To Nassau

Wednesday, Feb 22
(No pictures due to limited band width...will try again some time)

Last night we experienced surging tidewaters in the bay at Bimini Sands.  There were very big variations in water depths and we were tossed about in the slip.  We traveled 1.3 miles according to our trip odometer.  Boats were tied to the slips using a spiderweb of lines.

 The trip to Nassau involves crossing the Great Bahama Bank, which is typically quite shallow, no more than 25-30 feet, and then an area called "The Tongue of the Ocean".  The Tongue is very, very deep water and is famous for great deep sea fishing and rotten weather.  The total mileage to Nassau is more than we can travel in a day so we will anchor out north of Chub Cay and finish the crossing the next day.

We departed Bimini Sands Marina at 7:55am in the company of 2 sail boats, Calypso Poet and Miss Alice, both experienced Bahama sailors.  The weather was superb for crossing the Bank and we reached our anchorage at 7:45pm after a long day and 68 nautical miles.  We set anchor and went to bed for a short night's sleep...the caravan is pulling out at 3:30 am to cross the Tongue before the winds kick the seas up too badly.

Thursday Feb 23

The wind kicked up last night but we were anchored well and didn't move at all.  By 3:35am we were headed out of the anchorage.  At 6:17am we entered the Tongue...you could see an immediate change in the water color and the depth meter went bonkers because it was so "shocked" at the extreme depths it was recording. The seas were about 2-3 feet with some 5 footers thrown in.

Miss Alice happily reported they had caught two Mahi, both good size.  I got out my Cuban yoyo and hand fished for a couple of hours but, apart from a appreciation of the beauty, I caught nothing.

At 2:25pm we cleared Nassau Harbor Light and passed by three cruise ships that are in port, Norwegian Gem, Carnival Soul and Carnival...something else. These are really big ships.  At 3:03pm we docked safely at Nassau Harbor Club Marina. We traveled 62 miles and we are at the jumping off point for the Exumas.

John from Miss Alice came over with fresh Mahi and Linda made a wonderful dinner. Then it was to bed for all of us.

Friday
We are in port today for some rest and reprovisioning.  Planning to head for Allen's Cay or Highborne tomorrow with our buddies, the sail boats.  They don't mind us tagging along.  Kerm bought some fishing tackle and we look forward to sharing some of our catch with them. 

Will blog again when possible but it might be a while.

Love to all,
Christie

Aborted try for Bimini and then ...SUCCESS!!

Thursday Feb 16

We were up at the crack of dawn and ready to go.  Our buddy boat, Dulcinea, developed an oild pressure problem upon start up and we waited around to see if they could fix the trouble. At about 6:30 we gave up and decided to push on to No Name Harbor, south of Miami, in search of another buddy boat. Then we received word from Dulcinea that their oil problem was solved.  We joined them at Angelfish Creek and went out, heading for Bimini.  The seas started out at 2-3 feet but it built fast and we were getting beaten up badly by 8:45.  We decided this was not our day for crossing the Gulf Stream and we turned around.  We reentered at Angel fish creek and proceed up the inside to No Name Harbor south of Miami.

No Name Harbor turned out to be quite a delight.  We anchored for the night in a protected little cut with about 15 to 20 other boats.  We were able to pick up on a lot of radio chatter about other boats leaving for Bimini the next morning.  We were very glad to hear this and went to be early knowing that the next day would be optimal for crossing.

Friday, Feb 17

Departed No Name Harbor at 6:45 in calming seas and in the company of three sailboats ahead of us and three behind.  By 7:29 we were clear of  Flashing Yellow Buoy "N" and into the open sea.  The Gulf Stream is strong and we steered a course that accounts for its northward push.  Took latitude and longitude readings every 30 minutes to chart our actual position. 

The seas was the deepest blue I have every seen. Just beautiful.  A sail boat ahead of us reported whales leaping but we were not able to see them. It was exhilarating just to know they were out there.

We sighted several huge container ships along the way and some fast Sportfishing boats heading to the Bahamas. 

At 12:45 we sighted land!!  We hoisted the yellow"Q" (Quarantine) flag that must be flown until you clear customs.

Hoisting the 'Q'

As we neared shore the deep blue ocean changed color to tropical blue and aquamarine...

Entrance to Bimini Sands Marina

By 2:20 we were safely docked at Bimini Sands Marina on the island of South Bimini.  Our captain filled out all the required forms (many of them) and trooped off to the airport for Immigration and Customs.  When he returned with our clearance we raised the Bahamian Courtesy flag.

Bahamian Courtesy Flag- thanks Molly!!

We traveled only 56 miles today but traversed the mighty Gulf Stream and now we are in another country.  Our plan is to stay here in Bimini for several days to allow a weather front to pass us by. 

Saturday, Feb 18

•  Luxuriated in a great shower, sparkling clean facility and loads of hot water.
• Visited North Bimini by ferry (takes about 3 minutes to cross the channel).
• Saw Hemingway's haunts
• Visited the Dolphin House, built by local craftsman/historian/teacher/author Ashley Saunders
• Collected shells and sea glass from the beach south of Bimini SandsSaw a nurse shark right here in the bay
• Linda negotiated for three lobster tails (for $10) from some fishermen who came by in their boat, Favor, 
• Consumed said lobsters and pronounced them excellent.

Beach on North Bimini

Local Church

Linda in front of the Dolphin House

 

Ashley Saunders in front of the Dolphin House

Look at that Starfish on the ocean floor!!!

Yummy lobster on the grill

Sunday, Feb 18


Today was Conch and Bonk Day!!  We found conch in the bay here and a big Lazzara Yacht crashed into a dock causing a large bonk on his port stern.

Cleaning conch that Glenn dove for under the boats in the marina

Ouch...and yes there was some yelling going on when this happened

Today we experienced conch from beginning to end.  Glenn from 'Coral Reefer' went down looking for lobsters and came up with loads of conch.  He shared with others on the dock and also taught us neophytes how to get the little critters out of their shells and cook them.  We had conch fritters and lightly fried conch that was delicious.  Glenn and Jeri on Coral Reefer have been so nice to us..Glenn even shared fishing tackle and knowledge with us.

Monday, Feb 18


Today we went to North Bimini for another day of exploration.

I gave Ashley Saunders,  from the Dolphin House, a tile that I have being hauling around with me for years.  My friend, Therese, gave it to me years ago as a memento from her visit to Spain.  After seeing the Dolphin House I knew my tile had found a new home.  Ashley accepted it gratefully and said that the next time we are here he will be able to show us where the well-traveled tile is placed in his home/museum.  He was a very interesting man and we bought a first edition of the book he authored about Bimini's history.

We also got the chance to experience a "Trunk Lunch" while we were in Alice Town.  A local woman cooks up a storm and serves lunches out of the back of her car.  We had Bar-B-Q chicken, Bahamian Mac and Cheese (a local speciality), cole slaw and pineapple upside-down cake.  It was all delicious.

When we got home I tried my hand at Conch Chowder using fresh conch from yesterday.  It turned out okay and was fun to make.

Tuesday, Feb 21

Getting ready to leave tomorrow for Chub Cay and Nassau.  Did laundry, mucho boat maintanence and blogging (using the world slowest connection).  I must love my readers dearly because it was a pain in my "ask" to get all these pictures loaded.

We will be making a long crossing and we will be anchoring out for a couple of hours in between here and Nassau.  We are in the company of two other boats that have done this several times so please don't worry about us.

 

 

Warren is having good time....and so are we!!

Will blog again as possible.
Love to all.
Christie

 

Key West to Caloosa Cove to Pumpkin Key

We enjoyed a wonderful stay with Bill and Melissa Collins at Stock Island Village Marina.  After a good deal of reprovisioning and refitting we were ready to leave on Friday morning. 

Melissa snatching a quick kiss with Warren

Bill giving Warren a warning!!

 

We left at O Dark Thirty but Bill and Melissa were kind enough to see us off.  We had a wonderful stay and our thanks go out to them...

Bill and Melissa happy that we made a 'clean' getaway

Bye

We traveled all day only to have our chosen anchoring spot be overgrown with weeds.  We found a nearby marina called Caloosa Cove and stayed there.  It ended up to be four days due to wild winds and high seas.

Now we are at Pumpkin Key and tomorrow we are heading out to the Bahamas.  One of the last items we needed to take care of was affixing our boat name to the bottom of our dinghy.  This is so our name can be seen when the dinghy is tipped up on our swim platform.

Action Shot

 

Tomorrow we are heading out at 4 am with another boat.  Going out Angelfish Creek and heading for North Bimini.  The crossing should take about ten hours and we will not be in general communication with everyone for a while. So don't worry.  We have filed a float plan with Dan and Patrick so they will be contacted once we arrive. 

We will update the blog as possible when we find internet cafes or marinas that have free internet access.

We are excited!!

Key West

We left Marathon at the crack of dawn on Thursday, Feb 2nd heading for Key West.  The weather had been very poor for traveling and the window for good cruising to Key West was fairly short so we grabbed it.  We took Hawk Channel and the waves were 2-3 ft to begin with but built to 3-5 as we progressed.  Waves were on our rear quarter so we were rocking and rolling.  The trip was short, however, and we pulled into Stock Island Village Marina a little after noon.  We are rafted up to the boat of one of Kerm's old friends, Bill Collins.

Stock Island Village Marina

More boats in the marina

Bill and Melissa's boat ...they are enjoying the winter on their new boat

   

A great deal of work is being done in preparation for our trip to the Bahamas.  We are installing tip-up davits on the swim platform to hold the new dinghy.  This has taken a lot of trips to the Home Depot.  Kerm also had to order a new bracket from the supplier in Minnesota to ensure that it is good and stable when we are underway.  The bracket has still not arrived (as of 2/8). 

Things done so far include: 

1. New propane tank installed
2. Decal from US Customs and Border Control has been affixed (it facilitated re-entry into the US)
3. Leak in the water system fixed
4. Sink drain replaced
5. Flag pole mounted in new position since flag would be obscured by the new dinghy
6. Boat name letters ordered for the bottom of the dinghy.  Because our vessel is documented with the Coast Guard the name must be clearly visible and the new dinghy will get in the way of the transom.  EyeCatcher Signs is working on this and should have them for us soon.
7. Charts purchased

The weather has been windy and we had over  4.5 inches of rain one night, which is a record for Key West.  For the time being we stuck here waiting for parts and decent traveling weather... don't be too sad for us.

Signing off for now
Christie





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New Adventures

Okay people.  

We were off line for a little while but now we are on another adventure.  Today, we are in Marathon at a marina just across from the Boot Key mooring field.  We are heading for Key West in a couple of days and eventually to The Bahamas. 

We had a great time staying in the same marina as Dan in South Pasadena for 5 weeks. 

He was working a lot but we had a chance to catch up and share dinners.  Kerm and I helped get Morris (Dan's 26 foot sail boat) ready for a cruise south with Carrie. 

.

Surveying the worksite

Dan working on in the crow's nesting.

A big pile of chart books and cruising guides that we used on the Loop

Linda and Pat joined us from Minnesota.

They helped with provisioning and the purchase of the new dinghy- it's a RIB (rigid inflatable boat) with a fiberglass v-shaped hull that allows for much more stability under way.  Dinghys are used a lot in the islands for getting ashore and going to the reefs for snorkeling.  Our old one was good but it was not robust enough for hard use in the Bahamas and Exumas.

Splashdown

Pasadena supplied free ice...Linda stocking up

Pat at the helm of the new dinghy

 We finally got finishe with a lot of our chores and cast of on January 17.

Jewfish Key- we enjoyed a great dinner of shrimp and lobster bisque at MarVista on shore.

Testing out the new dinghy

At anchor in Jewfish Key

We left and headed for Venice and stayed the night at Fisherman's Wharf Marina.  Were delighted to see Jeff from Jeremiah and Mike from Nauti Nell, friends from the Loop.  Mary Ashby joined us after her business conference so there were five of us on the boat...cozy and fun.  Left the next morning and had a great cruise to Fort Myers Beach, where we hooked a mooring ball.

Fort Myers Beach

The pump-out boat comes along side and "away goes trouble down the drain"

Pat had to leave us but we had a great time with him on board.  he took wonderful pictures and also videos. 

Lots of birds in the morning

Leaving Fort Myers Beach

Mary

We saw this sad sight...don't know the story behind this sunk boat

Maybe he knows??

Heading out into the Gulf for Naples

Naples homes on the channel in to town

Mary and Warren enjoying a moment

Mary left us on Sunday after a great visit.  She and Pat are both welcome back anytime.

New Manson anchor (Nicknamed Charlie)

After much provisioning and some important maintenance we departed Naples on Tuesday.

Ready to leave port

We encountered some shallow water on the inside route a little south of Naples so we turned around and went out into the Gulf.  Went past Marco Island and found a lovely anchorage at Goodland which is inland a little way. 

Sunset at Goodland

Lady in Red joined us in the achorage and we had a nice visit with Donna and Greg

 

 

 

This is the sunset at Shark River -last anchorage before we hit Marathon- the Florida Keys!!

We had a very smooth crossing to Marathon and pulled into Boot Key Harbor at about 2pm.  All mooring balls were filled so we took a slip at Sombrero Marina.

Warren taking his first look at the Keys

Sunset in Marathon

New motor to go with new dinghy

Testing it out

It works!!!