click on the pictures for a larger view

Jan. 26^th , 2011

Solitaire done reach.  "Done reach" is a term used in the Bahamas when someone or something has arrived i.e. "Doctor done reach".  We are in the Exuma Island chain that we love.    Moored at Emerald Rock next to the beach.  In the picture we are at the head of the pack off in the distance.  Along with all the other boats  at Warderick Wells, we are with our friends Ken and Linda "M/V Escapade",  Jim and Beth "S/V Madcap" and Dalton and Louise, "M/V Pendragon". 

We have had a couple to "Sundowner" parties aboard their boats and have had a great time.  Yesterday we went hiking to BooBoo hill with Ken and Linda.  It is a tradition to leave your boat name on top of the hill.  Ours was still there although is needed a little freshening.     Its a little sign but it does the trick.  All signs should be made with driftwood and we stuck with the concept.  This picture with Linda was taken next to the Blow Hole.  You can see other boats moored in the north mooring of the Land and Sea Park in the background.      After the hill and the Blow Hole, we continued down to BooBoo beach.  Following the trails to the beach is done using stone markers to identify the right trail.  The markers are put up by park volunteers or park personnel. Passing cruisers add embellishments - we put a pretty shell we'd found onto one of the markers.   I love the walk.    Coming back from the beach we rested on some rocks overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.   

Some information for other boaters.

 Nassau Harbour Club.  Depending on the cruising guide, the information isn't always complete.  They do have Diesel fuel, no gas.  The restaurants are closed as is the hotel.  The pool is open as well as the laundry.  The laundry uses tokens available at the office.  Customs and Immigrations came to the dock and we got only 90 days. We were able to top off with diesel without having to leave our slip. Clark was the best dock handler we've ever had.

Exuma Land and Sea Park.  If its been a while since you have been here, you will see new faces.  Tom and Judy have left and moved to Bell Island.  A new park warden has been hired.  Ranger Larry was last seen driving a RV around the US.  Kevin and Darcy are still here with Darcy now running the park office.  Other changes.  No morning weather,  no sugar for the Bananaquits, no volunteer program any more...  Things are looking a little different without the volunteer help.

Madcap just stopped by and we are planning a little hiking and snorkeling this afternoon..

Jan. 21^st , 2011

We finally got underway.  We left Vero Beach Tuesday, Jan. 18^th in what was supposed to be a perfect weather for the crossing to the Bahamas.  Well we started out in the fog with friends Gary and Mary on S/V Packet Inn.  It was a thick fog and continued to almost the ocean.    Once we got out the inlet at Ft. Pierce we turned south and sailed along the coast headed to West Palm Beach where we planned to make a left turn and head out into the Atlantic Ocean.  As with all plans, things changed.  We hit the Gulf Stream sooner than we planned and turned East earlier than we planned.  Then we had thunderstorms and lightning.  Fun Fun.    Didn't bother us much though.     Dolphins joined for a while and flying fish went by.  So nice to see the ocean life again.  We continued southeast toward the Northwest Providence Channel in the Bahamas.  The sun set and the wind picked up.  We talked to Packet Inn along the way and set up a hourly schedule through out the night.  As the storms continued and the wind and seas picked up we slogged ahead with Packet Inn picking a more northern course.  A few hours later we ran out of radio contact with them but had planned to meet up with them in the channel.  The meeting never happened.  We lost them in the night.  We kept up our hourly radio calls in hopes that we would make contact again.  The sun rose and not a boat in sight.  We continued on our course which would take us to the Berry Island chain of the Bahamas.  At two in the afternoon we dropped our anchor for a well deserved rest.  We kept up our radio calls for 4 more hours and after the sunset our friends had not shown up.  This was our backup plan to meet in the anchorage.  The next morning we left before sunrise and again in the fog headed to Nassau.  With radar on we plugged ahead until the sun finally came out and the ocean was smooth.  It was a motor day with no wind to fill our sails.  We arrived at the Nassau light house at 3:15 having a wonderful day at sea.   

We are now in a marina and have met up with friends Rusty and Joy on S/V Slow Dancin' and Dalton and Louise (whom we met a couple of years ago.  They skipped the last two years of cruising so it was a pleasure to see them) on M/V Pendragon. 

We heard from Mary and Gary today.  They diverted into Lucaya and will catch up with us in the Exumas. We will stay here a couple of days to wait out some storms then head to the Exuma Island chain to meet up the friends Ken and Linda on M/V Escapade.

I will try to keep the posting up to date as internet becomes available.

Bye for now. We're off to Happy Hour and Dinner.