February 26, 2016

February 24 we left Big Major ( Staniel Cay)at 8:30 heading toward Lee Stocking Island. There is a cut we have to go to get into the Exuma Sound and it is called Galliot Cut, you don't want the current opposing the winds as there is a lot of current . We got through great and on to Lee Stocking.

Right by where we will anchor is a little island called Leaf Cay and that is where the pink iguanas are that we took pictures of 2 years ago.

The inlet going into Lee Stocking is very tricky as there are reefs to one side so you see the big surf. the wind and current were with us and let me tell you we surfed in on waves that were about 8 feet.

We anchored at 3:30 and got the dinghy down and went to visit people we met 2 years ago from Canada. They were so good to us when we got struck by lightening. They were headed back to the states.

As we were out in the sound there were so many flying fish, Bo did some fishing but caught nothing, the depth was between 600-1000 feet.

We had planned to spend several days here but after listening to Chris Parker (weather) we pulled up anchor and left for Georgetown at 9:45.

Paul and Krista are still with us but they will be headed back to the states so this will be our last time with them.

Bo fished and caught 2 Barracuda , one was medium size but the other was big, I am sending the picture of this one. We through both back as they carry Ciguatera.

So many sailboats are headed to Georgetown as it is family regatta week. At one time we saw 18 boats all headed to Georgetown.

We arrived in Georgetown at 2:15, anchored in a favorite spot and settled in.

Today February 26 Bo went up to Sand Dollar Beach and met with people on doing photo shooting for the week.

While he was gone I made peach cobbler and cranberry scones.

When he got back we went to friends boat we met 2 years ago, these people were the ones we would walk the beach for hours every day. We then went up to St. Francis for lunch came back to the boat and got Bo's camera and off to the beach for an hour of photo shooting.

Yesterday I did my ammonia laundry soaking so I could hang it to dry this morning then I put more water in the pail and put in another load to tomorrow.

Plan is to go to the beach for shelling about 8:30 am while Bo does some shooting then go into town for a 1 pm talent show in the park. We have several stops to make before the show. Will be fun to get back into town and see the changes.

Have a great weekend..OH our friends on Cat's Meow are headed down so we are excited they should be here if weather stays with them in about 5 days as they will go round the clock from St. Augustine to Georgetown. Hope the weather gods are good to them.

Sun, clear skies and calmer winds.

Joyce

February 21, 2016

Yesterday we rented a golf cart to explore the island and to see if everything that was in The Waterway Guide was still here.

We started about 9:30 headed to the south end of the island. We had so much fun checking out beaches, one was by and airport just off the runway. Paul had to carry Krista down and she was afraid she would have a potty accident and after we said, oh well he carried her down. What an awesome sight.

We went on some pretty narrow, rocky paths, rock and roll on the golf cart. At one point we even lost Krista's bunged on wheel chair, so WHOA quick stop bungee it back on and up the hill we went.

I found a sea bean and a small fan for her so gave her the treasures.

At one point there was a tire swing and she was sitting in it and Paul took pictures and I was a little late and got a not so good picture of the 2 of them.

We got back to our boats about 5 and took warm showers to wash off all the salt and get ready for another day.

We had hoped to snorkle Thunderball Cave but it is going to be cloudy so might only do some dinghy things and have Bo take more photos.

He hopes the wind is down and sun is out tomorrow so he can fly his drone and finish up and head out Tuesday for Little Farmer Cay. This is the beach where Paul carried Krista to yesterday.

February 17, 2016

We leave Nassau along with Too Much Fun. We pulled out of the marina about 9:45.

We had to pass through the yellow and white banks that have coral heads so you need to be on the look out for them as they will destroy your boat. The light was not real good so I had to stand out on the bow of the boat and keep an eye out.

We are in 25 ft. of water and it is so blue as there is white sand bottom.

As we pass over some reefs you see Blue Trigger Fish, so many tiny starfish and some large orange ones. When we were in Georgetown Bo dove down below our boat and picked one up so Valeria, Jaymi and David and Sharon could see it.

We anchored at Highbourne Cay about 3:30, got the dinghy down, motor on and went for a ride, so great to be back in the water.

Over night the wind changed and we got the swell from around the point so at 8:45 we along with Paul and Krista left and sailed to Great Major ( Staniel Cay). This is Bo's kind of day, both sails up and making 7-8 knots. He is smiles from one ear to the other.

We arrive at Big Major about 2 and Pauls got here about 3:30.

Paul called by VHF. He dove to check out his anchor and a bull shark was also checking out his anchor. Paul said he never knew he could climb his anchor chain so fast, he even lost a fin. Someone else heard the guys talking and said, do it again so we can all see you, it got a great laugh.

Tomorrow we are planning our day about 8, want to snorkel Thunderbolt Cave and do some dinghy trips along with Bo filming.

We should be here maybe 3 days then head to Black Point as we have clothes and books for kids to leave. Ted/Jerrie Springs daughter Shelly and Addison gave us things to take over and we are so grateful as the people there have nothing.

More in several days. As we get further into the Exumas the internet is less and less.

God Speed.

Joyce

Feb. 14, 2016

Here are a few pictures I wanted to send. This picture was taken by Nate's Bakery where we bought Cinnamon Raisin Bread for $7. You have to remember everything is shipped here so groceries are very expensive.

Bimini in the evening.

The islands get their groceries in 2 shifts. On Thursday the dry /frozen products come in on Friday the fresh things come in. It is all lifted off onto a dock and them the people being their trucks/cars/ golf carts what ever they have to come and pick the items up.

This is Paul's boat on our way to Nassau at sun set, pretty darn cool. ( she is the one I will write about that is in a wheel chair)

When we arrived in Nassau I was checking our boat out on the next dock and could not pass this picture up.

Have a great Valentines Day.

Joyce

Good Morning February 12, 2016

We left Bimini at 10:45 after helping people on a catamaran untie and go for fuel. Their names are Paul and Christa. They have a story that we will tell later. She is disabled and uses a wheel chair. When you hear the story and the drive she had it is very humbling, she is 51.

It has been a beautiful day, we have motored with the main sail up for stability and some speed. About 4:00 we put up several sides of the enclosure for warmth.

February 13, 2016

It has been a very busy night for Bo as there is so much traffic. Back in the states we have shrimp boats that go out to fish with big arms that go down in the water to catch fish. Here they us them for other fish. The big boat in front is called the Mother Boat and then they pull  behind them up to 8 small boats. When they go to catch lobster/fish the fishermen go out in these small boats and bring back their catch. So you see a big fishing boat with small boats behind them, now only the big boat has a few lights but all the fishing boats are only being towed behind with no lights at all.

The stars were so bright tonight and a beautiful 1/2 moon laying down so peaceful.

We have been going 6-7 knots and are having to slow down so we don't get into Nassau before light and the marina opens at 7.

About 6 am we are at an idle speed for about an hour, we can see Nassau but no way want to go in. There is a mail boat and a cruise ship also wanting to come in. The mailboat does come in the the cruise ship waits for a pilot to bring the boat in.

When you are entering Nassau Harbor you ask Nassau Harbor Control for permission to come in. They then respond with what channel to go to and there are 3 questions they always ask.
1. Where did you come from.
2. Where are staying.
3. Your boat documentation number.
After all of this they said come in, have a good day and be careful.

At 8:45 we are tied up to the marina as are Paul and Christa. Showers, sleep are first on the list. Groceries next. This is the last stop that there is a real grocery store so you stock up. I went over with two bags and brought back fruits/veggies all I could carry while Bo watched the replay of the Arizona Wildcats Basketball.

I will send some pictures when we have more band width but just wanted to let everyone know where we were and we are fine and ready for our next adventure which should happen maybe Tuesday or Wednesday.

Calm Seas.

Joyce

February 9, 2016

I have not written for several days but thought I would send a few more pictures.

We have been kept busy with filming and interviewing. Bimini to us is a well kept secret, the kind of place we love to visit and spend some time.

We have had 3 fronts go past us and when I say fronts I mean winds. Today the winds at our dock are between 20-25. The sun is trying to come out but seems to be having a hard time. I think all of us are waiting for a window to either go to The Berries or Nassau.

We are having to go to Nassau as they have now passed a law like the states you have to a permit to fly a drone. We totally understand this. We have been given the people and offices to contact that can do this for us but they are in Nassau.

Let me send a couple more pictures. Another picture of The Dolphin House, he has even his stairways all done in a mosaic form and incredible. Our service is so slow I am not able to send another picture so will settle with this one.

February 3, 2016

Today was our tour of the Dolphin House, a must see.  What an incredible afternoon we spent about 2 hours there for filming and talking. I will try and include a picture, he Ashley Saunders is from here but went to college in Wisconsin then grad. school at Harvard and came back home to teach for 30 years. This house he started in 1993. I will send a link and you can get a better view and idea what it is all about. www.doLPinhousebimini.com.

We met a gentlemen whose name was Chipper and he was a carver and had carved a piece for the Dolphin House.

February 4, 2016

We walked to the Bimini Big Game Club Resort and Marina for 10am.and were there for about an hour. ( original owners were The Bacardi's) .We were given a tour and interview of the resort so we can go back and film. It is truly a resort . They have a motel unit and also single apartments. Big Game Club are very active into fishing and have many tournaments here. I have a picture of the structure they use to weight the Marlins. Right now the Discovery Channel has a crew here filming for Shark Week which is on their channel. Bo was able to interview a gentlemen involved in this production. We saw where they have the cages that divers get into with all the bars and can encounter sharks.

We walked back to Dolphin House to have Ashley sign more release papers and I was able to give him one of my nature treasure. Two years ago I found a glass bottle on the beach at Stocking Island. The bottle was from Trinidad and I filled it with tiny shells and then made a twine tie with shells attached around the neck of the bottle. I used this as a decor. Now Ashley has it for his home.

We took a shuttle to the very end of the Island to The Marina at Resort World Bimini. There is a Hilton hotel and housing addition here. The sea plane lands not far from here 4 times a day. We took a taxi back to the marina for $10 and spent some time gathering our thought and preparing for the next day.

About 3:30 I was walking to the beach and in a building next to the marina were 2 gentlemen outside. I stopped to ask a question about the huge fences land across from them. They were telling history and had pictures so called Bo and he came right over. He showed us pictures of what the estate had looked like back in prohibition days. It was bought and built for people from the US and later sold to people from DC. Part of it was destroyed by hurricanes but enough stand the family still comes today. The gentleman that owned the building (a disco) was named Star as he had been an athlete and coached for years taking youth baseball teams all over to play in competition. Star told us about people that had built and owned property for years and then sold it. One tidbit was the movie, "Silence of the Lamb" had the last scene filmed here right down the street so have to watch the movie again. We talked and looked at pictures for maybe an hour.  Wish we could get he along with others to sit for an evening of talk and history.

We then walked to the beach so I looked for shells and Bo enjoyed the sunset. As we got back to the boat the gentlemen on a sailboat across to us stopped to talk so we invited them over. They came with what they wanted to drink an some munchies. Everyone has a story and it is so interesting to hear all the stories about where they are from and why they are doing this and where they are headed. As we were talking the boat next to us from Chii (57 ft. Swan) needed more water hose to fill tanks. We all carry water hose that is used ONLY for water so gave them one of our 35ft hoses.

Here is a picture of the front of the Dolphin House, all hand done. Dolphins are 6 ft. It is like this all over, the sides, the steps to 2nd floor all of it unbelievable.

Joyce

February 3, 2016

Another beautiful day in paradise.

My day started with a walk on the beach at 7:15-8:30.  I was the only one on the beach until the gal on the German boat next to us came to walk her dog.

Bo stayed at the boat and worked on music that we bought from Stevie S, we are going to go to the Big Game Club Saturday to listen to him.

On todays schedule is going to the Dolphin House which you need to check out on line.  The top picture is while walking the beach and the second picture we were walking in town and saw the boats anchored out.

February 1, 2016

Rained off and on all day but we went out to check out the island. We met a couple while walking that also was on a sailboat at another marina that has spent winters here in Bimini. She is an illustrator for Latitudes and Attitudes . We walked with them to a local cafe called Seaside Cafe,the lady cooked the food while you waited, really small but very good. I would call this a true Bimini treasure. We were able to try Bimini bread and we need to buy some so good.

February 2, 2016

Beautiful walked the beach for over an hour and found mostly sea glass that I will give to others as that is one thing I do not do.

We got back showered now ready for the day. Bo walked up to BTC so we could connect our phones as Bahama phones and he stopped back at Tourism and received a name to contact so we can take the clothing and books to the correct people in Blackpoint. Jerrie Springer gave us clothes from Addison and books she no longer needed and we were so excited to be able to bring them over here where they will be so treasured.

Bo started to make water and that will run for several hours before he shuts it off and transfers it to the front tank. Bo checked out renting a golf cart and it is expensive and found out we can take a taxi for $10, so this is what we will do to get to the far end of the island where the resorts are located.

When Bo came back we walked to the cafe by the marina Big John's for lunch and was excellent. Bo them came back to the boat and I took off.

My job today was to write down all the markets and some restaurants and see if they were still open. As I was out I got to talking to a gentleman and he then told me about music and he owned a local restaurant called 3 Daughters Deli. Ended up his cousin sing, write music and preforms local so we came back to the boat and he and Bo are making a deal to use his music in some of his video but we will go listen to him Saturday as he is singing there.

You never know who Joyce will find to talk to on one of her excursions.

I am going to send some pictures so you can also enjoy the beautiful clear blue water and the beauty of the island.

Tonight we are walking up to another marina for Happy Hour and tomorrow evening walking with people on a boat by us that are from Germany to a place called C J's Deli right on the water have a Kalik beer and watch the sunset.

How does it get any better.

Joyce

January 30, 2016

We have been anchored outside the Hurricane Hole for 3 days and now is time to bring up anchor and go to Crandon Marina at Key Biscayne to top off fuel. Brandon is where we kept a 30 ft sailboat a Catalina named Cool Change for the few months we lived here and then had it hauled to Annapolis.

We left our anchorage about 1:30 and got back about 2:30 and went from 3 boats in the anchorage to about 30, forgot it was the weekend.

We plan to leave for the Bahamas about 6 am.

January 31, 2016

We did pull up anchor and head out but not until about 7. We chose to go out around No Name Harbor by all the stilt houses. If you use to watch CSI Miami the entrance shoot was of a boat going past a lot of houses off shore, these are the stilt houses. When we lived here people still lived in them but through the years and hurricanes some are only frames but some still have people out there.

It is hard for us to believe it has taken us 3 months to leave the states, with weather and boat issues, it has been crazy but we are on our way and you can imagine the smiles faces, YAH !!

At 9 am we are about 40 miles from Bimini ad we should arrive there about 3-4.

Wind has been out of the east at 3 knots so there is a little chop but not much, seas are about 2-3 ft.

Once we get to Bimini my cell phone will become a Bahamian phone until we return back to the states and the only communication we have to the states are our computers so keep the emails coming. With Bo's tracker and the people that follow him they can also send him an email or text and this is how his family will get ahold of us in an emergency.

We have another old phone that we also use as a Bahamian phone besides mine and we will put in a sim card and just add time to it when we have used it up.

We have been the only ones out here today except 4 freighters headed back to the south one was going to Houston.  No boats on AIS so a pretty low key day out here.

We started seeing Man-of-Wars out here when we got closer to the Gulf Stream. My first sighting of these was when we lived in Key Biscayne on the beaches. Look them up and read about them. They are beautiful bright, pink, blue and purple with long tentacles but they are very deadly.

We are so excited to be back to what we love, travel and adventure and meeting other cultures.

Bo started to make water with our water maker so now will not have to worry about being at marinas and here either you haul it or pay for it.

Our depth exceeds our instruments as does the water.

About 2 we see land and as we get closer you hear other boats on the radio calling marinas but the biggest thing is to look at the entrance and see the most beautiful turquoise water you have ever seen. We call to Brown Marina and they plus about 5 guys from the marina are here to help us with docking. The water is so clear you see the bottom and all the fish, amazing.

After we are settled Bo has to walk up to customs by himself and give them all our papers and passports to clear us in. We then change our yellow flag ( quarantine flag) to our Bahama flag we are now legal.

We sit outside and take in the beauty ready for tomorrow when our walking adventures begin. Bo has been contacted already by a Waterway gentleman from Nassau about doing some photography so that puts a smile on his face.

I will send pictures later but now will have to wait until we are at a place where we pay to do big network things but no worry you will get them.

The weather God's have been good to us again to guide us safely across the Atlantic.

Joyce