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGWRnllc2x9E6WQQQ9f46ljj-7Izzkr9XmyiY5UHO8qNREZG4FnFEXbwMmBJP_fyNieer1P1_f1duC-d4fyMAiSIQrj8ryOxJZdPDn9ZfPN_Nib16e2GFwiBgZu1r_mpD14Aa_-tgAEPav4dWtgvAiEtS1qW4SrW8ATmVw_3CApt4VPN9MZuWYwGA_/s4608/DSCN2226.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGWRnllc2x9E6WQQQ9f46ljj-7Izzkr9XmyiY5UHO8qNREZG4FnFEXbwMmBJP_fyNieer1P1_f1duC-d4fyMAiSIQrj8ryOxJZdPDn9ZfPN_Nib16e2GFwiBgZu1r_mpD14Aa_-tgAEPav4dWtgvAiEtS1qW4SrW8ATmVw_3CApt4VPN9MZuWYwGA_/s320/DSCN2226.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This noble
craft is the “Thirsty Cuda”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It pulls up
alongside a partially submerged sandbar covered in tourists, opens the big flap
on the side to form an awning, and dispenses great quantities of food and drink.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoA9NulJu8GcjqMG1B3NmfxWpBLz_PJN9V0EEaotuQu5ez08tsUKFL1YMcgJo_Wh069zf4aw158t8FZq42nUaWLb-6nsBAG8LqgZ3ng1RU5PXXqHT0TiYXGeGyj3PIpqH_kvCFajNYLTinS50j-1K165ep_haZz20VFJ1jKp8al1NhkGjW7XdqSSnx/s4080/PXL_20220523_103446598.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoA9NulJu8GcjqMG1B3NmfxWpBLz_PJN9V0EEaotuQu5ez08tsUKFL1YMcgJo_Wh069zf4aw158t8FZq42nUaWLb-6nsBAG8LqgZ3ng1RU5PXXqHT0TiYXGeGyj3PIpqH_kvCFajNYLTinS50j-1K165ep_haZz20VFJ1jKp8al1NhkGjW7XdqSSnx/s320/PXL_20220523_103446598.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Hopetown
Lighthouse is one of the most photographed things in Abaco.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is still lit with kerosene and powered by falling
weights raised by hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is one of the
last of its kind. Ths was the view from our cockpit.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkupzzJuUv3fM14ZLedFzNfVqtGUN8wo6qOTozpzGPId2TdpWwFcc6pfjz0LMb2M-uTn9ILTr1gyu3i7oFd1-QSqniDsBdcqbCuebESdAHqkDrjCXq6eU2g-_LhKt-m8MBOLxoVhjIUtpBAbIO_Qs_KD0f89dJOMMSmhzuH6fEVDvAou3weQALd3bh/s4608/DSCN2234.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkupzzJuUv3fM14ZLedFzNfVqtGUN8wo6qOTozpzGPId2TdpWwFcc6pfjz0LMb2M-uTn9ILTr1gyu3i7oFd1-QSqniDsBdcqbCuebESdAHqkDrjCXq6eU2g-_LhKt-m8MBOLxoVhjIUtpBAbIO_Qs_KD0f89dJOMMSmhzuH6fEVDvAou3weQALd3bh/s320/DSCN2234.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">In the place
where a nice house once stood on the shore in Marsh Harbour is the Hurricane
Dorian Memorial Garden.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Among the
several things there is this tablet.</span><span style="font-family: arial;">
</span><span style="font-family: arial;">Take a minute, click on the picture, zoom in, and read it to get an idea of what happened here.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9hF82qUQdIWXQBrIkgjEwhwDV1npac9Zr1QCLCNNhxjMGlV3ZuV9obdD7vJZyT0wlWYwCkEQsliepj5OBCL3WvxdghFUu-_ZJjR2ufx3duH8-oQO4LO8mKMk5PoRYYjxl8TTS0ekzUDxOWHa4n9Tv3fV0MkPRXNaxOvcARKVIBLGoMfqlosKwG70P/s4608/DSCN2241.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9hF82qUQdIWXQBrIkgjEwhwDV1npac9Zr1QCLCNNhxjMGlV3ZuV9obdD7vJZyT0wlWYwCkEQsliepj5OBCL3WvxdghFUu-_ZJjR2ufx3duH8-oQO4LO8mKMk5PoRYYjxl8TTS0ekzUDxOWHa4n9Tv3fV0MkPRXNaxOvcARKVIBLGoMfqlosKwG70P/s320/DSCN2241.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">If you get a
chance drop by Donnie’s Marina in Green Turtle Cay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s easy to find Donnie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His voice will give him away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We recommend the place highly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Simple is often the best.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, it is an easy walk into town.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTLDpSnp7JEBrycvys3Pmgx96GTDd5MF5E1hzet1m7nTB14g_KpBwXBjUjgTgRkD2Wnc1-y7Npd_J2yAR7oBZKSwaPY9ft9YWJn9dM29RT8GW5ynj0S4k5JiSROAzs_N8DUY1fiHc3ht-IRLjOPfJF7-a0e_gZvex1vIBBUuQx29ghIf457bjcNPm3/s4080/PXL_20220601_230608144.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTLDpSnp7JEBrycvys3Pmgx96GTDd5MF5E1hzet1m7nTB14g_KpBwXBjUjgTgRkD2Wnc1-y7Npd_J2yAR7oBZKSwaPY9ft9YWJn9dM29RT8GW5ynj0S4k5JiSROAzs_N8DUY1fiHc3ht-IRLjOPfJF7-a0e_gZvex1vIBBUuQx29ghIf457bjcNPm3/s320/PXL_20220601_230608144.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">We were
treated to several good thrashings on our way from Green Turtle Cay to Fernandina
Beach.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">After one serious rainstorm in
the Gulf Stream, the sun came out, and this rainbow appeared.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Too bad the wind and waves remained.</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxaCgkZrnSCH5QzO8weVRAaVFn3Rr2o-u58jRB99EE2kX1tB4Zz9md3AjY7oDjzO_-u7rtfL6CuJaVU4sxsmwCx5lErWNlf264AoTb9R9pLZuTNekPTP1-3gMhVTJy7zqaXyK3XoAICNtAO1PJ3Ozx0Lg6eE6PKnfGO5Rqnk84ATqZ6Q_5imL8TWDC/s4080/PXL_20220608_235407187.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxaCgkZrnSCH5QzO8weVRAaVFn3Rr2o-u58jRB99EE2kX1tB4Zz9md3AjY7oDjzO_-u7rtfL6CuJaVU4sxsmwCx5lErWNlf264AoTb9R9pLZuTNekPTP1-3gMhVTJy7zqaXyK3XoAICNtAO1PJ3Ozx0Lg6eE6PKnfGO5Rqnk84ATqZ6Q_5imL8TWDC/s320/PXL_20220608_235407187.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">We also had
unexpected weather later off Hilton Head Island and Fripp Island when a long
tubular cloud extending from horizon to horizon came at us from the west.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Our spot along the cloud had less rain and
lacked the lightning that were present on either side, but none-the-less the
wind reached 30 knots and stayed there for about 15 minutes before calming down
to 25.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">I stayed below and Bill dealt with
it.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">It was followed several hours later
by another cloud just like it with similar results.</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUqy4M0Cl46JSHhMPBVHafIvbwMKxJaimPU339DGYCl9wwP98BJm4U-F51tj2aklN6v9tJnWbmteBqK6LMPYCssPjpy_cV2IDeia0hXd9SxyTJWSvfAQx_pkA1qKsRXonrDM3mKNwXkdFFVZ0thh-HrFOVJ1Pu0Lx2W_C1WnXiNLfR6agqPZ1sI0Z8/s4080/PXL_20220610_230557728.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUqy4M0Cl46JSHhMPBVHafIvbwMKxJaimPU339DGYCl9wwP98BJm4U-F51tj2aklN6v9tJnWbmteBqK6LMPYCssPjpy_cV2IDeia0hXd9SxyTJWSvfAQx_pkA1qKsRXonrDM3mKNwXkdFFVZ0thh-HrFOVJ1Pu0Lx2W_C1WnXiNLfR6agqPZ1sI0Z8/s320/PXL_20220610_230557728.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">This is calm, tranquil, and uninhabited Cow House Creek off the Waccamaw River in South Carolina. That is where we are now. On arrival we were greeted by an alligator, a pair of nesting ospreys are in a tree behind us, and turtles are sunning themselves on the logs along the shore. Nice.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Hello from Cow
House Creek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is June, and we are back
in the US. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We left Green Turtle Cay, Abaco
making it across to Florida before the tropical storm hit the Bahamas and before
a threatening cold front made it down to Florida. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More about our trip back later in this post.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Around May 1<sup>st</sup>
we turned north and began our trip toward North Carolina stopping at several
beaches on Guana Cay in the Exumas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stopping
at Black Point, Bill and I quickly collected about forty sand dollars on the
sand flats in the harbor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I finally said
enough, we could not pick up any more sand dollars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, it was hard for me to walk by sand
dollar after sand dollar leaving them behind in the sand.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The weather
this year has been rainy in the Bahamas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We have not had many fierce thunderstorms with strong wind; it has been rain,
just lots of rain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We anchored for
several nights at Sampson Cay to explore intending to go from there to the Aga Khan’s
Bell Island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From Bell Island we were planning
to leave for the all-day trip to Rock Sound, Eleuthera.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, on the day we were to leave, it rained, then
rained some more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While the rain did fill
our water tanks, it ended our plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
the afternoon the sky finally cleared, and we decided to execute a new plan… go
to Conch Cut, anchor for the night, and leave for Rock Sound early the next
morning.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We had only light
wind between Conch Cut and Rock Sound, and we mostly motored with the sails up
pretending to sail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was an uneventful
trip until we got close to the island of Eleuthera.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We could see a distant thunderstorm over Rock
Sound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not wanting to meet it underway,
we anchored at Powell Point for about an hour letting the storm go away.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Rock
Sound Harbor is almost 2 miles wide, and boats often move from one side of the
harbor to the other to get the best protection from the wind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our first day in Rock Sound we stayed on the
east side of the harbor which is the town side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Bill bought fuel at the local filling station, and then we both went
into the Wild Orchid Restaurant for lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We had lunch there three years ago when they had first opened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time the owner, who is also the chef,
came out and talked with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She and our
waitress both told us that in the spring of 2020, the Bahamas was completely
closed to tourists due to Covid, and she was forced to close the restaurant for
a full year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cruisers anchored in
the harbor were not allowed to come on shore for anything. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To help them, the police compiled a list of phone
numbers for the boaters to call for groceries, fuel, medical assistance, and
other necessary things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The boaters
would call for whatever they needed, and it would be delivered to the dinghy
dock at Wild Orchid where they could also get fresh water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The boaters could dinghy to the dock and pick
up their orders, but they could not get off their dinghies. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To be a boat prisoner, wow!, not me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am thankful we had decided not to travel to
the Bahamas in 2020.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were also
impressed that the restaurant, which depends on tourists, could survive a year-long
shutdown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It must have been a tough year.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">On Saturday,
May 7, the wind shifted to the southwest, and thunderstorms were predicted for
the afternoon and the next day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We,
along with most of the boats anchored on the east side of the harbor, moved across
to the west side of the harbor for wind protection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By supper time, another 23 boats came into
the harbor and joined us on the east side. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had some wind and rain with the worst at about
4am, (It always happens in the dark.) but nothing too horrible happened. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sunday, we had threats of more storms, but we
only got a few sprinkles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By Monday the
weather cleared, and we moved back across the harbor to be near town anchoring
near Frigate’s Restaurant. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From their
dinghy dock it was a short walk to a local grocery store.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The store was like a small grocery in the
US.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had bought lots of food in Miami,
so our shopping list was short which was nice because there are now no grocery
bags in the Bahamas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were expected to
bring our own reusable bags.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We filled
Bill’s small backpack and all four of our hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On our way back to the boat, we dropped into Frigates’
for a nice cold Kalik beer and a bit of rest.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Tuesday, May
10 was an eventful day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had packed up
some heels of bread to feed the fish at the Ocean Hole in Rock Sound. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hole was a saltwater lake set in the town’s
park connected to the sea by caves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were
walking down the sandy road to the park when at the last house on the left six
dogs came out barking at us. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were
not barking friendly barks but were snarling unfriendly barks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill and I just kept walking saying pleasant
things to the dogs. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The woman in the
house came out and yelled at the dogs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We just kept walking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the
dogs evidently did not like my looks, snuck up from behind me, and unexpectedly
lunged out and bit me on the back of my left leg just above my ankle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was shocked. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have never been bitten by a dog. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I yelled to Bill that the dog had bitten me,
and we kept walking avoiding any conflict with the dogs or their owner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill remembered bathrooms at the park where
he would get water to clean my leg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Unfortunately, the bathrooms were closed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We walked over to the parking lot, and Bill
asked a man sitting in a small van in the shade of a tree if there was a water
faucet nearby. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The nice man offered Bill
a half full gallon jug of water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
the man saw my bleeding leg, he said I needed to go to the clinic, and he would
take us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill and I squeezed into his
front passenger seat, and we took off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
man was waiting for the vet to come to look at an injured goat that was behind
us in the car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His jug of water was for the
goat. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we told our driver and then
later the clinic staff where we were when the dog bit me, every one of them
knew the dogs and their owner pronouncing them all “mean”.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The nurses
at the clinic cleaned my wound, dressed it, gave me a tetanus shot, and a
course of antibiotics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The total fee was
only $70 including a return examination. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am sure I’ll get advice on how not to get
bitten by a dog. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trust me, I did not do
anything to cause that dog to bite me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They were just “mean”.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We stayed in
Rock Sound until Sunday, May 15 partly waiting for a break in the rainy weather
and partly because I had to return to the clinic on Friday for a dressing
change and a wound inspection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The nurses
told me I could leave, and they told Bill to change my dressing every third day.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill walked around town without me, shopping
at another grocery store and going back to the Ocean Hole to feed the fish the
two heels of bread that he still had in his pocket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wisely avoided the mean dogs’ house. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we left Rock Sound it was not raining,
but along the way to Governors Harbour we saw large raining dark clouds all
around us. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately, using our radar
we were able to dodge the storms and arrived in Governors Harbour dry.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Our stay in
Governors Harbour was rainy, again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two
of the boats we were with in Rock Sound came into Governors Harbour on Monday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all met that evening on the sailing catamaran
Sangaris for drinks and snacks swapping tales of past adventures and advice on
the trips ahead.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We left
Governors Harbour on Tuesday, May 17 and headed for Current Cut. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Current Cut is an aptly named narrow channel
between Current Island and Eleuthera.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The tide flows through the cut at up to 5 knots, and the approach is curvy,
narrow, and shallow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We wanted to pass
through the cut with good visibility and with a favorable current.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our timing was good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were mostly concerned with a big black
cloud to our west.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully, that
squall missed us, and we only had a few drops of rain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We came through the cut without a problem and
anchored just northeast of the cut off a white sandy beach backed with palm
trees and some nice houses.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Ahead lay a
50 nautical mile open water crossing from Eleuthera to Abaco.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To get to the jumping off point, we motored
to Egg Island and anchored there planning to leave early the next morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The seafloor where we anchored was rocky, and
it was so calm and the water both so clear and so still that I could sit in the
cockpit, look over the side, and see the colorful tropical fish swimming around
the rocks 15 feet below. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was magical.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We left Egg
Island before sunrise on May 19.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Before
sunrise” is really, really early for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When we left there was no wind, so we motored.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later, the wind returned, and were able to
raise all three of our sails.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a
good trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We arrived at Little Harbour
Cut in Abaco at 5pm and motored through the cut.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our anchor was down shortly afterwards in the
lee of Lynyard Cay.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The next
morning, we launched the dinghy and went into the Little Harbour settlement for
lunch at Pete’s Pub.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pete also had a gallery
and a shop in Little Harbor where he sold the cast bronze sculptures that he made
in his foundry (along with tee shirts and such). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After lunch, we went to the gallery and spoke
with the clerk who was also a potter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She was quite friendly, and we had a long conversation about Hurricane
Dorian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She lived in Marsh Harbour which
was heavily damaged in the storm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
told us about the storm and how they coped when it was over. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was quite a story; certainly not one you (or
I) would want to experience.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Bill and I headed
north to Elbow Cay stopping first at Tahiti Beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tahiti Beach brings in lots of people on their
small boats who are in the Abacos staying in rental properties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They come to play on the palm tree lined
white sand beach (well, it used to have lots of palm trees and post hurricane Dorian
a few still remain) and to play on the huge sandbar that emerges at low tide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We watched the Thirsty Cuda, a houseboat made
into a restaurant and bar, pull up to the beach, anchor there, and began to sell
food and drinks to the crowd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The customers
waded out to the boat, placed their orders, got their snacks and drinks, and
waded back to the beach or stood in the waist deep water to enjoy their
purchase. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was fascinating to
watch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Cuda guy must have made a
killing, and he did not have to clean toilets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We went to the beach early Sunday morning May 22 before the arrival of Thirsty
Cuda and the crowd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found several sand
dollars but left them for someone else to find.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Bill found three nice shells but placed them in the sand behind a small
girl who was digging away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He hoped she
would later discover them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">With the
tide rising, we left Tahiti Beach and motored to Hopetown’s harbor where it can
sometimes be difficult for us to enter with our 1.5m draft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We usually anchor outside and take our dinghy
in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, at high tide we had no problems,
we easily came into the harbor, and I snagged a mooring ball on the second attempt.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Bill screwed up the first attempt.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The town looked nice, much had been rebuilt,
and all the rubble had been removed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
ate in a restaurant, bought gifts, went shopping, and walked around town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One evening we sat in our cockpit and enjoyed
watching the lighthouse keeper atop the tower silhouetted in the evening sky take
down the curtains, light the kerosene lamp, and start the clockwork driven lenses
revolving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really enjoyed our time in
Hopetown.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We dropped
our mooring early on Tuesday May 24 at high tide in order to have sufficient water
depth leaving Hopetown and headed across the Sea of Abaco to Marsh
Harbour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do not know if any of you saw
pictures of Marsh Harbour after Dorian, but the town was totally devastated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not one building was left standing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything was washed or blown away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Bill and I were entering the harbor, we
had to stop and examine our charts because we did not recognize our
surroundings, so much was gone. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here the
rubble has mostly been carted away, the concrete floor slabs of the buildings
remain, and rebuilding is in progress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Three
restaurants were open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colours, a
restaurant we had visited before, was open in a spot beside the ruins of their
old place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They built a new deck with a
bar and restaurant seating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The kitchen and
storage were in a pair of shipping containers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Walley’s restaurant was rebuilt in its old location. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A new restaurant, A.J’s., was open near the
restored Maxwells Grocery which now has a large hardware department. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Three marinas were re-building, and one was already
selling diesel fuel and fresh water. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
local laundromat was restored and open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
impressed us the most was that everyone we met was smiling, happy to be working,
and delighted that we were there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
number of cruising boats in Marsh Harbour was a fraction of what was there
previously, but hopefully with time more will come.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">After
getting our laundry done, buying a few groceries, finding gauze and adhesive
tape for my dog bite, and eating in restaurants, it was time to continue with
our journey north.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We left Marsh Harbour
and anchored for one night at Water Cay before going around Whale Cay on Friday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A string of sand bars extended from Whale Cay
to the Abaco “mainland” closing off any route north in the protected water between
the cays and the “mainland”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To continue
north, we had to go around Whale Cay on its ocean side, and we did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Back in protected waters again, we anchored
Irish Eyes off the settlement of New Plymouth on Green Turtle Cay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With unsettled weather expected, Bill took
the dinghy into Black Sound (one of two protected spots inside the cay) and
arranged for a mooring ball at Donnie’s Marina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At high tide we got over the shallow spot at the entrance to the sound
and went to the marina where I snagged the mooring ball on my first attempt.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Green Turtle
Cay had hurricane damage too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We walked
around town and ate in restaurants while we were there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once again, we could see dark stormy clouds all
around, and we had a few periods of rain but nothing horrible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris Parker, the weather forecaster we
listen to over the shortwave radio, began talking about a possible tropical
storm impacting the Abacos by Saturday June 4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>About that same time a cold front was expected to exit the US mainland
around North Carolina and move south toward the Bahamas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was time for us to leave the Bahamas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did the online portion of clearing out of
the Bahamas and Bill telephoned Customs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A Customs Officer was to meet us at Donnie’s Marina early Tuesday
morning May 31. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She never arrived, but
after lunch we received our outbound clearance by email.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dinghy was onboard within minutes, and we
were off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only problem was that the customs
delay left us leaving at low tide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
grounded, but Irish Eyes’ keel pushed through the mud, and we got out of Black
Sound.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Our course
was set for the St. Mary’s River entrance at Fernandina Beach, Florida 325 straight
line nautical miles away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over the next
three days and nights, we had 25 knot storms, very light wind, huge swells
breaking into the cockpit, and three and a half inches of rain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a long and rough trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We sailed, motored, and motor sailed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At 8am on Friday June 3 we entered the St.
Mary’s River.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We anchored Irish Eyes,
and I did our online clearance into the US.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We had managed to avoid both Tropical Storm Alex and the cold front.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The weather forecast for Fernandina was for strong
winds, so we arranged a slip at Fernandina Harbor Marina for three days to let
the cold front pass.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The first
day we slept, and even after that we were tired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we re-emerged, we were rested but still sleepy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill called his first cousin, Joe, and set plans
for supper on Sunday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We took showers,
our first real showers with unlimited hot water in a long time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went out for a pizza, a real pizza with
stringy cheese and with leftovers that were good for lunch the next day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We visited two museums, Bill bought a book,
we walked around the downtown, we bought fresh shrimp, we got our second Covid
boosters, we bought some groceries, and I talked to a few of the many people
who walked up and down the marina docks during the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One couple left us with some memorial
seashells that we agreed to toss into the ocean for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another had four kids in tow, and Bill gave a
guided tour of the boat to the younger two while the other two watched with an
air of superiority from the cockpit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
went back to the same Italian restaurant where we had pizza with Joe and his wife
Carolyn and even had the same waiter. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our conversation was too enjoyable, and we
talked too long while the establishment closed around us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was fun. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was worried we would not sleep well in the
marina with all the lights, the road traffic, two paper mills, and a railroad, but
after three nights at sea we both sleep quite well each night.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">While we really
wanted to go back into the ocean and sail for the Cape Fear River, the weather
kept us in the ICW motoring first to Lanier Island near Brunswick then to the
North Newport River south of Savannah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There we went into the ocean through the St Catherine’s Sound Entrance
and up the coast to Charleston.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once again,
in the ocean we got hit by bad weather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The thunderstorms coming off the coast missed us, but we had some rain,
winds that peaked at 30 knots, and seas that reached six feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We entered Charleston Harbor at sunrise amid
ships entering and leaving at daybreak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We found ourselves between the rock jetties at the entrance with two
ships and a pilot boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think of the
squeeze… rocks - outbound cargo ship - pilot boat - incoming tanker - us -
rocks. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was alarmingly tight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Continuing
north in the tranquil ICW at the Ben Sawyer Bridge to Sullivans Island, we followed
behind then overtook two sailboats both with young crews and failed engines being
pushed ever so slowly north by their inflatable dinghies’ outboard motors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, the optimism and perseverance of youth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We stopped one night in the South Santee
River then continued past Georgetown and into the Waccamaw River anchoring in
the isolated Cow House Creek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here, we
will wait out the weekend small boat traffic Myrtle Beach and press on toward
New Bern on Monday.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It's good to
be back in the US, and I don’t have much farther to go to be home.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1610461932297132297.post-48095368429925658932022-04-28T05:29:00.002-07:002022-04-30T15:21:38.241-07:00<p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOtRjzd7xCKTUAI-uTszYATDCuFLI6N2kRxPeREN-JXIKROp5PVD1levJesa2G-RUr8jmHhqdyvBCrphfccw03UCGgi6AO6L063i6ePwoLovYXV9_fofRZTwN2Mw5b2X4Z9kJRQa2jqtcrtBNI9M32SNDrx0M-VAMDDUKEDRdUQ67nIGboiCGzGu6/s2983/PXL_20220416_193111113.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2983" data-original-width="2247" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOtRjzd7xCKTUAI-uTszYATDCuFLI6N2kRxPeREN-JXIKROp5PVD1levJesa2G-RUr8jmHhqdyvBCrphfccw03UCGgi6AO6L063i6ePwoLovYXV9_fofRZTwN2Mw5b2X4Z9kJRQa2jqtcrtBNI9M32SNDrx0M-VAMDDUKEDRdUQ67nIGboiCGzGu6/s320/PXL_20220416_193111113.jpg" width="241" /></a></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We were in Black Point for the Easter Bahamian Sloop
Races.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They raced class C boats which
are smaller than the class A and B boats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There were six boats racing, and everyone racing seemed to be having a
good time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0XlHcu8CG4ZqB5SF7hU5Tf6Tf0a9hJqtMeEtD8_SqRaRfpN1XX9cAkcOjHYnSqfRTquI1Dx0RLoMfU-qYsE1nn5FNlIXv-HDxwVs9-pYxg2UwWwsC_NlpySrQZNxElwnpuMQgyNH-FkETx57WRS85vbMYqjtZy1DsvDzZVEBFt1Ua8pR8afmgxCul/s4080/PXL_20220415_210504378.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0XlHcu8CG4ZqB5SF7hU5Tf6Tf0a9hJqtMeEtD8_SqRaRfpN1XX9cAkcOjHYnSqfRTquI1Dx0RLoMfU-qYsE1nn5FNlIXv-HDxwVs9-pYxg2UwWwsC_NlpySrQZNxElwnpuMQgyNH-FkETx57WRS85vbMYqjtZy1DsvDzZVEBFt1Ua8pR8afmgxCul/s320/PXL_20220415_210504378.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The boats have huge sails for their size and boards called ‘the
pry’ to lever them upright.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Otherwise,
they would turn over and sink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can
see that this boat’s sail has been enlarged with an extra panel of cloth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will need a heavier crew sitting farther out
on the pry to avoid a capsize.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEHPwBMNwnFGjKRauhjOuh-IvjNShV8hy-g7lHxjAxjxs7HcFF-nU6fwUEXBt3uoX1jZMCf1oUTqn7kgvFsyaoMGFlyMvSFpXPsybWCBr1O19AdRdXJ7U-32BSBSAL8LEtB-He4bI56mpSLjdqQvCF6ENTymKnh46kAzhB8cqSYwIJC4wMVA3QBSG/s4608/DSCN1946.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEHPwBMNwnFGjKRauhjOuh-IvjNShV8hy-g7lHxjAxjxs7HcFF-nU6fwUEXBt3uoX1jZMCf1oUTqn7kgvFsyaoMGFlyMvSFpXPsybWCBr1O19AdRdXJ7U-32BSBSAL8LEtB-He4bI56mpSLjdqQvCF6ENTymKnh46kAzhB8cqSYwIJC4wMVA3QBSG/s320/DSCN1946.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">This worrisome cloud appeared before the second day’s
racing, but the races went on anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yes, it rained, and the wind blew.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2rAO_Raa3iGC9wGicrzQEZw3NHC6Yaguv8-yodKqCt3x7oU6-jggfew5mx0AUj_zOZfSphIyvuvzQNnK0uMp9t5nYFFA7Y-Z911XQUj7Zpgjc1YXN2d2KcROqfgZvFpeiT6dlOOy6u-j06MXiVNlH2Ekrw7mQoJguTdCoVQ7IKTJ1n7lvvc_ktL9/s4080/PXL_20220416_162153812.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2rAO_Raa3iGC9wGicrzQEZw3NHC6Yaguv8-yodKqCt3x7oU6-jggfew5mx0AUj_zOZfSphIyvuvzQNnK0uMp9t5nYFFA7Y-Z911XQUj7Zpgjc1YXN2d2KcROqfgZvFpeiT6dlOOy6u-j06MXiVNlH2Ekrw7mQoJguTdCoVQ7IKTJ1n7lvvc_ktL9/s320/PXL_20220416_162153812.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The races were closely contested with the boats evenly
matched.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUknBusfVKt9Mnsv--nrjMqr4md2e3kEgkO2cnoE97gHwHCBr8keNKb4GwQN-y3UKVsZfvdEgP5zXIUdvRHxHCvQbkc4ytFew_KivYSM_sQhDhx4DMxY3z1kDetFNNvrHMy5h8XyknbNpIiWuCBw3ue3jeOtbC2MFzfd_NAFIQHUOznwcQdlbzBqxl/s2727/DSCN2040.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2727" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUknBusfVKt9Mnsv--nrjMqr4md2e3kEgkO2cnoE97gHwHCBr8keNKb4GwQN-y3UKVsZfvdEgP5zXIUdvRHxHCvQbkc4ytFew_KivYSM_sQhDhx4DMxY3z1kDetFNNvrHMy5h8XyknbNpIiWuCBw3ue3jeOtbC2MFzfd_NAFIQHUOznwcQdlbzBqxl/s320/DSCN2040.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">It was windy</span><span style="font-family: arial;">, and even with a reduced size sail the crew had
difficulty keeping the boat upright.</span></p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRdpv6Qx-PhnYnH-xGcezVdGd8rjX0uGMqVikmOrIipY0tZgVwfDPtjzXdlOtXNHtOXzZzgMz4ckPF73KsW7e7RGRf24BnHHWeXg9pNN6OHst6ZnUCINGb6AWcmb5jA4LWpjK77TsdQZBrgLcuctOItBHpL0MtcC_RPQR2b9Qw7tR_UHztbnQDCR5/s4082/DSCN2107.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3061" data-original-width="4082" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRdpv6Qx-PhnYnH-xGcezVdGd8rjX0uGMqVikmOrIipY0tZgVwfDPtjzXdlOtXNHtOXzZzgMz4ckPF73KsW7e7RGRf24BnHHWeXg9pNN6OHst6ZnUCINGb6AWcmb5jA4LWpjK77TsdQZBrgLcuctOItBHpL0MtcC_RPQR2b9Qw7tR_UHztbnQDCR5/s320/DSCN2107.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">This was only a part of Bill’s beach junk collection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He brings this sort of stuff back to the
boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have no room for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had to go… and it did.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI742l5VVuqjsgLYW71Tneoaq1jmE8FPEQDTIf_VwgCmz_FWR7v5dcVW2Bmr51qKVdqv0vhxPcfvNp7tGk10h11P3ZBRW4lflqImyEG7BpiFWJxhQAiOt_jmLN7NrkbJ3e9fUUC0UHrU5ftakWU2C59N_Hx1J0kGKWO3R81QN0QA4drZJdiKPjJLN7/s4608/DSCN2110.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI742l5VVuqjsgLYW71Tneoaq1jmE8FPEQDTIf_VwgCmz_FWR7v5dcVW2Bmr51qKVdqv0vhxPcfvNp7tGk10h11P3ZBRW4lflqImyEG7BpiFWJxhQAiOt_jmLN7NrkbJ3e9fUUC0UHrU5ftakWU2C59N_Hx1J0kGKWO3R81QN0QA4drZJdiKPjJLN7/s320/DSCN2110.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">More of Bill’s beach junk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He used most of his collection to mark a trail that crosses Great Guana
Cay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This life ring and yellow rope look
sort of like Gilligan’s Island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are
at the east end of the trail.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7r4ct_MrD2NK_e__8zhqKOgrEbjN8eIy4eSeggXrZuXTRE1jakDqKqLTMIEBzoa8NZvUVWino91p6TdkwJN_xVUH6osGsKzHTj0Fx0Yer20lZRXhccKos1wRdS_obiewA36Dmas6Rvrj8mS785ebxyopaPhJBpgpmHu3yKvbDmYNafkq6Cw62yPVy/s3756/DSCN2108.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2817" data-original-width="3756" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7r4ct_MrD2NK_e__8zhqKOgrEbjN8eIy4eSeggXrZuXTRE1jakDqKqLTMIEBzoa8NZvUVWino91p6TdkwJN_xVUH6osGsKzHTj0Fx0Yer20lZRXhccKos1wRdS_obiewA36Dmas6Rvrj8mS785ebxyopaPhJBpgpmHu3yKvbDmYNafkq6Cw62yPVy/s320/DSCN2108.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Look at my shells from a morning walk on the beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are in a ‘looky bucket’ with a clear
plastic bottom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hold the bucket in the
water while walking in the shallow water just off the beach, and I can clearly
see the shells on the sand below.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
way I can get the shells before they wash up on the beach.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAUdelU73EpQcj7JL31dTxZKW-HVi_weF-lLdv1pbCOfuXg35k9d-Sk_GAuSqhvV-5LSsR4IALukJ_T96cH_B7R554_Tua-z2TpUmXCA53deRC56ePKsaC_9EwLzSbIBrxc6qiysF2nlUEqHvPqKAf1u9ijqQMcbxxdFly62GM84rB2gkgJIYk1_o9/s3009/DSCN2138.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2257" data-original-width="3009" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAUdelU73EpQcj7JL31dTxZKW-HVi_weF-lLdv1pbCOfuXg35k9d-Sk_GAuSqhvV-5LSsR4IALukJ_T96cH_B7R554_Tua-z2TpUmXCA53deRC56ePKsaC_9EwLzSbIBrxc6qiysF2nlUEqHvPqKAf1u9ijqQMcbxxdFly62GM84rB2gkgJIYk1_o9/s320/DSCN2138.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Our dinghy has wheels making it easy to pull the dinghy up
on the beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They came from New Zealand
and fold down like airplane wheels.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Hey y’all from Big Farmer’s Cay, Exuma, Bahamas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This may be as far south as we go this year
and the spot where we turn around and head north toward home.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">On our last day at Hawksbill Cay, Bill took the dinghy to
the beach to walk across the island through the brush and rocks to the southern
anchorage.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Because it would not be on a
path, I chose to stay on Irish Eyes.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">I
have been warned by my medical team not to fall down and hurt my new knee.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">While he was gone, the floatplane we had seen
at Norman’s Cay Cut days ago brought in a family to play on the beach near our boat.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Bill missed all the excitement.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">The plane managed to land threading its way
through the eight empty mooring balls that lay in its path.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">It was quite a feat!</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">It taxied over to the beach and dropped an
anchor.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">The family played on the beach
and in the water for an hour or so.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Then,
everyone boarded the plane and left despite the loud and angry protests from
the youngest child who was previously quite happy playing with his unlimited
amount of sand. </span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">I wonder what that short
outing cost.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We left Hawksbill Cay on Monday, April 4, motoring south to Warderick
Wells, the island home of the Exuma Land and Sea Park Headquarters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We picked up a mooring ball in the south mooring
field near Emerald Rock. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill made a
device for me to use when picking up a mooring. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I snagged the heavy 1-1/2” rope with his
special hook and had it aboard on my first try.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That gave me the right to criticize the sometimes-failing efforts of
those on the boats that arrived after us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Bill took the dinghy to the office to pay for the mooring, then he climbed
Boo Boo Hill to retrieve our sign.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
not to be found.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Three years had passed
since we last were there, and the board seemed to have vanished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill was determined to find it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next morning, he printed out a photo of
the sign that we had taken in 2019 and went looking again. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the photo in hand like a pirate’s
treasure map, Bill started digging through the heap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There it was, under three years of
accumulation, right in the spot where we left it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Success!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Bill brought the sign back to Irish Eyes where he put MMXXII on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cracked and weathered sign recalls all
our trips, and we decided to bring it home with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not exactly sure where we will hang it in
our house, but that will be a dilemma for another day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill carved “Irish Eyes” on a well-worn slab
of driftwood, and we both went to the top of Boo Boo Hill to add it to the
stack. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>[Just a bit of trivia, Jimmy
Buffett’s last album “Life on the Flip Side” has the song “Book on the Shelf” that
mentions the boards upon Boo Boo Hill and has a picture of him atop the hill with
the big pile in the background.]<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">After spending a rocky night at Emerald Rock and expecting
increasing winds with the approaching cold front, we let go of our mooring ball
and headed south to the better protected Cambridge Cay. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a rough trip sailing into the 15 to 17
knot wind with waves splashing over the bow of the boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We survived, arrived, and picked up the next
to the last available mooring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
following four days were windy, but we were comfortable, well protected from
the waves and spending our time walking the nearby beaches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our only excitement came on a dinghy trip to some
more distant beaches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About a mile and a
half away from Irish Eyes, the 8 hp outboard motor suddenly stopped and would
not re-start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Faced with a long long row
into the wind, Bill dug into our emergency kit for tools and went to work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He cleaned the spark plugs, drained any water
from the carburetor bowl, made sure gasoline was getting to the engine, disconnected
the stop switch, and just messed with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He finally got the engine to start at wide open throttle and part
choke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It ran, missing, coughing, and spitting,
but it ran.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We came straight back to the
boat where the thing quit again yards from the boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He rowed the last little bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a spare carburetor aboard, Bill
swapped the carburetors, and the engine ran fine starting on the second pull.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Our next port of call was Staniel Cay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We needed water, fuel, clean laundry, and a
few groceries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fuel and water were
available at the Yacht Club fuel dock, but boats were circling waiting their
chance to dock there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This operation was
interesting to listen to on the VHF radio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was, as usual, quite uncivil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Accusations of queue jumping, arguments over right-of-way in the narrow
current ridden area, and the lambasting of the occasional boat that just drove
up and docked without waiting filled the airwaves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dock attendant let the boats sort
themselves out, just doing his job, manning the pumps, and avoiding the fray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill took our fuel and water jugs in the dinghy
to the inaccessible back side of fuel dock, filled them there, and returned. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a relatively fast four trips we had 60
gallons of water, 25 gallons of diesel fuel, and a gallon of gasoline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went to the Yacht Club for lunch electing
to sit in the fancier part of the restaurant rather than the crowded bar
area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This despite the fact I had on a
bathing suit and tee shirt and did not meet the dress code.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is one thing to go into a crowded place at
home where I kind of know where most folks have been, and still another when I
am in a room of twenty-five here where the people could have come from twenty-five
different countries. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ahh, COVID!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did our grocery shopping after lunch and
returned to Irish Eyes to rest and digest our big lunches.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">It had been 49 days since I last did laundry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pile was large and, well, aromatic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The laundromat in Staniel Cay was also a bar
and liquor store.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We arrived at the
laundromat around 11:00.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The proprietress
was busy putting laundry in and out of machines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were piles of laundry everywhere, some
in plastic boxes and some in bags.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
lady said we would have to wait and come back about 2:00.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was fine, it was just another excuse for
a Yacht Club lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time we ate
outside on the docks watching the tour boat tourists wade among the swimming sharks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not me, they maybe gentle nurse sharks, but
they still have teeth!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We wandered back
to the laundromat after lunch, and I did our three big loads of laundry in
about three hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a pleasant
time sitting on the porch, drinking a beer, and chatting with the folks who came
in to leave laundry, have a drink, or buy some booze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought it was not a bad way to spend the
afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill went for a walk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got a giggle from a group of young
Americans who came in to buy a case of beer to enjoy at their rental house, but
after discovering it was a $67 item, decided there were better things to spend
their money on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Things are not cheap
here.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Having completed our required errands and with the wind
blowing 20 knots, we moved Irish Eyes the mile or so to Big Major’s Spot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is where the famous swimming pigs
live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have seen the pigs several
times and did not have any desire to feed them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was fun to watch the tour boats from Nassau and George Town arrive
and then listen to the squeals of the passengers when the pigs got too
close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It did not take much to entertain
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We swam and did some beach walking
too.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Bored with the pigs, we moved on south to Black Point on Good
Friday, the first of two days of Bahamian sloop races.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The class C boats were racing in what I think
were practice races for the abbreviated National Family Islands Regatta to be
held in George Town the following week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our anchor spot was perfect for viewing the boats racing along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cruisers were encouraged to join the Bahamian
crews for these races.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill and I did
not think we would be an asset and declined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was afraid I would do something wrong and cause the boat to lose, and Bill
doesn’t weigh enough to be useful on the pry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Between intervals of sunny weather, it rained, and the wind howled, but
the races went on anyway with lots of excitement. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were right of way violations and
collisions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the race boats was sunk
in 10 feet of water, but it was refloated, repaired, and raced the next day.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">On Sunday, we decided to have our Easter lunch on shore. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was decision time… would it be Lorraine’s
Café or Scorpio’s Bar & Grill? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both
places had people from tour boats in for lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The folks at Lorraine’s were eating outside and at Scorpio’s
inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ate at Lorraine’s inside
basically alone with the bar tender and cook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Lorraine stopped by after church, and we complemented her on the
expansions and improvements she had made to the café.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next, we went over to Scorpio’s for two
bottles of rum for the boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was also
expanding with a new waterside building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We had a very nice Easter Sunday.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The wind was forecast to blow from the northeast at 20 to 25
knots with gusts to 30 knots for the next seven to ten days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had seen boat races in Black Point, and it
would be unpleasant traveling to George Town in the unprotected Exuma Sound, so
we decided to not go to George Town for the Regatta which would only have the
little boats anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, we adopted
for the beach-a-day plan, planning to move every day or two from one beach to
the next down the protected banks side of Great Guana Cay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We bypassed Little Bay and Jack’s Bay Cove
planning to stop there on our way back north.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We first went to White Point, then onto Hetty’s Land.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We walked both beaches and found some beach
treasures. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill went across the island
at Hetty’s Land a couple of times to watch the waves break on the rocky shore
and to search for ‘good’ beach trash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
also rigged up his stuff for measuring the load on our anchor and experimented
with our riding sail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our next stop was
Isaac Bay, about 2 miles south of Hetty’s Land.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There were three beaches there, and I walked all three of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill bushwhacked through the scrub vegetation
to the exposed east shore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He came back
with two big (2 foot) spherical fishing floats and tales of more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The things filled our cockpit leaving me no
place to sit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, it was down to Bay
Rush Bay where years ago we abandoned a sea kayak with a glass (plastic) bottom
that we found on the east shore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill
used four of his collected big fishing floats and a life ring to mark the trail
where we left the kayak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We now have <u>only</u>
two floats aboard.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Yesterday, we came down to Big Farmer’s Cay anchoring in the
deepest (2 meter) spot of water west of the cay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve already collected a pile of sand dollars
from the shallows and baked a loaf of bread.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We have looked at the calendar and at our past trips and decided it is
time to return north if we are to be home in early June, so this is as far
south as we will get this year.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Cheers.</span><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1610461932297132297.post-54449147485407477682022-04-02T18:45:00.008-07:002022-04-03T17:10:01.054-07:00<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi80wO0Qc5JIbMnajjlRpjOUQnbjPjUsY6xb3oY4y_hu68cwIAc7fTUUiutXVi1I1di4JzSMVE3B_dgXxfM5UTuMbJFLtHTAKgPvrwLjTOq5E1TgciGl1GLrC3kd0fyF_tKJ0zShpf6CnNsjfbdFzsKwZ8BxZom9xo01d--JWABcsCiWqWt-imenBnt/s4503/DSCN1733.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3377" data-original-width="4503" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi80wO0Qc5JIbMnajjlRpjOUQnbjPjUsY6xb3oY4y_hu68cwIAc7fTUUiutXVi1I1di4JzSMVE3B_dgXxfM5UTuMbJFLtHTAKgPvrwLjTOq5E1TgciGl1GLrC3kd0fyF_tKJ0zShpf6CnNsjfbdFzsKwZ8BxZom9xo01d--JWABcsCiWqWt-imenBnt/s320/DSCN1733.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Twenty-seven hours after leaving Key Biscayne, we anchored at
Morgan’s Bluff, Bill went ashore to deal with the formalities of entering a foreign
country, then we both went ashore for a celebratory Kalik or two and lunch.</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">This was the view into the outer harbor from
our table.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjAPJlbraSj7GzKdX0MGDfaao3dr4x_skbHDi4t3dIXi3mFMh1SnpQG2s_XB3PDG02qykuuZsEQlEKGShCcOD_cB7f7rFxYvpJ-mUFTf0-dfbJCCVjvUR5EnhAlNcgi1vAHP_RRKzcH91UZEaiduw97_Hif5iXTIePGifyuZcd0hCIZ_nFFl7fW7Y0/s4608/DSCN1735.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjAPJlbraSj7GzKdX0MGDfaao3dr4x_skbHDi4t3dIXi3mFMh1SnpQG2s_XB3PDG02qykuuZsEQlEKGShCcOD_cB7f7rFxYvpJ-mUFTf0-dfbJCCVjvUR5EnhAlNcgi1vAHP_RRKzcH91UZEaiduw97_Hif5iXTIePGifyuZcd0hCIZ_nFFl7fW7Y0/s320/DSCN1735.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Captain Henry Morgan (of rum fame) was an English
privateer plundering Spanish shipping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He supposably hid his plunder in this cave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill crawled around for half an hour not
finding the “X”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has got to be in there
somewhere.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAvkqAmeYca_y-9YP_B-axekKhLTOEwH19wWQP7CidgKAhm30YL9QnwmdnVobDNEyJlEcjTJPmzvJsBmm8EPQQxsJnB_UxLJNTHwpf3bEO639jDt06LMUMIy-2k_UXEB8n6eBtzlNpCtutN2obhxKEB5TiZN2YTGaE6l4IV9552e5Un6FRZezI1DvC/s4608/DSCN1771.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAvkqAmeYca_y-9YP_B-axekKhLTOEwH19wWQP7CidgKAhm30YL9QnwmdnVobDNEyJlEcjTJPmzvJsBmm8EPQQxsJnB_UxLJNTHwpf3bEO639jDt06LMUMIy-2k_UXEB8n6eBtzlNpCtutN2obhxKEB5TiZN2YTGaE6l4IV9552e5Un6FRZezI1DvC/s320/DSCN1771.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">These people flew in on a Cessna 208 landing behind us to go
snorkeling on the corroded remains of a cocaine runner’s crashed airplane behind
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is no wonder that rich people die
in small plane crashes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUsivD-uRdNuqp6kUeQisr5lR_46PW-LDaz99RsPQ_sWSAwYrgAaSXGISyvlUvdmQ5wxd6Lq0TSOvXWILkQdsnMcSg-mCPhm6tYQTB3nQXQf3xDPgKtR6rA0owC3Do-Vd0wrRCoGmLu8sUj-LTF8-XJh7Put_-h9xKUV3kREGiD2Q01gqdFfvMswx9/s4608/DSCN1782.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUsivD-uRdNuqp6kUeQisr5lR_46PW-LDaz99RsPQ_sWSAwYrgAaSXGISyvlUvdmQ5wxd6Lq0TSOvXWILkQdsnMcSg-mCPhm6tYQTB3nQXQf3xDPgKtR6rA0owC3Do-Vd0wrRCoGmLu8sUj-LTF8-XJh7Put_-h9xKUV3kREGiD2Q01gqdFfvMswx9/s320/DSCN1782.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">On takeoff the pilot backed up a couple of thousand feet behind
us, gunned the engine, and came roaring at us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Taking off just to our starboard side, his port wing dipped, and for an
instant it looked like he was going to hit us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijBhUKBliFZUe0L4hrEcp3_9y5zh9TLY7Y0qvmKMN7Qt0aFmTSInHsp3BYufsqT0KlOKJfhEzFnn9yCgSnGxPpjT5Vrjix-xUt_QXsruJRzpOV55UfAGrrQAOsFEjbe1oxGTbhHDsU8dy5QontipS6JeYLNdK_yLP9WIHIoltrlw7SeiR1R5hqD6gf/s4487/DSCN1786.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3365" data-original-width="4487" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijBhUKBliFZUe0L4hrEcp3_9y5zh9TLY7Y0qvmKMN7Qt0aFmTSInHsp3BYufsqT0KlOKJfhEzFnn9yCgSnGxPpjT5Vrjix-xUt_QXsruJRzpOV55UfAGrrQAOsFEjbe1oxGTbhHDsU8dy5QontipS6JeYLNdK_yLP9WIHIoltrlw7SeiR1R5hqD6gf/s320/DSCN1786.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The southern interior of Norman’s Cay is a shallow sand
filled basin that nearly all dries out at low tide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That area and the nearby beaches were fun to
explore.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUcKgWHmh3Fsz3C7nyaoxPabPMg0pPdYZkZ3oELsLzMbpC_KhYfFSljqvXCjq2h0hPZe6WBYy8x3ladPrGbKAq26aJ1E0kk8uBEwbDMe_9I9fDzTUM-wtgG6X6YfTHQmSGHCEV1YQ5LB8nUkP4pEhBadQT1l70c7pld_d_UrdIINwJt6jkwaJz7asz/s4608/DSCN1793.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUcKgWHmh3Fsz3C7nyaoxPabPMg0pPdYZkZ3oELsLzMbpC_KhYfFSljqvXCjq2h0hPZe6WBYy8x3ladPrGbKAq26aJ1E0kk8uBEwbDMe_9I9fDzTUM-wtgG6X6YfTHQmSGHCEV1YQ5LB8nUkP4pEhBadQT1l70c7pld_d_UrdIINwJt6jkwaJz7asz/s320/DSCN1793.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">This is sunrise looking east behind our boat at three more
boats anchored behind us in Norman’s Cay Cut.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We are all there hiding from the west winds of three cold fronts in quick
succession.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJ12x-faDRuQY2l1pZtZyNHHKZ1oyr5OnpsHPfjcBvMKqK5M48SCQ_Vik36DYLp5tDXIB8QxcZuoeRMDznVP262eAh5SjcGprS8jO-KYBkP-EPsYMiF8UHmalYMhhMVPA6yR7eACwTuwlwudRsilziO6vtOq37qDa_1p2hUl7cUg_FYIbAXMbjFGi/s1884/DSCN1827.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1413" data-original-width="1884" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJ12x-faDRuQY2l1pZtZyNHHKZ1oyr5OnpsHPfjcBvMKqK5M48SCQ_Vik36DYLp5tDXIB8QxcZuoeRMDznVP262eAh5SjcGprS8jO-KYBkP-EPsYMiF8UHmalYMhhMVPA6yR7eACwTuwlwudRsilziO6vtOq37qDa_1p2hUl7cUg_FYIbAXMbjFGi/s320/DSCN1827.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Looking at a bright yellow boat at Shroud Cay one day and
doubting my sanity, I said, “I’d swear that boat was blue.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two days later I understood why.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVp_5Zo1zB_c4ZIqQ2hVNAzZRKRBYFj5g3ZQ-FlgGPcUCuBo-0x7QSzlQUWm2N7HRefRKZ9sYr2I8Q_zJIYET4u34HYIlbk8Mgb5zYFuITiJa3z5SHsXRib1BG2gZKzzrdvSk-x1uW3FcAgD8ECJu3xV36bccYcGQtCt7AQqlOe9k9vxmFaL2O9ZTN/s4608/DSCN1856.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVp_5Zo1zB_c4ZIqQ2hVNAzZRKRBYFj5g3ZQ-FlgGPcUCuBo-0x7QSzlQUWm2N7HRefRKZ9sYr2I8Q_zJIYET4u34HYIlbk8Mgb5zYFuITiJa3z5SHsXRib1BG2gZKzzrdvSk-x1uW3FcAgD8ECJu3xV36bccYcGQtCt7AQqlOe9k9vxmFaL2O9ZTN/s320/DSCN1856.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Bill found this sling chair washed up on the rocks on the north sound side beach on Hawksbill Cay., repaired it, and moved it to our beach. That is our dinghy and Irish Eyes in the distance. As Zac Brown said, "I've got my toes in the water, ass in the sand..."</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Greetings from Hawksbill Cay, Exuma, the Bahamas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you can tell we decided to leave Miami and
to come to the Bahamas rather than continue south to the Florida Keys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bahamas travel restrictions were eased a
bit; all we needed was a negative Covid test taken less than 72 hours before
our arrival and some online paperwork.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
all sounded easy to do, and it was, well, except for the on-line paperwork, but
more on that later.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The effects of Covid on the Miami Beach tourist economy were
obvious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Several restaurants where we
have enjoyed meals in years past were no more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Long time businesses we had frequented in years past had their windows
filled with ‘closed’, ‘available’, and ‘for rent’ signs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Miami Beach did not seem to have many foreign
or domestic tourists, but they still expected to have thousands of young Spring
Breakers with all the problems they bring.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">In Miami we were anchored near our friends from the boat Dots
Way, Dorothy and Glen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had not seen
them in three years, so we spent a lovely evening chatting in our cockpit over
drinks and snacks while we ‘caught up’.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">One Saturday a cold front was to pass over Miami bringing
strong west winds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our anchorage near
Mt. Sinai Hospital was open to the west, and we expected it to become rolly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Early that Saturday we pulled up our anchor
and motored over to anchor between Star and Plum Islands for better
protection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Star Island has several “stars”
who live there. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Miami tour boats cruise
the area pointing out their houses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With
a crummy weather forecast, we thought the boat traffic would be light. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Boy, were we wrong! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Groups of partying Spring Breakers had chartered
large motor vessels to have a fun time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Since our spot was protected from the wind and waves, lots of the boats
came to keep us company and share their music with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a harrowing afternoon with these large
boats dragging their anchors in the 30 kt wind and coming far too close to us
for comfort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I googled the cost of one
of these charters. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was listed at $3000
for a half day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could not tell if alcohol
and food were included in that price, but I do know alcohol was being consumed at
a ferocious rate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I may be showing my
age, but when I was a college student, I did not have any portion of $3000.00
to spend on a half day party cruise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Thankfully, not long after sundown the charters ended, and all the boats
went home. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At sunrise, we moved back to
our quiet anchorage near Mt. Sinai Hospital and vowed not to repeat that
mistake again.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">After Bill and I decided to go to the Bahamas, we instantly
had a long to-do-list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We needed fuel,
water, food, booze, beer, and Diet Coke. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know Diet Coke is horrible stuff filled with
chemicals and carcinogens, but we drink it anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s perfect for diluting rum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of buying cases upon cases of cans we
usually buy a 5 gal bag-in-box of the syrup, dilute it with water in empty 1
liter tonic bottles, then charge the bottles with carbon dioxide from a 5 lb cylinder
that Bill has on board. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The box is the
equal of 13 cases of cans but takes up much less space. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sam’s Club has stopped carrying Coke products,
so we left home without a box.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I googled
around and found a food distributor in Miami that sold the syrup. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ordered it online for local pick-up from
Gordon’s Food Service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill and I gathered
our folding hand truck, added money on-line to our Miami transit cards, and took
two different buses to collect our order in Miami’s Little Havana.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first employee we met did not speak
English at all and despite Mrs. Leffler’s best effort in high school Bill does
not speak Spanish, the second employee could not decode our accents, but
finally a third employee understood us and brought us our 45 lb box expecting
us to put it in the trunk of our car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Out
of his sight, we tied the box to our hand truck and pushed it down the street looking
for the first of our three return buses. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can imagine that the employees were trying
to figure out what in the world two, old, pasty-white, English-speaking folks
were going to do with all that Diet Coke Syrup!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">By Wednesday afternoon March 16, the shopping was complete, everything
was put away, we had two negative Covid tests, the slimy dinghy bottom was scrubbed
clean, the dinghy and outboard motor were aboard, and we were ready to move to No
Name Harbor on Biscayne Bay to anchor for the night so we could leave before
sunrise on Thursday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only thing left
to do was to fill out our customs and immigration forms online and get our
Bahamas visas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill quicky gave up in
frustration and turned the job over to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It took me over 3 hours to get all the forms filled out, the various fees
paid, and the documents printed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was
the first year the Bahamas has had this online entry process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The website needs some serious simplification.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill hummed tunes, whistled, and laughed while
doing boaty stuff while I huddled over the computer fuming, cursing, and filling
out forms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We finally left Miami Beach
at 6pm anchoring just after sunset outside No Name Harbor.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The alarm went off at 4am (ugh) and we were underway by
5am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The crossing to the Bahamas was fairly
easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were able to sail across the
Gulf Stream passing north of Bimini around 3pm, but after turning southeast
into the wind on the Great Bahama Bank, we had to take down our sails.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The motor chugged all night while Bill and I
took turns watching the boat and napping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We did not see much boat traffic during the night this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Irish Eyes was anchored in the harbor at Morgan’s
Bluff on Andros Island by 8am on Friday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Bill went to shore and cleared us with Customs and Immigration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My computer paperwork was fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We took the dinghy into the inner harbor and
had a lovely lunch at Unca Harvey’s Water Loop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The rest of the day we napped.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">There is a cave in Morgan’s Bluff where Sir H</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">enry Morgan, a
pirate, is said to have hidden out and stashed some of his treasure.</span><span style="font-family: helvetica; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Bill and I explored the area on Saturday
finding the cave.</span><span style="font-family: helvetica; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The entrance required
a slight descent along a rocky slope. </span><span style="font-family: helvetica; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I
decided my new knee would not like that trail, so Bill crawled through the cave
by himself.</span><span style="font-family: helvetica; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I enjoyed the view, the
breeze, and the birds. </span><span style="font-family: helvetica; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">On the way back
to the boat we watched lots of small sea turtles swimming over the white sand
bottom.</span><span style="font-family: helvetica; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I love to see them darting around
in the crystal clear water.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We needed to get out of Morgan’s Bluff before Monday, March
21 as a cold front was to pass over the area bringing high north winds, large
waves, and possibly some rain. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leaving
Sunday morning and motor sailing all day, we passed Nassau’s New Providence
Island, continued into the night, and arrived at Highbourne Cay at midnight
under a full moon. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We anchored among the
boats already there and fell into bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The expected wind and a brief bit of rain arrived as expected on Monday,
so we spent the day aboard the boat resting.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We were now in the beautiful Exumas, the primary objective of
the trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We travelled the short distance
from Highbourne Cay to Galleon Point on the northwest corner of Norman’s Cay on
Tuesday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our first step on land since Morgan’s
Bluff was to walk around on some of the beaches there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once again, the weather persuaded us to
move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A trio of cold fronts having
caused havoc in the southeast United States was coming to the Exumas. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For good protection from the wind, we motored
around to anchor in Norman’s Cut. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
is a channel between Norman’s Cay and Wax Cay that goes between the Exuma Bank
on its west end, and the Exuma Sound on its east end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a pretty place. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a two-engine cocaine smuggling airplane
that crashed here that is a good snorkeling spot. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During our stay, it attracted a near constant
stream snorkelers from both Nassau tour boats and charter yachts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time Bill and I did not snorkel around
the old airplane, there really is not much of it left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we first saw the C-46 in 2008, we could
sit in the cockpit seats and hold the yokes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now little remains except the engines and corroding fuselage
frames.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We walked on the beautiful
beaches and the sand flats north of the cut just marveling at the colors. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Norman’s Cay is being rapidly developed and
now has a superyacht marina and a 5,000 ft airstrip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>McDuff’s Restaurant and its rental cottages remain
but are much more up-class than they were in the past.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For five days, we watched boats come and go
from the well sheltered Norman’s Cut.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Charter
sailing catamarans and crewed charter yachts were far more numerous than in the
past.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The number of mall privately owned
and crewed cruising boats seems to have declined.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We anchored for four nights at Shroud Cay, one of my
favorite places.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is not any
development here as the cay is owned by the Bahamas Trust and is part of the
Exuma Land and Sea Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are
several mangrove lined creeks that go through the island to the beautiful sound
side white sand beaches and their brilliant blue water. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our trusty old dinghy with its outboard motor
has taken us on several wonderful tours of these creeks, winding through the
mangroves looking at the turtles below us and at the tropic birds above.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It was quite windy during our last two nights at Shroud Cay,
but we found a spot to anchor that was out of the wind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the wind calmed down, we motored south
to Hawksbill Cay, grabbed a mooring ball, and now intend to stay here for three
days or so before we continue our journey south.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is also an uninhabited island owned by
the Bahamas Trust with ruins of a previous attempt at settlement, trails, and
beaches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fun.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">This year we have a cell phone booster, hang its antenna in
the rigging, and have intermittent but occasionally usable cellular service
even though we are now miles from a tower. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll try to write more often.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Happy Days to you all.</span><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1610461932297132297.post-57533057883042713462022-03-08T11:52:00.000-08:002022-03-08T11:52:32.067-08:00<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFOs3UL_N6Of5-iFh1CSJlnhCR9nzg5BhSSbFyADSzCseQVE61ZsrI-hBrvCOoc9QceCZJT82xOmOAV9N3__qNriv9LtE3u_A67Ao44rWbVIqLbrcTA_cQulWgC0ic_5YiLzPjkmlBV3mnuGmwOidvlPe5pLrV8la5_dsGu1TaWFigaqhXhi2LJ3ee=s4608" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFOs3UL_N6Of5-iFh1CSJlnhCR9nzg5BhSSbFyADSzCseQVE61ZsrI-hBrvCOoc9QceCZJT82xOmOAV9N3__qNriv9LtE3u_A67Ao44rWbVIqLbrcTA_cQulWgC0ic_5YiLzPjkmlBV3mnuGmwOidvlPe5pLrV8la5_dsGu1TaWFigaqhXhi2LJ3ee=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The walking paths on Cumberland Island look like the paths in storybooks. There are moss draped live oaks overhead, sawtooth palmettos at shoulder height, and ferns on the forest floor.<br /></span><br /><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6DBlhD1cmAJsFt2D2cQXzrOlccnpsJbIak9fnv1JoFdeN-czF99w1DVcSmMddg-Y6oqiVkpri2X6EuQbBln4jNwguEWhw0qNGQa-Wb2nRQ-lP5N8sD50JlvZAvovvr48dDMRC6qKKgGvR_iVOrgu1i3ARj__Td42Dd_rj3EcL3QfusXp3nvqVWL-q=s3923" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; font-family: helvetica; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2942" data-original-width="3923" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6DBlhD1cmAJsFt2D2cQXzrOlccnpsJbIak9fnv1JoFdeN-czF99w1DVcSmMddg-Y6oqiVkpri2X6EuQbBln4jNwguEWhw0qNGQa-Wb2nRQ-lP5N8sD50JlvZAvovvr48dDMRC6qKKgGvR_iVOrgu1i3ARj__Td42Dd_rj3EcL3QfusXp3nvqVWL-q=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Yes, it is Bill pretending he is Buck Rogers or maybe Flash Gordon on his way to the planet Draconia and the final battle with the forces of evil. Really, it is just a yellow navigation buoy washed up on the beach.</span><br /><br /><p style="text-align: left;"></p><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZKerbo6z-Qnr3tNyX5ND-LPfgbhp0deaUhIy0MdhO2UStRoLeHOb8GXJoKuOTu5VMJXtbtUQEtSni77aqMIdUbrpRJW9dT9W4PBf0KrsjQ33yhZ9j-CCH7NRSJ35Iz7Em7rq0cMHt20zHriPko_GBZJAgu9upGkPqQT6d-H9QSge8Xcs5vRzvp5t6=w400-h300" /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Cumberland Island has lots and lots of armadillos. If you think possums are the dumbest of animals, you have never met an armadillo. Look at its head. There is no room in there for a brain. Armadillos eat the bugs that they find in the leaves, and don’t even run until you can almost touch them.<br /><br /></span><p style="text-align: left;"></p><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQbH__3upqF0u2GZcKqOVwvqbK4C7X3epUNiTO_HbeSCxxWdJn49I3n2LA_-0dadp4p9hSm4y2Ulc7TM4clzFIkEQ_itO98mRhkDseo5rwGB2R2gYi8Mi26U1FhJ66DigRvWGNtvc5fpUfHEhwUKHJAqnsTPiHCOdhwowL6YCoa3ufA7Lym1fnENjC=w301-h400" /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We were anchored in Rockhouse Creek near the New Smyrna Beach Municipal Airport. The Goodyear blimp used the airport for its base during the Daytona 500 coming and going as they took VIPs up for a ride and a view.</span></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;"></p><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5tdGxyPoys7I78bxjasNHCIlVRXqOe-xVkCeTuBlxrjQq-fiUcWIahvl_FXGy9goYzE2XW8q5SMV5gJX5mMYYJ6dxn3PSfqUG_MFuNHZvrF52eMOXH8LcxyjEoDfOu4_yhxy065alU3sk4rTduCCIyxKS2VMxldRA_Jj6boTeRZu0QqCKQ5YxWKOj=w400-h301" width="400" /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">At Jensen Beach we passed by a fleet of small sailboats racing near the shore. Here are the last of the pack making their turn for the finish line.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Hello from Miami Beach. We have reached one of our intended destinations. This is where we decide whether to go to the Bahamas or stay in the Florida Keys. It has been quite an ordeal just getting here.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">When I last wrote we were headed to Thunderbolt, Georgia to get the leaking compressor outlet hose on the refrigeration system replaced. We left our anchorage near Hilton Head Island and arrived in Thunderbolt without any problem. It was still cold, we had on multiple layers of clothing, and we were looking forward to showers with unlimited hot water. Arriving on Monday, both of us took our long showers and shed a couple of layers of clothing. On Tuesday morning, the technician arrived as promised and worked quickly and efficiently to replace the leaking hose. He finished that day, and we were ready to shove off the next morning.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The next two days were uneventful except it was rather cool, but we had on fewer layers than we were wearing in North and South Carolina. On Friday as we motored along by Cumberland Island, the engine started making a rattling noise. Bill looked and discovered the mount holding the refrigeration compressor to the engine had broken. Darn and double darn (or worse). With a couple of c-clamps we had onboard, Bill rigged up a temporary way to stabilize the compressor atop the engine, and we called Tiger Point Marine in Fernandina Beach, Florida. They gave us an appointment for Monday. We decided to anchor off the Sea Camp Ranger Station at Cumberland Island National Park for the weekend. It was warm, and we enjoyed walking the beach and trails around the island. I should tell you here that Irish Eyes has two refrigeration systems; one runs when the engine is running, and the other runs if we turn on the invertor. We were never without a cold refrigerator, so the beer stayed cold, we had ice for our drinks, and we did not lose any food.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Valentine’s Day we tied up to the dock at Tiger Point Marina and waited for the welder to call. He did, and Bill took the broken bracket to the office along with a photo, written instructions, and a drawing showing how the repair should be made. Unfortunately, the paperwork did not get passed to the welder right away, so we stayed two nights at Tiger Point. The marina is in Old Fernandina, and we spent some time walking the streets, looking at the houses, and exploring the old cemetery. Bill reinstalled the bracket on the engine and fixed the compressor on the bracket. In doing so he heard freon hissing from a leak in compressor inlet hose on the refrigeration. There are only two hoses, and first one hose and now the other hose had sprung leaks. I was just about ready to give up and turn back north. The only thing that kept me from really lobbying for that was… It was cold in the Carolinas but warm in Florida.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Unable to schedule a prompt repair in Fernandina Beach, we untied the dock lines and were underway headed south on Wednesday, February 16. It was warm. I did not have on my two pairs of long underwear, and I did not have on my wool hat. Shortly after we were underway Bill says, “Do you hear that scraping noise coming from the engine compartment?” He checked and found that the noise was coming from the pump that pumps sea water to the engine to keep it cool (again). We shut the engine off, and Bill put on the spare water pump. Because he is now practiced, it only took him about 10 minutes. It is always good to have aboard tools, spares, and an engineer who can do mechanical work. We continued through northern Florida enjoying the scenery and the warmer temperatures. Just after we crossed the river outside of Jacksonville, Bill looked down into the cabin and saw water pouring from the quarterberth onto the cabin sole. Not good, not good at all. An engine cooling water vent hose had slipped off its barb. Once again, we drifted along without the engine while Bill put the hose back on fastening it in place with a new hose clamp. I steered while he cleaned up the wet stuff in the cabin. We anchored for the night north of St. Augustine.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The next few days were uneventful. We had days of warm sunshine and one day of cold, windy, drizzly weather. Since we were going to have the refrigeration hose replaced in Vero Beach, we decided to take a slip at the City Marina rather than a much less expensive mooring ball. We arrived in our slip on Monday, February 21. Bill had earlier contacted C&O Marine Refrigeration, and they were scheduled to be at our boat the next morning. Our friends Rob and Minta Fannon, formerly of Kingsport and now are living on their boat, were spending the winter in Vero Beach. We enjoyed happy hour on their boat, Caroline, with another couple from East Tennessee. It was therapeutic to tell everyone our woes. The Fannons were kind enough to accept our Amazon deliveries which because of our delays had arrived in Vero before we did.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Tuesday morning Carlos, the refrigeration guy, came and took away the bad hose to see about having a new one made. I did laundry, and we put away some of our winter clothes. It was finally shorts and tee shirt weather. Carlos called and said he was having trouble finding someone to make a replacement hose. With that delay we paid for two more days in the marina. It was nice having the Fannons in Vero. They had a car, and we thus had transportation for shopping (mostly for boast stuff). We enjoyed their company at both a restaurant supper and lunch.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Thursday, Carlos called again and said that he had been unable to find a shop that could make our hose. He asked if Bill could shop around by phone for a new hose. It did not seem the repairs would be finished before the weekend, so we paid for the slip until Monday. Bill called an automotive air conditioning shop that said they no longer make their own hoses because their nearby O’Reilly’s Auto Parts did a better job. Bill checked with the recommended O’Reilly’s and passed the information along to Carlos. It was about 3pm, and we figured no work on the hose was going to happen that day, so we took the bus to Publix for some groceries. While we were shopping, Carlos called and said he had gotten the hose made and would meet us at the boat in an hour! Great news. Carlos and his worker Oscar showed up after 5pm, installed the new hose, and refilled the system with freon. We were delighted.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Since our slip was paid through Sunday night, and since the coming sunny warm weekend would fill the ICW with fishermen, motorboats, and jet skis, we decided to stay put and play tourist in Vero Beach. Saturday, we took the bus to the beach and strolled along the boardwalk then by the shops, and finally through two parks before arriving back at Irish Eyes. We spent a pleasurable Sunday afternoon in the Vero Beach Art Museum. Not a bad time at all.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We were underway by 9am on Monday, February 28 and continued our trip south. We anchored that night in Hobe Sound just north of Jupiter. Between Jupiter and Miami there are 33 drawbridges for us to pass through. It was an exhausting two and a half days of motoring and keeping our speed right so we could make the scheduled openings. However, the weather was pleasant, and the traffic was surprising light, so it was not too bad.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We had our anchor down here in Miami Beach by lunch time on Thursday March 3. The last couple of days here have been windy, but that was fine because we were in a well-protected spot surrounded by land on three sides. We have no need to move again for a while. We have stuff to buy, places to go, and still more things to fix. There’s always something broken on a boat!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Hope Spring comes soon for all of you.</span></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1610461932297132297.post-26565880705446043202022-02-07T05:12:00.005-08:002022-02-07T05:32:32.060-08:00<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_8cIm08Fhg37xfCPTjZ-gh3Z9TKrhr35Gw_ZTgQyQ8E4nHUfuTXy7cV8VyRrKYt5X2LIm8JHjH_eZC7q1DJkNoDQZOlI0lb7Q_G4Bp4F5tiq20oMcoCRhPymwatuCLlyBM8hnc_GqHgnK6nLWB8DPm5drNNYtZ-AP8dsS9B0S16s7IAj2Gg1Mtiw4=s4080" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_8cIm08Fhg37xfCPTjZ-gh3Z9TKrhr35Gw_ZTgQyQ8E4nHUfuTXy7cV8VyRrKYt5X2LIm8JHjH_eZC7q1DJkNoDQZOlI0lb7Q_G4Bp4F5tiq20oMcoCRhPymwatuCLlyBM8hnc_GqHgnK6nLWB8DPm5drNNYtZ-AP8dsS9B0S16s7IAj2Gg1Mtiw4=w400-h301" width="400" /></span></a></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Right before we left New Bern, a winter storm covered the marina in an inch of sleet and ice. Notice the lack of footprints. No one in the marina was getting off a boat.</span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhe55YZ6rgKbpS93gJiSFLExRDG87jijBodYlcfYI9rXuAbfjSvr4nLXPDRqM42ilH9cOtrTo8ItL8pFoczI5pgbKEvMFlLi4pcbxFiynwEwgI9do0SKTxlj3QrGmmcGdJFB-JQXr57rMfgOLRgVss2dHKHTzJPpQ_UkSFAM-xwPKexCFUpo5lGYf2K=s4608" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhe55YZ6rgKbpS93gJiSFLExRDG87jijBodYlcfYI9rXuAbfjSvr4nLXPDRqM42ilH9cOtrTo8ItL8pFoczI5pgbKEvMFlLi4pcbxFiynwEwgI9do0SKTxlj3QrGmmcGdJFB-JQXr57rMfgOLRgVss2dHKHTzJPpQ_UkSFAM-xwPKexCFUpo5lGYf2K=w400-h300" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Most of the Waccamaw River passes thru cypress swamp. In the winter it is barren, gray, but strangely beautiful with the leafless trees draped in Spanish moss and water everywhere.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNmaQzuOJP-8nBHdAAbOs9xxW5oQfM3i1Fj9Od88Z8C9gfwDIseplf-bY_hrtksKrISQD3mbMuoGvdB_KQSAS1Cf6xDOB1XmAYRWG5IQixJuzoIFjjen4mKFWM53StyZde8vXSmZeeHo5H6JF6kGOBiOnPhjszxVDlB-Vmxs_g4n1FNJkGcZmq1c4M=s4608" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNmaQzuOJP-8nBHdAAbOs9xxW5oQfM3i1Fj9Od88Z8C9gfwDIseplf-bY_hrtksKrISQD3mbMuoGvdB_KQSAS1Cf6xDOB1XmAYRWG5IQixJuzoIFjjen4mKFWM53StyZde8vXSmZeeHo5H6JF6kGOBiOnPhjszxVDlB-Vmxs_g4n1FNJkGcZmq1c4M=w400-h300" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgE2OB7h75akOT7cvEhcI2Xl4rYtPhqkKcmLfYWZkkf9gYDf9AJAPVg5QNy0XK4nlJkjzLqBwMmKd-f8FacI8Z4TDEhHB-H410UlCe9dwg5oM2ss1ZSSeDRNczKxLTcproDoUMvKEiJn0kYGdbGCNJoRpvyxPQrEanpbV6YFsDN2QUN3qRnw8_dqkOy=s4608" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgb-m9RwqiVYXDbt12uq3oUQuLD_qWCPmpKn9DNq2AFQ2Mjega-3-yMMM0igdXvUj-rNoSC9HjudYXIMY4hcYis2qELSYgEOwBxQZOhBt8NVfF_RxsI-06jZBN6irwNbgsSyu3RsmZdPKik8nPy1sL6h-o5K8J8hiZPe8ZikvvgfSLF7KORDRb2hSMF=s4608" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgb-m9RwqiVYXDbt12uq3oUQuLD_qWCPmpKn9DNq2AFQ2Mjega-3-yMMM0igdXvUj-rNoSC9HjudYXIMY4hcYis2qELSYgEOwBxQZOhBt8NVfF_RxsI-06jZBN6irwNbgsSyu3RsmZdPKik8nPy1sL6h-o5K8J8hiZPe8ZikvvgfSLF7KORDRb2hSMF=s4608" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgb-m9RwqiVYXDbt12uq3oUQuLD_qWCPmpKn9DNq2AFQ2Mjega-3-yMMM0igdXvUj-rNoSC9HjudYXIMY4hcYis2qELSYgEOwBxQZOhBt8NVfF_RxsI-06jZBN6irwNbgsSyu3RsmZdPKik8nPy1sL6h-o5K8J8hiZPe8ZikvvgfSLF7KORDRb2hSMF=s4608" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgb-m9RwqiVYXDbt12uq3oUQuLD_qWCPmpKn9DNq2AFQ2Mjega-3-yMMM0igdXvUj-rNoSC9HjudYXIMY4hcYis2qELSYgEOwBxQZOhBt8NVfF_RxsI-06jZBN6irwNbgsSyu3RsmZdPKik8nPy1sL6h-o5K8J8hiZPe8ZikvvgfSLF7KORDRb2hSMF=w400-h300" width="400" /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">These two pictures show the sandy beach where we anchored in Thoroughfare Creek off the Waccamaw River. The first picture is in the warm weather when we stopped. The second is the next day with a bit of snow on both the beach and the boat.</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhB_eFtHKARCU4rnwt3tpEoLtd5-G7kq-hoW2M6U-ZtySp5y53eYkmiUCO2-F7yPnTLLWrszE5KTDX-3jrprTIUcTsJpxIq9mNpLlV6EYaOK-mlYB1tQp6B7yRZ013Y-hfXAdAeoNw7ezFv-8OUn0wM1LZj1DHukUcmfwYUEKHWWHss5KeMaAaZbi2u=s4608" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjB-YY0Dv-fcR4d1yvg5Zgturbd8eqBYAQmZFjfdP0jn4YhSLQ5EX_7s2rguBBS_zC7mfo2Uledjas3cObwWN4q0iqiEtkC03TCJlWEPkUYjmrXJmG00EqwZCuSxqr1BwU4P0o32bizgKYaJqYIaojQOvaw7KaqDK1eoldcscbCLPczI2cglXDnDLWo=s4608" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjB-YY0Dv-fcR4d1yvg5Zgturbd8eqBYAQmZFjfdP0jn4YhSLQ5EX_7s2rguBBS_zC7mfo2Uledjas3cObwWN4q0iqiEtkC03TCJlWEPkUYjmrXJmG00EqwZCuSxqr1BwU4P0o32bizgKYaJqYIaojQOvaw7KaqDK1eoldcscbCLPczI2cglXDnDLWo=w400-h300" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">There are near endless acres of salt marsh along the Intracoastal Waterway. Here north of McClellanville they stretch farther than the horizon and glow in the early morning sunlight.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhsJd0OtTXMdaWvIuSGT6HT2f-RoeQPc5GXkAVYF_vP0iPTetdESFynL49V7DBUW8qeLIkQQErkMebWEtUjuFCD6PbGrIdcTYp8a0A5FuPQQmNz5t6kf98L-rYyMmnvHZFL11v9AQTncMCY61PbKF1mHyJt2L4WpJiMLTSdPvkMpFyd67PeFLEZelfM=s833" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="833" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhsJd0OtTXMdaWvIuSGT6HT2f-RoeQPc5GXkAVYF_vP0iPTetdESFynL49V7DBUW8qeLIkQQErkMebWEtUjuFCD6PbGrIdcTYp8a0A5FuPQQmNz5t6kf98L-rYyMmnvHZFL11v9AQTncMCY61PbKF1mHyJt2L4WpJiMLTSdPvkMpFyd67PeFLEZelfM=w400-h300" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Irish Eyes was anchored a half mile away down the long straight creek just to the left of this photograph. Bill brought the dinghy up here to an abandoned rail line now converted to a walking trail to begin his three hour walking trip to Home Depot and Food Lion. To get under the pipeline he had to take the outboard motor off the dinghy. Once past the pipes and hemmed in by rocks, he unexpectedly found his dinghy being drawn toward these these two whirlpools with no motor on the dinghy. Homer said Odysseus had a similar problem.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="text-align: left;">Hello from Bull Creek near Hilton Head Island, South
Carolina.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">We are anchored here for a few
day</span>s waiting out some windy weather before we go to Thunderbolt Marine just
outside Savannah for repairs.</span></p></div></div><p style="text-align: left;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Bill and I had talked for months about what we were going to
do this winter and spring on Irish Eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The rules for entering, staying in, and leaving the Bahamas seemed to
change on a weekly basis. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill was
fairly determined to again visit the lovely warm waters of the Exumas. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was more hesitant but could consent to
travel along and see what happens. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our
other option was to cruise the Florida Keys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Either way taking the boat to Miami would be the first step<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We decided to leave after the first of the year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The family came for a short visit between
Christmas and New Year’s Day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the
grandchildren was recovering from Covid, and her family only stayed one day
with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other family stayed and
helped us sail our 22-foot sailboat, Canary, in the Watauga Lake Sail Club’s New
Year’s Day Frostbite Race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With twelve
boats competing, we won, and the story was carried by the local papers and TV
stations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a fun time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">January 13<sup>th</sup> was the target to leave our land-home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took a while to first put Christmas away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took even longer to pack the very warm
clothes, the warm clothes, the less warm clothes, the cool weather clothes and finally
the summer clothes that we would need on this trip. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, everything we would need for five months
had to be packed into our Ford Expedition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Lastly, the houseplants had to go to their home away from home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The driving trip was uneventful, and we
arrived in New Bern after dark.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Our next task was to move the things we would need on this
trip from the car to the boat and to take the things we would not need for five
months from the boat to the car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill flushed
the antifreeze out of the boat’s water tanks and changed the antifreeze in the engine.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He worked on “The List” of things that
needed fixing and wrapped our portholes and overhead hatches in plastic to
retard cold weather condensation and dripping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I made several grocery-store trips to purchase food for the next few
weeks filling the freezer, fridge, and lockers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>During our first weekend in New Bern a storm with gale force winds and accompanying
rain passed through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The following days
brought us clear and warmish weather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
short, pleasant spell ended with winter a storm with its wind, freezing rain,
sleet, and snow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally on Sunday,
January 23, with a little of the ice and sleet still on the boat, we
untied the dock lines and left.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It was cold but warm enough to melt the last of the ice off
the boat as we traveled down the Neuse River to our usual first night
anchorage, Adams Creek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From there until
we got through Myrtle Beach daytime temperatures were in the 40s and nighttime
temperatures were comfortably above freezing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We stayed warm in the cockpit in long underwear, sweaters, down jackets,
and wooly caps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Down below our bus
heater kept the interior in the 70s, and that warmth remained through suppertime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blankets in the v-berth and a 12V bunk heater
between the sheets and mattress kept us warm at night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But… getting out of a warm bed into cold
clothes each morning was a challenge to my courage.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">In the Waccamaw River behind Pawley’s Island the weather
changed, and we spent two days idle, anchored in the cypress and gum swamp
waiting out the snow and wind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those
days were our coldest days of this year on the boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We awoke the first day to snow in the air, an
inch of white stuff on the boat’s decks, wind, and 33<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">°</span> outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next morning was colder; 25<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">°</span>
outside, 33<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">°</span>
inside, but thankfully no more snow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
spent most of the first cold day in bed under a pile of blankets. warm, reading,
watching movies, and hibernating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
hindsight, it was a pleasant change to be at anchor with nothing to do after weeks
and weeks of holiday and boat busyness. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The second and coldest morning we started the
engine, turned on our bus heater, put on five layers of clothes, and resumed
our journey south.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We passed Georgetown, crossed both the North and South
Santee Rivers, and we were nearing McClellanville when the wind picked up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With shallow water ahead and low tide
approaching, we turned around and anchored in the South Santee River in a well-protected
spot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next morning at high tide we
passed through the shallow bit, reached the Ben Sawyer Bridge at Sullivan’s Island
exactly at a scheduled opening, passed through Charleston Harbor, arrived at the
Wappoo Creek Bridge minutes before its next to the last afternoon opening, and
anchored in the Stono River.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we were
anchoring in the Stono River, I heard an alarm I have never heard before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked Bill what it was, and he calmly told
me it was the engine compartment fire alarm!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A bolt that holds the alternator onto the engine had broken, and the
alternator was just hanging by its still turning belt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The belt was smoking, but nothing was burning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stopping the engine stopped the smoking.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">That evening with some internet research, Bill found a Home
Depot store in West Ashley with an exact metric replacement bolt two miles from
our anchorage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill wrote down the walking
directions, we launched the dinghy, and off he went looking for a spot to land
the dinghy. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stayed with the boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My job was to worry about both Bill and the
boat. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did my job quite well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hours later, Bill returned with the
replacement bolt and got the alternator back up and running.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While he was working on the alternator, Bill
discovered a leak in the refrigeration system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Darn [not the real words].<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
always something on this boat.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">After spending that afternoon and half the next morning
trying to find someone to work on the refrigeration in Charleston and failing,
Bill called Thunderbolt Marine outside of Savannah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thunderbolt Marine was too busy with other jobs
work on our problem, but they gave Bill a name and phone number of a sub-contractor
who will meet us at 9am on Tuesday, February 8 in Thunderbolt Marina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With that promise in hand, we fueled the boat
in Beaufort and moved to Bull Creek behind Hilton Head Island to wait three
nights at anchor until Monday when we will go to Thunderbolt Marina to meet the
promised technician on Tuesday morning.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Hope everyone is warm and well.</span></p><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1610461932297132297.post-61596012178713206952020-05-24T15:27:00.000-07:002020-05-24T16:31:27.154-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC6J5yMYCDlXxnX5OHYNb0sA3FJcn-uq5CdR5XpcOBinupgNDvP5ZkWvh0huOwvTEppyJ2-4Noyy6Gp5oVr0Pb6wjt5Ny9OGlgcgeqK9oA0VqjvKtpQHILA3R06CFZdASTsxlq6FvGlFo/s1600/Closer+To+Home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC6J5yMYCDlXxnX5OHYNb0sA3FJcn-uq5CdR5XpcOBinupgNDvP5ZkWvh0huOwvTEppyJ2-4Noyy6Gp5oVr0Pb6wjt5Ny9OGlgcgeqK9oA0VqjvKtpQHILA3R06CFZdASTsxlq6FvGlFo/s320/Closer+To+Home.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In Myrtle Beach this sign told us that we were 713 miles north of Miami. It would be four more days until we are in our slip at Northwest Creek Marina in New Bern.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In this little clip we were sailing downwind with only the mainsail up in the ocean. The land ahead is Bald Head Island at the mouth of the Cape Fear River. The autopilot was steering the boat. In good conditions we can sail faster than we can motor.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1CE_-a_foFspSh2iJ-tdTiQXObm4Vt8xLCKUZfxinmIltY_iajL5kOcyePh_QypqCYTkUpTWRnRl4_EdEdEyaMLZYpn7RtEReOibr555y8A-WjGJLP5hQFEjUmIwypOGc5tFj3HYxOrU/s1600/Cape+Fear+River+Ship.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1CE_-a_foFspSh2iJ-tdTiQXObm4Vt8xLCKUZfxinmIltY_iajL5kOcyePh_QypqCYTkUpTWRnRl4_EdEdEyaMLZYpn7RtEReOibr555y8A-WjGJLP5hQFEjUmIwypOGc5tFj3HYxOrU/s320/Cape+Fear+River+Ship.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In the Cape Fear River this ship overtook us. You can't see it, but on her stern is the red flag of the Isle of Man with the three legged man in its center. We moved out of the channel to let her pass. A sailboat a mile or two ahead of us did not, and he got a whistle and a polite radio call when he stayed mid-channel.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hello. We are now home in Tennessee and living on dirt again. We have been here a week, and what a busy week it has been. I brought home two months’ worth of dirty clothes, sheets, and towels along with all the remaining food from the boat. Bill brought his collection of boat things to repair or put away. That little collection filled our Ford Expedition to the roof. Our house did fine without us, the weeds and bushes both grew exceptionally well, but the insects and spiders stayed outside where they belonged. There has been (and there still is) a lot to do.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Our trip north from Miami to New Bern was slow. Back when we thought we would be leaving Miami for the Bahamas, we sent all our cool weather clothing to our daughter, Julia. With little to wear except shorts and tee shirts, we could not go north faster than the spring, and this year spring was slow with cold front after cold front coming off the southeast coast. We seemed to have windy cold weather every two or three days. With each front the wind increased, and the temperature dropped. We had two especially ‘interesting’ cold fronts. One while anchored near Titusville brought several warnings of nearby tornados along with black skies, rain, and a wind speed hovering above 40 knots. A second cold front with tornado warnings caught us at Pine Island north of St Augustine where a 3am blast of 48 knot wind coupled with a 180° change in direction dislodged our anchor and dragged us about 250 ft before the anchor reset thankfully stopping us before we hit anything.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">With all the cold fronts, it was not good weather even in Florida for going out into the ocean and making faster progress. Finally, passing through Georgia we got a break in the weather and motor sailed in the ocean from St. Catherine’s Sound to Hilton Head. Along the way, we started hearing a metallic scraping noise coming from the engine compartment. We anchored in Bryan Creek west of Hilton Head Island but found the creek to be too shallow, too narrow, and too infested with no-see-ums for our liking. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Another cold front was coming our way, so we moved to the wider, deeper, and less buggy Bull Creek. Bill found the shaft bearings on our engine coolant pump to be worn, so he called the local Yanmar dealer and ordered a replacement. It was Wednesday and the promised delivery date was Monday. That was okay. We were not in a rush, and in five days spring would be five days farther north. The forecast cold front arrived as expected. In our well sheltered spot, the 30 knot wind did not bother us at all, and the bad weather soon passed. However, over the weekend the governor of South Carolina relaxed his stay-at-home order, and our peaceful creek turned into a busy highway of small boats and jet skis intent on filling our calm spot with large waves. We launched our dinghy, started our outboard motor, joined the mob, and took a two-hour-tour of the Bull Island salt marsh creeks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On Monday, the crowds went back to work, and we were once again alone on the water. A morning phone call told us that the replacement coolant pump had arrived. We moved the boat to a spot near Hudson’s Seafood Restaurant on Hilton Head Island and anchored it there. Bill put on his homemade face mask, picked up his rubber gloves and wipes, put on his pack, and took the dinghy to Hudson’s dock. In a three hour walk around the island, he picked up the pump from the dealer, bought fresh vegetables from a roadside stand, got two bags of chips from a gas station, and bought two fried oyster salads for our supper from Hudson’s. He even had a cold beer while he waited for his takeaway order. The oysters were our first restaurant meal in seven weeks. He installed the coolant pump that evening, but unfortunately it leaked, and he spent the next day doing a better job.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Our series of cold fronts continued. We had a taste of one as we traveled through Beaufort, SC to the Ashepoo River where we got the real blow during that night. Another one caught us anchored in Awendaw Creek north of Charleston. Farther north after two calm nights anchored in the Waccamaw River, still one more cold front sped us on our way as we sailed in the ocean between Little River, SC and the Cape Fear River. It then blew hard enough to keep me awake that night while we were anchored at Bird Island near the river mouth.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">From the Cape Fear River, we motored in the Intracoastal Waterway to Wrightsville Beach, and the next morning we went out into the ocean for the trip to Beaufort, NC. Anchoring that night near Fort Macon, we watched the dredging crew that had been working for months in the Morehead City Harbor pack up their equipment on barges to be pushed to Norfolk by three tugs. The next day we traveled north with them for hours at almost exactly our motoring speed. The first two tugs departed before us. We overtook one when he slowed in a tricky area, and we overtook the lead tug when his barge momentarily ran aground in Adams Creek. It was interesting to watch them maneuver in the twists and turns of the ICW and thread their barges through the narrow opening under the Core Creek Bridge. They chatted on the radio between themselves and other passing commercial traffic. It was something that we had not witnessed so closely before.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A calm night anchored in Cedar Creek and a short morning run up the Neuse River brought us back to Northwest Creek Marina and our slip. It was Friday, May 15. Tropical Storm Arthur was forecast to skirt the North Carolina coast over the weekend bringing wind and rain. We began the three-day dance of moving things from the boat to the car and from the car to the boat in dry weather and ended our work in the rain. By Monday morning all was done, and we left for Kingsport. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We were away from home for 116 days. During that time, I never got to walk on a beach, pick up shells, or eat a “cheese burger in paradise”. This year’s trip was definitely much different from those of years past. Our mechanical problems and the virus threw a monkey wrench into our plans. Bahamas trip number 13, while not a disaster, was not the trip of my dreams. But, there is always next year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hopefully, we will all have a good, safe, and healthy summer.</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1610461932297132297.post-67793056533961926452020-04-17T18:09:00.000-07:002020-04-21T04:03:38.959-07:00<br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">From our new anchorage spot at Miami’s Marine Stadium we had
a different view of the city’s night <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>skyline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is looking across Biscayne Bay at the southern part of the city
near the Miami River.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Rickenbacker
Causeway is just out of sight to the left.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When we arrived at Elliott Key there were only a few
boats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the weekend crowds came that
changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The early morning stillness did
not last into the day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Back at the Marine Stadium you can see Miami in
daylight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over toward the right is a
small island with a sand beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
much closer to us than the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
was the scene of a back and forth, cat and mouse game between the people who came
to play on the beach and the Miami Police who were enforcing the mayor’s beach
closure order.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While the police had
helicopters and high speed boats, it was not quite as exciting as Miami Vice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Protected by his hand sewn mask and rubber gloves and with a
pocket full of wipes saved from Publix weeks before, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill returns in the dinghy with 30 gallons of
water, 15 gallons of diesel fuel, and a gallon of gasoline to fill our tanks
for the start of our journey north.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I baked us a loaf of bread saving us a trip to the store. </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Spring is on its way, and we are on our way home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When I last wrote, we were anchored in Miami Beach and planned
to go to the Florida Keys, around to the west coast of Florida, then back to
the Florida east coast by passing through the Okeechobee Waterway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, as soon as we were ready to leave, the
roads into the Keys were closed to all but residents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just to make it obvious that we weren’t
wanted, Monroe County closed the bars, restaurants, marinas, beaches, and
parks. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Key West even closed the sunset. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill and I took the hint and decided not to go
there. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our earlier decision not to go to
the Bahamas turned out to be most fortunate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Bahamian restrictions on cruisers have gradually become increasingly
severe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Currently, not only are foreign
boats prohibited from entering the Bahamas for any reason, but if already there they must stay in a single place, they cannot travel from one island to
another, they must register with the national government, and they cannot go
ashore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All foreign boats are encouraged
to leave as soon as it can safely be done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Foreigners must seek medical aid in their home country, not in the
Bahamas. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am glad we did not go.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Even in Miami Beach the things we usually enjoyed doing
either were closed or prohibited by Emergency Orders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought it unwise for us to even go ashore
to walk around because we were both 69 years old and Dade County was the
Florida virus hotspot. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With little to
do, we decided we needed a change of scenery and motored south about 5 miles to
anchor in the Marine Stadium at Virginia Key.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This anchorage gave us a different view of the Miami skyline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The state, county, and city Emergency Orders that
were designed to discourage boating seemed to have little effect in the Marine
Stadium.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every afternoon motorboats and
jet skis whizzed around with loud Latin music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One morning when it was still quiet and calm, Bill said, “I think I’ll
take the engine apart today.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
horrified and talked him out of that project.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Instead of taking apart the engine, he took apart the toilet, the only other
necessary part of the boat, to repair a valve which had been leaking seawater
into the bowl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stopped the leak and
got the toilet back together before I needed it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Later, he did take the engine apart; well, not really.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took the rocker arm cover off and adjusted
the valve clearances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our little diesel was
suddenly much quieter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After being at the Marine Stadium for a couple of days, we
decided to go a little farther south to Elliott Key.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elliott Key is the most northern of the
Florida Keys and is part of the Biscayne Bay National Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the shore side facilities at the park
were closed, but it would be a change of scenery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We spent the weekend anchored with about
fifty other boats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a hang out and
party spot for local boats providing small sand beaches for lounging and a dock
that gave access to trails on the island. Folks took their dinghies to the beaches, set
up umbrellas, laid out on beach towels, and waded in the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One large
boat tied up to the dock and the crew went inland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was not long before a police helicopter repeatedly
swooped above the crowd with flashing blue lights, a siren, and a loudspeaker
telling people that the beach and dock were closed, and that everyone must leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next morning a police boat came and strung
yellow tape along both sides of the dock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The foiled beach parties resumed on several boats and continued all
weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Binoculars made the anchorage a
great people watching spot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A coming west wind would make our Elliott Key anchorage
uncomfortable, so we moved back to the Marine Stadium. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A small island with a white sand beach was
behind us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like all public and private
beaches in Dade County, the beach was “closed”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That had no effect on the people in motorboats who would anchor just off
the island then go to the beach. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
watched the periodic arrival of Miami police by helicopter or boat, the evacuation
of everyone from the beach, the departure of the police, and the return of the
people to the beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was like
watching a basketball game where two evenly matched teams alternate scoring
with neither gaining an advantage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
cheered for both sides.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even encircling
the island with yellow police tape failed to upset the balance in the game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Tiring of the unresolved skirmishing for the island and the
co-current nearby battle of competing boat stereo systems, we returned to my
favorite, quiet, and uncrowded Miami Beach spot between the Julia Tuttle
Causeway and the Sunset Isles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We just hung
out on Irish Eyes reading, knitting, occasionally watching a movie, and
listening to the Sirius radio work its way through the top 1000 classic rock
songs, top 1000 classic pop sounds….<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was time to go.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It was mandatory to wear a mask in Miami Beach, so Bill sewed
himself a mask out of a blue car washing towel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Masked and gloved, he took the dinghy and returned with fuel and water
to fill our tanks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was plenty of
food on the boat, so we skipped a trip to the grocery store. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We put the dinghy on the deck, cleaned a
month’s worth of marine growth off its bottom, folded it away, and left
Miami.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were small craft warnings offshore,
so we motored north in the ICW through all the bridges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was little boat traffic until we got to
Fort Lauderdale where the traffic picked up dying away again past the St Lucie
Inlet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Tonight, we are anchored for our second night in Fort Pierce
waiting for the wind and rain to leave before we do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Back when we planned to go to the Bahamas, I
sent all my warm clothes to our daughter Julia. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a pair of capri length pants, one three
quarter length sleeved shirt, and a sweatshirt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I also have a pair of socks because I knitted them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll travel north slowly to be sure that
spring stays ahead of us going no farther north than the tee shirt
weather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are headed back to New Bern
then home to Kingsport.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hope to see you distantly soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stay at home, it’s the only safe place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1610461932297132297.post-74672680535086807172020-03-20T09:57:00.000-07:002020-03-20T09:57:58.022-07:00<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHFBthG2QHFcCviEH6wkThuPgrVvj9XqKfRPd6aUiX1v1hvUQHpLXjW0lDhqCpOZR5UqdrNX07jmhn2AJVf77QHvrscIlXZoHPf0iOAAYeon0d0cxjv-p_1yzWRniu6-MoSBJkqrhFEoA/s1600/DSCN0853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1343" data-original-width="1600" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHFBthG2QHFcCviEH6wkThuPgrVvj9XqKfRPd6aUiX1v1hvUQHpLXjW0lDhqCpOZR5UqdrNX07jmhn2AJVf77QHvrscIlXZoHPf0iOAAYeon0d0cxjv-p_1yzWRniu6-MoSBJkqrhFEoA/s320/DSCN0853.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY0lk3busdqHPfq0CcfBAP5NY7wuxhOecd_bgFbx2zv_Rub0n2_kmwjcGp-OZPT1YvxqdAu6Z0vrikETsRIciCqpjulcnlrPuHFMsKJDU3xAKK0ZCcJ9tr1n0RS3SZw1MS1K2JGSRRQ9M/s1600/DSCN0857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1600" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY0lk3busdqHPfq0CcfBAP5NY7wuxhOecd_bgFbx2zv_Rub0n2_kmwjcGp-OZPT1YvxqdAu6Z0vrikETsRIciCqpjulcnlrPuHFMsKJDU3xAKK0ZCcJ9tr1n0RS3SZw1MS1K2JGSRRQ9M/s200/DSCN0857.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The Southport storm put almost 4” of water in our rain gauge. Traveling on the Waccamaw River between Myrtle Beach and Georgetown, we could see its effects. The river was out of its banks and flowing fast. This house had the water up to its doorstep; others were worse. We normally motor at about 5.5 knots. That is how fast we travel through the water. But here, the water is moving in the same direction that we are moving, so together we are making over 8 knots.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1O7Ymj5KyVZA3lgDD_jmhztMF15Jy-hcZZjrIEIwar7z_yxnI0t9rMvnqS5-UX_Yyh7Nmi1ZE1aIcMjF7tOiSsYrMmmCEBnZJS82D40V6UFUodNercWrE4qVHHwx7Rh_EARXsurDfSV4/s1600/P_20200226_081037_vHDR_On_p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1O7Ymj5KyVZA3lgDD_jmhztMF15Jy-hcZZjrIEIwar7z_yxnI0t9rMvnqS5-UX_Yyh7Nmi1ZE1aIcMjF7tOiSsYrMmmCEBnZJS82D40V6UFUodNercWrE4qVHHwx7Rh_EARXsurDfSV4/s320/P_20200226_081037_vHDR_On_p.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Just south of Beaufort, SC we ran into fog. Hidden behind the haze were a pair of nearby highway bridges, and a park like shoreline, and the naval hospital. Like you, all we could see was fog and our lifeline.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJoT5d7N-xjE05ru0AXoZ_qm5M_4FDvX59Ps2kFdJUEHM6wfdaP_CyixMyzNTUWO0Qd0YsVwOVx22TiX2MRcIIAdhF8BDveNjZntn-RxL6pBlKBIWprCdd0RazyySavgF_h7_uICO8pHw/s1600/DSCN0870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJoT5d7N-xjE05ru0AXoZ_qm5M_4FDvX59Ps2kFdJUEHM6wfdaP_CyixMyzNTUWO0Qd0YsVwOVx22TiX2MRcIIAdhF8BDveNjZntn-RxL6pBlKBIWprCdd0RazyySavgF_h7_uICO8pHw/s320/DSCN0870.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In Georgia this huge collection of tugs, dredges, barges, and floating dredge pipe met us. They were going north. We moved way over to the side to let them past.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMC8_gs9fQH7uUJrFa3mN1j8-nrzv-qlsKs_pth_7zmCD8MVxvSObS8KL05vgG7oDfliuFejLwJvyxRzVQRSeeHoZcnVdam_1vkd_GTyuvJE6xBxyZQc9F-2Zh4tHu5t9TgmTrqiibh88/s1600/DSCN0897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMC8_gs9fQH7uUJrFa3mN1j8-nrzv-qlsKs_pth_7zmCD8MVxvSObS8KL05vgG7oDfliuFejLwJvyxRzVQRSeeHoZcnVdam_1vkd_GTyuvJE6xBxyZQc9F-2Zh4tHu5t9TgmTrqiibh88/s320/DSCN0897.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The 656-foot-long car transporting ship, Golden Ray, rolled over on its side last September as it was leaving Brunswick, Georgia. It had 4300 cars still on board. They will soon begin slicing it into eight pieces to get it out of the channel. You are looking at its bottom. This was as close as we could come to it.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPw3uxiqutPj0mZYBXN59tQoGgh6iog-N0xTekdlMdeyx_Rf_YmbPGyr0aaAfFTojxcJDPJcD-Drq-vXa4iqDx44JxOxWsw5fRxlZqB25FOgIX_b7B3QGuyil0O3W3Akt2tRsyxRlT934/s1600/DSCN0907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPw3uxiqutPj0mZYBXN59tQoGgh6iog-N0xTekdlMdeyx_Rf_YmbPGyr0aaAfFTojxcJDPJcD-Drq-vXa4iqDx44JxOxWsw5fRxlZqB25FOgIX_b7B3QGuyil0O3W3Akt2tRsyxRlT934/s320/DSCN0907.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In Port Everglades I saw this cargo ship with a sailboat perched on its foredeck. I wonder where it is going.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmkLF50Gu1POge13td-deULSM9hu-fG6ZSzQGdzjag11XQjbp1GBgrPuaMJK-QMAjq5dFV7j3OrcyTkrTpWCCmpmMSJiNchRncBH_vqstPp5KvdmyC-9_1rzEDfu8Q0-OGgvwcBFfHe0s/s1600/DSCN0913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmkLF50Gu1POge13td-deULSM9hu-fG6ZSzQGdzjag11XQjbp1GBgrPuaMJK-QMAjq5dFV7j3OrcyTkrTpWCCmpmMSJiNchRncBH_vqstPp5KvdmyC-9_1rzEDfu8Q0-OGgvwcBFfHe0s/s320/DSCN0913.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCg1i5S5G0_unq7_Gh1dzbugfBdi42Jn1IEcKefKPPxTz7bxGFX838dBb1F2hIBZTCsZB7_Zz5U2AtEhW_45NWzq_uvLydIlYP-MIb-RvUh7pKSFMN_P_owrc2ADtpaAZ3yksWTnQ6_Us/s1600/DSCN0926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCg1i5S5G0_unq7_Gh1dzbugfBdi42Jn1IEcKefKPPxTz7bxGFX838dBb1F2hIBZTCsZB7_Zz5U2AtEhW_45NWzq_uvLydIlYP-MIb-RvUh7pKSFMN_P_owrc2ADtpaAZ3yksWTnQ6_Us/s320/DSCN0926.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A motor yacht came and anchored behind us for a few days. It had the little umbrella on its bow. I had a similar umbrella on my drink.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-wONUQ7M3zH6oFNXf40hkF3ZC45yCVD4dyzOTM_0Pj2dIRrJhS5rR4aJmKGXQR_Mr4iRY6x48rlmoBuDIgFj1x65_Yr0mP4kNCJvu5I4_WFjnfCkwLTnrZiq7cTXldUU0ckHpEAP3d7s/s1600/DSCN0918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-wONUQ7M3zH6oFNXf40hkF3ZC45yCVD4dyzOTM_0Pj2dIRrJhS5rR4aJmKGXQR_Mr4iRY6x48rlmoBuDIgFj1x65_Yr0mP4kNCJvu5I4_WFjnfCkwLTnrZiq7cTXldUU0ckHpEAP3d7s/s320/DSCN0918.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This 200+ foot long motor yacht is docked east of us. Like most large (and some not so large) yachts, it does not fly an American flag. The flag you see is the Marshall Islands. That is in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. I doubt that it has ever even been there. Its name is Utopia IV, and Google can tell you more.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihZlVvbNXvBYkzddpnuLKOa0kMPDcuSMgrfLS4J9gjP-Hz4lDqRmy1NdiENMGWFpwgAFQsRn5P-F9vmHICPPgMKL6fJhZiMJIG8Dl3n_AuWQj7upoH8Cm1vOYzVGw0uOEljJp9mUv7_RI/s1600/DSCN0932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihZlVvbNXvBYkzddpnuLKOa0kMPDcuSMgrfLS4J9gjP-Hz4lDqRmy1NdiENMGWFpwgAFQsRn5P-F9vmHICPPgMKL6fJhZiMJIG8Dl3n_AuWQj7upoH8Cm1vOYzVGw0uOEljJp9mUv7_RI/s320/DSCN0932.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To our west is the Miami skyline. We get this view every evening. Nice, isn't it?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hello from sunny and warm Miami Beach. I hope you are all well and polishing your newly learned Social Distancing Skills. On our floating home Bill and I are definitely good at Social Distancing. We are 200+ yards away from any land or other boat and farther still from any person.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After all our mechanical troubles were resolved, our trip south was relatively easy. It was cold, but it was not nearly as cold as in past years. To stay warm outside, I never had to wear two pairs of wool long underwear or two pairs of socks. We navigated the shallow ICW trouble spots without incident due to luck with the tides, recent dredging, and river flooding. Against my long-held opinion that travelling on the ICW in the dark was not a good idea, we did do a short trip in the dark. After going through the Wappoo Creek Bridge, south of Charleston at 3pm, we agreed it was too early to stop for the night. I asked Bill if he had a place picked to anchor before dark. “Of course, there is a perfect spot”, was the reply. Well, the guidebook said the spot had room for two boats. When we got there, exactly two boats were anchored in our spot. There was nothing to do but to push on. The sun went down, and we motored in the dark for about an hour before arriving at Church Creek on Johns Island. My opinion proved correct; navigating the ICW in the dark proved both scary and dumb. Even with our radar and GPS, all around us were the lurking beasts and terrors that we could not see.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In the morning a few days later in Beaufort, SC, it was cloudy, and rain was predicted to begin in the afternoon. We raised the anchor just after sunrise and headed south. Only thirty minutes into the trip, fog descended. I mean thick, dense fog that obscured anything not on the boat. We managed to creep over close to the shore without hitting it and dropped the anchor. The fog lifted a couple of hours later, and we were on our way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I think our coldest day was February 29th. Well, the temperature may not have been the coldest, but the wind was blowing at a steady 25 knots which made it feel cold. We were crossing St. Andrew’s Sound between Jekyll Island and Cumberland Island. The wind was on our nose, and waves were breaking over the bow of the boat. In addition to my worries about the weather, we motored past some folks in kayaks who were paddling across St. Andrews Sound. Both Bill and I remarked that they should not have been out there. Hours later we heard them call the Coast Guard. A 53-year-old woman was missing. A helicopter and boat were dispatched for the search. Long story short, they found the yellow kayak pulled up on shore at Cumberland Island with footprints in the sand, but we never learned the rest of the story.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Once past Cumberland Island we were in Florida! Each day was warmer than the one before. A stop in Vero Beach was in our plans. Bill had ordered a cell phone booster and some other stuff from Amazon. I had ordered some knitting needles and a pair of shoes. All would be delivered to the Vero Beach City Marina. It was also time to shop for a few groceries, have an unlimited hot water shower, and get off the boat. We had on board an antique double barrel shotgun that last belonged to Bill’s deceased stepmother. Bill’s step nephew Cyrus, who lives in Stuart, wanted the gun. He came to Vero Beach, we gave him the gun, then we all had a lovely restaurant meal and visit. My missions in Vero Beach were accomplished: I had my new shoes and knitting needles, and the shotgun was off the boat.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Corona Virus began to fill the evening radio news. We continued south. The two-day trip through Palm Beach and Ft. Lauderdale to Miami was trying. There were 27 bridges that had to open for us. Most had a fixed schedule, and we were forced to wait at those bridges for a scheduled opening. All went well until we arrived at the Fourteenth Street Bridge in Pompano Beach. It was broken, could not open, and took two hours to repair. We were the first boat at the bridge, but there was a long line of boats assembled behind us. When the bridge finally did open, the parade began. We were slow, and the others were faster. As we went from one bridge to the next, first one, then another, and finally all the other boats overtook us, but we were always in the parade. The faster boats got to each bridge at its scheduled opening time, and the bridge stayed open until the whole parade had passed through. That way we got all the way through Ft Lauderdale without waiting on a single bridge. It was a record for us. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We were in Sunny Isles Beach when the sun began to set. A right turn, a trip down a long canal, and we were anchored in Lake Maule for a peaceful and quiet night. It rained a little in the morning, and after the showers moved away, we left for Miami. Bill was on the bow putting away the anchor and cleaning up the deck when I tried to leave the lake by the wrong canal. The one I entered was a narrow dead end canal with boats docked on both sides. There was no way to turn around. Panic! Bill took over, revved the engine in reverse, straightened the boat out, and backed us out of the canal as the neighborhood dogs barked their heads off. Whew. It was not a good way to start the day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Three more bridges opened for us, and we dropped our anchor here in Miami Beach south of the Julia Tuttle Causeway just after noon on March 12. It was our latest arrival in Miami Beach. The Corona Virus news continued to get worse. The Mayor of Miami Beach told the Spring Breakers, “Go home. The party is over”. The crowd started thinning. The next day Bill got a prescription refilled and picked up an Amazon package from an Amazon Locker. I got a haircut. The guy who cut my hair was very pleased with his work. Me, not so much. My hair was left shorter than Bill’s. Oh well, I will not have to have another haircut for quite a while.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On Saturday we went to Lincoln Road, a popular Miami Beach pedestrian outdoor mall, and stopped at our usual pizza place. At 1pm only two of their thirty or so outside tables were occupied, and we were one of them. The promenading crowds that we love to watch and comment on were sparse to say the least. That afternoon all restaurants and bars with occupancy of 250 or more were ordered closed, and the others were reduced to half their licensed capacity. Later, all the restaurants were made take-out or delivery only. First, much of the beach was closed, then <u>all</u> the beach was closed. At Publix on Tuesday. there were a few packages of fresh beef but not any chicken or pork. The egg shelf was bare, and rice and pasta were rationed. There were no paper products, no Clorox, no hand wipes, no flour, and no bottled water. At the laundromat Wednesday rules were posted --- one person per family in the establishment at a time, put your clothes in the washer and then wait outside, put the clothes in the dryer and wait outside, no folding allowed in the store, and keep away from other people. We obeyed the rules. The crowds were gone. The street traffic was light. By Wednesday our necessary onshore chores were completed. The boat is now stocked. Except for a fuel and water run, we do not plan to go back into town.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With all the concern about Corona Virus, Bill and I have decided to make this year’s trip, ‘Irish Eyes to Florida’. We are worried we could leave for the Bahamas and be refused entry. We are also worried that if we left we might not be able to get back into the US. The areas we like to visit in the Bahamas lack medical services. Most of the food in the Bahamian stores there comes from the US. I am sure the shipments will soon become slim. I do not need to eat their food. Instead of going the Bahamas, we are going to go south through the Keys, around the bottom of Florida, up the west coast, and return via the Okeechobee Canal. There are lots of places to anchor with no shore access. That is fine. Bill can work on his boat projects, and I can knit while we watch the sunsets from our cockpit alone. We have plenty of food and toilet paper, gin and tonic water. We’re all set.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Stay well and safe. We’ll try to do the same.</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1610461932297132297.post-26359451036788528772020-02-23T09:42:00.000-08:002020-02-23T09:42:39.747-08:00<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIiU_hnpZJfcrSLo7fM-eASSF1kNVqO5h58ZVT51rz9WYbJMgGaluj4iaZknGnwOcSkXR-hYPFC6Bg8mI0wyW5IfTbz7SxyfJ2VFDzkMvlo-TatCFsRaq4MHS9PIGv_EPkm-t-zs-WFvs/s1600/Bill%2527s+Great+Aunt%2527s+House.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1172" data-original-width="1600" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIiU_hnpZJfcrSLo7fM-eASSF1kNVqO5h58ZVT51rz9WYbJMgGaluj4iaZknGnwOcSkXR-hYPFC6Bg8mI0wyW5IfTbz7SxyfJ2VFDzkMvlo-TatCFsRaq4MHS9PIGv_EPkm-t-zs-WFvs/s320/Bill%2527s+Great+Aunt%2527s+House.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">While stopped in Wilmington, we walked around town.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Passing by this house Bill pronounced it the
home of his great aunt Neely.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Now, he
was only there once, and that was in about 1970.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When pressed, he says that it looks like the
right house anyway.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBmGMw1I6qY2lIbKrbEN9GKyKa6P6EZ1_nJYa3X8H_YGgaDcwXsmp14htVxOZSkke2Rk1ET1oEDknsPDJ4KwinSe-d4CG7KUVTFb5GSyLXsW_QAfm3jRKxcoNu3jLDEXPZsVoJ-PwKRDI/s1600/Balanced+on+Her+Keel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBmGMw1I6qY2lIbKrbEN9GKyKa6P6EZ1_nJYa3X8H_YGgaDcwXsmp14htVxOZSkke2Rk1ET1oEDknsPDJ4KwinSe-d4CG7KUVTFb5GSyLXsW_QAfm3jRKxcoNu3jLDEXPZsVoJ-PwKRDI/s320/Balanced+on+Her+Keel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We had the boat hauled out in Southport, N.C. for repairs
hoping to stop a loud squealing noise that was coming from her engine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here she is, all 13,500 lb resting on her
keel and propped up with these flimsy jack stands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is were we were sleeping (or not
sleeping) during the night of the storm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Wy2rr2lAGwuzZT8QBbruWQVTj8cCZErJYcfYrb9CyEWb4tf7G0QPW2PNxbvurMJ0ItjluOGyKsBXuk1s052wK-7fhgVQkpH89VpAzaSQLDepLqEsTbq-VsGBO43b8_KxytY0nMOxOis/s1600/Stairway+to+My+Home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Wy2rr2lAGwuzZT8QBbruWQVTj8cCZErJYcfYrb9CyEWb4tf7G0QPW2PNxbvurMJ0ItjluOGyKsBXuk1s052wK-7fhgVQkpH89VpAzaSQLDepLqEsTbq-VsGBO43b8_KxytY0nMOxOis/s320/Stairway+to+My+Home.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In the previous photo you can see the metal steps leading up
to the cockpit of our boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought
you would enjoy a close-up view.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While
they were a great improvement over the usual 12 ft stepladder, they still left much
to be desired.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Qq476ZwBaaofKihXQz3bc7ZX7mpA2xCZrcJAGIcjHhQMoFzbMnIyUy9TF_Mp07SuL1yYCwTsuOofHlDSZ-ThKf08xWC1JKwlQ4juFo2iU0vFUinI1CetD8alGLK23KSB0lpNjYLJJ1I/s1600/Bad+Hair+Day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Qq476ZwBaaofKihXQz3bc7ZX7mpA2xCZrcJAGIcjHhQMoFzbMnIyUy9TF_Mp07SuL1yYCwTsuOofHlDSZ-ThKf08xWC1JKwlQ4juFo2iU0vFUinI1CetD8alGLK23KSB0lpNjYLJJ1I/s320/Bad+Hair+Day.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After they made us leave the boat for our safety and while
the wind was still howling, we walked into town and had a nice breakfast in
this restaurant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hair of the woman
in the picture looked as bad as mine did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Bill, without much hair, had less of a problem.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAi9LQYqPph15fefadrHQ4I_mmjJ_potC6Lm5Feo7k3YR1iy1A7EK9SVu7Fc87YFzguiALQ6IB19MXFLv9pk83iMMiJl5acKysZfblAbFMVuL6vT7Fg_CZGIYaFQVzfpgezm_8fmeCNnA/s1600/Blown+Over+Flag+Tower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAi9LQYqPph15fefadrHQ4I_mmjJ_potC6Lm5Feo7k3YR1iy1A7EK9SVu7Fc87YFzguiALQ6IB19MXFLv9pk83iMMiJl5acKysZfblAbFMVuL6vT7Fg_CZGIYaFQVzfpgezm_8fmeCNnA/s320/Blown+Over+Flag+Tower.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The storm blew down this 100 ft tall, 100-year-old signal
flag tower in town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was used to
display storm and hurricane warning flags.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It had weathered every wind until our storm came along.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMIrL0x-AXD_ylmOaPhw5HwsTqiYGZzHtztuEIA9pA0zM_2wSyWsPUTCA0J9TWNYx2lvwESzUV-xBRlqLvSsVuITTusilZCwDtmeQje9jVQOTQY2-eSxfEQj6xrOpO8FMWrAZMRyR1R3I/s1600/Blown+Over+Boats.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMIrL0x-AXD_ylmOaPhw5HwsTqiYGZzHtztuEIA9pA0zM_2wSyWsPUTCA0J9TWNYx2lvwESzUV-xBRlqLvSsVuITTusilZCwDtmeQje9jVQOTQY2-eSxfEQj6xrOpO8FMWrAZMRyR1R3I/s320/Blown+Over+Boats.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Four motorboats on the top tier of the dry stack racks near
our boat blew off their wooden bunks in the storm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They did not fall to the ground, but they
ended up resting on the steel framework.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It took a crane to get them down. You can see it in the picture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJRTcEUWWHLU00rSFL7zD1wJ1d8DbngxvAapzBcHujexgRTRgE0MKvdwzZ069MVId5dpo1yslRYHMXBBRuYmn_zm_b6cL2DHDYj_ONmC5ArfIrdZHiDhWo0laZC9mTj2BMdPUSN9UAjs0/s1600/Going+Back+in+the+Water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1304" data-original-width="1600" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJRTcEUWWHLU00rSFL7zD1wJ1d8DbngxvAapzBcHujexgRTRgE0MKvdwzZ069MVId5dpo1yslRYHMXBBRuYmn_zm_b6cL2DHDYj_ONmC5ArfIrdZHiDhWo0laZC9mTj2BMdPUSN9UAjs0/s320/Going+Back+in+the+Water.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">While the crane was working, the yard crew launched Irish
Eyes with her new propeller shaft and Cutless bearing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJv1LF8YAdCIQHErcz1_KCksddDzOT3N7D-CNgt13bZzE4n4mmVUyb-JRqA9bZAQPzWsYSAfA1d49ToG_r6qqx1FQZ8TpxiOUWffmKlIzgcov9a-TIFXr0FOv64utrHlp-R2CHT4-88Zw/s1600/Diver+Changing+the+Propeller.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJv1LF8YAdCIQHErcz1_KCksddDzOT3N7D-CNgt13bZzE4n4mmVUyb-JRqA9bZAQPzWsYSAfA1d49ToG_r6qqx1FQZ8TpxiOUWffmKlIzgcov9a-TIFXr0FOv64utrHlp-R2CHT4-88Zw/s320/Diver+Changing+the+Propeller.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In a second attempt to fix the noise, a diver was called to
remove our propeller and install our spare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You can just see his feet as he worked head down in the cold water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The spare propeller and his tools were on the
dock.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We are now finally underway again and headed south.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the 13<sup>th</sup> time Bill and I
have taken Irish Eyes south to the Bahamas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If I were a superstitious person, I would be really worried about this
trip because we have already had a bucket load of troubles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, I am getting ahead of myself, so I will
back up and start at the beginning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">O</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">n January 11 </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bill and I packed lots of clothes, three seasons worth, and
anything else we thought we might need into our car and headed to New Bern, NC. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The driving trip was uneventful, and we were happy to be back on Irish Eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill had a list of boat projects to complete
before we could leave the dock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
biggest one was installing a complete AIS system on our boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>AIS stands for “Automatic Identification
System”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It broadcasts our name,
position, and course so other boats can tell where we are going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Up to now, we have been able to receive
information from other boats but had not been able to broadcast our own information.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like this addition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have never been sure that anyone looking down from a big ship and could see little us. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, we will show up on a screen on their
bridge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The morning after we arrived in New Bern, Bill started the
engine and noticed a leak from the fuel injection pump.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a leak there last summer making our
trip home a little scary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill had
replaced an o-ring during the summer fixing that leak, but this leak was another
spot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a mechanic working on a
boat across the dock from us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill asked
him if he would come and look at our pump.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The mechanic came, looked at it, and said, “Call Troy at Coastal Diesel
Service”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill knew another mechanic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He came out the next morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said the pump needed to be fixed, and he said,
“Call Troy.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill called Troy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two weeks later the pump was fixed and back
on the boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During that time Bill was
busy with things on his boat to-do list, and I was busy with my knitting and
reading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As soon as the injection pump
was installed, I bought the fresh food, Bill filled the car with everything we
wanted to leave behind, he parked the car in the long term lot, and we were
ready to go.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On January 30 at 9:30 in the morning, we untied the dock
lines and headed out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we were
motoring away from the dock both of us heard a squealing or singing noise as the
engine passed through 1500 rpm, but it stopped and neither of us thought that it
was a problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We motorsailed to our
usual first night out anchorage in Cedar Creek where we had a quiet and peaceful
night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But, the noise remained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Between 1300 and 1700 rpm there was an unmistakable monotone scream from
somewhere around the engine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill thought
the nut on the packing gland was rubbing on the propeller shaft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neither greasing the nut nor re-packing the
gland fixed the problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After four days
of listening to an unhappy boat, we went up the Cape Fear River to the Wilmington
City Docks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There we could try and find
the source of the noise with the boat stationary, and there we would be near
boatyards with expert mechanics. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once we
were tied to the dock, we tried to reproduce the scream, but the noise was not
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What was up?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I googled the problem and told Bill my
findings, perhaps a loose alternator belt, a worn alternator, a faulty Cutless
bearing, or maybe a bad shaft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill found
the alternator belt loose, tightened it, and pronounced the problem fixed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elated, Bill and I played tourists in
Wilmington enjoying lovely warm weather, restaurant meals, and a railway museum
tour.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As soon as we untied from Wilmington City Docks, we could
hear the 1300 to 1700 rpm scream. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bummer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill called Wilmington Boat Works, and we
went there to have a mechanic look at our engine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A mechanic came and decided we needed to have
the boat hauled out of the water and the shaft and Cutless bearing replaced. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was just one small problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The yard was having concrete poured the next
morning, and they said it would be three weeks before it would be hard enough
to put us back in the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The yard
guys suggested we go to Zimmerman Marine in Southport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is what we did.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Zimmerman’s mechanic, Steve, went for a short ride with us,
listened to the noise, and recommended that we have the boat hauled out so that
the shaft and Cutless bearing could be examined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We said okay, they plucked the boat out of
the water, propped it up on jack stands in their yard, and set to work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They gave us a set of twelve foot tall metal
steps to come and go from our stranded home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This was February 5<sup>th</sup>, Bill’s 69<sup>th</sup> birthday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Happy Birthday, Bill.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">An old friend of ours from Salisbury, George Wilson, lives
on Oak Island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>George came over to
Southport to visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill and George
traded stories for an hour or two, then we all went out to lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Back at the yard they condemned the shaft and
Cutless bearing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A new bearing was
ordered from Norfolk, and a new shaft was to be made by a Wilmington machine
shop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It looked like it would be a short
repair process.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The next night a cold front passed through Southport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wind howled, gusting to 80mph, lightning
flashed, and the rain poured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our boat
on jack stands swayed in the wind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my
mind the boat was threatening to fall over any minute. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did not sleep much. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At about 6:30am we heard some knocks on the
hull and a voice saying, “You have to get off the boat right now. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is unsafe.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill and I dressed quickly and left the
boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wind had unfurled the sail on
another boat in the yard, and the yard master was afraid that boat would blow
over toppling us and the other boats like a line of dominos. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition, four motorboats on the top level
of the dry stack storage were blown off their supports.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They did not fall to the ground but were just
sort of hanging there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wind was
still howling, the place was unsafe, and all the workers were sent home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was Friday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No work was going to be done on Irish Eyes
until Monday. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another bummer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bill and I walked into town. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had the clothes on my back, my phone, no
makeup, and unbrushed hair. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt, and
looked, like a homeless person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a
gourmet breakfast, spent two hours touring a one room museum, and gawked at the
100-year-old hurricane warning flagpole that the winds had destroyed while a TV
news crew interviewed the police chief and mayor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We then went back to the boat yard to see
what was happening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The yard master said
we could not stay on the boat until a crane could come and remove the four
motorboats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did let us go back on
Irish Eyes and get our things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill and
I walked back into town carrying our belongings in the two tote bags we had
with us and checked into the Inn at River Oaks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Inn is a 1950s motel which has been refurbished and is lovely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We spent three nights sleeping in a
stationary bed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Monday morning, Bill walked back to the yard to see what was
up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The workers said the crane would be
there Tuesday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill really wanted to be
back on Irish Eyes and convinced the maintenance manager to say we could move
back aboard so long as we kept a low profile. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, even though the motorboats had not yet been
removed, we moved back on our boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Work
continued on Irish Eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On Tuesday as a crane was lifting the motorboats off the dry
stack’s steel racks, the Travelift launched our boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill, Steve, and I went for a ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The noise was still there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The shaft and cutlass bearing were new.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where was this noise coming from?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In desperation engine oil and the
transmission fluid samples were taken and sent away for analysis. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill replaced our alternator and two vee belts
in case that was the problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, to
add to our woes, our hot water heater suddenly ruptured spilling water into our
battery box.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill mopped up the mess and
ordered a new water heater.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Friday, Nick,
an engine specialist, went for a ride with us, and he said he thought the
scream was coming from our propeller.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Friday night as the sun was setting, a diver came and replaced our
propeller with our spare propeller.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Bill
of course had a spare).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our replacement
water heater had arrived, so Bill had something to do over the weekend while
the yard was closed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sunday, Bill and I
took the boat for a spin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The scream was
at last gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We needed to have the
engine aligned, and we needed to pay for all the work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It took two days for Steve to align the engine with Bill’s “help”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had problems with the engine mounts, but
finally on Thursday they were both satisfied. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another cold front was coming, and snow was
predicted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wind picked up on Friday,
it was very cold, the marina closed because of the weather, but there was no
snow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After two and a half weeks repairing
the boat, we untied our dock lines on Saturday and left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is great to be on the move again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Stay well and warm. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1610461932297132297.post-43101489674034356922019-06-17T19:41:00.001-07:002019-06-17T20:04:14.966-07:00<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLy4qyHshqTUIQ8iIVCojeIoLW97HJdhADO5cMQ4E7tf1-YWOppmF5nCA1VvHo7F4WlYQCxs8vrj0pnG4MQuJ2EfQf7jOAzR17q1FRdp5sm5aECmnTydGCEWI1r5NUnCUoKBoFIbuMUhE/s1600/DSCN0746+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1062" data-original-width="1416" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLy4qyHshqTUIQ8iIVCojeIoLW97HJdhADO5cMQ4E7tf1-YWOppmF5nCA1VvHo7F4WlYQCxs8vrj0pnG4MQuJ2EfQf7jOAzR17q1FRdp5sm5aECmnTydGCEWI1r5NUnCUoKBoFIbuMUhE/s320/DSCN0746+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Everything in the Bahamas is expensive. This box of crackers was $8.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOPtqpTwfn9wWPUS2yHKTafPYBAZRm8PMOQ9d0F7MOhmE8-FcjHzlWyh9glzR8KYpHerefeP3XOj61KB1p5K3or_11rWzU1GtXbFackSduisyAUhMDi9Ixh0gSF4r0qaEu4K8mHLNPjw/s1600/P_20190607_071137_vHDR_On_p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOPtqpTwfn9wWPUS2yHKTafPYBAZRm8PMOQ9d0F7MOhmE8-FcjHzlWyh9glzR8KYpHerefeP3XOj61KB1p5K3or_11rWzU1GtXbFackSduisyAUhMDi9Ixh0gSF4r0qaEu4K8mHLNPjw/s320/P_20190607_071137_vHDR_On_p.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Bill’s black eye was quite impressive although he said that
it did not hurt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjge5Nktl84yAIPMNvfM-IOEU-ch1W0u8f6a4ekbTfgNzSVXvatDBbBoVH4jY95GUpO8IU6oxQT4NJp9R1dq08uzIsZB3IjzmKR10Fs734A7kZ8JIg3fH-adTTHm-UoArLu0ww-iEscKbU/s1600/P_20190608_075531_vHDR_On_p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1600" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjge5Nktl84yAIPMNvfM-IOEU-ch1W0u8f6a4ekbTfgNzSVXvatDBbBoVH4jY95GUpO8IU6oxQT4NJp9R1dq08uzIsZB3IjzmKR10Fs734A7kZ8JIg3fH-adTTHm-UoArLu0ww-iEscKbU/s320/P_20190608_075531_vHDR_On_p.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When we woke up at Mile Hammock Bay, it was raining. Rather than leaving in the rain, Bill made
these cinnamon pecan pinwheels for our breakfast.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Greetings from our land home in Kingsport, Tennessee. Bill and I arrived here Friday night, June
14. Our land house seems to have fared
okay without us, but I now have lots of projects here on my to-do list. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Now, back to the description of our trip.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We left Brunswick, Georgia after breakfast on June 5. The dredged channel from the harbor out to
deep water in the Atlantic was long. The
shallow water along the Georgia coast extends miles out into the sea. I felt like it took us hours and hours to
finally reach the point where we could turn and head north. Bill told me it was just two hours, but it
was the sort of two long boring hours that seem like ten. We motor sailed along the Georgia coast most
of the day, but the wind picked up in the late afternoon, and we sailed on, flying
both headsails and with one reef in the mainsail.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Just as it was getting dark, it began to drizzle rain. The wind went behind us, and the sea was
sloppy making the mainsail bang about.
Bill went forward to put a preventer on the boom, and somehow, he got
hit in the face by a flapping genoa sheet.
His left eye was immediately bruised, swollen, and black. Somehow, he did not lose his glasses
overboard, but they were very bent. I
had been thinking we had been extremely lucky… with all the broken things on
Irish Eyes, neither of us had been injured. That thought came to a sudden end as Bill lay
below on the settee with an ice pack on his injured eye.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We sailed or motored the rest of Wednesday. Around Savannah, we had to dodge some ships,
but nothing too exciting happened. Wednesday
turned to Thursday as we continued our trip staying 50 miles or so off the Carolina
coast. Bill was the chef on this part of
our cruise. The first night he made
biscuits for country ham biscuits, and the second night he made individual
meatball pastry pies. I think he was
bored and hungry on his watches and was dreaming up ways to use the remains of
our food.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Finally, after almost forty-eight hours underway, we entered the
Cape Fear River as the sun rose. I was
hoping we would stop at Carolina Beach, anchor there, and have a nice long nap.
No, that was not to be. The captain went right past Carolina Beach
and continued up the ICW heading to Mile Hammock Bay. It is sixty miles from the Cape Fear River to
Mile Hammock Bay. That maded for an all-day
trip. A half mile before our
destination, we crossed the New River as it flowed to the sea. The crossing was an “ICW trouble spot”. It was very shallow, and the printed charts
were known to be wrong. We arrived a
little earlier than we expected, just after low tide, when the water was at its
shallowest. It had started raining hard,
and it was foggy. Thankfully, we made it
across the trouble spot without touching the bottom, and we anchored in Mile
Hammock Bay as guests of the United States Marine Corps at Camp Lejeune. The rain continued to pour down. It was an early to bed night followed by a late
morning start for these two old and exhausted sailors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We continued our trip north toward our slip in Northwest Creek
Marina. It rained on and off both Saturday
and Sunday. Because of the rainy weather,
the weekend small boat traffic was not as bad as we had expected. Sane people stayed home and dry. We just motored on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Our last night at anchor was spent in Cedar Creek. It was a peaceful evening except for the
buzzing of mosquitoes. I was glad we had
screens for our hatches and ports. We
were up and underway before 8am on Monday.
It rained a little on the three-hour trip up the Neuse River to
Northwest Creek Marina, but we were tied in our slip and had our air
conditioner installed and running by lunch time on Monday. It was good to cool down and dry out the boat. That afternoon as the air conditioner did its
thing, we both had <b><i>long</i></b> showers at the marina and emerged as respectable
humans (although humans with slightly pruney hands and feet) after months
without a proper shower.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Over the next several days, we packed our car, cleaned the boat,
fixed a few things, and were ready to drive to Kingsport on Friday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This year’s trip was a challenge.
I was at times afraid we might not get the boat back to North Carolina
until late summer. The engine parts Bill
ordered in Marsh Harbour on May 21 have not yet (as of today) arrived at the
Marsh Harbour Boatyards. If the epoxy
glue had not stopped the engine's fuel leak, we would still be in the Bahamas waiting
for repairs. I would have been both hot
and unhappy, and Bill would have been really bored. Bill and I have not decided exactly how we
are going to get all Irish Eyes’ parts mended, but it will all be done somehow. Both of us are thankful we made it
back home.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Now that we are here, we plan to spend the rest of our
summer catching up with friends, hosting the grandchildren for a couple of
weeks, and working on our land home.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1610461932297132297.post-82580533267323486232019-06-04T18:28:00.001-07:002019-06-11T09:17:03.810-07:00<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSViFTG24lnbICe9jDicT_4_p7iv1IDcMpkdIkGYIp2WhzO2ajm3Qo9847Cbv4G6gk7zv5gkTVz8Hr2WB3g4ld8-A1t9Iy1gTJsKaiVT2UTCGrHdsiv8-y1N_WPh4Ozu8pxfJfcUA2EBk/s1600/DSCN0458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSViFTG24lnbICe9jDicT_4_p7iv1IDcMpkdIkGYIp2WhzO2ajm3Qo9847Cbv4G6gk7zv5gkTVz8Hr2WB3g4ld8-A1t9Iy1gTJsKaiVT2UTCGrHdsiv8-y1N_WPh4Ozu8pxfJfcUA2EBk/s320/DSCN0458.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">James and Sandra Little flew down to George Town in the
Exumas to join us and to watch the 66<sup>th</sup> National Family Island
Regatta.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are just sitting in the
stands between races enjoying a beer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This is the Bahamian sloop New Legend sailing by behind our anchored boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can see how much sail these
boats carry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To keep the boat upright,
the crew must crawl out on two pries hanging out over the water.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As the day ends one last boat sails out into the sun.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On the last day of the regatta the Royal Bahamas Police
Force Band put on their show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are
something to see in tropical uniforms and leopard skin tunics.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There is as much to see below the water in the Bahamas as above.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is hard to believe, but all three of the
creatures are animals.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Last year the children and grandchildren spent a week with
us in the Black Point settlement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well,
this is the nearby White Point. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one lives here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is just white sand beaches.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Sailing from Eleuthera to the Abacos we had two cruise ships
pass just ahead of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cruise ships are ugly,
and the paint job does not improve things. See what I mean?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hello from Brunswick, Georgia. It has been a very long time since I have
written. I am afraid I have not been a good correspondent on this trip, but I did not want to be too much of a
whiner.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When I last left you, we were waiting for a visit from our friends
James and Sandra Little.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They flew in a
couple of days before the Family Islands Regatta began giving us time to
check out George Town, walk on the Stocking Island beaches, and enjoy a few
restaurant meals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mostly, we just hung
out on Irish Eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once the races
started, we managed to anchor in absolutely the best possible spot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were just off Volleyball Beach at the Chat
N Chill restaurant with the race’s upwind turning mark off our stern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the race committee occasionally moved the
mark away from us, it was still close enough to set down our drinks and run
over in the dinghy for a closer view every time the fleet approached.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One time from aboard our boat, we could hear
the calls of “starboard, starboard” before the loud crash of a collision
between three racing boats just behind us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For variety, we also took the dinghy to both the starting
line and the finish line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While most
sailboat races start with the boats already underway, Bahamian races start with
the boats anchored in a line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the
starting gun is fired, all the boats pull up their anchor and raise their sails
to get underway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are lots of
opportunities for things to go wrong, sometimes dreadfully wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We took the dinghy to the starting line for
one of the races.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a crowd of dinghies
and motorboats milling around behind the starting line, and we were about the
smallest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feeling like a chihuahua among
great danes and finding our position a little dangerous, we went back to Irish
Eyes after the start to watch the rest of that day’s race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our venture to the finish line was a little
more civilized, mostly because as each boat finished the crowd of spectators
shrunk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We watched each boat cross the
line, we heard their supporters whoop and holler, and we saw them all take off
to town to party. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We followed later.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Regatta went from Wednesday to Saturday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The final entertainment on Saturday evening
was a parade by the Royal Bahamas Police Force Band.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went into town to watch the parade, to
have supper at one of the many temporary shacks selling food and booze, and to
watch the closing ceremonies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The band put on a great performance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sandra is a good photographer and got some
wonderful pictures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Supper was grilled
chicken and pork eaten while sitting on the harbor wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The closing ceremony and awarding of prizes
began just after we finished our supper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Almost every government official in the Bahamas was there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Prime Minister was in the crowd, his
deputy and the Governor General were on stage surrounded by a covey of
departmental ministers, district governors, local council leaders, and
prominent citizens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unlike the U.S.,
there was no security in sight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
political speeches were, as usual, too long, but we liked watching the slightly
intoxicated and delightfully happy winners collect their fabulous trophies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The weather while the Littles were with us was great until
their last full day when it got progressively cloudy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We walked to the top of the Monument Hill on
Stocking Island and along the beach on the Exuma Sound side of the island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A couple we first met years ago had said that
a snorkel along the rock wall at Monument Beach was not to be missed, so we
went.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d describe it, but Gayle does a
much better job on her web site, <a href="http://cruisingbiologists.com/monument-wall-george-town/" target="_blank">http://cruisingbiologists.com/monument-wall-george-town/</a>
.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At 1:30 in the morning the long-awaited
thunderstorm arrived (They invariably come when we would rather be sleeping.),
and Bill caught enough rainwater to fill our tanks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Monday morning, we motored across the harbor
in the rain, then Bill ferried James and Sandra to shore to meet their taxi to
the airport and begin their journey back to Kingsport.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">While James and Sandra were with us, we had been monitoring
the leak from the transmission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seemed
to have stopped after Bill’s Loctite and silicone caulking fix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill did notice a small diesel fuel leak from
the engine, but it was minor.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We hung
around George Town for a week in lousy weather, ready to leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were rumors on Facebook and cautions on
the morning radio net about the quality of the diesel fuel at the Shell service
station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While we had enough fuel to get
to Staniel Cay, we wanted more in case they were sold out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill took our three 5 gallon diesel jugs into
town to buy fuel from the Esso dock (Yeah, it is still Esso there.), but they
had none.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Shell station said their
fuel was fine, so he bought 15 gallons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Back
at the boat after adding the first 5 gallons to our tank, he found water in the
bottom of the jug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He added the other 10
gallons doing his best to leave the water behind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We then circulated our fuel from the tank, through
our Racor Aqua-Block filter, and back to the tank for 6 hours to remove the
water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All told we recovered about 3
ounces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill added to our fuel tank a
double dose of Biobor JF (a biocide) and another double dose of some $20/quart
snake oil stuff he had bought that claimed to clean injectors, increase fuel
lubricity, remove water, and dozens of other good sounding things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> It couldn't hurt, could it? </span>We planned to go north along a shorter route
than usual because with our transmission problems we did not want to get too
far from the Yanmar dealers in Nassau, Spanish Wells, and Marsh Harbour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Friday May 3 the weather cleared, and we sailed
north to Galliot Cut and were anchored in time for sundowners.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Our next stop was a Big Farmers Cay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In past years we had walked along the beaches
and explored both a small creek and large cave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This year, just above the high tide line, were four large “No
Trespassing” signs and the creek entrance had been filled with sand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The creek was interesting because the changes
seemed natural, but the signs make us wonder what was happening on this island
that was mostly populated by goats.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Farther north, we stopped at the south end of Hawksbill
Cay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had not stopped there this year,
and I always enjoy walking around this end of the island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I spent a long time swimming in the sun warm
water where a creek flowed out to the banks and watching a Reddish Egret
walking along the rocky shore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill
walked across the island and found the largest float he had ever found. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At nearly 3 feet in diameter, he could not get
his arms around it to pick it up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Thankfully, he left it behind for others to enjoy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Our last night in the Exumas was spent at Ship Channel
Cay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rocks around our anchorage were
described as a good snorkeling spot by Stephen Pavlidis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We saw all kinds of fish and other creatures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ship Channel Cay is Powerboat Adventure’s island
base. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They bring tourists from Nassau to
feed sharks and rays and to have lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We had the fastest internet of our time in the Exumas while we were anchored
at Ship Channel Cay. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Several years ago,
we met the owner of Powerboat Adventures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He told us the only way he could keep young staff was to have great
internet. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We older cruisers enjoyed it
as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The next two days were long days for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first day we motor sailed from Ship
Channel Cay to Royal Island; an all-day trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The second day was equally long as we sailed across the Northwest
Providence Channel from Eleuthera to the Abacos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were making tracks north.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first day we played tag with a
thunderstorm and got a little wet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
second day we played tag on the ocean with two cruise ships but managed to not
collide with either of them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Arriving in the Abacos through the Little Harbour Cut at
supper time, we anchored behind Lynyard Cay; another island in the Bahamas that
has sprouted No Trespassing signs in the last few years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We could still walk along the nearby beaches but
could no longer walk across the island to the ocean side.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Lynyard Cay gave us protection from the east wind, but over
the next several days the wind moved first south then west.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We responded by moving to a spot in The Bight
of Old Robinson for the south wind then to Snake Cay for the west then north wind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Snake Cay is at the north end of the East
Abaco Creeks National Park, and a cut between Snake Cay and Deep Sea Cay gives water access to a huge and shallow lagoon behind the cays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
area is entirely undeveloped, and one of our guidebooks said it was great for
dinghy exploring. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The current in the cut
was very, very strong, but once inside, the lagoon was calm and pretty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On our way back to Irish Eyes, we stopped at
several small beaches just to see what was there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All we found was plastic trash. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At our last beach, we failed to anchor the
dinghy properly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I looked back and saw
it blowing away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill had to run back
down the beach then swim a couple of hundred yards to catch up with the
dinghy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a touch and go race for a
while, but he eventually caught the wayward dinghy</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The weather was not pretty on May 15.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was cloudy, and it rained off and on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I baked bread while Bill tried to patch a
leak in the floor of our dinghy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Weeks
before in George Town, Bill had given our can of expensive but out-of-date Hypalon
glue to another cruiser in exchange for some freshly caught mahi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was OK because Bill had purchased a new
can in Miami. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, the new can
was for a PVC dingy, and our dinghy is Hypalon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Bill did not realize that the new can was the wrong stuff until we
discovered the leak in our dinghy’s inflatable floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He kept busy one whole day trying different
types of tape and glue to stop our leak. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His fourth attempt produced the final solution --
superglue under a Hypalon fabric patch pressed firmly in place with two c-clamps and two pieces of wood while the glue set.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The wind picked up and become easterly, so we moved a bit
north and anchored in a calm spot off Tahiti Beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That put us in dinghy range of both White
Sound and Hope Town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One day we had
lunch at the Sea Spray Resort in White Sound then walked to a tiny grocery
store for orange juice and a tomato. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
next day we went to Hope Town to look around, have lunch, and do a little
shopping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hope Town now has a swimming
pool. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A teacher holding an umbrella over
her head for protection from the blazing sun herded her towel carrying charges
down the lane from school to pool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
children would run ahead passing us, the teacher would make them stop for her
to catch up, we would pass the children, and the process would repeat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I enjoyed talking to the kids every time we
passed each other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Remember the fuel leak I mentioned a few paragraphs back and
remember the $20/quart snake oil stuff that promised to clean fuel systems?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, it apparently cleaned up around our
very minor fuel leak and transformed it from something you could only smell
into a steady drip, drip, drip from the top of our engine’s high-pressure fuel
injection pump.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the time we realized
the seriousness of the situation it was after 4pm on Friday, and the telephone
at the Marsh Harbour Boatyard went unanswered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We needed the engine not only to move the boat but also to
charge our batteries and to cool our refrigerator and freezer. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We planned to motor the two hours to Marsh
Harbour on Saturday morning soaking up the leaking fuel with paper towels and
anchor near the marinas in case we needed to move into a slip for electricity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we tried to start the engine, it would
not start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where the fuel had been
leaking out of the running engine, air had leaked in with the engine off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill bled the air out of the fuel pump, and
we got going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We made it to Marsh
Harbour completely soaking four paper towels and leaving a puddle of fuel under
the engine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill cleaned up the mess,
studied our engine’s shop manual, and read things on the internet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seemed a copper washer in the discharge
check valve of one of the injections pump’s three cylinders had failed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sounds easy enough, change the washer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill did not have the washer nor the tools to
work on the pump, and the warnings in the shop manual about unskilled work on
the pump sounded serious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those of you
who know Bill well can imagine how frustrating this was for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hung our solar panel over the side of the
boat to give it more sun and reduced our engine run time for the fridge to an
hour a day even though it meant that our frozen food would thaw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(We got to eat steak twice.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We waited for Monday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Over the weekend we had several people stop to talk to
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One was a French Canadian who was
sailing his boat, Argo IV, by himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He had Googled Irish Eyes because he liked the way she looked and
apparently found my blog and our position reports.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he came over in his dinghy, he called us
by name and knew all about us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the
guy had not been so enthusiastic, honest, and nice, he would have been
creepy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jumping ahead a couple of weeks,
while we were sailing about 60 miles off the Florida coast, the Coast guard
asked over the VHF radio if anyone has seen Argo IV.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill responded and said we had seen him in
Marsh Harbour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Coast Guard was only
interested if we had seen him in the last six hours. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We do not know what had happened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On Monday morning, Bill called the boatyard and twice left a
message for the mechanic to call us back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We waited all day and never had a return call. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tuesday morning, Bill walked over to the yard
and found that it would take two to three weeks to get the necessary parts to
repair our engine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mechanic was to
be “off island” in three weeks for two weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It looked like we would have to spend six weeks in Marsh Harbour babying
the engine enough to keep our food cold and our batteries charged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was ready to jump ship and fly home. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill made a second trip to the boatyard. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He ordered the parts in case we needed them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stopped at the auto parts store and bought
a can of spray brake cleaner, a set of small wire brushes, a set of dental
picks, and some epoxy glue for metal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It took two applications of the epoxy, but the leak was reduced
from a drip to a seep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The engine
started just fine. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was time to head
north stopping somewhere between Ft Pierce and New Bern depending on how the
leak progresses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first day we got to
Bakers Bay on Great Guana Cay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The leak
was OK.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The second day we got to Allans-Pensacola
Cay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The leak was OK.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The third day we got to Great Sale Cay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The leak was OK.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Things were looking up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The weather forecast was good for the next
three days as far north as the St Mary’s River entrance at Fernandina Beach
Florida.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>North of that the wind was to
be 25 to 30 knots with the chance of thunderstorms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We headed for the St Mary’s River 300 nautical
miles away.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The wind was very fickle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At times, usually at night, it blew 20 knots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At other times we did not have any wind at
all. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The engine started every time we
needed it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One evening the engine seemed
to vibrate more than usual at the start but calmed down as we ran it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Wednesday May 29, after about 57 hours
underway, we were anchored in Cumberland Sound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We cleared via an app on my cell phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We never spoke to or saw a single human at Customs and Border Protection.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Thursday morning Bill went swimming and replaced all the
zincs on the bottom of the boat including the one on the propeller.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That seemed to stop the engine
vibration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We decided to move up the
river to the town of St Marys, Georgia to wait for favorable offshore weather
farther north.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We enjoyed the little
town of St Marys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We enjoyed the Submarine
Museum, the National Park Service Cumberland Island Museum, a bookstore, and the restaurants
in town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All were air conditioned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill walked the 7-mile round trip to
Winn-Dixie for groceries and came back dripping sweat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For a change of scenery we moved to Cumberland Island for a
day, then for diesel fuel we motored up to Jekyll Island then Brunswick, and tomorrow
(weather permitting) we’ll resume our trip north to New Bern.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Stay safe and well.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1610461932297132297.post-20652952123451523032019-04-21T19:42:00.000-07:002019-04-21T19:42:31.838-07:00<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKouJdauJJb8dMLcTjaHthxoggtiQN2KQ_N585HKg2jtJVh6aWiWFvHW_u-Rl5ltTnvlZQ_7NjBJlU43CtVjGoKCX4IVUNswYkBiYGwS_WST5w8l-CxBHzXnOWU1lzjnlW2MyUpsw_yQ/s1600/Found+Sunglasses.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKouJdauJJb8dMLcTjaHthxoggtiQN2KQ_N585HKg2jtJVh6aWiWFvHW_u-Rl5ltTnvlZQ_7NjBJlU43CtVjGoKCX4IVUNswYkBiYGwS_WST5w8l-CxBHzXnOWU1lzjnlW2MyUpsw_yQ/s320/Found+Sunglasses.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">See Bill’s newly found sunglasses and his small mooring buoy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are the sorts of things he finds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is just trash that washed up on the beach.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihIJnZIkCgRkqwkDTGS7JPQKRFQEDB-70sQjIK0ZLtozMiSawd19X7vWHDplfHjC9PuCKKnq8pC9xWoHpQ1uznxp4QQgnbbbMGSCPXQNduBP2Usgch2-dQhi-_4FPWyCvH9Arco-naoRk/s1600/Sand+Dollr+Garden.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihIJnZIkCgRkqwkDTGS7JPQKRFQEDB-70sQjIK0ZLtozMiSawd19X7vWHDplfHjC9PuCKKnq8pC9xWoHpQ1uznxp4QQgnbbbMGSCPXQNduBP2Usgch2-dQhi-_4FPWyCvH9Arco-naoRk/s320/Sand+Dollr+Garden.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This little sand dollar had a garden of small green plants
growing on it when it washed ashore among a bunch of sea grass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought it was sort of cute and threw it
back into the water before the garden dried in the sun.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmYGneFQpKqs3UOVefPbVSBHtOXH5wEvgJMZhyphenhyphenDulHtdNDWS2s4D2R4mDzomQGhete2olWG4L0esjMiP9fJVkiYPhQo_XYi5dFuoBzhwnbHHAGMTGP5nwjCemPG3EQ2-hxiI3hrTtgNzY/s1600/Found+Floats.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmYGneFQpKqs3UOVefPbVSBHtOXH5wEvgJMZhyphenhyphenDulHtdNDWS2s4D2R4mDzomQGhete2olWG4L0esjMiP9fJVkiYPhQo_XYi5dFuoBzhwnbHHAGMTGP5nwjCemPG3EQ2-hxiI3hrTtgNzY/s320/Found+Floats.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bill found these fishing net floats on the beach at Normans
Cay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is proud of them because they
match.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It looks like they will be coming
home with us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwvbBnfOowIfcJmdD3vLQObBKgmYSEf1UPXjUsEra8ysAk0MWECooBqNMPljoJod8UM8Ba7Vhwq79KW0HOmU83F9SuA_dzvinACT5C5buVAyOghtlo5ArKAVcg2eMD9e48NDlMRql9J4/s1600/Boo+Boo+Sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwvbBnfOowIfcJmdD3vLQObBKgmYSEf1UPXjUsEra8ysAk0MWECooBqNMPljoJod8UM8Ba7Vhwq79KW0HOmU83F9SuA_dzvinACT5C5buVAyOghtlo5ArKAVcg2eMD9e48NDlMRql9J4/s320/Boo+Boo+Sign.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is our sign that we leave on top of Boo Boo Hill at
Warderick Wells in the Exumas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each year
we add another year to the list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can
see the freshly carved MMXIX.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFh8A7NiiBzYqKlXe7-OwlvMb_d0tzv9p-8AGKcKFkhL29Ggs_Qlsizn2ogw2Gb8G9KfBdihXS4t98Lu8-DWxkCS07XuueheKEntwnEI-GLygsYc1wIW-pvBQ7gbhDFbXmo4nb4X0y9tk/s1600/Comma+Sandbar.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFh8A7NiiBzYqKlXe7-OwlvMb_d0tzv9p-8AGKcKFkhL29Ggs_Qlsizn2ogw2Gb8G9KfBdihXS4t98Lu8-DWxkCS07XuueheKEntwnEI-GLygsYc1wIW-pvBQ7gbhDFbXmo4nb4X0y9tk/s320/Comma+Sandbar.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Comma Sandbar emerges from the water at low tide west of
Cave Cay only to be drowned an hour or so later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even when dry it is completely surrounded by
water.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_V3x7tkLj8pQWXv_4_u_YoxG0KC32JiwtrgCWmiXjd5NMGHy9QmSrW3aXhzM96lsPy0mew6wySjFzvhmS2ueBxbkjboZO5H6g8cRcCL95X_c5cysKWzBOJFABLki_p1r1Bg6wOv5CPc/s1600/Cave+Cay+Cave.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_V3x7tkLj8pQWXv_4_u_YoxG0KC32JiwtrgCWmiXjd5NMGHy9QmSrW3aXhzM96lsPy0mew6wySjFzvhmS2ueBxbkjboZO5H6g8cRcCL95X_c5cysKWzBOJFABLki_p1r1Bg6wOv5CPc/s320/Cave+Cay+Cave.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Wouldn’t you know it, Cave Cay has caves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We took our dinghy into this one to see the limestone
rock formations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The roof is perhaps 15
feet overhead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Greetings from George Town, Exuma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has been a long time since I last wrote.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I seem to have been on “Island Time” and have
not gotten much accomplished since I left you all with our boat in Palm Cay Marina
near Nassau waiting for our transmission to return.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On March 20 Brad, the Yanmar mechanic in Nassau, called to
say our rebuilt transmission was ready to be installed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill and I did a little happy dance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were more than ready to leave Palm Cay
Marina. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a great place, but we did
not come to the Bahamas to stay in a marina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The transmission was back in the boat that day right after lunch. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We started the engine and tugged on the dock
lines. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Forward worked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Reverse worked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brad told us Tiffany would call us with the bill.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ahhh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The repair bill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We sort of
thought there would be one, but we had no idea how much it would be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The bill came by email the next afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We paid it with my Visa card over the phone
after calling the credit union to warn them of a large foreign charge coming
their way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since Bill lost his wallet, my
Visa card is the only card we have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
was scared that Visa would see the suspicious charge and cancel the card
leaving us stranded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After paying the
bill it was too late to leave Palm Cay, so we hung around for one more night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The next morning, we were the first ones in the office when
the door opened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Palm Cay Marina
staff gave us some generous discounts from their listed rates for our nineteen
day stay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With that bill paid and with my
credit card still working, we untied the dock lines and sailed the 31 nautical miles
to Highbourne Cay. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We arrived and found
a good spot to anchor in the lee of the island. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was great to have Irish Eyes swinging with
the wind and to have a nice cool breeze moving through the boat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We spent several days anchored at Highbourne Cay watching
the mega-yachts come and go. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While the
weather during our stay was windy and cool, we did get to explore some of the
beaches on the island before moving Irish Eyes to the north end of Norman’s
Cay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There, we explored a large sandbar
and walked on the nearby beaches of Normans Cay and Saddle Cay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Out Island Adventures had a dock with buildings
and a tiki bar on Saddle Cay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
previous years we have seen their high-speed motorboats bringing lots of folks from
Nassau for a fun daytrip to Exumas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
year it all stood silent and looked abandoned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We do not know what happened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As is typical for the Bahamas in the early spring, a cold
front from the US was to pass over us bringing some showers and strong west
wind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In anticipation we moved into the Norman’s
Cay Cut for better protection from the wind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The cut is the channel between Normans Cay to the north and Wax Cay to
the south.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the water passage
between the Bahama Banks to the west and the Exuma Sound to the east.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is narrow and twisting making it hard for
the wind to raise any dangerous waves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
wind did blow, but we were still able to walk along the beaches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill found five bright yellow football-size Styrofoam
fishnet floats while I found several pretty shells. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also walked all around the new marina that
is being built on Normans Cay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only one yacht
and six jet skis were tied to its newly installed docks, but there was a
private jet at the end of its 5000 ft runway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When finished the marina will be a grand place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our next stop was one of my favorite uninhabited places in
the Bahamas, Shroud Cay. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We anchored at
the north end of the island. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shroud Cay
is part of Exuma Land and Sea Park. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So,
it is a no take zone, and all I could do is look at the shells on the beach. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill could collect and remove all the plastic
trash he wanted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A system of creeks fills
the entire center of Shroud Cay, with branches running from the Bahama Banks
side to the Exuma Sound side. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was, as
always, beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The creeks were filled
with dark turtles swimming in the baby blue water as it passed through the green
mangroves to the white beaches on the Sound side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We took a circle tour through the creeks and
walked along two of the several beaches.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The next morning, we walked up a short trail over a rocky
ridge to the northernmost Exuma Sound beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was just breathtaking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I must
admit that I moaned and groaned while walking on the rocky bits of trail, but
it was worth the effort. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here, Bill’s
beach trash finds included an almost new pair of Oakley sunglasses. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, they are over-the-counter
sunglasses and not of much use to either of us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After a few days at Shroud Cay, we made the long trip from
Shroud Cay to Hawksbill Cay, about 5 miles. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We took the dinghy around to the north end of
the island to visit the sandflats there. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked all over the flats discovering some
Wilson’s Plovers nesting in the dried seaweed above the high tide line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Squawking loudly, they were obviously not as
happy to see me as I was to see them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Bill walked over to a sound side beach and found lots of good things. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His best find was a GoPro camera. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was buried in the sand with just the end of
the attached handle sticking out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Getting the sand out of the cracks and crevices of the waterproof camera
and getting the camera open entertained Bill for days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He finally got the doors to the battery and
memory card spaces to open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only
pictures on the micro SD card were a couple of very short videos of someone
snorkeling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were taken a year ago,
so the camera was probably lost when it was new.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was afraid the pictures would be of
someone’s beach wedding or some other significant event, and we would be
searching for the owner of the camera.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>On our way back to Irish Eyes, we saw five large sea turtles slowly swimming
in the warm shallow water. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a great
day!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We had been without cell phone coverage or internet access for
over a week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was time to head to Warderick
Wells, the headquarters of Exuma Land and Sea Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The park office used to sell internet access,
but we discovered they no longer do that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The staff had too many complaints on the speed and reliability of the satellite
service, so they stopped selling it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh
well, we would have to be out of touch a bit longer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We picked up a mooring ball at the Emerald
Rock mooring field and spent a lovely few days swimming, exploring the beaches,
and of course, retrieving our sign from BooBoo Hill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leaving a sign on top of the pile is supposed
to bring good luck to cruisers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We made our
sign in 2008 from an old board we found on the beach and have engraved a new
date in it each year since.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is hard
to believe that the piece of wood has survived outdoors this long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although it was hard to find an unused spot to
carve the year, MMXIX, Bill managed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
walked to the top of the hill and placed the sign once again in the pile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our next stop was Sampson Cay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is really pretty at Sampson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the past the cay had a public marina with
a store, fuel, laundromat, bar, and restaurant. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Several years ago, the owner closed the island
to the public.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cruisers can still anchor
off the island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are not allowed to
wander ashore on the trails or anywhere else above the high tide line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here we at long last had cell service and
spent the remainder of the day doing internet stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill had a list of things he wanted to order for
James and Sandra Little to bring when they come to visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had grandchildren to catch up with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The weather was beautiful, and we explored the
area both by dinghy and by walking on the beaches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was going to have a relaxing swim one hot
afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I jumped in the water off the
side of Irish Eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I came up and
opened my eyes, there was a nurse shark underneath the boat looking straight up
at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was up the ladder and out of
the water like a shot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are places
in the Bahamas where folks swim with nurse sharks. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I do not care if nurse sharks are not supposed to be aggressive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A nurse shark is still a big wild shark with a
big shark mouth full of big shark teeth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I don’t even like the idea.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With still another cold front coming and our spot at Sampson
Cay exposed to the expected west wind, we moved about two miles south to
Staniel Cay and anchored east of the famous Thunderball Grotto.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Staniel Cay has several stores and the famous
Staniel Cay Yacht Club.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill and I went
into town by dinghy and had a cheeseburger in paradise at the Yacht Club.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We walked the couple of blocks to the Pink Pearl
Supermarket (It is about 20 x 40 feet inside.) for the few groceries we
needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wind increased over the next
few days and the sky was dark and stormy to the north of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We finally got a quarter inch of rain during
the night on April 10.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill filled two five-gallon
jugs of rainwater.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The front was not
nearly as bad as had been forecasted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">While we were anchored at Staniel Cay, Bill discovered oil
in our bilge. After some investigation
he found it was coming from the newly repaired transmission. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bummer. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill added transmission fluid, and we set off
for Black Point on Friday, April 12.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Black Point has the best laundromat in the Exumas mostly because its
windows have the best view to absorb as the clothes go ‘round.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After our anchor was down, I gathered our
dirty laundry and we set off for the laundromat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About half way there the dinghy outboard
quit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill could not get it
restarted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The outboard had been persnickety
for a couple of days. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It did not run
quite right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately, on this trip
we were not too far from Irish Eyes, and Bill rowed us back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I managed to latch onto the boat before we
blew past our home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turns out the pickup
tube, the tube that sucks gas from the bottom of the tank, had fallen off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill had to drain the tank, retrieve the tube,
and reattach it with a hose clamp so it would not come off again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By this time the laundromat was closed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh well, it was then happy hour at
Scorpios.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We enjoyed double rum punches
and fried grouper fingers for supper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Several other cruisers were at Scorpios along with some local guys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We talked to the locals about the Family
Islands Regatta and were told we need to root for their boat, Red Stripe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We traded tales with the other cruisers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On Saturday morning the laundromat was again open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill took me and the dirty clothes over to
shore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In talking to the young man
working in the laundry, I learned Mr. Adderley who owed the Black Point grocery
store had died.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mr. Adderley had
numerous children and grandchildren.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There are pictures of all the children on the wall in his store.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He loved to tell his customers all their
names, where they lived, and what they did for a living.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I always enjoyed talking to him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">James and Sandra Little were due to arrive in George Town on
Monday, April 22 to join us for the week-long Family Island Regatta.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were two different forecasted good
weather days for us to go to George Town; the Tuesday before they were to come
and the day before their arrival.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our
transmission was still leaking oil making a sooner trip a far better choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was time for us to make the trip to George
Town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We would make the trip in two hops stopping at Cave Cay along the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill refilled the transmission with oil and
put a paper towel pad underneath it to catch the leak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was not enough wind to sail, so we
motored to the north end of Cave Cay leaking transmission fluid all the way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We had anchored near Cave Cay in the past but never in the
spot near the landing strip on the island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was low tide just as we settled in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We took a long dinghy ride to the comma shaped sand bar west of our
anchorage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a lovely place, a long
and narrow spot of white sand rising from the blue water, but this year we did
not find many shells.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were lots of
birds hanging out on the bar who were not at all happy to see us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just as we were leaving for Irish Eyes, the
first of the tour boats arrived at the sandbar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We now know why there were no shells.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In the afternoon we went over to the beach in front of Irish
Eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bank side beach was narrow
with a salt pond between it and the rocky shore on the Exuma Sound side of the
island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a very interesting place with
lots of shells.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had seen a tour boat
go toward the beach just south of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
curiously spent a lot of time there but did not land the boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We decided to investigate after they left and
found the shallow warm water cove filled with turtles and with a large cave in
the limestone shore that we could enter with the dinghy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bill cleaned up the transmission fluid leak and added more oil
in preparation for the thirty mile trip to George Town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the morning we did not have much wind, but
the sky was ominous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A long band of dark
clouds was just to the north of us as we left Cave Cay and entered the Exuma
Sound through Galliot Cut.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The clouds
kept getting closer until finally they were on top of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wind increased and swung to the east
which made it easy to sail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The trip
ended up being a nice fast sail in calm water, and the black clouds just went
away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our anchor was down at Monument
Beach in the George Town harbor long before happy hour.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bill emailed Brad a description and some photos of the
transmission. They talked on the phone
and came up with a repair plan. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill stayed
behind and worked on the transmission while I hitched a ride into George Town with
our friends Kevin and Chris aboard their boat, Apr<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">é</span>s Ski, for a grocery and
liquor store trip. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I even got my hair
cut in town. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill, our palm tree
mechanic, crawled into the engine compartment and worked for a day and a
half.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He reattached the coupling flange
to the output transmission sealing the joint with the shaft with silicone caulking,
and he glued the big nut which holds the flange in place with red Loctite
glue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The transmission has been now refilled
with oil for a day and does not (yet) leak, but we have not used the engine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We have had wind for a couple of days and a
thunderstorm with rain last night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our
water tanks are full, and we are waiting for James and Sandra to arrive
tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The locals have been building
their temporary shacks in town to sell food and drink for next week’s
regatta.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It should be a blast…Happy people,
food, booze, and sailboat races.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A Blessed Easter to you all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1610461932297132297.post-40688508126210475262019-03-17T12:49:00.000-07:002019-03-17T12:49:12.754-07:00<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbcgpGSUoRF3g3DzmjYx_Au5dgWceqP5RWs-lz-GO0TcvdHqL1ucGMavU86IfcjPS_KrqItpknrrK47rFdHMRPhuMfeaKb8BOOm0TARRJlXOTWYds8xRTbk067ZTMQ_6E0Jyq1EZfQoE/s1600/Welcome+to+M.B..JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbcgpGSUoRF3g3DzmjYx_Au5dgWceqP5RWs-lz-GO0TcvdHqL1ucGMavU86IfcjPS_KrqItpknrrK47rFdHMRPhuMfeaKb8BOOm0TARRJlXOTWYds8xRTbk067ZTMQ_6E0Jyq1EZfQoE/s320/Welcome+to+M.B..JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Roosevelt theater is closed and abandoned, but the wall
has the happiest “Welcome to Miami Beach” mural.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were happy to be there, too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWyQ5k-NjoHdedd07sLU0G1s5Q39SYhiOk4jut8GroVetJsnG-dVaze02XGE-JAgf_TlXQkL2nkzWFz4ILnyCbv5qohsq8xbD845qJezZzWqSeBvSBh-GLOhOaIm9xMxDC2HuCRwQTdYo/s1600/Palm+Cay+Chart+Plan.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWyQ5k-NjoHdedd07sLU0G1s5Q39SYhiOk4jut8GroVetJsnG-dVaze02XGE-JAgf_TlXQkL2nkzWFz4ILnyCbv5qohsq8xbD845qJezZzWqSeBvSBh-GLOhOaIm9xMxDC2HuCRwQTdYo/s320/Palm+Cay+Chart+Plan.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The red line is our course from the
south end of Key Biscayne, across the Gulf Stream, around the north end of
Bimini, and across the shallow banks to Morgan’s Bluff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The green line shows our plan to sail to New
Providence’s West Bay, anchor there for the night, then sail to Highborne Cay
the next morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The plan did not
happen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG8ZRrslChtEubQk2SfuhcmGI4PJk2pUo9dZR17gjbvZp27RfPfgdqEd4jyA3uirp4neE84vbQIwD9qOvOytwr65igLf1d95bSL5rhQLI8oKqPPx4mp7_pA1KHgOJagwNnEoAQGYAH8EU/s1600/Flange+and+Nut.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG8ZRrslChtEubQk2SfuhcmGI4PJk2pUo9dZR17gjbvZp27RfPfgdqEd4jyA3uirp4neE84vbQIwD9qOvOytwr65igLf1d95bSL5rhQLI8oKqPPx4mp7_pA1KHgOJagwNnEoAQGYAH8EU/s320/Flange+and+Nut.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The big piece of metal is the coupling flange that fell off
our transmission’s output shaft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
about 4 inches across.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The little thing
is the nut that should have held it on the shaft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It unscrewed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLycvMuAC6esoZanVdd3UjQfFGHv2BZC_2T5YA1Mr4fWlJRbIc0IFphVq-5mtOegsZq5tQm5hLIwnqHhjcRdiYAmO7trWfEarRGWdA8ZDRS32G-YNvFq21VFQxnDZH6n1dVu76fcoZoA/s1600/Track+-+Morgans+Bluff+to+N.P..png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="800" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLycvMuAC6esoZanVdd3UjQfFGHv2BZC_2T5YA1Mr4fWlJRbIc0IFphVq-5mtOegsZq5tQm5hLIwnqHhjcRdiYAmO7trWfEarRGWdA8ZDRS32G-YNvFq21VFQxnDZH6n1dVu76fcoZoA/s320/Track+-+Morgans+Bluff+to+N.P..png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Our chart plotter draws what it calls a “breadcrumb” that
shows where we have gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here we are
leaving Morgan’s Bluff under sail on the zigzag course tacking back and forth
as we sail into the wind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, the
straight part is where the transmission temporarily re-learned how to do forward letting us motor the rest of the way to New Providence Island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The crossed lines of the cursor show where we
anchored for the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The numbers are
the water depth in meters. 2000 meters is about a mile and a quarter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_wmoJpL-_HvGwuFXhySf1m1lqSFE4xArTJDxSh_90BDAtOD2sQZvAHDXa_mWNgf8qf5lh0O7D9qnW02PbEnWVZtbcIhNueG2dvJRBEQ0EOeZILfReaChhIMwBfPxAPQBE4qMmnr2VTtY/s1600/Track+-+SW+Bay+to+Palm+Cay.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="800" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_wmoJpL-_HvGwuFXhySf1m1lqSFE4xArTJDxSh_90BDAtOD2sQZvAHDXa_mWNgf8qf5lh0O7D9qnW02PbEnWVZtbcIhNueG2dvJRBEQ0EOeZILfReaChhIMwBfPxAPQBE4qMmnr2VTtY/s320/Track+-+SW+Bay+to+Palm+Cay.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This picture from our chart plotter shows our route the
next day as we sailed to Palm Cay Marina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If we were to zoom in on the chart plotter, you would see many, many
more little crosses indicating coral heads and rocks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdTKP7mYoK2hrH_ASjj-YJ5lGsTKpTMmdu2czELQwbm_A9BpgmksfpIAgf-JyuXQOvcm19P_2vLTfQIKxIw-W6-aY92tvj-1PfaVSyDo4odLIk5ngB10DwVS92cXaE_k_O5DxfLBaODg0/s1600/And+the+lady+said....png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdTKP7mYoK2hrH_ASjj-YJ5lGsTKpTMmdu2czELQwbm_A9BpgmksfpIAgf-JyuXQOvcm19P_2vLTfQIKxIw-W6-aY92tvj-1PfaVSyDo4odLIk5ngB10DwVS92cXaE_k_O5DxfLBaODg0/s320/And+the+lady+said....png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Sailing into Palm Cay Marina with an engine that would only
do neutral and reverse, the lady on the radio said, “Go to pier 3, slip 15.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One red arrow shows the route; the other shows
our boat in its slip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not
something you would want to do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwujwF3bE4A_Rv__cRSJayObKn7Ax1RO44VC5YvfEJRyg4A4wQukKAnHa5NTpZEsFbZPive1yCMWNGE-7v5MOFFcuNmfrbnTknjaF7zx4242BLOHrG4q8zbdVv1tU5OvMOPnJCe0O2S3o/s1600/Road.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwujwF3bE4A_Rv__cRSJayObKn7Ax1RO44VC5YvfEJRyg4A4wQukKAnHa5NTpZEsFbZPive1yCMWNGE-7v5MOFFcuNmfrbnTknjaF7zx4242BLOHrG4q8zbdVv1tU5OvMOPnJCe0O2S3o/s320/Road.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Safely in our slip, and after a couple of drinks, we could appreciate
our surroundings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The marina is
great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The grounds crew works constantly
keeping it that way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hello from Palm Cay Marina on New Providence Island in the
Bahamas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Yes, we are in the Bahamas in a marina. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not our usual thing, but here we are. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The transmission on our engine failed, so here
we wait for it to be repaired.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Bill and I spent two weeks in Miami Beach shopping, eating
out, getting our second shingles shot, and just walking around in both Miami
Beach and in midtown Miami.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill’s
longest expedition was a solo Uber trip to the Sam’s Club in Doral to get a battery
to replace the boat battery that failed on the trip down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our longest expedition together was a bus and
train trip to Coconut Grove to visit the West Marine store where Bill wondered
around for an hour looking at boat stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We then walked to Home Depot where he bought some stainless steel
thingies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hot from the walking in the
sun, we had a nice lunch at Berries Restaurant… not outside on the porch with
the tourists, but inside with the much-appreciated air-conditioned coolness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before returning to our boat, we checked out
the Dinner Key Mooring Field, but decided that our spot anchored off Miami
Beach was both better, and free.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It takes us two and a half to three days to travel from
Miami to the Exumas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A suitable window was
to open on February 28.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was boat
stocking time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill filled the boat’s fuel
tank to the brim, tied three 5 gal jugs of diesel and a jug of gasoline on the
deck, topped off the water tanks, and went to buy tonic water and beer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He dropped me off at the police dock to walk
to Publix to buy food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he came back
to pick me up and was stacking my bags on our hand cart, he grabbed his back
pocket and said, “Darn (not really), I’ve lost my wallet.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gone were his credit cards, driver’s license, medical cards, some cash,
his bus pass, and other things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh
well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just cancel the credit cards and
go to the Bahamas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We motored south through our last draw bridge on the Intracoastal
Waterway, past Miami, and onward to the south end of Key Biscayne to anchor
outside No Name Harbor for a peaceful evening before our coming early morning
departure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We were up at 3, the anchor was up at 4, and we were
underway in the dark heading for Morgan’s Bluff on Andros Island. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The trip to Morgan’s Bluff was expected to
take about thirty hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a little
rolly in the Gulf Stream with a light NE breeze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the time we were in sight of Bimini, the
sea calmed down, the wind picked up, and we turned the engine off and sailed across the Great Bahama Bank.<span class="MsoCommentReference"><span style="font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-special-character: comment;"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think this was our fastest trip across the
Gulf Stream.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">During the night, the wind went ahead of us and pretty much
died.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill started the engine about
2am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We saw the lights of boats both coming
our way and going the other way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While
Bill was on watch, he had a bit of a bother with a ship that did not seem to
see our lights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill shone a flashlight
on our sails.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ship lit us up with
its searchlight and turned slightly to the right to avoid us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We arrived at Morgan’s Bluff around 9:00 am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was just one other sailboat anchored in
the harbor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a cargo ship tied
up to the dock and unloading, so the customs and immigration people were
already in Morgan’s Bluff. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We launched
the dinghy, and Bill went ashore to clear us into the Bahamas. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It did not take him long. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We paid for our cruising permit and were given
permission to stay in the Bahamas until June 30.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We put the dinghy and its motor back on the deck, raised the
anchor, and departed on what we expected to be a 30 mile sail to New Providence
Island where we would anchor for the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We motored out of the harbor and raised the sails.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I noticed that the engine did not seem to be
pushing us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A quick check showed that we
could not motor either forward or backward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This time both of us said, “Darn" (again, not really).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We sailed back into the harbor and anchored
under sail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was tense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a lot to do in a short time, and
only one chance to get it right, and we did.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In the engine compartment, Bill discovered that the forward
flange of the coupling between the transmission and the propeller shaft had slipped
off the transmission’s output shaft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
engine and the propeller were no longer hooked together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Checking his books, Bill found that the
flange was held to the transmission with a big nut that needed two special
tools to tighten it securely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well,
guess what we didn’t have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition,
without the flange in place all the oil had drained out of the
transmission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill called the Yanmar dealer in Nassau.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A mechanic named Brad said to smear blue Loctite
(a special nut glue that we luckily did have) on the threads then tighten the
nut as well as we could.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill did, then he
refilled the transmission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the
hours he worked, other boats came into the harbor and anchored around us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We tested the transmission in reverse by
pulling on the anchor line with the reversing engine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
worked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were scared to try
forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other anchored boats were
too close.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We could not stay in Morgan’s Bluff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wind was forecast to change to north in a
few days, and the harbor, open to the north, would not be safe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides, there was no one in Morgan’s Bluff to
work on our problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, we slept.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the morning we raised the anchor and tried
to motor out of the harbor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had no
forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We re-anchored and thought
about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We could not stay; we had to
leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our best option was to sail to
New Providence Island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The harbor at
Nassau on the north side of the island would be too crowded, unfamiliar, and
current ridden for us to safely enter, so Palm Cay Marina on the southeast
corner where we fixed our fuel tank last year would be our best place to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill raised our sails, I steered the boat, we
threaded our way around the other anchored boats, and we left Morgan’s Bluff
behind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The wind outside the harbor was light and coming in the
exact direction that we wanted to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To
sail into the wind, we had to tack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
sailed first to the left of the wind, then we turned and sailed to the right of
the wind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It meant that the 30 mile
straight line trip would be a 50 mile zigzag trip, and with the light wind it
would be 3 in the morning before we would be in water shallow enough to anchor
and sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh well, we would do what we
needed to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From time to time we
started the engine and tried to motor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For whatever reason, by late afternoon our transmission re-learned how
to do forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We dropped the sails and
motored the rest of the way to the southwest corner of New Providence where we
anchored in the dark.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In the morning we tried the motor, but the transmission had
once again forgotten forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, it was
sailing time again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had rain, rocks,
and coral heads to contend with as we first tacked then later sailed as close to
the wind as we could to the Palm Cay Marina entrance channel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We lowered the sails, turned on the engine in
case we needed reverse, and let the wind push us into the marina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Inside the marina we had to make a left turn between
two docks then a right turn into our slip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>With the help of a skilled dock hand, we managed to get the boat tied in
the slip without hitting another boat, without either of us getting hurt,
and (believe it or not) without any angry words between us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whew.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A few salty sailors will say all this maneuvering under sail
was a piece of cake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I very strongly
disagree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope and pray I never have
to do any of it again!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Bill called Brad on Monday morning to ask him to come and
look at our transmission. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brad and another
mechanic, Martin, could not come until Tuesday, but they were here by 9:30am
and went straight to work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had the
transmission out of the boat by noon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
decided to order a new transmission from Yanmar in the states.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, Brad discovered that the
transmission was no longer available.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
came back Wednesday morning, got the old one, and took it to the shop to see
about repairing it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thursday, Brad
called and said the needed parts for the transmission were available in
Georgia. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We agreed to expedited shipping
--- Adairsville in Georgia to St Pete in Florida then on to Nassau.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We gave him copies of our USCG vessel
documentation and our Bahamas cruising permit in hopes of avoiding import
duties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the meantime, we wait.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Today, we have been in this marina for two weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a very nice place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is safe, the restaurant and the café both
have good food, there are showers, and a laundry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The grounds are perfectly maintained, and the
folks here are friendly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The weather has
been beautiful, some days windy, some days not, and it is warm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill is doing projects on the boat. I am getting lots of knitting accomplished,
and I am reading through my Kindle library.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I doubt I will run out of yarn, and I can order more Kindle books
anywhere.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hopefully, we will get the transmission repaired, and we
will soon be out of here and beach walking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1610461932297132297.post-71549781847931129262019-02-15T09:25:00.000-08:002019-02-15T09:25:12.778-08:00<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk99ynB9Rox418lwbdraSibhmkb350ZGzFmgMj9KXME9qHY8nQtqA66A7Tl6JwOTPR7Gm2hQJAcs_HG1_ihQW_JAcML8HTYScjCpc2VfvckYHnBVX-AEugURKJaV9KGX7Laf3E4WRHnYc/s1600/DSCN0014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk99ynB9Rox418lwbdraSibhmkb350ZGzFmgMj9KXME9qHY8nQtqA66A7Tl6JwOTPR7Gm2hQJAcs_HG1_ihQW_JAcML8HTYScjCpc2VfvckYHnBVX-AEugURKJaV9KGX7Laf3E4WRHnYc/s320/DSCN0014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our old patched fuel tank is on the left, and the new on the
right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The new boards in the dock replaced
a section crushed by a sailboat during hurricane Florence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our little Honda generator in the distance
gives us electricity because the real electricity has not yet been repaired.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Irish Eyes is hanging in the Travelift slings at Sailcraft
Services.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had her hauled out to
inspect and clean the bottom before setting off for Florida.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Waccamaw River north of Georgetown, SC is a pretty place
with cypress and gum trees growing out of the still brown water.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In Beaufort, SC we had to wait almost three hours for the
Lady’s Island Swing Bridge to open for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They give priority to the cars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was almost dark before they finally opened to let us through.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We spent one night in the Marineland Marina in Florida.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The change in the trees from South Carolina’s
Waccamaw River to here is striking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">These are two pictures of the temporary bridge on the Southern
Boulevard in Palm Beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is near
Trump’s Mar-a-Lago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the first picture
the bridge is closed and in the second it is open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is quite a contraption.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It clangs, bangs, and creaks as it opens and
closes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We bought bananas in Vero Beach, and Bill fixed us banana
tarts, juice, and tea for breakfast.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hello from Miami Beach.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We enjoyed both our Christmas together and our children and
grandchildren’s New Year’s visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
they left, it was time to think about leaving home for the trip south.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had already had snow… nine inches of the four-letter
word… that was enough of that!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
packing our car with everything Bill thought we might need plus my clothes, we
left for New Bern, NC on January 11.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The first thing we did when we arrived in New Bern, was to
get the Honda generator out of the car and started.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Florence had left our dock without
electricity or water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The generator gave
us electricity for heat, and a motley collection of collapsible water jugs, a
dock cart, and a trip to the marina’s wrecked laundry gave us water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully, the sailboats that were resting
on top of the dock after Florence had been removed, and our dock was repaired
and once again walkable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The marina
staff, faced with a herculean task, had been working hard to get everything
back in pre-storm condition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hopefully,
they will be finished when we get back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Some of you may remember that our boat’s aluminum fuel tank
developed a leak last year, and that two good palm tree mechanics (Bill and I)
had repaired the tank in the Bahamas with epoxy resin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not completely trusting our repair, Bill
ordered a new tank.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although delivered
late, it was waiting for us when we arrived in New Bern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We installed it, took the old one to the
recycling center, and cleaned up the resulting chaos in the boat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was cold in New Bern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One morning our thermometer showed 34 degrees inside the boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had lots of blankets and a 12V ElectroWarm
bunk heater, so our nights were warm even without the generator running.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the coldest morning, Bill, the tough one,
went outside, started the generator, and went to take a shower. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got out from under all our blankets, started
the electric heater, and went back under the covers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The boat warmed up quickly, and I could at
last venture out of my warm bed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bill worked on boat projects while I shopped for all the things
we either forgot to bring or needed to buy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Some things I bought from the stores in town, and the others Amazon
delivered to the marina.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With 80% of our To-Do List accomplished, we said, “Enough”,
and took Irish Eyes to Sailcraft Services in Oriental, NC for a quick haul out,
underwater inspection, and bottom cleaning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We also had them re-machine the drive pulley for the refrigeration
system and install the last three folding steps on the mast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those three steps alone would have taken Bill
and me a whole day to do, but they knocked out the job in under an hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In less than 24 hours and with only little
damage to a Visa card, we were away and headed south.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The weather forecast was for a gale to pass over the NC
coast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We elected to go a very short
distance and anchored in Adams Creek near the west shore to wait out the southwesterly
blow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, blow it did. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a rocky night, but by late in the afternoon
on January 25 things were back to normal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The next morning was our coldest morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The condensation inside the boat was frozen,
and the deck outside was slippery with a heavy frost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With lots of layers; two pairs of long
underwear, two pair of pants, probably four shirts, a down coat, a balaclava, a
woolly cap, gloves, chemical hand warmers, and (for me) wonderful fuzzy lined
UGG boots, both of us were warm even
outside in the open cockpit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Inside the
boat our “bus heater” kept the interior toasty using the engine’s heat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was great because when we stopped to
anchor, the boat’s interior was always cozy and dry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While the boat cooled during the night, we always
ate our breakfast quickly in the morning and got underway again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If Bill had his way, we would travel from 6
in the morning to 7:30 at night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I instead
set the schedule at absolutely, positively no more than 7:30 to 5:30, and frequently
I allowed less.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We stopped for one night at the Myrtle Beach Yacht Club to visit
my sister and brother-in-law and to have dinner at their house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is French and a chef, and thus a French
Chef, and she has been his understudy for years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is always the best meal of the trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides that, we got a real shower at the
yacht club.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Real showers are few and far
between on these trips.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Three days later, after crossing the Charleston Harbor, we
arrived at the Wappoo Creek Bridge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had
a new opening schedule, and we had a forty-five minute wait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The US Coast Guard seized the opportunity to
board us for a safety inspection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both
the young officers were friendly and polite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They did not find anything amiss on Irish Eyes, but before the bridge eventually
opened, they returned to retrieve a pair of obviously expensive sunglasses one of
them had left behind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our next bridge experience occurred at the Lady’s Island
Bridge in Beaufort, SC.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That bridge also
has a new opening schedule.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It does not
open from 3pm till 6pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately,
we arrived at 3:15.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We anchored the boat
for the long wait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At 6 as the sun set
and the nearby Beaufort City Marina closed, the bridge finally opened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went through and anchored in the shallows
beyond the city marina’s mooring field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was pitch dark. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beaufort, SC
did not seem as boater friendly as it had been in the past.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The farther south we got the warmer the temperatures became.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We made it through all the Georgia shallow
spots including Hell Gate and the Creighton Narrows without a problem. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill, once again the tough one, steered us through
the notoriously shallow Little Mud River and across the Altamaha Sound in the
pouring rain while I stayed dry below and encouraged him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We anchored near Lanier Island, Georgia for a
couple of hours while the tide rose before heading off for Jekyll Creek,
probably the shallowest of the Georgia spots, at high tide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We made it through Jekyll Creek and anchored in
dark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill put up our TV antenna, and we
watched the Super Bowl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not sure
why he did it; neither one of us is a football fan, and the game was a near
scoreless bore.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On Friday, February 8, we arrived in Vero Beach,
Florida.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill had ordered boat parts and
other things from Amazon, Defender, and McMaster-Carr, so we should have had had
packages waiting. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He mis-addressed some of things and never actually
hit the send key on others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some went to
Kingsport, and others were never sent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
ended up getting only a spare bilge pump, a winch handle, and new flags.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To avoid the South Florida weekend small boat
traffic, we decided to stay until Monday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We used the down time to take showers with unlimited hot water, go grocery
shopping, do our laundry, and enjoy a couple of restaurant meals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sunday afternoon we went to the nearby Vero
Beach Art Museum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Displayed among the
paintings and other art objects was a beautiful hand embroidered bed
covering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill said I should make one
too. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do not think I have enough years
left to take on that project. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll just
knit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After Vero Beach it was one day to Hobe Sound where we
anchored behind Jupiter Island, its golf courses, and Tiger Wood’s house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
we shut the engine down, Bill found one of our three house batteries hot,
hissing, and smelly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pronounced it
dead and disconnected it from the other two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The next day we took the boat into the north end of Lake Worth to go to
the nearby Palm Beach West Marine store and get a replacement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That did not work out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wind and waves in the anchorage were too much
for us, so we turned around and left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
new battery was put off to Miami.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">From Palm Beach south there were the drawbridges, lots of
drawbridges, most with twice an hour opening schedules.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a frustrating game of rushing south,
waiting for an opening, and rushing on again. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were surrounded not by the quiet marsh land
and wildlife of the waterway to the north, but by zillion dollar houses and
concrete and steel sea walls that reflected then re-reflected the wakes of the
large boats zooming by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yuck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, it was only three days and none were
long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got to Miami Beach yesterday
and anchored with another anchored sailboat and a large yacht among some nice
houses, palm trees, a park, and highway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It’s time to have some fun and get ready to go to the
Bahamas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1610461932297132297.post-31205398237097147462018-06-26T20:13:00.000-07:002018-06-26T20:13:19.920-07:00<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj0BUSyGega70VgnBsoYGg1XDnX1hF3pf0EZ8vuzcg4VKmfqRNKxQN120VL5Pozpszu0YRLbhb0hoh4IsarcYClxunwcVtGqahZohd5rZtJMibyytK2h2UfJ1UXyXv7lKhb4V5aWtvOEQ/s1600/Royal+Island+Flower.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj0BUSyGega70VgnBsoYGg1XDnX1hF3pf0EZ8vuzcg4VKmfqRNKxQN120VL5Pozpszu0YRLbhb0hoh4IsarcYClxunwcVtGqahZohd5rZtJMibyytK2h2UfJ1UXyXv7lKhb4V5aWtvOEQ/s320/Royal+Island+Flower.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">While we were anchored in the Royal Island Harbour, Bill
went for a long walk ashore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
spring, and it had been raining, so there were flowers everywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could not find this one in my books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you have any idea what it is?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA964e6gD-agboiP1c70_VHidxeZSShWYjoA_aaj2Hcaihr_c4yjNnMULEd8uKIeh26_vC_r3GGLeG8ZizBtqcCAoxpfLLzILWmMn7ytu4ibSO3cSK-CNYhs9ZZ6mmkXQplftyfKYPa9o/s1600/Top+Snails.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1199" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA964e6gD-agboiP1c70_VHidxeZSShWYjoA_aaj2Hcaihr_c4yjNnMULEd8uKIeh26_vC_r3GGLeG8ZizBtqcCAoxpfLLzILWmMn7ytu4ibSO3cSK-CNYhs9ZZ6mmkXQplftyfKYPa9o/s320/Top+Snails.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is a second picture from Royal Island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two top snails which are almost the size
of your closed fist had each found the perfect size hole to hole-up in while
the tide was out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are eatable, so
we don’t see a lot of them this large.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-qLMVzZZOe-viQVADtQK5MxSXx7cvOlmFwd2yqOKCV4eUZ-D_PCrOqF1_TeXqe93TA1613hrwNrhYU_KeaqzB6mWrGd8TSFPho4-4A5O9oLw5uPbROPQJYVwYmk7gcdAZj6mThj8d9s/s1600/Hullabaloo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-qLMVzZZOe-viQVADtQK5MxSXx7cvOlmFwd2yqOKCV4eUZ-D_PCrOqF1_TeXqe93TA1613hrwNrhYU_KeaqzB6mWrGd8TSFPho4-4A5O9oLw5uPbROPQJYVwYmk7gcdAZj6mThj8d9s/s320/Hullabaloo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When we got to the Abacos, we anchored beside this large
sailboat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is flying the White Ensign
of the Royal Navy instead of the Red Ensign of the merchant navy that most
British yachts fly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the top of her
mast is the pennant of the Royal Yacht Squadron of Cowes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therein lies the explanation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Bnq6_AQp4IACKtBZlu7VqgQ9t2-qoZhPNIaqW-JmCdLrje0mbnnvfR6SNuHODb8zsOhhP-edKYATmnFymfwDrU7m8lve_3V-7Q2-eD_uq7CkbPBtIcGw3LM8gcd9oSgOxIybXuM-4cE/s1600/Blue+Bee+Bar.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Bnq6_AQp4IACKtBZlu7VqgQ9t2-qoZhPNIaqW-JmCdLrje0mbnnvfR6SNuHODb8zsOhhP-edKYATmnFymfwDrU7m8lve_3V-7Q2-eD_uq7CkbPBtIcGw3LM8gcd9oSgOxIybXuM-4cE/s320/Blue+Bee+Bar.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We stopped for a beer at Miss Emily’s Blue Bee Bar on Green
Turtle Cay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we first came here in
the 1980’s, Miss Emily presided behind the bar, and the tip jar went to the
local Anglican Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sadly, no more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, they still make her signature Goombay
Smash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>See the sign.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLujKg6aQ01b2BdR3Ln_jjSwI6e3e0bsB-SqFQIKPbah2JJg3js6js3vlZY2Ik0FFMRRnwg8pB1-8f1D4Fp0ALydjOrl75qWUyY4fYsERdYjAfGeHZnKQruGfNsU2Bpeg03w22OtjwIUk/s1600/Cumberland+Island+Horses.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLujKg6aQ01b2BdR3Ln_jjSwI6e3e0bsB-SqFQIKPbah2JJg3js6js3vlZY2Ik0FFMRRnwg8pB1-8f1D4Fp0ALydjOrl75qWUyY4fYsERdYjAfGeHZnKQruGfNsU2Bpeg03w22OtjwIUk/s320/Cumberland+Island+Horses.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Back in the United States, we stopped for a couple of days
at the Cumberland Island National Seashore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They have “wild” horses, perhaps too many, and there are moves a’hoof to
reduce their number.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEVcRcj-ZGFV8YOyAZBsH-fQUYJ6wPeaTSiobHvXD0rAJ2MZsVPUezyeKyLosHJ1dNWnDBjIr3Hrw5BDBWHCj249nzHaA6YxZDdpblIHoWPS5Mz3ozs2LE-g7oEZa3bfk5KhYzRh-0-4U/s1600/River+Trail.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEVcRcj-ZGFV8YOyAZBsH-fQUYJ6wPeaTSiobHvXD0rAJ2MZsVPUezyeKyLosHJ1dNWnDBjIr3Hrw5BDBWHCj249nzHaA6YxZDdpblIHoWPS5Mz3ozs2LE-g7oEZa3bfk5KhYzRh-0-4U/s320/River+Trail.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The River Trail provided a pleasant walk from the Sea Camp
Dock where we were anchored to the Dungeness Ruins and the smaller buildings
that surrounded the ruins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The trail had
just the right mix of sun and shade with fewer bugs than the trail we came back
on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOqeYCvQ0_INoRdv45vAkFq8jNRmg9QphA7Shn76gH1ilXrtZq92cr-d1GgdFgTLufysxo-0mbQsj4UhfhyphenhyphenS8VItAZSC0VyTqTV3d_M5QarAHlL2yWRJLh5LCfZ5VgFazDbU7zSRN_pHw/s1600/Rocking+on+the+Porch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOqeYCvQ0_INoRdv45vAkFq8jNRmg9QphA7Shn76gH1ilXrtZq92cr-d1GgdFgTLufysxo-0mbQsj4UhfhyphenhyphenS8VItAZSC0VyTqTV3d_M5QarAHlL2yWRJLh5LCfZ5VgFazDbU7zSRN_pHw/s320/Rocking+on+the+Porch.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The old Captain’s House was converted to a ranger
station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Captain </span>Bill rocked on the porch while
I wandered around in the yard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5v28no5ZUq9GvEydCXq26pPp8aSYMHb69JUXNYnrOElGzTHW_h8tkMwF3HxaJGWNLAXwMbbhbyL1KarN3DRWXWbtfLN7SaEv33nDP_JHsUVupuEs4Zs13J14njZf_qMV-5emir3TBB0c/s1600/End+of+a+Cumberland+Island+Day.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5v28no5ZUq9GvEydCXq26pPp8aSYMHb69JUXNYnrOElGzTHW_h8tkMwF3HxaJGWNLAXwMbbhbyL1KarN3DRWXWbtfLN7SaEv33nDP_JHsUVupuEs4Zs13J14njZf_qMV-5emir3TBB0c/s320/End+of+a+Cumberland+Island+Day.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We saw two sunsets while we were anchored at Cumberland
Island before we resumed out trip north to New Bern.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCX_cPCqoGjUIB0w5NjVCtEKBlqoxpJiMw7HqmbPK31dQutgOyhvQbjrj-V6_od-slHYNWBhwt22kSAPnsObEXStAviS53vG4aZsp7how-ifloxE2Vyx9nF2T6yzilJM6qYYKKQSun24Q/s1600/Watauga+Lake+in+Stormy+Weather.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCX_cPCqoGjUIB0w5NjVCtEKBlqoxpJiMw7HqmbPK31dQutgOyhvQbjrj-V6_od-slHYNWBhwt22kSAPnsObEXStAviS53vG4aZsp7how-ifloxE2Vyx9nF2T6yzilJM6qYYKKQSun24Q/s320/Watauga+Lake+in+Stormy+Weather.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After being back home for only 8 days, we went up to Watauga
Lake and spent three days and nights on our smaller sailboat, Canary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With rain clouds hanging low on the
mountains, it does not look a thing like the Bahamas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hello from our home in Tennessee. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We returned here on June 14, but I’m getting
ahead of myself, so I’ll restart where I left off last time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When I last wrote, we had sailed from Hatchett Bay,
Eleuthera to Royal Island, Eleuthera.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
soon as we arrived, the weather turned cloudy, rainy, and windy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It did not change for ten days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some days we had more wind than rain, other
days we had more rain than wind, but we never had the weather we wanted for the
50-mile trip over to the Abacos.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">While we were anchored at Royal Island, other boats came and
went.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite the weather, a few went to
the Abacos, and a few came from the Abacos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We were a retired couple with plenty of time and were not in a
rush.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We avoided the bad weather in the
ocean by waiting in the harbor for better weather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We took a vacation from being on
vacation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We piddled about on the boat
reading, knitting, and listening to the radio. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill took a hike on the island, and the two of
us took a tour around the harbor in the dinghy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I found several sea biscuits on the two nearby small beaches, but I left
them behind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had plenty at home already.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were a bit bored, but not totally so.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Finally, on Wednesday, May 23, the weather forecast was for
southeast winds of 12 to 13 knots with 3- foot seas; it was time to head
north.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were not the only boat in the
harbor with that idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our anchor was up,
and we were gone by 7:30am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe
the harbor was empty by 8:30am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wind
started out a bit stronger than was forecasted, and the waves were a bit bigger,
but the crossing to the Abacos was both fast and uneventful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With all three of our sails up, we sailed
past two of the boats that had been anchored with us at Royal Island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>[It is always a rare thing for us to overtake
another boat. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are a small boat and therefore
a slow boat, but we sail our best on a broad reach, and we were sailing on a
reach.]<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We entered the cut at Little
Harbour at 3pm, turned north, and anchored in the calm water behind Lynyard
Cay.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The weather forecast gave us two dry days before the rain
returned, and we spent them anchored at Lynyard Cay before we sailed on to
Marsh Harbor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Marsh Harbour is the “big
city” of the Abacos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are lots of stores
and most importantly a super market.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We visited
the super market, refueled the boat, shopped for some gifts in the gift shops,
and had a great meal in one of our favorite restaurants, Colours by the
Sea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything was accomplished between
the rain showers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the showers we
topped off our water tanks and filled our cockpit with full 5-gallon jugs of
water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On our entire trip this year, we
bought just 42 gallons of water at Palm Cay Marina, and we got a few free jugs
of water from a tap in Black Point. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
rest of our water came from rain. And, we had plenty on this trip.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After four nights in the “big city”, we were ready to move
to a more tranquil spot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We motored out
of the harbor and sailed the few miles to uninhabited Water Cay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although another boat anchored near us during
the day while they snorkeled on a nearby wreck, and second boat came and spent
the night, it was a far calmer and quieter place than Marsh Harbour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We enjoyed the peacefulness, swimming around
the boat and taking a nice walk through Water Cay’s foot-deep sand flats and along
its white sand beaches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After our one
night at Water Cay, the wind and waves were right to go around Whale Cay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because the water behind Whale Cay is shallow,
deeper draft boats like ours must go around the Atlantic Ocean side of the cay;
first out of the sound into the ocean, then up the ocean side of the cay, and
finally back into the sound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The charter
boat companies in the Abacos call it the “Whale Cay Passage”, and fearfully
describe its horrors to their charterers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But really, it is like Longfellow’s little girl who had a little
curl…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>when it’s good, it’s very good
indeed, but when it’s bad, it’s horrid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With
our good weather, our trip was very good indeed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We anchored off New Plymouth Settlement on Green Turtle Cay and
went to the famous Miss </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Emily’s</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Blue Bee Bar for a cold beer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we walked around the town for a
bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was hot ashore, so we went back
on the cooler water and took a dinghy tour of Black Sound and the boats that
were moored there. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our departure from
the Bahamas was drawing closer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, we
needed one final cheeseburger in paradise and decided to visit Sundowners Bar
and Grill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While we were having our rum punches
and waiting on our cheeseburgers, we had a delightful conversation with a
recently retired Coast Guardsman and his wife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The conversation, rum punches, and cheeseburgers were all good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On May 31 Bill changed the engine oil and did a few maintenance
chores.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We checked the weather forecast
and decided it was time to leave for the states.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wind would be from behind us, and the
rain and storms would probably hold off for a few days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We brought the dinghy onboard, deflated it, packed
it away, and made sure all was ready for a long passage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We left in midafternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There would be stormy weather off the
Carolinas in a couple of days, so we headed to St. Augustine, Florida.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From there we planned to sail up the coast; out
in the ocean on good weather days and inside in the ICW on bad weather days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The wind played games with us. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of staying in the southwest, it
changed directions and blew from the northwest, nearly the direction we needed
to travel. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bummer. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We adjusted the sails and continued.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the evening of Saturday, June 2, a
little more than 48 hours out of Green Turtle Cay, we had a NOAA weather radio
alert for a strong thunderstorm with 50 knot winds and hail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next came a Coast Guard broadcast describing
the coming storm and telling vessels to seek safe harbor immediately. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were approximately 40 miles off shore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There would be no safe harbor for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We took all the sails down, closed all the hatches,
and donned our foul weather gear. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the
middle of all this activity, we had a pod of dolphins join us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They really put on a show doing back flips 3
feet in the air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although I watched, I
did not have time to make a video.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The storm came.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With
the sails down, we motored slowly into the wind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the wind reached 40 knots, Bill could
not hold the bow into the wind, so he turned downwind, the opposite of the direction
we wanted to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wind peaked at 54.7
knots, the rain pelted down, a little hail fell, and the lightning was
spectacular.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully, the bad part of
the storm only lasted about half an hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When the wind dropped to 25 knots it seemed very calm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have now survived a 50-knot storm, but I do
not need to do that again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">During the storm, we not only made no forward progress, we
also backed us up 3.8 miles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we
continued to St. Augustine, we would arrive in the dark. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not good, we do not pass through inlets or
cuts in the dark. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is too dangerous. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We changed course and headed for the St.
Mary’s River entrance at Fernandina Beach, Florida.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rest of the night was calm. The thunderstorms moved off to the Gulf Stream
and filled the eastern sky with an all-night light show with flash after flash
of lightning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After sixty odd hours at sea, we glided through the St
Mary’s entrance and anchored on the Florida side of the Cumberland Sound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We raised our yellow quarantine flag and called
Customs and Border Protection for clearance into the United States.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite both the boat and the two of us being
registered with the Small Vessel Reporting System, and despite our having properly
submitted an internet Float Plan for our return to the United States, Customs
and Border Protection asked us to check in with their experimental CBP Roam
cell phone app which is being trial tested in Florida.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So… we went to the Google Store, download the
app, entered all the data about the boat, the trip, and ourselves, then
photographed ourselves and our passports.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>While it was all easy enough, and we were cleared to enter the US almost
immediately, it was frustrating for two old and tired people with a brand-new
cell phone in one hand and a celebratory arrival beer in the other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Naptime followed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The next morning, we moved Irish Eyes to Cumberland
Island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We spent two days anchored off
the Sea Camp Dock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The island was lovely,
but it was hot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think Cumberland
Island is the bug capital of the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As we walked the trails, I could hear the mosquitoes all around me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just kept moving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill was behind me, and he told me I had a
large swarm of the nasty beasts flying behind me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, they did not bother him, just me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">By June 6 the weather off the Georgia and Carolina coasts
had improved, and we headed north up the coast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had our sails up, but because
the wind was light we were also running the engine to keep our speed up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next day, worried that we would run out
of fuel, we ducked into Charleston to buy another 20 gallons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took us three hours to go into Charleston
Harbor, buy the fuel, then come back out into the Atlantic. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was an annoying but necessary side trip.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After a second consecutive night underway at sea, we entered
the Cape Fear River, motored up the ICW to Wrightsville Beach, and spent a few
hours anchored there resting and having supper. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just before sunset, we headed back out into
the Atlantic on the last of our overnight sails.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Early in the morning, we had a bit of rain
but nothing like the big storm we had off Florida.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We came into the Beaufort Inlet early in the
morning, motored north in the ICW, and anchored in Cedar Creek just after
lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We could have continued for
another three hours to our slip in Northwest Creek Marina, but both of us were
too tired to even consider that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
spent a very calm evening anchored in Cedar Creek and continued to Northwest
Creek Sunday morning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our first chore was to get the air conditioner out of the
car, install it on the boat, and plug it in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It took hours for the air conditioner to suck all the humidity out of our
damp boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While the boat was cooling
down we moved some of our things from the car to the boat and from the boat to
the car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, we each took long, long,
long showers with unlimited hot water. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lounging
in a cool, dry, air-conditioned, stationary boat after a long hot shower was
just pure bliss.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It rained the next several days, and Bill could not do the
outdoor projects he wanted to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
decided to pack up and head for our home in the mountains. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This year’s trip was fun highlighted by the
kids coming to Black Point and marred only by the rainy weather and our fuel
tank repair trip to Nassau.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will
probably go again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Enjoy your summer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1610461932297132297.post-26771080797573081902018-05-13T11:10:00.000-07:002018-05-13T11:10:22.245-07:00<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8uMsStPqczH4rn9nPMZXmYDJ5K5gJ24hGsyoQlmLxyZTkUh-oqxoh1L9VHPavAMYZnnGgBih0XpCZa1arZhwzUTddNWO1u2n-fpilKWLkJ-1MT1EvjUX7rkx9YRm97NP1WDzcft26JdQ/s1600/Birds%252C+Rock%252C+Wave.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8uMsStPqczH4rn9nPMZXmYDJ5K5gJ24hGsyoQlmLxyZTkUh-oqxoh1L9VHPavAMYZnnGgBih0XpCZa1arZhwzUTddNWO1u2n-fpilKWLkJ-1MT1EvjUX7rkx9YRm97NP1WDzcft26JdQ/s320/Birds%252C+Rock%252C+Wave.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">These birds standing on a rock did not see the wave
coming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some flew away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Others got a bath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Birdbath???<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoyydVM3Gb4DDxKPUzeRRl5Q-8DMhblM69DeH3JiLKdKR8lzq9-pwJgR1aQ1t8Ir68tmMdMBGCzX1u9J5i6CfQOzSfZnpYNeKfz3PzKSm7kLLmeCkwXHtqh2ajzBS4D_NBcHjYyRk3L1U/s1600/Turtle+Creek.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoyydVM3Gb4DDxKPUzeRRl5Q-8DMhblM69DeH3JiLKdKR8lzq9-pwJgR1aQ1t8Ir68tmMdMBGCzX1u9J5i6CfQOzSfZnpYNeKfz3PzKSm7kLLmeCkwXHtqh2ajzBS4D_NBcHjYyRk3L1U/s320/Turtle+Creek.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Here we are cruising along in Turtle Creek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is pretty with nice water and mangroves,
but best of all it is filled with sea turtles that come in to play in the sun-warmed
water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The water drops on the camera lens
are from the rain that just stopped.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ZO02W-RFWLErL-LHDRLzE7vbmIn8119Hs3plNMWxQXHcLHI2p1XLL0MaOm6zqO9jDzwMn6IqrBGMnBTt5S0al2j4u2ZY0siJplGjWVyaY6-cbjKx4ZkOBAvQU94Ug252QgjrxuFmz0Y/s1600/Great+Egrets.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="987" data-original-width="1316" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ZO02W-RFWLErL-LHDRLzE7vbmIn8119Hs3plNMWxQXHcLHI2p1XLL0MaOm6zqO9jDzwMn6IqrBGMnBTt5S0al2j4u2ZY0siJplGjWVyaY6-cbjKx4ZkOBAvQU94Ug252QgjrxuFmz0Y/s320/Great+Egrets.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Turtle Creek has birds too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These are some of the great egrets that were there.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjklgAQQZ1ocIasCWZwCV6k_eg-YBMjkKLyZmj2oqFMOUvqkKVXIvoWFiwc0_YnEqZOge8UeNlGp9CAbQCia4nYJOp2UWfjLL52MMaZ2Xi2uSOiFiw-b5L7Rde8OwFJ3GyopJMNWnoRTTI/s1600/Osprey+Stare.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="791" data-original-width="1055" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjklgAQQZ1ocIasCWZwCV6k_eg-YBMjkKLyZmj2oqFMOUvqkKVXIvoWFiwc0_YnEqZOge8UeNlGp9CAbQCia4nYJOp2UWfjLL52MMaZ2Xi2uSOiFiw-b5L7Rde8OwFJ3GyopJMNWnoRTTI/s320/Osprey+Stare.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The osprey looks sort of fierce with the severe aggressive stare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He won.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I backed away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_2q9yam-rIvCBEnTScv2XhBAhaaqf-9aI52SIFDLqA9eM6FNILSfApYzETXSwIixaLQkVc3SvmrmDgpK7kOPahCPtvS9pwY8AeY73Nf1_7l3i-49zjqOQC7jNVFtzzAlZNM6v3UuvAs/s1600/Beach+Trash.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_2q9yam-rIvCBEnTScv2XhBAhaaqf-9aI52SIFDLqA9eM6FNILSfApYzETXSwIixaLQkVc3SvmrmDgpK7kOPahCPtvS9pwY8AeY73Nf1_7l3i-49zjqOQC7jNVFtzzAlZNM6v3UuvAs/s320/Beach+Trash.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It is sad to see the amount of trash on beaches… plastic
things, bits of rope, and most worrying for us, a piece of a refrigerated
shipping container that had obviously been floating in the ocean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had it been broken up by waves, or had some
vessel hit it?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Three of these 5 foot long sharks and one equally sized barracuda
circled around our boat the whole time we were anchored at Conception
Island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was sort of unnerving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The theme song from Jaws ran through my mind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Just off the beach near the McQueens settlement on Cat
Island we came across this bird tracking station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I explained it a little more below.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Bill took this picture of a herd (or is it flock?) of goats
that he met in the woods near New Bight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He said that there were maybe 25 of them all together and that they were
friendly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Our flopper stopper comes in handy for stopping the boat
from rolling when we are anchored in a place where there are small waves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It hangs over the side of the boat and is
pulled up and down dampening the roll.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxAbTVpICOKsjEBO7zDUxjCudNEBkaIkd-lW9_q9h6jIpE26zLX-R5chWMuGwxVZmCzL9-CkDvLSYdGNmEV5RoX4hF6tvEwy_J0YKWB1SuQMEJZHc5TC5aKLRSOBsw5FrzXb-LvKtEltY/s1600/Rock+Sound+Cave.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxAbTVpICOKsjEBO7zDUxjCudNEBkaIkd-lW9_q9h6jIpE26zLX-R5chWMuGwxVZmCzL9-CkDvLSYdGNmEV5RoX4hF6tvEwy_J0YKWB1SuQMEJZHc5TC5aKLRSOBsw5FrzXb-LvKtEltY/s320/Rock+Sound+Cave.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSKchQSm-4UQwQfKKRNXL-CWdXp0lTQ0vGV5wVmmcExMrriZRQ3qoJ0MQo-KTEsIDkDE6ohIEi5nv1PbUrpp0q2ydmQJhEDLHhSeHrSG1664K22WwLQWNjOeRrXSPBuBfm413eHXDBeVk/s1600/Ocean+Hole.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSKchQSm-4UQwQfKKRNXL-CWdXp0lTQ0vGV5wVmmcExMrriZRQ3qoJ0MQo-KTEsIDkDE6ohIEi5nv1PbUrpp0q2ydmQJhEDLHhSeHrSG1664K22WwLQWNjOeRrXSPBuBfm413eHXDBeVk/s320/Ocean+Hole.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">The Bahamas are all limestone and filled with hollows and
caves.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">At Rock Sound there is a nice
cave that Bill walked (and crawled) through.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">In town is the Ocean Hole which is connected to the ocean and rises and
falls with the tides.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qXQdRnMQ5LwHULOQCxH-PvNg6Yh4e-oC0Zd0qZOPgokgueedEmdwMmHS9eanry3cz_XJ1TxuTKnIWp4YH1uTGIzFKcpyobu8BS_0e-yClGXuiZQUs96t6A_JnHgo5Gp2WSN2vyMSHM0/s1600/Hatchet+Bay.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qXQdRnMQ5LwHULOQCxH-PvNg6Yh4e-oC0Zd0qZOPgokgueedEmdwMmHS9eanry3cz_XJ1TxuTKnIWp4YH1uTGIzFKcpyobu8BS_0e-yClGXuiZQUs96t6A_JnHgo5Gp2WSN2vyMSHM0/s320/Hatchet+Bay.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Hatchet Bay entrance looks just as narrow on the chart
as it does from the restaurant porch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
say it is 90 feet wide, but I’m not so sure. We anchored about where the "C" is in Hatchet Bay. The Front Porch restaurant is in the north east corner of the harbor.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">Today, we are anchored at Royal Island; at the north end of
Eleuthera near the town of Spanish Wells.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">We had
lots and lots of rain over the last few weeks.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">Cold fronts from the USA have come down from the north.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">Atlantic tropical waves have come in from the
east.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">Moist air from the Gulf of Mexico has
come across Cuba to get us from the west.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">So, short story, we are wet.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">And
now, Chris Parker (our radio weather guru) is talking about a possibility, abet
a small possibility, of a tropical low forming in the Caribbean next week!</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">Weather, bah humbug.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">People who live in houses have no idea how
much weather influences our life on a boat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Bill and I left Georgetown early on April 19.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had topped up our fuel, bought the few
groceries we needed, ate in our favorite restaurants, and walked the
beaches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our initial destination was New
Bight on Cat Island, but once we left the harbor, we discovered that the wind
was also favorable for sailing to Conception Island. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Conception Island is part of the Bahamas
National Trust. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one lives there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a nature preserve and bird sanctuary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a beautiful place. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had to go there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Along the way we hooked a nice dolphin (not
the mammal like Flipper, but the fish that restaurants call mahi mahi).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, the line broke as Bill was
pulling him in over the stern, and he got away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As soon as we dropped the anchor at Conception, two local fishermen came
by in their boat and sold us a grouper and three conchs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d rather have the grouper and conch myself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Conception Island has an interior creek which is full of sea
turtles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our first morning at Conception,
we decided to walk the nearby beach and then dinghy up the creek to see the
turtles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we were nearing the end of
our beach walk, the biggest, blackest, ugliest cloud started coming our
way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We abandoned the beach tour and
hurried back to Irish Eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It rained
enough to fill our water tanks, and then it put another thirty gallons of water
in plastic jugs before we opened the deck drains and let the rest of the rain run
into the sea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our turtle watching tour
would have to wait for another day.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If you looked at a chart of Conception Island, we were
anchored on the northwest side in the lee of the island at say 11
o’clock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill’s plan for the day was to
take the dinghy on an island circumnavigation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We’d go clockwise around the island stopping at all the beaches along
the way, and when we got around the island to the 8 o’clock point we’d tour
Turtle Creek before coming back to the boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It did not work out that way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had
only gotten as far as 1 o’clock when both of us had had enough of the wind and
waves on the windward side of the island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Plus, I was tired of dodging the coral heads that rose up like columns from
20 feet down threatening to grab our little rubber dinghy as we went by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By mutual agreement, we retraced our steps
back to Irish Eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was a good
thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It started raining again, and we
stayed dry aboard our boat before later continuing to Turtle Creek with its
amazing population of sea turtles, fish, sharks, and birds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We toured the whole creek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At times the GPS showed us in mangroves or on
land, but we were not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were just
going places the map said we could not go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was a special place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Back at the boat, we were surrounded by wildlife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tropic birds with their nests in the nearby
cliffs soared overhead whistling loudly to each other and fishing in the water
behind us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the water under the boat, we
had three sharks and one large barracuda swimming around and occasionally resting
in the shade of our dinghy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One night I
got out a flashlight to watch the smaller fish under the boat, but I felt guilty
when the barracuda came into the light and quickly ate them all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did not go swimming.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Intent on seeing the windward side of the island, Bill put
on his hiking boots and walked along the cliffs and through the bush to two of the
ocean side beaches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He found only a few
shells, but there were tons of plastic stuff and lots of lost fishing gear… the
detritus of modern civilization. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
brought back two red plastic milk crates from a dairy in Puerto Rico.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are now on our boat taking up room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did leave behind all the fishing gear and
a much desired (by him) 200-quart Coleman cooler, thank goodness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On April 24 we packed up Irish Eyes and headed north to Cat
Island. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the beginning the sailing was
a bit rolly, but in the afternoon the wind died and the seas went flat, so we motored
the last few miles and anchored near the McQueens settlement on Cat
Island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>McQueens seemed to be a village
that everyone left. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just inland from the
beach, we could see several abandoned or unfinished houses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked along the beach, and Bill walked up
the road into town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He found a well
maintained small church amid mostly derelict houses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We saw what looked like an old TV antenna in
the bush near the beach, but it turned out to be an automated Smithsonian Institution
bird tracking station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The endangered Kirtlands
Warbler spends its summers in lower Michigan and its winters in the Bahamas. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The station tracks the tagged birds as they
fly by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Back at the boat, hot from the
sun, tired from our walk, and without our “fishy friends” from Conception
Island, we had a nice swim and a long pleasant soak in the ocean.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We had been away from civilization for over a week, and it
was time to move over to New Bight, a settlement with people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill made dinner reservations for us at the
Bluebird Restaurant and Bar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We would be
their only customers that evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
place was owned and operated by three sisters. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One mixed the drinks and waited on the tables.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One was the chef.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last had a stroke; she sat at the cash
register and talked with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a
delicious lobster dinner and a great time talking to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We knew it was time to go when all three
sisters gathered closely around the satellite TV to watch Wheel of Fortune.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They reminded me of my grandmother and great
aunt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">New Bight is the home of the Hermitage, a tiny one-man monastery
atop the highest point in the Bahamas. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
had been here twice before, and I did not want to accompany Bill to the see it
again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For some reason I find the place
creepy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He went alone, but he did get to
speak to a herd of friendly goats in the woods on his way back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Several thunderstorms rolled through New Bight while we were
there, and with the wind blowing out of the southwest we were not protected by
the land.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Irish Eyes rocked around,
especially at night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have two
“flopper stoppers” that Bill has made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They are aluminum triangles about the size and shape of a Yield
sign.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They hang horizontally in the
water on the side of the boat from three ropes, one tied to each corner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the corners is weighted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the boat rolls one way, the plates rise,
dragged up through the water by the three ropes and thus slowing the roll.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the boat rolls the other way, the ropes
go slack, and the weight pulls the one corner quickly down lowering the plates to be ready to slow the next roll.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
do make a difference.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The weather forecast was for the wind to swing around to the
northeast and blow twenty to twenty-five knots for the entire next week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was time to either stay at Cat Island for
a week or move north to Eleuthera for a change in scenery and for protection
from possible west winds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We decided to move,
but it was raining.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The boat’s radar
showed a break in the rain coming our way, and when it arrived we sailed off to
Pigeon Cay at the north end of Cat Island. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the trip we could see rain all around
us, but it did not rain on us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
anchored there ready to make the longer jump to Eleuthera in the morning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The next morning, we were up and underway early as we had a
long way to go. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We sailed the entire
trip, but we occasionally ran the engine to keep up our speed (and to run the
freezer to make ice for out arrival drinks).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We passed Little San Salvador (now owned by Princess Cruise Lines and
renamed in their advertisements, Half Moon Cay).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We could see a cruise ship shuttling its passengers
to the shore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The island has been transformed
into a completely fake Bahamian Island with a fake village, buffet food, jet
skis, ATVs, a netted fish free swimming area, tiki huts, and beach bars. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a shame.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There is a real Bahamas nearby that is better than the theme park one. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh well, I guess some people prefer theme
parks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a 60-mile day, our anchor
was down in Rock Sound, Eleuthera before sunset.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Rock Sound has a couple of grocery stores, a filing station,
a laundry, and several restaurants, but most importantly it has a completely
protected harbor with a good sand bottom for our anchor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We shopped and did laundry between the ever-present
rain and wind storms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the
restaurants, Wild Orchid, had moved from its old location.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The owner, Sybil, had transformed a cute blue
house on the water’s edge into her new location.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had only been open two weeks, but the
food was good, and we enjoyed talking to her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After a week of rainy days, Captain Bill was getting very antsy and
tired of being trapped on the boat. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He went
ashore and hiked all over town taking shelter from passing rain storms in a
cave, under the porch of the AME church, and while pretending to shop in a
small store.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I elected to read and knit
on the dry boat. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On his trip Bill bought
a plastic bag full fresh conch from a local fisherman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m now trying to perfect my conch chowder
and conch cake recipes as we eat our way through the slimy mess.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Finally, on May 6 the weather cleared, and we left Rock
Sound. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we were preparing the boat to
leave, I kept finding small sticks on the deck. Then, I noticed a bird on the
radar antenna.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The silly thing was
building a nest there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bird few away
as we started moving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope it found a
better place for its nest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We had a nice sail to Governors Harbour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We managed the trip without any rain, but the
rain did return several times while we were there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once again, we were able to top off our water
tanks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have only had to purchase
water one time on this trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I guess
rain is not such a bad thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We bought cinnamon
rolls, twists, and bread from the bakery and had delicious sandwiches and a
beer in a cute little coffee shop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill
went on two hikes along the roads going out from town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first was cut short after two miles by
the swarms of mosquitoes that emerged from the wet woods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he got back I actually picked the dead
ones off his tee shirt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His second hike
took him to the abandoned Club Med site with its mile-long pink sand
beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would have liked to have gone, but
I don’t think my knees would have cooperated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Thursday, May 10 was a dry day, and the winds were blowing from
the east.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The long-range forecast was
for lots of rain and some strong wind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We sailed north from Governors Harbour to Hatchett Bay. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hatchett Bay claims to be the safest harbor in
the Bahamas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was once a half mile
wide inland lake or pond, but it was made into a harbor by blasting a 90 foot
wide entrance through the rock to the Exuma Sound. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The surrounding land gives wind protection
from all directions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We launched our
dinghy and explored Alice Town, the village along the east shore of the
bay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was hot, so a cold Kalik beer at
the Da Front Porch restaurant was very nice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We liked the restaurant so much, we went back the next day for
lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had really good grouper fingers, and Bill had a huge double mahi burger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>On our way back to the boat, eagle scout Bill did his good deed for the
day when we towed a fisherman back to his dock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The fellow had been sitting on the bow of his boat paddling upwind with
a board when we saw him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got a hearty
thank you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Yesterday after breakfast, we listened to the radio, checked
the internet, looked outside, and scanned over the horizon with our radar before
deciding it would be a good time to go farther north through Current Cut to the
northern end of Eleuthera.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once outside
the harbor the winds were from behind us at a light 8 knots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We put up our genoa and also ran our engine
to keep the boat moving at a decent speed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As we traveled along, clouds moved in, the sky darkened, it started to rain
around us, and the wind kept increasing reaching a steady 18 knots as we
approached the cut.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was not
good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a reason for the name,
Current Cut.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only 250 feet wide, the
current can reach 6 knots during tide changes making it difficult to control a slow
sailboat. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Worse, because of outlying
sandbars the approach to the cut is along the land south of the cut, only then at the last second turning into the cut itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We took down the large genoa and put up the small staysail before we
started the half mile run along the rocky shore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The deepest water was only 50 to 150 yards off
the land where the 3 foot wind driven waves were crashing on the rocks with
spray flying everywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Prayer, luck,
charts, and GPS got us through the cut, and we emerged on the lee side into
almost tranquil water and light wind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After all that excitement, it was an easy and uneventful hour and a half
sail to Royal Island where we got the anchor down and the boat stowed away before
the real rain began.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whew…….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Cheers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1610461932297132297.post-22861685364385666592018-04-15T14:54:00.000-07:002018-04-15T14:54:54.736-07:00<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6IWbSOnXtcBTILoQ2bRsoipyol7gKE-NXJ_jczIepyNdsccNcFXquAMOyJkvZiegHm5PKisp2QO8gl2dNkIl9-mnZhfEZtruLg3oug__CXuExm3euI_er5etDUmw5R2i_x_7VxcRTGg0/s1600/Shroud+Cay+Lizard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6IWbSOnXtcBTILoQ2bRsoipyol7gKE-NXJ_jczIepyNdsccNcFXquAMOyJkvZiegHm5PKisp2QO8gl2dNkIl9-mnZhfEZtruLg3oug__CXuExm3euI_er5etDUmw5R2i_x_7VxcRTGg0/s320/Shroud+Cay+Lizard.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For reasons unknown to me, cruisers stack up rocks in
neat little piles along the rocky shores.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This curly tail lizard must have found the cairn on Shroud Cay to be the prefect place to wait for a lunchtime treat to fly past.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFkNOr8ST0cpr3xSS52lKrFt2lWXfYSaOFqScTi_UMFrqSlqfmrRKks62jOMKe7cinligTtJjWWClSF6hysGGp0_Pjvt8T6j_g672k4P9fQv0AnoAqnuYdPk0Hb0ICq9R1pYISxV1OKT0/s1600/Boo+Boo+Hill+Sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFkNOr8ST0cpr3xSS52lKrFt2lWXfYSaOFqScTi_UMFrqSlqfmrRKks62jOMKe7cinligTtJjWWClSF6hysGGp0_Pjvt8T6j_g672k4P9fQv0AnoAqnuYdPk0Hb0ICq9R1pYISxV1OKT0/s320/Boo+Boo+Hill+Sign.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Back in 2008 we found this old weathered board washed up on
the beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill scratched our names, the
boat’s name, and the year in the face of the board with a beer can opener, and we placed it
on top of Boo Boo Hill on Warderick Wells Cay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Every year since we have come back, and he has added another year to our
sign.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnTEl0DJvWai_eH7Qw4CoCSPH4nk9u-4lPtFmfi5kYIEDFWmeM0H2Xz4x7aVVtzFOjec0Sz9KrH_yH7LZ6i61RCTxz6WUYkiTXIfLXaCvjTw-l_97txNKyTpwqxk5pTS3kyinpmXXjX_s/s1600/View+from+the+House.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnTEl0DJvWai_eH7Qw4CoCSPH4nk9u-4lPtFmfi5kYIEDFWmeM0H2Xz4x7aVVtzFOjec0Sz9KrH_yH7LZ6i61RCTxz6WUYkiTXIfLXaCvjTw-l_97txNKyTpwqxk5pTS3kyinpmXXjX_s/s320/View+from+the+House.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is the view across the Blackpoint Harbor from the house
we rented for our children and grandchildren to stay and visit with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The stone paved path leads from the house down to the water where it is
nearly low tide and where the white sand is emerging from the blue water.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIptD_MuFtYIJ2dxAsLvYrQemXW1Q971Ezca5pG3u642T0rXx-Yp-yGLPq4tewczuB4AgAX8UC0g8REM03NyuL222VTXCZVszBTXDBdbEfperxRR4ESUVwpjoJ11tUTRs9N_C6_w-mi5k/s1600/Eli+Underwater.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIptD_MuFtYIJ2dxAsLvYrQemXW1Q971Ezca5pG3u642T0rXx-Yp-yGLPq4tewczuB4AgAX8UC0g8REM03NyuL222VTXCZVszBTXDBdbEfperxRR4ESUVwpjoJ11tUTRs9N_C6_w-mi5k/s320/Eli+Underwater.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is Eli, Ann’s son, swimming down to a coral head in the
Bahamas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d make a pretty good fish.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpwxxwTSbNPF_RsYV4Jp3ixfZMLYVO9bgekHpnsTOA4oFwC48-fzYNIBB9QnuBXUpXEgxoVYecr5TI_qSvEvhpVVoKTvTPO_OUdN6BDwjofKFqgId861hS3crqkifNF_D87u7JUvkbmH0/s1600/Anemone.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpwxxwTSbNPF_RsYV4Jp3ixfZMLYVO9bgekHpnsTOA4oFwC48-fzYNIBB9QnuBXUpXEgxoVYecr5TI_qSvEvhpVVoKTvTPO_OUdN6BDwjofKFqgId861hS3crqkifNF_D87u7JUvkbmH0/s320/Anemone.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We can not identify this flower-like anemone growing on the
coral.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not in our books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While it looks like a plant, it is really an
animal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgchVLmeGZb8tyAOHrcumgXo1hVbQQQwdFR6Xbsa753atY6V5S9aMgI82EOhE8PWvZDrIgORamkM6PpYwL-UKLSHwrjdfNtY5bdPVewoVTB3kYL7YosbL6euW-JjYSm16vB5XMzKbifnqg/s1600/Stand+Up+Paddleboard.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="991" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgchVLmeGZb8tyAOHrcumgXo1hVbQQQwdFR6Xbsa753atY6V5S9aMgI82EOhE8PWvZDrIgORamkM6PpYwL-UKLSHwrjdfNtY5bdPVewoVTB3kYL7YosbL6euW-JjYSm16vB5XMzKbifnqg/s320/Stand+Up+Paddleboard.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With everyone watching and ready to laugh, Bill made his maiden
voyage on a stand up paddle board.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was
a natural, a success from the word go.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPnf-kEid0bitcIQHk5ryicb_-KNAGGVZr4iUZVYodLpYroDCW4l1JchCLLJvinsnXmKY2lm92y8ge03rl9_dHf9ZHVkNsEDHb46LpIQOCY2K6-k4O0kzoV7rb69cOMYHkVNPSY5rCgvM/s1600/Kids+on+a+Rope.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPnf-kEid0bitcIQHk5ryicb_-KNAGGVZr4iUZVYodLpYroDCW4l1JchCLLJvinsnXmKY2lm92y8ge03rl9_dHf9ZHVkNsEDHb46LpIQOCY2K6-k4O0kzoV7rb69cOMYHkVNPSY5rCgvM/s320/Kids+on+a+Rope.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Coming back to the anchored Irish Eyes from the beach at
Bitter Guana Cay, all eleven of us would not even begin to fit in our four-person
dinghy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Five people traveled in the
dinghy while the remaining six were towed along behind holding on to a rope.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbj4M99f-T-P9ndDQKZaIkhJd9YuVeGku1R3U3JKlyqhfcWp82xLn3Tg6D4Gipzz63v4FXS5Wtakp7MBThXJjAMZBtUROjWGnUl9dGihsednBEUu1LsJ1NMclDTYCtp6AWby4mlDllwt4/s1600/A+Snoozing+Pig.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbj4M99f-T-P9ndDQKZaIkhJd9YuVeGku1R3U3JKlyqhfcWp82xLn3Tg6D4Gipzz63v4FXS5Wtakp7MBThXJjAMZBtUROjWGnUl9dGihsednBEUu1LsJ1NMclDTYCtp6AWby4mlDllwt4/s320/A+Snoozing+Pig.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Josh, Isabella, Michael, Olivia, Ann, Scarlett, Julia, Kaelyn,
and Eli stand behind the now resting sow which minutes before had been chasing
them down the beach to get the pancakes they were carrying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A 500 lb hungry pig is a fearsome beast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A resting pig… not so much.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsYejy1C9lvWoWx8S0G6-zBalCp9P2ZGFMt8BrxDugVWqLBtIHFl0N2v7rUffcex_d10n9R4OXjePeUS66e7VF5cVym-GmY36HJTMxL2mk0kAa-yWEg2D410ixlMpz8jpAh9ZZlRcjj7w/s1600/Bill%2527s+Starfish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsYejy1C9lvWoWx8S0G6-zBalCp9P2ZGFMt8BrxDugVWqLBtIHFl0N2v7rUffcex_d10n9R4OXjePeUS66e7VF5cVym-GmY36HJTMxL2mk0kAa-yWEg2D410ixlMpz8jpAh9ZZlRcjj7w/s320/Bill%2527s+Starfish.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">At Normans Pond Cay Bill and I waded in the water and walked on the
beach picking up the treasures we found before throwing them back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is Bill with one of his finds, a
reticulated starfish.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidXZmbnvRKZ4jRcMYcmrD7e9_aT6G_u54Gs8UvI1udjypyakkaM6B7NIkZkYdU6lUBzrAR_NlBfPGM1mPotxNQw4GIiYgzUKdABFnvQrsHAKAEPy5Q0_t_scuiMJcdIPD-_p3k1lrAjec/s1600/Normans+Pond+Cay+Iguana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidXZmbnvRKZ4jRcMYcmrD7e9_aT6G_u54Gs8UvI1udjypyakkaM6B7NIkZkYdU6lUBzrAR_NlBfPGM1mPotxNQw4GIiYgzUKdABFnvQrsHAKAEPy5Q0_t_scuiMJcdIPD-_p3k1lrAjec/s320/Normans+Pond+Cay+Iguana.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We have been to Normans Pond Cay several times, but this
year was the first time that we have seen iguanas there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two were resting in the shade of a group of
casuarina trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the female.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is not quite 3 ft long.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hello from Georgetown, Exuma. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have had a busy couple of weeks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When I last wrote, we were anchored at Shroud Cay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During our four days there, we took our
dinghy into the interior creeks and mangrove swamps of Shroud Cay stopping at
the beaches on the eastern side of Shroud Cay. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> We dinghied around to the ocean side of the island. </span>We had the cruising couple from the sailboat Blue
Away over to celebrate St Patrick’s Day by sharing six bottles of Guinness stout
that Bill brought from home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a
beautiful stay in a beautiful place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Two back to back cold fronts were forecast to exit the
Florida coast and come into the Bahamas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We returned to the Norman’s Cay cut for protection from the wind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We stayed for three days waiting for the wind
to die down to a reasonable sailing speed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When we arrived at Norman’s Cay, a large motorboat, Miss Anna, was anchored
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We chose our spot 240 yards away
from her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other boats came and went, but
we stayed, and so did Miss Anna. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At
sundown on our second night, the distance separating us had decreased to 75
yards. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I watched Miss Anna.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was not moving with the wind and
waves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had dragged her anchor and was
aground behind us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The professional crew
calmly waited for the tide to rise as they served dinner to the guests on the
aft deck of the yacht. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the dishes
were cleared away, Miss Anna floated free, and they re-anchored again, 240 yds away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next day a large sailboat which had been
anchored on the other side of us also ran aground behind us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill and several other cruisers went over in
their dinghies and helped him get off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
really does not take much to entertain me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I just sit in our cockpit, knit, and watch the world unfold around me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On March 23 the wind was blowing from the north at a
reasonable 10 to 15 knots. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was time
to head south.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We pulled up our well
buried anchor and sailed to the Emerald Rock mooring field at the Exuma Park Headquarters
on Warderick Wells Cay. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill went into
the office, paid our fees, and retrieved our driftwood sign from the top of Boo
Boo Hill.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There is a huge pile of these driftwood signs on the hilltop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each has the names of cruisers,
their boat names, and the dates of their trips to the Exumas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leaving a sign is supposed to assure cruisers
of good weather and a pleasant trip. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
have been using the same sign for all eleven of our trips. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is amazing that the thing survives all the
wind and rain that blow over the island, and equally amazing that we can find
it in the ever-growing heap of signs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On Saturday night on the beach at the park office, there is
a cruisers’ happy hour party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had also
been invited to have a cocktail on a 22 foot sailboat moored near us at Emerald
Rock. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, off we went party
hopping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The couple on the sailboat, a Marshall Catboat named Done
Reach, were retirees from Rhode Island who now live in Spanish Wells on Eleuthera.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were taking a two-week trip on
their little sailboat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill and I
enjoyed swapping tales with them, and they enjoyed the Black Eyed Pea dip I
have named Tennessee Caviar. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They also enjoyed
the ten ice cubes Bill brought as a present to their refrigeration-less boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After we left Done Reach, we went to the cruiser’s
happy hour to meet the other cruisers and most especially Ron and Phebe, the crew of
the sailboat Noodin, who we had met last year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sunday morning, we slipped our mooring and headed a few more
miles south.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our intended destination
was Big Major’s Spot with its famous swimming pigs. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But when we got close, Bill looked through the
binoculars and saw lots and lots of boats at Big Major’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We changed our plans, changed our course, and
anchored off Sampson Cay where there were only two other sailboats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Irish Eyes made it three.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later, three or four large motor yachts
anchored near us to avoid the coming high winds. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But that was fine, I had rich people playing on
all kinds of expensive water toys to watch from my cockpit. It was great entertainment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On the windiest day, Captain Bill decided that we, like
Jimmy Buffet, needed a restaurant prepared Cheeseburger in Paradise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our closest option was the Staniel Cay Yacht
Club, a mere 5-mile dinghy ride away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Off we went. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the first mile,
we were wet, salty, and not making much progress against the wind and current. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked Bill if he REALLY needed that
cheeseburger. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think he was just
waiting for me to say something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
immediately turned the dinghy around, and we spent a couple of pleasant hours
walking on the Sampson Cay beaches before returning Irish Eyes for homemade sandwiches
and beer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The last time I did our laundry was in mid-February while we
were moored in Vero Beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dirty clothes
locker was dangerously full, and my underwear drawer was almost empty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Rock Side Laundry in Blackpoint is the
best coin laundry in the Exumas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
time to go there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And anyway, our
children, their husbands, and all the grandchildren would be there in a few
days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our anchor was down in Blackpoint Harbor on Good Friday
afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We tidied up Irish Eyes, I did
laundry, and Bill gave me a haircut to prepare for our visitors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our good friends Ron and Dee from the
sailboat Ursa Minor were in Blackpoint too. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We spent Easter Sunday afternoon catching up with
them in the cockpit of Irish Eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Early Easter Monday morning, and I mean really early, like 5am,
my phone began pinging with rapid fire text messages describing our traveler’s
progress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All nine members of the
Murdoch clan began their journey to Blackpoint from Michael and Ann’s new house in
Nashville on Easter Sunday evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>First, there was a flight from Nashville to Ft Lauderdale, then an
airport shuttle to their Ft Lauderdale hotel for the night. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the dark of Monday morning starting with that previously mentioned 5am ping, the journey resumed; another shuttle to the executive airport, followed by a charter flight in a
small plane to Staniel Cay, then a golf cart ride to the Staniel Cay Yacht Club
for a late breakfast. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Properly fed, they
and all their belongings had 6 mile speedboat ride from Staniel Cay to the
government dock in Blackpoint where a car and a truck met them and for a ride
to their rented house on the water. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The five
grandchildren were already in their bathing suits, splashing in the beautiful, clear, blue water and playing in
the white sand before Bill and I could cross the harbor in our dinghy to meet
them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What a wonderful week we had!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The house we rented had a stone path leading down the
wooded hill to the water on the Blackpoint Harbor. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At high tide the water was probably 3 feet
deep, at low tide there were acres of sand flats to tromp over. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perfect! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The kids could swim or build sand
castles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, there was a small kayak
and two stand up paddle boards to master.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The wraparound porch on the house was great; from there we could watch the kids only
having to move the furniture from time to time during the day to stay out of
the sun.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One day, all eleven of us piled aboard Irish eyes and went
on an excursion. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We sailed our little
boat, crammed with people both below and on the deck, a couple of miles south
to the Hetty’s Land beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill, Julia, Josh,
and Eli took the dinghy and went snorkeling and spear fishing on several of the
nearby coral heads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rest of us, Ann,
Michael, Kaelyn, Isabella, Scarlett, Olivia, and I, looked for sand dollars on
the beach and played in the shallow water and in the sand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While the snorkelers came back with only pictures
of fish, the beach goers found their sand dollars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Irish Eyes was anchored so close to the beach
that the beach goers could just walk through the water and, after a few swimming
strokes, climb back on board Irish Eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When the snorkelers and the dinghy returned, we motored back to
Blackpoint where, after several overloaded dinghy trips between the boat and
the shore, we celebrated with drinks and dinner at Scorpio’s bar and restaurant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On a “rest” day at the house Josh and Julia took the dinghy
and went fishing off the rocks near the entrance to the harbor, but after an
afternoon of fishing, they only brought back one fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had fun anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While they were away, the rest of us lazed
about, built sand castles, splashed in the water, played on the porch, and
generally wasted the day away punctuated only by a swim in the breaking waves
on the ocean side of the island.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On our second trip on Irish Eyes, we motored the six miles north
to the famous Swimming Pig Beach on Big Major’s Spot. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When it was discovered that no one had thought
to bring food for the pigs, Bill ducked below and cooked two dozen pancakes for
the beasts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once ashore, Ann had the
pancakes in a plastic grocery bag.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
pigs, like all pigs, instantly sensed food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> First, </span>Ann tried to distribute the pancakes to the kids who wanted to feed the
pigs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, she tried to appease the herd of pigs that were chasing her by feeding them a few.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, under a direct frontal assault, she
quickly dumped all the food on the beach and danced about holding her empty
hands in the air to prove she had no more food to give.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fully fed, one of the large sows dug out a
bed in the sand and lay down at Ann’s feet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Back on Irish Eyes as Michael made sandwiches for lunch, all
the kids jumped off the bow pulpit of Irish Eyes and into the water as each
tried to make the biggest splash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They all
watched from the deck as a large shark swam under the boat and over toward the
swimmers at a nearby boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eli got his
wish to jump into the water from Irish Eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Olivia got her wish to see a shark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>None of the jumpers were eaten by the shark.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There are large iguanas on Bitter Guana Cay, and we went to
see them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was absolutely no wind,
so we motored through the glassy and sparkling clear water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The children sitting on the deck broke into a port side team and
a starboard side team and had a competition counting the starfish on each side
of the boat; on the bottom, in the grass, clearly visible 25 feet below us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anchored off Iguana Beach, the kids swam to
the shore while the sensible adults took the dinghy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We walked and swam along the beach feeding
the iguanas bits of canned mandarin oranges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Since all eleven of us would not fit in our four-person dinghy, Bill
trailed a knotted floating rope behind the boat and towed the children back to
Irish Eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Julia (yes, she is a child) said
she has waited 38 years for her father to tow her behind the dinghy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We saw the people on a nearby anchored boat both
stare and laugh at us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On their last full day, tired of walking and sure that
fishing success could be obtained with boat better than our dinghy, the
travelers rented a 9 passenger golf cart and a 16 foot motorboat from Ulrisa
and Breadboy, the owners of the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Josh,
Julia, Ann, Kaelyn, Isabella, and Eli took the motorboat and went snorkeling in the
morning while I played in the water with the mermaids Olivia and Scarlett.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the afternoon Josh, Julia, Michael and Eli
went fishing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They caught several
trigger fish, but thankfully they brought back only pictures and not the
fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ann, Kaelyn, I</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">sabella, Olivia, Scarlett,
Bill, and I took the golf cart to the blowhole to see the surf driven geyser shoot
up through a hole in the rocky shore, then to another sound side beach for a
shell collecting walk, and lastly on a tour of every paved rode on the
island.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">13-year-old Kaelyn drove the
golf cart (It was a bit scary.) until we saw the island policemen in the
distance, and Ann took the wheel.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Ann,
who has never driven on the left before, proved remarkably adept.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The somewhat sunburned visitors left on Saturday retracing
their path back to Nashville where they arrived after midnight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill and I spent the day hosing the sand off
the decks of Irish Eyes and feeling very fortunate that we could share one of
our favorite places with all our family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I am pretty sure they had a good time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The wind changed after they left, coming from the west and
blowing across miles of open water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
bounced through the night while our anchor held us off the lee shore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then in the morning, we left headed south to
the better protected Lee Stocking Island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The island was once a research station, studying marine life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The research funding dried up, and the place has
been pretty much abandoned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rumors say a
billionaire bought the island but could not get the permits to build a resort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill and I dinghied along the sheltered sides of Lee Stocking
Island and the adjacent Normans Pond Cay walking lots of beaches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One morning at we had a nice rain shower and filled
our water tanks to the brim and also put another 30 gallons of water in our six 5-gal
jugs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While we were anchored, a couple we
met two years ago, Robin and Corbett on Cookie Monster came and anchored nearby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a lovely time with them and with a Polish/American
couple on the sailboat Aldebaran at a four-hour happy hour hosted by Cookie
Monster.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After a few days anchored at Lee Stocking Island, Bill and I
continued our journey south enjoying (?) a rollicking sail in northeast winds
to Georgetown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had our anchor down at
Sand Dollar Beach in the Georgetown harbor by mid-afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Georgetown has two grocery stores, a gas
station, laundry, propane, beaches, and restaurants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will stay a few days while the wind blows, with our riding sail
up and our flopper stoppers in the water, once again waiting for a cold front
to go away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The plan is to then head to
Conception Island, turn around, and begin our slow trip north hoping that the
winter cold fronts are behind us and that calm settled weather awaits.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1610461932297132297.post-51686922628624206242018-03-19T20:25:00.001-07:002018-04-15T14:59:17.219-07:00<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSBQiBqWm_MfAVhq5bbJ5JSZyOzg1_A_w1B0jrT9A4rv1ywa7nF2_ExwSf6OVfB10WuFimF2NJrPVjgKkO_0DzmomcENTWHaIOXgiUKL3id44IqBoilmJOylpRsy0fcYW8EkXGzWfMaeI/s1600/P3011777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSBQiBqWm_MfAVhq5bbJ5JSZyOzg1_A_w1B0jrT9A4rv1ywa7nF2_ExwSf6OVfB10WuFimF2NJrPVjgKkO_0DzmomcENTWHaIOXgiUKL3id44IqBoilmJOylpRsy0fcYW8EkXGzWfMaeI/s320/P3011777.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When there is a full moon, the sun goes down on one side of
the boat while the moon comes up on the other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We like the moon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It lets us see
in the dark of night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTImGGCW3OLWXbqWMaYaxa_lAoMqpIxge0-vl6O80_aL2CrwRFVK3vIk3sW0qaSrKLEup5B3y_LPjbEQuufn6R__FeOIuKop1xJRQhb4toJd613E1q4Z1w-HiNXKv3V1pXAIerH1T5yi4/s1600/P3043543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTImGGCW3OLWXbqWMaYaxa_lAoMqpIxge0-vl6O80_aL2CrwRFVK3vIk3sW0qaSrKLEup5B3y_LPjbEQuufn6R__FeOIuKop1xJRQhb4toJd613E1q4Z1w-HiNXKv3V1pXAIerH1T5yi4/s320/P3043543.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You may not recognize the “new” Bill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a scraggly beard and this horrible
tropical get up, I’m trying to disassociate myself from him, but I am afraid I’ll
not lose him even in a crowd.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4n7uMqVxSRDs7awoUghdngXTa90YmML7CIiZP8qBxuWBWkcGJ2D9IjPwzxUCnM6QPNUH5pGkEHaqVHVwP1TWmQ1igJila6L6JUKux47JzjdRpFLf2xk7wojucPfVb5WR4gT83hiTd_1s/s1600/P3061787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4n7uMqVxSRDs7awoUghdngXTa90YmML7CIiZP8qBxuWBWkcGJ2D9IjPwzxUCnM6QPNUH5pGkEHaqVHVwP1TWmQ1igJila6L6JUKux47JzjdRpFLf2xk7wojucPfVb5WR4gT83hiTd_1s/s320/P3061787.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We spent a week anchored at Normans Cay as a couple of cold
fronts passed over us giving us strong winds and cool (68F) weather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We wondered around the island both ashore and
in the dinghy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have built a 5000
foot runway for private jet planes and are constructing a megayacht marina with
planted palm gardens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We enjoyed four $8
beers at the old but now gentrified McDuff’s restaurant where lunchtime hamburgers
are now $25.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyAG7eOi2udYgFS_9V7GE34ioQ_vXGgYgA2vLmcedZMfLhMVxJTEmIfdW2m7TIen96zAe1J3gP65EE7eXowLYUnv0mK_jtVw6vZbUNAiUBQ36lUa3Jbo3bJ6zXbjiabtzZS44-toipsP8/s1600/P3063546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1449" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyAG7eOi2udYgFS_9V7GE34ioQ_vXGgYgA2vLmcedZMfLhMVxJTEmIfdW2m7TIen96zAe1J3gP65EE7eXowLYUnv0mK_jtVw6vZbUNAiUBQ36lUa3Jbo3bJ6zXbjiabtzZS44-toipsP8/s320/P3063546.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">To me it seems that there is something wrong with flying in
on your float plane to hop out and swim around a crashed cocaine hauling C-46 that is resting in six feet of water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But, that was what these people did one day at Normans Cay.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We found a leak in our diesel fuel tank and had to backtrack
to New Providence to buy the things we needed to repair the tank.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the morning the sky looked like this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know, “Red sky in the morning, sailors
take warning.” We arrived before the weather turned bad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This is the fuel tank coming out of the boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill has already removed the table, the floor
boards, the metal rods that hold the tank down, and the wedges that hold it in
place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can see just a little bit of the
filthy bottom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95D0oIchbaIMp7BOjc9sS75oNefh94TD2eCdDo3cFZINb5IeJI2XsZvSXh7N77tUlvOYptI22Xk4Ps5d91W5nItq1QU061k4RBEE5XTEmUKGRV58l_TxyOQyCD9AFvWicAWmrp6zeebE/s1600/P3123547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95D0oIchbaIMp7BOjc9sS75oNefh94TD2eCdDo3cFZINb5IeJI2XsZvSXh7N77tUlvOYptI22Xk4Ps5d91W5nItq1QU061k4RBEE5XTEmUKGRV58l_TxyOQyCD9AFvWicAWmrp6zeebE/s320/P3123547.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Scrubbed clean and with epoxy putty spread into the corroded
spots, the tank looks much better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> T</span>he dinghy foot pump’s hose is still attached to the tank.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had pressurized the tank with air to find
the leak.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxA5RTvm_oum_pNxjRiY7Bdx7YByeyz5R_HeG7Ayxt7ZYWuesVX-4p3teQxofFnwFfq_fUP_OoaYFrT1-u4-MLYK9JoRvL48slxBthm-cOvkzydxmgtu1JFKI4JYKGef_abA1wl3bhUzM/s1600/P3133554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxA5RTvm_oum_pNxjRiY7Bdx7YByeyz5R_HeG7Ayxt7ZYWuesVX-4p3teQxofFnwFfq_fUP_OoaYFrT1-u4-MLYK9JoRvL48slxBthm-cOvkzydxmgtu1JFKI4JYKGef_abA1wl3bhUzM/s320/P3133554.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I don’t have a ‘before’ picture of the bilge, but it was really
filthy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now clean, it is not pristine,
but it is so much cleaner and better smelling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I am not fond of marina living.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything is hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even getting off the boat is a job for a gymnast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My legs are so short, and the gap is so long.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">With the tank repaired, we are back doing what we came to do;
relaxing, taking in the view, and enjoying the beautiful weather.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Happy St. Paddy’s Day from Irish Eyes anchored at Shroud
Cay. [That is when I wrote this. It has taken until now to upload it to the internet. ...and you think your internet is slow...]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When I last wrote we were anchored in Miami Beach. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took us about a week to buy our food, some
missing spare parts, and the things we had forgotten to bring from New Bern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We toured around Miami and Miami Beach, sent
our winter clothes to Julia, and had a few restaurant meals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really enjoyed watching the crazy people in
Miami Beach. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was like watching the
animals in the zoo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, after nine days
in Miami Beach I was tired of people watching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The boat was ready to go, and so were we.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, we pulled up our anchor and headed just a
little farther south to No Name Harbor on the southern tip of Key Biscayne.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">By anchoring outside No Name Harbor for our last night in
the US, we had a much shorter (and much straighter) trip in the dark to the
open ocean. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To try something a little
different this year, rather than going to Bimini, we planned to sail all day then
all night to reach Morgan’s Bluff on the north tip of Andros Island in the mid-morning
of the next day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The anchor was up, and we were underway at about 5:30am on
Monday, February 27. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The moon had set by
the time we got underway, but the sun was scheduled to rise about 6:15.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the dim light before sunrise, the
navigation marks were easy to see as we motored out the Cape Florida Channel to
the ocean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was much happier not having
to find our way down the channel by searching for the red and green daymarks
with a spotlight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The crossing of the Gulf Stream was uneventful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We passed north around Bimini in the mid-afternoon
and kept on going. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the evening the
moon’s reflection on the water behind us was breathtaking and its later setting
was spectacular.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The moonlight made it
much easier to identify the boats going by us and to see the several other boats anchored
on the shallow banks for the night.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When we got to Morgan’s Bluff the next morning, we had been
underway for 28 hours. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill went ashore to check us into the
Bahamas. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stayed onboard Irish Eyes because
the Captain is the only one allowed on land ‘till we have been cleared into the
Bahamas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill got the paperwork done,
and the immigrations officer gave us leave to stay until July.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Several years ago, we met a couple who raved on and on about
Andros and Morgan’s Bluff. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They spent a
large part of the winter there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The woman
in this couple told me how great it was to watch the Bahamian women make
Androsia batik fabric.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fabric is
sort of tie dyed in bright colors with motifs of shells, fish, pineapples, and
other tropical things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would love to
see the fabric made. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, the Morgan’s
Bluff we saw had three buildings; a bar, the harbor master’s office, and a filling
station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Google told us that the Androsia
factory was an hour’s drive south in Andros Town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was far too far for us to walk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Since we didn’t find much of interest in Morgan’s Bluff, and
since the weather was going to change and bring rain and strong winds, we
decided to move on to New Providence Island. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In light wind we motored the 30 nautical miles
to New Providence’s Southwest Bay and anchored off the entrance to the Albany
Marina and Resort. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our guidebook says the
marina may be the most expensive in the world at $6.00 per foot per night (with
a 50 foot minimum) plus a $500 per day resort service charge plus the usual
7.5% VAT. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tiger Woods and some “friends”
own the place. It was almost dark by the
time our anchor was down, and we collapsed for a full night’s sleep while our
anchor held us safely in place for free.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Our destination the next day was Norman’s Cay. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To get there before dark, we put up our sails
and ran the engine to keep up our speed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The boat heeled over until the starboard rail
was in the water. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a rollicking
motorsail, but we managed to get the anchor down on the west side of Normans Cay
before sunset. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While we were underway,
Bill was sitting at the navigation station and discovered that his feet were resting
in seawater.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somewhere in our quarter
berth (which was full of all sorts of boat things and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">small</i> amounts of beer, wine, and liquor) there was a leak.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Bill spent the entire day Thursday taking the things out of
the quarter berth, finding and repairing the leak, and putting all the stuff
back in the quarter berth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The leak
appeared to come from two of the four screws that hold the antenna tuner for
the shortwave radio to the foot of the quarter berth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The screw ends go into our rear anchor locker
which fills with seawater when the boat heels to starboard. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Remember, we put that side of the boat
underwater?)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, the water leaked in
around the screws.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is always
something to fix on a boat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A cold front was approaching the Bahamas from the US. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wind would to be strong, first from the
southwest, then the west, then the northwest, and finally from the north.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bahamas Meteorological Office forecast for
Sunday hilariously said, “Boaters should remain in port.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Winds northerly at 20-25 knots in the
northwest Bahamas… …seas up to 20 feet in northerly swells across all areas,
across the ocean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No significant weather
expected.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While we laughed at the “No
significant weather...”, we decided to move into the Normans Cay Cut where we
would have protection from the west and north winds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Friday, the wind picked up a little, but as the weather
gurus said there was more to come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The number of boats anchored around us increased over the next two
days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our Kingsport friends, Rob and
Minta Fannon, came in their boat, Caroline, and joined the anchored fleet on
Saturday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wind continued to clock
around and blow about twenty knots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
water in our anchorage was fairly smooth, not completely calm, but not too bad
either.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On Sunday we had planned a dinghy exploration trip with the
Fannons. But, with twenty knot winds,
spray flying, and an air temperature of 69 degrees, we instead spent the
afternoon chatting in the cabin of Irish Eyes rather than riding around in a
wet dinghy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Our bad weather came from a couple of cold fronts that had dumped
snow over the eastern United States and had spawned a severe nor’easter in New
York and Boston. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We stayed anchored in
the Normans Cay Cut for a week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did
move the boat around in the anchorage twice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Once because another boat anchored too closely to us, and once again for
better protection from the choppy waves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>During calmer periods we went exploring. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill began his hideous habit of collecting beach
trash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So far, he has brought back to
our boat a small blue ball, a diver down flag on a float, a sandy baseball hat,
and a medium sized cone shaped Styrofoam fishing float.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unlike Bill and his random junk collecting, I
am trying to be very discerning in my shell collecting. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have only saved a single perfect large top snail.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One afternoon while Bill was piddling about, he opened the
cover to the bilge. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bilge is the
nasty, dirty underworld of the boat where the 36 gallon fuel tank lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill saw diesel fuel floating on the bilge
water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got out the garden hose we use
to wash off the anchor when it is muddy, attached it to the wash down pump, and
washed the oil out the bilge with seawater and detergent. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Twelve hours later there was oil in the bilge
again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a leak in the aluminum fuel
tank.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tank was as old as the boat,
and for a couple of years Bill had talked about taking it out and inspecting it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems he waited just a little too long.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We decided it would be best to go to a Nassau marina to work
on the tank.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The boat would be safe with
the engine inoperable, we could find most things we might need to repair the
tank, and we could take the tank off the boat to work on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Palm Cay Marina on New Providence was the
closest cruiser friendly marina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To slow
the leak, Bill pumped 20 gallons of fuel out of the tank and into the five
gallon fuel jugs we carry on deck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On
Friday, March 9 we motorsailed from Normans Cay to Palm Cay Marina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By supper time we were tied up in a slip at
one of their docks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Saturday morning Bill began the task of removing the fuel
tank from the boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First, he made a
couple of trips to a grocery store to buy gallon jugs of water; not for the
water, but for the jugs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last of our
fuel went into the emptied jugs and the inside of the tank was wiped out with
paper towels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, we unbolted our
table from the floor and tied it in place on top of one of the settees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We removed the salon floor, set it aside, and
took out the tank.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The outside of the
tank was a filthy, greasy, gross mess. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
put it in the cockpit on top of a sheet of plastic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill scraped off most of the mess, then he
wiped off the rest of the crud with a whole roll of paper towels wet with clean
diesel fuel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next, we moved the tank to
the dock where Bill scrubbed it with a wire brush and paint thinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pressurized the tank with our dinghy foot
pump and found the tiny leak by painting Joy detergent and water over the
bottom of the tank.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lowest part of
the tank was corroded, and the leak was in one of the corroded spots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill put some epoxy putty on all the corroded
areas and left the putty to harden.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Early Monday morning, the remains of another cold front
passed over us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had 4.8 inches of rain
with thunder, lightning, and lots of wind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was glad we were safely in the marina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Palm Cay had several courtesy cars available for marina visitors to
borrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the Bahamas they drive on the
left-hand side of the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately,
the courtesy cars are right hand drive (the British kind).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill drove while I navigated on a trip to three
of the marine supply stores in downtown Nassau to buy the things to patch the
tank.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With all the rain, the streets
were full of standing water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rain
continued on and off all day, so we got only a little more work done.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Tuesday, Bill painted the whole bottom of the fuel tank with
epoxy resin and put fiberglass cloth and epoxy on the lowest part of the tank. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That done, Bill decided to clean the area of
the bilge that was under the tank.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did
not offer to help with that nasty job!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
admit the bilge looked (and smelled) much better when he finished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wednesday, we put the tank back in the
boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill attached all the hoses, and
we filled the tank with diesel fuel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
watched and did not see any oil in the bilge. Hooray!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The engine started and ran just fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We were free to leave the marina.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">While the tank was out, the cabin was in chaos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dining table was atop one of our settees,
and the settee cushions and Bill’s tools were everywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was glad when it was all over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If Bill had not been able to fix the fuel
tank, I do not know what we would have done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our two daughters, their husbands, and all five grandchildren plan to meet
us in Blackpoint the first week in April.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They will stay in a rented a house because all eleven of us will not fit
on the little ol’ Irish Eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just the
thought of our having to go back to the US to get the tank replaced was
devasting to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I <u>have to be</u> in
Blackpoint that week! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t miss the
kids and grandkids.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We left Palm Cay Marina Thursday morning sailing to
Highbourne Cay for the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a
peaceful night anchored there, we left Highbourne and sailed the ten miles to
Shroud Cay, one of our favorite places in the Exumas. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will explore the creeks around Shroud Cay
for the next couple of days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another
cold front is to pass over us next week, so we will move then to find better
protection from the expected winds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hope those of you with snow soon see some Spring Green.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was an unusually cool 63 degrees this
morning. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have on a sweatshirt, but my
feet are still bare.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1610461932297132297.post-57748242307703217112018-02-19T17:16:00.000-08:002018-02-19T17:16:45.412-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9jax-gYTag7E2z7YRNKGzRCKDHIvjQiQ-zvMqNxS09HmBYaBoZYC7AqNnYpSeGLPn52kmin9RZ7AJVG2lDan0k5d7r1e8OttYjdYue9efsPvtYq6PZunpheZ_izgby9IAy3ayZ4VtTtU/s1600/Onslow+Beach+Bridge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9jax-gYTag7E2z7YRNKGzRCKDHIvjQiQ-zvMqNxS09HmBYaBoZYC7AqNnYpSeGLPn52kmin9RZ7AJVG2lDan0k5d7r1e8OttYjdYue9efsPvtYq6PZunpheZ_izgby9IAy3ayZ4VtTtU/s320/Onslow+Beach+Bridge.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Onslow Beach Bridge in Camp Lejeune is still open after
we have passed through. This bridge is operated
by the United States Marine Corps.
During the day time, it will open on the hour and half hour for waiting
boats to pass through.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdaTjZQYbqPdIe3CkAuaMeBMhFXtqb-qRw1LOXDcnACQFLstfjB0E33K_SVvms5QI1RTDJq1hzxvw3wwWzInnaOxjL61qKY4Tqa7muUVgncrwBo-OZ6vTf9JOHoWJEQOuNLosUFeP2KvA/s1600/Waccamaw+Waterline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdaTjZQYbqPdIe3CkAuaMeBMhFXtqb-qRw1LOXDcnACQFLstfjB0E33K_SVvms5QI1RTDJq1hzxvw3wwWzInnaOxjL61qKY4Tqa7muUVgncrwBo-OZ6vTf9JOHoWJEQOuNLosUFeP2KvA/s320/Waccamaw+Waterline.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We can still see the high-water mark on the gum trees in the
swamp along the Waccamaw River just south of Myrtle Beach. The high water was caused by rainfall from
hurricane Joaquin in October of 2015. Seventeen
people died in South Carolina during those floods.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMHOd4cyQ5DWBn3T3Z0l7wnUyci_n8MOBHdKd4AleTBP32vtnHnlg5N_z_rsyy2Mz5dFh1wEXgWlsbnaubAckCpZ_P5-9_rUHhi4oRGOT_h-YUFOacriODrKEcgaO8kaA49g7BT7KbAoA/s1600/Dead+Calm+Morning.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMHOd4cyQ5DWBn3T3Z0l7wnUyci_n8MOBHdKd4AleTBP32vtnHnlg5N_z_rsyy2Mz5dFh1wEXgWlsbnaubAckCpZ_P5-9_rUHhi4oRGOT_h-YUFOacriODrKEcgaO8kaA49g7BT7KbAoA/s320/Dead+Calm+Morning.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Some days the wind blows, and the water is rough. Other days it is dead flat calm. We then feel guilty leaving the ripples of our
wake behind and disturbing the scene.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvw6O70YBQczQvGJDuwib8JP_3gUKKQo7N6KU2eQ00FJ-7lp2to1NCRA7lWx3vwfvI_WvE_kSngsnq6KI0wx3HI7iCT9EwYg94egVxNHZZTbadE263s6cENC9WJBa_DcN-CknjjAfTPHo/s1600/Marsh+Sunset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvw6O70YBQczQvGJDuwib8JP_3gUKKQo7N6KU2eQ00FJ-7lp2to1NCRA7lWx3vwfvI_WvE_kSngsnq6KI0wx3HI7iCT9EwYg94egVxNHZZTbadE263s6cENC9WJBa_DcN-CknjjAfTPHo/s320/Marsh+Sunset.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Georgia marshes have a beauty all their own. Unlike in the summer, in the winter the beauty
is not disturbed by green head flies and mosquitoes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCc1LsREqby9UzCzUPrkTefiM5c7ph5a0T0yaLCT8JZUCO6s5H85OBCrvXTFnNH3EwgiGDFMqQksLnzs5XcMBFPeuw2mczKQqfUQvcVEtVm_lL26vrqRhpctDBf9rvhYOyeEONroJW8eI/s1600/Hurricane+Aftermath.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCc1LsREqby9UzCzUPrkTefiM5c7ph5a0T0yaLCT8JZUCO6s5H85OBCrvXTFnNH3EwgiGDFMqQksLnzs5XcMBFPeuw2mczKQqfUQvcVEtVm_lL26vrqRhpctDBf9rvhYOyeEONroJW8eI/s320/Hurricane+Aftermath.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In Fernandina Beach we motored past this barge loaded with
wrecks from last year’s hurricane. It is
sad, and they have only just begun to repair the damage. The city marina there is wrecked and is closed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg146OxCieSdP9j24tzlrP8oH3Sb4b8ZzzdhWJYxUThzldahvxNCTda5FhM3QRPhEM_RSrjE7WAQ2ERwN6BAezedgYrfcTFve1qp_0E1oN1-oNy04Xct-UEhSm4n0YKChHc8h-dLtKnr-E/s1600/Spaceship+Boat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="621" data-original-width="1600" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg146OxCieSdP9j24tzlrP8oH3Sb4b8ZzzdhWJYxUThzldahvxNCTda5FhM3QRPhEM_RSrjE7WAQ2ERwN6BAezedgYrfcTFve1qp_0E1oN1-oNy04Xct-UEhSm4n0YKChHc8h-dLtKnr-E/s320/Spaceship+Boat.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In Dania Beach, Florida we passed this spaceship-like
boat. Bill thinks it takes people to Mars on the
weekends.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7_maga8MM0yc8PC-d8gynCOtbFzB_V8UsX2ke-sdMVUGocP-01MySMMqZ0MIAuyT4im1DcZ-bM34YnVq3IIeEj5jboM8jYtrXSvI84VQPAnXSgYh7osWnB5MJXXJg_etUO7YbmlzbRDk/s1600/Miami+Sunset+Skyline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7_maga8MM0yc8PC-d8gynCOtbFzB_V8UsX2ke-sdMVUGocP-01MySMMqZ0MIAuyT4im1DcZ-bM34YnVq3IIeEj5jboM8jYtrXSvI84VQPAnXSgYh7osWnB5MJXXJg_etUO7YbmlzbRDk/s320/Miami+Sunset+Skyline.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After traveling for twenty-four days, we can watch the sun
set in the west behind the Miami skyline.
At last, we are here!!!! ...and warm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_An2EDHWaICw5etqGULWmAoSzTQw5WnRn_AdR_UHcjL2fo5_66j6PhpEaLAr-xrm5iCxydiDHZCwQYLwO7Yk8pekMqYdvoCpddgwZ3oeiLBGI2X0TKcyfokFJ5_Ttyj7T2LkgEPR_heY/s1600/SoBe+Publix+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_An2EDHWaICw5etqGULWmAoSzTQw5WnRn_AdR_UHcjL2fo5_66j6PhpEaLAr-xrm5iCxydiDHZCwQYLwO7Yk8pekMqYdvoCpddgwZ3oeiLBGI2X0TKcyfokFJ5_Ttyj7T2LkgEPR_heY/s320/SoBe+Publix+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3m-XlJowfNMPdT5L6thi9ThwF_FwCQyjSULjl2umb9Zem0ljEIiP1ZqcUZEFczRtV5OOVfBlskRaqF9nB2UZhA7Z09ePmSEUPmEvsLWFShzPskXx5ZapWq_4j_wbtWPGetwcgP90BiBM/s1600/SoBe+Publix+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3m-XlJowfNMPdT5L6thi9ThwF_FwCQyjSULjl2umb9Zem0ljEIiP1ZqcUZEFczRtV5OOVfBlskRaqF9nB2UZhA7Z09ePmSEUPmEvsLWFShzPskXx5ZapWq_4j_wbtWPGetwcgP90BiBM/s320/SoBe+Publix+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">These two signs greeted us at the tiny dock on Miami Beach’s
Collins Canal where we used to tie up our dinghy to go shopping at the Publix food store across the street. There are more
and more of these signs here, and there are fewer and fewer places to tie up
our dinghy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYyvRTuLBsHmWguVzVeCs0JVyEu8Id4GP9km0Hym563A1UYsWoF7miQD-uwfQtRQISD4MeIJwDcOuRoWdsl9vOMwErUUqL8YVaZ_ulQHhZrS6TAiTSiNHZk2HKTfcYvM4BAHjikbLaSo/s1600/Banned-Anchorages-article.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="325" data-original-width="418" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYyvRTuLBsHmWguVzVeCs0JVyEu8Id4GP9km0Hym563A1UYsWoF7miQD-uwfQtRQISD4MeIJwDcOuRoWdsl9vOMwErUUqL8YVaZ_ulQHhZrS6TAiTSiNHZk2HKTfcYvM4BAHjikbLaSo/s320/Banned-Anchorages-article.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Also, the places that we can anchor have been restricted by
an act of the Florida legislature. Some
of the best spots are now off limits.
Well actually, the prohibited places are in front of some wealthy and influential people’s
houses. We just pick another spot. This chart is from the Waterway Guide.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Greetings from sunny and warm Miami Beach, Florida. The temperature has been in the upper 70’s or low 80's for
the last few days which makes us both happy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On January 10<span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">th</span> Bill and I were ready to leave
Kingsport. Except for our clothes, the
car was packed. We just had to clean out
the refrigerator and box up the New Years’ leftovers. I made us chicken sandwiches for lunch; sliced
chicken breast on white bread, chicken I had roasted a couple of days before; with
mayo, salt, and pepper… nothing hard, nothing crunchy. In the eating I managed to break a molar into
five pieces. It was Thursday noon. I could not get an appointment with my usual
dentist until Tuesday. Bill and I were
ready to cry. Bill decided, with my
encouragement, to leave the next morning for New Bern, unload the car, and come
back to Kingsport for me on Tuesday. It
turned out that the tooth was past saving. My dentist made an appointment with an oral
surgeon for Wednesday, January 17. Bill came back from New Bern, he took me to the
surgeon, the remains of the tooth were removed, and we were once again ready to
go.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The temperature in Kingsport was 6 degrees. It was time to head south for real. We had replaced the 1978 Chevy Blazer in the fall.
The annual drive to the coast in the rusted-out
Blazer (RIP) was probably the most dangerous part of our trip. In its place we now have a 2012 Ford
Expedition. We were packed, and we were
gone on January 18. This year’s trip was
quieter, smoother, and far more luxurious.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was cold in New Bern. The city water to the boat slips had been
turned off to protect the pipes from freezing. On a slightly warmer day, the water was briefly
turned back on. We flushed out the
antifreeze from the boat’s fresh water system, and we filled our tanks. I stocked the boat with food, and Bill went
to West Marine to buy his boat stuff. We
were ready to go. </span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On January 24,
a week later than we had originally planned, we untied the dock lines of Irish Eyes
and set sail. Well, that is not really
correct, we motored down the Neuse River towards Beaufort, NC. During our trips south, we actually do very
little sailing. The Intracoastal
Waterway is generally narrow, and the wind is not usually favorable, so we mostly
motor. Besides, when the motor is
running our boat, like your car, has heat.
It may be cold and damp outside, but it is warm and dry in our boat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I made two purchases of cold weather gear this year. I bought myself a pair of fur lined Ugg boots
and a wind proof balaclava. Both
purchases have been great. I was not
sure the balaclava was going to work. It
was thin, and I could not imagine it keeping my head, neck, or face warm despite
the on-line claims from the twenty-year-old skiers and snowboarders. Well, a sixty something grandmother endorses
the balaclava highly. Maybe I’ll write a
review.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I feel like we have made record time getting to Florida. We spent two nights in Myrtle Beach seeing my
sister and brother-in-law. One of those
days was a rainy day on which we would not have traveled anyway. The only other bad weather we have had was in
St. Augustine. We ended up spending
three nights/two days there. The first
day the temperature as in the upper seventies, and we shopped and ate out. The second day was foggy,
windy, and cool. Not the best weather
for travelling on the water. That day, rather
than continuing on, Bill walked the seven-mile round trip to WalMart, Lowes,
Home Depot, and I’m not sure exactly where else looking for still more of his
boat stuff. I am not a WalMart shopper even
in Kingsport, so I did not tag along. We
did stop for two nights in Vero Beach.
That gave us time for real showers and a big restaurant meal. It also gave me the opportunity (?) to catch
up on the laundry. [The winter clothes,
long underwear, thick socks and heavy sweatshirts are now clean and ready to
send to a daughter. Once the clothes are
gone, we will have room on the boat to store the Bahamian Rum.]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">From Vero Beach it was a one-day trip to Hobe Sound. Starting from there, 34 drawbridges would
have to open for us before arriving in Miami.
Since most only opened twice an hour, we had to wait an average of 15
minutes at each one. Around lunch time
on Bridge Day 2, we realized it would be dead low tide when we went by the Bakers
Haulover Inlet. Our information told us
the water would be 3-4 feet deep in a narrow spot between a hard coral ledge
and a sand bar. Irish Eyes needs 5 feet
to float. Bill found a lovely place,
Maule Lake, in Sunny Isles Beach for us to anchor for the night. The lake was just down a canal from the ICW
and was a large flooded limestone quarry. There were several local boats anchored with
no one on board. There was only one other occupied
cruising motor boat there. Since it
was Friday, I expected lots of boat traffic after 5pm. That did not happen, and we spent a lovely
quiet afternoon and night in Maule Lake. The anchor was up by 7:30am, and we were
underway to pass the shallow spot at high tide and to go through the last three
bridges. The anchor was down before noon
in Miami Beach near the Julia Tuttle Causeway and the Mount Sinai Medical Center.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Over the next few days we will be buying groceries and the things
we have forgotten, and we will sending our winter clothes away. Then, we will kick back and wait for a good
patch of weather to cross the Gulf Stream to Bimini. Unfortunately, Miami Beach has new rules limiting
where one can both anchor and tie up a dinghy, and one of our favorite dinghy docking spots is now a tow away
zone. Bureaucracy !!!! So much for “the freedom of the seas”.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Cheers and stay warm.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1610461932297132297.post-31345113429816529802017-06-30T14:08:00.000-07:002017-06-30T14:28:22.572-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfLNknLZO5zegk7nAdTf-bSXFc3dif3dx5eRjRzWrws8hX9xXtNhAUTjq1iEAnRK4mwBh6xkkTS6x7dXuPVgaFaE1-V6QeT94iaW6-eLFoh4lPJ8-N1hHAG_pfo23kilzwptfrDk6bnqQ/s1600/2017+Bahamas+Trip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="826" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfLNknLZO5zegk7nAdTf-bSXFc3dif3dx5eRjRzWrws8hX9xXtNhAUTjq1iEAnRK4mwBh6xkkTS6x7dXuPVgaFaE1-V6QeT94iaW6-eLFoh4lPJ8-N1hHAG_pfo23kilzwptfrDk6bnqQ/s640/2017+Bahamas+Trip.jpg" width="330" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This chart of the coast from North Carolina to Cuba shows
the route of our trip this year. The red
line is our trip south and through the Bahamas up to our arrival in Marsh
Harbour in the Abacos. The green line is
our route during this blog entry.
Although the green line is long, we sailed it in just seven days. The red line took five months. The blue water is shallow and the white water
is deep. To me it seems backwards, but
Bill says they do it that way to save ink.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZaKFpdCLM0K9CIi_ca8sZTXa0jIkG9dnLkSUgVK1JE9Sr8-V6B1UowspTULGDEUyXo8XGzb_4DxHQSft6V71EtPF6DCPP8fb7pAcIpEpQFg9_PKz66Bp6ioAYF8Wwmh4GjjpY0MFxZY/s1600/Sea+and+Sky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZaKFpdCLM0K9CIi_ca8sZTXa0jIkG9dnLkSUgVK1JE9Sr8-V6B1UowspTULGDEUyXo8XGzb_4DxHQSft6V71EtPF6DCPP8fb7pAcIpEpQFg9_PKz66Bp6ioAYF8Wwmh4GjjpY0MFxZY/s320/Sea+and+Sky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There is not much to see at sea. It is just water and sky like this. At night we have stars, planets, and the
moon, but my camera will not take their picture from the moving boat. That is why I don’t have many pictures this
time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSpVHwV_D5lnwwyGLxzZvDYjzcUlZxApQfBcoSZl7IS6lunzdDayuzZejL5C1cJDkamO52npO30GDvH93g26UOTFyiDNIiTPicq_eATE5m3i0cjqh-a_3DKsPaMXE8_Bq7-pV5I0KzqVY/s1600/P6101464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSpVHwV_D5lnwwyGLxzZvDYjzcUlZxApQfBcoSZl7IS6lunzdDayuzZejL5C1cJDkamO52npO30GDvH93g26UOTFyiDNIiTPicq_eATE5m3i0cjqh-a_3DKsPaMXE8_Bq7-pV5I0KzqVY/s320/P6101464.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This is the inside of the pump that pumps water through our
engine to cool it. The black rubber
thing in the middle is the impeller. Two
of the vanes are broken off and are sitting on top of the pump. Bill replaced the pump with a spare one the day before we left the Bahamas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hello from Kingsport, Tennessee. Bill and I arrived back home Thursday evening,
June 22. Now we have all our projects
here at our house to keep us occupied.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When last I wrote, we were anchored in Marsh Harbour, Abaco. We stayed there for ten days. The weather forecasters I wrote about last time were right; we had
rain and thunderstorms almost every day we were in Marsh Harbour. It was humid, and when we were not having a
storm, there was very little wind. Bill
did boat projects getting Irish Eyes ready for the ocean trip back to the US. I mostly read and stayed out of his way. I did not knit much because it was so humid I
could not hold the yarn. We went into town
a few times to do a little shopping and to eat in some of the restaurants. Bill made his fourth and last batch of beer on
the boat while we waited on the weather to clear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Finally, on Saturday, June 10, the weather forecast was
decent. We left Marsh Harbour and
motored north in the Sea of Abaco, past several islands, then around the ocean
side of Whale Cay before returning to the Sea of Abaco. While the trip around Whale Cay can sometimes be
a little rough, this year the sea was calm, and we traveled just off the island’s
coast. Sometime in the mid-afternoon,
Bill noticed the engine temperature gauge was reading a little higher than
usual. We anchored, and Bill checked the
pump that pumps the sea water that cools the engine. Two of the vanes on the rubber part that goes
around inside the pump were missing. They
had broken off and plugged the hose. Bill
picked the broken vanes out of the hose, removed the old pump, and installed our
spare one. All I did was watch and
worry. We motored a little way farther
to make sure the water pump was working, then we anchored for the night at
Powell Cay.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It had been a long time since we had been swimming. As soon as the anchor was down, we were in
the water with our pool saddles and a beer.
The water felt really good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">With a forecast of light winds from the southeast slowly
changing to southwest over the next four days, it was time to leave the
Bahamas. The genoa sail was up and the
engine was running by 7:40am Sunday. We
were headed back to the US. The course
was set for Charleston and the autopilot was steering. Over the next four days, we motored some, we
sailed some, and we motor sailed some. Off
the coasts of Florida and Georgia there were thunderstorms and showers in the Gulf
Stream that we could see. We stayed to
the east of the stream to avoid the storms. Only one storm came over the top of us, but it
was in the daylight. Thunderstorms are
worse at night or at least they seem worse.
Not only are there the wind and rain, but with a 48-foot-tall aluminum
mast it is hard not to worry about lightning.
Our last loaf of bread, store bought, was gone. I, with encouragement from Bill, made some yeast
rolls as we sailed along.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As we neared Charleston, the forecast said our good weather
would hold, so we altered out course for the Cape Fear River in North Carolina. The next forecast was not good, so we turned
toward Winyah Bay and Georgetown, South Carolina. Six hours later NOAA changed their mind again,
so we again changed our course back to the Cape Fear River. Wednesday evening, Bill did some
calculations. We were going to arrive at
Cape Fear River entrance at 1am -- in the dark -- not a good thing. We tied two reefs in the mainsail making it as
small as we could, and Bill tied a bucket to the stern of the boat and threw it
in the water to slow us even more. That worked;
Irish Eyes arrived around 7am Thursday.
It seemed like a long time since we had seen land. While we were at sea, we worked two to four
hour shifts, one of us sleeping while the other watched the boat. There was not much too look at except blue
water, the sky, and the clouds. Occasionally,
we had atlantic spotted dolphins swim with us for a while to break the monotony. I know I <u>do not</u> want to cross the
Atlantic Ocean in a small boat. An ocean
crossing would be way too long for me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After calling Customs and Border Protection in Wilmington and
receiving clearance to enter the US, we continued up the Intracoastal Waterway
to Wrightsville Beach and anchored there.
We were both very tired. We
considered sailing on to Beaufort overnight, but after four days and nights of
only sleeping a few hours at a time, a full night’s sleep sounded too wonderful
to pass up. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Friday morning, we left at
sunrise, went back out into the Atlantic, and sailed on to Beaufort, NC. That leg of the trip took about twelve
hours. If we had stayed in the ICW it
would have taken us two days. The trip
to Beaufort was uneventful until we arrived at the Beaufort Inlet. It was quitting time of the next to the last
day of the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament with its over $2,000,000 in prize
money. Let’s just say the huge sport
fishing boats were in a rush coming home through the inlet, and there were a
lot of them. Their wakes combined with
the waves coming into the inlet and the tide flowing out made it a rough,
bouncy, wet, and almost terrifying entrance.
What a ride! We anchored for the
night near Fort Macon, the first safe place to stop.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Saturday, we travelled up the ICW to the Neuse River and
then on to Northwest Creek Marina in New Bern.
It had been a week since we had touched land in Marsh Harbour and six
days and seven hours after leaving Powell Cay.
It was hot in the marina, and the first thing on the list was to put the
air conditioner on the boat and start it going.
We got it on the boat, but it would not start. My 38-year-old Chevy Blazer started right up,
and we drove to Lowes to buy a new air conditioner. With the new air conditioner installed and
set to cool the boat, Bill and I took long showers with unlimited hot water
before going out for a pizza. The small
things in life are really luxuries, a cool dry boat, a good shower, a pizza, and
sailing to the Bahamas with the one you love to name a few.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It took us four days in the marina to clean the boat and
pack our stuff. We left New Bern around
noon on Thursday. The rusty old Blazer
made another trip to Kingsport safely.
Bill and I are slowly getting back into the swing of life on land... dirt dwellers again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We had a good trip.
Maybe we will go again.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1610461932297132297.post-19090567674975040762017-06-02T19:23:00.000-07:002017-06-02T19:38:14.066-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFGIux5UxV3-igcxSjkmRbpYg5cLLsSsgJJYKzSLgTu-g3e2qeA-eM4ocMMtppF9haTqCcRV6BguEV_JFKh8nYUsKg2nL8CxJ1hQqUYhMF0lNngjqgZkE2gHmVFVwMOQoDZ8lp0P6534/s1600/Pool+Saddle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFGIux5UxV3-igcxSjkmRbpYg5cLLsSsgJJYKzSLgTu-g3e2qeA-eM4ocMMtppF9haTqCcRV6BguEV_JFKh8nYUsKg2nL8CxJ1hQqUYhMF0lNngjqgZkE2gHmVFVwMOQoDZ8lp0P6534/s320/Pool+Saddle.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We have two blue plastic pool saddles with us this year. They are a square piece of foam with cutouts for your legs. You sit on them, float in the water, and drink beer. If only they had a cup holder.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2jikVsIBsKwb9HhPYu0O7ohIIux-_BlGr6M8hUunC_JpwGZ_Kk-DRP9tqr15sG6OJqMZFUnDILvug9gesOXnm7FDl4u-FwYe03ZHNV_3vBmlPowqCxABbaWksayUZQZhhefPTxxeGUU/s1600/Iguanas.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2jikVsIBsKwb9HhPYu0O7ohIIux-_BlGr6M8hUunC_JpwGZ_Kk-DRP9tqr15sG6OJqMZFUnDILvug9gesOXnm7FDl4u-FwYe03ZHNV_3vBmlPowqCxABbaWksayUZQZhhefPTxxeGUU/s320/Iguanas.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Several islands in the Bahamas have iguanas. These two handsome fellows were on Leaf Cay north of Lee Stocking Island.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQB1K8qYdpM21zgZ3UkA5pqX2sLtJf90l9BrfbzHE1ImgRYB_PVr09gyLAYu2JfH03W20JRlZ-XqJ-jXJFap2IooYO-dqePBjDt_KbR15FCPw1cXwaPIVQ0BU37vKhERRbPr6flIeSzA/s1600/Another+Prize.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQB1K8qYdpM21zgZ3UkA5pqX2sLtJf90l9BrfbzHE1ImgRYB_PVr09gyLAYu2JfH03W20JRlZ-XqJ-jXJFap2IooYO-dqePBjDt_KbR15FCPw1cXwaPIVQ0BU37vKhERRbPr6flIeSzA/s200/Another+Prize.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjH0KBYhQ1XelEImZ7LAhxJJT1MGLBfMJQmjPcG8sg_TBNnk1zzAk6JsJKxXvgxBxuUYfCAui93Wwry578Nlisz2m8jJNotRN1tFSfAbeXrwsmyOpJlG6EItdfa4DaC1gfrqUchOW12Jk/s1600/A+Day+on+the+Beach.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjH0KBYhQ1XelEImZ7LAhxJJT1MGLBfMJQmjPcG8sg_TBNnk1zzAk6JsJKxXvgxBxuUYfCAui93Wwry578Nlisz2m8jJNotRN1tFSfAbeXrwsmyOpJlG6EItdfa4DaC1gfrqUchOW12Jk/s200/A+Day+on+the+Beach.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_FqVbRYZIvOHgZ2xkPa60iPRaglA-rzktd3eyDMR__8CvFATqEMM49GDBKAjijlp4UAqfeGpDhQhMiVjmZ_5P9wq19pV0_itVOdO6_U9ze4e28_Gc4oelMRs79_trNnRan9iWoqCWgM4/s1600/Galliot+Cay+Find.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="861" data-original-width="1148" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_FqVbRYZIvOHgZ2xkPa60iPRaglA-rzktd3eyDMR__8CvFATqEMM49GDBKAjijlp4UAqfeGpDhQhMiVjmZ_5P9wq19pV0_itVOdO6_U9ze4e28_Gc4oelMRs79_trNnRan9iWoqCWgM4/s200/Galliot+Cay+Find.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Bill collects beach junk. In the top picture he has a stand up paddleboard he found washed up on the rocks. It was too heavy to carry back to the boat. On the left is a mornings work; old rope, torn nets, fishing floats and (get this) a fresh washed up honeydew melon. He tried to eat the melon. On the right is another plastic fishing float. That thing is now tied to our boat's lifelines.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">At the north anchorage off Hawksbill Cay in the Exumas, the mega yacht Wheels had set up this collection of beach toys for their charter guests. There was a sliding board, jet skis, kayaks, chairs, umbrellas, tents, paddleboards, a buffet lunch, a photographer, and a "dinghy" with four 400 hp outboards to move it all.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwv4bC328m7QgngH41lBR2g5F6yZrpNZQ2VtC4R2JkW1tlzmErKBKgRRT0P4XjP0kfLNdnxGBHHJXhqHKVEGIFBiNdRGPCJcWBCskQ-0cc2RbLgmxEudvl-vq1xckiXRLEmx5W_usFIxU/s1600/Turtle+at+Hawksbill.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwv4bC328m7QgngH41lBR2g5F6yZrpNZQ2VtC4R2JkW1tlzmErKBKgRRT0P4XjP0kfLNdnxGBHHJXhqHKVEGIFBiNdRGPCJcWBCskQ-0cc2RbLgmxEudvl-vq1xckiXRLEmx5W_usFIxU/s320/Turtle+at+Hawksbill.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">While the yacht's guests were enjoying their toys (actually they mostly sat in the chairs), we watched two sea turtles forage on the bottom near our boat coming up for air every five minutes or so. During the ten years we have been coming to the Bahamas on Irish Eyes, the turtles have become both more numerous and larger.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4mud3oEObQNTRsQ3OtqMWNFXdE6mgSkoXL_CXdXdLsUBdamxkL7sucFQj5N0dx60Sd3noHVAA2JytNXfhNC6dLzy4vjbHhFnQHok5VNlsEOcIk08TtDe0JeuNNZuWgdGICOA0I_KVJuY/s1600/Boo+Boo+Hill.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4mud3oEObQNTRsQ3OtqMWNFXdE6mgSkoXL_CXdXdLsUBdamxkL7sucFQj5N0dx60Sd3noHVAA2JytNXfhNC6dLzy4vjbHhFnQHok5VNlsEOcIk08TtDe0JeuNNZuWgdGICOA0I_KVJuY/s320/Boo+Boo+Hill.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Atop Boo Boo hill is a collection of driftwood signs left by cruisers over the years in hopes of being granted fair winds and a safe return.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTtjllLa0-P_ru2lP3FODfCddmlSaMamCaZxFKO_oVJBsI_sZbOS8q-s0m6bWy2x-86D5Tafua0_dWeSNnCCBDPDgInazRvz9pFX4qOzojUuj0bKeIZTV1qH-QEecwUsq1Wy0Xe8e38N8/s1600/Ten+Years.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTtjllLa0-P_ru2lP3FODfCddmlSaMamCaZxFKO_oVJBsI_sZbOS8q-s0m6bWy2x-86D5Tafua0_dWeSNnCCBDPDgInazRvz9pFX4qOzojUuj0bKeIZTV1qH-QEecwUsq1Wy0Xe8e38N8/s320/Ten+Years.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This is our sign resting among the others.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCVf8wrY0Fwl-0oXsAhz5Z3Pb2Xn0JTJRxIzrN2bese0qgEJUSG6yctKCJxqq3-vhlclCrT17IE-cIs1EbOANQ0w4DzUoX9GA6i7b4Uvlps56_24LhhuFfh7gzyvLhSMKxtfYcZNIMMFQ/s1600/Bad+Weather+Coming.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCVf8wrY0Fwl-0oXsAhz5Z3Pb2Xn0JTJRxIzrN2bese0qgEJUSG6yctKCJxqq3-vhlclCrT17IE-cIs1EbOANQ0w4DzUoX9GA6i7b4Uvlps56_24LhhuFfh7gzyvLhSMKxtfYcZNIMMFQ/s320/Bad+Weather+Coming.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Sometimes you don't need the Weather Channel to know bad weather is coming. This thing contained 30 kt wind and an inch and a half of rain.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7L-wnkaoYCZfklWKVE8iSCcGZFgstuVHwSiPAeQkYT0E2OWVYApiByD85-FtQXj3otoBS31hOzkB0vhmZxYtgByD_X6NSQ6__3x58GJHVtnDKpeNF4YLkKG5WNYoK3UNNUulloTGSFZ0/s1600/Sampson+Cay+Sunset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7L-wnkaoYCZfklWKVE8iSCcGZFgstuVHwSiPAeQkYT0E2OWVYApiByD85-FtQXj3otoBS31hOzkB0vhmZxYtgByD_X6NSQ6__3x58GJHVtnDKpeNF4YLkKG5WNYoK3UNNUulloTGSFZ0/s320/Sampson+Cay+Sunset.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I like sunsets. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9pr1ZKuVxNaF8LBxDQxt252MW_FGnHYbSE7CUlPGM2BEJCMBQQLUErBrGzIYAnrcl97ujA5nw3Igib1IRQLs2-PJh3ZPTLaQkCRFstmokUIqaXk3LzVmCLOw3z8nO2Jo1UpurPOZH1Fw/s1600/Parrotfish.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9pr1ZKuVxNaF8LBxDQxt252MW_FGnHYbSE7CUlPGM2BEJCMBQQLUErBrGzIYAnrcl97ujA5nw3Igib1IRQLs2-PJh3ZPTLaQkCRFstmokUIqaXk3LzVmCLOw3z8nO2Jo1UpurPOZH1Fw/s320/Parrotfish.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This is one of dozens of parrotfish on the reef at Sandy Cay in the Abacos...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMglkBa1zB08_1z_SXh5lycBeIXfA_ZA3tHYE7GvbPGF7ZKgHCN6S1Q7zQU_SbncEcuYTcZGp12IM_Cffu_-LTczoZFZ28ds-nUyA85eFMBfnHFpxEoYOuDVAxS-ubHJCJXPcesXZ_igI/s1600/Elk+Horn+Coral.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMglkBa1zB08_1z_SXh5lycBeIXfA_ZA3tHYE7GvbPGF7ZKgHCN6S1Q7zQU_SbncEcuYTcZGp12IM_Cffu_-LTczoZFZ28ds-nUyA85eFMBfnHFpxEoYOuDVAxS-ubHJCJXPcesXZ_igI/s320/Elk+Horn+Coral.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">...and this is some elkhorn coral not far away from the paotfish.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hello, from Marsh Harbour, Abaco. We are now headed north, but slowly, waiting
for more settled weather to sail back to the States.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We hung around in George Town to celebrate Cinco de Mayo
with a cruisers’ beach potluck on Flip Flop Beach. It was well attended by both humans and
mosquitoes. The beach was recently sold
to a developer with big plans, so this may have been the last party on the
undeveloped beach. The dry laid stone walls,
the thatched roof stone bar, the picnic tables, and fire pit that cruisers have
built over the years may shortly be replaced with more magnificent
structures and ‘No Trespassing’ signs.
Or, maybe not. This is the Bahamas,
and they are much better with plans than with accomplishments.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Two days after the party, the cloudy, rainy weather left, the skies
cleared, the forecast improved, and we left George Town sailing north to Lee
Stocking Island. It was not far, just a
half day’s sail north of George Town. We
had visited Lee Stocking several years ago.
It was a nice place and deserved a return visit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Lee Stocking Island was home to the Caribbean Marine
Research Center. There were houses, science
laboratories, workshops, storage buildings, an airstrip, and tons of
equipment. Several US universities sent
students to the center to do studies on coral, fish, and conch and to operate
the center’s deep dive submarine. In 2012
NOAA’s research funds were cut, and the center was closed. Everything was just abandoned in place. Today it is a Twilight Zone ghost town.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Much to our surprise, a freight boat came into the research
center’s dock while we were there. Men
on several small boats came up from Barraterre, a town just to the south, and
unloaded boxes on pallets and building supplies then took it all some place on
the island in a truck. Kevin and Cris on
the sailboat Après Ski told us there are plans to open the center again, but
the internet talked of a New Yorker’s plans to develop a "fully
sustainable, carbon neutral, five-star sanctuary and wellness retreat" with
”70 luxury hotel villas, 15 private estate villas, an energy farm, spa, organic
farm, whole food restaurant…” Who knows? Anyway, for the present we could walk
anywhere on the largely untouched island.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">While anchored at Lee Stocking Island, we climbed to the top
of Perry’s Peak, the tallest point in the Exumas, all of 125 feet. There were great views from the top. We took a dinghy trip to the nearby Normans
Pond Cay where there was an abandoned salt pond and lots of young conch. In between our shore trips, we swam in the
crystal clear water around Irish Eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We left Lee Stocking Island on May 10<sup>th</sup>. After a pleasant sail in the Exuma Sound, we
anchored off Galliot Cay. There is a pretty
beach on the banks side of Galliot Cay and a rocky, plastic trash covered beach
on the Exuma Sound side. I walked about
on the sand beach and played in the shallow water. Bill, of course, went over to the rocky side
to look at the trash. He came back with
yet another big plastic float which he proceeded to tie to our boat’s lifelines.
This one even had a reflective tape
covered post sticking out of it’s top. I
have not the faintest idea what he plans to do with all his plastic s___, I
mean prizes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On the day we left Galliot Cay, there had been a local
police boat and a Bahamas Defense Forces boat cruising about in the area. They tied their boats up at a rocky spot on
the cay, and several people, both uniformed and not uniformed, came ashore and
wandered through the trees and shrubs.
We later learned that they had arrested two Jamaican drug runners and
were looking for their island stash.
Thankfully, it was not near where Bill had gone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Many other boaters had sung the praises of Ty’s Beach Bar on
Little Farmer’s Cay. We decided to pick up
our anchor and make the five-mile trip to Ty’s for supper. Everything went well until Bill discovered that
the 1.7m spot on the chart where he was trying to anchor was only 1.5m deep at
low tide. Irish Eyes needs 1.5 meters of
water to float, and that 8 inch difference was the difference between floating
and sticking. We were stuck. Our engine would not move us. Bill dropped the anchor under the bow and
piled 50 feet of chain in a heap beside it on the bottom. It was all very embarrassing. Everyone could see Irish Eyes facing in the
wrong direction with her chain hanging limply down while the nearby boats
bobbed happily about facing into the wind and pulling on their anchors. We quickly got in our dinghy and went to TY’s
Bar to drown our sorrows in a beer and to wait for the tide to rise. We left the boat so quickly, I forgot my
camera, so I do not have any pictures of Irish Eyes aground. Ty was very friendly and sold us several beers
and some great food for supper. By the
time the sun set, Irish Eyes was floating once again. The sunset was spectacular. Irish Eyes was right in the center of all the
other people’s photos. At the next low
tide in the early morning hours, Irish Eyes’ keel bumped about on the bottom
for a short while. Bill slept through it
all peacefully. I felt every bump. We left Little Farmers Cay the next morning safely
floating on a high and rising tide.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Continuing north, we sailed from Little Farmers Cay to Little
Sampson Cay. On our first several trips to
the Exumas, Little Sampson Cay was the home of the beautiful Sampson Cay Club
and Marina, and we usually stopped there. The people who worked on the island were
friendly, the food in the restaurant was good, and the bar was a nice place for
an ice cold adult beverage. We have
bought food and fuel there, I have done our laundry there, and we have walked
all the island’s trails and beaches. For
some reason John Malone, the owner of the property, decided several years ago to make it private
for his family’s exclusive use. The
pretty rental houses are still there, but the fuel dock, marina, restaurant and
bar are all closed. ‘No Trespassing’
signs dot the beaches and docks. We
anchored Irish Eyes off the cay and took a dinghy trip around the island. Everything was pretty, all was well maintained,
but nobody was about. It seemed a shame…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Once again, we were expecting a cold front with some
southwest or west winds. We decided to
make our way to the Cambridge Cay Mooring field which offered all around
protection from the wind and waves. The
front did pass over us, but it was not a strong one. Bill and I walked on the beaches, cruised
around in the dingy, and swam in the beautiful water.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We left Cambridge Cay continuing north to Warderick Wells,
the headquarters cay of the Exuma Land and Sea Park. The day was hot, without a breath of
wind. The sky was overcast, and looked
as if it would pour rain any minute. We
had a reservation in the park’s north mooring field for mooring ball number 14.
The sky got darker and darker. It really looked ominous with a great black
rolling cloud extending from one horizon to the other. We had just tied to our mooring (second try), and
put our things away when the wind suddenly went from zero to thirty knots and the
drenching rain came. Bill filled both
our water tanks and all five of our 5-gal plastic jugs with fresh rain water
while the wind pushed our stern alarmingly close to the rocky shore, but the
mooring held use safely away. It was
nice to have enough water to be able to have a <u>long</u> fresh water rinse
after each swim – more than my normally allotted 2 quarts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The park allows cruisers to leave behind mementos made from
driftwood on the top of Boo Boo Hill, the highest point in the park. We have a large weathered mahogany board there
with ‘Irish Eyes’, our names, and the dates of our trips to the Bahamas all carved
into the surface. After walking to the
top Boo Boo Hill, we started looking for our sign in the enormous pile. Bill was searching through the signs when I
saw part of ours right on top. Somehow
it had gotten broken in two, perhaps tossed about by last fall’s hurricane
Matthew or maybe just stepped on. We
found both pieces and headed back to Irish Eyes where Bill repaired the break
and carved the tenth date in the sign, MMXVII.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Bill has made four batches of beer on this trip. We had bottled and carbonated a 2 gal batch a
couple of days before we arrived in Warderick Wells. A boat I mentioned before, Après Ski, was on
the mooring next to us. Bill asked them
over to sample his latest brew. They
were amazed at how good a non-traditional home brewed beer could be. The next evening, after we put our repaired
sign back on the pile, we went to Après Ski to sample Kevin’s homemade conch
fritters. They were great.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Our next stop was Hawksbill Cay. When we reached the anchoring spot, it looked
like a small resort had sprung up on the white sand beach. A mega yacht, Wheels, had every imaginable toy
lined up on the beach for their guests. There
were shade tents over beach chairs, an inflatable slide, jet skis, kayaks, paddle
boards, and some clear plastic motorized kickboards that would tow a person
around while he looked at the coral and fish below. It was all quite a sight. The crew from Wheels put all the stuff up
every morning and took it all down and back to the yacht every night. Bill and I walked on the northern sand flats
and beaches. Bill walked the trails to both
the north and south ocean-side beaches, the Russell Plantation Ruins, and then across
the island in three different places.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We spent one night anchored at the southern end of Shroud
Cay. At high tide we took a dinghy trip
up the southernmost creek on the island to the ocean side beach. I think that might be the prettiest spot in
the Exumas. While we were back in Warderick
Wells, Bill talked to one of the rangers about three dead tropic birds we had
seen earlier in the year on the northern beach at Shroud Cay. The ranger said there was a dog problem on
Shroud Cay. The island is uninhabited,
so we were not sure what he meant.
Walking on the southern beach this visit, we saw lots of dog footprints
that did not seem to be with a human footprint. As we were leaving the beach, we saw three
medium sized dogs running along the creek. They barked and whined at us from shore, but thankfully
they could not get to the dinghy. I guess
they had been abandoned on the cay.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Monday, May 23<sup>rd</sup> was the day to cross Exuma Sound
to Eleuthera, the first of several all-day trips. We headed out early, ringing our ship’s bell
as we passed the sailboat Wilma. Wilma
is home to a young German family with four children. We had first seen them in George Town, newly
arrived from the Caribbean, where Bill had given them copies of charts of the
Bahamas, and they had given us a box of marzipan from their home town of
Lubek. The children love to swim but
were out of the water as they were leaving for Nassau. For us it was a light wind day, but we managed to
sail most of the way to Rock Sound in Eleuthera motoring only the first and
last few miles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We spent five days in Rock Sound. Bill did the grocery shopping, we ate at Sammy’s
Place, and we toured the creeks and beaches around the harbor by dinghy. One beach had lots of Atlantic winged oyster
shells in the shallow water. It was a
shell we seldom see. I did not pick up
all of them, just a few. It was hot and
humid in Rock Sound, but the cure was simple. Bill had bought two foam rubber pool saddles
before we left the states, and every afternoon we jumped in the water, floated
in our saddles, drank beer, and cooled off.
Remember all the rainwater in jugs from Warderick Wells? It got put to good use every afternoon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It was time to go, and the wind was from the south, so we
sailed north up the coast of Eleuthera to Governors Harbour. The town there was, as always, pretty and
active. We did a little shopping and had
dinner at the Buccaneer’s Club. Bill also
bought us two huge conch salads from a local man working out of the back of his
truck by the harbor. The conch salad
served us for the next two suppers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After only one day in Governors Harbour, we made the all-day
trip to the northern tip of Eleuthera stopping to anchor at Royal Island. It was a pleasant trip except it was hot. We beat the heat with a nice swim in the
island’s harbor. Despite investments by
Jack Nicklaus and Roger Staubach, Royal Island is a failed resort development. There are a clubhouse, one house and several
tent hotel rooms that are in use. There
are also an abandoned golf course, decaying roads, and idle construction
equipment. We found the natural harbor
nice even without the planned 200 slip marina.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Still moving north, we made another all-day trip from Royal
Island to Lynyard Cay in the Abacos. It
was 50 miles in open water with container and tanker ships crossing our
path. The wind died during the day, and
we motored most of the way. The anchor
was down before sunset and fortunately for the cook, the last of the Governors
Harbour conch salad was in the refrigerator waiting to be served. The next day we took the dinghy up to Sandy Cay to go snorkeling in the Pelican Cays Land and Sea Park. It was fun to drift in the current looking at
the fish and coral below. Bill had
installed little stick-in bifocal lenses in my mask, and I was several times
quite confused to find the reef had jumped from far away to too close for
comfort. (I took them out when we got
back to the boat.) We also walked on the
Lynyard Cay beaches right up to the newly installed ‘No trespassing beyond this
point” signs. In the past we used to
walk over to the ocean side beaches. Oh
well, change; you have to love it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We left </span>Lynyard<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Cay May 31</span><sup style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">st</sup><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> sailing to Marsh
Harbour. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I did our laundry while Bill
did some grocery shopping. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The weather
forecast is not the best for the next several days. According to Chis Parker, the short wave radio
weather guru, a cold front is going to “fester” in the Gulf Stream and the
northern Bahamas for the next several days with squalls and thunderstorms. It is well protected here in Marsh Harbour, so
we will stay a few days to let the weather settle down.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1610461932297132297.post-76173605407125043892017-05-02T09:56:00.000-07:002017-05-02T12:29:34.922-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH5MdFnK5z0_Xhfx6Yr_tiOIQ4irtfrrsGLDckTVe4XepWc5RGyDEG3_PpSMDmxTvMI0ejPUg7hZb-fR00bcMxsgBTPD0YpyN3zNNz38szO65bCZoUDEL3mIsP50YYYJ7iJZ1_4SbqAuk/s1600/Atlantic+Thorny+Oysters.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH5MdFnK5z0_Xhfx6Yr_tiOIQ4irtfrrsGLDckTVe4XepWc5RGyDEG3_PpSMDmxTvMI0ejPUg7hZb-fR00bcMxsgBTPD0YpyN3zNNz38szO65bCZoUDEL3mIsP50YYYJ7iJZ1_4SbqAuk/s320/Atlantic+Thorny+Oysters.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">These prickly shells were attached to a long piece of rope
that we found on the beach. Bill picked
two of the shells off the rope before he found a sharp piece of metal to cut
the rope and free the third one. Their
spines are incredibly long.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh02a0eOtm1pOSqmUhTSZrBeLDxsV9OIU7KqJQPBhkFAIXHfCyIEbIrfgP3Uzk81D5gXwHLArBv4wdqnKf7QcCaY1UXYvx2ehV67-DvlLORUkSILiKfnk23ljgjAv_CcAxRtViGvOu1R2U/s1600/Bill+on+a+Perch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh02a0eOtm1pOSqmUhTSZrBeLDxsV9OIU7KqJQPBhkFAIXHfCyIEbIrfgP3Uzk81D5gXwHLArBv4wdqnKf7QcCaY1UXYvx2ehV67-DvlLORUkSILiKfnk23ljgjAv_CcAxRtViGvOu1R2U/s320/Bill+on+a+Perch.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On the ocean side of Great Guana Cay opposite Jacks Bay
Cove, Bill found this perch in the rotten limestone cliff. I think the weather up there was about the
same as the weather down on the beach where George Brown and I were standing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhud65ZIMrnLD8a6SyyXuIqq4ML85eQGFjloL8OamMGVRiR8YK4BoJTRABCr5YgoderesiA2G-xlb5MBpdr5YX43II7fDMsk_H_VLq0GpsGr6DZQ04meHs-2QnyE9g0yoLztvHthwdWC4c/s1600/Lobster+Peeking+Out.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhud65ZIMrnLD8a6SyyXuIqq4ML85eQGFjloL8OamMGVRiR8YK4BoJTRABCr5YgoderesiA2G-xlb5MBpdr5YX43II7fDMsk_H_VLq0GpsGr6DZQ04meHs-2QnyE9g0yoLztvHthwdWC4c/s320/Lobster+Peeking+Out.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Bill and George went spear fishing with little success. They did see three lobsters, but
unfortunately the season was closed.
This one was peeking out of a hole in the coral. After the picture was taken Bill grabbed him,
pulled him out, then turned him loose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaA-AD6qYTxKlcTgXf7ezoa6FqmWO5HOau1VR2nPc2jyl15f4CnlcEn1Q8TdMB2VPFq7BhNYl2CDwc4_cSw-FhIxNDT9BVBClqn-QcPvXenCH9EQdLMDdgGt5O3mEip1Zoq0p8mOnj0Jw/s1600/Squirrel+and+French+Grunts.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaA-AD6qYTxKlcTgXf7ezoa6FqmWO5HOau1VR2nPc2jyl15f4CnlcEn1Q8TdMB2VPFq7BhNYl2CDwc4_cSw-FhIxNDT9BVBClqn-QcPvXenCH9EQdLMDdgGt5O3mEip1Zoq0p8mOnj0Jw/s320/Squirrel+and+French+Grunts.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This coral head had hundreds of squirrel fish and french grunts
schooling over its top.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisIFYdwszrllT0_f1W4iWLF0j7thYkeJNa9AoAXzmTvzmoEdD3hm0gl30GoQlwYD_Wj7CtDsHw3rbdztV_DaYrB_in5xCO8LoaLclHBOGyruxRZJF9TxlwrC0FiYJ9ClIAa4w_5-leqzM/s1600/George+in+Thunderball.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisIFYdwszrllT0_f1W4iWLF0j7thYkeJNa9AoAXzmTvzmoEdD3hm0gl30GoQlwYD_Wj7CtDsHw3rbdztV_DaYrB_in5xCO8LoaLclHBOGyruxRZJF9TxlwrC0FiYJ9ClIAa4w_5-leqzM/s320/George+in+Thunderball.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">George and Bill swam into Thunderball Grotto. The water filled room in the center of the island
has a few openings in the ceiling that let light in. They are also the holes that let James Bond
out when he was fleeing SPECTRE. The
room has both an entrance and an exit. The
entrance had a little air in it, but the exit was completely water filled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The races start with the boats anchored in a row. In this picture the gun has sounded, and you
can see part of the crew pulling in the anchor as the others start to raise the
sail.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Bahamas sloops come in several sizes. This is one of the smaller dinghy class
boats.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This is an A class Bahamian sloop beating to windward in the
evening sun. The weight of the fellows
on the two pries just barely keeps the boat with its huge sail upright.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The winner of the Regatta’s A Class was Tida Wave. Running Tide was her closest competator. Here Running Tide is at the last rounding of the
windward mark on the last race of the regatta.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Royal Bahamas Police Force Marching Band performed for
the crowd at the reviewing stand on the last day of the regatta. Dressed in white and red with leopard tunics,
they were something to see.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hello from George Town, Exuma. Bill and I came south to George Town last
week to see the National Family Islands Regatta. It’s been a couple of years since we were here
last, but it is great fun to watch the traditional Bahamian sailing sloops race.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">At my last posting, we were anchored at Big Major’s Spot
waiting for a cold front to pass over us. Lots of other boats had the same idea even
though the anchorage was completely open to the west and offered little
protection from the wind and waves during a cold front passage. As it turned out, the wind only blew from the
west for a few hours and was never more than about 10 or 15 knots. After all our preparations and worry, it ended
up being an almost non-event.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">During the day, a nearby boat suggested we have a have a
cruisers’ potluck party on Pirate Beach. It sounded like a good idea to us. I made a black bean, corn, and tomato salsa
which we took along with pita chips and (of course) our drinks. We tried out our new beach party drinks
system. Bill had bought five tropical
themed </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">24-ounce</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Tervis tumblers for fifty cents apiece at the Salvation Army Thrift Shop in
Kingsport. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For a far higher price, I
bought straws and snap on lids from Amazon for two of the glasses.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We mixed up three drinks in each glass before
we left the boat and were set for the entire party.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There was no messing with ice, booze, and
mixer in the sand.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It was a great
system.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The potluck was well attended,
and we met lots of new people and caught up with some people we had met in the
years before. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There was even a woman
from Rogersville, Tennessee visiting her sister and brother-in-law on their
boat – small world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We moved Irish Eyes around from Big Majors Spot to anchor off
Staniel Cay near Thunderball Grotto in anticipation of George Brown’s arrival
on April 11. Bill filled our boat’s fuel
and water tanks, and I bought some fresh food to replace what we had eaten. We tidied up the boat and relaxed, eating a
few meals ashore.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">George arrived on Tuesday, but his plane was a little late. With George’s luggage in hand, we started the
half mile walk down the road to the Staniel Cay Yacht Club where our dinghy was
pulled up on the beach. We had not gone
far when two women in a golf cart stopped and offered us a ride. We hopped in.
Bill had briefly spoken to the driver while waiting at the airport, and
George had talked to the passenger who had flown in with him. As we approached the Yacht Club, Bill
recognized the driver’s voice. It was
June from Over Yonder Cay who in our early trips to the Bahamas had read the
weather over the VHF radio each morning.
We were riding with an island celebrity. We
had not heard her in several years and assumed she had left the island. It turned out her radio antenna was damaged in
a storm and she decided to “retire” from weather reading. Bill and I were thrilled to meet the person
who went with the helpful radio voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After a late lunch/early supper at the yacht club, the three
of us returned to Irish Eyes. George
settled in on the boat, and we had a peaceful night at anchor. In the morning, we moved Irish Eyes briefly
over to Big Major’s Spot so George could see and feed the famous swimming pigs.
Bill and George left with some apple
slices and a few bits of lettuce to add to the pigs’ fodder. They took a few pictures, and we then left for
Bitter Guana Cay.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Bitter Guana Cay has a colony of endangered iguanas that
live on the uninhabited island. [I
figure that they are there because they were not good to eat, you know, “those
bitter iguanas”.] Lots of tourist boats
come from Nassau and George Town to see the iguanas either before or after
feeding the pigs. The three of us tried
to feed the iguanas apple slices, but the beasts did not seem to like
apples. No doubt the regular tourists
feed them something better. We walked
over to the ocean side of the island to see the rough surf. The wind was coming from the east and was
strong. The surf was pounding on the
rough and rocky shore sending spray 20 feet or more into the air. Off shore in the distance it was raining, and
we were treated to very nice rainbow out over the water.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">During the ten days George was with us, we had very strong
easterly winds. We mostly went up and
down west side Great Guana Cay staying out of the wind and waves and visiting a
different beach each day. Bill and
George found lots of plastic bits on the ocean side beaches. George took home a sign written in Spanish
about life jackets, and on Irish Eyes we now have Bill’s hard round red plastic
fish net float and his very large faded red inflatable fender. I found pretty shells; Bill found plastic junk.
The trash on the beaches was sad, really
sad. Too much plastic stuff finds its
way into the ocean and litters the beaches.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Bill had finished making a batch of Pacific IPA Beer and had
started fermenting a batch of Churchill’s Nut Brown Ale just before George
arrived. George has brewed lots of beer
at home. He works at it using both the
best of ingredients and excellent technique.
As I can attest, he makes great beer.
Bill’s beer making is, well, to be charitable, a bit more, well,
basic. But, as with food, presentation
is everything, and Bill’s beer served cold on a warm sunny afternoon on a
sailboat surrounded by turquoise water with a tropical wind blowing, is also
great in its own sort of way. We drank
it all. None was wasted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In addition to our beach explorations, we hiked through the
brush to a large limestone cave with a pool in its center. The cave had bats hanging from the ceiling
and crawfish swimming in the pool. One
afternoon we dropped in the water to spear some lionfish. We only got one, but we saw a nice grouper
and three lobsters. The grouper hid in a
hole in the coral and would not come out, and the lobsters were out of
season. That done, we stopped in Black Point
to view the geyser-like blowhole on the ocean side of the island and to have
drinks and dinner at Scorpio’s Restaurant and Bar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On George’s last day with us, we moved from Black Point to
anchor again in front of the Thunderball Grotto. We had a very nice sail despite the strong
wind. After launching the dinghy, Bill
and George swam into Thunderball Grotto just like James Bond did in the movie ‘Thunderball’.
They reportedly found lots of fish, no
SPECTRE assassins, and no other tourists.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We were up by 6am on April 20 to get George to the airport
for his 9:30 flight. It was, as always,
a little different than doing the same thing at home. While the wet dinghy ride across the harbor
and the walk to the airport were negatives, the lack of x-ray machines, metal
detectors, airport security, and the boarding lounge wait were real
plusses. After a short delay the (always
a little late) airplane landed, the pilot looked at George’s passport, put his
luggage in the plane, and flew George and four others off to Ft
Lauderdale. By evening we had a note
saying that he was home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Bill and I decided we would sail back to Black Point so I
could wash our mountain of dirty laundry. Another cold front was to pass over us over on
Sunday April 23. I did our laundry at
Ida’s Rockside Laundry on Saturday, and we readied Irish Eyes for the coming
high wind. Sunday, we did boat chores
and waited for the wind to pick up, which it did. During the night, we woke up when it rained a
little, the wind picked up, and there was lots of lightening. The wind clocked around to the west so the
wind and waves were coming straight on our bow with no land ahead to break
their force. There was lightening off in
the distance; some to the west and a lot to the east. We learned Monday morning that the Cape
Eleuthrea Marina had winds of 110 to 120 knots. That was the storm to our east. South Andros had 40-50 knot winds. That was the storm to our west. Our wind was nothing like that, but it kept
the boat rocking none the less. Monday,
the west wind was still blowing like stink and the anchorage was very rough. Several boats left Black Point. One left and immediately came back. It must have been still rougher outside. Monday night continued to be a rough ride. Even though the boat was bouncing around, Bill
slept soundly Monday night after being awake Sunday night. I did not sleep either night. I was not a happy sailor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After putting the dinghy motor on the stern and the deflated
dinghy on the deck of our bouncing boat, we set out Tuesday for George Town. We motorsailed the thirty miles in the calm
seas on the east side of the islands. Along the way, we hooked two dolphin fish, one
getting off the hook immediately and the other shaking off the hook right
behind the boat while Bill was reeling him in. We arrived in George Town about 6pm, anchored
at the first good spot we came to, Monument Beach, and collapsed in our bunk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Wednesday, April 26 was the first day of the Family Island
Regatta sailing races. Bill and I put on
our saltwater soaked clothes expecting a wet dinghy ride across Elizabeth
Harbour to George Town and headed to town. We took along our water jugs to take advantage
of the free water at the Exuma Market’s dinghy dock. After filling all five of our jugs, we walked
along the Regatta site looking at the temporary plywood shacks set up to sell fried
food and “adult beverages”. For lunch, we
shared an order of conch fritters and a tropical conch salad along with two
cold Kalik beers. The fritters were very
good. Bill talked to the woman as she made
them, and they compared making conch fritters to making hush puppies. I watched the man making conch salad and
listened to two nearby old guys talk about all the scantily dressed young girls
as they walked past. We took our lunch
over to the viewing stands and watched a race or two. Back on Irish Eyes after another wet ride, Bill put the water in our tanks, and we
had a nice swim around the boat. We did not need supper.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">At 3 in the morning we woke up to rain. The weather forecast had called for isolated
thunderstorms. Well, our isolated storm
lasted about three hours and gave us two inches of rain and 30 knot winds. While worrisome at times, nothing bad happened.
Bill completely filled both our water tanks and refilled all
five of our plastic jugs with rain water. After the storm and after being awake half the
night, we watched the next day’s races from our cockpit happily napping during the
periods between the three races.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Friday, we again made the long and wet trip to town to be
racing spectators. I probably have
explained the races in previous years, but I’m going to do it again in case
anyone has forgotten. The boats are
wooden Bahamian sloop rigged sailing vessels with cotton canvas sails. They must be built in the Bahamas and owned and
skippered by Bahamians. The boats are
divided into four classes, A (28 ft), B (21 ft), C (17 ft), D (12 ft), and E
(the 12 ft youth class). The A and B
classes race alone, and the C, D, and E classes race together with the E class
having a shorter course. The upwind-downwind
races start with the boats anchored in a line and with all the sails down. When the starting gun goes off, the crew pulls
in the anchor to start the boat going forward and raises the sails to catch the
wind, then the crew move out onto the pry to keep the over canvased and now
speeding boat upright. Starting line
collisions and entanglements are common, occasionally with broken booms or
masts. All you Watauga Lake Sail Club
racers want to try that? Just watching,
it appears that if you have a bad start, you have a bad day. Bill and I spent all day watching the races,
moving from the starting line viewing area to the finish line viewing area as
the excitement unfolded. It was a fun
day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The last day of the Regatta was Saturday. Bill and I decided to have lunch at the St
Francis Hotel and watch the racing through binoculars from the other side of
the harbor. After our delicious lunch of
cheeseburgers, fries, and beer, we made our way to Chat N’ Chill beach for a
couple of more beers. We chatted and
chilled most of the afternoon until the A class boats were ready to start the
final race. The A class boats have a
crew of 12 to 18. Their masts are huge
and their booms are almost twice the length of the boat. Their 5,000 lb lead ballast is not enough to
keep them upright; the crew must perch on the 3”x12”x16’ pry which hangs out
over the side of the boat to keep it from being blown over. When the crew tacks the boat (that is turns the
boat so the wind moves from one side of the boat to the other) several things must
happen at once. The jibsail and the mainsail
with its enormous boom are blown from one side of the boat to the other
threatening to sweep everyone off the boat.
The crew crawls in off the pry, unships it, and moves the pry under the
swinging boom to the other side of the boat.
The crew simultaneously moves across the boat and resumes their places
on the pry keeping the boat from being blown over. It is something to see. Bill and I took our dinghy and anchored near the
upwind turning mark for the A class race.
Watching the guys tack the boats was very exciting. After the race, we went into George Town and
watched the Royal Bahamas Police Force Band march and play. It was almost dark when we made the long, wet
dinghy ride back to our floating home, but we had had a wonderful day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The following day, Sunday, we rested and snoozed until 6pm
when we went ashore for a cruisers party with food, drinks, a bonfire, and
music. Bill and I met lots of people and
stayed till about 9pm. The party
continued long without us. Sailors can
certainly tell lots of tales.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Our plan is to stay here in Georgetown a few more days then
head south or north or whichever way the wind takes us.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1610461932297132297.post-50661282070931598902017-04-06T07:43:00.000-07:002017-04-06T07:43:45.327-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWe8U71ig3OpGy5CPp50YvFm152QYnGKIK9Kp6GMz6Pg12pEk2vxFXQkHCPWRpNldIsGNuge-8Ywoqn9AddJq0t3TfiaqCWZllEGiQz8T3o9RbojQrer1TU8Bluv3MjB0KQirQqLhZvKk/s1600/Jet+Ski.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWe8U71ig3OpGy5CPp50YvFm152QYnGKIK9Kp6GMz6Pg12pEk2vxFXQkHCPWRpNldIsGNuge-8Ywoqn9AddJq0t3TfiaqCWZllEGiQz8T3o9RbojQrer1TU8Bluv3MjB0KQirQqLhZvKk/s320/Jet+Ski.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Washed up on the beaches of Normans Cay we found this
SeaDoo, a fiberglass dinghy, an inflatable dinghy, and two motorboats. All looked great from a distance, but close
up, all were wrecks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZpr0hUr1LHq1UkTwhpQXC19KFNLMFqnFrrRShB5Amz_wHcPxYSoOLrByDvj-1yn3_g4Yz-8pFq0OHz1wy4jqVT5WXu49nPsovaVJ_zXt8AOvfQ1dGnBF1drDR-E0-MBGkxnjpmk3KxA4/s1600/Shroud+Beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZpr0hUr1LHq1UkTwhpQXC19KFNLMFqnFrrRShB5Amz_wHcPxYSoOLrByDvj-1yn3_g4Yz-8pFq0OHz1wy4jqVT5WXu49nPsovaVJ_zXt8AOvfQ1dGnBF1drDR-E0-MBGkxnjpmk3KxA4/s320/Shroud+Beach.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">While we were at Shroud Cay, the wind blew from the southwest
calming the usual surf on the ocean side beaches. We used the opportunity to visit some that we
had never seen before.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8uWkhMRT2tT-1CRN6yZBisLOAqiAuoDltSINSr-NoGVBAevs2b4HBh0IPD5lG6cmx_Qg_4bIDgJqVvMcUv_0f5LQUXkBi_VhYXM4K-lj3ZzxUe7SKoRe9eMjHJxNo91uYBqJWxnf8G0Y/s1600/Milk+Crate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8uWkhMRT2tT-1CRN6yZBisLOAqiAuoDltSINSr-NoGVBAevs2b4HBh0IPD5lG6cmx_Qg_4bIDgJqVvMcUv_0f5LQUXkBi_VhYXM4K-lj3ZzxUe7SKoRe9eMjHJxNo91uYBqJWxnf8G0Y/s320/Milk+Crate.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bill patrols the beaches of the Bahamas for “good stuff”. He was looking for two milk jug crates and
found them. He does look happy with his find, doesn’t
he?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIlNEERcF3k3hyVx8bwyrBhh5HEVvDB_d0zrg4Y4JH7ITNq9mI5iDmtTvLMuD2n7CAngcORpEzo1WvxyVKPbTnuwYqMVylagK2UFsobB7vMZfbE-GflvCaqhwN-RVPdY55qXX846ns4yQ/s1600/Shroud+Cay+Creeks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIlNEERcF3k3hyVx8bwyrBhh5HEVvDB_d0zrg4Y4JH7ITNq9mI5iDmtTvLMuD2n7CAngcORpEzo1WvxyVKPbTnuwYqMVylagK2UFsobB7vMZfbE-GflvCaqhwN-RVPdY55qXX846ns4yQ/s320/Shroud+Cay+Creeks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The interior of Shroud Cay is a maze of creeks winding
through the mangrove swamp. This camera
does not have a wide enough lens to show it all, but here is just a little
bit. We spent three days slowly
traveling in the dinghy through these creeks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi52Ma8iw2xpkfYg7PUTqv85yX6OXcczcpemuJa0Jz6g9vGaw_xsEMi1ddU2AAOzKTtqeNfcvbLx9aflwu46x29CugwGis5p16ajD0Itq_zy7G0NzsN3aFNW0xU-E7LGfC_IjbpEA10Sio/s1600/Pig+Pavillion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi52Ma8iw2xpkfYg7PUTqv85yX6OXcczcpemuJa0Jz6g9vGaw_xsEMi1ddU2AAOzKTtqeNfcvbLx9aflwu46x29CugwGis5p16ajD0Itq_zy7G0NzsN3aFNW0xU-E7LGfC_IjbpEA10Sio/s320/Pig+Pavillion.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Earlier this year several of the pigs at Big Majors Spot
died either from dehydration or from being fed large amounts of beer and
booze. They now have this partially
completed shelter to get out of the sun, signs saying “no booze”, and an old
cooler for a water trough. I wonder if
the pigs miss the beer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaAWKu5twkhDhUZhtVCoqclF_KSEGXHi04PkzjuFV404GmnHsZRWJ0ln36SbQ8ZRGJrhyphenhyphenIl4x1ovOGcSWpuH_zstGr3PEXqdaTmX-JDTTiz87x9ZYIDx-xNoGXqbhdbiBOLtsgsFA49wg/s1600/Pirate+Beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaAWKu5twkhDhUZhtVCoqclF_KSEGXHi04PkzjuFV404GmnHsZRWJ0ln36SbQ8ZRGJrhyphenhyphenIl4x1ovOGcSWpuH_zstGr3PEXqdaTmX-JDTTiz87x9ZYIDx-xNoGXqbhdbiBOLtsgsFA49wg/s320/Pirate+Beach.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Pirate Beach has been improved with a picnic table donated
by the crew of the motor yacht Pirate and treasures left behind by others. It is quite the resort.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc16Vi_POretfQujxf7DePP7yGZgVGZJxRmsU5ZW8RUX6aG_E3w1EqU6LOeh52-fiLAPU5LEit8U6tmFgBPHKGrwhvbvgahBO_wBDj2asAdVZhoQJ1bYV3CtbBgLxiJbBWhECMaVr4YXI/s1600/Sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc16Vi_POretfQujxf7DePP7yGZgVGZJxRmsU5ZW8RUX6aG_E3w1EqU6LOeh52-fiLAPU5LEit8U6tmFgBPHKGrwhvbvgahBO_wBDj2asAdVZhoQJ1bYV3CtbBgLxiJbBWhECMaVr4YXI/s320/Sunset.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I live in the Tennessee mountains, so having a real sunset
every evening is a treat. No two are
alike, every one is different.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hello from Big Majors Spot in the Bahamas, home of the
famous swimming pigs. We have now been
in the islands for three weeks. On March
20, our refrigeration was fixed, our laundry was done, our groceries were bought,
and our fuel and water tanks were full.
We untied our dock lines from the slip at Crandon Park Marina and sailed
out into Biscayne Bay to anchor off No Name Harbor at the southern tip of Key
Biscayne. Crandon Park Marina turned out
to be a nice place to stay before heading to the Bahamas. If the anchoring and dinghy-tying-up laws in
Miami Beach get any stricter, Crandon Park may replace Miami Beach as our last
US port of call.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Gulf Stream weather forecast for the next day (Tuesday) sounded
good for crossing over to Bimini. Wednesday’s
Gulf Stream weather would be even better, but the following two days would be
impossible. We needed a total of three
days of good weather with the wind from the right direction, not too strong,
not too light, and with no rain to get all the way to Highbourne Cay in the
Exumas. Bill and I debated whether we
should leave on Tuesday or Wednesday. We
decided that Tuesday would be the better day.
The Gulf Stream would be do-able, Thursday would be a good weather day
to travel across the banks, and Thursday afternoon’s bad weather would not
catch up with us until after we were in Highborne Cay. Both of us were ready to go. We set an alarm for 3am. After a quick breakfast, we pulled up the
anchor and headed out in the dark. Bill
dealt with the anchor while I steered in the moonlight around the other
anchored boats and past the tip of Key Biscayne to the Florida Channel and out into
the ocean. I am not a big fan of
steering in the dark, but with Bill watching the radar and GPS and calling out
the compass courses for me to steer, I got us safely out of Biscayne Bay and
into the ocean.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The crossing was sort of comfortable, motor-sailing with 3-4
foot in waves in the Gulf Stream, but the seas dropped to less than a foot as
we approached Bimini. We arrived in Alice
Town at Weech’s Dock at 2 pm. With no
one in sight at the marina, we tied ourselves up. Captain Bill went to Customs and to Immigration
to clear us into the Bahamas. I remained
on the boat because as crew I am not allowed to leave the boat until we are
cleared into the country. He returned
with our cruising permit, stamped passports, and a mixed case of Bahamian and
Haitian rum. He gave Mr. Weech $20 for
the use of his dock, we untied ourselves, and we were gone. We sailed north around Bimini then east across
the Great Bahama Bank. The wind died,
and we motored on. Bill did his sums and
determined that if we kept motoring, we would arrive at the rocky Highborne Cay
Wednesday night – in the dark -- not good.
If we anchored for the night on the shallow banks, we would arrive Thursday
in the afternoon but after the forecasted 30 to 35 knot east winds started –
also not a good plan especially since we would be traveling straight into that strong
wind. The solution to the dilemma was to
anchor on the banks for a few hours to delay our arrival until after dawn. We moved about a mile south of the route that
most boats use as they travel between Bimini’s north rock and a place called
Mackie Shoal. We anchored just after
sundown, ate supper, went to sleep, woke up at 3 am when the moon rose, and
continued motoring east. The sun came
up, the wind filled in, and we sailed on toward Nassau taking turns napping and
steering the boat. The sun set again,
the wind went light, and we re-started our engine. We changed course away from Nassau to pass
south of the west end of New Providence Island.
While I slept, Bill and the boat did a mile-long dance in the water to
avoid a collision with a south bound oil tanker that altered course ahead of us
as she turned to run toward the power plant on the southeast corner of New
Providence. The incident left Bill a
little unnerved. The tanker either did
not see us or did not care. Without any further
incident, we arrived at Highbourne Cay as the sun rose at 7:30am. Fifty-four hours out of Florida, the last leg
of the journey to the Bahamas was over.
We both took a long morning nap.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As predicted the wind picked up to 25-20 knots with occasional
higher gusts late Thursday afternoon. We
stayed onboard Irish Eyes reading, knitting, doing small boat chores, and
resting up. We watched a 70’s Gardner
McKay movie, “How I Sailed to Tahiti with an All Girl Crew”. It was a hokey movie. The six girls mostly smiled and posed. None of them ever even got her hair wet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Finally, on Monday, March 27 the wind had settled down, and
we were rested up and ready to move on. It was a long trip that day, about 5 miles. We anchored off Norman’s Cay for the next few
days. Norman’s Cay was being developed with
a marina, hotel, and airport all under construction. We dinghied around the island looking at the excavators
at work. I checked the beaches for
shells while Bill looked for “good stuff”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our next stop was Shroud Cay. Shroud is part of the Exumas Land and Sea Park, and except for some trails, the island is untouched. The creeks leading over to the ocean side
beaches are great fun to explore in the dinghy.
We saw lots of fish and sea turtles swimming in the warm creeks, and we walked
along the beautiful beaches. Since we first
arrived in Miami, Bill had been looking for two plastic milk crates to hold his
project supplies. He was lucky and found
two milk crates in perfect condition, one blue and one black, washed up on the
shore. After cleaning the sand off them,
he put them on the boat. The blue one was
from Scotsburn Dairy in Nova Scotia, and the black one was from Hood Dairy in
Portland Maine. It had written on it,
“If caught stealing this case, you will be prosecuted”. I guess the milk crates were just gifts from
the sea. I’m not too worried.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The wind once again had a hand in where we went. The normally strong southeast wind was broken
by one day of light easterlies. We
wanted to go southeast, so we raised our anchor and headed 30 miles southeast
to Big Majors Spot, just north of Staniel Cay where we are now anchored.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Since we have been here, we have watched the swimming pigs, we
have watched the tourists feed the swimming pigs, we have had our first
Bahamian restaurant meal with a Kalik beer, and we have seen and chatted with several
people we have meet here in previous years.
The sun is out, the weather warm, the water clear, and the sky blue.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There is a cold front expected to pass over us early Friday
morning. This one has caused some havoc
in Alabama and Georgia. We should have
some squalls and west wind, but it should not last long. Wind from the west is not a great thing here because
the islands offer only a few places with protection from that direction. But, it’s not supposed to be very strong and
should shift around to the north quickly. Our plan is to just stay where we are anchored
and ride it out.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Our friend, George
Brown, will arrive at the Staniel Cay airport on Tuesday, April 11. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We will not go too far from Staniel Cay before
then.</span></div>
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<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A Happy Easter to you all.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1610461932297132297.post-555298888184259212017-03-18T10:41:00.000-07:002017-03-18T10:41:43.860-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYP-TN0uYZMFwSIJK8dwfWQAhuLYlY3zO_WgcedWpQjwlX-OCxSQ8B-QsykwwuPSuWz8MrgMoPWm5-9J4KjF_U3yDM8WFR0SB89sUBTE5lR2hXSgLtnK07w2TyqzxHqlksgKPjNqZaYdI/s1600/Bridge+Tender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYP-TN0uYZMFwSIJK8dwfWQAhuLYlY3zO_WgcedWpQjwlX-OCxSQ8B-QsykwwuPSuWz8MrgMoPWm5-9J4KjF_U3yDM8WFR0SB89sUBTE5lR2hXSgLtnK07w2TyqzxHqlksgKPjNqZaYdI/s320/Bridge+Tender.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When we pass through drawbridges, we talk to the bridge
tenders on the VHF radio. We ask them to
open for us, and we thank them after we pass through. We wave at them, and they wave at us. The drivers in cars don’t hardly even know
the bridge tenders are there. Most are friendly, and some
come out of their control rooms to wave.
They all wish us a good day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurwBUdXLsl2aSK4qBMSm2LvMBZUMOs_O8Xbpdss8vuzi70H_CN14NXhFP-LKEDC_epsZRi6V2RD1DZEHtiyWE0clkKE9NutGpoftK2NIrMMl-a8Zda1qGZ8jqxxJ-VivJ3d_fczHhjH0/s1600/Miami+at+Sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurwBUdXLsl2aSK4qBMSm2LvMBZUMOs_O8Xbpdss8vuzi70H_CN14NXhFP-LKEDC_epsZRi6V2RD1DZEHtiyWE0clkKE9NutGpoftK2NIrMMl-a8Zda1qGZ8jqxxJ-VivJ3d_fczHhjH0/s320/Miami+at+Sunset.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When we anchored in Miami Beach, we had the Miami skyline
behind us. You can see the cranes adding
more and more to the city every day. Did
you know that Miami was incorporated in 1896 with a population of 300? It is only 11 years older than Kingsport.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Kn4oZKueC0f6FumLkTbA2JMi2dRkHYordMhXtPTaCSgVH6U6HZV5XDAREodizicquwHLdFuWcE3wNgTdAUZ-6MM9gsYz3hxFlXRGWDrHXSXI-zSLoQ-M2O4LqtqOkJA2PcBJKQMAUVc/s1600/Staghorn+Fern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Kn4oZKueC0f6FumLkTbA2JMi2dRkHYordMhXtPTaCSgVH6U6HZV5XDAREodizicquwHLdFuWcE3wNgTdAUZ-6MM9gsYz3hxFlXRGWDrHXSXI-zSLoQ-M2O4LqtqOkJA2PcBJKQMAUVc/s320/Staghorn+Fern.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This huge staghorn fern was growing on tree along Alton
Road. It encircles the tree. I think it is really neat. Do you?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwB9GOs4LOhnTu5KM75tspsdfu6SpoQ0ZSg98FiHNYfupA_jhcBDfYMoggkkzhQHoES3avpNlPV_gWQwM7PaQLx_QrTqM5FI8B9ebu8D5-Nqm18LrkDsjTCYrqYd0L0UIi7IReMfql3IQ/s1600/Manatees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwB9GOs4LOhnTu5KM75tspsdfu6SpoQ0ZSg98FiHNYfupA_jhcBDfYMoggkkzhQHoES3avpNlPV_gWQwM7PaQLx_QrTqM5FI8B9ebu8D5-Nqm18LrkDsjTCYrqYd0L0UIi7IReMfql3IQ/s320/Manatees.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We were in a slip at Crandon Park
Marina doing repairs when this mother manatee and child floated by. She is big… maybe 1000 lb and 8 feet
long. There are scars on her back and
tail where she has been hit by boat propellers.
Manatees are too slow to get out of the way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-rna1JJ7mMOcAM6kkykQyX81eueQic5u-C27EDpGxIhyphenhyphenDgbEOb7SkQrDaLHhGSoJgEoucbeJieHtFCJbZkCh6cjMIsTAitVHcffwD7-NvsTA7U4AEmuRnrzPFkydRfeReoLDAU66jM48/s1600/Engine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-rna1JJ7mMOcAM6kkykQyX81eueQic5u-C27EDpGxIhyphenhyphenDgbEOb7SkQrDaLHhGSoJgEoucbeJieHtFCJbZkCh6cjMIsTAitVHcffwD7-NvsTA7U4AEmuRnrzPFkydRfeReoLDAU66jM48/s320/Engine.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is our engine. The round thing at the top right is the
compressor for our refrigeration. It is
what failed and kept us in Miami. To the
right of it is a brass hand pump that sucks water out of the bottom of our icebox. It too is new. Bill broke the old one right after he replaced
the compressor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Greetings from the Crandon Park Marina on Key Biscayne. Irish Eyes has now been in the Miami area for
almost three weeks. Up to now it’s been
warm, windy, and sunny, but Thursday morning it was 56 degrees when we woke up. Brrrrr.
We have had some mechanical problems which have kept us from leaving for
the Bahamas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We left Vero Beach early on February 20. It was a beautiful sunny day, and the weather
was getting warmer and warmer as we headed south. Monday was Presidents’ Day, and we worried
that there would be lots of small boat traffic darting this way and that, but
few people seemed to be out. By 4 that
afternoon we were peacefully anchored in Hobe Sound, behind Jupiter Island and
its golf courses. From that point south
there were 36 drawbridges before Miami, six of them before the next good place
to anchor in North Palm Beach. It broke
Bill’s heart to stop so early, but if we had pressed on and had any delays at
the bridges, we would have gotten to Palm Beach in the dark. Besides, the early stop meant early
cocktails. Hooray!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Tuesday was a long and boring day going through the bridges.
Sometimes, we had to wait as much as an
hour for a bridge to open. By 5 o’clock
we were in Boca Raton. There, between
the Palmetto Park Bridge and the Camino Real Bridge, is a wide spot east of the
ICW called Lake Boca Raton. I had a hard
time thinking of it as a lake. It was
small, and most of it was too shallow for us.
But, we found a suitable spot just off the waterway and happily anchored
among several other cruising boats. Wednesday dawned with rain and wind; it was not
good traveling weather. With no
deadlines, we stayed put. It rained 1.3
inches, and the wind blew 20 knots with frequent gusts up to 30 knots. Bill did some indoor boat projects while I knitted
and read. I liked taking the day off. It was dry and cozy inside the boat, and it
was a welcome break from the bridge marathon.
By 4pm the cold front had passed, the wind stopped blowing, and sky
cleared.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We were up and away early Thursday. There were still bridges ahead, and just north
of Miami was Baker’s Haulover, a shallow spot scheduled to be dredged later in
the spring. We got there at low tide,
and the TowBoatUS and SeaTow boats both were circling like vultures. We were more than a little worried. Although at times we only had inches of water
below our keel, we luckily never touched the bottom. The drawbridges were not a problem either, except
for Miami’s 79<span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">th</span> Street Bridge. We called the bridge tender twice on the VHF
radio without getting a response. After
15 or 20 minutes, the bridge tender came outside his ‘house’ and looked around
for awhile, then he went back and called us on the radio asking if we wanted
an opening. He must have been taking a
nap when we first arrived. After passing
through his bridge and traveling a mile or more, we looked back and his bridge
was still in the up position. Four lanes
of traffic were still stopped. Maybe the
guy just quit and went home, who knows.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">By suppertime we were safely anchored in Biscayne Bay near
the Miami Beach Mt. Sinai Hospital. Our
friends on Dot’s Way were anchored nearby as well as a large motor yacht,
Rockstar. Whew. We had cleared the first big hurdle of our
journey.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Next, we needed to fix a couple of things that had raised
their heads on the way down. First up
was the inflatable dinghy and its new outboard motor. When going fast on a plane, the outboard
propeller would suck air, the engine would speed up, and the dinghy would slow
down. That cycle would be repeated over
and over. Calls to the shop that sold us
the engine and to the dinghy manufacturer gave us three possible fixes. We could saw a notch in the dinghy transom to
lower the engine thus putting the propeller deeper in the water. We could pump up the inflatable dinghy
really, really hard thinking that the heavier new engine needed a harder dinghy
to support its weight. Or, we could buy
a pair of hydrofoil fins and bolt them to the engine anti-cavitation plate to
make the plate bigger and keep air from being sucked into the propeller. Cutting the dinghy transom just seemed too
drastic. Pumping the dinghy up hard
seemed easy at first, but the foot pump was in the bottom of the port cockpit
locker and too hard (?) for Bill to bother to dig out. Buying hydrofoil fins and bolting them to the
engine appealed to Bill. He could buy
them at West Marine, and he never passes up a chance to go shopping at West
Marine. Off we went on the MetroBus,
MetroMover, and finally MetroRail. Bill
got to visit his favorite store (and buy a few things he didn’t need), and I (that
is we) had a nice lunch at a Coconut Grove restaurant. Back at the boat, pumping up the dinghy fixed
the problem, and later attaching the hydrofoil fins to the outboard helped the
dinghy get up on a plane faster.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our second problem was the VHF radio. On the boat the VHF is like the telephone. We use it daily, not only to talk to other
boats, listen to the weather forecasts, and call marinas, but we also use it
like an old party line telephone to listen in on our neighbor’s
conversations. That’s really important,
right? Anyway, last year we were
disappointed in the radio’s range, so in the fall during our annual haul out,
Bill had the cable to the antenna replaced.
That made things worse, not better.
He suspected the yard had done a poor job of soldering the connectors on
the ends of the wire. He wanted to solder
the connectors himself. There are four
of them; one at the radio, two at the bottom of the mast, and a final one at
the very top of the mast. Bill bought a
super-duper, hotter-than-hot soldering gun for the job and did the first three
by himself. Now, the last one; that one
was a problem. It was at the top of the
mast, almost 50 feet in the air, and I had to pull Bill, his tools, and an
extension cord up there. Yuck. Well, I did it. Bill re-soldered the connector. The radio became much better.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After supper Saturday night Bill was washing the dishes, and
we were running the engine to cool the frig and charge the batteries. Bill said, “I smell something burning.” Living in a plastic and wood boat with 50
gallons of diesel oil, five gallons of gasoline, and 40 pounds of propane, that
was not what I wanted to hear. Both of
us immediately began looking for the fire. It turned out that the electric clutch on the refrigeration
compressor that is mounted on the engine had shorted out and burned up. A fuse blew and stopped the smoke, but we no
longer had our best way of keeping the freezer and refrigerator cold. We could still run the engine with its
alternator to make 12v electricity, change the 12v into 125v with our inverter,
and use that electricity to run the much smaller cooling system that we use when
we have normal electricity in marinas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bill decided that night that, if he had the right tools, he
could replace the burned up clutch himself. Sunday, he went to Advance Auto, bought some
tools, and set to work. Everything was
going well until there was a loud bang, and oil and Freon blew out of the
compressor. Somehow, he had damaged a
seal causing all the refrigerator gas to leak out. Now, the whole compressor was trash, and all
our Freon was gone. Bill found the
business card of the local refrigeration technician who repaired the system in
2011 and gave him a call Monday morning.
They talked, he agreed to do the work, and Bill gave him the part number
for the compressor on the phone and by email.
We heard from him one more time, but not again. After ten days Bill got aggravated enough to
order a new compressor on ebay, to order a vacuum pump from Amazon, and buy
Freon and a gauge set from Advance Auto to do the repairs himself. We moved the boat to the Crandon Park Marina
so we would have electricity for the vacuum pump, and in two days Bill had everything
running again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">During our refrigeration troubles, we had a lovely surprise.
Our friends Sondra and Tom Price, who
used to live in Kingsport, were vacationing in Florida. They drove to Miami Beach, and Bill and I met
them at Books and Books on the Lincoln Road pedestrian mall in South Beach for
lunch. It was really great to see them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One of the perks of being in Miami Beach with refrigeration
problems, was the chance to try different restaurants. For our last Sunday lunch in South Beach, we
went to a fried chicken place called Yardbird. It was not your regular KYC sort of place. We had a starter of deviled eggs topped with
fish roe, followed by a platter of fried chicken served with cheese waffles and
watermelon. There was a spicy hot sauce
for the chicken and a bourbon-maple syrup for the waffles. Dessert was bacon doughnuts with butterscotch
sauce. It was a different and memorable
meal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was time to start getting ready to cross to the Bahamas. As Bill was finishing up on the refrigeration,
I caught up on the laundry. Since we were
in a marina, it was an easy walk down the dock and across the parking lot to
the washing machine and dryer and where I did everything <u>alone</u>. It was so much easier than loading everything
in the dinghy, leaving the anchored boat and going ashore, carrying all the
clothes and things to the laundromat, dealing with other people doing their
laundry, then toting everything back to Irish Eyes. Thursday was the first grocery store
perishables run. We took the bus to the
Winn Dixie here in Key Biscayne. Bill
went to the hardware store while I shopped, and we returned on the bus. There is still more food to buy, water tanks
to fill, and things to do before we can leave.
I just hope nothing else breaks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The five-day forecast this morning showed calmer winds with
good weather for crossing the Gulf Stream early next week, and we hope to use
it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As it says on my tee shirt, "Life is good".</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1