Saturday, March 14, 2009

March 6 to March 9 Updates - Sorry no internet until now!!!!!


The beach at Powell Cay on the Sea of Abaco


The coral banks at Manjack Cay



Friday, March 6 - Powell Cay Anchorage
Position: N 26° .53’.999, W 077° .29’.051
We sailed the mere 10.5 nm to the Powell Cay Anchorage where secluded beautiful white beaches were waiting. Oh…we caught our very first FISH!!!! We were SO excited. Thanks to Joe and Roxy who brought us the lucky lure and fishing pole! We were trolling along using a yellow skirted lure and a 2 ft. long Ceral (spelling?) Mackeral caught the line and Chris reeled him in. We weren’t sure exactly what he was so we took him over to Tomlin Too who helped Chris clean him and later we all got together for some Chili and Cornbread on the Long Gone with the fish for appetizers. Tom dredged him in flour, salt and pepper and fried him up and he was DELICIOUS!!!

Saturday, March 7 - Great Sale Anchorage
Position: N 26° .58’.713, W 078° .12’.912
It was 42.8 nm from Powell Cay to Great Sale. We had anchored here before on the way to Marsh Harbour so we knew the holding was excellent. Tomlin Too, a Hunter 450 traveled the southern route and we went over the top as we had on the previous trip. We arrived basically at the same time and another couple from Boat Harbour, Toucan II was also in the anchorage. Linda again cooked us a wonderful meal of lasagna, I brought the salad, Toucan brought the appetizers and much wine was consumed and stories swapped.

Sunday, March 8 to Monday, March 9 - The Crossing
We left Great Sale about 10 am in ROLLING and confused seas and no wind. Yuck. Fortunately about midnight the seas calmed a bit and the wind picked up a bit. Then we hit the Gulf Stream and that definitely changed our outlook. We were making 9.9 kts in only 7 kts of wind. WOW! What a ride. We are currently in Cape Canaveral at Cape Marina, right off the barge canal and about 6 miles from the ocean. Chris and I were actually here about 10 years ago because the Royal Caribbean Ship, Majesty of the Seas is directly across the canal from us. Lots of boating activity around here so it’s kind of rolling in the slip, but it was great to have a long hot shower after 5 days of anchoring out and worrying about running out of water. NEXT time we will definitely have a water maker!

We called Customs upon arrival and our presence was required at the Homeland Security Office so we started the 2 mile trek and were offered a ride by a commercial fisherman who was sitting in the marina parking lot. It was much appreciated because we are really TIRED. These all night sails are not good for sleeping but with the full moon last night, it was really gorgeous! I think Chris got in about ½ hr and me about the same. The auto pilot gave up the ghost AGAIN last night so it was hand steering all the way over. Yuck!!! Originally we had planned to go into Ft. Pierce Inlet but we were making such great time with the stream’s push that we would have arrived in Ft. Pierce before daybreak so decided to alter course and come in here. There’s a space shuttle launch (we are SO lucky) that Chris is dying to see so we’ll leave the marina tomorrow and go find a suitable viewing spot for watching. It’s a night launch and should be spectacular!

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