Thursday, April 23, 2009
We're back, and very happy to be in the good ole' USA. Some of the things we like about it are: grocery stores with lots of stuff, reasonable prices, FM radio, cell phones, internet whenever we want it, nice marinas with showers and free water.
But, we loved the Bahamas for their charm and "foreign mystique".
Although we spent most of our time in the Exumas, the last 10 days were in the Abacos, in the northern part. We crossed over the Northeast Providence Channel on a fine day with a following breeze. We decided to try the spinnaker, and got it up just fine. We were so proud of ourselves. But as the day wore on, the wave action became a little more "active" and the spinnaker rotated and eventually wrapped around itself in a big flogging mess. We had to drop it and motor sail the last few hours. It's a strange feeling when you are 30 miles from the nearest land, with no one around.
We did meet some nice folks on other boats along the way, and some of them were out there making the crossing ahead of us. Some really nice folks from Marblehead invited us for cocktails, then had us stay for supper. We invited some folks over to our boat for drinks, and later they had us for supper on their boat. So now we have a book full of boat cards from interesting and friendly cruisers we've met along the way.
We spent time in Marsh Harbor, Hopetown, Green Turtle Cay and Great Sale Cay. We snorkled some of the most pristine ocean reefs off Green Turtle, where I was lucky enough to bag my second grouper. We invited friends over to help us eat it.
Finally, it was time to cross the Gulf Stream to Florida. We watched the weather intently, and had just about decided to wait for better weather, when another boat headed out. We hailed them on the radio, and they reassured us the forecast held a satisfactory window for our crossing. So we hoisted the inflatable on deck, put away everything that might shake loose, and headed across the Little Abaco Bank toward Fort Pierce. It was an overnight trip, and the quartering seas made us both queasy. Our buddy-boat, Nifty Nickers, was within a couple of miles at all times, and we could follow his stern light. We couldn't see him on our radar, which was a bit disconcerting. Later, a large oil tanker passed us close astern, and we could see him clearly on radar and over the waves. We also passed close by a large cruise ship. We arrived just after sun-up and settled into a pleasant anchorage for a much deserved rest.
Later, we motored up to Vero Beach, only 15 miles up the ICW, and took a mooring at the City Marina.
From here, we hope to do more long passages in the Atlantic. But first, we'll spend a few days visiting friends and relatives.
But, we loved the Bahamas for their charm and "foreign mystique".
Although we spent most of our time in the Exumas, the last 10 days were in the Abacos, in the northern part. We crossed over the Northeast Providence Channel on a fine day with a following breeze. We decided to try the spinnaker, and got it up just fine. We were so proud of ourselves. But as the day wore on, the wave action became a little more "active" and the spinnaker rotated and eventually wrapped around itself in a big flogging mess. We had to drop it and motor sail the last few hours. It's a strange feeling when you are 30 miles from the nearest land, with no one around.
We did meet some nice folks on other boats along the way, and some of them were out there making the crossing ahead of us. Some really nice folks from Marblehead invited us for cocktails, then had us stay for supper. We invited some folks over to our boat for drinks, and later they had us for supper on their boat. So now we have a book full of boat cards from interesting and friendly cruisers we've met along the way.
We spent time in Marsh Harbor, Hopetown, Green Turtle Cay and Great Sale Cay. We snorkled some of the most pristine ocean reefs off Green Turtle, where I was lucky enough to bag my second grouper. We invited friends over to help us eat it.
Finally, it was time to cross the Gulf Stream to Florida. We watched the weather intently, and had just about decided to wait for better weather, when another boat headed out. We hailed them on the radio, and they reassured us the forecast held a satisfactory window for our crossing. So we hoisted the inflatable on deck, put away everything that might shake loose, and headed across the Little Abaco Bank toward Fort Pierce. It was an overnight trip, and the quartering seas made us both queasy. Our buddy-boat, Nifty Nickers, was within a couple of miles at all times, and we could follow his stern light. We couldn't see him on our radar, which was a bit disconcerting. Later, a large oil tanker passed us close astern, and we could see him clearly on radar and over the waves. We also passed close by a large cruise ship. We arrived just after sun-up and settled into a pleasant anchorage for a much deserved rest.
Later, we motored up to Vero Beach, only 15 miles up the ICW, and took a mooring at the City Marina.
From here, we hope to do more long passages in the Atlantic. But first, we'll spend a few days visiting friends and relatives.
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