March 3-9th Wind - Waves - weather

After Ron and Natale left we took the opportunity of being in a marina to wash the salt off the boat, fill up the water tanks and take a nice long hot shower, the last for a while. We moved back to the anchorage area and settled in.  The winds kicked up that evening and were really strong the entire week. The temperature cooled down from the 80's it had been during Rons visit to 70-74. It was very cloudy all week as well. The boat was constantly swinging  and on Wednesday a storm blew through causing a few boats to drag anchor. We were pleased that we held throughout the storm. We went to shore for part of each day to get a break from the swing and chop but that meant preparing to get wet as well.  I had no trouble finding places to explore in town.  I tried to arrange a visit to a local school but had little success. Hoping to get that done before I leave the Bahamas.  On Friday the wind settled and the sky was clear. Friends from two other boats decided it was time for a change of scenery. Soon after they left we also felt a change was a great idea so we followed them over to Man-O-War.  We anchored outside the marina in a small cove. It was a great anchorage.  We dinked to shore and walked over a dune to the ocean side to walk along the beach. At low tide a sand bar appeared in the anchorage. We would all dink to the sand bar for happy hour. I found some wonderful "treasures" there. Lots of sea biscuits, beautiful shells and conch shells that had been thrown overboard after the conch was removed. We enjoyed Friday and Saturday at the anchorage.  On Sunday the winds blew in again and it was very uncomfortable. Laughter was bouncing and turning in half circles. Duel Dreams decided he was moving to a better protected anchorage.  After another hour of the bouncing we decided to move as well but there was a delay in our exit. One engine would'nt start. We started the second engine and the geni and after about 15 minutes, engine number 1 started and we were on our way. Now there is a new project added to the list. Why won't the engine start.

                                                           dinghy happy hour

If you look closely you can see the ocean on the other side of the island at this narrow point

Peanut actually followed us around in the shallows the entire afternoon then climbed in the boat to rest. Unfortunatley she chose the bucket that was filled with the shells I found.

Snorkling at Mermaid Reef

We, Ron, Natalie, Tom and I  headed back to Marsh Harbor and the marina Friday morning. The sea was a bit choppy but not uncomfortable. I was so glad that we had a great ride over on Thursday. Ron and Natalie really enjoyed watching the bottom for sea life on our way over but you couldn't see the bottom today because of the waves.  Once tied up at the marina we had some lunch and headed across the harbor by dingy to Marsh Harbor marina. We tied up at the dingy dock and walked down the road to a little bay where we snorkled out to the reef. Tom spotted a beautiful star fish which I took several photos of. We also saw lots of plants and fish but no colored coral to speak of.  It was recommended that we take bread to feed the fish but we forgot it. Once close to the reef it was apparent that the fish were expecting lunch. They swam around us and I actually had 5 or 6 needle nose swim up to my goggles. Ron found a few sea biscuits,(a biscuit shaped sand dollar), which I was very excited about.  Following a couple of hours of snorkling we walked back to the Marina and had a drink at the jib room. Ron and Natalies last dinner with us was lobster pieces with veggies grilled.  A great week of activities and fun. So glad they came. Saturday morning they headed out for the airport at 6:00.

To Many Nippers and Grabbers on Guana Cay

Wind had calmed, sun was bright so we took off for Guana Cay in the boat.  Ron and Natalie sunning on the bow pads, Tom and I at the helm. It was a nice smooth ride and Ron loved that he could see the bottom as if it were only a few feet away. Actually the water was only 6ft but we are getting pretty comfortable traveling around the islands in the shallow water. The guides tell you to learn the water by color as much as by chart and they are so right.  We tied up to a mooring ball in the harbor as we thought that might be a little less worry for our non boating relatives.  A short dingy to shore, tie up to the dock and climb up the ladder. Climbing up the wooden ladder was a bit of a challenge but luckily the tide was in and the ladder was plenty long for an easy start.
Nippers was our first stop. It is quite a bar, four decks with a pool that looks out over the ocean.  We enjoyed a few nipper frozen rum drinks sitting on the deck then moving to the chairs out on the beach.  Late afternoon we headed over to Grabbers to lay in the hammocks and loungers, have dinner and enjoy a few rum Grabbers. We had a fun filled day, warm sunny and clear skies. It was now dark and time to walk back to the dock for the short ride back to the mooring field.

Pop or as the Bahamians call it, soda is very expensive in the Bahamas and rum relatively cheap so the bartenders fill your glass 3/4 full of rum and 1/4 of the frozen concoction.  I think you know the result!!  I am sure we were a vision, four tipsy Americans wobbling down the street but on the other hand, it's probably not a new sight for the locals. Now comes the problem, it was now low tide and the ladder was not long enough to reach the top of the dingy. An added problem, it was DARK, adding another challenge to our decent on the ladder. Natalie successfully negotiated the ladder into the dingy even though there was a 2-3 ft drop from the last rung to the dinghy. We weren't sure why she went first since Tom would be driving and would have to pass her on the dinghy in the dark, but like I said we were not operating on all cylinders!   Tom went next, he wasn't so smooth. He disappeared down the ladder but what we heard next was a yell, a splash and then "I'm ok it's shallow". Ron and I looked at each other thinking what in heavens name just happened. It seems Tom fell ON Natalies head knocking her into the water. He remained in the dingy as she broke his fall. After the initial "are you ok"? we started to laugh.  I started down next with Peanut by the handle. I couldn't hold her and balance and down she went, luckily landing on the pile of towels and such in the dingy! Then me, falling from that last step into the bottom of the dingy on my butt. But at least I missed Natalie, Tom and Peanut.  Ron being the strongest was able to hold on and reach the dingy with one leg. So now we are all in the dingy laughing all the way back to the boat.  Thank goodness Natalie was a good sport about it.  Once on the boat we laughed some more. Natalie said all she could think about when she hit the water was "poop water",  and that was enough to give her super human strength to jump back in the dingy in record time. It seems earlier she asked where all the boaters empty their holding tanks. Tom explained that that due to a lack of services for that very thing boaters just dump in the water. I know yuk!

 On Friday morning a couple moored next to us said they could hear us laughing and that we must have had a good time. It will be one we remember for a very long time I'm sure!!
                                               

                           Enjoying one or two last Rum drinks at Grabbers while watching the sunset

                                                          Sunset from the beach at Grabbers

                                                          The pool at Grabbers

                                      Enjoying a few Grabbers rum drinks on the deck of Nippers

                                                    A view of Nippers beach

A view of Grabbers from the dinghy as we come to shore

Wed. Feb. 28th - Hope Town

On Wednesday Hope Town was our destination. Hope Town is on Elbow Cay, which is almost a straight shot across Abaco Sea from Marsh Harbor. The ferry to Hope Town was of course the one that requires a long walk. Ron and Natalie dropped us off with the rental car then took the car back. Unfortunately by the time they returned to the Ferry Dock we missed the ferry. We had a two hour wait for the next one so we went across the street to a little beach, relaxed and enjoyed our lunch.  I knew we were going to enjoy Hope Town as soon as the ferry entered the harbour. There was a lighthouse on one side of the harbor and neatly kept cottage homes with white picket fences lining the other side. The ferry dropped us off opposite of the lighthouse near a bar/restaurant called Captain Jacks.  We learned that Harbor Lodge had a very nice beach so we headed that way, enjoying the feel and look of the town the entire way.  The steps to the lodge were lined with beautiful flowers and opened up to a really nice patio that looked out over the marina. We were skeptical, this can't be open to the public! Several more steps took us through a covered walkway that opened to a very nice pool and a tiki bar near the steps to the beach.  Posted by the pool was a sign "public welcome". We were impressed! The tiki bar was open so we ordered a rum drink, of course, then turned towards the beach. There was a simultaneous "WOW" that was emitted from all of us at the same time  It was a vision only seen in a travel magazine. The bluest blue water you can imagine with waves gently lapping at the shore. The lodge had lounge chairs on the beach, so drink in hand, down we went to settle in the chairs enjoy the view and the music from the tiki bar. We spent most of the day on the beach before heading back to the ferry but on our way we stopped at Captain Jacks for the famous Goombye Smash rum drink. Good but potent!!!!  One day is definitely not enough time to spend here so you can bet Tom and I will be back to stay for a few days by boat.

Hope Town light house

                                                         Brother Ron

                                          outside  Decor at the Inn where we accessed the beach

                                         Taken on the balcony overlooking the beach at the Inn

                                                                     On the beach

View of the harbor

Tues. Feb. 28thTouring Great Abaco Cay by Car

Today was supposed to be overcast with a good chance of rain. Ron wanted to rent a car to see the island so we were off. We headed South to Treasure Cay. It is at the center of the island and the beaches are said to be rated 4th in the world. I wasn't sure what we would see driving but was sure it would be interesting. There were small houses, lots of scrub area and no commerical to speak of.  The trip to Treasure Cay was about an hour. We pulled into the marina and checked it out, of course. We enjoyed our lunch at one of the tables in the Tiki Bar area then left to look for beach access. We found a little dead end road that had a car and a few golf carts at the end. There were several people sitting at their easels on a little sand dune so we parked and ventured that way. We had come upon a small art class of ladies. We had a great chat about the area then walked past them to the beach. The cloudy skys had cleared and the sun was bright and warm. The water was amazingly beautiful!  The blues and greens paired with the white sand was breathtaking. We spent some time walking on the beach and swimming. Then it was off the other way.  We decided to drive to Sandy Point, the northern tip of the island. The scenery was lots of scrub and forest. There were several side rodes but we did not venture off.  It was a very very long and boring drive. Sandy Point on the other hand was very interesting to say the least. There was a sign that said marina so we pulled in. The parking lot barely had enough room to turn around in, there was a large dog lying on top of an old picnic table, a building half boarded up with locals sitting outside and a small wooden dock! We didn't get out of the car! Ron spotted a tavern with two boarded up windows and bars on two others. He dared Tom, I'll go in if you do"! We didn't stop there either.  On our way out of town we stopped along the road to take a walk to the beach. There were shells galore, especially conch.  There was an area that looked as if it used to be a picnic shelter. Ron and Natalie were exploring it when a pick-up truck full of men drove by. Ron ran behind the bar and left Natalie standing. She then ran and hid with him.  The truck stopped and the men called out "Why you hiden man". Ron popped up and said we just playin. Their response was "Ok man as long as you havin fun". We laughed about that for two days!.Our last stop on the way back to Marsh Harbor was Petes Pub, another famous island hang out that also has a museum.  After three wrong turns we finally found the correct road, if you want to call it that. The road was down hill, narrow and eaten away from rain. The gal at the rental car place had told us we could'nt take the car to Hole in The Wall because of the road but never said a word about this road! By now it is getting dark and we are all hoping nothing will come the other way because there is nowhere for us to move to. We are also hoping we don't blow a tire in one of the ruts. We knew that Petes Pub was on the water and when we got to the point we could see water we thought we were ok. Then the road seemed to turn to grass and head for some houses. Tom yelled out the window at someone on their front porch, "Are we headed in the right direction for Petes Pub"?  She laughed, yeah, just up the road. I'm thinking, what road?  We did find Petes Pub, a bar on the sand with a large roof over it, tshirts of all kinds hanging from the rafters. We had one of their rum specialty drinks, walked around a bit and headed up the dreaded road back to the marina. Thankfully we did not have to pass anyone on our way out either!  We were to tired to even unload the car. We stopped in Snappas, had dinner then headed to the boat!

enjoying the beach at Treasure Cay

a view of the rocks down the beach

Petes Pub

Inside decor of Petes Pub

Monday, Feb. 27th, The beginning of a fun filled or should I say Rum filled week!!

I flew home the day after we arrived in Marsh Harbor to celebrate my grandsons first birthday and get my "grandma fix". I returned the 26th, the next Sunday with my younger brother Ron and his partner Natalie.  Ron had reserved a slip at Conch Inn and Marina for the week because he wasn't sure he could handle the constant movement that takes place when you anchor out. It was a nice surprise and a nice break for us.  On Sunday we settled in on the boat and went to Snappas for happy hour. We started our island/Cay hopping on Monday morning. The weather forecast was calling for choppy seas so we chose to take the ferry to Man-O-War Cay rather than the boat. Man-O-War is a small island and has been the center of boat building and repair for many years. Ron was excited about seeing the wooden boat building business but unfortunately we didn't find it but he did find a shop that makes fiberglass boats.  We spoke to two gentlemen who live on the island. They explained that they like the island the way it is, few tourists, quiet and peaceful.  Liqueur is not sold here but it was made clear that you are welcome to bring your own. We strolled the narrow streets that are only used by golf carts and bicycles, visited the two shops which sell clothing and carrier bags of every size made from sail cloth then walked over the hill to the ocean side to enjoy the beach which was beautiful. We enjoyed the lunch we brought with us hunted shells then headed back to the ferry dock. Tom was not excited about the long walk back to the marina so we took a cab.  The cabs in Marsh Harbor are well used mini vans, they line up at the ferry docks each morning and afternoon hoping to pick up tourists who are traveling to and from the islands(Cays). We grilled out on the boat and planned tomorrows activities. I have photos but cannot get them to load so will post them another time.

                                           A street big enough for Golf Carts at Man-O-War

                                                   Brother Ron & Natalie on the beach

Marsh Harbor( spelled Harbour here) at Last! Sat. Feb. 18th

Mother Nature had been kind to us the past three days. We needed three calm water days to reach Marsh Harbor and we enjoyed three beautiful days. We have since spoken to boaters that were forced to spend a week at Green Turtle Cay because the waves kept them from coming through "The Whale". The whale is a required passage for all boaters heading South and is the most talked about in the Abacos.  Whale Cay occupies the exact spot where the Sea of Abaco becomes to shallow for boaters to pass. It is here you must navigate out and along the Atlantic side of the Cay then back into the Sea of Abaco. In heavy weather, strong North winds, the Whale is said to be at "rage". Waves can easily clock in at 8-10 ft. We experienced waves of 1-2 ft coming through.  Laughter brought us safely  into Marsh Harbor about 11:00 am. A large harbor with lots of anchorage area and several marinas. We have now learned that Marsh Harbor usually fills up when a cold front with high winds is predicted. it is a popular safe harbor. Because we came in following several good weather days we had our pick of spots to anchor. We had been anchored for just a few minutes when a dingy pulled up to greet us. Mike and Harriott on Duel Dreams.  We had shared many a happy hour on the wall in Demopolis together and were excited to have friends here to help us acclimate to the area. While talking with Mike Tom spotted a  young Bahamian gentleman going from boat to boat in his wooden boat.  Tom thought he might be selling Lobsters so he yelled and motioned him over. No lobster, he was selling conch, pronounced konk. The bottom of his boat was filled with conch shells. Tom bought three of them and I asked to keep the shells. The gentlemen slit the shell, cut the muscle that holds the critter in his shell and pulled him out. He cleaned them for us and Tom handed him a baggie to put them in. Tom was excited! Cool, conch for dinner! My response was "I don't think so!. We have no idea how to prepare them, you learn while I am at home and we can purchase more when I return.  A short time later the conch was in the frig and we wondered up and down the street that ran along the harbor then met Mike and Harriott for a celebratory drink during happy hour at one of the local hang outs. Snappas. We were actually in the Bahamas on our own boat! An accomplishment these two Indiana Hoosiers were pretty excited about!

Young Bahamian gentlemen selling conch from his boat

                                         A celebration drink with Mike, Harriott and Lee

Friday Feb. 17th - Green Turtle

We left our anchorage about seven thirty in the morning. Another beautiful day. Warm, sunny and mild winds.  Before long we caught up with three other boats. A trawler and two sailboats.  Low and behold it was Little Mick and his two friends. Remember we shared an anchorage with them at Little Shark river then again at Lake Sylvia. They were the group that left for West End at 6:30 am.  We talked with them on the radio and decided to slow down and join them for the trip in to Green Turtle. In the early afternoon the winds kicked in enough to allow the sailboats to sail rather than motor sail. They were thrilled and it was fun to watch them gracefully move through the water. The harbor entrance to Green Turtle was a major discussion for the two sailboaters as they discussed whether they would need to wait until high tide to go in.  We found the depths to average seven foot which was good for them.  Mick and his friends went into the marina. Tom and I anchored out in the harbor. Later we found out that when you stay at the marina you can eat and drink up to the cost of your slip per night so if the slip was eighty dollars you had eighty dollars of credit at the restuarent. Not a bad deal especially with beers being five dollars and mixed drinks seven. We met the members of the other three boats for coctail  hour then went back to our boat for dinner.  They had decided to stay at Green Turtle for a few days, we were heading out for Marsh Harbor Saturday morning.

In the dark again!! Lacayan Waterway to Great Sail

Once out onto the Sea of Abaco we were mesmerized by the beauty of the water.  The colors and clarity were amazing. By now I was getting better at enjoying what I saw on the bottom rather than worrying about the fact that I could see it but I still constently check the depth finder. We still faced the decision of what to do about getting to Great Sail Cay. We arrived at Mangrove Cay close to sunset. The water was like glass, no wind and the charts indicated no islands, Cays or other obstructions in our path. We either take a deep breath and go on to Great Sail or we face two very long days ahead arriving at Marsh Harbor late Saturday afternoon.  So on to Great Sail it is!  In the dark! I hate traveling in the dark! Each time we have done it I have said No More! Yet here we go again.  When that sun went down it was pitch black. Our radar and chart plotter were our eyes. I paced across the fly bridge like a nervous cat.  You have no idea how happy I was to see anchor lights and blips on the radar to match our destination waypoint on the chartplotter. Yeah! Except that how do you know how close you are to other boats when all you see is the anchor light on the top of their mast and how do you estimate your distance from land?  Those were my two big somewhat important questions. We watched our depth, guestimated using the chartplotter and dropped anchor. Once we felt the anchor had taken hold we shut off the engines and went to bed. At first light you found out how close or far away you really were. We were a lot closer to land than I thought. By seven in the morning we were moving again headed for Green Turtle Cay.

Sea of Abaco

                                                          Passing Mangrove Cay at dusk

                                                Our first sunset on the Sea of Abaco

Feb. 16th The Grand Lucayan Waterway

The Grand Lucayan Waterway is a man made canal that cuts across Grand Bahama Island a few short miles from Port Lucaya. Once through the waterway we would be on the Sea of Abaco and only two days from our destination of Marsh Harbor. The waterway is shallow and would require our timing our exit at Dover sound to a rising tide. The waterway was built with high hopes of  developing this area of Grand Bahama Island.  Owners would have the best of both worlds as they would have access to The Sea of Abaco and the Atlantic. Unfortunately it never really got off the ground. There was not enough money to keep it dredged along with other financial difficulties. We passed few homes and many many more that were partially built and abandoned. There were also many lots for sale.  Tom and I thought the area held much promise. There were many indentations cut out along the waterway which meant that the homes could have their own dock built.  The waterway is only about 7 miles long.  It would be a short ride or should I say should have been. When we were near Dover Sound, our exit, Toms tide calculations indicated we needed to wait a couple of hours for the rising tide. We anchored in one of the indented areas to relax and wait.  We decided to take the kayaks out and explore the exit to familiarize ourselves with any tricky spots. We enjoyed the current as it took us swiftly toward Dover Sound. Not so much fun was trying to get back to the boat. This is when we realized we had missed the rising tide and were fighting the tide as it was going out!  At one point we were paddling as hard as we could and not moving forward and if you stopped for a second to regroup you lost a kayaks length in distance that you had worked so hard to get.  For a few minutes I seriously began to think my arms would not hold out long enough to make it back to the boat. Once back on the boat we looked at each other and remarked, "not the smartest thing we have ever done". We ended up sitting around until 4:30 pm so that we had enough water to get through to the Sea of Abaco. We have a four foot draft and there were a couple of four foot two spots that we coasted through while holding our breath, but we did fine. Because of the time delay we were faced with a new dilemma. We could only make it to Mangrove Cay(pronounced key) by dark and we really needed to get to Great Sail Cay Why? Two more good days of weather were predicted before high winds blew in and I had a flight home booked for Sunday morning from Marsh Harbor.  I know you are not supporsed to have a schedule when traveling by boat because of the weather but I was not going to miss my Grandsons first birthday party. As frustrating as the tide problem was we were glad we traveled through the Waterway.  It was really interesting.

                                                 The Lucayan Waterway was narrow

                                      You must stay at center because of the rocks on both sides

                              We never met a boat coming the other way - thankfully

Wed. Feb. 15th - Checking in at Lucaya

We arrived in Port Lucaya at 5pm. The dockmaster at the harbor told  us we could stay at the fuel dock while checking in. We would then move to an anchorage.  Checking in is a two step process. You meet with immigration, show them your forms and fill out more forms. Then you meet with a customs agent.  The meeting with immigration only lasted a few minutes. When finished the gal told us to go back to the boat and wait. The immigration agent would come to us. It was now getting dark and we were still waiting. Tom approached the dockmaster and explained what we were told.  He called on the radio and told us we had to go back up to the office, that we were given the wrong information.  Now at the office, the agent is outside finishing a cigarette. He holds up a finger to tell us one minute. Finding out that nothing is done quickly in the Bahamas our minute was nearly 10.  It is now dark.  It only took about five minutes to complete the paperwork. When finished the agent told us we owed him $30.00. When I asked what the fee was for he said overtime. It's past 5pm! Tom politely indicated that the sign said that agents are on call at all times. The answer was, yes but after 5pm we charge overtime. All I had were $20.00 dollar bills. When I handed him forty dollars he indicated that they had no change. I responded with we just paid the $300.00 entry fee so the gal in the back should have change. She responded with a no, it is all locked up. Now frustrated all were quiet. Tom calmly said to the agent, it is dark out and we cannot safely anchor out. You keep the extra ten and let us stay on the gas dock until morning. The agent said No problem man, just be gone by 8am. We complied.  Once we hooked up to electricity I wondered around in the shops that were adjacent to the marina.  We were gone by 7am, headed for the Lucaya canal and Great Sail Key.

   You must fly a yellow quarantine flag until you check in then you fly the Bahamian Courtesy flag. Tom wanted to save nineteen dollars so he flew his yellow shirt as the yellow flag.

                                                                Entrance to Port Lucaya

                                                    Another view as we entered the harbor

Feb. 15th Crossing to the Bahamas

The alarm went off at four in the morning. Tom looked over and said,well, are we going to do this? I'm ready. Lets go I replied. As the words came out of my mouth I thought,did I really just say that! I would loved to have taken my blood pressure as we pulled out because my breathing was pretty quick and shallow.  Using the spotlight to guide us around the other boats and out to the ICW we were off.  It's funny as I type this from our anchorage in the Bahamas the moon is full, bright and beautiful, lighting up the sky and water. The morning we left for the Bahamas the moon was a sliver and absolutely no help to us!  I had hoped that the lights from the surrounding city would prove helpful. That hope was short lived as we neared the cut through at Port Everglades and the peripheral lights of the city disappeared. Tom was a little concerned that we would encounter a freighter, something I had not given a thought and could have gone without a reminder. Fortunately the only large boat we encountered was a mega yacht that pulled out a ways in front of us. Following his lights out the cut was a nice addition to our chart plotter. We were told that the first three miles would be bumpy but it would calm down to the predicted two to threes after that.  Well bumpy was an understatement. The waves were coming from all different directions and when waves splash over the bow and the spray hits the fly bridge, bumpy is not a word I would use to describe them. Because it was dark you had no idea from which direction the next big one would hit you. It was pretty intense. Tom did a lot of swearing, I fell down twice trying to move from one side of the fly bridge to the other and Peanut was absolutely a mess. I put her up on the bench hoping that would help. She ended up in my lap her head in my armpit shaking like a leaf. To keep from falling again and provide support for Peanut I stayed put.  The beautiful glow from the waters edge, a sign of  the upcoming dawn was a sight for sore eyes, and other parts.  We could finally see the water and adjust our angle to head into waves.  After the sun came up I took over the wheel. I announced "brace yourself" before each of the bigger waves so Tom didn't end up on the floor as I did.  For the very first time ever Peanut crawled up on Toms lap and hid under his arm pit as she had done with me.  About noon the waves subsided to the two to threes so I carefully ventured down to the galley to make lunch. It looked as if someone had come in and ransacked our boat. Anything that was sitting up was now laying on its side or worse on the floor. I have a three tiered hanging basket in the galley that was full of potatoes. The basket was nowhere to be found. I found potatoes on the floor, up in the salon, under the table and even in the sink! Guess I should be glad I wasn't down there to get one in the head! I made lunch which required good balance but didn't bother to pick up anything that fell. After all it would just fall again. By late afternoon the waves subsided to one to twos, the water turned a beautiful emerald green and we could see the bottom even at a depth of twenty feet! Peanut had calmed down and we were enjoying the ride. As we talked about the mornings events and I warned Ton about the mess below he admitted that he almost turned us around, especially when things didn't improve after traveling the three miles. Because the Gulf Stream runs North we were told to run our course ten degrees off because the stream would correct it, keeping us from overshooting our destination.  It was good advise. At 5 pm we were safely tied up at the fuel dock and heading up to the immigration office to check in. Laughter had brought us across safely to the Bahamas! We did it!

                                    Waves breaking over the bow crossing the Straits of Florida

                                                       Another shot of the waves we battled

Sunrise

Feb. 10-15th Weathered in at Lake Sylvia

The first 2-3 days anchored in Lake Sylvia were fun.  Two canals joined the lake with street levels bridges. It was an easy dingy ride down the canal, across the ICW then down another short canal to a Raw Bar.  The bar allowed you to tie your dingy up to their dock only asking that you eat or drink at their bar in return.  From the Raw Bar it was a nice walk to a local outside mall area. They had the biggest wine/liquor store I had ever been in!  I swear it was the size of a Kroger or Stracks. Great prices too so we stocked up one more time before leaving the states.  One evening we enjoyed dinner with the daughter of a good friend who lives about 45 minutes from our boat. Another evening we enjoyed the company of a couple we had met at the AGLCA  conference in October.  By Sunday the 12th we were beginning to get antsy. It sounded like the next weather window for crossing to the Bahamas would be Wednesday, the 15th but we still had not met anyone who was crossing. We had said all along we would not attempt the crossing alone but now had to reevaluate that decision.  I had even posted a note on the AGLCA blog in hopes of boosting our chances. New boats arrived  throughout the day on Monday, most of them sail. We would routinely take our dingy around, meet the new arrivals and ask their destination. No luck finding a boating buddy but we did meet a very nice couple from Manchester England who winter in Florida and spend their summers sailing in Turkey. Nice huh?! We had a lovely time talking with them and they told us to look them up when we come over to England in September.  Back to the boat, we again sat on the aft deck reviewed weather, charts and talked about what to do.  This time when we looked up to watch another boat come in and anchor we realized we knew them.It was Little Mick.  Excited, Tom hailed them on the radio. Yes, they were crossing with two other boats, yes they were leaving on Wednesday! Whew Hoo! Only one slight problem, they were going to West End. We were going to Port Lucaya. We checked out our charts and confirmed that our paths would be similar for a while so we would at least have visual company for a pretty good distance.  Port Lucaya is about 20 miles further than West End so we were happy to hear that they wanted to leave at 4:30 am. That would assure our arriving in Port Lucaya in the daylight. Little did I know that the calm that I finally felt about the crossing would be short lived.  On Tuesday we had a four way planning conversation via the VHF firm up plans. Little Mick and his friends had decided to wait until 6:30 am to leave! That would put us in Port Lucaya in the dark. So much for company. Now Tom and I had a decision to make. We either change our plans and travel to West End, wait for a few days in hopes of meeting another boat or go on our own to Port Lucaya. Tom was adameant. He did not want to pay the $100.00 dock fee to stay the night at West End and we did not want to wait for the next weather window. sooooooo we were again on our own.  I put the waypoints in the GPS, double checked them and Tom did the engine checks. We set our alarm for 4am. The decision was made!

                               A company making a commercial for jet pack tourist attraction

                                               An interesting bar along the ICW

                                              A mansion and their matching Megayacht

                                             Two megayachts we passed on our dingys each day at Lake Sylvia

Back at Last - Let's catch up from No Name Harbor to Lake Sylvia

I deeply apologize for the long lapse in posts.  We have had a lack of Internet service, poor Internet service, a week when I flew home etc.  I know, excuses, excuses.  We spent one night in No-Name Harbor. Our next destination and our jumping off point for the Bahamas would be Sylvia Lake.  The weather was still ugly, overcast sky's and very windy. It rained off and on all morning.  The sight of the Miami skyline was another one of those "wows" for us even in the bad weather. We are really traveling down the ICW through Miami Florida on our own boat!  Have you heard the phrase, "size is relative"?  Well when your 42 foot boat is first in line patiently waiting for a bridge to open and two mega yachts approach and pass you just as the bridge opens I guess they figure size does matter!  We found the yachts and boats in general to be a little rude today. They pull out in front of you, pass you at full throttle, and take as much space out of the middle as they choose. I found myself playing a couple games of chicken down the ICW.  The bridges are very close together and only open on the hour and half hour.  We were able to pass under all but two of them.  As we approached one of the last bridges before our destination we knew we had about a foot clearance.  Only inches away from the bridge a bicyclist on the bridge starts yelling NO! NO! stop don't do it!  From his viewpoint he was sure we were going to hit the bridge.  I took a deep breath,( maybe to make us shorter), and under we went. On the other side I waved at the bridge tender and looked for the bicyclist. But he was nowhere to be seen.  Once through the downtown areas of Fort Lauderdale the industrial area was in view. Port Everglades was an extremely busy port and the water was choppy from all of the activity of the cruise ships and freighters.  Just before we reached the point where the ships exit to the Atlantic all traffic was stopped by the water police to allow a large freighter to leave its dock and head out to sea.  Some of us obeyed, others had to be yelled at by the police.  There was a large Carnival Cruise ship docked and we had to pass very close to it.  I stood on the aft deck and waved to the passengers and took some photos but not a sole waved back.  The next day I read in the paper that the ship had to return to port because 300+ passengers and crew became ill on the cruise.  Could be why they didn't smile and wave.  We arrived at Lake Sylvia about 2pm.  It is more like a bay than a lake.  I was a little worried that it would be full of boats waiting to cross but to my surprise there were only about five other boats anchored.  We found a spot with a view of a huge mansion from our aft deck and settled in.

                                                        A view of our apporach to Miami

               

                                                              Miami

                                                          On the ICW through Miami

                 A canal that we went down in Lauderdale to fuel up. Very quaint area