Chillin in da Bahamas

Don’t let ‘em fool ya when they say “its betta in da Bahamas.” With all the pictures of the white sand beaches and palm trees swaying in the breeze you could easily be convinced that it is going to be that way twelve months a year. Well believe me, “it ain’t necessarily so.”

Now there are many days like that, and the sun does shine most of the time, but Bahamians take their licks like everyone back home, and I’m not talking about hurricanes – just your day in day out temperature swings.

I guess when your body adjusts to certain temperatures, you become accustomed to it. Here the temperatures can vary from the nineties during the summer months to the upper seventies during the winter, but Mother Nature seems to get a kick out of throwing an occasional curve ball, just to keep everyone honest.

We arrived mid-November and were beginning to get a little cocky when the temps were in the eighties and the skies were clear. The water was in the mid-seventies and life was good. But as the Farmer’s Almanac had predicted, things began to change early December and when the first cold front blanketed the northeast with snow, the winds blew all that cold weather into the southern parts of Florida and into the Bahamas. It dipped into the high fifties for a couple of nights and Bahamians were chilled to the bone.

A few years ago, we experienced similar conditions. The workers at a nearby construction site were dressed in what could only be described as snow suits – ski hats, down jackets and gloves, and it was around sixty-five. The sight of them hovering around a fire pit was quiet humorous, but for them it was the only way to get their body temperatures back to something a bit more tolerable.

This December was no different. That first Artic blast changed things for a lot of people. The locals were pulling out their winter clothes and the boaters, having recently arrived from south Florida, began trading in their t-shirts and shorts for jeans and fleece pullovers. Those with heaters aboard used them day and night whenever the temps dropped below sixty, and there was no sympathy from friends and family back home. If you recall the previous year, it was uncharacteristically cold as well.

Much like last year we find ourselves sitting on the boat enjoying an adult beverage or two, awaiting the passage of yet another cold front. The thermostats set on seventy two and it is a little disheartening to think we have come all this way just to watch the wind whipping amid the palm trees and the waves breaking along such a beautiful white sand beach.

This is not necessarily the high season for tourism in the Bahamas, but the cruise ships continue to bring in hundreds of thousands of paradise seeking tourists hoping to make their escape from the wintry weather back home. We see them stepping off the shuttle buses making their way toward the straw markets and bars dressed as though they were in Oahu mid-July. And even the most kind hearted amongst us has to laugh, as we watch them running from shop to shop, trying to escape the frigid temperatures with a flamboyant taxi driver yelling, “it alright mon, you in da Bahamas now and ever-ting gonna be alright.”

Well anyway, it’s great to be back in the islands among the people we have come to love. They do make us laugh at times, but we share in their sad times as well. Tourism in the Bahamas has definitely been affected by the downturn in the US economy, yet most everyone has a smile on their face and a kind word to say.

So if the weather is beginning to get you down where you are, pack your swim suit, grab your snorkel and sunglasses and make your way to the Bahamas. You may want to consider bringing along a pair of your favorite jeans and a sweater or two, but as you do, always keep in mind that tried and true expression, “hey mon, it always betta in da Bahamas!”

Getting Away For The Holidays

We managed to get away for awhile to see some new sights, visit with some old friends and enjoy some time on the water for a change. The timing was perfect and the weather has been superb.

We thoroughly enjoy embibing on the "riches from the sea." And while our favorite has always been the freshly fried conch, cole slaw and fries served with a really cold Kalik beer at Old Bahama Bay Resort on Grand Bahama Island, we have found some new placces that would fall on a "not to be missed" list.
In the LuCaya Marketplace we started the day with Coconut French Toast served by an always friendly staff at the After Deck. The real butter and imported maple syrup added a nice touch. It is always fun to stop here early in the morning and watch all the shop keepers getting ready for the days influx of cruise ship patrons.
And as you can see here, we managed to get some fresh conch and lobster from a local fisherman who was still dripping wet from his diving expedition out on the Little Bahama Bank.
Moving south into the Sea of Abaco we stopped over for several nights at Green Turtle Cay which is the beginning of the Central Abaco region of the Bahamas. The area is quaint, the people are most helpful and hospitable, and as with other islands and cays, it has a character all its own.
There are two Sounds in Green Turtle Cay - White Sound to the north, Black Sound to the south. While we enjoy both, for this visit we chose to stop at the Leeward Yacht Club in Black Sound due to its' proximity to the Settlement of New Plymouth. Lots of activities are planned for the holiday season, and the convenience factor helped make the decision.


Black Sound, Green Turtle Cay

 One can almost feel the calm here. Only the occasional Bolo Ferry, shuttling guests back and forth from the airport, stirs the waters. The sunsets are spectacular and the white sandy beaches across the way make an ihe deal setting to cool down from the 80 degree temps and to enjoy the moon glistening over the ocean.

A new find "restaurant" opened during our absence. Two Shorty's, over on Back Street in the Settlement, serves take-out meals that are delicious and surprisingly inexpensive. Denise and her sister Kola served up our favorite fried conch and fries - and it is certainly ties the record for the best we have ever had. There is a pic-nic table under a tent if you wish to dine in. The locals find their chicken wings and fries for five dollars their traditional favorite, but according to the sisters, visitors usually get the fish.

As we were both busy working this summer we have found it refreshing to relax now that we are back on the water. There is a lot to see and do on all the islands but we have especially enjoyed our visit to the northern Bahamas. We have been blessed with beautiful weather and have enjoyed reuniting with many of our friends from years gone by - in a way, it's like coming home after being away so long.

And for those that have written inquiring about Maggie, she has been a real trooper. She turned 17 this year so for her birthday we bought her a little red wagon to help her get back and forth. She loves the feeling of nobility when she's around the other dogs.

Carolyn wanted to add a few words to this Post but unfortunately she is tied up at the minute, so wanting to get this posted before the holidays end, we will need to her from her next time.

It is fun being out here, but keep those emails coming so we will know what you are up to.

And Fun Was Had By All

Summers in Atlanta have a lot to offer, and the Sandy Springs Concert Series was no exception. We gathered our folding chairs and packed away some delightful food in the cooler to sit under the stars and enjoy a free Tams concert. The energetic group had everyone dancing on the lawn while they remembered a few of the songs from "way back when."

Albany, GA was on our list this summer. We visited with oldest daughter Allison and the four grandchildren during Grand Parents Day at Deerfield-Windsor. It was good to see the progress that everyone is making in school, and with a 6-0 record we thorouly enjoyed seeing Patrick as an Offensive Tackle and listening to Bryan, a percussionist in the band. I must say we were most impressed with the accomplishments of all four of them.

Allison has done a wonderful job balancing her busy schedule and raising four active children. Brittany, the oldest, will be graduating from Univ. of Georgia and Tommy is busy working while attending classes at Darden College in Albany.

Speaking of college, I managed to visit upstate New York during the summer on behalf of the Waterway Guide. First time to spend that much time there, and I put about 1700 miles on the rental car before flying home.

I was glad that I had the opportunity to keep my promise to Carolyn about visiting the Tri-Delt house at Syracuse University. She was a member and stayed in the house during her tenure. The sorority members rolled out the red carpet upon my arrival and I was able to take a few memorable photos to share with Carolyn when I returned.

As always I remain active with the Rotary Club of Sandy Springs. It's a great club, and a very active one. In the Fall I served as Chair for the club's participation in the Sandy Springs Festival when we worked with our local InterAct and Rotaract students to promote the world-wide distribution of Shelter Boxes and disaster relief.

Another Rotary project that Carolyn and I enjoy involves serving dinners at the local firehouse. Over the years we have become friendly with many of them, and that's not a bad thing if your house catches on fire or you need an ambulance in a hurry. They are a great group of dedicated men and women!

And finally, no summer would be complete without Carolyn's substitute teaching at Dunwoody Prep. There is a story that can be told about every day, and after 20+ years we could probably write a book.

The teachers appreciate how Carolyn can pull a creative art project out of the air. The children enjoy the artwork, but best of all they love the story telling and puppet shows. As you can see  it's always a fun day when "Miss Carolyn" comes to Dunwoody Prep!

Until next time,

It's Hot-Lanta for Sure

Wow, has it ever been a hot summer in Atlanta! Even the water in the pool is too warm to even try to cool you off. Despite the heat we have managed to entertain a lot, visit and catch up with friends when we are not putting in some long hours to "keep up with the Jones's." Carolyn puts in long days at Dunwoody Prep and has managed to find the time to catch up on her reading. She seems to find some of the most interesting books on sale at the local Goodwill Store, and it's not unusual that the topics have a lot to do with dogs.

Maggie, our beloved Border Collie of 17 years, is not real thrilled with being back in Atlanta. She just loves the boat! Any time either of us head for the garage she seems to think we are heading for Sea Island Girl without her.

At seventeen she is keenly aware of everything going on around her and maintains a ferocious appetite. Her longevity and health are most likely due to the glucosamine and yogurt she receives twice daily.

 I have regained my interest in photography. In July I purchased a Nikon D5000 DSLR and have been attending classes at the local Wolff/Ritz Camera store. The technology amazes me, and whenever I have the time I take a shot or two in hopes that the classes are helping to improve on my technique.

In case you missed the story, Sea Island Girl was the victim of a freak tornado in Freeport, GBI back in April. While the damage could have been much worse it has taken several months to repair the damage inflicted. Hopefully, all of the projects should be complete by late October.

Traveling to Brunswick to work on the boat has not been all bad. We were able to take a few hours last evening to test my photographic skills while enjoying some of the scenery around the marina. Night time photography requires some practice, so we loaded up Maggie and headed for the Sidney Lanier Bridge to

test our skills.

I felt rather good about the results, though from other photos I have seen there is alot of room for improvement. As time passes, and my skills improve, you will hopefully see the results in future posts on our blog.

Wish us well, we are still enjoying life!

Abaco Art Show

Being among friends in Abaco seems to bring out the best in people, and this year was no exception. Everyone got involved, whether it was water aerobics, yoga, basket weaving, walking or jewelry. For those that had never done it, there were those willing to help - and the results were remarkable.

"Yoga at eleven," was the call each Monday, Wednesday and Friday on the RMHYC Cruising Net, and though it was an exceptionally cold winter season, the brave ventured into the water for aerobics. "It all helps the body" was the by-word for those involved, and when you get to be our age, the body needs all the help it can get.

While the athletics types worked off their energy, some of the more artistic took an opportunity to perfect their craft, or learn from others new techniques. Kathy Sales is a new to water colors and enjoyed her time perfecting her stroke and color combinations.

And while she was dabbling in the paint, others were seeing what they could do with pine needles and rafia. An endless number of hours go into creating baskets and bowls, and while some were honing the basic techniques, others created masterful pieces of art. While some were not as complex in their design, every basket was in and of itself, a work of art.

Jewelry crafting was another past time, using sea beans, sea glass or the beans removed from tree pods. The variety of necklasses, bracelets and ornamental pins was endless, each artist having their own style and technique. Some of the artists sold their creations at the local flea markets and art shows.

One of the more creative ventures was provided by our friend Ray Vallerie. He created a scale model of his own boat - Last Dance - our of scrap wood and bits and pieces he could scavange around the marina. That is his boat in the background. The sailboat in the foreground was one he completed last year which is a replica of a boat owned by a close friend. The hours Ray put into these were endless, and his attention to detail was remarkable.

At the end of our cruising season we put together our own art show, giving everyone an opportunity to display their creations. Carolyn had an opportunity to display some of the artwork created by students in her class at Every Child Counts.

For many of the projects they used shells and other natural items from the island. The most popular creations were the rubbings made with tin foil using plastic forms with various pictures. As you can see they were colored by the students with permanent markers and frames were design to enhance the pictures.

All in all it was an enjoyable winter cruising season, and it seems most everyone had an opportunity to get involved in one project or another. It seems that many of the lessons learned will be things which enrich the lives of those participating.

Meet "The Girls"

It was never in the plans, however when we learned the impending fate of two, three year old Weimaraner-German Shorthair pointers, there was no question that we would get involved. They had become a problem for their owners as they enjoyed roaming the beaches along the shores of Abaco, and the general concensus was that they needed more attention and time than their lifestyle would permit.

We met Zoe and Bella in Marsh Harbour at the Abaco Beach Resort. They would frolick along the beach and approach anyone willing to show them a little affection. As many of the boaters had dogs of their own there was an ample supply of doggie snacks, which was always a welcome sign for the two sisters.

Zoe is slightly smaller and is more readily recognized by having one white toe-nail. Bella is the most loving and her sister seems to be the instigator, often nipping at her sister when bored and looking for a romp on the beach in search of a trio of dophins that frequent the marina.

When it was learned that the owners had discussed euthenizing these wonderful dogs, a boating friend decided to "take charge" and see to that this did not happen. He and a friend searched for an adoption agency that specialized in their breed, and found the SE Vizsla Rescue in Roswell, GA. The agency, working closely with our friend, began searching for a ideal home for the pair. Our contribution has been to care for them these last two weeks.

Zoe and Bella have been a joy, and it will be difficult to see them leave the area that they have become so accustomed. We do however feel the rescue organization has the best interest of the dogs at heart. A good thing is that hopefully we will be able to reunite with them in Atlanta in the near future.

On The Water Again

My how time flies! November came and went so fast it now seems like a blur. During a recent get-together someone mentioned a wedding anniversary coming up and we looked at each other and realized ours had come and gone three weeks earlier!

It was Nov. 13 when we unleashed the dock lines on Sea Island Girl and began our trek south for the eleventh year. The weather could not have been nicer as we enjoyed stopping along the way to visit long-time friends and see others that we had met previously. For most of the way we traveled alone but reconnected with Robert and Rita Wieczorek aboard Magnum Opus in North Palm Beach.

Often when traveling we come across some rather strange sights. This year was no different. Two young fellows from Cleveland, OH had modified a small sailboat and were rowing from their home to Key West, hoping to arrive by Christmas. The oars were custom made and there was a little space to rest or catch a few winks, but they rowed almost continuously.

You can read more about their story by visiting http://www.habitatcrew.com/. After getting to our destination we sent them a couple of pictures and our wishes for a successful trip. What an adventurous group of fellows.

And as if there wasn't enough work to do moving a boat down the ICW, we met up with a couple aboard a forty-two foot sailboat with a sixty-five foot mast! That may not seem so unusual until you learn that the tallest fixed bridges on the waterway have a sixty-five foot clearance and with the full moon we were experiencing, the clearance was several feet less.

The couple rigged a "water bag" system and used the extra weight of the water to tilt the boat to give them the clearance they needed to clear the bridge. It is a novelty to see, but the whole process is way too time consuming for us.

Sights like these are what makes our travels so interesting, and we meet so many great people! We will soon be off on another leg of our journey, and trust you will stick around to enjoy!

A Busy Summer

Things have been rather hectic around Atlanta this summer...friends and family to touch base with, chores around the house and all of this amidst working to keep ahead of the economy. But it wasn't all work and no play!

Each of us enjoyed our respective high school reunions - Campbell High in Smyrna, Ga and Abington High in Philadelphia. Both were well attended and fun was had by all. The week long Philadelphia trip included a visit with several family members, a football game and a tour of Abington which remains highly ranked among schools in the nation, and a grand evening at the Wm. Penn Inn in nearby Blue Bell.

The Campbell reunion was somewhat less formal. The classmates gathered at the local VFW, danced to 60's tunes by a DJ and feasted on hot dogs, fries and onion rings which were catered by the Varsity,a prominent drive-in in Atlanta.

While visiting the Philadelphia area we managed to visit theMercer Tile Works and Mansion in Doylestown. If you ever travel to the area you will not want to miss it. Mercer was an anthro-pologist and after traveling the world he returned to Pennsylvania and built his home of concrete and ceramic tiles that he created in a studio on the grounds. Since his death the home and the tile works have been taken over by the Buck's County government and it remains a prominent sight to this day. We have several of Mercer's tiles which we have collected over the years.

In addition to our travels this summer both of us have stayed involved in a variety of community projects. Robert is an active member of the Sandy Springs Rotary Club. This year he was Chair for the Sandy Springs Heritage Festival, participated in a project to distribute dictionaries to all third grade students in the area on a number of occasions, and volunteered with other Rotary members to feed and honor the local firefighters, a project that has enjoyed in previous years.

Carolyn spent some time helping Royal Potcake International find homes for homeless Bahamian dogs that had been relocated to Atlanta for adoption by the organization. Together, and working with the Abaco Humane Society and the Friends of Abaco Animals, Royal Potcake International we have helped to organize a raffle and a Banks & Shane Benefit Concert in the Bahamas in January. A large contingency of Atlantans have made plans to attend the event which is good for the dogs and the Abaco economy.

As one can see, we have remained busy but had a great time with it all! We will soon be resuming our cruising itinerary and are looking forward to being back with our boating friends once again.

Back To Reality

An Easter Sunday sunrise was magic for us as Sea Island Girl was able to shed her dock lines at Old Bahama Bay Resort on Grand Bahama Island and set out across the Atlantic. It was a little bumpy at first, due to confused seas, but things settled down after an hour or so, and we arrived in North Palm Beach six hours later.

Upon arrival in Florida, several of our friends from the Royal Marsh Harbour Yacht Club greeted us, including Peggy O’Neill and Terry Zieglar, who had made an earlier and unexpected departure from the Bahamas in February. Margo Caldy, Vice Commodore, and her husband Dennis hosted a fun-filled Easter dinner for everyone at their home nearby.

After two days we were heading north, wanting to transit the Bridge of Lions in St. Augustine before it closed to marine traffic for a week. The Bridge has been a major construction project, and we are hoping the restoration will be complete upon our return to the area in November.

It took us six days to reach our port in downtown Brunswick, GA. The weather was excellent most of the time, although we managed to have our canvas bimini blow off one evening when a forty-knot wind gust blew through as we were enjoying cocktails with our long-time Atlanta friends, Al and Maggie Ressa in Vero Beach.

We enjoyed an evening at the Halifax River Yacht Club in Daytona Beach with the crews of Chablis and Magnum Opus and everyone had an opportunity to do a little shopping before we continued north.

Mike and Susan Murray, our long-time Port Captains in Fernandina, invited us to their home for dinner, which was spectacular I might add. Fernandina is thirty-five miles from Brunswick, and we enjoy visiting with them from time to time during the summer.

The big excitement came the next morning as we approached the Kings Bay Naval Base, just north of Fernandina. We were now in the company of even more yacht club friends – Sea Smoke and Darling – as a nuclear submarine was being towed north along the ICW to its’ berth at Kings Bay. Unknown to me at the time, it is unlawful to take pictures, so do not pass this along. (Note: the sub is in the middle, being towed by two large tugboats.)

We are back in Brunswick for the ninth year, and have enjoyed catching up with our friends here. We will have a few additional tidbits for sure to write about, as we make the transition back to reality. Until next time.

Time To Head Home

I guess you cannot have it all when cruising. We arrived on Grand Bahama Island April 5th after five months of visiting the Bahamas, and we just want to get home. Unfortunately, Mother Nature keeps sending cold fronts across from the US and a third one this month has us pinned against the dock at Old Bahama Bay.

It is a lovely Resort with beautiful beaches and a friendly staff, but we find ourselves paying 350% more in dockage, not including electricity and the daily mandatory water fees. The skies are clear but the winds are blowing 20-25 knots and gusting higher! Just outside the harbor, the seas of the Atlantic are raging and waves are crashing with sprays reaching above the neighboring palm trees.

We spent eleven days here two years ago, but last year only one night. When we left the Abacos were knew we might have to wait a day or two, but Carolyn loves the beach and that would have been okay. It appears now that we will be here for at least a week.

The nice thing about being hemmed in is that, you can meet many really nice people. Some of them are heading to the Abacos, and we have spent time with them teaching them a few of the tricks, reviewing their charts and showing them the highlights and “not to miss” places they will want to visit. Others are heading further south to the Exumas, and like us, some are heading back to the states.

Overall, it has been a good winter cruising season for us. It has been windier and cooler this year, but it has been fun. We hope to be back in Brunswick by late April, and then get ready for a few summer projects, at home and on the boat. We are looking forward to seeing our friends back home and have lots of pictures and stories to share.

Commodore's Ball 2009

Each year, the Royal Marsh Harbour Yacht Club has one big bash...and that is the Commodore's Ball in February. An annual theme is decided upon in advance and this year a Mardi Gras theme was decided upon. So, during the summer and prior to arriving in the Abacos, everyone scurries around looking around for their costume and added pinnache.

The event is held in the Marquis Tent at the Abaco Beach Resort and Boat Harbour Marina. A team of members take on the challenge of decorating for each of the events, and surprisingly, the results are beyond belief. Each table provides an array of wine, and a centerpiece in keeping with the event. Days of preparation are required to set up for these evenings, and it is not unusual for the Resort to ask that we keep the decorations up for all to enjoy until the next event.

Speaking of costumes, RMHYC members go all out to look their best. It has become somewhat of a status symbol to have the BEST costume, and the winning contestants are awarded a bottle of rum for their achievement. At times it seems that no expense is spared when trying to out-do others, but there are always some that seem to remain "boaters true" and just come in their shorts and t-shirts. That's okay too - after all we just are looking to have a fun time, and enjoy being together!

No matter what, it is a fun time here in the islands. Away from all the hustle and bustle we're able to relax, see some very special sites and enjoy being with the friends that we have made over the years.

You may want to join in and are always welcome. Hope you enjoy following our travels.

Maggie Is Enjoying Herself

Having pets aboard is a rewarding experience, especially with Maggie. Some days, it's a laugh a minute - and she is so smart.

She spends most of her day perched outside the pilothouse door taking in everything that goes on around her. We need not monitor her as there are enough dogs on our dock that she enjoys barking at, that we know she is safely aboard.

Sometimes she will hang out in the pilothouse, especially if she knows that food is being prepared. Her scent detection is superior, and anytime food is being served she manages to work her way down from her perch and give us one of those "I'm hungry too" looks.

Bathing is not a favorite event for her, although once Carolyn gets her on the swim platform and soaks her down, she tolerates it rather well. Today, when Carolyn went to retrieve some shampoo, Maggie tried to sneak back inside in an attempt to forgo her weekly bathing.

However, after all is over, and she once again perches herself on the upper deck to dry out, she comes out looking like a queen.

At the age of 14, Maggie has been traveling with us for nine years, and enjoys it so much more than being back home in Atlanta. She loves the outdoors, enjoys detecting an occasional dolphin or two, but BEST of all are her rides in the inflatable dinghy.

For a stray pup from the streets of downtown Atlanta, she has done very well. She has a home, a yacht and has her owners totally trained to meet her every need.

Just look at that face! How could you not love something so sweet?

Its Cold Down Here

The Canadian fronts have brought high winds and cold temps, colder than in previous years. To put it in perspective, it got down to the high 50s one night and we turned on the heat just to take the chill off. However, it hasn't stopped everyone from finding things to do, and places to go.

Abaco Beach Resort, where we are staying, has gone all out this year by offering a variety of events and activities for our group of 68 boats. On Thursdays, we have Talent Night, and several of us have participated, singing along with Steven Colebrook, a very talented keyboardist. Elvis, Neil Diamond, Peggy Lee and other pseudo-celebrities have appeared. A highlight of these evenings is that the Resort staff has several very talented individuals, and yours truly has been asked to join them in some gospel tunes. As most of this is ad-lib, it's pretty good, and we are getting much better.

February is a busy month. We have the Annual Meeting for the yacht club and our Commodore's Ball. Several members have flown in for the weeks festivities and it is good to have them with us once again. Last night we had a Full Moon Party on the beach. It was a sell-out, the food was fantastic and the Bahamian music and tiki torches added to the ambiance.

Several other events are upcoming, including a Pirates Party, the flea market on Man O War, and the Barefoot Man concert on Guana Cay in March. So, despite the weather, things are improving and everyone is having a good time. Wish you were here with us.

Fun In The Abacos

It’s not always fun and games here in the Bahamas. There are always opportunities to involve ourselves in a variety of community projects, and most of us take advantage and lend a hand when needed.

Every Child Counts (ECC) has been a popular project for members of the Royal Marsh Harbour Yacht Club. The school operates solely on donations and serves the children from several surrounding cays that require a special education approach. The students present a variety of learning opportunities and the limited staff seeks assistance from trained volunteers to deliver a quality educational experience.

During the holiday break, members of our yacht club jumped in to create a sorely needed classroom. The request came at a time when we still had some knowledgeable and skilled workers lounging about during the holidays.

A request was broadcast over the RMHYC net one morning, and by noon fifteen volunteers showed up at the school to lend a hand. Many of them, including yours truly, were inexperienced, but with the help of a few carpentry specialists, the group charged on. By four PM, there were four walls, a ceiling complete with power outlets and lighting. The following day, the sheetrock received another coat of mud, and after drying, the walls were ready for painting.

The project involved a team of lawyers, insurance agents, doctors and a variety of business owners with a myriad of backgrounds. Our foreman has built cabinets and was known for building staircases in the homes of the rich and famous, including Steven Spielberg. Despite a lack of experience, the project was finished on time, and in an acceptable fashion.

That is what it is like down here. We enjoy the sun, the water and the beach, but give us a project where we can lend a hand, and we will be there.

Back To The Abacos

November was a travel month, traveling from our home port in Brunswick, GA to enjoy our eighth year in the Bahamas. This year we averaged approximately fifty miles a day and enjoyed our favorite stops along the way. Particularly enjoyable, Romer and Sue Schwenk, of Vancouver Island, BC, stopped to visit us in Vero Beach. Former cruisers themselves, they recently purchased a fifth-wheel RV and were enjoying a land-based trip across Canada and the US. And, Dixie and John Reese, friends formerly from Atlanta, visited aboard Sea Island Girl, for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Early December, following a brief stay at Old Port Cove Marina in North Palm Beach, we departed early, across the Gulfstream, for West End Settlement on Grand Bahama Island. Our friend, Don Smith, whom we have over the years enjoyed so many fun times on the water, had driven from Atlanta and joined us for the trip to the Abacos. Having Don aboard was a breath of fresh. We alternated time at the helm, and the crew would arrive at our destination each day well rested.

Coming down from the north, as we approached the Sea of Abaco, the forecast had called for a shift in the weather. Had we not pushed forward, we would have been “trapped” for several days. With Don’s help, we opted to continue our passage well beyond sundown and after a ninety-five mile day, entered the channel at Green Turtle Cay by spotlight.

The following morning, conditions along The Whale Passage, which can be most treacherous, were favorable to continue around the three mile stretch of desolate cays. We allowed Don to “command the ship” so that he could add The Whale to his cruising accomplishments. He did fine, and the Commodore went below to take a shower and change into clothing, more appropriate for our arrival at Boat Harbour.

Twenty or so of our yacht club friends greeted us as we arrived in splendid fashion and another season has begun for us in Abaco. It’s like home for us here and we hope to share many of the highlights as our travels continue.

An Enjoyable Summer

Well it's about that time again for Sea Island Girl and her crew to pack up and begin our trip south. It has been an enjoyable summer at our home in Atlanta, but the traffic and rush have taken their toll and we are looking forward to another boating season in the Abacos.

During the summer we made several trips to Brunswick, GA, and Brunswick Landing Marina, to work on a few boat projects and at least one unexpected trip to insure that the boat was well secured. Initially hurricane Hannah was taking a direct path toward the Georgia coast, but she veered north as she approached giving the area a well deserved drenching rain, and a few moderately high winds. Fortunately, hurricane IKE took a more southerly trek than initially expected, and the area was spared once again. Unfortunately, the folks in Texas received the brundt of the storm, and for them we are deeply sorry.

Although it would seem to be an easy project, selecting new upholstery proved to be a major undertaking. Serious discussions were had by the crew amid multiple trips to Atlanta area fabric stores before an concensus was reached. In our twenty years, this project truly presented the most discussions and difference of opinion - but it is all over now and you will have to wait until our next post to see the results.

The Captain engaged himself with exchanging a water heater element, new window screens and a satellite weather tracking system. As is normal, the projects are much more complex than they first appear. i.e. no standard heating element would fit so one had to be constructed; there was no supplier for the window screening for the boat, so we had to change material and replace all six; and after upgrading our navigational software for the weather instrument, we learned there is a glitch in the latest version. The latter issue is still being resolved with the help of the head of technology for Raymarine in NH.

The summer has not been ALL work! and our trips to Brunswick have given us plenty of time to visit with our friends from RMHYC whom are staying at our marina. We managed to eat out a few times, but really enjoyed the fresh shrimp and oysters which came directly from the shrimp boats. Several of our friends traveled during the summer to Italy, Peru while others continued to cruise along the Atlantic coast visiting family and friends. These are always fun times, and our club members have become members of our extended family - good thing, we spend a lot of time with them!

One of the couples in our group, enjoyed a trip that I have often longed for. They cruised by the Statue of Liberty! One of these days we hope to make that trip, as we have heard so many wonderful stories. We cannot close without sharing a final picture that we received and hope you can imagine how wonderful it must have been.

A New Arrival

Sea Island Girl had been the only North Pacific Yacht on the east coast for the longest time, but this year things changed when Jim and Trish Riordan brought hull#14 to the Abacos. It was a fun time to get together with them and compare notes, swap tales and fellowship.

Jim and Trish had traveled some miles before coming to the Bahamas and he had developed an interesting method of keeping track of his fuel usage, which he shared with us. With fuel prices being what they are ($5.11/gal) it has become increasingly important to accurately measure how much is on board. His technique was most helpful and as we continued our travels, it turned out to be most accurate.

We visited them at Harbour View Marina in Marsh Harbour and noticed some slight changes had been made to the boats. It was mentioned that another NP43 will be joining us during the 2008-2009 season, which we both anticipate seeing.

It was soon time for us to be returning to the US. After a series of good-bye get together's and dinners we said good-bye to our newly acquired friends and anticipated a smooth crossing back to Florida. Unfortunately for us, The Whale Passage, which is a very short trip around a reef north of Guana Cay, was somewhat unsettled. We never anticipated the rage conditions and soon found ourselves "testing" our boat and her crew. Eight to ten foot seas had the boat surfing about for about an hour. Despite these conditions, Sea Island Girl managed better than the crew.

It turned out to be another learning opportunity for us and it will help in the future. No real damage done (only Maggie's bowl), but when we arrived in Green Turtle Cay we witnessed first hand the things that can happen.

The balance of our trip was uneventful. We stopped one night on anchor in Great Sale Cay, then had another evening on Grand Bahama Island at Old Bahama
Bay Marina. The following morning conditions were perfect and we made way to Fort Pierce, FL , some 82 miles across the Gulfstream in record time.

We soon sent pictures to Jim and Trish and suggested that they be a little smarter than we were when they begin their return.

It is always fun to see a North Pacific when we are traveling, and we especially enjoyed spending time with the Riordan's during our stay in the Bahamas.

Back In School

Back then (and we won't mention when that was) the gang used to hang out at The Varsity, in downtown Atlanta. The car hops were the best, but none looked as good as Wilma and they certainly didn't wear roller skates.

Our yacht club had a Sock Hop in February and it was a highlight of the cruising season in the Bahamas. We were tired of "island" music and wanted to hear some of those tunes of the 50's and 60's. Ray Vallerie, one of our "youngest at heart," had captured just about any song you can think of on his itunes and he served as our disc jockey.

Everyone got into the act with their costumes. There were poodle skirts, nerds, cool dudes and even a guest appearance or two. The dance floor was full and the decorations help to make it an evening to remember.

Speaking of guest appearances, we should let you in on a little secret....Anna Nichole was not the only celebrity living in the Bahamas.
It was a special performance by Elvis himself. By invitation, the King himself was flown into the Abacos to woo the crowd with a few of his memorable hits.

As it turned out, the autographed, perspiration soaked scarfs were even more popular than the center pieces created for the occasion.

All in all it was another grand evening, and when Good Night Sweetheart boomed over the sound system, just after The Tennessee Waltz, our group of tired seniors paraded back to their respective boats to rest their backs and get some well deserved shut-eye.

It is amazing how these parties come to pass. An idea is created and a host of volunteers pull it all together for the enjoyment of everyone. What a great group of friends they have been.

Our Trusted Crew Member

As you can see, Maggie is adjusting once again to our live aboard lifestyle here in the Bahamas. It represents her seventh extended cruise - not too bad for a stray pup found on the streets of downtown Atlanta.

She was a master at handling the companionway stairs on Gypsy Common, and it is fun to watch her now as she descends the steps of the new boat. She puts her two front legs down a step, turns a little side ways and then follows with her rear legs. It's almost a hopping action and she seems very sure of herself as she moves around the boat. Maggie loves being where ever we are, and makes the trip many times a day.

Being the ever present watch dog, she loves lying in the shade, occasionally unsettled by a passing dog or cat. Following her "attack" response, she settles back and watches every thing and everybody in the marina.

Maggie is comfortable with her treks around Abaco Beach Resort. She has some favorite trees, and rest stops, and always enjoys being petted by friends and staff members. When we are away from the boat she retires to her favorite spot on board at the foot of our bed.

Having Maggie travel with us has been an enjoyable and rewarding experience. Now that she is thirteen years old, we cherish the time we have had together.

Visitors To Abaco

It's always fun having friends visit with us when we are traveling, and recently one of our good friends, Don Smith finally made it down to Abaco for a few days. He is a sailor and long time friend from Atlanta and was easy to have aboard Sea Island Girl.



Carolyn greeted Don with her world famous fried chicken. He has been trying to duplicate it during his periodic visits to Africa and got a first hand lesson on her technique. For a girl from the North, she really does surprise a lot of people.




This was Don's first opportunity to see the boat, although he was around us when all the planning and preparations for our trip was going on. We were able to take him around to several of the surrounding islands, where everyone dined on the fresh fish of the Bahamas and had a few Kalik beers as well.





One special treat for us was taking Don to Man O War, a long-time favorite cay. We were able to introduce him to the many friends that we have made over the years, and gave him a tour of the entire island via golf cart. He seemed particularly impressed with the history of boatbuilding in the area and before we left Man O War we had an opportunity to witness just how proud the residents are of their heritage.


A forty-foot sailing vessel, Malolo II, was one of only two wooden pleasure boats built by Edwin Albury some forty years ago. After twenty five years and multiple owners in and around the Abacos, she had been taken north to Boothbay Harbor, Maine. Ray and Donna Howard, a Canadian couple, discovered Malolo lying in a field, learned her history and decided to take her back to Nova Scotia following some repairs.




To fully celebrate her fine construction, and the pride of those on Man O War, the couple

decided to take her back to the Bahamas once she was found seaworthy. So, while we were visiting the area one local boatyard worker commented, "Malolo's come home."

Such a refreshing ending to a story that started many years ago. We were able to visit with several people that had either helped to build Malolo, or had sailed on her from the Bahamas up to Cape Cod. It was a thrilling experience for the islanders to see her again, and we were glad that we had an opportunity to share in the historical return during our visit to Man O War.

It was good having Don with us. He had sailed his boat in the Caribbean 1500 some years ago from Virginia to the British Virgin Islands, and having an experienced visitor was most helpful.

We have some other friends and family coming down while we are here, and hope that they too can enjoy the beauty of these islands.