Sailing is always an adventure. We left Florida in mid-February and plowed our way across the Gulf Stream to Bimini. It was a long 24 hour slog. The crossing was rough enough that a porthole jarred itself loose and I found 5 inches of water on the floor of the forward bunk. My newly laundered clothes were floating and sloshing about in the saltwater. It was fun.
Since the crossing to the Bahamas, we have headed south, working our way through the Exuma chain of islands. These islands are low, scrub coral with drop-dead, beautiful, clear waters. A great sailing area. Too bad the winds and waves are ALWAYS on our bow. (this means,motoring, no sails and lots of up & down banging and crashing of Alice Mae.) We keep telling ourselves "the sail North will be great!!!!!!!!"
Warderick Wells, in the center of the Exuma Land & Sea Park, is a protected zone for everything above and below the water. That's Alice Mae - second from the back. I'm moored and happy. This beautiful, clear anchorage offers a safe harbour for sailors from all over the world. Our bay seemed to have three resident eagle rays. They glide around morning & evening. There is also a VERY big manta ray. Way Cool!
I went on a little hike. On the down-hill scramble I shot this picture. Check out the curve of the horizon.
Boo Boo Hill overlooks the North Anchorage on Warderick. Vessels carve driftwood signs to mark their passage through this region.
FYI: I now have a piece of driftwood, David will carve. Watch for a picture on our return trek north. (that will be some time in the future- can't tell exactly when!)
This is what David likes to do- work on the dinghy motor. He does it all the time so he must love it. While I explore island beaches, buy fresh bread, kayak and hike, David is sprawled in the dink whispering sweet nothings at the dismantled motor. It's a very strange relationship. I keep my distance.
Dinghy Beach at Warderick Wells. Bones of a 52' sperm whale shows what happens to you when you hang out in the island sun for too long.
Current population of animals hanging out in the island sun for too long.
The beautiful waters of the eastern, windward side of the islands. This is a picture-perfect calm day.
The problem is, we always seem to be traveling in not-so-picture-perfect day. Here is my journal entries for the sail (motor) down from Cave Cay to Emerald Bay, just north of Georgetown, Exuma.
To make this final run, you have to go out into the deep Exuma Sound- where the big waves are and there is nothing to stop the 20+ knot winds. These are the times when you say "Why, exactly, am I doing this??"
Saturday, March 3
9:00 N23 50.42 W76 14.30
Out in the Exuma Sound. BIG rolling waves. Wind at 18-20 on our nose. Not a fun ride but we have 24.7 mi to sfe harbour. I will do this.
11:00 N23 47.55 W76 05.64
Across from Adderly Cut. Rockin & Rollin. Same beating waves. Same 15-20kt winds. Off our same nose. A very bumpy ride.
1:00 N23 41.07 W75 56.02
Killing ourselves. the wind is up to 24 kts. Brutal. Lost the stainless steel mounting for our radar and electronics. Just crashed down. Almost there!
2:30 N23 37.77 W75 55.08
Tied up at Emerald Bay Marina!
Looks like we're in cat city, and we're the little kitten. Boats streaming in. Nobody wants to be stuck in a bad, crowded anchorage in the coming big winds. And besides, the marina has TV, internet, showers, laundry, a comfy lounge, and ... the piece d'resistance.....a beautiful pool table. Let the winds blow.
But when life gives you lemons you make lemonade........ The big winds blow down coconuts, and suddenly I have the makings for an island pina colada.
Life is good.
Alice & David aboard Alice Mae
So, so beautiful. I think it must be worth the brutal headwinds!! Enjoy the adventure. Love the posts. xoxo Lisa
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