We've enjoyed a wonderful time during our "maiden voyage" and first introduction to cruising in The Bahamas...it was so hard to leave! A number of repairs were calling us back so we are now in Lake Worth clearing up some "details" (in boat speak, this means long hot days, sweating buckets and maintaining that you know you can complete this task as long as the manual and diagrams are correct...hmmmm) and getting ready for the next leg of our journey.
There was lots of storm activity as we sat at anchor near Mangrove Cay, thunder and lightening and rain in buckets. We think we may have been sitting on the edge of Tropical Storm Andrea and are grateful it was only winds of up to 40 and lightening in the distance, not close enough to strike our mast! We were anchored with 3 or 4 other boats, one of which slipped it's anchor and floated past us at about 1 in the morning! Thank goodness Gregg took watch and even though he tried to raise the Captain, there was no discussing the situation.
Two days later we were on the beach at West End, Old Bahama Bay, snorkeling and swimming and generally enjoying the paradise of the Bahamas. The resort hosted an evening of crab races for the kiddies...yup, with betting and a cash pool! No time like the present to learn how to gamble! Then there was even a Junkanoo style parade in costumes and dancing! As we sat in the cockpit looking back on our cruise through the Bahamas, we were reminded of the night right here in Old Bahama Bay when we looked across "the Stream" and watched a rocket launch off of Cape Canaveral!!! What a sight to see, hard to believe but it was actually beautiful! We are on to Lake Worth tomorrow to repair, replace, refurbish!!!!.
Our crossing was uneventful except to say that the wave heights were at 6 feet most of the way with winds of 10 to 15 knots and our girl handled the conditions beautifully. We had the genoa sail up whenever it worked with the wind conditions but we were certainly relying on our Yanmar for this crossing of the Gulf Stream! We arrived Lake Worth late midday and after trying to hook our anchor unsuccesfully, decided we were too tired and went in to the marina, Gregg docked our girl like a pro despite the fact that the eight pilings (yes, 8!!!!) that made up the slip were about a foot wider than our beam, the whole event was nothing less than impressive and it amazes me every time!
It is lucky for us that we have such a strong internet connection here at Sailfish Marina in Lake Worth, because we were able to enjoy a nice long Skype visit with Dustin, Cait and even Mr Man back home. It was so great to see their faces and hear their voices! Dustin certainly seems to have business "back at the Ranch" in hand and we coulldn't be happier to know he is taking great care of things. I can hardly wait for them to come for a visit! :o)
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| Beautiful homes here, some have even created a beach! |
Until next time.....
Hugs all around,
Shelley and Gregg
Until next time......
Love and hugs all around!
Shelley and Gregg
Good to hear of your safe passage back to the mainland!!
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