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.