The beautiful Bahama waters

Lunch time - cracked conch

WishBone in Blue Water Marina, Bimini

Her courtesy flag flying high!

 

 

The VHF call was from Release, "Do you see them?"  The Bahamas were in sight! Yeah!  We left Miami at 5 a.m. Monday, motored through Government Cut with all the other cruise ships coming in, and motored across the Gulf.  There was little wind and no sails were hauled.  The water was rolly, but not bad.  We pulled into Alice Town, Bimini around 2:30 p.m. and cleared customs.  We took April to the beach where is romped and played as only April can.  We are staying at Bimini Blue Water Marina while we wait for another weather window.  HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Sunday, December 29th

Miami from the anchorage here in Key Biscayne last night

Crashed after a great run on the beach and playing as only April can with a coconut

April and Skipper in April's dinghy dolphin watching - there were so many it took all morning!

 

Again, the anchorage in Mariner's Stadium, Key Biscayne - it is hot and hazy.

 

We left Ft. Lauderdale yesterday morning with Release and started the great bridge marathon that one must endure to get to Miami of 13 restricted bridges.  All the bridges only open at restricted times.  If you don't make that time one must wait until the next scheduled time.  That is not always easy.  We made it as far as Mauli Lake, dropped anchor for lunch and a bridge break, and headed out again.  We stopped for fuel along the way and watched good sized cruisers being towed off the shoal.  It was like a party with lots of observers in boats and kayaks and people standing on the shoal watching.  We had gotten a heads up from another cruiser so knew enough to hug the green markers.  However, even with that knowledge, we had a small boat get between us and a green marker to tell us we only had six feet of water as we bumped and bumped again.  I told him we didn't have six feet because he was in it.  Anyway, we made it into Miami and then on into the anchorage at Mariner's Stadium, Key Biscayne.  We plan to leave here tomorrow, Monday, with Release to cross the Gulf Stream into Bimini.  Our phone will be shut off.  I will continue to post the blog when wifi is available.  We are excited to get to the islands, and have our fingers crossed all goes well.

 



December 26th

We did some boat work in the morning on Christmas Day after a beautiful walk on the beach in the AM and in the afternoon we had Christmas dinner aboard Release.  We talked with Geoff and Renee and caught up with home in the evening.  Today, we worked on provisioning again as far as propane, boat spare parts, dog food, etc.  Franci and I took the dogs to the ocean boardwalk to shop while Ken and Bill did the marine supply, hardware store, etc. end.  What attention our two dogs get when on the boardwalk.  Picture taking and the whole business!  Tomorrow we head for Miami for our crossing to the Bahamas.  There we will wait for the weather window.  I am really excited that we have actually made it!

Christmas Eve
We are in Las Olas Marina in Ft. Lauderdale.  What a beautiful place to be on Christmas Eve!  I provisioned today with food, etc. and found a place for it all.  Bus to the store, taxi back.  Franci came with me and April and Skipper stayed with Bill and Ken who did boat work - specifically work on our shaft.  It is moving forward and we cannot determine why.  We will have Christmas tomorrow with Ken and Franci and a friend of theirs who lives here in Ft. Lauderdale.  Thursday will be getting more provisioning done re: boat spare parts, dog supplies, laundry, etc.  Then we will be hopefully looking for that weather window to cross either from here or from Miami.  A front is coming through with lots of wind from the NE and a little rain.  However, the temps are still in the 70's and I am loving that.  MERRY CHRISTMAS from all aboard WishBone!  Thanks for checking in with us and keeping in touch.  There is no phone service for us in the Bahamas and limited wifi, but I will post to the blog when I can.  Lots of Love.

Monday. December 23rd

We hauled anchor with Release from Lantana at 7:00 a.m. All was well until Bill did the boat check and found our dripless bearing was leaking like a sieve.  We had 13 restricted bridges to go through and we did maybe 5 when the bilge pump could not handle the water.  So we anchored, Release pulled up right behind us. We rafted.  Ken and Bill were down in the engine room at least an hour.  Problem solved, we continued on and made all the remaining bridges - with the help of two power boats - and are now in Ft. Lauderdale.  We are exhausted but fine and tomorrow will think about the Christmas celebration.  Love to all.

Sunday, December 22nd

Another very windy but warm and sunny day on the waterway.  We are beginning to look tanned.  April is soaking up the heat and drinking a lot of water.  We did five more bridges today going only eighteen miles in five and one half hours!  What speed!  We missed a couple of the scheduled openings and so had to dance around the channel waiting for the next opening.  We dropped anchor with Release in Lantana.  With an early start tomorrow morning, we should hopefully be able to make Ft. Lauderdale and Los Olas Marina tomorrow afternoon.  We will be there for a few days to provision for the Bahamas.

 

Anchored by the Jensen Beach Causeway Bridge

There has been discussion about how much longer the ICW will be able to be navigated and then today we see this dredging project.  We do need to do more of this if the channel is to remain open.

 

Just some beautiful homes we saw today along the Jupiter Island area of the ICW

Saturday, December 21st

Eureka!  We finally caught up with our friends Ken and Francie and Skipper on Release.  They were anchored at Jensen Beach Causeway waiting for us.  We had a great celebration with endless stories and a great dinner Francie prepared and a game of cribbage.  This morning we were off and running to Lake Worth.  It was a day of many restricted bridges and many boaters out on the waterways on this beautiful day.  This is the third day in a row we've had shorts on!  We are headed for Ft. Lauderdale to provision for our crossing to the islands. 

Thursday, December 19th

Bill and April had a quick trip around the small island we were anchored in front of and after breakfast we pulled anchor and headed for Vero Beach.  A boat check revealed that the dripless bearing was leaking A LOT.  Okay, change of plans.  Called USBoat for a marina that could help us out.  Sebastian was the nearest and we headed for it - 8 miles out.  We've been in Sebastian before with Snow Goose.  One of the many times we lost the exhaust connection.  We found the channel and headed in.  They had our problem solved within an hour and we went off again headed for Vero Beach.  We fueled at Vero and watered and rafted with an abandoned boat.  April had long walks, we had showers and food and we are ready to meet our friends Ken, Francie and Skipper tomorrow in Jensen Beach Causeway and begin our plans for crossing to the Bahamas.

Wednesday, December 18th

We had a nice voyage yesterday, cold in the beginning of the day but warming up into the 60's and uneventful.  We started out against the tide, but after a short time caught the tide and ended up in Titusville - a good run.  We docked in those darn poles.  You need every line aboard to tie up - two for the bow, two for the stern and a mid ship.  Makes for a lot of work coming and going.  The highlight of the day was a big dog park we found for April.  She played and she play with the other dogs.  There was a 4 month old Goldendoodle who was tired by the time April left.  We got an early start this morning.  Bill back out of that dock - pilings on all sides - like the expert.  April was on the bow to give the goodbyes to all admirers.  There is no tide here on the Indian River, the wind was blowing 15 to 20 right up our stern, so we did our cruising speed of 6.5 or better the entire day with skinny water.  It makes one wonder how much longer boats will be able to navigate the ICW.  We are anchored tonight off a couple of islands near Sebastian, FL.  We had anchored with Snow Goose and decided April would enjoy the islands, and she did.  She went for a swim and ran around free as a bird.  There is still a little too much wind, but hopefully it will die down.  Tomorrow we will make a short run to Vero Beach for fuel and water, fish oil and vitamins for our itchy April - and a bath.  Friday we will meet Ken and Francie Bushee at Jensen Beach Causeway and plan our crossing to the Bahamas!  We have finally caught up with them!  We are hoping all our followers are having a happy holiday season.  Bill, Barb and April wish you the best of  holiday greetings.

Monday, December 16th
The thunderstorms came into St. Augustine Saturday afternoon and did it rain and it continued through the night and didn't let up until Sunday afternoon.  Our intention was to head out Sunday morning, but I didn't think that was such a good idea and didn't meet with any opposition.  It rained so hard that one could take a bath in dinghy.  Bill bailed out 37 two gallon buckets and then pumped and pumped some more.

We left the dock at 7:15 this morning, temperature 38 degrees, and had a good cold running day with the tides.  We made it through some skinny water and Devil's Elbow (the last time we went through there with Snow Goose we were aground high and dry - thank you TowBoat US).  We are in Daytona Beach this evening, but it is still very cold.  They are predicting a cold night but warmer day tomorrow - please!

Happy Birthday Geoffrey.  We love you and miss you.  April sends her special kisses.

Saturday, December 14th

Beautiful St. Augustine

 

April was a little intimidated by the horses

 

Tour boat waiting for the Bridge of Lions to open

Patio dining

Thursday, December 12

It is not easy keyboarding with the rocking and rolling we are  having, but here I go.  We got off to a late start, 9 AM, somewhat because of the tide and somewhat because of Miss April who has been having a intestinal problem for the past couple of day, which means Mon and Dad have been having a lot of no sleep nights.  Anyway, we left about 9 am with a lot of NE wind and a temperature of 54 degrees.  But we had the water and tide with us so we arrived at St. Augustine around 2 pm at the fuel dock  April being what she was, we decided to take a slip.  It was like we had arrived in familiar territory and a very nice feeling.  We were able to enjoy the back porch and watch the other vessels come in. We have fueled, and will water and then provision. We both need hair cuts and I need to shop in the old town.  So we will probably be here two days and then on to Daytona.  We are beginning to see Christmas.

Wednesday, December 11th

We needed the assistance of two line handlers to get off the dock this morning against the wind and tide, but made it and were off to Jacksonville - our stopover before St. Augustine.  We hadn't left Fernandina Beach for long when the skinny water found us again.  The first bump was big, followed by a couple more.  As I was in the head at the time, it was quite a surprise!  The cold front is still blowing in, so it was a windy day but without rain and 61 degrees cold is much  better than 28 degrees.

Tuesday, December 10th

With all good intentions to  be under way early, when we got up yesterday the fog was so dense you couldn't see your nose in front of your face, and it didn't even begin to think about lifting until noon time.  So, too late for us to get anywhere, we stayed in Brunswick, called a taxi to take us to PetSmart for dog food.  That was an experience.  The taxi was on its way to pick us up, but there was a young mother and baby that needed to get to the hospital quickly.  So we waved that taxi on.  The next taxi picked us up, we traveled to the bridge where the vehicle got a flat tire - major blowout.  Okay.  Another taxi picks us up and takes us to the wrong pet store - however, we clarified that issue and arrived at PetSmart.  When we returned to the marina with our two 40 lbs bags of dog food and treats we were told we owed them $4.00 for the dog.  That did not set well with Bill as I had asked the price of the fare when I called for a pickup.  Of course Bill told them she was a service dog and a call to the AG's office might be needed.  Bill got a phone call back from the taxi company later with a apology - first for the service (3 cabs) and then for charging $ for April.  Brunswick was a good stop for April as she charmed the dock master and everyone on the dock, and there was a huge park where she could run free.  We left Brunswick this morning and are now in Fernandina Beach, Florida - a cause for celebration!!!!  We dodged a cold front coming in the whole way down the waterway, but then after arriving at Fernandina Beach and while walking April we got caught in a down pour.  Showers and the laundry dryers followed.  We found some fresh snapper in the fish store for dinner, met some fellow cruisers we have  been traveling with and a couple from Portsmouth NH.  Weather permitting, we hope to be continuing our travel south to meet up with our dear friends on Release in Stuart, FL.

Sunday, December 8th

It was so beautiful at sunset where we anchored on the Dublin River.  However, it rained and blew up during the night and then the fog rolled in.  By morning, it was very foggy and cold.  However, we decided moving would be better than sitting it out in a place with nothing going on, so we donned the foul weather gear, wrapped up the dog, and headed out.  As we came out of the Dublin River, a Canadian boat crossed in front of us going along the ICW.  We followed them all day through some of the poorest parts of the ditch, but we had the tide with us so the water was high and we did just fine.  We are in Brunswick tonight and intend to be in Fernandina Beach tomorrow.

 

Dublin River

Saturday

We traveled in the fog this morning, but the weather was warm.  We left Delegal Island and plowed through the mud in Hells Gate.  Georgia should reimburse WishBone for dredging the ditch.  We were in mud so deep even the depth sounder alarm quit.  The sun finally found us this afternoon and the water got deeper.  We had to fight the tide off and on all day.  We made 50 miles and dropped anchor in the Duplin River, just off Doboy Sound.  Bill fired up the outboard and dinghy with April aboard have gone into the ferry terminal pier.  I'm on anchor watch.  Tomorrow brings us very close to being out of Georgia and into Florida!  This is the second day I've had shorts on and I'm loving it!

April's new ride - Dad we have to get one of these!

 

 

The marina at Delegal Island is inexpensive and the sun was shining and it was warm this morning.  We decided to take a day off from the waterway and stay for the day and enjoy the island.  We took the golf cart and headed for the village only to find that we were running out of charge, so we turned around and went back to the marina.  We just made it.  We then took the fully charged cart and went to the Village.  April loved every minute of the ride.  Squirrel hunting is unbelievable along the golf course paths from the cart!  We had the first pizza in a long time at the Village Bar & Grill along with one of their craft beers.  We did some banking, grocery shopping and enjoyed our day.  

Thursday, December 5th

Again today we got an early start and were underway at 7:15 a.m.  We left Skull Creek and traveled only a short distance when the fog rolled in.  We decided to continue on.  The fog lifted after about half an hour.  However, it wasn't long before it reappeared and we traveled in the fog all morning.  We were glad we made the decision not to sail outside today.  We also had the tide against us all morning so the going was very slow.  We are now in Georgia, the land of the marine mechanic bandit Tommy Lee.  We are off Skidaway Island tonight, just off the ICW.  This is another of those golf course residential places i.e. Hilton Head.  Great for walking April (on leash) as there are golf cart paths everywhere and little traffic.  She did get to do some off leash squirrel hunting around the marina - boy, do they have squirrels.  Again today, it was warm and once the fog burned off it was 70 degrees.  We are now seeing the big shrimp boats along with the crab boats.  We are also seeing dolphins - finally! 

December 4th

We left Charleston in a docking flurry - there was a huge wooden boat in back of us at the fuel dock.  We wanted to leave and they were not moving.  Nobody was showing up at the marina to offer help with lines.  So we decided we can do this backing up out of the dock with the tide against us around this wooden boat.  Well we live to tell about it, but it wasn't pretty.  Dinghy did a fly over the dock as the tide pushed our bow back in.  Poor dinghy.  We had a good day after that event though and spent the evening off Parrott Creek and the Morgan River in Dataw Island.  Today we are in Hilton Head after another good day with the tides.  It hit 80 degrees here in the late afternoon.  April had a bath and we did some good dog walks.  Tomorrow it is Georgia!

December 2, 2013

We are south of Charleston tonight back on the ICW.  We fought the tide today, especially through the Elliot Cut.  I've marked the chart to make sure to check the tides before we go through there again.  We were lucky to be moving in a forward motion.  At the worst we were doing 1.1 knots and holding our breath.  Good think it wasn't very long.  Yesterday we had skinny water all day, but had the tide with us.  We know our depth sounder alarm works.  All day long the depth sounder and the knots we reading close to the same numbers.  We also have been doing the crazy swing bridges that only open on the hour during certain hours. The weather has turned warmer for us in the past couple of days - 40's at night and 50's during the day.  The sunshine certainly does a lot for the attitude.  We are traveling with the same boats now.  There is a wooden boat from Blue Hill, Maine with a family aboard - 3 young sons and a daughter and Cousteau the dog.  They had to repower in Elizabeth City.  They are a really nice family headed for the Bahamas.  We have almost made the acquaintance of a couple from Oriental aboard Kittiwait who have taken a year off from teaching to travel to the islands.  We think the tide might be more favorable tomorrow along with the bridges.  Who knows about the skinny water - we will find out.  Happy Birthday Greg - all our love, hugs and wet dog kisses from April!