We are here finally!

Monday January 26, 2009
Dance of the Lord
Our adventure has begun. Today we headed out to the islands. We had a good start in the morning and decided to head for Great Sale Cay pronounced Key as my husband keeps telling me. The distance was about 50 miles and it would take the better part of the day to get there. The weather was sunny and light wind on the nose. We decided to heck with it we would steer a bit off course to the north so we could sail. We shut off the engine and it was like heaven to move threw those turquoise waters to a light breeze. After a brief reality check we decided we needed to get the motor on again to make any time. We started to head out again under power and low and behold the exhaust was not spewing any water.
We drifted for a while and as Dick repaired the problem I contemplated all our options. As we were adrift in the ocean we had a month or so supply of food on board and a set of sails to direct us one way or the other so the paralysis of being engine less in the Bahamas began to diminish. I was still having to pinch myself periodically to come back to reality to acknowledge that we were really here. It all seemed so surreal and we were alone again and heading forward to our destination. There is not US Boat Tow to come and get you. Dick managed to get the problem under control again and we made it to our anchorage at Great Sale Cay by about 4:30 pm. Much to our surprise the anchorage was full of boats we know. Meredith and Agapi were boats we had crossed the Gulf Stream with and the couple who's water hose we had disengaged was here and a couple from Mystic, CT (Elizabeth Rose)
that we had meet at the pool in West End were here as well. Dick took off to be the Prince of the Anchorage and say hi to everyone. I was in the middle of making bread and decided to stay on board. Although the engine at times has been such a source of irritation to Dick I myself have been in the privileged position of only observing the frustration. When he left it was a perfect opportunity to break out in the Dance of the Lord. I am so thankful to be here and it is still like a dream to me. My joy is bubbling over but I will try to let a little out at a time (like my pressure cooker). Everything is so beautiful. No bugs, fantastic sunsets and I cannot figure out what did I ever do to deserve all this.
The stars were so bright last night and I slept like a baby.
Tuesday January 27, 2009
I slept so well it was hard to wake up. The anchorages was so calm and peaceful it was like being tied to a dock. I made Breakfast and when we popped our head out we found almost all the boats that were here had moved on. The only one left was Elizabeth Rose. They ding hied over to say hi and when they were leaving his out board would not start so they rowed back and fixed their engine. Dick and I took off to the beach on the west shore of Great Sale Cay. Apparently there has been some disaster here as there was a ruins by the beach. There was lots of dried coral on the beach but not any intact shells that were salvageable. I found a couple of glass bottles. I invited Lorraine and Mike from Elizabeth Rose to join us later in the day. Dick did some maintenance on the water system and so hopefully we are good to go. Our plan tomorrow it to head to Allan Pensacola 30 miles which is about half way to Green Turtle Cay our first settlement we will visit.
Wednesday January 28, 2009
The wind was a bit brisk today and we were able to sail only part way as it was on the nose again. The prevailing winds seem to come from the east and of course that is the direction we are basically heading. The sun is shining and the temperature is warm. I still have to keep pinching myself to prove I am in the Bahamas. What makes a nice day sail is about thirty miles and then anchor and rest and make the rest of the passage the next day. There are a few boats at the anchorages at Allan Pensacola but we decide to take the anchor to the beach. When we get near the shore there is a couple from North Carolina who give us local history. The kids on the boat beside us have taken all the beach junk that washes up and make a scene out of it. There is a huge umbrella and table and chair and a gingham plastic table cloth. The have been fishing for conch all day and have a pile on the beach. Tomorrow we are heading for Green Turtle Cay.
Thursday January 29, 2009
The wind picked up overnight and we have to head to Green Turtle Cay. The distance is not that far and we are able to sail with the Genoa part of the way. The concern about getting to the anchorage at Green Turtle is the depth of water at the mouth of the anchorage. We need to get there at high tide. This of course creates a little stress and the velocity of the wind on the nose does not make it any better. There is a cold front expected for Friday so Green Turtle Cay is a logical choice for good protection. We radio Bob on Meredith to see if they are still there and they answered. There was a cruiser that left and he recommended the White Sound Anchorage was the only one that was deep enough for our draft.
When we arrive the anchorage was full, we tried to set our hook but it has a weed bottom and they do not always set. When we got here Bob and Connie ding hied out to tell us to try to find a patch of sand and drop the anchor on that. We had already radioed the resort and were getting a dock at Green Turtle Marina/Resort. The deal here is you pay for your dock 70.00 for our size boat and then they take the dock age fee off whatever you eat in the Restaurant. The menu for the evening was a buffet. There is a
couple we meet at West End on a Trawler named Mystic Moon and they were here and had another couple that they wanted us to meet. They asked us to come by their boat about 6:00 pm. John use to own Griffin Boat Brokerage and his friend use to sell for him in Nova Scotia. The Buffet was delicious and the first time I have eaten grouper. Back to canned food in a few days. There is wifi here but apparently it just went down before we arrive!!!!!!!!!!!!! I manage to get one off to our moms. The rest will have to wait. As so often happens in the Bahamas no work, no problem, chill mon.