2011-12-14 - in Nassau (still)

It was a whole lot of 'this' today in the pool.  Connor was in for most of the day until 4:30!  The wind is still howling though.

They have forecasted that there may be some decrease in wind for tomorrow.  We know of 2 boats, that are going to go.   We will listen to Chris Parker in the morning and make a decision.  It is only a 6-7 hour trip to the top of the Exumas!

2011-12-13 - in Nassau

Well, the winds are here and so are we, unfortunately.  In the morning I headed over to the plaza across from the marina to inquire about setting up our phone as a wifi hotspot.  I inquired at the computer store to see if they could set it up.  They could but first I needed a SIM card from Batelco (the phone company)...apparently very far from there.  I picked up Dylan (while Kerry took Connor to the pool) and we walked to Batelco.  With SIM card in hand, Dylan and I braved the bumpy and sidewalk-free roads back to the computer store.  After several hours and a few issues to address, the phone was fixed and we now have internet from the boat.

Nassau Harbour

It was getting on in the day and we needed to fill our time with a bit of fun.  We ended up walking to Atlantis on Paradise Island to check things out.  It is such a large complex.  We chatted with the crew of a megayacht and they had just arrived from Chub Cay (where we let from the day before).  They had said that the conditions out there today were quite rough....even or them.    To stay at the marina, it is about $4 per foot and there is a 50 foot minimum.  Looks like we'll be back at our marina again

2011-12-12 - to Nassau

We headed to Nassau today.  Chris Parker on the SSB broadcast said that the next few days were not going to be great for travelling to Nassau.  He did say, however, that if he were to pick a day, this would be it.  After today, he said that the wind was going to kick up for several days.  So, the forecast called for 1-2 metre waves and 20 knot winds.  Not bad and it was only going to be for a few hours of travel.   So, a lot of people started to move.  You could see a train from each anchorage all heading towards Nassau.  The wind and waves were, however, a little bigger than Chris Parker had predicted.  At one point we had a 12 foot wave crash over our bow...or should I say, boat.  The rest of the waves did spash a lot of water on the boat and by the end we were decorated with tiny tufts of seaweed.  It wasn't an uncomfortable ride and we were sailing at 7-8 knots which made it very tolerable.  When the entrance to Nassau Harbour came into view we made the call to Nassau Harbour Control to clear us into the harbour.  The waves were crashing on the rocks outside of the channel entrance.  Kerry just kept the boat straight and sailed through at a whopping 9 knots.  A couple of boats were right behind us and we all settled in the quiet turning basin in front of the cruise ships to take our sails down.  Whew.  The sail today was exhilerating, but we were glad that it was over.  We settled in at Nassau Harbour Club, one of the marinas for the night.  We are not sure how long we will have to wait for the winds to settle down - hopefully, not too long.  We took the rest of the night to catch our breath and to hose everything down as the boat, sails, etc. were covered in salt water. 

2011-12-11 - in Chub Cay

We woke up in this very calm and beautiful anchorage this morning.  The wind seems to be howling a bit from the east, but we are on the leeward side and getting none of it's affects.  We pulled anchor to check out the marina.  We inquired about the docks....it is $2.75 per foot with power and water extra (we'll be anchoring tonight!) .  Water is $0.40/gallon and we did need some of that.  No more splashing water around.  We were in a bit of a conservative mode up until this point...but, it was never that serious.  Now, we need to be a little more aware.  Some of these marinas range from 0.25 to 0.65 /


The laudromat

 gallon....so, it is pretty pricey when filling up the tank. 

We will be here for the day.  Connor has already been in snorkeling around the boat and retrieved our towel from 6 feet below.  After a bit of schooling....we, will be out there again.  It's nice to relax for a few days.  The last few hikes to get here have been a bit exhausting.

Got a wonderful note about our message in a bottle from a family in Florida...here is what they wrote:

We picked up your note on the beach on Hutchison Island,  Fla. where we live, so maybe it did not get that far from where you launched it.  We have had some really windy, stormy weather lately.  We had fun finding it and hope that your boys will feel good that it was picked up.  We plan to launch it again off the beach and hope that you will get a note from someone else, too.
We wish you fair winds and a very happy successful journey and a happy Holiday season.
John & Maryann


Snorkeling under the trampoline



2011-12-10 - to Chub Cay, Berry Islands



"I got my toes in the water, ?ss in the sand, not a care in the world a cold
beer in my hand, life is good today!" Zak Brown



We pulled away from our choppy little anchorage at daybreak.  The good thing is that we were on a run - heading west, with following seas.  I could have done that easily all day.  Something inside me wanted to keep heading back to Bimini as the ride  was so smooth and quick - we were going 8 knots now compared to the 5 heading into the wind.  But, we did turn around and headed towards the north channel entrance.  Just as we turned around, I put the rod in the water and almost immediately pulled in a 2 foot Spanish mackerel.  Now, I didn't know it at the time...so, this little fella' also got to live another day.  I think I enjoy most finding these fish and identifying them- and then sending them on their way.  It was another rough day, but a shorter one than the day before. 

 Chub Cay came into view and we saw a few boats in the anchorage.  As we approached the beach the water became calmer and calmer until there was nothing but a ripple.  Ahhhh.  This is what it is all about.  It took Connor about 30 seconds to suit up and jump in around the boat.  He could see large pin cushion starfish and smaller fish flitting about the white sand below.  We eventually all got our flippers on and headed to the beach.  The sun has been incredibly strong and hot.  After a few moments, Kerry swam back to get the dinghy, hats, sunglasses, more sunscreen, towels and cover ups. We enjoyed just hanging out and
snorkeling in the shallow waters. 

2011-12-09 - to North Channel Marker...in the middle of nowhere

can you name this fish?

We decided to head out of Bimini this morning.  A group of boats from Quebec were also heading out, so we would have a bit of company.  It was a long day today - 13 hours.  We left when the sun was coming up and landed when the sun had set and the moon had taken it's place.  I caught 3 identical fish today but they lived to see another day.  I didn't know what they were and, they were a bit small -so, off they went.    We were glad to throw the anchor at the end of the day.  The waves were slapping the hull all night...I still slept though!

...hard to get a good shot with the waves....but, it's the moon at
the anchorage - very bright!

2011-12-08 - in Bimini, Bahamas

Connor finds a little friend on the beach



We decided to stay in Bimini for a day  to relax and to wait out the front that was going to pass through.  In the early morning (5am) the wind kicked up but was finished by 9am.  The rest of the day was very great.  After school-time, we took a dinghy ride up the middle of Bimini to see if there was any sandy area that we could pull the dinghy on and swim.  Nothing was found, but it was a nice ride anyway.  We were hoping for something on the inside as the wind was now coming from the north which made for a rough swim in the surf on the Florida Strait side.  The boys loved it, however.   Very large waves and lots of jumping in them.  Connor got his boogie board out as well to 'surf' the waves.  Later on, the other kids joined up an they all bobbed up and down in the waves.  We took

them back to de-sand themselves in the pool area.  It looks as we may pull out tomorrow.  The wind is supposed to be more favourable to cross over the banks.  If we leave it a day, we will have to motor.  It will be a very long day and we will just end up on the banks for the night.  Our destination will be Nassau in 2 days.  Then a day to the top of the Exumas.

2011-12-07 - to Bimini, Bahamas

Well,we are off! It's 4am and we are now making our way out of the channel heading to Bimini. We are not alone this morning. Although it is pitch black out here, we can make out the lights of 5 boats in front and 4+ boats behind. It's great company as you can always hear what other boats are seeing in front. The boys are still asleep, but Connor wants to be up when we start in the Gulf Stream. This is probably it for Internet until we reach Bahamas. Catch you on the 'other side'!
------------------------------------------------

Well, we made it.  At 1:00pm, we arrived on the docks at Blue Water Marina.  The crossing was basically uneventful.  We had 3-4 foot waves on the

nose the whole time and had to motor...but, it could have been worse.  We had a few sprays over the bow, but nothing to soak us.  We also tried our hand at fishing again, without any luck.  Dharma (the other boat that we are crossing with) did catch a Wahoo! 
The water was so blue on the crossing and half way over the Gulf Stream, we tossed two bottles into it which we wrote a note and put in our boat cards.  Hopefully someone up the way finds it and lets us know.  We figured it would probably take 50 or so days to reach land...perhaps Ireland?  We also had dolphins jumping around our boat for about 5-10 minutes.  They were really putting on a show.  It was great!!

Tossing our 'message in a bottle'

As we approached the entrance to Bimini, the water turned that incredible clear that we have so longed for up in "Murky North America".  We could see fish and star fish right down to the bottom. Connor ran to the front to take it all in.  We landed at the docks and got our pile of paperwork from the marina office to fill in.  Once completed we had to go down the street to the customs office.  Other cruisers were there doing the same.  It's here where we pay for our cruisers permits (in case you are wondering it is $300 + $25 for the extra person).  After that, we proceeded to the immigration office where we needed to fill out more

dolphins came to play

paperwork.  All done!  Time to relax and enjoy!    We ended up going to the beach on the other side of the island where some of the other cruisers were also.  The water was beautiful and refreshing.  Dylan even got in with his floating neck ring and loved it.  We'll do more of this for sure.  In the evening a lady named Shirley came by the boat selling Conch Salad and told us of the bonfire down at the beach.  We ended up doing that and met more cruisers at her little restaurant, called 'Shirley's'.  The other cruisers had said that this little spot is the best around and came to Bimini just for her food.  We had already grabbed a bite, but may give it a go tomorrow.  One of the fellows we met is the captain of a boat that landed today as well.  He told us of his woes at the customs office that day.  They stamped the passport all of the people from his boat


Taking the US courtesy flag down and puttting
up the yellow quarantine flag

 until they got to the owners passport.  They shook their heads in simultaneous disagreement.  Apparently, he had been coming to Bimini every 2 weeks or so bringing items for the Bahamians.  He was not running anything illegal....just diapers, fruit juice, etc.  It is very expensive here for some of those items and he was basically just helping out families.  After a brief discussion, he said, the owner was clear.  No other details were shared.  We did a brief walk around the town before heading back to the boat.  We haven't planned what to do tomorrow but there is a front moving in (this is the window that is now closing for those who still need to cross) and we'll make plans then.  We are just thankful that we made it and are very excited to explore these wonderful islands.

2011-12-06 - Key Biscayne, FL (No Name Harbor)

We listened to Chris Parker on SSB this morning, and it appears like tomorrow will be our day for crossing. Right now we have left the mooring field at north Key Biscayne and heading for No Name Harbor where we will be prepared to head out for Bahamas in the morning!

2011-12-05 -in Key Biscayne, FL

Today, Julie from Cee Jem and I headed over for one very last provisioning run. It seems like we just couldn't fit any more in the boat, but when you see things at the store that you may need...you start to imagine more space magically appearing! A full dinghy load made it back to the boat and was tucked away before you could say, "did we get any...?". This is now all that we can load. If we don't have it, we don't need it. And, if we need it....we could probably buy it there. So, provisioning is now done. The kids played on the beach while all this was doing on and later, Cee Jem came over for supper. We enjoyed Cee Jem's pumpkin pie which see was going to save to make for when we got to Pumpkin Key. This is a Key a little south from us. We were going to leave from there...but, now it seems as if we are planning on leaving from No Name Harbor just 4 miles or so from here. The other boat, Dharma, is also waiting there. It looks as if the window will be opening this week for the crossing. It's just a matter of waiting a day to be sure what this will look like. Very exciting!

2011-12-04 - in Key Biscayne, FL

We are in the mooring field still, but eagerly waiting for our crossing to the Bahamas.  The weather has not been suitable for crossing for the last 1-2 weeks.  There is still wind with a northern component that does not do well with the Gulf Stream.  At first, it looked as if Wednesday early morning would work...but, when we woke up this morning, the forecast had shifted a day later.  So, now Thursday, seems to be the day.  The kids from the other boats came over for a play on the boat in the morning.  Several were hanging in harnesses off of the lift at the side of the boat and the two at the stern for the dinghy.   We were visited by lots of jellyfish also which added to the excitement of dangling just above them.  Later we joined Cee Jem at the beach for some serious hole digging and further route planning.  On the way over there Cee Jem, with Connor in their dinghy, saw a manatee in the water and a trumpet fish just near the beach!  They all thought that was pretty cool!  We are all ready now to go.  Of course, we keep eating our provisions while we wait, so we will run out to the grocery store tomorrow to top up for one last time...hopefully!  

2011-12-03 - in Key Biscayne, FL



Enjoying the beach with the other 2 boats while several  kite surfers entertained us!



Exploring a marvelous tree along the way home!

 

2011-12-02 - to Key Biscayne, Fl



 We decided to move from Coconut Grove to Key Biscayne as we were not protected from the wind coming in the bay.  The other two boats also headed that way.  After a very lengthy check in procedure (it is a government facility and we had to show proof of insurance, ownership, etc.) we hooked up to our new mooring ball.  It's a much more protected spot, however, the wind still is howling in here.  The water is such as nice colour and we are moored next to a small island which is home to pelicans and other water birds.  It's quite a nice spot.  Just before the sun went down we had decided to head to the small beach near the marina to check it out.  Cee Jem joined us and we enjoyed a few snacks while the kids played in the sand and dancing to Miley Cyrus!  Fun!

2011-12-01 - in Miami, FL (Coconut Grove)



Last night on the radio I heard the advertisement for "Santa's Enchanted Forest".  I did a quick search and thought that it would be fun to go.  I got Kerry on board with the idea and after told Connor - he couldn't contain himself.  In the morning he quickly and attentively completed his school work so that we could get there on time.  It's a large amusement area, but in a Christmas / Santa theme.  We headed into town early afternoon for a quick walkabout and then hopped on one of the city buses that would take us there.  It was quite nice.  They had so many Christmas lights in the trees that lined a long walkway to the amusements.  They also had displays lining the walk and rides for younger kids.  We found the local bus that would take us to the terminal and transfer to the terminal.  To find the bus I jumped on the first bus I saw to ask which bus to take.  Within moments the whole bus was shouting out orders for the bus.  I felt like I was on Price is Right....where I was bidding on a set of washer and dryer. I couldn't even make out really what they were saying.  Very helpful lot, really, but we figured it out.  One crazy

thing that happened occurred when we getting on the second bus.  Kerry heard someone call out his name and guess who it was QCYC folks?  John Ball (J.B.).  for those who don't know J.B. he is from our club back home.  He was thinking of heading down this way, but we had no idea that he had made it.  He had left after the whole closing of the Erie canal thing....so I can't wait to hear his story when we meet again.  The bus driver was closing the door quickly behind Kerry so we didn't get to hear.  Anyway...small world.  I tried a lot of the rides that Connor did.  I figured that this is training for

crossing the Gulf Stream.  If I can handle these rides, I can handle anything that the crossing can throw at us!

Connor is the 'Ring Master' at the Children's Interactive Circus




Wheeee!  So hard to get a good picture of this as they were moving so quickly......They loved it!

 

2011-11-30 - to Miami, FL (mile 1095)

We finally broke free from Cooley's Landing.  At 9am the first opening of the bridge saw 3 sailboats (Hi5, Cee Jem and Dharma) make their way through.  We had to first stop at Las Olas Marina to pick up a package that had been delivered there.  We did a Nascar pit stop on the sea wall at the marina.  A quick tie up, a run into the office and back, untie...and go! We would be going out in the ocean today.  It's been a while since we have been out there.  Cee Jem have never been out and they are looking forward to putting at least one ocean passage before the big crossing.  The sea was very calm and wind was under 10 knots - so quite uneventful.   We saw, for the first time, the bottom of the ocean.  The colour of the water has definitely changed.  It's not 'Bahamas clear' but you can see detail at the bottom which show that we are going in the right direction.  One thing that we did see was a large amount of pink jellyfish floating by.   It was something I have never seen before.  Connor also wanted to try fishing again.  He was, again, successful.  He pulled in, what we think was a small tuna (called a Little Tunny).  We ended putting it back as it wasn't a very large fish but he was thrilled to have caught another.  We pulled into the mooring field at Dinner Key Marina late afternoon.  We will be here or a few days as the weather for crossing does not seem like it is suitable until, at least, next Monday. 

2011-11-29 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL (Cooley's Landing....last day here)

It was just a day for trying to complete all of the last-minute tasks on our list.  Busy, busy day!  In the middle of it all the three kid boats got together to put on a bake sale.  Connor also brought out his magic tricks to entertain the bake sale goers.  Tomorrow we plan to leave for Miami.  I think that we all feel done with Ft. Lauderdale.  After several days at one spot we start feeling like it is time to start moving.  The first bridge opening is at 9am....we plan to be under it!

2011-11-28 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL (Cooley's Landing....still)

We are still here at Cooley's - hoping to head out soon but we have a few big jobs to do on the boat.  One of them was unjamming the spare halyard at the top of the mast. It had slipped off of the wheel and jammed in the mechanism.  This required me to go up there and sort it out.  It was quite jammed and took over an hour to clear.  Greg from Cee Jem and Kerry stood by and manned the lines.  It was good to finally tick off one of the big jobs on our list.  Several more are on....but one day at a time!

One of the very exciting things that happened today was that

Connor caught his first fish!  We have been throwing out a line just really for fun.  We throw it out...reel it in.  Nothing ever jumps on the hook.  But, this time he yelled out, "I caught one, I caught one".  I was not prepared for that.  I shouted to Kerry who came running to assist, we had to run back to grab the net, the pliers and, of course, the camera.  He was thrilled.  We ended up freeing this little guy to live for another day.

My view from above!