Our
first day out of Nassau was a nice “light and variable” motor
sail over the Yellow Bank(part of the Exuma Bank)....until we found
an old lost fisherman's style anchor. Seriously, we came to a sudden
and complete stop as the floating tail of the anchor's rode wrapped
itself around our prop. We were VERY lucky not to have had the
transmission blow or the propeller pulled loose. It just stalled and
stopped. Here we are out in the middle of no where and we happen to
find the only obstacle within a 50 mile radius...... So now were
anchored, courtesy of the vessel that lost it's 4 foot/75 lb anchor.
The water is so clear we can see it! We quickly drop the sails, drop
our anchor, and drop the captain into the drink with is snorkel gear.
20 minutes later we're under way and still wide eyed about the
entire event. That night we arrived at Alans Cay(pronounced key) and
set the anchor for a strong front expected in the next 12 hours or
so.
This
time of year the winds are constantly shifting from a prevailing east
to a south, west and then northerly direction. As they “clock”
around we need to look for anchorages or harbors that will provide us
with the protection we may need for higher velocities. Alans Cay was
a good place for protection from the north, but not good in terms of
the strong currents running in and out through the cuts around it.
As predicted, the front arrived around 530a, and we're off to the
races. The boat was rocking up and down over the waves and whistling
with high winds. We waited for the sun to rise and thinking maybe
things would settle down soon. Friends of ours on ECHO took pictures
of us as we fought our way out of the area to seek calmer waters.
HA. A day in the life of the sailor.
Next
stop was Big Majors and Staniel Cays. Over the next two weeks we
watched the swimming pigs, nurse sharks, sting rays and snorkeled
inside the Thunderball Grotto (scene from a James Bond movie). From
here, Black Point Settlement, White Point-Jack's Cove, Little
Farmer's, Rudder, Darby, the Rudder Cut into the Exuma Bank and we're
finally behind Stocking Island and the Georgetown mecca. Here
you'll find an entire community (200-700 boats at any time) of
cruisers. The local residents have established businesses all around
the area to provide the services that cruisers need. Fresh water,
fuel, propane refills, groceries, laundry, restaurants, WiFi etc. I
believe some the boats no longer leave to go home. This has become
their home. They have organized activities if you want to
participate including volleyball, yoga, card games and a few
workshops. To our readers we may seem to you as the most adventurous
(crazy)couple you know, but here we're just one of many and it's
incredible to think that this has been going on all along and we
never knew. So we relaxed on the beaches, visited the “chat n
chill” restaurant/bar, pet some friendly stingrays!, and explored.
As is our pattern, after two weeks we're ready to move on.
Long
Island – Thompson Bay – Salt Pond is where we are now. You can
go to www.longislandbreezeresort.com
to see the facility here that plays host to all the cruisers. They
hosted a great Super Bowl party and we enjoyed spending the evening
with all these kindred spirits. By the way, if you watched the game
and happened to remember any of the commercials, there were a few
filmed here in the Bahamas. They promote tourism and show the beauty
of the white sand and blue waters. One of the spots was filmed right here, and
the boat they chose from the volunteers is anchored right behind us!
The owner told us all about the filming, etc. and it was so cool when
the commercial came on and about 50 or more cruisers got quiet and watched.
Well,
we're setting sail again tomorrow. Enjoy the pictures and to those
of you still up north, stay warm!
Jim
and Linda
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