Gosh, where has the time gone! The old saying that "time flies when you are having fun" is really true. It is hard to believe that it is already the first of April. We are currently anchored in Elizabeth Harbor in George Town. We need to renew our Visa's by April 5 so we decided to come to George Town since this is one of the Ports where that can be done. We also want to be here for the Family Island Regatta the week after Easter. Initially, we were only given 90 days and we will need at least another 30 to 40 days in order to be in the country legally. This seems to be the first year where cruisers have had difficulty with limits on the numbers of days given when checking in. We have been told many reasons for this and we're still not sure what the truth is. I keep reminding folks that this is the Bahamas. When in the Bahamas, you do as the Bahamians do as well as do what the Bahamians tell you to do! So, we will go to Immigrations on Monday and see if we can extend our stay a little while longer.
Our trip up North to visit the Cays that we missed back in January was extremely worthwhile. Our first stop from Sampson was Hawksbill Cay. Oh my!!!!!! What beauty!!!!! We took a mooring ball and spent the next 2 days exploring the many trails and pristine beaches of this beautiful area. Hawksbill is part of the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park and is one of the most beautiful places we have been so far. They encourage cruisers to chose a mooring ball instead of anchoring so that the sea bed is protected.
The trails take you through the Loyalists ruins that dates back to the 1793 - 1830 era. This was so neat because you could actually see the doors and windows of these ancients homes. The Loyalists had fled the US to make a new home on this Island in the Bahamas after the Revolutionary War. They remained loyal to King George and had to leave their homes in order to start all over again. This is a part of the story that we did not hear about in our history classes. Our Revolutionary War is still referred to as the "Civil War" in Loyalist's history. I can only imagine how difficult it was to be forced from your home, your farm, your place of business and having to relocate in an area, while beautiful, is very rocky and difficult to grow crops. I stood among the ruins and you could almost feel their presence and their struggle in settling in a new land.
Our next stop was Highbourne Cay which is a private island with a marina that welcomes cruisers. Magic, Buck and I enjoyed walking the Island and walking on the beach where we found the oldest known coral dating back billions of years. The coral is called Stromagolites. Magic really enjoyed swimming off the beach with several children and a floating swim platform out about 100 yards from shore. He and Buck swam to the platform, climbed on it and watched as others enjoyed swimming, boating, or just relaxing in the sun. His best friends, Vic and GiGi, stopped by on their way to go snorkeling with a "greenie" for him. He was in "heaven" then! You notice I am not included on the platform. There is a reason for this. At the end of the beach/swimming area, there is a fish-cleaning station. As the fishermen clean their fish, they throw the parts they cut-off into the water and into the mouths of very hungry nurse sharks! Once Buck pointed them out to me, I was very content to stay right there on the beach in my chair and watch both the sharks and Buck and Magic from a far!
Upon leaving Highbourne in the early morning, we had the most pleasant surprise. We were able to sail all the way to Sampson Cay (which is about 35-40 miles). This was the longest time and the longest distance we were under sail only, that means no engine, this entire trip! We had 20 knot winds out of the Northeast. Buck is his happiest when he is trimming his sails! It was really an enjoyable day and trip south back to our favorite place in the Bahamas.
There have been many memorable days since we began our trip. But one of the most special is the day we took our dinghies to Compass Cay. What a neat, friendly place to visit, have a great hamburger, and visit with other cruisers. When I say friendly, I don't just mean the hosts and people who live and work on the Island, but the nurse sharks are friendly too! At high tide, they can be found swimming right on the dock where the dinghies are tied-up. Tucker, the owner, who is well-known throughout the Bahamas is a distingished, soft-spoken Bahamian who welcomes everyone to the Island as if they are returning "home". What a very, very nice man! He has made accessible by developing trails to the most interesting points which includes another one of the prettiest beaches I have ever seen. (I know I keep saying this, but it is really true!).
I don't think that I mentioned that during all of this we have been able to listen to the ACC Tournament and any of the NCAA Tournament games that we were interested in. Thanks to our good friend Paul, we now have satellite radio! We have even turned GiGi into a basketball fan! We are all pulling for VCU this weekend! Sorry to see that none of our beloved ACC Teams made it to the Final Four.
That is all for now.
Fair winds!
Vicki, Buck and Magic
Friday, April 1, 2011
Saturday, March 12, 2011
A Special Opportunity
I want to share with you one of the most meaningful opportunities I have had since I retired from the school system. We were visiting Black Point which is the largest settlement(excluding Great Exuma) in the Exuma Cays. Black Point is a very friendly community welcoming all boaters with its array of essential services and provisions. On a previous visit, I had met with the Principal of the "All Age School". She very graciously offered Vic and myself a tour of the school. We were able to go into each class and meet some of the students and teachers. It didn't take long to realize that character education, respect, and manners were at the top of their mission. When we would enter a class, all the students would stand by their desks, with their green pants or skirts and yellow oxford cloth, button-down shirts, and say "Good morning,Visitors". Did I mention that they also had on ties?! The students looked so nice in their uniforms. We were so impressed and felt so welcome and special. Fortunately for me, I was able to actually work with some of the students for three mornings. Wow!!!! What an awesome opportunity! I immediately fell in love with 4 of the sweetest children who were so eager to read with me and to write about the stories. They worked so well together and seemed to be just as thrilled when one of their classmates responded correctly as they were when they did. What a treat! I guess the love for children and teaching will always be in my heart and soul!
Another special treat in Black Point is the Rockside Inn and Laundrymat and the very special Ida who manages it. I have never thought doing laundry was a treat, but in this particular setting and facility it definitely ranks really near the top as one of the highlights of our trip! Not only is the place spotless and cleaner than any laundrymat I have seen anywhere in the world, but the view is spectacular. Ida also offers the best haircut anywhere in the Exumas! And what a view! We have never had our haircut where I can sit outside and look over a Harbor filled with boats and the clearest water of all shades of blues you have could imagine. Ida - what a sweet, dear lady you are!!
Our next stop after Black Point was Bitter Guana. There have been so many gorgeous areas on our trip but none any prettier than this Cay. The white limestone rock formations are just spectacular! The Cay is a protected sanctuary for Igauans. These little prehistoric-looking animals will actually come down to the beach to greet you when you land your dinghy. Magic had to stay on the boat for this trip to shore since dogs are not allowed on the beach. We had a nice hike to the top of the rocks from which we could look in any direction and have a beautiful view. I think this was one of Buck's favorite places we have visited so far.
During the last couple of months, we have enjoyed hanging out in the Sampson Cay, Staniel Cay, Big Major, and Black Point areas. There is just so much to do and so many places to explore in the water and on land that we could literally spend another month or two and not see it all. However, we have been told there are other really beautiful Cays as well. So, we are planning to leave Sampson Cay on Sunday and head north for a couple of weeks. We will be visiting Norman's Cay, Shroud Cay, and Hawksbill Cay. I look forward to sharing these areas with you in future blogs. I'm not sure about Internet availability but will blog as soon as I can.
For now, that is all.
Fair winds!
Vicki, Buck, and Magic
Another special treat in Black Point is the Rockside Inn and Laundrymat and the very special Ida who manages it. I have never thought doing laundry was a treat, but in this particular setting and facility it definitely ranks really near the top as one of the highlights of our trip! Not only is the place spotless and cleaner than any laundrymat I have seen anywhere in the world, but the view is spectacular. Ida also offers the best haircut anywhere in the Exumas! And what a view! We have never had our haircut where I can sit outside and look over a Harbor filled with boats and the clearest water of all shades of blues you have could imagine. Ida - what a sweet, dear lady you are!!
Our next stop after Black Point was Bitter Guana. There have been so many gorgeous areas on our trip but none any prettier than this Cay. The white limestone rock formations are just spectacular! The Cay is a protected sanctuary for Igauans. These little prehistoric-looking animals will actually come down to the beach to greet you when you land your dinghy. Magic had to stay on the boat for this trip to shore since dogs are not allowed on the beach. We had a nice hike to the top of the rocks from which we could look in any direction and have a beautiful view. I think this was one of Buck's favorite places we have visited so far.
During the last couple of months, we have enjoyed hanging out in the Sampson Cay, Staniel Cay, Big Major, and Black Point areas. There is just so much to do and so many places to explore in the water and on land that we could literally spend another month or two and not see it all. However, we have been told there are other really beautiful Cays as well. So, we are planning to leave Sampson Cay on Sunday and head north for a couple of weeks. We will be visiting Norman's Cay, Shroud Cay, and Hawksbill Cay. I look forward to sharing these areas with you in future blogs. I'm not sure about Internet availability but will blog as soon as I can.
For now, that is all.
Fair winds!
Vicki, Buck, and Magic
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Magic
I have been so impressed with our Second Mate, Magic, this entire trip that I have decided to dedicate this writing to him. His behavior throughout the trip, tolerance of and adaptability to a totally different way of living have been just outstanding. He has been a joy to have on the boat and a real trooper during every aspect of the trip. I will begin with a story that I should have told a long time ago back in October when we first began this trip. I didn't tell it because I thought it might embarrass his papa, but I have since gotten Buck's permission to tell this cute but very true story!
At the start of our trip, we had high hopes that Magic would just figure out what the "fake green grass" on the starboard foredeck of the boat was for without too much instruction from us. There are many times on a long trip like this that it just isn't convenient to take a dog to shore because either there isn't a good place on shore or there just isn't enough time. So to help us all out, Mindy, our good friend and Magic's breeder, had provided us with this latest technology that all boaters with dogs should have on board. She had recommended that I introduce Magic to the "fake green grass" at home in our backyard and try to get him to use it. Then, hopefully, he would transfer this newly learned skill to the boat with a little instruction and reinforcement from me. That's how it is supposed to work anyway or so I learned in my teacher training! Well, needless to say, I just couldn't find the time to fit this in with all the preparations at home and on the boat that we were involved in to get ready for our departure. I guess I just thought he would get it through osmosis or something! I was assured by our Vet that if Magic had to go to the bathroom bad enough, he would go on the boat and hopefully would learn eventually to use the "fake green grass". Did I mention that the "fake green grass" came to us already "seasoned" by a liter of English Cocker Spaniel puppies, thanks to Mindy! So, we leave Matthews Point Marina and our first night's anchorage is in Cedar Creek, N.C. For those of you not familiar with the area, there really isn't a beach or grassy area to dingy your dog in for a potty break. So right off, we were going to see what he would, or in this case would not, do. That's right, Magic being the well-trained companion that he is held it all that day and all that night and into the next day. By lunch on our 2nd. day out, I was getting very concerned about my little "baby boy". I thought, you know, we have preached and reinforced with cookies and treats all bathroom events when done outside on land for "8" years and now we are expecting him just in one and 1/2 days to all of a sudden go; "Oh, yea, that's what they want me to do. They want me to use that fake green grass"! Well, it didn't look like it was going to happen. Buck tried to reassure me that Magic would be O.K. We just needed to wait him out. Magic would look at the shoreline as we traveled down the ICW toward Morehead City and look at us and then at the dingy hanging in the davits off the stern of the boat. It was as if he was saying; "Hey, I've got to go to the bathroom. Ya'll usually take me to shore in the dingy. Why aren't you doing so now"? This was so cute but sad at the same time. The longer he went without going the more worried and anxious I became. Finally, Buck called Dr. Heagren, our Vet. and had him talk with me. He again assured me we were not damaging Magic's bladder or kidneys or anything else. He reiterated that he would go when he just couldn't hold it any longer. So I sat back and tried to relax and enjoy the waterway. Finally, after about 18 hours, Magic would sneak to the bow of the boat, squat, and finally use the bathroom. Man were we relieved! Even though Buck would not admit it, he was getting a little nervous too. Although, he didn't go near the "fake grass", we still reinforced and praised him enthusiastically! Little did we know at the time that this wasn't the end to our problem. This went on for several weeks while traveling down the waterway. We would go into a marina or an anchorage that had a good place to take a dog for walking and going to the bathroom and he would be so happy. But, oh, when we got to the next night and the anchorage didn't provide that, it was like starting all over again. The one thing we knew was that if we could just stand it and wait him out, he would eventually go on the boat.
By the 3rd. week of the trip, I must admit that Magic's mom and dad were getting a little worried that he just wasn't going to get it. His papa kept telling him that he was going to be sent home to Durham by bus if he didn't get it by the time we got to Charleston. I told Magic not to worry that his Aunt Alice would come for him!
One night we were in a beautiful anchorage in South Carolina. We were the only boat there. It was just very private with no houses around the creek. I don't remember how long it had been since Magic had used the bathroom, but I'm thinking it was about 20some hours. I just knew that in a day or two I was going to have to call Aunt Alice and see if she could meet us in Charleston to pick-up my boy. While sitting in the cockpit enjoying the beautiful view, Buck had a brainstorm. He said, "Magic come with me". So the two of them walked up to the "fake grass" and Buck proceeded to use the bathroom off the side of the boat with Magic watching him. The next thing I know Magic looks out at the water and back up to his papa and then hikes his leg and uses the bathroom right there on the grass. This is a true story! Now some of you may say this was just coincidence, but I tend to believe otherwise. I was there and saw it with my own two eyes. I just know that from that point on Magic got it and realized that the "fake grass" was his bathroom area and he was a good boy and got special treats when he used it. We were so relieved! He finally got it! But in the process, we seem to have created a "monster"! He will now got to the "fake grass" 5 or 6 times a day and then run back to the main salon and demand a treat by barking and looking at the treat jar! He doesn't stop barking until he gets his treat. He also seems to enjoy watching Buck wash down that side of the boat each time too!
We have always thought Magic to be quite the communicator. Even as a puppy, he would bark to go outside, go to where he eats and bark to let us know it is time for the next meal, and bark while looking up at the treat/cookie jar. However, his communication skills have become even more evident on this trip. I just described one example in one of the preceding paragraphs when I wrote about his going to the bathroom and immediately running to the main salon and asking for a cookie. He will also bark to ask permission to go from the main salon up the steps to the cockpit and will do the same when he wants to come back down the steps. He will bark, look at either Buck or myself and wait until we say "O.K" before ascending or descending the steps. It is so cute!
One of the best examples of his communication happened for the first time a couple of weeks ago. As most of you know, we have been traveling with our good friends on GiGi's Island, GiGi and Vic. They had periodically treated Magic with one of his favorite treats, a "greenie". Well GiGi had gone home to visit her brand new grandchildren, the Triplets! Vic was on GiGi's Island doing some computer work. Buck and I were down below straightening up our boat and realized that Magic wasn't with us nor was he in the cockpit. He was on the bow of the boat - all the way out on the bowsprit where the anchors hang. He was looking longingly toward GiGi's Island and whining. He would not come back to the cockpit nor would he pay any attention to us. He just kept looking and whining toward the Island. Buck got on the VHF radio and called Vic. He told Vic that Magic really wanted to see him and was doing everything he could to get his attention. As Vic put it, Magic was calling for "room service"! He wanted a "greenie". So what did Uncle Vic do? He got in his dinghy with a "greenie" in his pocket and delivered the treat to Magic. It was just awesome! I have never seen Magic so excited. Since then, Magic has frequently gone to the same spot looking and whining toward the Island in hopes that his Uncle Vic or his Aunt GiGi will respond with a treat for him.
There were times at the beginning when I wondered if bringing Magic along was the right thing to do.
However, he has been a true joy and a wonderful companion to both of us.
That's all for now!
Fair Winds,
Vicki, Buck, and Magic
At the start of our trip, we had high hopes that Magic would just figure out what the "fake green grass" on the starboard foredeck of the boat was for without too much instruction from us. There are many times on a long trip like this that it just isn't convenient to take a dog to shore because either there isn't a good place on shore or there just isn't enough time. So to help us all out, Mindy, our good friend and Magic's breeder, had provided us with this latest technology that all boaters with dogs should have on board. She had recommended that I introduce Magic to the "fake green grass" at home in our backyard and try to get him to use it. Then, hopefully, he would transfer this newly learned skill to the boat with a little instruction and reinforcement from me. That's how it is supposed to work anyway or so I learned in my teacher training! Well, needless to say, I just couldn't find the time to fit this in with all the preparations at home and on the boat that we were involved in to get ready for our departure. I guess I just thought he would get it through osmosis or something! I was assured by our Vet that if Magic had to go to the bathroom bad enough, he would go on the boat and hopefully would learn eventually to use the "fake green grass". Did I mention that the "fake green grass" came to us already "seasoned" by a liter of English Cocker Spaniel puppies, thanks to Mindy! So, we leave Matthews Point Marina and our first night's anchorage is in Cedar Creek, N.C. For those of you not familiar with the area, there really isn't a beach or grassy area to dingy your dog in for a potty break. So right off, we were going to see what he would, or in this case would not, do. That's right, Magic being the well-trained companion that he is held it all that day and all that night and into the next day. By lunch on our 2nd. day out, I was getting very concerned about my little "baby boy". I thought, you know, we have preached and reinforced with cookies and treats all bathroom events when done outside on land for "8" years and now we are expecting him just in one and 1/2 days to all of a sudden go; "Oh, yea, that's what they want me to do. They want me to use that fake green grass"! Well, it didn't look like it was going to happen. Buck tried to reassure me that Magic would be O.K. We just needed to wait him out. Magic would look at the shoreline as we traveled down the ICW toward Morehead City and look at us and then at the dingy hanging in the davits off the stern of the boat. It was as if he was saying; "Hey, I've got to go to the bathroom. Ya'll usually take me to shore in the dingy. Why aren't you doing so now"? This was so cute but sad at the same time. The longer he went without going the more worried and anxious I became. Finally, Buck called Dr. Heagren, our Vet. and had him talk with me. He again assured me we were not damaging Magic's bladder or kidneys or anything else. He reiterated that he would go when he just couldn't hold it any longer. So I sat back and tried to relax and enjoy the waterway. Finally, after about 18 hours, Magic would sneak to the bow of the boat, squat, and finally use the bathroom. Man were we relieved! Even though Buck would not admit it, he was getting a little nervous too. Although, he didn't go near the "fake grass", we still reinforced and praised him enthusiastically! Little did we know at the time that this wasn't the end to our problem. This went on for several weeks while traveling down the waterway. We would go into a marina or an anchorage that had a good place to take a dog for walking and going to the bathroom and he would be so happy. But, oh, when we got to the next night and the anchorage didn't provide that, it was like starting all over again. The one thing we knew was that if we could just stand it and wait him out, he would eventually go on the boat.
By the 3rd. week of the trip, I must admit that Magic's mom and dad were getting a little worried that he just wasn't going to get it. His papa kept telling him that he was going to be sent home to Durham by bus if he didn't get it by the time we got to Charleston. I told Magic not to worry that his Aunt Alice would come for him!
One night we were in a beautiful anchorage in South Carolina. We were the only boat there. It was just very private with no houses around the creek. I don't remember how long it had been since Magic had used the bathroom, but I'm thinking it was about 20some hours. I just knew that in a day or two I was going to have to call Aunt Alice and see if she could meet us in Charleston to pick-up my boy. While sitting in the cockpit enjoying the beautiful view, Buck had a brainstorm. He said, "Magic come with me". So the two of them walked up to the "fake grass" and Buck proceeded to use the bathroom off the side of the boat with Magic watching him. The next thing I know Magic looks out at the water and back up to his papa and then hikes his leg and uses the bathroom right there on the grass. This is a true story! Now some of you may say this was just coincidence, but I tend to believe otherwise. I was there and saw it with my own two eyes. I just know that from that point on Magic got it and realized that the "fake grass" was his bathroom area and he was a good boy and got special treats when he used it. We were so relieved! He finally got it! But in the process, we seem to have created a "monster"! He will now got to the "fake grass" 5 or 6 times a day and then run back to the main salon and demand a treat by barking and looking at the treat jar! He doesn't stop barking until he gets his treat. He also seems to enjoy watching Buck wash down that side of the boat each time too!
We have always thought Magic to be quite the communicator. Even as a puppy, he would bark to go outside, go to where he eats and bark to let us know it is time for the next meal, and bark while looking up at the treat/cookie jar. However, his communication skills have become even more evident on this trip. I just described one example in one of the preceding paragraphs when I wrote about his going to the bathroom and immediately running to the main salon and asking for a cookie. He will also bark to ask permission to go from the main salon up the steps to the cockpit and will do the same when he wants to come back down the steps. He will bark, look at either Buck or myself and wait until we say "O.K" before ascending or descending the steps. It is so cute!
One of the best examples of his communication happened for the first time a couple of weeks ago. As most of you know, we have been traveling with our good friends on GiGi's Island, GiGi and Vic. They had periodically treated Magic with one of his favorite treats, a "greenie". Well GiGi had gone home to visit her brand new grandchildren, the Triplets! Vic was on GiGi's Island doing some computer work. Buck and I were down below straightening up our boat and realized that Magic wasn't with us nor was he in the cockpit. He was on the bow of the boat - all the way out on the bowsprit where the anchors hang. He was looking longingly toward GiGi's Island and whining. He would not come back to the cockpit nor would he pay any attention to us. He just kept looking and whining toward the Island. Buck got on the VHF radio and called Vic. He told Vic that Magic really wanted to see him and was doing everything he could to get his attention. As Vic put it, Magic was calling for "room service"! He wanted a "greenie". So what did Uncle Vic do? He got in his dinghy with a "greenie" in his pocket and delivered the treat to Magic. It was just awesome! I have never seen Magic so excited. Since then, Magic has frequently gone to the same spot looking and whining toward the Island in hopes that his Uncle Vic or his Aunt GiGi will respond with a treat for him.
There were times at the beginning when I wondered if bringing Magic along was the right thing to do.
However, he has been a true joy and a wonderful companion to both of us.
That's all for now!
Fair Winds,
Vicki, Buck, and Magic
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
P.S.
I have been trying to upload photographs on my blog for the last couple of hours and the internet connection just will not allow me to do so. I will try later. When technology doesn't work over here in the Bahamas, they tell you to leave the computer, go outside and enjoy the view, come back when you are finished and your page is more than likely open. So I am going to follow their advice!
Vicki
Vicki
Cruising the Central Exumas
Allan's Cay to Emerald Rock at Waderick Wells - Wednesday, January 12
Emerald Rock to Sampson Cay - Saturday, January 15
Sampson Cay to Staniel Cay - Monday, January 24
Staniel Cay to Big Majors Spot - Tuesday, January 25
Big Majors Spot to Cambridge Cay - Wednesday, January 26
Cambridge Cay to Sampson Cay - Saturday, January 29
Sampson Cay to Blackpoint Settlement - Tuesday, February 1
Blackpoint Settlement to Sampson Cay - Thursday, February 3
Since January 11, we have spent our time cruising the Central Exumas. These places are actually very close together in that during this time we have traveled less than 100 miles. There is just so much to do at each place and so many people to meet and customs to share. One could literally stay at one location for days even months and still not be bored or lack any number of fun things to do and see! Often times our stay in one location may be cut short because of weather. There are certain anchorages that offer more protection than others depending on the direction and speed of the wind. That is why checking the weather forecast every day and sometimes several times a day is a very important part of our day as a cruiser. It is important to check for the week ahead and then recheck every morning to see if and how it has changed. We make our travel plans accordingly.
We picked-up a mooring ball at Emerald Rock in Waderick Wells after one night at Allan Cays on January 12. This began a 3 day visit where we explored the many trails this area is known for. These trails are as advertised very rugged with rocky cliffs that overlook pristine beaches. These beaches, as well as most of the ones I have seen so far, have the whitest sand I have ever seen. From the top of one of these cliffs, you have a spectacular panoramic view of the clearest, most beautiful water anywhere. The water is amazing with its many shades of blues and greens - from light to aqua to medium to dark.
At times when the water is calm and as slick as glass, it acts like a mirror showing your reflection as you look into it. It is absolutely beautiful!!! One can even see the shadow of the boat! Buck continues to marvel at being able to see the anchor embedded into the sandy bottom of the anchorage. Waderick Wells is part of the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park which is a Bahamian National Park that was established to preserve and maintain a "delicate ecological balance between native species". Their motto is: "Take nothing but photographs...leave nothing but footprints".
After getting lots of exercise, we left our mooring on Saturday and headed south to Sampson Cay. What I didn't know at the time and have come to find out since, Sampson would become my home away from home! We absolutely love it here which probably seems obvious to you all when you see how many times we keep coming back to either the anchorage or the marina. Its draw is the people who work here and live here. It doesn't hurt that that the island is beautiful and serene offering many walking trails that end in gorgeous beaches with that same pure white sand and spectacular water as well as nice grassy areas that are beautifully landscaped with gazebos that offer respite from a day in the sun and water. As you might guess, Magic loves Sampson for all the reasons we do. Upon our first visit on land we noticed the "pet stations" that always seem to be filled with bags! He/we knew immediately that he was welcomed.
We have spent a lot of time snorkeling and swimming the different reefs and beaches. The sea life is just as spectacular as the land life! I have become quite enamored with the friendly, harmless nurse sharks that live near the docks at Sampson. They are really beautiful and seem to live for the moment the fishermen come in with their catch. They lay in wait hoping that while cleaning the catch for the day someone will drop the leftovers overboard so they can have a taste.
As I have shared before, one of the neatest parts of cruising is when you pull into an anchorage and you recognize a boat that you have met along your travels. This happens again and again. We really enjoyed catching up with our new friends, Bob and Penny on Pretty Penny and Rita-Kay and Clay on Carleigh while at Sampson. We have actually spent time with them on two separate visits to Sampson. The marina at Sampson offers great protection from a strong west wind so that has become our destination when a strong west is predicted. We have enjoyed sharing lots of laughs, good food, and cruising experiences while hiding from some weather fronts. The food in the Marina restaurant is some of the best we have had in the Bahamas! Heck, several meals have been as good as any we have eaten even in the finest restaurants in the Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill area.
We left Sampson on January 24 to go to Staniel Cay to wait for our friend, Paul, to arrive from the US. We were really looking forward to his visit! We spent 4 days in Cambridge Cay snorkeling, playing on the beaches and just relaxing and reading. Cambridge is part of the Land and Sea Park and is far enough away that even our Bahamian phones and internet services were not available. It was kind of nice but after 4 days I think we were all ready for connecting with the outside world. Again, back home to Sampson for a couple of days to catch up on Internet and family and friends back home. We were also excited about eating a meal or two out.
Our next stop was Blackpoint Settlement. This is a place that is more developed than our previous stops. It has Ida's Beauty Shop where you get your haircut sitting outside overlooking the harbor. She also has the cleanest, nicest laundry mat I have seen anywhere! You can't go to Blackpoint without stopping in at Lorraine's cafe (internet too) for a nice, slow, relaxing lunch while catching up on internet. But the place I was most anxious to visit was the school that I had heard so much about. So on Thursday morning, my friend Vic, who is one of the best photographers I know and I put on our best pair of shorts and went to meet with Ms. McKenzie, the Principal. What a neat experience!!! I was so impressed with her, with the teachers and the students. The school houses first - ninth grade. They have 44 students with grades 1-3 in one class, 4-6 in one class, and 7-9 in one class. For my teacher friends, can you imagine the differentiation that goes on when having first, second and third graders in one class!!! Students leave home for their 10-12th. grades and attend school in Nassau. They live with extended family while there. The students were so well-behaved and polite. The school vision incorporates a strong emphasis on character education and it was evident by student behavior. I will be going back in the next week or two to do some volunteering in the classroom. The school welcomes cruisers and readily puts them to work - listening to children read, help them with their writing and math. I may work with one student that I met. So needless to say, I am very excited about that and am anxiously awaiting the time when we go back to Blackpoint.
That is all for now.
Fair winds to all!
Vicki, Buck, and Magic
Emerald Rock to Sampson Cay - Saturday, January 15
Sampson Cay to Staniel Cay - Monday, January 24
Staniel Cay to Big Majors Spot - Tuesday, January 25
Big Majors Spot to Cambridge Cay - Wednesday, January 26
Cambridge Cay to Sampson Cay - Saturday, January 29
Sampson Cay to Blackpoint Settlement - Tuesday, February 1
Blackpoint Settlement to Sampson Cay - Thursday, February 3
Since January 11, we have spent our time cruising the Central Exumas. These places are actually very close together in that during this time we have traveled less than 100 miles. There is just so much to do at each place and so many people to meet and customs to share. One could literally stay at one location for days even months and still not be bored or lack any number of fun things to do and see! Often times our stay in one location may be cut short because of weather. There are certain anchorages that offer more protection than others depending on the direction and speed of the wind. That is why checking the weather forecast every day and sometimes several times a day is a very important part of our day as a cruiser. It is important to check for the week ahead and then recheck every morning to see if and how it has changed. We make our travel plans accordingly.
We picked-up a mooring ball at Emerald Rock in Waderick Wells after one night at Allan Cays on January 12. This began a 3 day visit where we explored the many trails this area is known for. These trails are as advertised very rugged with rocky cliffs that overlook pristine beaches. These beaches, as well as most of the ones I have seen so far, have the whitest sand I have ever seen. From the top of one of these cliffs, you have a spectacular panoramic view of the clearest, most beautiful water anywhere. The water is amazing with its many shades of blues and greens - from light to aqua to medium to dark.
At times when the water is calm and as slick as glass, it acts like a mirror showing your reflection as you look into it. It is absolutely beautiful!!! One can even see the shadow of the boat! Buck continues to marvel at being able to see the anchor embedded into the sandy bottom of the anchorage. Waderick Wells is part of the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park which is a Bahamian National Park that was established to preserve and maintain a "delicate ecological balance between native species". Their motto is: "Take nothing but photographs...leave nothing but footprints".
After getting lots of exercise, we left our mooring on Saturday and headed south to Sampson Cay. What I didn't know at the time and have come to find out since, Sampson would become my home away from home! We absolutely love it here which probably seems obvious to you all when you see how many times we keep coming back to either the anchorage or the marina. Its draw is the people who work here and live here. It doesn't hurt that that the island is beautiful and serene offering many walking trails that end in gorgeous beaches with that same pure white sand and spectacular water as well as nice grassy areas that are beautifully landscaped with gazebos that offer respite from a day in the sun and water. As you might guess, Magic loves Sampson for all the reasons we do. Upon our first visit on land we noticed the "pet stations" that always seem to be filled with bags! He/we knew immediately that he was welcomed.
We have spent a lot of time snorkeling and swimming the different reefs and beaches. The sea life is just as spectacular as the land life! I have become quite enamored with the friendly, harmless nurse sharks that live near the docks at Sampson. They are really beautiful and seem to live for the moment the fishermen come in with their catch. They lay in wait hoping that while cleaning the catch for the day someone will drop the leftovers overboard so they can have a taste.
As I have shared before, one of the neatest parts of cruising is when you pull into an anchorage and you recognize a boat that you have met along your travels. This happens again and again. We really enjoyed catching up with our new friends, Bob and Penny on Pretty Penny and Rita-Kay and Clay on Carleigh while at Sampson. We have actually spent time with them on two separate visits to Sampson. The marina at Sampson offers great protection from a strong west wind so that has become our destination when a strong west is predicted. We have enjoyed sharing lots of laughs, good food, and cruising experiences while hiding from some weather fronts. The food in the Marina restaurant is some of the best we have had in the Bahamas! Heck, several meals have been as good as any we have eaten even in the finest restaurants in the Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill area.
We left Sampson on January 24 to go to Staniel Cay to wait for our friend, Paul, to arrive from the US. We were really looking forward to his visit! We spent 4 days in Cambridge Cay snorkeling, playing on the beaches and just relaxing and reading. Cambridge is part of the Land and Sea Park and is far enough away that even our Bahamian phones and internet services were not available. It was kind of nice but after 4 days I think we were all ready for connecting with the outside world. Again, back home to Sampson for a couple of days to catch up on Internet and family and friends back home. We were also excited about eating a meal or two out.
Our next stop was Blackpoint Settlement. This is a place that is more developed than our previous stops. It has Ida's Beauty Shop where you get your haircut sitting outside overlooking the harbor. She also has the cleanest, nicest laundry mat I have seen anywhere! You can't go to Blackpoint without stopping in at Lorraine's cafe (internet too) for a nice, slow, relaxing lunch while catching up on internet. But the place I was most anxious to visit was the school that I had heard so much about. So on Thursday morning, my friend Vic, who is one of the best photographers I know and I put on our best pair of shorts and went to meet with Ms. McKenzie, the Principal. What a neat experience!!! I was so impressed with her, with the teachers and the students. The school houses first - ninth grade. They have 44 students with grades 1-3 in one class, 4-6 in one class, and 7-9 in one class. For my teacher friends, can you imagine the differentiation that goes on when having first, second and third graders in one class!!! Students leave home for their 10-12th. grades and attend school in Nassau. They live with extended family while there. The students were so well-behaved and polite. The school vision incorporates a strong emphasis on character education and it was evident by student behavior. I will be going back in the next week or two to do some volunteering in the classroom. The school welcomes cruisers and readily puts them to work - listening to children read, help them with their writing and math. I may work with one student that I met. So needless to say, I am very excited about that and am anxiously awaiting the time when we go back to Blackpoint.
That is all for now.
Fair winds to all!
Vicki, Buck, and Magic
Friday, January 14, 2011
Final Leg of our Journey South in the US
Vero Beach to Lake Worth - Tuesday 12/28/10
Lake Worth to Ft. Lauderdale - Friday 12/31/10
Ft. Lauderdale to Nassau, Bahamas - Tuesday to Wednesday 1/4-5/2011
We are finally in the Bahamas! Actually, we are finally in the Exumas working our way down the Exuma Chain of Islands. What beauty all around us! I have never seen water so beautiful and clear except in Bequia a Caribbean Island in the Grenadines. Let me back up and share with you our trip from Vero Beach to Ft. Lauderdale and then our crossing to Nassau.
After many days in Vero(Velcro) Beach and spending a nice Christmas there, we dropped our mooring ball on a bright, crisp, cold Tuesday morning to begin our trip to Ft. Lauderdale. We said goodbye to our new friends, Ann, and her puppy, Lucy on Bees Knees. It was nice for us to be moving again. We anchored that evening in a beautiful anchorage in Hobe sound. It was a really nice evening even though still a little chilly. We noticed on the way to the anchorage a pillar of smoke rising over the horizon and couldn't imagine what was causing it. When we got our anchor down, the smoke seemed to be all around us with still no idea as to what was the cause. The direction of the wind kept the smell and smoke from bothering us until the next morning when it changed. We woke to being engulfed in the smoke, smell and all! It was really uncomfortable but as we pulled our anchor it seemed to be lifting somewhat. We were later to find out that it was a pretty massive wild fire that damaged about half a golf course and many other acres of land between Vero and West Palm Beach. Luckily, none was hurt.
On to our next stop, Lake Worth. It didn't take much for me to talk the captain into going into a Marina for a night or two. After being on the mooring ball and at anchor for more than a month, the boat needed a good bath as well as a good drying out down below. Oh, the condensation really builds up from being on the water and the really cold nights with temperatures in the 20's! So we all welcomed the shore power which meant we could run the heat and humidifier for a night or two. Our friend, Ann, had suggested Old Port Cove Marina at Lake Worth as a great place to tie up and enjoy the more modern conveniences, such as electricity and stepping onto the dock rather than crawling off the stern of the boat into the dinghy. The old knees would certainly enjoy the break. Magic was also happy to be able to lie on the bow of the boat while garnering all the attention from folks walking down the docks, Ann was right. This was a great marina with the nicest people working and living there.
While walking the docks and enjoying the mild temperatures, I noticed a boat named "Lady Anne" from High Point, my hometown. It was a large motor vessel, at least 75 feet if not bigger. It became my mission to find out who owned it and if I possibly new them from my younger years. While taking Magic for a walk, I noticed a guy loading a truck with a NC licence plate. I walked up to him and introduced myself. His name was Warren Winchester from none other than Minnesott Beach right across the Neuse river from Matthews Point. It is really a small world. As we continued to talk, I learned that he was the Captain for Lady Anne. I told him I was from High Point and had seen the boat. He said, "well the owners are from High Point. They are the Vann Yorks". I could not believe it! They were my across the street neighbors when I lived on Brighton Avenue with mother and my step father. We continued talking about cruising and crossing to the Bahamas. He has been cruising the Islands since l986 and willingly shared his experiences with us. WOW! What a neat and unexpected happening. You truly never know who you will meet on the way!
After a thoroughly enjoyable stay at Old Port Cove, we continued our journey to Ft. Lauderdale on New Year's Eve. What is interesting, exciting, and a little daunting about this stretch of the waterway are the 28 bridges. the often narrow concrete-lined waterway and the heavy boat traffic, especially on Holidays and weekends. Did I mention that this was New Year's Eve and a Friday too?! Oh, well! It was a beautiful and warm day on the water so we just sat back and prepared to enjoy the ride. What was to follow was awesome, somewhat tedious and a little nerve wracking at times. To say it was crowded with lots of boat traffic is an understatement. However, Buck and I both commented that it could have been worse! We really had only one snag along the way. That happened at the Hillsboro Bridge around
4:30 in the afternoon. The bridge tender, bless his heart, lost control of the traffic and literally could not stop the cars going across the bridge. It was bumper to bumper with cars across the bridge and even with his red lights flashing they wouldn't stop. Eventually with a lot of "assistance" and many unkind words from some of the boaters around us and with his supervisor stepping in to help, the police were called in to stop the traffic so the bridge could open and thus alleviating the boat jam on the ICW
What can I say about Ft. Lauderdale is that I have never in my whole life seen so many big, mega houses and yachts! Over the next couple of days, we saw homes and yachts owned by famous athletes, Hollywood Stars, and other big-time billionaire business owners and corporations. It was truly spectacular. Something you want to see once in your life! Just like navigating the bridges, that was a great experience once!!! One home was a 28,000 square foot home with 2 people living in it. I'm sure they could go for days, maybe even weeks, and never see each other.
We anchored in Middle River with Vic and GiGi. We would wait for our weather window to cross to the Bahamas. Our good friend, Galen was coming on Monday to cross with us. We are really looking forward to having him on board with us and thank his family for allowing him to come to cross with us!
I talked briefly about our crossing on Tuesday and Wednesday, 1/4and 1/5/2011 in my last short post. I will say again that it was just spectacular being in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, especially during the night! There really is nothing in my life that I can compare it to. I stayed on alert the whole 28 hours looking at every thing in sight and listening to every sound! We arrived in Nassau Harbor to a glorious blue sky with warm temperatures. Checking in with Customs went pretty quickly and we were ready to clean-up, both the boat and us, and head to dinner before making it an early evening. I don't think the 3 adults on the Victoria Gaye got much sleep during the crossing. However, I can't say the same for Magic. He seemed to sleep just fine with his life jacket on. He acted as if he were on his pillow at home in front of the fire. Crossing the ocean for the first time did not seem to phase him in the least!
We used our stay in Nassau to do any last minute provisioning since we had a very nice City Market right across the street from our Marina. Buck and I both were pleasantly surprised at the cleanliness of the city and the kindness of its people - at least those we came in contact with. We also enjoyed meeting and having dinner with William and Frances on Yacht Alexia. They are from London which made for a very interesting evening of sharing stories of our past boating experiences.
Another addition to our increasingly long list of "its a small world" happened when we met Bob and Vicki Edelkamp on the S/V First Look. Vic and GiGi had met them on a previous trip to the Bahamas. First Look is an Offshore 40. Upon seeing the boat, we recognized it immediately. We knew her when she lived on the Pamlico River in North Carolina. Her owner was George Parrish and her name at the time was Wahoo. During the late 1980's and early 1990's, Buck raced with George on the Wahoo as well as against her during our racing days in Bath, N.C. Again, what a small, small world. It was really neat to sit in the cockpit with our friends Vic and GiGi and now our new friends, Bob and Vicki, and just relive those days and those long ago friends on the Wahoo! Sharing these memories was such a special, special evening for both Buck and I!
We left Nassau Harbor Marina at 9:00 on Tuesday, January 11 for the Exumas. I can't tell you how long we have dreamed of this day! When we arrived at Allan's Cay, it was like "we finally made it"!!! All the hard work and efforts over the last 30 years were definitely worth it. To see the look on Buck's face was just priceless! To punctuate the arrival, we were to be treated to the most glorious sunset I think either of us have ever seen! What a journey thus far and to think that in many ways it is just beginning. Vic keeps saying we haven't seen anything yet as far as the beauty of the different Islands in the Exuma Chain.
I apologize that this post is so long but internet accessibility can be very limited so I will post when I can get it. It can be slow so posting pictures may or may not be a possibility.
Until next time,
Fair winds!
Vicki, Buck and Magic
Lake Worth to Ft. Lauderdale - Friday 12/31/10
Ft. Lauderdale to Nassau, Bahamas - Tuesday to Wednesday 1/4-5/2011
We are finally in the Bahamas! Actually, we are finally in the Exumas working our way down the Exuma Chain of Islands. What beauty all around us! I have never seen water so beautiful and clear except in Bequia a Caribbean Island in the Grenadines. Let me back up and share with you our trip from Vero Beach to Ft. Lauderdale and then our crossing to Nassau.
After many days in Vero(Velcro) Beach and spending a nice Christmas there, we dropped our mooring ball on a bright, crisp, cold Tuesday morning to begin our trip to Ft. Lauderdale. We said goodbye to our new friends, Ann, and her puppy, Lucy on Bees Knees. It was nice for us to be moving again. We anchored that evening in a beautiful anchorage in Hobe sound. It was a really nice evening even though still a little chilly. We noticed on the way to the anchorage a pillar of smoke rising over the horizon and couldn't imagine what was causing it. When we got our anchor down, the smoke seemed to be all around us with still no idea as to what was the cause. The direction of the wind kept the smell and smoke from bothering us until the next morning when it changed. We woke to being engulfed in the smoke, smell and all! It was really uncomfortable but as we pulled our anchor it seemed to be lifting somewhat. We were later to find out that it was a pretty massive wild fire that damaged about half a golf course and many other acres of land between Vero and West Palm Beach. Luckily, none was hurt.
On to our next stop, Lake Worth. It didn't take much for me to talk the captain into going into a Marina for a night or two. After being on the mooring ball and at anchor for more than a month, the boat needed a good bath as well as a good drying out down below. Oh, the condensation really builds up from being on the water and the really cold nights with temperatures in the 20's! So we all welcomed the shore power which meant we could run the heat and humidifier for a night or two. Our friend, Ann, had suggested Old Port Cove Marina at Lake Worth as a great place to tie up and enjoy the more modern conveniences, such as electricity and stepping onto the dock rather than crawling off the stern of the boat into the dinghy. The old knees would certainly enjoy the break. Magic was also happy to be able to lie on the bow of the boat while garnering all the attention from folks walking down the docks, Ann was right. This was a great marina with the nicest people working and living there.
While walking the docks and enjoying the mild temperatures, I noticed a boat named "Lady Anne" from High Point, my hometown. It was a large motor vessel, at least 75 feet if not bigger. It became my mission to find out who owned it and if I possibly new them from my younger years. While taking Magic for a walk, I noticed a guy loading a truck with a NC licence plate. I walked up to him and introduced myself. His name was Warren Winchester from none other than Minnesott Beach right across the Neuse river from Matthews Point. It is really a small world. As we continued to talk, I learned that he was the Captain for Lady Anne. I told him I was from High Point and had seen the boat. He said, "well the owners are from High Point. They are the Vann Yorks". I could not believe it! They were my across the street neighbors when I lived on Brighton Avenue with mother and my step father. We continued talking about cruising and crossing to the Bahamas. He has been cruising the Islands since l986 and willingly shared his experiences with us. WOW! What a neat and unexpected happening. You truly never know who you will meet on the way!
After a thoroughly enjoyable stay at Old Port Cove, we continued our journey to Ft. Lauderdale on New Year's Eve. What is interesting, exciting, and a little daunting about this stretch of the waterway are the 28 bridges. the often narrow concrete-lined waterway and the heavy boat traffic, especially on Holidays and weekends. Did I mention that this was New Year's Eve and a Friday too?! Oh, well! It was a beautiful and warm day on the water so we just sat back and prepared to enjoy the ride. What was to follow was awesome, somewhat tedious and a little nerve wracking at times. To say it was crowded with lots of boat traffic is an understatement. However, Buck and I both commented that it could have been worse! We really had only one snag along the way. That happened at the Hillsboro Bridge around
4:30 in the afternoon. The bridge tender, bless his heart, lost control of the traffic and literally could not stop the cars going across the bridge. It was bumper to bumper with cars across the bridge and even with his red lights flashing they wouldn't stop. Eventually with a lot of "assistance" and many unkind words from some of the boaters around us and with his supervisor stepping in to help, the police were called in to stop the traffic so the bridge could open and thus alleviating the boat jam on the ICW
What can I say about Ft. Lauderdale is that I have never in my whole life seen so many big, mega houses and yachts! Over the next couple of days, we saw homes and yachts owned by famous athletes, Hollywood Stars, and other big-time billionaire business owners and corporations. It was truly spectacular. Something you want to see once in your life! Just like navigating the bridges, that was a great experience once!!! One home was a 28,000 square foot home with 2 people living in it. I'm sure they could go for days, maybe even weeks, and never see each other.
We anchored in Middle River with Vic and GiGi. We would wait for our weather window to cross to the Bahamas. Our good friend, Galen was coming on Monday to cross with us. We are really looking forward to having him on board with us and thank his family for allowing him to come to cross with us!
I talked briefly about our crossing on Tuesday and Wednesday, 1/4and 1/5/2011 in my last short post. I will say again that it was just spectacular being in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, especially during the night! There really is nothing in my life that I can compare it to. I stayed on alert the whole 28 hours looking at every thing in sight and listening to every sound! We arrived in Nassau Harbor to a glorious blue sky with warm temperatures. Checking in with Customs went pretty quickly and we were ready to clean-up, both the boat and us, and head to dinner before making it an early evening. I don't think the 3 adults on the Victoria Gaye got much sleep during the crossing. However, I can't say the same for Magic. He seemed to sleep just fine with his life jacket on. He acted as if he were on his pillow at home in front of the fire. Crossing the ocean for the first time did not seem to phase him in the least!
We used our stay in Nassau to do any last minute provisioning since we had a very nice City Market right across the street from our Marina. Buck and I both were pleasantly surprised at the cleanliness of the city and the kindness of its people - at least those we came in contact with. We also enjoyed meeting and having dinner with William and Frances on Yacht Alexia. They are from London which made for a very interesting evening of sharing stories of our past boating experiences.
Another addition to our increasingly long list of "its a small world" happened when we met Bob and Vicki Edelkamp on the S/V First Look. Vic and GiGi had met them on a previous trip to the Bahamas. First Look is an Offshore 40. Upon seeing the boat, we recognized it immediately. We knew her when she lived on the Pamlico River in North Carolina. Her owner was George Parrish and her name at the time was Wahoo. During the late 1980's and early 1990's, Buck raced with George on the Wahoo as well as against her during our racing days in Bath, N.C. Again, what a small, small world. It was really neat to sit in the cockpit with our friends Vic and GiGi and now our new friends, Bob and Vicki, and just relive those days and those long ago friends on the Wahoo! Sharing these memories was such a special, special evening for both Buck and I!
We left Nassau Harbor Marina at 9:00 on Tuesday, January 11 for the Exumas. I can't tell you how long we have dreamed of this day! When we arrived at Allan's Cay, it was like "we finally made it"!!! All the hard work and efforts over the last 30 years were definitely worth it. To see the look on Buck's face was just priceless! To punctuate the arrival, we were to be treated to the most glorious sunset I think either of us have ever seen! What a journey thus far and to think that in many ways it is just beginning. Vic keeps saying we haven't seen anything yet as far as the beauty of the different Islands in the Exuma Chain.
I apologize that this post is so long but internet accessibility can be very limited so I will post when I can get it. It can be slow so posting pictures may or may not be a possibility.
Until next time,
Fair winds!
Vicki, Buck and Magic
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Finally Here and Happy New Year!
Yes, we are finally in the Bahamas! I have been trying to enter a post for several days now but one of the things we have been dealing with in entering a new country is connecting with their internet service. Even though we are in Nassau until 9:00 this morning, we have not been able to get on internet on our boat. Thus, I have been walking to Starbucks, only across the street, buying a cup of coffee, and receiving an hour of internet usage. Hard life but someone has to do it!!! The crossing last Tuesday was a little rough with 6ft. swells that none of our weather reports predicted. It did settle down and we ended with a beautiful crossing. The sunrise Wednesday morning was as beautiful as I have ever seen. There is really something to say about being in the middle of the ocean. You are truly one with nature! I thought I may be a little nervous since this was my first overnight experience in the ocean, but I felt very comfortable with the boat, the Captain(of course), and the crew! Galen was great crew and we really did appreciate him being there to experience this with us! Magic really loved having another person on board! Speaking of Magic, he has been awesome and really been a trooper! I think he really likes this life and has just adapted so well. That's what English Cockers do!
This is going to be short because I don't want the others waiting for me. I will post again as soon as I can get internet down the way. I have so much to share about our final days in the US and our stay in Nassau. Have taken some good photos too that I will share.
So for now, we are off to Allen's Cay for snorkeling and then on down the Exuma chain!
Until next time -
Fair winds!
Vicki, Buck, and Magic
This is going to be short because I don't want the others waiting for me. I will post again as soon as I can get internet down the way. I have so much to share about our final days in the US and our stay in Nassau. Have taken some good photos too that I will share.
So for now, we are off to Allen's Cay for snorkeling and then on down the Exuma chain!
Until next time -
Fair winds!
Vicki, Buck, and Magic
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Robert Ruark House
Captain Thompson's House
Our Southport Friend, Robert, on his boat