Saturday, April 30, 2011

Return Trip

Spanish Cay Beach Bar

Well we didn't want to leave the Abacos, but we have started the northward migration. We just arrived at Spanish Cay where checked into the Bahamas and it is our last stop on the way home. We will stay here tonight and set sail for Great Sale Cay where we will anchor overnight and then on Monday afternoon leave for the 130 mile trip to Fort Pierce. We just finished dinner here at the Spanish Cay restaurant and I still think that this is the best food that we have in the Abacos all winter. They are just opening the beach bar on the ocean side of the island and it is a raw bar with oysters and shrimp and of course a full bar. Also the pool and hot tub just outside of the main bar is open.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Snorkeling

We had a good day yesterday snorkeling on Mermaid Reef, which is just a short walk from Marsh Harbor Marina. I took some pictures and have them posted on the links portion of the blog, and here is a direct link; Mermaid Reef Pictures We are starting to get ready to return to the States and start heading to the Chesapeake for the summer. We are waiting until we get a good weather window with at least 2 days of settled weather before we cross the Gulf Stream over to Fort Pierce, and check back through US Customs.Once we get there we will rent a car and drive over to Lake Wales and pick up a few things we had delivered to the wife's mothers home.

Monday, April 18, 2011

Full Moon Party

Last night we took a small ferry with 6 of our cruising buddies to Cracker P`s http://www.crackerps.com/  for their famous full moon party.The day had been cloudy with rain all day so sailing plans were on hold and we found space on a special ferry.When we arrived we found Lat`s and Att`s website infamous fellow `That Boat Guy` George with his beautiful wife Kerri of the boat Marquesa.We shared conversation and the fabulous buffet there that had coconut conch,BBQ chicken,fish,roast beef and multiple side dishes including dessert.It was all you can eat so the guys really got their money`s worth.They had a D.J. playing music which  became what my Dad called `That Boom Boom Boom` our griping  caused the D.J. to ask us what music we wanted so music again became dancing tunes.It was midnight when our tired group returned our boats which is up all night for us.
The full moon means ultra low and ultra high tide changes so we were glad we did`t try to take our boat to this low water venue.

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Too many farewells

Many of our cruising friends have returned to the States,mostly because of income tax preparation,we had picked up software for taxes in Palm Beach and paid lots electronically this week.There are also several cruisers who have returned from Eleuthra and are restocking and repairing for their return.Every Thursday at 5 pm The Jib Room here has a cruisers get together with 2 for 1 drinks and we bring snacks .This week we spent time with cruisers who circumnavigated by sextant in the 1970`s and again with small children in the 80`s.They were so open and personable and shared hints and encouragement to us .We had a boat next to us with world travelers from Australia and a Dutch boat down the dock.
We enjoyed a snorkeling day on Mermaid Reef this week.It was my first time in years-first time the ocean was bath water warm.Mike bought a dive suit and has snorkeled several times this season-another thing on my Florida shopping list.The reef was amazing as the ocean was crystal clear and the fish plentiful.Mike brought a snack for them and they`attacked`him and even slid into the Ziploc bag with the snacks.It was like swimming in an aquarium surrounded by vibrant colored fish including a lion fish that the Bahamians have asked us to kill but it is a protected reef and we did not bring our Hawaiian sling that day.
We have the big medical supply kit that we stocked in Annapolis that sat unused until this week.Early this week a woman was exiting her dingy and trying to corral her dog and slipped between boat and dock and tore up her knee.Steve the marina manager and owner called his Dr. who agreed to suture her even though it was Sunday,he called a cab and I returned with the kit and bandaged her for the ride.Her husband returned the next day to thank us and gave details of the care she received,she was given IV antibiotics,tetanus update,pain med IM and 26 fine sutures,great care here in Marsh Harbor because if she had been down south in Georgetown  the vet has the only xray machine.
Yesterday a dock mate was fishing at Man o War and fell 10 feet from his tuna tower onto his deck.He radioed Steven  at the marina that his crew were en route to his dock but crew on board had never docked the boat,he said he was in horrible pain with a broken arm and leg.Steven called his friend with Yellow Air taxi and found that they were en route to Marsh Harbor airport and would fly him to his hospital in Fla.Steven got his truck running then grabbed his runabout with another staff member and met the boat and jumped in and docked the boat.Several people were gathered and I met the boat and splinted his obviously broken wrist and ankle,he was in horrific pain and I had little time as the plane was waiting,his vital signs were good so Mike gave him a pain pill we had and several people put a tarp on a reclining pool chair and carried it to the truck bed.They made it to the plane and I hope to hear how he made out.
The first medical crisis was at the Barefoot Man concert where he called for a Dr. to go to the top deck,nobody came so a fellow cruising nurse friend and I went up and found a thin elderly man recuperating from passing out,he had a strong pulse,pale color,no sweating,hot skin and was a heart patient,he had no pain but had been gardening earlier and had only had half a drink.We encouraged him to lie on a damp towel and ice was brought.About this time a big lady burst in and proclaimed `I`m an R.N. so stand back`.Fortunately Troy from Dive Guana brought his medical kit checked his b/p and took him home as he felt well.The heat this time of year means you must force fluids if in open sun.We are lucky to have our cockpit enclosure,6 fans and 2 wind scoops. The Jib room here is always cool and breezy and we often while away our afternoon playing Mexican train dominoes there.
This week has been sad with friends leaving and because I found that my brother Michael needs a kidney transplant.He has no children so I must find a way to be tested or a weather window to return to Fla.I am awaiting word on his blood type and have had a younger brother and sister offer already .
The wonderful news is that my daughter Amy has been engaged to marry Todd.The wedding will be late fall in Seattle so I will have a busy summer.We plan on returning to the Bahamas after the wedding and our new generator is waiting for us in Fla. so that we can travel farther south next year and anchor out more often.


Thursday, April 7, 2011

Happy Birthday Gary !!!

We just celebrated a friends birthday last night, We first met Gary and his wife up in Deltaville Virgina while we were on our way down here and did not see them again until we arrived in here in Marsh Harbor. That is one of the great things about cruising, all of the great people you meet and run into again and again.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

We got wind

This afternoon while cooking supper the wind suddenly cranked to over 50 miles per hour-no warning of dark skies just wind followed by driving rain.Several boats in the anchorage dragged-one the length of the fairway but no damage to us and only upturned dingys including submerged motor and lost pieces floating but we suffered no harm.this week marina friends suprised me with a birthday party and Jason the dockmaster-barmaster played and sang happy birthday while we enjoyed pizza and cake.The Barefoot Man concert was better than I thought it would be with great music,barebreasted drunk women,lobster newburg dinner,dancing,fireworks and bonfire and good friends to enjoy it all with us.
Abaco has been full of runaway fires this week,they only have a few fire trucks and fewer fireman and little water so with dry brush we have had huge fires,they asked for anyone to help last weekend and it seemed to help finally,they even ran out of gasoline money for the trucks-U.SA. is indeed blessed.The Bahamas are suffering as fewer cruisers and fisherman visit,Orchid Bay marina has no electric due to not paying their electric bill-no electic at marinas in Guana due to the economy,sad.China has stepped in to buy up land and they are excited but I see in their plans a rape of their land with no benefits when I read the plans.Other foreigners have done similar but pulled out and abandoned big resorts so time will tell.

No "good " pictures, Chris kept taking the camera away!  Mike

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Barefoot Man

We had a great time yesterday, even if it started with a rain squall, Great concert, good food and plenty of fun. Here is a link to a photo album of the concert as there are to many photos. I will add more tonight after round two of the concert.
   .https://picasaweb.google.com/malink274/Nippers2011?feat=directlink