Hunkered Down

This is our first trip to the Exumas. We were aware when we made our plans that we would be here for the windy season. What we didn't expect was blow after blow with little relief. We've met cruisers who have been coming to the Exumas for decades that claim this is the worst winter they remember. Just our luck. It has been cutting terribly into the kids swimming time.

So last week, we decided to stop beating our way down the Exuma chain of islands and left Black Point with the hope of making a run to George Town before the next blow came through.  We made it as far as Galliot Cut where we had planned to cut through to the ocean and make the run to George Town. We checked out the breaking waves through the binoculars and decided to go to Plan B.

We  ducked into the narrow cut leading to Safe Harbor Marina on Cave Cay. We definitely found safe harbor in the round basin with 360 degrees of protection, surrounded by high hills. There were a couple of boats there already and we were soon joined by 8 or 10 more as boats filled the small marina looking for safety.

This marina definitely had some sort of story. At one point it had been built for luxury - concrete floating Bellingham docks, beautifully tiled showers, and nicely appointed buildings and homes. However, it all had a feeling of neglect. The homes were deserted and nothing else appeared to be there but the marina and an airstrip.

But it was just what we needed. We spent four days in our safe haven. So what did Dylan and Dee Dee do?

What else? Just across the basin was a beach.

The kids went swimming!! You knew it was coming...

Black Point

OK, the crew can already hear you moaning, "Oh no, not another stinkn' blog post about dogs swimming on the beach..." But wait. You would be so wrong.

First, there is no swimming because the water was only a couple of feet deep as far back as where the dinghy is floating.  So that's wading, not swimming.

Then, this is not a beach. It is a sandbar that came out of the shallow water at low tide. See how the water wraps around where Jeff is standing? So they are wading on a sandbar. Completely different from swimming on a beach.

And if none of that convinces you, then Dylan and Dee Dee think that's just too bad. It's their blog and they like to swim. They plan on posting tons of "dogs swimming on the beach" pictures over the next few months. If you don't like it, well, they suggest you go find a blog about cats...

Meanwhile, they've got some more swimming on the beach to do or wading on the sandbar - oh, who cares, as long as there's water and bumpers to chase.

Finally!!!!

After days of bouncing at anchor, the kids finally made it to shore for a romp on the beach at Highbourne Cay. They were more than ready.

Their dad got to practice his remote anchoring technique, with a little help from Dee Dee.

Once the dinghy was secure, the bumper retrieval began. Dylan let Dee Dee do the heavy lifting, waylaying her when she got close to shore.

Dee Dee didn't seem to mind as she swam after it again and again. Here's the great series her dad captured:

Hello, Bahamas

The crew crossed over to the Bahamas on Friday. We had anchored at Rodriguez Key, pulling the anchor at sunrise to set off. The crossing was bumpier than we had planned but Dylan and Dee Dee proved yet again why they are the world's best crew members.

Each found their favorite spots and settled in. Dylan in front of the pilothouse door.

Dee Dee snuggled on the pilothouse settee.

We safely reached the Bahamas banks and settled into our first anchorage off Cat Cay. Dylan and Dee Dee kept a close watch but never did see any cats.

But they did spy some Bahamian dolphins the next day.

A couple more anchorages and the crew was checked in at Nassau, Bahamas. The three customs officials came to the boat, took one look at our ferocious crew, and asked the captain to come to the office instead.

Dylan and Dee Dee will be visiting new beaches, making new friends, and catching up with old buddies. They'll be visiting some remote places and working hard at having fun, so be patient. They will catch up their blog whenever they can.

Goodbye, Stock Island!

Everyone has been enjoying themselves here at Stock Island Marina Village. Mom and Dad have visited restaurants and bars downtown, walked the streets of Key West, and visited with friends and family.

But for the kids it's been mainly about the dog park. The marina built a lovely dog park right on the property that is watched over by Snoopy and Woodstock.

Dylan and Dee Dee have visited the park every day since we arrived, usually right after lunch. They know exactly when it's time to go.  It's a lovely park with small and large dog sections, benches, a kiddie pool and hose, and plenty of shade trees which also are good hiding places for the birds.

Some days there were lots of dogs.

Some days there were just a few.

Every day it was fun.

Tomorrow we throw off the lines and head back north to setup for a crossing to the Bahamas on Friday. We have many great memories of our time here at Stock Island and look forward to returning. So does the crew, but for Dylan and Dee Dee, it's all about the dog park.

 
Note:  Dylan and Dee Dee may not have good internet access in some of the more remote locations they will be visiting over the next few months in the Bahamas. They will give an update whenever they can.

A Rainbow!

Dylan and Dee Dee were greeted this afternoon by a beautiful 180 rainbow!

It was so big there was no way to get it all in one shot from the bow. The aCappella crew thinks this is a good omen for 2016!