Day 29

Up at 6, big black clouds to the west…So we checked the radar and it seemed to be only a couple of local showers. Cast off at 7 and were in the Hutchinson Island Marriott slip at noon. It was a pretty easy crossing once we got offshore. Still the seas were abaft abeam (sailor talk!!) so we probably went 80 miles to do the 66 required in a straight line. Got to the marina and a 116’ boat was coming in ahead of us and that consumed all of the one dock boy’s time, so we just docked ourselves. We are getting better and better!!! Got power and water hooked up, air conditioning turned on, called customs (that was almost painful) and have now cracked open a bottle of champagne! Next stop is the pool, probably a nap and then the dinner I have been looking forward to all month. We’ll be home tomorrow!!

Day 28

I was awakened at 5:30 by boat movement. The winds had picked up and we were rocking! Harold got up, too, and by the time we had a cup of coffee, we were pulling the anchor. Harold was determined we would cross today.

Conversation 10 minutes out:
Harold: If we had stowed the motor on the dinghy and put the davit down we wouldn’t be rolling so much.
Kay: Yeah, we should have done that.
Conversation 20 minutes out:
Kay: Here is the plan – we are going to West End and getting a slip at Old Bahama Bay and we will cross tomorrow.
Harold: Yes, dear.

The seas were 2-3 and choppy and coming on our rear quarter and the autopilot had a hell of a time keeping us on course. We got into Old Bahama Bay about 11 and about the time Jamal had helped us get tied off we heard on the radio “Double D, we would like to clear customs and take on fuel”. Double D is Debbie and Dave from the Moorings, who are known to us through the whole dog walking thing, and they have Kiri and Scott, parents of Angus, on board with them. We spent some time together while they cleared customs and got fuel, then they were headed out for Green Turtle. Although they are a much faster boat than we are, Green Turtle is about 100 miles from here. I hope they make it!

After they left, we got the motor down into the cockpit and lowered the davit. We had Jamal bring 2 bags of ice so the beer and the CC would get chilled. Got our suits on and headed for the pool. This is an exquisite resort. It is totally secluded, and they have every amenity you could want – even a lady with a massage chair poolside. We went to the Tiki Bar and ordered lunch, and soon our dockmates showed up at the bar. We conversed with them while enjoying a drink and lunch, then swam for a while. Back on the boat it is nap time! Now it is time to wash the boat, secure the last few items and get ready to cross early tomorrow. It’s been a great trip!!!!

Day 27

We “trawled” all the way to Great Sale, which means we went about 7 mph rather than 15. It was a pleasant day with only moderate chop and several boats coming and going. We came into Great Sale about 5 pm, had three sailors and two other motor boats as company. The bad news for today is that the ice maker is dead….Glad it happened now and not a month ago!

Day 26

Up early – one cup of coffee before Harold says “Any time you’re ready.” We unmoored at 8 am and headed north. While on our way, cruiser’s net reports that Whale Cay Channel, the hairiest part of the trip is only 1-2 and choppy. Good news! We got through the “Whale” and headed north past Green Turtle and began thinking about how far to go today. We had quite a discussion about 100 mile days and crossing when I realized that we were talking about crossing Monday, when it has always been our intention to cross on Tuesday. So, given that extra day, we opted to anchor at Powell Cay. We got here about 11:30 with 35 miles under our belt. We were here coming in, so knew exactly where to anchor. There are rain clouds all around us! The Whale must be the rain demarcation for the Abacos! We had rain every night when we were here before and never had a drop south of the Whale! It is now 3 pm and we have had either sprinkles or downpours for the last three hours. We have done the moral equivalent of curling up in front of a fireplace and reading a book. Except our fireplace is the radar screen….When I was read out, I defrosted the frig. Yes, even the boat’s refrigerator needs defrosting! Tomorrow we will go to Great Sale Cay, then Monday to West End.

Day 25

We went back to town this morning to try to find the “bread lady” who rides around on a golf cart selling homemade Bahamas bread. No luck! The grocery stores don’t sell it – I guess they have some kind of anti-trust arrangement here…..But we got some parts we needed at the marine store and had lunch at Dock ‘n’ Dine before coming back to the boat to start on the repairs o’ the day. Before we came back, we stopped for an ice cream cone and while we were walking that off, bona fortuna, here is the bread lady! She only has cinnamon rolls and dinner rolls left, so we take one of each. Harold repaired the metal coping on the swim platform and scraped the trim tabs and the lift strakes on the sides of the boat. I watched to make sure he was OK….Had to swim a couple of times just to keep my body temperature down! Since we left this morning, two small sailboats have moored on either side of us. When I think of all the angst I have about heavy seas and crossing the Gulf Stream, it makes me crazy that these people do it without a care in the world! Last job of the day is putting the dinghy up. We haven’t taken the motor off yet to store for crossing because the next couple of days are unsure. We both actually stayed awake for 2 DVD’s before turning in.

Day 24

Cruiser’s Net still says that seas to the south are pretty high, so we decided to leave Marsh Harbor and come to Man O’ War Key which has very protected anchorages. I had my virgin experience at hooking up to a mooring ball and did it right the first time! Yay, me! It is very quiet here. We walked the little town today – the temperature and especially the humidity are still very high – but we did need the exercise. Had a great lunch/dinner at Dock and Dine. One of their specialties is called their “Bag”. Your choice of chicken, chicken wings, cracked conch, or fried fish over your choice of French fries or peas and rice and covered with your choice of half wing sauce, half catsup or all wing sauce and wrapped in a “bag” of foil. OMG – it was SOOO good and it is probably a good thing that they don’t serve alcohol because I certainly had my week’s share of cholesterol in one meal!! We did have a little cocktail back on the boat, after a swim in the harbor because you can only use the pool if you are paying big bucks for the marina. No problem! Most of the people here are moored, so there is a lot of dinghy traffic. Sue, Dave, our neighbor has a fold-a-boat! Do you have yours with you just in case there is a place to use it?

We paid for two nights here, so Saturday we will see what the forecast brings. My guess is that we will head north back around to West End. NOAA forecasts an easy crossing for Monday and Tuesday, so that is currently our plan.

Day 23

We just totally took a day off today – weather to the south is very windy. Kay is not going out in anything over 4 foot seas. We will see what tomorrow brings. Rib Night once again lived up to its hype! Fred and Diane sat with us and another group asked to sit at the table pushed up against ours. When it came down to “Where are you from”, they asked “Where in Satellite Beach”. They keep their boat, Solutions, at their dock on the Grand Canal on the Tortoise Island side. Their friends are from Merritt Island, although I am suspicious, because he didn’t know exactly where THE school on MI is – Edgewood! We got a tour of Fred and Diane’s 37’ Stamas, then off to slumberland.