Yesterday Chris and I borrowed our boat neighbors' bikes and rode to Plymouth, a small settlement on Black Sound (we are in White Sound - a bit deeper). It was surprisingly hilly and the roads here are a bit "rustic" - some are paved, some are dirt but it's usually a combination of the two. We found Angie's Bakery and bought a brownie goody, went into the local hardware store (actually very well equipped) and into the local marine store (very pricey!). We tried to visit the library to donate our used books, but they were closed yesterday so we'll have to wait until we get to Marsh Harbour.
Today our adventure was a L-O-N-G walk. We started down a dirt road that appeared to be going in the direction of the beach and it wandered up and down hills but eventually we came across this lovely deserted white sandy beach which started out as sand, ended up as rock (and I had on flip-flops). We finally found a house and wandered up their lawn and driveway, ending up on a dirt road and had no idea where we were. We walked a few more miles and finally spotted a gentleman walking so we asked directions. For such a small island, there are lots of little dirt roads!
We had a late lunch at the Green Turtle Club today. Chris had a blackened grouper sandwich and I had grouper fingers and fries and both entrees were excellent! We certainly have taken advantage of our boat dollars here for sure! Happy hour begins here at 4 pm in the Lounge which is decorated with every kind of yacht club flag you could ever imagine!
This morning we listened to our first Marsh Harbour cruisers net at 8:15 am to 9:00 am on VHF channel 68. Patti gives weather, stock prices, headline news, there's an open mike section where all "new" boats into Abaco are to introduce themselves (and we did) and then the "contributors" call in from all the outer cays to report passage conditions that day. Nobody was crossing the Great Whale Cay Passage today as seas were forecasted to be 8-11 ft. Yikes - NO THANKS! We're hoping that this front dies down by Friday so we can again be on the move as there is another front right in back of this one forecasted for Saturday. All the waypoints are in for Marsh Harbour and it's a short jump - only about 30 miles or so. Unfortunately part of that is through the Great Whale - so cross your fingers for us!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Photos as promised - Double click photo to enlarge
Coming in to Green Turtle Cay - VERRRRY shallow! EEK!
Sunset at Great Sale Cay Anchorage over the Bahama Bank
A view of the pool at Old Bahama Bay Marina in West End.
Old Bahama Bay Marina in West End, Bahamas. VERY nice place!!!!
A few of the Jupiter Inlet Light House. We didn't go out here as we just kept on the ICW.
Monday, January 5, 2009
January 5 - We're in Green Turtle Cay
It was another long day as we motor sailed from Great Sale Anchorage to Green Turtle Cay. We are tucked in tight for the next 3 days as "Rages" are forecasted on Tuesday/Wednesday nights. On Wednesday evening, a front is predicted and 35-45 kt. winds are forecasted. We are at Green Turtle Cay Club Resort - way back in a secluded cove off the Bahama Bank. We didn't get here until 4 pm so haven't had the opportunity to explore yet. But they have a deal going where if you eat at their restaurant, your bill is applied to dockage so needless to say, we are on our way out to dinner. It sure beats the pasta with leftover brats that we had intended to make for tonight. Chris is having fresh Mahi and I've elected the coconut encrusted fresh shrimp! Can't wait to have someone else cook and clean up!
I promise, promise, promise to post pictures tomorrow. Right now, I'm dreaming of a long long long HOT shower, a cold glass of wine and dinner!
I promise, promise, promise to post pictures tomorrow. Right now, I'm dreaming of a long long long HOT shower, a cold glass of wine and dinner!
January 4, 2009 – Great Sale Cay Anchorage – passed Crishy Swash Cay (no lie)!
Position: N26º 58’.687 W076º 13’076
We left West End at 7:45 am which, in retrospect, was too late. We didn’t feel comfortable in taking the Indian Cay Passage due to depth constraints so we went 15 nm out of the way to Memory Rock, then onto Mangrove Cay and finally to Great Sale Cay. We didn’t arrive until 5:00 pm and we were nervous that we wouldn’t get in before dusk and you absolutely need to see here. Eyeball navigation is crucial as we didn’t see more than 15 ft. of water all day! We also didn’t see any other boats all day so we were happily surprised when we reached the anchorage and saw 3 sail and 3 power boats sitting in the Great Sale Anchorage. Great Sale is one of those places you dream about seeing. Blue water crystal clear and talcum powder white sand. We wish we would have had the luxury of staying to explore, but according to the weather, there is a bad front moving through tomorrow evening so we felt we had to press on. When we arrived at Great Sale we hailed “anybody in the anchorage” and a Morgan 384 named “Bonnie Lass” replied. We wanted an up-to-date weather report and he luckily had a Single Side Band Radio and gave us the scoop from Chris Parker’s weather service. Another retrospect is that we absolutely NEED a SSB here. Starting on Tuesday night, the weather is turning ugly and Wednesday night one absolutely needs to be at a marina or tucked in a secure anchorage as the “Rage” is coming – a strong front packing 30-45 kt winds. We call it a squall but in Bahama language, it is a “rage”. We will duck into Turtle Cay which looks like the most secure marina around.
One more thing on West End – there was a huge party over the weekend with lots of celebrities. Apparently Oprah and John Travolta attended. John Travolta’s 16 year old son apparently died as a result of a fall in the shower after he had a seizure – what a tragedy.
We left West End at 7:45 am which, in retrospect, was too late. We didn’t feel comfortable in taking the Indian Cay Passage due to depth constraints so we went 15 nm out of the way to Memory Rock, then onto Mangrove Cay and finally to Great Sale Cay. We didn’t arrive until 5:00 pm and we were nervous that we wouldn’t get in before dusk and you absolutely need to see here. Eyeball navigation is crucial as we didn’t see more than 15 ft. of water all day! We also didn’t see any other boats all day so we were happily surprised when we reached the anchorage and saw 3 sail and 3 power boats sitting in the Great Sale Anchorage. Great Sale is one of those places you dream about seeing. Blue water crystal clear and talcum powder white sand. We wish we would have had the luxury of staying to explore, but according to the weather, there is a bad front moving through tomorrow evening so we felt we had to press on. When we arrived at Great Sale we hailed “anybody in the anchorage” and a Morgan 384 named “Bonnie Lass” replied. We wanted an up-to-date weather report and he luckily had a Single Side Band Radio and gave us the scoop from Chris Parker’s weather service. Another retrospect is that we absolutely NEED a SSB here. Starting on Tuesday night, the weather is turning ugly and Wednesday night one absolutely needs to be at a marina or tucked in a secure anchorage as the “Rage” is coming – a strong front packing 30-45 kt winds. We call it a squall but in Bahama language, it is a “rage”. We will duck into Turtle Cay which looks like the most secure marina around.
One more thing on West End – there was a huge party over the weekend with lots of celebrities. Apparently Oprah and John Travolta attended. John Travolta’s 16 year old son apparently died as a result of a fall in the shower after he had a seizure – what a tragedy.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
January 3 - WE'RE IN WEST END BAHAMAS!!!
HOORAY!!!!
Did you think this day would ever come?
We left the anchorage at 4:00 am and right off the bat, we had no bow running lights. Thank goodness for the stick on dinghy lights because that's what we used! It was a L-O-N-G day but the weather held as predicted and the seas were fairly light. We were all by ourselves except for a few container ships and a couple of sport fish!
We got to the Marina about 3:00 pm, fueled up at $4.50 per gallon (yikes) and then checked in with customs...took about 1/2 hr. to clear with no problems (even WITH the shotgun). We took down our 'Q' flag and now we're legal to go whever we would like in the Bahamas! Chris is busy hosing off the boat as she resembles a salt shaker. We have some lovely pictures of the blue water but we are at a slip without power tonight (they wanted a $280 deposit to get power) so I want to conserve the laptop batteries - it takes forever to upload a picture. A few moments ago, a sailboat from Oriental, NC came and docked behind us - a small world after all!
I have no idea what's around here - I just wanted to get this posted so you all would know that we are safe and WE MADE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!
Did you think this day would ever come?
We left the anchorage at 4:00 am and right off the bat, we had no bow running lights. Thank goodness for the stick on dinghy lights because that's what we used! It was a L-O-N-G day but the weather held as predicted and the seas were fairly light. We were all by ourselves except for a few container ships and a couple of sport fish!
We got to the Marina about 3:00 pm, fueled up at $4.50 per gallon (yikes) and then checked in with customs...took about 1/2 hr. to clear with no problems (even WITH the shotgun). We took down our 'Q' flag and now we're legal to go whever we would like in the Bahamas! Chris is busy hosing off the boat as she resembles a salt shaker. We have some lovely pictures of the blue water but we are at a slip without power tonight (they wanted a $280 deposit to get power) so I want to conserve the laptop batteries - it takes forever to upload a picture. A few moments ago, a sailboat from Oriental, NC came and docked behind us - a small world after all!
I have no idea what's around here - I just wanted to get this posted so you all would know that we are safe and WE MADE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 2 - Made it to Lake Worth Inlet!
Position: N26º 45’.617 W080º 02’684
We are currently anchored next to Peanut Island right by the Lake Worth Inlet (near West Palm Beach). We’ve put in our waypoints so we can depart here tomorrow morning before first light. There are about 30 sailboats anchored here and we’re hoping that a few of us will be buddy boating together.
We left the Harborage Marina this morning and it was difficult to say goodbye to such a lovely facility and new friends. Going down the ICW today was lovely – too many beautiful homes to count and BLUE water! Wahoo!!! It was a day of bridges, but the Bridge Gods were with us as we waited for none of them. Lucky us!
We have a reservation tomorrow evening at Old Bahama Bay Marina in West End where we can check in with onsite customs and get squared away before proceeding further onto the Bahama Bank. The weather looks really great for the next 3 days so we’re hoping to get all the way to Green Turtle Cay which we’ve been told has gorgeous water and we’re looking forward to spending a few days snorkeling if the weather permits.
You can reach us by Skype when we have an internet connection. Our log on name is LongGone.
Happy New Year!!!!
We are currently anchored next to Peanut Island right by the Lake Worth Inlet (near West Palm Beach). We’ve put in our waypoints so we can depart here tomorrow morning before first light. There are about 30 sailboats anchored here and we’re hoping that a few of us will be buddy boating together.
We left the Harborage Marina this morning and it was difficult to say goodbye to such a lovely facility and new friends. Going down the ICW today was lovely – too many beautiful homes to count and BLUE water! Wahoo!!! It was a day of bridges, but the Bridge Gods were with us as we waited for none of them. Lucky us!
We have a reservation tomorrow evening at Old Bahama Bay Marina in West End where we can check in with onsite customs and get squared away before proceeding further onto the Bahama Bank. The weather looks really great for the next 3 days so we’re hoping to get all the way to Green Turtle Cay which we’ve been told has gorgeous water and we’re looking forward to spending a few days snorkeling if the weather permits.
You can reach us by Skype when we have an internet connection. Our log on name is LongGone.
Happy New Year!!!!
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Leaving Tomorrow!
HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone!
Yesterday Chris and I worked like crazy - loads of laundry at the laundromat, provisioning at Walmart to the tune of $300 and putting the dinghy back up on the davits. We rewarded ourselves with dinner out last night at Wahoos at the top of the dock, but were in bed by 10! We were so tired from boat chores that couldn't stay up to watch the ball drop!
According to all the websites we checked (Windmapper, Wunderground and Buoy Weather) the winds will be from the east and are light at 6-8 kts. on Saturday. We plan to leave here tomorrow morning and travel to W. Palm Beach where we hope to anchor out behind Peanut Island to get an early jump over to West End Bahamas where we'll check in with Customs & Immigration and spent the night at Old Bahama Bay marina. After that it's onto Great Sail Cay, then to Green Turtle Cay and then the next weather window we'll need is crossing the Great Whale Passage which has a treacherous reputation. We've booked a slip at Boat Harbour in Marsh Harbour at the Abaco Beach Resort. From there we can jump off and do day or 2/3 day trips to explore the smaller cays. We will probably be without internet from West End to Green Turtle.
Our Cell phones won't work in Marsh Harbour, but you can reach us via Skype. Our login name is "LongGone".
I'm looking forward to seeing some blue water! We might even use that fishing rod we purchased and hopefully catch some dinner!
Yesterday Chris and I worked like crazy - loads of laundry at the laundromat, provisioning at Walmart to the tune of $300 and putting the dinghy back up on the davits. We rewarded ourselves with dinner out last night at Wahoos at the top of the dock, but were in bed by 10! We were so tired from boat chores that couldn't stay up to watch the ball drop!
According to all the websites we checked (Windmapper, Wunderground and Buoy Weather) the winds will be from the east and are light at 6-8 kts. on Saturday. We plan to leave here tomorrow morning and travel to W. Palm Beach where we hope to anchor out behind Peanut Island to get an early jump over to West End Bahamas where we'll check in with Customs & Immigration and spent the night at Old Bahama Bay marina. After that it's onto Great Sail Cay, then to Green Turtle Cay and then the next weather window we'll need is crossing the Great Whale Passage which has a treacherous reputation. We've booked a slip at Boat Harbour in Marsh Harbour at the Abaco Beach Resort. From there we can jump off and do day or 2/3 day trips to explore the smaller cays. We will probably be without internet from West End to Green Turtle.
Our Cell phones won't work in Marsh Harbour, but you can reach us via Skype. Our login name is "LongGone".
I'm looking forward to seeing some blue water! We might even use that fishing rod we purchased and hopefully catch some dinner!
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