My mom passed this morning

How Long is a Lifetime?





How long is a lifetime? It is one of the mysteries of earth that we have no answer. It is never long enough for those who have loved and cherished that life. No time seems long enough for us to have loved completely, and our hearts ache with the love that we have left to give.





It is a mystery how some can fulfill their appointed lifetime in measurements of minutes, hours, months, or days, while for others the measure spans years or decades. Regardless of the allotment, it is never long enough for those left. How long is a lifetime? The answer leaves us mourning.





How long is life? It is one of the mysteries of heaven that we have an answer. Life is eternal. For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.. For we walk by faith, not by sight: We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. (2 Cor. 5:1, 7-8) How long is a life? The answer gives us comfort.





1Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 7We live by faith, not by sight. 8We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord (NIV)





Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort: Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 KJV




3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.(NIV)

Black Point airport

Saturday, July 27th





Today has certainly been an interesting day. It began by Vicki and I making our way to tie up at the government dock and walk to Black Point Airport, under a mile away. We were the first ones there, and watched as folks began gathering. A couple of private planes came in, and took a few passengers, leaving at least ten people for the little 8 seater plane that was also destined to go to Staniel to pick up more folks.





There was a lot of discussion about splitting up a party of 8 that included 4 kids, but Vicki managed to be on the plane.





Altumus, the bar owner from Little Farmers Cay got off the plane, I waved to him, got a hug, and I told him I'd give him a ride to Little Farmers. We watched Vicki's plane start to leave. As the pilot was taxi-ing out, however, he hit one of the temporary runway lights, sending it flying, and bending his left prop on a two prop plane. We watched as all the folks on the plane got out, and began pushing the plane in a circle so it could motor back towards the building.





The group all stayed around the airport as Flamingo air brought in (eventually) two small planes to take everyone out in time to make their connections in Nassau. Remember, if you are flying to the Family Islands, time and schedules mean very little. Fortunately, all the people were delivered to Nassau in time to make their connections, primarily because no one had made connections within 4 hours of the scheduled arrival time.





A private pilot dropped in and picked up Altumus, saving him from a 6 mi Whaler ride, and me from a 12! Good things come to those who wait. How I would LOVE to see this area from the air from a small plane!





When I went back to the MERCY, I texted Vicki's husband that she was on the way, and remarked that her plane out of Blackpoint had been delayed, but that she had plenty of time to make the connection. I left HER to tell him about the adventure, as I didn't want him thinking too hard about that as she flew home!





I did laundry, and made use of their wi-fi while I did! You've got to love Rockland Laundry in BlackPoint!

Hog Cay south through the inside

On Tuesday, we took the MERCY, towing the Whaler, and meandered to the south through the inside, up against the islands instead of in the deep waters of the Sound or going way out on the bank. These areas are known for shoaling sand, and it had been years since I had been through there.





We ran along the deep channel west of Hall's Pond Cay, and SW around the sandbar below the southern tip of that island. We cleared the bar and ran back to the NE towards the northern end of Ridge Cay. I don't think it was necessary for us to go to the SW as far as we did, but, since it was raining at that point, it was difficult to read the water. We passed immediately to the west (rock tossing distance) of the islands to the west of Ridge Cay, following the bank of that island with an immediate turn to the east along the south side of the island. The channel through here is pretty visible.





Along the west side of Little Hall's Pond we found two mooring balls that appear to belong to Exumas Land and Sea Park. We rounded the tip of Little Hall's Pond and looked, but could not locate, the sunken airplane along the reef there. We saw dinghy moorings at the Sea Aquarium, up next to the small cay that is north of O'Briens Cay. There is also a large boat mooring just inside O'Briens Cay.





We paralleled the coast of O'Briens Cay, passing to the east of the rocks laying halfway between Pasture Cay and O'Briens. We were headed to Cambridge Cay mooring field. We passed to the east of the small cay in the middle of the cut and ducked into the Cambridge Cay mooring field as a squall with dramatic winds was passing through. The mooring field was empty, and there were tiny white caps through the mooring field. We turned around and headed back to the serene mooring we'd seen behind Little Hall's Pond. This time I passed to the west of the island in the middle of the cut, and went around the south and then west end of Pasture Cay before turning NE and completed the circuitous route.





Little Hall's Pond aka Johnny Depp's Island, is private, with no trespassing signs along the beaches. The side nearest the moorings are rocks coming down into the water, making for great snorkeling along the rocky wall. There is a lot of current through here, so it is a slack tide adventure.





We went over and snorkeled the Sea Aquarium from the installed dinghy mooring. Although the current flies through here, snorkeling on the falling tide, the current hits the wall, and upwells into the corner, making a great area to snorkel behind that upwelling, out of the current. So the boat on the mooring is in strong current, and one boat width away you can be out of the current. There were tons of tropicals, several Nassau grouper, sergeant majors, angel fish, trigger fish, lobster, etc. Everything there looks like they are used to being fed, even though it would be against park rules to do so.

Vacationing around stormy weather....

I did laundry in Black Point and mosied on down to anchor to the west of Sampson Marina.. That is a nice anchorage, unless you get a westerly wind. There was a 140' yacht there, and a 60' It is also on the Staniel to Compass small boat route, and between boats flying past, and jet skies zipping through the anchorage...





In the morning at high tide, and with the latest weather info, I took the shallow water route south and west of Sampson to the deep channel heading up to OverYonder Cay, and turned into my selected spot tucked in next to Thomas Cay to ride out the weather associated with Tropical Storm Chantel. Later that afternoon, a sailboat, Soon Reach, decided the same thing, but anchored in the middle of the channel. I watched him get bounced around by wakes for a couple of days.





Mercy-dog and I took the Whaler through protected water on Thursday to pick up Dorothy at Staniel Cay.





The Staniel Cay Yacht Club has a good relationship with Watermakers Air, out of the executive airport in Fort Lauderdale. This US based airline of small planes seems to be one of the most reliable forms of transportation. They fly from Fort Lauderdale to Andros to clear Customs/Immigration, and then on to Staniel. I would love to make that flight, just to be able to see the low altitude view of the islands! You can get transportation via golf cart with Staniel Cay Yacht Club from the airport to the marina.





On the way to the MERCY, Dorothy and I swung by Big Majors to feed the swimming picks some old bread that I needed to get off the boat. Mercy-dog always wants whatever we're feeding pigs or fish! We just beat a sprinkling rain back to the boat.





On Friday, with the remnants of TS Chantel providing winds, we roamed the quiet protected waters in the vicinity, drift snorkeling and exploring the areas around Pipe Cay, Little Pipe Cay, Compass Cay, and Joe Cay.





Friday night/Saturday morning in the wee hours, we had a 50 kt storm blow through. I'm sure Dorothy wondered what she was getting into.





Saturday morning we saw two ladies off the Soon Reach, and their two dogs walking the beach, and we went in and joined them for an energetic walk on Thomas Cay along a trail that was new to me. The trail cut across the island to the cut, and then along the sound side. They pointed out a couple of other trails as well.





With the squalls over, and our water tanks topped off, we moved the MERCY through the inside, past Compass Cay, did a drive-by of Rocky Dundass, but didn't stop, did a drive-by of Cambridge Cay, and then went outside into the Sound and down to the Hog Cay mooring field at South Wardwick Wells.





While at the mooring field for a coouple of days, we drift snorkeled with the Whaler through several of the cuts, snorkeled along the outside of Hog Cay, snorkeled around Emerald Rock, and did a dive at Jeep reef. One of the more interesting features is the tunnel that goes all the way through Hog Cay, which is pretty much open at low tide. At high tide, when I did it, when the surge wasn't so bad, there are openings to the sky every few feet, making for an easy snorkel. Having said that, it is a good idea to make sure you are swimming into the current, which ensures a ride back.





There were lots of big lobster in these protected areas, as well as an abundance of conch, and tropical fish. The water clarity and the abundance of coral and rocky reefs are always fun.

Excuses for not blogging

In response to the numerous messages I've received, the MERCY and crew are fine.

I have not had internet access in a long time capable of posting the blog.

Tropical Storm Chantel pretty much dissipated before reaching the Bahamas, the windy conditions we'd had the last month persisted.  We had a 50 kt squall or so while we were tucked in the sweet anchorage at Thomas Cay.

My friend Dorothy flew into Staniel, and spent a week. 

My friend Vicki flew into Blackpoint, and also spent a week.

I will update the blog when I get a chance, and maybe finally get some photos on.

I learned yesterday that my mom is in ICU in the States, and appreciate your prayers for her and my dad.

Where to ride out a storm in the Exumas

In the Exumas, one of the better places to ride out a tropical storm would be Red Shanks anchorage, where I just left from. Mutter, mutter... There are islands all around you, and the bottom is great holding.





Other areas that come to my mind are the pond inside Rudder Cut Cay, which I'm not sure about the ownership of the pond. I do know you'd have to go in past surveillance cameras, barking dogs, and no trespassing signs, that I figure only apply to land. I'd hate to plan on going there and finding out there was an upset land owner. That pond is almost totally surrounded (except for the dredged cut) and I'm not sure of the bottom composition. I started to take the Whaler in there a month ago, but, didn't want to get into a conflict with anybody.





Cave Cay marina is another great, totally surrounded place. I don't know how the holding on the dredged bottom would be in the harbor. If this were a hurricane, I'd go there.





Where I was anchored at Thomas Cay has a lot of current, but provides good wind protection, and is hard enough to get into that I don't expect to see other boats there.





Compass Cay marina claims to have good protection. I'm not sure about that one.





I scoped out Norman's Pond Cay to figure out how to get in there, in the event of a hurricane. It is just further north than I need to go.





The reason I'm in this area is to pick up Dorothy who is flying into Staniel, and will wait until I see if it looks like she cancels before I commit too seriously to where I'm going.





Friends and family can follow me on SPOT.

Pimlico Cays really are a nice route

For some reason I had the impression that cutting through Pimlico Cays, rather than going out into the Sound was a shallow, treacherous route that should only be done following someone else.  I had no problems coming through there.  If you use the Explorer chart's line on the Garmin, it is a pretty good guide.  

In the near vicinity of the cays themselves, forgot the line, and just follow the deeper water that is very visible.  My pucker factor might have made the trip unenjoyable if I had taken the 4'4" draft through at dead low tide, but in good visibility at a mid to high tide, it gave me enough comfort to roam a little to ascertain how wide some of the areas were. 

The shallowest water of the trip was after the West Pimlicos, and the bar across the Darby's.  If you are going south, and you make those, you have it made.

After I passed by Darby's, I stopped and anchored by the cave on Rudder Cut Cay, and took the Whaler back to snorkel the mermaid.  Thank you David Copperfield!  You added a smile to my trip!  The sculpture of the mermaid is sitting at a grand piano.  I don't know why I didn't take my camera.

I do know why I didn't go get it and bring it back, however.  The rain was coming hard and fast up from the south, and I figured I'd get underway and travel in the rain.  I picked up the anchor, and went less than a mile, and decided to anchor up, wash the salt off the boat, enjoy listening to a book while the storms passed by.

After a little over an hour, I pulled anchor one more time, and headed the inside route all the way to Black Point.

About the time I got anchored up, and things secured, Dorothy texted me to ask if I thought the plane would fly on Thursday, due to the tropical storm.

Sure enough, the storm had decided to head in my direction.  I sure am glad I bought the internet card, where I can read the forecast discussions from the National Hurricane Center.

Checking out the back of Great Exuma

I took the Whaler down the east coast of Great Exuma at high tide, all the way to the Ferry. The shallowest spot was the bar between Rolletown and Man o War Cay. It would I idled over it, and was glad it was a high tide. At the Ferry, I went under the bridge, and worked my way out to the west coast, and ran south to the Goat Cay/Hog Cay cut. I decided it would be plenty doable with my 4'4" draft.





I also ran up the east coast, staying well


inside Pigeon Cay. I left a breadcrumb trail, and decided that was also doable with the Mercy, regardless of tide.





I bought an unlocked T-Mobile device from Georgetown, and a data SIM card from BTC. I now have cellular internet. While I won't be posting any photos until I can hook into wi-fi, it is nice to be able to watch the weather.





On Sunday morning, with a little drop in the wind, I raised anchor and headed south in the Mercy, Whaler in tow. I ran down my trail, through Hog Cay Cut, and up through the cut between Bowe Cay on the west, and Jewfish Cay to the east.





I changed course then to clear Rocky Point, and then turned up through Pudding Point. I rounded Pudding Point, and headed east until I could pass to the west of Pigeon Cay. It sure was a long way to go for such a short distance, but, it kept me from running the rough waters of the Sound.





From here, I was back in familiar waters, and went north to anchor in a cove off a lovely beach along Lee Stocking Island.





Mercy and I went to the beach and enjoyed a good romp on the beach. Mercy dog played like a puppy. I was kinda tired.

On to Georgetown

Tuesday July 2





The wind dropped off a little early this morning, so I was underway by 0400. From Thompson Bay to Georgetown is shallow water most of the way, so it doesn't get rough the way the Sound can, just sort of a nasty chop. Running directly downwind, however, made for an easy trip. By the time I got where I needed to be able to see coral heads, the sun was high enough I could.





I swung in to Hog Cay to look at the cut through there, but had hopes that at some point in the next ten days the wind would drop enough to run the Sound from Georgetown to the north, at least up 20 miles or so to get out of the real shallow inside waters.





In Georgetown, I did the drive-by, looking for Rudy and Jill on the Briney Bug. I spotted them anchored off Monument Beach. I saw the Swing Set in the planned marina area at Crab Cay, and talked to Rolls Doc at Sand Dollar Beach, where I had originally planned on going. The wind however, from the SE was blowing better than 20, putting a roller in there, so I went around to the calm secluded anchorage at Red Shank. The area provides an easy access to the beach for Mercy dog.





A quick Whaler exploration found Next Gig just around the corner, a little further up from where I was anchored. Later, I heard, but didn't see, Bye Polar.





It rained enough Tuesday afternoon and evening to top the water tank off.





On Wednesday, I went by and talked to the Next Gig, went on to Georgetown and saw the Briney Bug had come and anchored close to go to the store. At the grocery dock, looking for Rudy and Jill, I ran into Mike and Rosie from the Swing Set. It is kind of fun, this loose knit boating community. The Blue Heaven, a trawler anchored near the Briney Bug promised to call me when he saw the couple return.





In the afternoon, Rudy called me from the Blue Heaven, and I ran over to meet Jill and Rudy and give them a hard time for Rich on the Calypso.





I spent hours plotting various scenarios for getting to Staniel Cay to pick up Dorothy on the 11th if the winds keep up, as forecast. Everyone says this is the windiest summer they can remember.





From Georgetown, you have a couple of options. You can jump into Exuma Sound (think deep, big seas) or run the back side, on the bank. Right now the wind is forecast to blow for as long as you can see. I'll probably go the extra 40 miles to run the bank?

Rounding up things at Salt Pond

Sat June 29-Mon Jul 1





Saturday morning rumbled with thunder, ominous storm clouds, and changing winds. In the course of the day, the MERCY walked around on her anchor as the wind blew from every direction. Winds were out of the west long enough for the bay to get rough, and items not secured got thrown around. One item that was secured broke loose and was destroyed. I cried over the television. Rudy, the straps broke loose. I was having such fun watching GoPro videos on the tv. I stayed in a foul mood for the day.





The Good Samaritan who was flying in with the pump delayed his flight until Monday, and the afternoon plane he would have arrived on never came in anyhow.





A bunch of bad weather, high winds, rain all around, and less than a gallon total to the boat.





Sunday was a better day, with a good service at church. I was delighted to see the boys from Friday there, along with that many more young men that age sitting together in church. I got a lot of shy smiles.





Sunday afternoon I met some nice folks at the boat ramp. I went back over to the government dock to walk up and check email, and said hello to lots of people I've met during my stay. I'm starting to feel like a resident here.





Monday morning I got a text that the Good Samaritan was finally flying in, and I spent the day doing miscellaneous chores around the boat. I'm going to run in now, and post the blog, and hopefully get my pump.





Since I have lost my window of opportunity to go to Conception in the ten days waiting on the pump (the winds are high now) I plan to head to Georgetown in the morning. I may not have much opportunity to post the blog the next few days.