George Town!

Well, we made it to George Town! Cruising Capital of the Southern Exumas! We're sitting in an anchorage with 300-plus sailboats-it's just a 2 minute kayak ride into the beach for a Kalik and some conch salad, whenever the mood hits. People start congregating under the pine trees at around 2:30 for games, volleyball, haircuts, crafts... Just another day in paradise! (ok, in some ways it reminds me of the retirement village- but there are families with kids, and singles, and young couples, and -oh, yeah, lots and lots of 70 year olds!)
We've met some great people, heard lots of great stories, learned lots of lessons , and spent lots of time just relaxing and enjoying this beautiful place.
I'm enjoying the watercolors set Kailee gave me for Christmas- I stink, but I'm having fun.
So far, so good- we're planning on sticking around here for a few weeks, as the Cruiser's Regatta starts next week. Ted's hoping to crew on a friend's boat for one of the races... a new experience for him- ought to be fun!
Internet, however, is not one of the high points. Low bandwidth, and higher prices than we're used to... I jump on facebook whenever I can, and even got one (1!) picture to upload... but so far, I've been unable to cajole blogspot to accept any photos. (And, lo and behold!, one just popped up!)- And wouldn't you know it, my internet time is about used up! I'll try to get on again later, and get some more pics on here. Hang in there, fan club! (Nothing happens fast in the Bahamas!)

Gettin' There...

Hey, blogging's just not as easy here (in the Bahamas) as it is there (in the U.S.)! We paid for a 24 hour window of internet, but it comes and goes, and it's slow... but let's see if we can make a post happen!
(Didn't happen... so here we go re-editing two days later. :)

We've been to Andros... where I learned how to make conch salad, and we watched the Superbowl in a tiny little Bahamian Bar (Willy's Water Lounge).

We've been to Highborne Cay, which is basically a marina full of mega fishing boats and some rental homes for the rich and famous. (Not us!)

And I'm writing this from Lorraine's cafe on Great Guana Cay. Ve-e-e-ry slow service. So maybe no photos! But the Bahamas are beautiful, the life very laid back, the anchorages full of friendly sailors, and the Bahamians very gracious people.

We're doing great, and will add pictures when we can!

It's Better In The Bahamas

It had better be better in the Bahamas! We're here!

Had a relatively easy ride over, across the gulfstream... I took bonine, so basically slept while we slogged over the waves. The wind was on our nose the whole trip over, thanks to NOAA's faulty weather advice. They're seldom right. Wonder why that is? And wonder why we keep believing their forecasts?
We arrived at Cat Cay late afternoon, got checked in... and were granted an extended stay

(unusual- but we're thankful!).

Cat's lovely. (I think!... It's a private island, so we can't really go ashore.) But hey!, a night in a marina is lovely, anyways! Got our laundry done, and gave our boat a bath with their water.


Mailboat (supply boat) arrives bright and early on Thursday mornings, though.

So if forklifts at 7 a.m. bother you, you should anchor off.

We took a little trip to Bimini to purchase a Bahamian cell phone- but no luck. They were out of the $50. phones. We'll try to get one at the next island we stop at. For now, we're grabbing internet when we can. Today that internet is coming from Chub Cay. We just stopped here for the night, after crossing the Bahamas Bank (again- wind on our nose because NOAA was wrong.)
Our new tactic is going to be following the wind. Motoring into 15-20 knots just ain't fun.)
So... where are we headed today, you may ask. I don't know! I would answer. But no worries. We're here.
And it's bound to get.... Better in the Bahamas! ;)

Heading Off Again!

Well... it's time! Time to say our sad good-byes. Time to batten down the hatches and hoist the sails. Time to get out our Bahamian Courtesy flag, and run it up the halyard.
It's been a quick turn-around from our Tallahassee trip to this next sailing adventure. We've been hovering in the Miami area, waiting for the winds to be favorable for crossing, and tonight's the night!
While we waited, it was fun to be in Miami Beach. (for 3 nights). We anchored behind Ted's fire station, and got to see a lot of old friends (and even ate dinner with the boys one night!).
Teddy and Teresa came to hang out on Sunday evening, and that was most special.


Tonight we're sitting behind Key Biscayne Yacht Club, and at 4 a.m. we'll head out the channel and sail on, sail on, sailor.
We're already missing you, our friends and family... but at the same time, we're excited about this next excellent adventure.
And so we go...