Go Faster!!!
Watching the world go by
Conch blowing time in Angelfish Point anchorage
Charter as the Rock in the Center of the World - ?
Oops, caught Ken at the wrong moment!
The Captain aboard WishBone!
Sunday, April 27, 2014
Sunday, April 27, 2014
We left Green Turtle Cay with the tide on Tuesday afternoon headed for Angelfish Point and an overnight anchorage. The trip was beautiful but we were sad to leave the Abaco cays. We were now on our journey toward the crossing to the US. Wednesday morning we were up early and sailing for Great Sale Cay. What a big pretty anchorage we found. Haven saw us coming in and radioed us there was lots of room to anchor. Once we were set, we took the dinghy into a cement dock Active Captain referred to and found the path toward a beautiful beach and shoreline where April could run and we could all swim. Release joined us there and we had a really nice walk. Again up with the early light on Thursday and off and running toward West End, Grand Bahama Cay, another long run. We got to West End about 4 pm and looked around for an anchorage. The bottom was narly with rocks and some small spots of sand, so we went into the marina. We washed down the boat, had a swim and caught up with some other cruisers who were planning on crossing the next day. All systems were go, so Friday morning, again at first light, we left the marina headed toward Lake Worth Inlet, Florida. We had some East wind just off our nose for awhile so we pulled the sail but then it turned toward the West and really was on our nose most of the way. So it was a motor trip for the most part. During our trip we saw two fin back whales, some flying fish, and we had a hitchhiker aboard - a little bird who would land on the boat, ride for awhile and then take off, only to appear again a little later. He actually spent some time down in the cabin resting. We came through the Lake Worth Inlet at 5:10 pm, looked at the anchorage around Peanut Island, but decided to head to our usual spot about 1/2 mile north of the inlet to anchor. We called Customs and gave them all the information and were told to go to the nearest Customs office within 24 hours. However, they neglected to tell us that the nearest office was closed on Saturday. After a lot of hassle trying to determine how we check in, we were told to go to the airport Customs office - they were open on Saturday. Release joined us and all four of us and two dogs took a taxi to the tune of $70.00 each way to the airport to check in. No wonder people don't bother!
We plan to stay here in Lake Worth today, Sunday. The waterway is very busy on weekends with small boaters out, especially in this 90 degree weather. Bill wanted to change the oil in the engine and transmission and has done that this morning. After our very long days last week, it has been nice to relax today. Tomorrow we will start our journey North on the ICW into Stuart, Florida. We have seven bridges to hail to request an opening, so it will be a slow journey.
We left Green Turtle Cay with the tide on Tuesday afternoon headed for Angelfish Point and an overnight anchorage. The trip was beautiful but we were sad to leave the Abaco cays. We were now on our journey toward the crossing to the US. Wednesday morning we were up early and sailing for Great Sale Cay. What a big pretty anchorage we found. Haven saw us coming in and radioed us there was lots of room to anchor. Once we were set, we took the dinghy into a cement dock Active Captain referred to and found the path toward a beautiful beach and shoreline where April could run and we could all swim. Release joined us there and we had a really nice walk. Again up with the early light on Thursday and off and running toward West End, Grand Bahama Cay, another long run. We got to West End about 4 pm and looked around for an anchorage. The bottom was narly with rocks and some small spots of sand, so we went into the marina. We washed down the boat, had a swim and caught up with some other cruisers who were planning on crossing the next day. All systems were go, so Friday morning, again at first light, we left the marina headed toward Lake Worth Inlet, Florida. We had some East wind just off our nose for awhile so we pulled the sail but then it turned toward the West and really was on our nose most of the way. So it was a motor trip for the most part. During our trip we saw two fin back whales, some flying fish, and we had a hitchhiker aboard - a little bird who would land on the boat, ride for awhile and then take off, only to appear again a little later. He actually spent some time down in the cabin resting. We came through the Lake Worth Inlet at 5:10 pm, looked at the anchorage around Peanut Island, but decided to head to our usual spot about 1/2 mile north of the inlet to anchor. We called Customs and gave them all the information and were told to go to the nearest Customs office within 24 hours. However, they neglected to tell us that the nearest office was closed on Saturday. After a lot of hassle trying to determine how we check in, we were told to go to the airport Customs office - they were open on Saturday. Release joined us and all four of us and two dogs took a taxi to the tune of $70.00 each way to the airport to check in. No wonder people don't bother!
We plan to stay here in Lake Worth today, Sunday. The waterway is very busy on weekends with small boaters out, especially in this 90 degree weather. Bill wanted to change the oil in the engine and transmission and has done that this morning. After our very long days last week, it has been nice to relax today. Tomorrow we will start our journey North on the ICW into Stuart, Florida. We have seven bridges to hail to request an opening, so it will be a slow journey.
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Wednesday, April 16th
This is our third day in Black Sound, Green Turtle Cay. We left Guana Cay with the tide on Monday
morning and sailed around the Whale inlet (out into the Atlantic and then back
into the Abaco Sea) and into very shallow waters into Black Sound settlement on
Green Turtle. The hop was only about 12
miles so we were in Green Turtle for lunch.
We are on a mooring ball owned by Donny’s Boat Rentals at incredibly low
rate of $10 per day. As with our whole
trip, we will be here for awhile waiting for a break in the weather. Now we are experiencing thunderstorms with
squalls of heavy wind, Spring in the Abacos.
Bill is off right now trying to get a part and fix for the
outboard that is needed in order to lift the motor when going through shallow
water.
We have been walking the beaches and swimming and touring
the island shops, stores and restaurants.
If we stay here longer we will rent a cart and go to the other side of
Green Turtle to White Sound.
Saturday, April 19th
Still in Green Turtle hanging onto that mooring ball and
waiting out yet another day of thunderstorms.
Our golf cart ride was lots of fun, checking out all the back roads and
remote beaches, Francie and Ken and Skipper and Bill and I and April all
hanging on over the rough “roads.” I
tried to get some laundry and shopping done yesterday, but it was Good Friday
and everything was closed. The Bahamas
are in the Bible belt as far as businesses being open on holy days, including
Sundays.
We are now watching the weather carefully. We are three days away from our
crossing. We will go from here to Sale
Cay, on to West End in the Grand Bahamas and then cross to West Palm
Beach. Laying over in West End can be
expensive, so we don’t want to get stuck there for too many days.
April is now as bleached out as we are
tanned. I rinse the salt out of her coat
whenever I find free water. However, it
only lasts a few hours, if that, and she is back in the water again. Swimming and lizard hunting – what a
life! She now spends a lot of her time
on the deck of the boat, basking in the sun and checking out activity on shore.
Sunday, April 13, 2014
Wednesday, April 9th
We are on a mooring in beautiful Hope Town, Elbow Cay. I thought we had seen the best of the
islands, but Hope Town is outstanding.
We came over from the boat yard on Saturday morning with the incoming
tide. We had to snake around the shallow
waters to get to the entrance to Hope Town harbor and we will have to have the
incoming tide on our way out. But it is
worth the stop. There are miles and
miles of beautiful tranquil beaches on the Atlantic side and Easter egg colored
houses and shops in the settlement.
April is totally enjoying her freedom to hunt lizards and swim in the
surf on the beach. There are no big
resorts here and the atmosphere is very laid back. The harbor is like a hurricane hole, totally
protected on all sides, which is good because last night the winds started to
blow and haven’t let up today. We are
happy with the shaft work done at the boat yard. All seems to be better than ever.
Saturday, April 12th
We left Hope Town on Thursday with the early morning tide
headed for Man O Way Cay. The scoped out
possible anchorages along the cay and decided to head into the harbor. The entrance to the harbor was VERY narrow
and we lost any depth as soon as we got through the entrance. We checked out the East harbor, picked up a
mooring and dropped it again. It didn’t
look like it was well maintained. We
decided to head for the North harbor. We
grounded out on our way across – misread the markers. We eventually got clear and made it into the
North harbor and picked up a marina mooring. Unlike Hope Town, Man O War is mostly long
term residential. We walked the streets,
checked out the local museum and talked with the people there. Then we headed for Dock and Dine for fresh
Mahi Mahi.
Friday morning – again with the tide – we made our way out
of Man o War and sailed to Guana Cay.
Guana is supposed to have some of the best beautiful beaches in the
Abacos. We picked up Dive Guana’s
mooring, checked in with them and then headed out to tour the island. We found again a more residential cay. However, we did find Nippers Bar & Grill
located right on a beautiful beach on the Atlantic side. However, to April’s dismay, there are no
curly tail lizards in Guana Cay. Today
we had hoped to rent a cart and tour the cay.
It is too long to walk and we want to see the northern most end.
We are going to run out of islands soon. Treasure Cay and Green Turtle are next up to
the north. Then we will head towards an
area to wait for crossing weather.Sunday morning
We had a very wet but fun golf cart ride around Guana Gay. Ken, Francie, Skipper, Bill, April and I all in one cart was nothing but fun!
Friday, April 4, 2014
Friday, April 4th
As of 2 o'clock this afternoon the boat is all fixed and back in the water. Yeah! We have been happy with the work done here. We still need to clean up the boatyard grime and then tomorrow we are back on the waters. We plan to wait for the tide so we can get into Hopetown on Elbow Cay.
As of 2 o'clock this afternoon the boat is all fixed and back in the water. Yeah! We have been happy with the work done here. We still need to clean up the boatyard grime and then tomorrow we are back on the waters. We plan to wait for the tide so we can get into Hopetown on Elbow Cay.
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Marsh Harbour, Abaco
Conky Joe's Bar and Grill.
Conky Joe's daughter #2 cracking the conch for conch fritters - the best in the Bahamas
Conky Joe's daughter #1 waitress and bartender
The owner of Conky Joe's is the US ambassador in the Bahamas. If you need anything, he is the go to guy. Conky Joe's is a family run business and the oldest of the five children work in the restaurant.
Saturday craft fair in Marsh Harbour. Fun jewelry made from local shells and coconuts.
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