Williams Bay Anchorage, Exumas

The ICW Isn't The Bahamas

Coming to the surface for fresh air.

     Dolphin sightings in the Bahamas are far and few in between.  Since our arrival back in November we have spotted dolphins less than 10 times.  Although in the past seasons our sightings have been even fewer.  In the United States, especially the lower section of the section of the ICW, the sightings are very common and do not cause any particular interest from the crew of Big Run.  There is one occasion we do enjoy the dolphins and that is when they play in our slip stream just off of the bow when we are motoring.  Because the waters are so murky on the ICW we do not get to enjoy the dolphins playing in the slip stream except for when they surface for a breathe of fresh air.  Today was different in Bahamas as we crossed the White Cay Bank on our return trip from Salt Pond, Long Island.  We spotted the dolphins off the port bow and saw them race over to the boat.  We knew immediately what they were going to do so we went to the bow.  There they were, playing in our slip stream and because of the crystal clear water we were able to catch all the action below the surface.  It is amazing how little effort they exert to stay in front of the bow as it slices through the water at 6.5 knots, almost 8 mph.  Every once in a while they would roll over on their side and look up at us.  Then, as in the photo above, they would surge ahead of the boat off to one side to surface for fresh air and then return to the bow of the boat below the surface to ride the slip stream.  Definitely not something we are privileged to see on the ICW, but then, the ICW isn't the  Bahamas.

Grin & Bear It

     Just as forecasted, the cold front arrived but not with all the gusto as predicted.  However my predictions were more accurate than the weather gurus.  My prediction was for the arrival of many boats seeking a safe harbor in Thompson Bay, many coming from the Jumentos & Ragged Islands.  We are now anchored with 30 other boats nicely spaced apart from each other, except for one boat.  Yes, you're right, the boat in question anchored right next to Big Run yesterday.  So close (125') that we can hear their conversations when they're in the cockpit.  Of all the open water to our east and a larger open area further to the west, this last minute arrival, just 3 hours before the blow started, anchored right next to us.  Considering the forecast I would have been happier had they anchored somewhere else.  Getting back to the weather, the gurus missed the call on Wednesday and Friday, which were to be calm days - 8 knots or less.  Instead, each day, we had southerly winds in excess of 18 knots and all the associated fetch of the open water to the south of us.  All the boats in Thompson Bay were "hobby-horsing" for hours. For all the landlubbers, hobby-horsing is when the bow & stern rise and fall.  One rises as the other falls, just like the plastic horse we all rode as kids that was mounted on a frame with springs - Yeeeeeee  Haw!  Giddyup!

     There is a window of opportunity for us to head north to the Exumas this week on Tuesday or Wednesday.  Oh, how we miss the Exumas especially Plain Bay.  Although we may have one day of discomfort because of the winds after we arrive back in the Exumas.  Until then, we'll stay anchored in the Salt Pond/Thompson Bay area where we'll just have to grin & bear it