West End, Grand Bahama

February 23, 2017 - February 24,2017

Our crossing was less than smooth.  The predicted 4-5 knot winds never materialized and we were slammed with 10 - 12 knots with gusts up to 18 knots until the last two hours of our crossing when the winds calmed down slightly.  Since the winds were out of the WSW the waves it created were hitting the boat obliquely on the right rear corner.  They were 5 - 6 feet in height.  Consequently, we were rocking and rolling the whole 10 hours of the crossing. I managed this condition well in the beginning praising myself for getting my sea legs already and feeling great even though I had spent some time below deck making coffee.  When Bob asked me to take over the helm for awhile my stomach began to rock and roll too.  At the helm the brightness of the chart plotter ruined my night vision and I was unable to focus well on the horizon line mainly because I couldn't see it.  When Bob took the helm back I was quite queasy and green around the gills.  That initiated my first two bouts of "feeding the fishes" (an euphemism for puking over the side of the boat).

We were getting beat up by the waves, but the beauty of the deep indigo water was stunning.  About 1/2 way across the Gulf Stream we started to see flying fish.  It's amazing how they sail right out of the water and continue sailing through the air for up to 500 feet or so.  

As we got closer to West End and Old Bay Marina I was reading the guide book for tips on how to enter the marina and watching boats ahead with the binoculars in order to locate the entrance. This caused another round of "feeding the fishes".  I wasn't much help to Bob on this crossing, depending on him to go below for snacks, ginger ale, etc. But WE MADE IT!!!

We tied up at the marina at about 12:30 exhausted, beat up, but exhilarated by the turquoise water, colorful buildings and calm harbor (finally).

Old Bay Resort and Yacht Harbor

We spent most of the rest of the day recovering from our trip across the Gulf Stream.

Our first full day in the Bahamas was a day of contrasts.  We explored the marina and resort that we were docked in enjoying the perfect weather and beautiful scenery.

We are ready to explore the area.

Yes, the sky is really that blue
and the water that turquoise.

Here's the resort directory.

I enjoyed swimming and sunbathing
at the infinity pool later in the afternoon.

After walking on the beach
Bob waited at the bar for Happy Hour.

After touring the marina complex we borrowed beach bikes and rode into the settlement looking for a restaurant called Ellas's Take Out.  On the way we saw evidence of the devastation of Hurricane Matthew.  The eye of the hurricane passed right over Grand Bahama and many residents are still displaced.

A picture is worth a thousand words.

This small home was blown completely off its foundation

We will be leaving in the morning to sail to a more remote island and anchoring out.  We could get very spoiled and very broke staying at a marina like Old Bahama Bay in West End.


Thank you for reading my blog post.

Final Days in Florida

February 8, 2017-February 18, 2017

After leaving St. Augustine we made a quick 3 day trip to Vero Beach stopping in quiet anchorages along the way.  Vero Beach is a popular stop for cruisers and I can see why. It is our first sub-tropical stop and has the wonderful weather we have been looking forward to.  The nickname for this town with cruisers is "Velcro Beach" because so many people get stuck here.  Our neighbors in the marina stopped for a few days and are still here three years later.

With sunsets like this every evening
you can see why people stay here.

After taking the dinghy over to the Riverside Cafe for lunch I decided to find the beach.  I checked my compass (on my iPhone) and headed east.  I stopped to buy a cupcake from an enterprising young boy who had set up a stand and got some more specific directions from his mother.  It was about three mile walk (including the return trip), but so worth it to finally see turquoise water lapping a white sand beach.  Such a fabulous beach day for walking the beach and playing in the waves.  I can see us staying here for an extended stop sometime in the future, but since we lost so much time having the engine replaced we are only here long enough to make some repairs, provision, get the cat's health certificates, and rest up a bit. 

Can you believe the color of this water?

On Tuesday we rented a car from Enterprise and started the provisioning process.  On Wednesday I drove to Sarasota to check in on my dear friend Claire who has been in a rehabilitation center for the past two weeks after a bout with pneumonia.  She looked so much better than when I last saw her in the hospital, but she was still on oxygen.  Her care team had a meeting with her while I was there and they discussed her progress and have scheduled her discharge for March 1st, but are doubtful that she will be able to stop using the oxygen.  Having to continue the oxygen at home was a big disappointment for her.  It's uncomfortable and hampers movement because of the long tubes involved.  I left the facility after multiple hugs and "I love you's".  It was a difficult parting since it will be at least three months before I see her again.

Checking the long term weather forecast we have determined that the best time to cross the Gulf Stream will be late next Tuesday night (February 20, 2017).  We will travel all night in order to reach the Bahamas when the sun is high in the sky so we can see and avoid any coral reefs.  We've been planning this trip for three years and have been on our way to the Bahamas since October 4, 2016 so it's almost unbelievable that our crossing is so close. We will leave Vero Beach early in the morning and travel to Lake Worth to wait for the right weather to cross.

I'm excited and a little apprehensive.  This will all be totally new to me, anchoring in beautiful clear waters close to uninhabited islands, snorkeling every day, eating the provisions we have put by to compensate for Bahamas lack of provisions (not many stores on uninhabited islands), and being wifi and iPhone free in many areas.  I'm looking forward to this dream of ours to finally come true, but leaving the mainland and all its advantages is a big step.  I'll happily make the leap!!

You can see why it's hard to leave the
beauty we have right here in the USA!

If all goes as we have planned my next blog will be from the Bahamas.

Thank you for reading my blog.

From Jekyll Island, GA to St. Augustine, FL

February 1, 2017-February 7, 2017

We anchored last night just outside of Jekyll Creek. Since Jekyll Creek has extensive shoaling the best time to go through it is at high tide. This strategy lessens the chance of going aground. Unfortunately, when we awoke we were completely socked in by fog.  We couldn't leave the anchorage until 9:30, but all went well anyway. When we called Fernandina Beach marina to make a reservation we discovered that it was still recovering from damage caused by Hurricane Matthew and did not have any slips available.  Decision time - we chose to anchor across from the marina and take the dinghy into the marina to use the facilities for $7 a day.  No matter what WE WERE FINALLY IN FLORIDA!!!

Near our anchorage we saw three sail
boats that were damaged in the hurricane.
This one was completely sunk.

Fernandina Beach is on Amelia Island and is a great town with plenty of restaurants, shops, and transportation options.  We stayed there two nights and were able to take showers, get our mail, buy groceries and rest up a bit.  

On our last night in Fernandina Beach at about 4:00 in the morning the wind picked up and it became cold.  Sleeping was impossible so Bob and I got up and tried to figure out what we would do that day.  Rather than stay put and get beat up by the wind all day, we decided to head for Jacksonville Beach Marina.  Since the wind was behind us all the way the trip was cold, but reasonably smooth.

We stayed in Jacksonville two nights.  Bob did the engine maintenance and I did the laundry.  There was a large sports bar on the premisses so we had a great place to watch Super Bowl 51. An advantage of this cruising lifestyle is its flexibility.  We don't have to slavishly follow our float plan and can stay put if we feel like it.

After getting fuel and water on February 6, 2017 we continued south to St. Augustine.  We got there at about 4 pm and took a mooring ball.  After registering at the office we headed into St. George Street to our favorite pizza restaurant Pizza Time.  They were voted the 2nd best pizza place in the USA by Trip Advisor and we both agree. We ate there three times on this visit. I love St. Augustine with it's beautiful architecture, fascinating history, great restaurants, and warm weather.

This is St. George Street that is closed
to traffic and is lined with shops
and restaurants.

I found this hidden courtyard
while strolling around old town.

I took this shot of downtown
as I was walking back across the
Bridge of Lions.

Two Lions guard the entrance to the
Bridge of Lions that connects St. Augustine
to St. Augustine Beach.

We toured the Castillo de San Marcos
that has guarded the town since 1672.

This is a spire of the grand hotel built by
Henry Flagler in the late 1800's and is
now a part of Flagler College.

Our next major stop will be Vero Beach.


Thank you for reading my blog.