Andrew looking to catch our dinner, Norman's Cay.

Norman's Cay

Andrew snorkeling in Norman's Cay.

Rope Bridge and Neptune's Throne

Dina and Lawrie on the Rope Bridge crossing one of the many waterfalls on the resort grounds. Some evenings we would go to the casino and make a few donations. Group photo on Neptune's Throne.

We were sad to see Lawrie and Dina leave. Andrew is continuing with us to the Exumas

Atlantis

Lots of great adventures at Atlantis. Gary and Lawrie floated down the Lazy River.

Nassau

We were happy to have Gary's Mom and Dad visit us in Nassau.

Approaching the Exumas

Exumas beach

Exumas sunset

Exumas: Norman Cay

On the runway.



Gary inside an abandon airplane door....

The Exumas

Jeanie’s parents join us in Nassau for the trip to the Exumas. A beautiful 3 ½ hour cruise to Highbourne Cay where we anchored in a protected harbour. The next day we headed to Norman’s Cay, where we anchored and put down the dingy to explore the Cay. The southern portion of Norman’s has an abandoned airstrip, houses and businesses from a time in the 1970’s when a drug lord from Columbia used the island as a drop off point for his drug trade.

Great swimming from pristine white sand beaches. A few short days later we returned to Nassau to re-provision before Terry and Eileen depart.

Looking forward our next visitors.

Chubb Cay to Nassau

We waited for the next weather window for three days to cross over to Nassau and The Tongue of the Ocean which is an extremely deep section of the ocean, up to 10,000 feet or more and one of the deepest spots in the world. We experience 5 foot chop over 2-4 foot swells, which is considered perfect conditions for the crossing. The first part was the worst. It was a sunny day and 4 ½ hours later we arrived in Nassau and docked at Nassau Yacht Haven across the harbour from the Atlantis Resort. Nassau is the most densely populated island in the Bahamas. Lots of traffic and litter, but has its own character.




...Aboved is a photo of Atlantis, on Paradise Island, taken as we came into Nassau harbour

Cat Cay to Chubb Cay

Our first attempt at crossing turned us back because of high seas and wind. We waited a few days for another opportunity for a weather window. At this second attempt we were able to cross the Bahama Banks in 2-4 foot seas. We saw the turquoise coloured waters for the first time in the 25 feet or less water. As we approached Chubb Cay we turned SE into the NW channel. This is much deeper water on the edge of The Tongue of the Ocean. It was a 5 ½ hour day on the water. A beautiful crossing except for the last 45 minutes approaching Chubb Cay.

This is in the southern part of the Berry Islands and is quickly developing into a tourist destination.

Shark

This shark was caught off the pier at Cat Cay (not by Gary, but we did
get 2 shark steaks)

Conch

We were given five conch from a local fisherman. Gary made a conch salad (eaten raw) and conch fritters (delicious). Conch tastes similar to calamari, but has a very unique flavour.

Bahama Map

or go to:

http://209.35.123.177/americas/bahamas.gif

Crossing the Atlantic/Gulf Stream

This part of the Gulf Stream is within the Bermuda Triangle. As you cruise east from Florida the water drops from 20 feet on the reef to 200, and then to over 2000 feet in the Gulf Stream. The stream moves northward at between 2 and 3 knots, and is a predominate factor in the weather of the eastern seaboard of the US. The crossing becomes intimidating as you can see no sight of land 360 degs. around you.(the ocean seems very large). If the winds have a north component the waves can be huge (10 feet or more). We waited in Florida for a weather window that would make our crossing safe. We left on Tuesday at 8:00 am from Coconut Grove, Miami and had only 2 to 4 foot waves directly on our bow, in other words a smooth crossing.

We arrived in Cat Cay (near Bimini) early Tuesday afternoon January 2, 2007. Cat Cay is a private island, but cruisers can clear customs at the marina. We were able to get a mooring and have been enjoying this beautiful island. We received some Wahoo steaks from a friendly Bahamian who was cleaning fish on our pier. Fish scraps attract large rays and the occasional shark. The clearest and most beautiful waters we have seen thus far.

The light house at Cat Cay, Bahamas

Cat Cay, Bahamas

We've have arrived at Cat Cay in the Bahamas!!!

Crossing the Golf Stream to Cat Cay, Bahamas

Leaving North America at Coconut Grove, Miami....


We arrived safely, early this afternoon, at Cat Cay just south of Bimini in the Bahama Islands after a perfect day on the ocean.

Christmas Day

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of our family and friends.
It is very different to celebrate the season in 80 deg. weather
(however, we aren't missing the snow yet!).

We do miss seeing everyone in person but trust some folks
will come to visit with us along our travels.

Palm Tree with lights

Bentley's Fish Restaurant

..........with Jeanie's Mom and Dad, Eileen and Terry.

On the boat from the movie Key Largo!

Key Largo and Islamorda

Navigating, swimming and sunset on the ocean

Florida in December

We have a real Christmas tree, sea shell lights, red bows and handmade snowflakes made by Jeanie's sister.

Time to change the oil

Gary in the engine room doing routine maintenance on the motors.
Coconut Grove, Florida.

Miami, Coconut Grove Florida

This is us navigating down the ICW with Jeanie's mom and dad, Eileen and Terry on Tuesday, December 15, 2006. We met up with them in Ft. Lauderdale. We traveled by the Miami waterfront and arrived at the southern end of the Intercoastal which has now ended at Biscayne Bay, just south of Miami. Here at our mooring we have a view of the Miami skyline in one direction and the Atlantic on the other. From now on we will be traveling in the Atlantic down to Key Largo.

Coral Ridge Yacht Club, Ft. Lauderdale

We stayed four days at the Coral Ridge Yacht Club. It is close to the Galleria and easy access to the local water taxi's. The water taxi is an excellent way to see Ft. Lauderdale. Lots of beautiful homes and yachts along this part of the ICW. This photo of an iguana was taken at one of the stops. We also spotted a family of manatee.

Blue Crabs

These 5 blue crabs were caught off the end of our boat near the end of November, on the American Thanksgiving while anchored out in Bear Creek just south of Charleston N.C. Gary used a chicken neck from our Thanksgiving chicken. We steamed them and then made crab cakes.

Florida

St. Augustine, Florida

Christmas celebrations started early with a visit from Gary's folks,
Lawrie and Dina at the end of November. We rendezvoused in St.
Augustine where we had a great time. Taking a historical trolley-tour thru town, followed by dinner at Harry's Seafood Restaurant.
A special time together and the first time Lawrie and Dina had an
overnite on the boat. (hopefully the first of many!!)

Hilton Head, South Carolina

On Thursday, Nov. 23 we arrived at Bass Creek, an anchorage about 1 1/2 miles North of Beaufort SC. Our trip from Charleston took about 7 hours. Because it was the US Thanksgiving we decided to cook a turkey that night to celebrate the occasion. Actually it was a chicken but it's the thought that counts! We decided to use the neck for crabbing. Gary caught 5 crab while the chicken was cooking! So we had steamed crab and chicken for supper that night.

On Friday Nov. 24 we had an early start for our trip to Hilton Head SC. It was about a 6 hour cruise to the Hilton Head Harbour Marina. We rode our bikes with tee shirts, a nice change from long johns and mitts from the past few days. We past by a RV Park with huge buses. Some call them land yachts! A beautiful sunny. Supper is at the Sunset Grill tonight.

Saturday Nov. 25 Our destination is St. Catherine's Sound, south of Savannah, Georgia.

Heading out tomorrow

We've had rain and wind for the last two days. It looks like it is subsiding now. We are planning to leave Charleston S.C. tomorrow morning. Our destination will be Beaufort S.C., probably a 7 hour day. Then if the weather is right we will continue on to Hilton Head South Carolina, near the border of Georgia on Friday.

Charleston, South Carolina

We arrived in Charleston, South Carolina yesterday, Monday, Nov 20 after a 7 hour cruise, southward on the ICW from Georgetown, S.C.

We enjoyed exploring Georgetown, the 3rd oldest city in the U.S. We saw many old homes built in the 1700’s. It is obvious that they take great pride in them and the grounds. It is the sea food capital with many shrimp boats coming and going. On our bike ride we found a boardwalk and laughed at a posted sign stating “Please don’t feed the alligators”

As we traveled from Georgetown to Charleston we once again delighted in seeing dolphins playing in our wake. Along the ICW between Georgetown and Charleston is the Wambaw Swamp Wilderness Area. We passed the Santafee Wild Life Preserve with lots of abandoned rice and cotton plantations. There was many of overgrown trees in this swampy area of the ICW. Very interesting to see homes up on stilts and other homes with a 200 feet dock out front to get to their boats.

We are in a safe harbor in Charleston S.C. at Ashley Marina. The temperature is in the low 50F's and windy. We expect to stay here for a couple of days because of weather. The front coming through is predicting 20 foot waves!

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Yesterday (Friday) was another pleasant but rather long day of over 5 1/2 hours traveling on the intercoastal waterways. (ICW) We arrived in North Myrtle Beach and enjoyed happy hour at a place called Dock Holidays. The weather has calmed down and it was a sunny 70F most of the day but as the sun began to set it cooled off quickly.

Tonight (Saturday) we are tied up at Osprey Marina, in South Myrtle Beach. It is a very protected area and we see white pines out of the cabin window. It was very interesting coming down this stretch of the ICW. Not surprising, we saw many golf courses. At one point there was a cable car going overhead. The golfers park on one side of the water, then are transported across the water in the cable car, with their clubs, to the other side of the ICW to tee off.

Tomorrow (Sunday) we are heading out towards Georgetown South Carolina famous for the oldest paper mill. The weather report is for temperatures falling to the mid 30F's brrrrrrr

Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina

November 16, 2006

We arrived at the Masonboro Marina yesterday after a very pleasant trip down the intercoastal enjoying temperatures around 70F. As we traveled we saw many dolphins. Five played and jumped in our wake.

Today, we stayed safe, sound and secure at the dock as we experienced thunderstorms, rain and heavy winds from the tornado that touched down just 18 miles from here. We were glad to have made the decision to stay in this safe harbour. We watched the reports on our TV that the tornado demolished 20 homes in the nearby trailor park as well as leveling 3 brick homes. Apparently 8 people were killed.

This evening things have calmed down and we are planning to head out for Myrtle Beach, South Carolina tomorrow.

Swansboro, North Carolina

November 14, 2006

Well here we are at Swansboro, NC.
We are anchored in a little basin right by the town.
The boat was launched around 9:30am with no problems.
Great to be back on the water again.
We had a great day cruising from Beaufort, NC to Swansboro, 70+ temperature, sunny sky.
I haven't had the opportunity to up load some pics, but hopefully
tonite!! Our camera is acting up, not sure if its working.. I took
pics of the boat being launched but don't think they turned out.
Gary's preparing steak for the BBQ. Looking forward to being on the
hook tonite.

Great road trip to Florida

We had a fabulous time!

The first pic is when we went to wet n wild with Carmen, Jeremy and
Andrew (Andrew took the picture), the second is the B&B we stayed at
in Charleston on the way down to Florida (had a wonderful time). The
third pic is when the boat was first pulled out of the water.


AT LAST is all scrubbed, polished, checked out and ready for the next part of our Big Adventure.