West End, Bahamas to Vero Beach, Florida

May 7, 2017 - May 14, 2017

We motored to West End on Great Abaco Island which would be our final destination in the Bahamas.  This is where we started our Bahama adventure as well.  We spent two days at the marina preparing for our Gulf Stream crossing and waiting for the calm and variable winds that were predicted for Wednesday, May 10, 2017.  The weather was perfect and the pool was a refreshing break from our preparations.  Unfortunately, the lack of wind allowed the no-seeums (tiny biting gnats that you can’t see or feel until the itchy bumps appear) to land on the boat and on us.  When we got up on our last day in the Bahamas we were covered with bites with no benedryl on board.  We sprayed the inside of the cabin with bug spray, but that didn’t help our bites.  We used aloe vera gel to soothe our skin and keep us from scratching and making things worse.  

The night before our Gulf Stream crossing we left the marina and anchored outside so we would not have to maneuver out of the marina in the dark.  Our crossing was easy this time with the Gulf Stream current boosting our speed enough that we decided to continue on to Vero Beach once we were in the ICW (Intra Costal Waterway).  Two interesting things occurred on the crossing.  First, a tiny yellow finch flew onto our boat and rode off and on with us for an hour. Second, a pod of about a dozen dolphins swam around the boat doing flips and jumps, and basically showing off their skills. Amazing.

Now that we are back in the states I am thinking about the things I will miss about the Bahamas…the beautiful turquoise water, the sea life (turtles, dolphins, colorful fish, rays, and even sharks), the laid back life style of the islands, the quaint and charming villages, and the friendly people. We have been somewhat overwhelmed since we have been back with the pace (cars and highways) and abundance in the USA.  We have to make so many more decisions in the enormous grocery stores and shops.

However, there are a multitude of things I am looking forward to enjoying while back in the states.  The best luxury is that I can easily be in touch with all of my family by calling and texting and I will be able to visit with them soon.  Reliable internet service is also a plus.  I missed American food…salads, pizza, Mexican food, Italian food, just the overall variety.  Even though we enjoyed eating out in the Bahamas the restaurants all had very similar menus with very little variation in food preparation.  Once I get back into Baltimore I’m anxious to get a good pedicure and have my hair restyled (boat/beach hair is getting old). I loved the Bahamas and want to return again next year; it has been an amazing adventure, but I’m also glad to be back “home”.

Once we rest up here in Vero Beach we will be traveling north on the ICW.  My next blog post will probably be from St. Augustine.

Thank you for reading my blog.

Allans/Pensacola Cay

May 1, 2017 - May 6, 2017

We left Marsh Harbour at 9 am and headed for No Name Cay where the famous swimming pigs live.  It was an easy trip with the wind behind us at 5 - 10 mph. 

These signs pretty much explain the situation here.

I finally got to see the pigs in the water. 
They mostly hung around the people
on the beach begging for food.

There were big pigs, baby pigs, brown pigs,
and spotted pigs. They all seemed to
prefer coconut as their food of choice.

After visiting with the pigs at No Name Cay we motored on to Alans- Pensacola Cay which is an uninhabited cay in northern Abaco.  We were amazed at the clarity of the water when we anchored in a small cove with seven other boats.  I had no problem seeing the anchor when I checked if it was set properly.   

After moving the boat in the morning to secure a more protected spot we took the dinghy out to explore.  We went through the cut to the ocean where I snorkeled extensively in search of fish big enough for Bob to spear.  The reefs were stunning with a large variety of colorful fish, coral, and water plants.  I saw a few big fish.  We’ll see if Bob spears any.

One morning we took the dinghy into the cay and hiked across to the signing tree.

We followed the path across the cay guided by
various items attached to the trees along the way.

We came upon the signing tree suddenly
after a turn in the path.

After examining the signs, Bob
choose a place to put our sign.

s/v Rainy Days is now immortalized
on the signing tree.

The signing tree was on this beautiful beach.
We had the sound of the surf to guide us to the tree.

I'm sorry this post is so late in being published.  I thought I had published it before we headed to West End.  

Thank you for reading my blog.