Ladies Walking Group

Since December, the ladies of the RMHYC have been walking each morning, some more than others, and the results have been rewarding. Many new friendships were created and some lost weight! Anyway, it is almost April and for most the walking sessions are over as members are beginning to head back home.
Peggy O'Neill, of Attitude, provided lobster and the enthusiasm to have one more party for the ladies. Pictured here is just one of the more delectible tables. Everyone had a wonderful time and those extra calories were gathered in preparation of some serious cruising schedules. Thanks Peggy...and ladies!! 

Always The Teacher

Every Child Counts is a program for child with learning or physical disabilities - something the Bahamian schools are not equipped to handle. Lyn Major, a mother from nearby Hopetown, had adopted twin boys when they were 3 yrs. old, only to discover that they had severe learning problems. Not to be outdone, she started ECC shortly thereafter.
The school receives no funding or support from the government and the only financial support that they receive is from a Catholic education fund or private donations. There are 66 students, 4 teachers and a handful of volunteers to provide the only service outside of Nassau.
Carolyn has been volunteering since our arrival in Abaco. Anyone knowing her can attest to her enthusiasm and commitment which the children picked up on right away. Not only did they enjoy the arts & craft projects and stories, but she always managed to sneak in some popcorn, brownies or cookies which many of them seldom enjoy at home.
The school is dealing with a space issue and thanks to the generosity of the community, volunteers and private donations a three room classroom is now being constructed. Donations of teaching materials and funds are always appreciated.

The Barefoot Man

Abaco came alive on March 5th as the Barefoot Man performed his calypso-reggae music at the colorful Nippers Beachside Bar on Guana Cay. The crowd representing all age groups was estimated to be around 2000 and the Foot autographed just about anything you could imagine - everyone had a wonderful time!
A large contingency of cruisers spent the weekend anchored just off the island while others took advantage of special ferries that were running from all of the surrounding cays. As the snorkeling is good along the Atlantic side of Guana, many came in their bathing suits and enjoyed the music from the beach. If you have never been to Nippers and would like to learn more, visit their website at www.nippers.com . This popular Abaco bar has recently opened a bar in the new Hooters Casino in Las Vegas.

The Junk Yard

When traveling you can come across the unusual, and that is what we found about ten miles north of Marsh Harbour on the island of Great Abaco. In the midst of a junk yard was a rather interesting bar and to show everyone that the place had a history, they displayed placards from just about every conceivable automobile.
Kibbie, the owner was our gracious host for the afternoon and not only gave us a tour, but serenaded our group with a variety of hits from Broadway musicals to Frank Sinatra classics. From outward appearances we expected to get a little Bob Marley or rasta classic, but as we have learned, just about the time you think you have things figured out, something will jump up and grab you just to prove you're wrong. 

25th Commodore's Ball

The gala evening this year was the Annual Commodore's Ball at Abaco Beach Resort. There was wonderful food, great music and everyone had a grand time. Carolyn is shown here with those from our table before we hit the dance floor.
Now the festivities are over, and the weather is beginning to settle down, it seems like a good time to get out and about, so we are heading off island for a little while to enjoy some well deserved solitude. 

Medical Access Seminar

After two months of planning, it all came together when over 200 visitors and local residents attended the Abaco Medical & Emergency Services Seminar to learn more about accessing these services throughout the Islands. The community provided wonderful support to the project sponsored by the Abaco Beach Resort, Abaconian Newspaper, Marsh Harbour Marina & YC, the Ministry of Tourism and the Royal Marsh Harbour Yacht Club. 

Welcome Aboard

The Royal Marsh Harbour Yacht Club held its
Annual General Meeting in February and Robert has been invited to serve as Rear Commodore. As one of the newest members to the Bridge, he will be interact with and support the stateside Port Captains encouraging member activities and recruitment.
To learn more, visit www.RMHYC.com . 

The Real Scoop

I thought it was about time for you to hear from the real Captain of this ship. It's been a pretty good year but we still have a cold snap every now and then ...that's below 70 for those of you up north.
My supply of awesome snacks is holding up okay and being in a marina I am able to get at least two trips ashore when the crews social schedule permits. My traveling companion Heidi is aboard Attitude and she has adapted rather well to the nautical life and although she's a fluffy poodle she's a pretty good mate to have around the dock.
There are a couple of yappers down the dock that prance by Gypsy Common each morning and just for the fun of it I bark and carry-on just to keep them honest. I guess it's all in the thrill of the chase!
Well it's about time for me to get these folks moving and get my afternoon walk in before dinner time. I'll check in with you every now and then so keep those bones and liver pieces coming. Until next time, Maggie 

Yacht Club Rendevous

The Royal Marsh Harbour Yacht Club held a rendevous to Guana Cay. It was a beautiful weekend and seventeen boats made the two hour trek north from Boat Harbour Marina in Marsh Harbour north to Guana Cay. A committee of club members arranged for discounted slips, a welcoming cocktail party and planned a host of activities for everyone attending.
Fun was had by all. Guana Cay is most noted for the beachside bar Nippers but on this particular day, Johnny, Nippers owner, was hosting the grand opening of Nippers in Las Vegas so he couldn't attend our local function.
It is interesting to see how a group of cruisers can arrange for a good time. After a tremendous brunch there were beach activities including a water balloon toss (last one to break wins) and a butt bowling contest which was new to most folks. You will have to ask Carolyn to tell you more about this one .... she won the contest ! After two days of fun and frolic everyone was dispersing to various sites before returning to "home port" to get ready for the Commodore's Ball which will be held on the 17th of February.
Our social events this year have been focused around the yacht club members and it has been a most enjoyable time.
Here is a picture taken at the beach, just so you can appreciate what a great day it was for a get together! 

Great Abaco Chili Cookoff

The chefs may not look like much, but among the 29 contestants those shown here each won in a special category..medium, mild, most unusual and hot respectively. The third guy from the left offered his Southern Soul Chili which contained a little beef, a little pork and just a dash of cinnamon sugar (yes, the same found in the sour dough bread) that he found in the galley of Gypsy Common.
It was a fun evening and following the award ceremonies we had an empty pot and two new bottles of rum for our effort.
As chili is not a typical Bahamian dish, the picture shown here, accompanied by a very nice write-up appeared in the local Abaconian newspaper. 

A Little Dinghy

The Abaco Dinghy is known world-wide and Andy Albury of Man O War Cay has accepted the responsibility for continuing a long-standing tradition of creating hand-carved replica's from his father, Emerson. The Albury family is widely recognized as pioneers in this almost forgotten artform.
Emerson handcrafted a half-hull model for us in 2004 during our extended stay on Man O War, but due to his increasing difficulties with Parkinson's, Andy completed the project. Both Albury's signed the finished model. As it turns out Emerson passed away shortly thereafter.
We ran into Andy at this years Abaco Arts Festival which was held at the Abaco Beach Resort in Marsh Harbour as he displayed several of his models. It was like old home week seeing him again and it gave us an opportunity to catch up on the happenings at Man O War before returning for the first time in eighteen months. 

Happy Birthday

We aren't mentioning any numbers, but today is another birthday for Carolyn! We had a get together last night with the Royal Marsh Harbour Yacht Club at Curly Tails, and I managed to sneak in an order for a birthday cake. Being a day in advance, she never expected it and when 84 people started singing Happy Birthday she joined in.
Being in the Bahamas, and having such a wonderful group of people to share moments like this is what makes it all that more enjoyable.
Today the birthday girl is off to teach at ECC while Maggie and I are planning our next surprise for the evening! HAPPY BIRTHDAY and thanks for sharing your cake! 

Boat Schooling Is Alive

Ms. Carolyn was in her prime recently aboard Gypsy Common reading Witch Witch Come to My Party to the mini-crew from the vessel Tidepool. The three younger ones are traveling with their parents from Long Island, NY and the older is one of their friends from a visiting boat.
Earlier in the day we have shared a video highlighting a friend of Carolyn's niece who was the trainer for Shamu at SeaWorld in Orlando. The girls had a wonderful time and it was a break from the homeschooling that they are receiving from their parents while aboard the boat.
Carolyn has also been helping with a local school program, Every Child Counts. Funded purely by private donations, the program assists children with various disabilities and Carolyn has found the experience most rewarding during the time that she has been involved.
So you see, its not all sun, surf and rum. We have found that getting involved with the people, getting to know them and helping when you can is most enjoyable and rewarding.

A New Year - A Familiar Place

Looking back over the logbook entries of our first year cruising we were still sitting in North Lake Worth awaiting the New Year and anticipating a favorable weather window to cross over to the Bahamas. We were cold, the weather rainy and it was almost February before we finally arrived.

Apparently we've learned alot during the past five years as we find ourselves nestled in Boat Harbour Marina in the Abacos to celebrate the New Year.

This will be our base for the cruising season and what a place it is - cable tv, two pools, a private beach and free wifi internet. We are just beginning to realize and enjoy what our power boat friends have been doing for years!

Although we have had an occasional cold front the weather has been beautiful. Our typical day includes completing at least one little project and then we head to the beach or the pool, enjoying some of the local cuisine or just reading a good book

It didn't take Carolyn long to get into a routine. She has volunteered to teach with the Every Child Counts program where she has ten children that are physically challenged or have a learning disability. Her first class was "what are the things you love", and with the art project she had prepared everyone enthusiastically joined in and Carolyn came away equally excited.

We have been long-time members of the Royal Marsh Harbour Yacht Club here in the Abacos and are enjoying the friendship and social aspects of being amongst so many of the returning members. A major community project this year will be a seminar designed to create awareness among all cruisers and land-based visitors on the medical resources available in the Abacos and how to access emergency care should that become necessary. I was asked to serve as the publicity chairman and have been busy writing press releases, creating flyers and getting them distributed to appropriate spots throughout the cays.

There are about twenty five boats in our marina that belong to club members and we had a potluck get together earlier this week. The Annual Chili Cook-Off is this coming week and thus far we have twenty Captains scurrying around town buying up chili peppers and cookbooks for the competition. Gypsy Common will be serving "Southern Soul Chili" prepared by Chef Bobby Lee.

As you know Gypsy Common is for sale and the interest has been enthusiastic. It seems that the "blog" we prepared with lots of pictures was quite the trick. We have one gentlemen flying in from Holland early next month with plans to sail his new boat home, but the most unique inquiry was from a Robert Wilson from the UK...he wants our "best and final price...immediately! I guess it will all work out.

Having access to the internet is making communications much easier this year. We enjoy all the emails and being able to stay abreast of things back home. Here's hoping that you enjoy our updates as we will be branching out a little with the content as we continue to get involved in this wonderful part of the world.

New Kids On The Block

Lisa and Rod Wolfe, aboard Lucky Peek, were to be the new "kids" this year - it was their first crossing. For five years or so they were planning a trip to the Bahamas and when we first met them at Brunswick Landing Marina they were going through the last minute check lists and installing their solar panels and windvane.
They had to pick up their new sails before heading for south Florida and we hoped to meet up with them in Lake Worth and make the crossing together to Grand Bahama Island. Sure enough, they arrived a couple of days before we caught a weather window.
Any concerns that we had had for them were soon put aside once we departed the Lake Worth inlet. They had their sails up, locked onto a course and did a great job of maintaining radio contact. Despite the conditions, the crew of Lucky Peek did a spendid job and upon arrival at Green Turtle Cay the crews of Attitude and Gypsy Common presented a few gifts as reminders of their first crossing.
Today is New Years Eve and Lucky Peek is anchored out in Marsh Harbour. We've see them only once, walking along the main street in town looking for a laundry. We'll have alot to celebrate tonight and are pleased to have had Rod and Lisa along with us this year! 

Bahama Christmas

A beautiful sailing picture would have been nice, however the crossing from West Palm to Grand Bahama Island left us with our hands full and unable to go below. We never saw anything below 12kts of wind, or seas under 4 feet....at times it gusted to 30kts and the seas averaged 4-6ft. After 12 uncomfortable hours we arrived at Old Bahama Bay Resort at West End around 4pm.
We were beginning to think we wouldn't make it before Christmas. Had we not left when we did we would still be in Lake Worth awaiting favorable weather.
The village of West End and Old Bahama Bay were hit hard by recent hurricanes and everyone is just recovering. The marina was kind enough to "open" to accommodate anyone making the passage from the US although most facilities will not be restored until after Christmas Day.
Unsettled weather remains in the area and for the next several days we will walk into town, order up some Coconut bread that we have purchased previously from a local Mrs. Williams, check our email and the boat systems before moving on to Great Sale Cay. We expect to enjoy our Christmas in White Sound on Green Turtle Cay in the Abacos. 

Different Christmas Season

While most everyone in Atlanta is rushing around the malls in chilling weather we are hanging out on the beaches and waters of south Florida in 70 degree temperatures. We are in a Starbucks in West Palm today and Gypsy Common is anchored in Lake Worth. There's "Santa Claus Coming To Town" playing overhead and next door at Publix everything is holiday oriented.
The Annual Boat Parade is this weekend along the Intracoastal and the locals are decorating their megayachts while we are hoping just to catch a glimpse of the parade as it passes the anchorage.
There are around forty boats in the anchorage and most are planning to sail over to the Bahamas as soon as the next weather window opens.
So, we don't know if we will be in West Palm or in the Bahamas December 25th but even when we were little Santa always seemed to find us.
Here is hoping you are enjoying the holiday season and if we can't get another post until afterwards.....have a Merry Christmas with your friends and family. 

Great Travel, Great Weather

Our travel from Brunswick has been wonderful! Having the luxury of good weather and being pretty much on our own we were able to take advantage of some of the more picturesque anchorages and travel at our leisure along the ICW. We managed stops at Kingsley Plantation on the southern end of Amelia Island, tucked into the Municipal Marina at St. Augustine and then had a brisk sail down the Halifax River to Daytona Beach. After overnighting in Titusville and Melbourne we managed to pick up a mooring at the Vero Beach Municipal Marina where we visited with other cruising, took advantage of the conveniences of a courtesy bus and local shopping to "top off" our provisioning list and enjoyed Thanksgiving Day with a "potluck" feast with nearly 200 cruisers, many of whom we have known from previous years of sailing.
The following day we departed for West Palm Beach but decided to anchor overnight at Pecks Lake...a small but beautiful location adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean and Hobe Sound. As we went ashore Maggie was able to manage some good exercise along the beach and even "bite" a few waves.
The anchorage in Lake Worth, near West Palm, wasn't as crowded this year and despite a southerly wind that blew right down on us we were able to get ashore, eat some Chinese and visit our favorite spots. Our good friends Al & Maggie Ressa, formerly of Atlanta but now living aboard in this area, came over and visited with us aboard Gypsy Commons.
Following a couple of days we departed for Ft Lauderdale for a scheduled installation of a new diesel generator. We again had the luxury of time so opted to overnight in Lake Santa Barbara, just south of Boca Raton and arrived the next morning at Harbourtown Marina for the repairs.

It's Official - Now The Wait

Following the trip to Seattle we spent three rainy days in Vancouver for a final look and stayed aboard the North Pacific 42. The pilothouse trawler turned out to be everything we have been looking for and we decided to go ahead with the purchase.
The boat will not be available until August 06 and must be transported from Vancouver to the East Coast of Florida. This gives us time to enjoy one final sail to the Bahamas aboard Gypsy Common.
To get an up-close look at the new boat be sure and visit http://www.northpacificyachts.com . There you can see why we are so excited and share in the excitement with us. We haven't decided upon a name yet, so if you have any suggestions be sure to pass them along.
We have been delayed a few days leaving Atlanta but should arrive Brunswick, GA on Saturday for our departure. 

Brunswick Landing Marina

You never know who may come along when you are hanging out around a marina. Jeff and Brenda (forefront) stopped by Brunswick Landing recently while I was completing projects. They had alot in common with Lisa and Rod whom may be joining us on our trip south. Jeff has been helping me to Blog more effectively. Hopefully my skills will improve.