Hopetown and Friends

In the morning we went exploring by dinghy. We went in the north channel at Man-o-War Cay and checked out this beautiful place We went as far south as there was water, then came back and exited the south channel to get a waypoint and a photo, and then puttered back through the inside, and back out where we'd gone in. What a cool place! The sign says established 1778.

After we went back to the boat, we cruised south, and anchored off the south end of Hopetown. We took the Whaler to Tilloo Cay in search of our friends, Bob and Sandy, and their two chocolate labs, Trace and Sequel.

Now Tilloo is an island almost four miles long, and Tilloo is all the address I had. As I started slowly going to the south, I saw a couple, and asked them if they were from the island. they said they were not, but just renting, as were the couple next door, the guy's name was Bob, and they have two dogs...

I asked if they were chocolate labs, and he said they were,and that is how I found where Bob and Sandy were staying! Armed with the information of what kind of boat they had left in, we slowly began scanning sandy beaches for two people with two dogs.

OK, it wasn't quite that easy, we didn't see them, and returned to the Mercy boat and wrote them a note. When we went to deliver it, they were back! This means they had passed the Mercy twice, and we had passed each other at least once. What fun it is seeing friends from home.

A gigantic rain storm blew in, and I returned to the boat in a torrential rain. I stripped down to a swimsuit and thoroughly scrubbed the boat down. Then I caught water and topped off the water tanks, and the sun showers. Then, as it was still raining for the next couple of hours, I ran the generator, running the air conditioner to dry the boat out a little, and topping off the battery charge. I also cooked sweet potatoes, garlic, and onions, along with some sausage. Yummy.

The rain quit, and Bob and Sandy came by and invited me to dinner. Maybe we can do it tomorrow. They stayed and we visited while it rained a little more, and then they went back to their really cool cottage on Tilloo, and Mercy and I stayed in our really cool boat near Hopetown! What fun to have friends from home, here, sharing some memories. Allen, they said they are sorry they are going to miss you!

Tomorrow, I hope to explore Hopetown, and find the church Ernie and Kaye pastored.

My wi-fi amplifier is picking up a signal, so I'll sent this message on, and hopefully can add photos to the last few days.

Green Turtle to Man-of-War Cay

Tuesday night we anchored in White Sound, at Green Turtle Cay, Abacos, Bahamas on Tuesday night. I took the Whaler into the dock at the Jolly Roger at the Bluffhouse, but, just as I arrived, it began to rain, so I went back to the boat to close her up. I never did go ashore there. It stormed during the night, but this is a great anchorage, excellent protection, and great holding.

In the morning, we took the Whaler to the long, secluded beach on the south end, the tide was low, and the sand was magnificent! We ran and played, and looked at shells in the water, and Mercy dug a bunch of holes. Then we went out to the reef and explored for over an hour, looking for good places to snorkel that weren't too effected by the ocean swell. There are a lot of places 15-25 feet that come within a few feet of the surface.

We ran back through by Pelican Cay and investigated Black Sound, which also appeared to be a great anchorage. I had over 5 feet at the entrance channel at low tide, with the harbor a little deeper.

Then we went back and picked up the MERCY and brought her to anchor off New Plymouth, so I could go into Laura's Kitchen for cracked conch. Small boats can dock free at the cement pier. I took the Whaler in, found out Laura's was closed, and asked someone local where to get good cracked conch. I got my order to go, since it was cooler in the breeze than in the restaurant. It was way too hot to eat greasy food, and that was the greasiest conch I've ever had. It was not good.

We got underway, headed for Tellio Cay where Bob and Sandy are staying through the week-end. I slowed by Bakers Bay to send yesterday's blog, and then continued down to Fishers Bay, where I anchored and explored with the Whaler into the Great Guana Cay Harbor.

At some point, I don't know when or how, Mercy hurt her back legs/hips and it is painful for her to step up. Guess we've been playing too hard. I gave her a coated aspirin.

Then we got underway again, and anchored for the night off Man-O-War Cay.

Baker's Bay, Guana Cay to White Sound, Green Turtle Cay

Today the wind was blowing SE thru S at 20-ish. the forecast called for it to go west and die out, which it is just starting to die, but not swing at 2100. My sweet little anchorage in Baker's Bay got a little choppy.

Mercy-dog and I went to the beach for a great frolick, then over to spoil island to look around. Then we went around to the outside, and it was so nice we went back for the trawler.

We moved to the outside and anchored, then I went exploring and snorkeling on a reef near there.

Thls afternoon the wind still had not dropped, and it was rough in Baker's Bay! So we went back on the outside, around Whale Cay, and through Abaco Sound up to Green Turtle. We are anchored in White Sound for the evening.

Berry's to the Abacos

Blog May 28

I departed the Berry's on the 25th, and ran up the outside until I could take a straight shot for the Hole in the Wall, on the southern tip of Abacos. There was enough of an ocean swell running to keep me offshore, though this is definitely a spot I want to come back to in calmer weather.

Looking through the huge hole in the rock is fascinating from offshore, and no doubt more spectacular close up!

*See note below

I intended to go into Little Harbour about sunset, but the sun was in my eyes, and there were breakers all the way across the reef. I decided the first time in would be at another time, and ran instead up to North Bar.

I entered North Bar and anchored for Friday night off Lynard Key, for a gorgeous evening in calm water.

In the morning, we took the 19 ashore at the nearby beach, and swam and Mercy raced up and down the beach enjoying the chance to run.

I ran past the anchored Mercy, and then something told me to go close the doors. I steppped onto the boat and as I did, a bird flew in the other door. It was pretty exciting for a minute while the bird was thumping off the windows, and feathers were flying. I heard a thump, and the bird disappeared. I spent the next minute trying to figure out where the bird had gone, and the following minute to figure out how to get him out of the space between the dash and the console. I carefully picked up the dazed bird, and set him on the roof in the shade. He sat there for about five minutes before he flew off. BTW, I closed the doors!

Then we headed, with the Whaler, to the southwest looking for blue holes, unsucessfully. I did talk to a native, however, who gave me better directions to the seven holes, and I'm waiting for Allen to help me go find them.

About noon I returned to the boat, ate lunch, and got underway up the inside of Abaco Sound. I came up the western side of the sound, and saw a minimum of 8'

I went into Harborview Marina about 1530, where Troy Cornea jumped aboard and helped me tie up. Troy's parents pastored in Marsh Harbour, and ran the Assemblies of God youth camp in Abacos for many years. I saw Bob and Phyllis, and enjoyed visiting with them.

Saturday and Sunday I stayed at the dock in Marsh Harbour, and enjoyed running the air conditioner! It is always nice to wash the boat down, too! I met so many great folks on boats at the marina, including one couple from Summerland Key! that it is hard to leave such a nice place.

The reason I came into Marsh Harbor was to meet Pastor Dieon Gibson and his wife Annette at First Assembly. I attended services there on Sunday morning, and had the opportunity to preach there on Sunday night. What a great service we had. I'm looking forward to visiting some more churches here in Abacos.

A couple of sailboats that had been headed into Exumas that didn't get as far south as they'd anticipated gave me bags of coloring books and toys to give to some kids.  I've brought stuff for kids for years, and am glad some other folks are doing that as well.  What great fun it is so share with others!

Monday I cruised north about ten miles and am anchored off Guana Cay, in a nice cove with two sailboats, both catamarans.  I found a free wi-fi access, bt it is slow enough I can't post photos.  Come back to this post later, and there will be photos!

*It has been reported the Hurricane Sandy took the Hole in the Wall down.  The landmark has been there for as long as any living could remember, and was felled by storm surge. 

Thursday:  The wind is finally calming down a little, and I think I see a speck of blue in the sky!

This boat is the sweetest boat to ride out bad weather on!  I’ve been getting some boat projects done, topped the fresh water tanks off with rain water, after using the first day to wash the boat with it!

This morning I woke up to find this shrimp on the swim platform.  I broke out a rod, since I had fresh bait, but something ate it and escaped.  I need a shrimp trap…  That guy was plenty big to eat.  (Note to my shrimping buddies:  Vicki, Jimmy, he was a hopper! 36-40)

I’m going in to the dock in a few minutes (first time its been doable in two days) to pay my bill and get on the internet.

Tomorrow I plan to work my way northward about fifteen miles, and cross over to Abacos on Saturday or Sunday, when we’re supposed to have a great weather window.  I may explore up the bight here a little later today.

Holed up @ Berry Islands Beach Club

I am on a nice mooring in the Berry Islands While this wind blows itself out.  It is better weather in the Berry’s than the Abacos.


After I left the Keys, and made most of the Gulf Stream crossing in the dark.  There was a lot of ship traffic, and a lot of phosphorescence towards the Bahamian side.  The seas picked up a bit, and I was glad when I came up onto the Banks near Riding Rocks.  I waited an hour or so until daylight to see the rocks, and then began crossing the bank.  After a couple of hours, I anchored up for a few hours of sleep, and then went on through NW Channel, and down to anchor off Morgan's Bluff, Andros to anchor for the night. I went into the channel after dark, but, having been here before, I was familiar with the channel, and most of the channel markers were on station.

I cleared Customs and Immigration the following morning, and pulled pulled my pressure pump on the fresh water system apart, trying to fix the pressure switch that wasn't working properly.  Then I crossed fifteen miles of the gorgeous waters of the Tongue of the Ocean, to anchor between Bird Cay and Frazer’s Cay @25 24. 739N  77 49.900W  I was watching the early Tropical Storm A…, and decided we would be in for a night of blusterymisty rain.  I managed to grill chicken,sweet potatoes, and onions between the squalls.

                      

In the morning, unable to get a good weather forecast, I took the Whaler over to the Berry Island Club, where Harry met me at the dock,and gave me the weather scoop.  I moved the Mercy around to one of their moorings, where I sit, waiting for the wind to ease off a little.

I enjoyed my first cracked conch for the trip, with rice and peas, and coleslaw at their little restaurant. The food was REALLY good!

Today I spent a couple of hours putting things away andorganizing and cleaning, and now, catching the journal up as the misty rain and blustery winds continue.  It blew steady around 35kts with some gusts on that for a couple of hours, and when the wind dropped back to 25kts, it seemed remarkably calm!  Did I mention how I love this boat, her stability, and her ride?

There are now five boats clinging to the moorings, and two other boats I’ve talked to, that are anchored out of sight of here.  One of the boats is from Marathon!  I heard a boat coming into Chub Cay say thathe’d had 10-12’ seas.  It is a great time to be tied to a good mooring, in a somewhat protected area.  I am looking forward to ministry in the Abacos, and this weather has been a good time for me to “be still." The forecast for tomorrow is calling for wind before things slow down on Friday. 

Considering that Abaco is facing the open ocean, I have tofigure out when best to make the crossing over from the Berry’s.  I’ve been reading up on all the anchorages,and there is a lot of exploring I’ll have to come back and do with Allen.

Underway for the Bahamas

Today I finally got underway, heading for the Bahamas! Pastor Carey and Doug Grace dropped by on the way to Miami at 0530 to pray for God's blessings on the trip.

I hauled the furntiture in off the proch, and put the last couple of shutters up, got gas for the compressor, and did about 500 other things this morning. My good friend Rudy, came over and helped me with some last minute stuff, and getting the tow on the Whaler rigged. I was underway with the tide at 0935.

The weather this morning has kind of rainy, and the winds are probably 12-13 out of the east. I'm running up Hawks channel until the Keys turn more northerly, and then I'll either jump across the Stream, or anchor for the night further up the Keys, depending upon the weather. If I don't repost today, you know I crossed the Stream.

All equipment is functioning well, and though not calm, the seas are manageable, and the forecast looks about the same for tomorrow. Tonight I'll tuck in behind Riding Rocks to anchor and sleep for a couple of hours until good daylight to cross the bank I love crossing the shallow bank in a slow boat (good thing!) to enjoy looking at the diversity of stuff!

All equipment is functioning well, and though not calm, the seas are manageable, and the forecast looks about the same for tomorrow. Tonight I'll tuck in behind Riding Rocks to anchor and sleep for a couple of hours until good daylight to cross the bank I love crossing the shallow bank in a slow boat (good thing!) to enjoy looking at the diversity of stuff!

All equipment is functioning well, and though not calm, the seas are manageable, and the forecast looks about the same for tomorrow. Tonight I'll tuck in behind Riding Rocks to anchor and sleep for a couple of hours until good daylight to cross the bank I love crossing the shallow bank in a slow boat (good thing!) to enjoy looking at the diversity of stuff!


Update: All is well, and I'm crossing the stream this evening. Can't beleive I've got coverage this far out!

For people who like to be on the water, a Gulf Stream crossing is always interesting, if you like to look at fish, birds, seaweed, and beautiful blue water.  I’ve always figured if you are bored, it is because you aren’t paying attention!  At one point during the night crossing, the phosphorous was everywhere in the water, sparkling its brilliant green glow lights as our wake moved the phytoplankton.

Anybody remember the old video game Frogger?  The point of the game was to get your frog across the stream/highway/etc without getting smashed by a truck, ate by an alligator, etc.  I was never any good at it.  I think about that and laugh now, as I’m crossing the stream, dodging ships, and not letting the current wipe me off the page.

As much as I enjoy being on the water, by the time I got to Riding Rocks, after pulling an all-nighter, I was ready to be there!  There was too much swell to comfortably anchor, and I wanted to see Riding Rocks up close, so I waited until daylight, snapped a photo or two, and continued on a little ways across the Bahamas Bank for an hour or so before I anchored for a few hours of sleep.

At some point during the transit, the pressure switch (I determined later) stuck, and when the fresh water pump exceeded the pressure allowed by one connection, it blew the hose off, and pumped all my fresh water into the bilge.  It was at that point that I decided to head to Morgan’s Bluff, Andros, where water is free, and I could clear customs without paying a marina to do it.

So after a few hours  of sleep on the bank, I continued onwards to Morgan’s Bluff.  Darkness caught me once again, but rather than sleep in the open, on the bank, I continued in to Morgan’s Bluff, with its well-marked (by Bahamian standards) channel, and anchored just west of Joanne Point @ 25 10.659N 078 02.443W about 2200.

In the morning, I took the Whaler into the commercial dock to find out where I could tie up to clear Customs and Immigration, and went back to fetch the Mercy.  I docked at the commercial dock @0900, and filled my water tank while I waited for the Dockmaster to arrive.  She called Customs for me, and by 1045 had cleared Customs.  I spent another bit of time  pulling the water pump apart, cleaning the pressure switch, assembling it back, and readjusting the pressure.