Salt Pond Sunset

    There was a green flash last night but not tonight and we never tired of watching the sunset (aka "The Event").

Salt Pond Sunset

Tanker Ocean Energy

     This is Tanker Ocean Energy, hailing from Belize City, Belize, .  She is 175 feet long, a beam of over 40 feet and a draft of close to 10'.  She is just one of many fuel tankers serving the Bahamas.  We spotted this ship in Salt Pond, Long Island, Bahamas, which does not have a "deep draft harbor/dock". Ocean Energy came into the harbor with the mid-day high tide. What may be unique about this tanker is how they refuel land based petroleum storage sites.  Ocean Energy came to within 1500 feet of shore and dropped her anchors, 2 bow and 1 stern anchor.  In the photo, on the port side just at mid-ship is a very large hose reel.  The next operation was to "drag" by dinghy not one but two fueling hoses separately to shore and connect to the storage tanks.  No ocean terminal to connect to here. Then Ocean Energy delivered the gasoline and diesel fuels by pumping the product to shore.  This phase of the operation took a couple of hours and thankfully without incident.  Once refueling was complete, Ocean Energy had to wait until the next high tide at midnight to depart the harbor.

Road Trip

     Thursday was a day of living dangerously.  It all started on Tuesday when Sharon and I made an inquiry for a car rental.  Long Island (Bahamas) is about 75 miles long, and no more than a couple of miles at its widest reach.  There is one main road running north & south, Queens Highway, with a few "side" roads.  The roads are narrow with a few twists & turns and do tend to have grades but nothing mountainous.  The highest elevation on the island is about 125 feet.  Although the car we rented was a conventional car with the steering wheel on the left side, that is also the side of the road you are to be driving on.  So, I gave Sharon strict orders,  no matter how mad I got at her for reminding me to drive on the left side, she was to badger me with reminders to do so.  Actually, if I would have drank 6 Kaliks (Bahamian Beer) before we left at 8 a.m., it would have been easier to drive on the left side!
       While in Salt Pond, we met Dan and Deb (S/V Lady Hawk) from Dover, DE.  We knew Dan from last May when he worked at the West Marine Store in Rock Hall.  We had run into them in Black Point, Exuma and were surprised to see them again in Salt Pond.  They asked if they could share the car rental with us for the day.  Hey, when you're a cruiser, you never pass up an opportunity, especially when you can share the cost with someone else.  It proved very beneficial as they had toured the island before by car.  Dan also shared some of the seat time behind the wheel.
     Our first journey of the day was to go the the very north end of the island, Cape Santa Maria, to the Christopher Columbus Monument, dedicated the the native islanders, the Luycayans and Columbus's arrival in 1492. 

     One of the chores for the day was to get our propane tank filled. The tank was to have been filled on Wednesday but the driver for the propane company was on island time.  He stopped at Long Island Breeze Resort, cruiser central, but left when he did not see the propane tank.  Jackie at Long Island Breeze Resort had called him on the the phone that morning to remind him, but you know it's island time mon!  So we drove down to Gordons at the very southern tip of the island to get the tank filled.
      Our next adventure took us to Clarence Town on the east coast of the island.  We stopped at the Flying Fish Marina for Kalik and fries.  Dan was also on a mission to find some Cuban cigars, but it was no joy for Dan.
      We also visited Dean's Blue Hole near Clarence Town.  This blue hole is the deepest on the planet and with the clear water of the Bahamas was very interesting when viewed from the cliffs above.  In the photos below, you will notice the dive platform that is used for the free-dive competitions - no scuba tanks!
        Despite everybody driving on the wrong side of the road and my Bahamian driving skills, I managed to keep everybody out of harm's way.  It was a great road trip.

Click on any photo to see enlargements of photos

Cape Santa Maria Grotto, Long Island

White Cliffs of Cape Santa Maria, Long Island

Christopher Columbus Monument, Cape Santa Maria, Long Island

View from top of Cape Santa Maria Grotto Looking to Atlantic Ocean

"CYA" Sign

Dean's Blue Hole, Long Island - 663' Deep With  Free Dive Platform

Cliffs on North Side of  Dean's Blue Hole

Uniform Of The Day

      Sharon has decided that her new occupation is a professional beachcomber.  In addition to her being Big Run's Navigator, Chef, Junior Mechanic and Apprentice First Class Seaman, she has taken on the responsibility of being Big Run's Official Beachcomber.  I sure do like Sharon's uniform of the day.

Wahoo Party

     Location, location, location. To say that we were in the right location is an understatement.  We spent 35 days in the Black Point Settlement area.  Only 3 nights were spent anchored at the Settlement on the north side of the point, the rest were spent anchored in Plain Bay on the south side of the point.  And party, we did just about every kind of party you can imagine.  There was the traditional beach party and that was expanded to include a raft party.  We also did dinner parties, boat parties, bonfire parties and card parties.  Yes Jeff P., you can drum up a Euchre game in the Bahamas.  We even did a New Year’s party in the Sand Castle.  Just as our Christmas 2010 in Spanish Wells was very special, we had a very special New Year’s Party this year in the Sand Castle with all of our friends from the anchorage and Frank & Peg who own the other home on Plain  Bay.  Peg’s son Troy, from York, Pennsylvania also joined the festivities.

     We did attempt to leave Plain Bay on day 33, but on that morning as we were coming back to Big Run from the Sand Castle, I noticed a new boat in the anchorage that looked very familiar.  As we ran the dinghy closer to the sailboat I knew it had to be them but I still had to check the stern for the boat name.  Yes, it was S/V Margareta.  Long story short, we had never met the crew of this vessel.  However, we had on many occasions “ran” into them on the Intra Coastal Waterway.  Finally, we had an opportunity to meet before our planned departure of Plain Bay that day.  Plans … we learned from our buddy boat Broulee not to make plans in anything other than jello.  So, we did not depart Plain Bay that day, and, as a matter of fact we stayed there for another 2 days as we built a new friendship with Bill & Margaret of S/V Margareta.  Then on our day 35, this past Saturday, S/V Margareta departed Plain Bay to continue their adventure as they headed south.  Two hours after their departure, I decided it was time for us to depart, and by 9 am the anchor was pulled.  We were on our way to Georgetown,  Yes, I said Georgetown.  Sharon and I are not Georgetown people.  We would rather not stop there, but that’s how things go when you’re traveling from the Exumas to Long Island in the Bahamas.  Always looking to make a grand entrance, we pulled into Sand Dollar Beach anchorage at Georgetown just as all the happy hours were just getting underway.  It was 5 o’clock.  Fifteen minutes later our VHF radio sounded off with an MMSI call.  MMSI calls are a discreet way to hail another vessel without broadcasting your hail over the open airways of channel 16.  So the call was from our new friends on S/V Margareta who were also anchored at Sand Dollar Beach.  They invited us over for a Wahoo dinner.  Before your mind runs rampant, Wahoo is a fish.  Bill caught a Wahoo and a Mahi-Mahi earlier in the day.  Within an hour Sharon and I were relaxing on S/V Margareta having a grand time enjoying the company of good friends and eating Wahoo.  So I guess you could call it a Wahoo party!   

Sand Castle

     There are many beautiful homes in the Bahamas, but this is probably the most unique.  It is located at our favorite anchorage Plain Bay, which we mistakenly called Little Bay.  Adjacent to the home is a small inlet which, on the charts, is called Little Bay, hence the error on our part.  Yes, it was built to look like a sand castle.  Local sand was supplied to a paint vendor so that the exterior of the home would blend with the local beaches.  It's a grand sand castle.

S/V Chiquita

     This is S/V Chiquita.  Usually a blog entry of this type would fall under the label "Boats of Interest".  However, this entry could also fall under another category - "Persons of Interest".  No, don't get the wrong idea, he is not wanted by the police.  The sailor that crews this boat, Ron,  is a very interesting person.  Among his many accomplishments, he built this boat in his back yard in Florida with help from friends, some as far away as Maine.  Two weeks prior to launching the boat, he retired from his job and has been conducting sea trials ever since.  I think the boat has passed the sea trials as this photo was taken at Black Point Settlement, Exumas, Bahamas.

Rain Showers

     Last year, we celebrated Christmas Eve in Spanish Wells, Eleuthera, Bahamas at the home of a retired harbor pilot.  This year was again something new and unique for us.  The evening was spent on the beach with  Frank, Peg and their son Troy who was visiting from Pennsylvania.  Frank & Peg have one of the two homes on Plain Bay, the other is the sand castle.  Bill and Mara (S/V Puddlejumper) and Ron (S/V Chiquita) joined the festivities and we had a bonfire and listened to Christmas music.  Everyone enjoyed the evening despite a few rain showers. 

Looking back at Big Run as we headed to the beach we captured this sunset.

Sharon and Ron enjoying the bonfire.

Bill, Mara & Peg

Seasons Greetings

       We would like to wish our families and friends a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  Another year has passed and we find ourselves to be very fortunate to be full time cruisers but it does come with a price.  We do miss our family and friends, and wish we could spend more time with each and every one.  You are in our thoughts, and we count the days until we see you again.

Bahama Style

Standing L-R - Bill & Mara (Puddlejumper), Frank, Rodney (2 By 2), Ken (Meant To Be)

Seated L-R - Peg, Jean, Sharon & Bob (Big Run)

     It's been brewing all week, like a stick of dynamite with a long fuse that had been lit, and it was about to explode.  On Saturday morning, Bill from Puddlejumper stopped by Big Run to invite us to a beach party.  It was about time!  The 5 boats, Big Run, Puddlejumper, Two By Two, Meant To Be and Chiquita have been in Plain Bay all week.  We kept running into each other on our excursions to shore or as we dinghy'd from boat to boat.  Ron from Chiquita and Bill had spent some time Saturday morning prepping the smoker grill on shore and returned to their boats.  I went over to Puddlejumper with the dinghy to tow the party raft to shore and returned to the boat. So around 1:00 pm Sharon and I decided to be the first and head into shore.  No sooner did we get to shore and the rest of the crews joined us.  You will note in the above photo we are relaxing in front of a home.  That is Frank and Peg's home whom joined the festivities.  Also joining us is Jean, the owner of the other home on the bay, the Sand Castle.  After spending the afternoon on the beach, we went up to Frank and Peg's house for a late afternoon dinner which included Peg's conch salad.  Despite all the winds we have been having, and today was no different, we have finally got the party started for the season - Bahama style!

Points Unknown

      Long before we departed South Beach, FL on the 17th of November, we were dealing with the wind.  It was not a big issue as we traveled down the ICW in October or our travels south in Florida.  The wind did delay our departure from Miami for a few days and held us over in Bimini, Bahamas for 5 days.  It also gave us one wild night on the Great Bahama Bank at Russel Beacon as the boat did its imitation of the ol' hobby horse.  At Norman's Cay in the Exumas, the wind played with the boat, keeping her broadside to the rollers.  Then, what was thought to be a safe travel day to Warderick Wells had waves breaking over the bow and covering the pilothouse with "spray".    

     But not all is lost.  We have managed to find our way to our favorite anchorage south of Black Point.  After meeting one of the two locals residents (land dwellers) of the anchorage, we have learned that the bay is actually named Plain Bay.  Far from plain, beautiful clear water, white sand beaches and great company.  Since arriving here on the 29th of November we have met and befriended many other boaters.  There's the couple on M/V Two By Two, Rodney and Pauline.  They also have a raised pilothouse trawler, a beautiful Nova Scotia 47.  Rodney is a Kiwi from New Zealand and Pauly is an Irish lass.  We have had some very interesting happy hours with them.  Just recently our very good friends Ken and Cindy on S/V Meant To Be have arrived, and we also have had some very memorable times with them as well.  We also met Ron on S/V Chiquita, a bright yellow trimaran.  He has been doing the single-hand sailing (crew of one) for a long time.  When you ask him where he hails from, he tells you either Maine (USA) or the Caribbean, he's not sure which!  Right now, Ron is buddy boat with S/V Puddlejumper, a catamaran.  Puddlejumper is crewed by Bill and Mara from Arkansas.  But we still find one thing missing - Rick, Deb and Izzy from M/V Broulee, our buddy boat from last year.  Moving forward,  Ken and Cindy will be departing for their journey to Puerto Rico and beyond.  Two By Two may be departing for points east or south some time soon, Puddlejumper and Chiquita will be heading north in a day or two.  And Big Run, well, we may stick around in Plain Bay waiting for the next group of boaters to stop by on their way to points unknown.

(Bob Gets) 120 Days

     The alarm was set for 3:45 AM, but we didn't need an alarm to get us up this morning, the start of our Bahamas adventure.  I was up at 3:20 AM and Sharon was right behind me.  After we had secured everything for the crossing, the anchor was up and stowed, and we were underway at 4 AM sharp.  We had a good start going out the inlet, Government Cut at South Beach and the shipping channel, until the very end of the channel, a freighter jumped us doing 9 knots.  Luckily, our new toy, a AIS (automated identification system) receiver warned us of the approaching freighter.  On the down side, we had to maneuver to the NW of the freighter which threw us off course for our rhumb line to Bimini.  As we maneuvered to get back on course we discovered we were in the gulf stream, and our attempts to get back on course gave us a SOG (speed over ground) of 2.5 knots.  Execute plan B.  By sunrise we were back on course for Bimini.   It was a beautiful day to be on the open sea where we chugged along at 6.0 knots.  Land was sighted at 10:30 AM and by 12:15 PM the hook (anchor) was set.  Our next chore was to clear customs and immigration.  Last year, immigration gave us 30 days and we spent the last 2 weeks of that 30 days trying to get an extension, which we did, one day prior to our visa expiration .  This year,  Bob "charmed" the young lady at immigration, who was going to give us only 30 days again, but Bob won her over and she gave us 120 days.     

Sunset Over Miami

     Finally, after 10 windy but glorious days in South Beach, our weather window to cross over to the Bahamas is only hours away.  Our 2011/2012 Bahamas adventure starts very early Thursday morning.  This afternoon the winds died down to a very light breeze, and the seas should be settling down overnight to manageable 2 foot waves for tomorrow.  That's better than the 20 MPH winds gusting to 25 MPH and 5'-7' seas with an occasional 9' thrown in to get your attention.  On the eve of our departure we were given one final beautiful sunset over Miami.

Hallelujah

     Let's face it, if you have something that is broken and you swap out enough parts, you may sooner or later fix it.  To date, we have replaced the high pressure switch, acid washed the membrane, replaced the membrane, replaced the pump head, and today we replaced the heart and soul of the watermaker - the Clark Pump.  All I know about the Clark pump is that it is a intensifier.  In this case, the Clark Pump will take water under pressure at 60 PSI and greatly boost or intensify the pressure of the water.  Then, the water, when passed over the membrane at high pressure forces about 10% of the salt water through the membrane leaving behind such things as salt and other nasty stuff you don't want in your fresh water.  Under ideal conditions, that is what should happen, but in our watermaker that had not been the case.  So today, when the watermaker dealer came onboard Big Run and listened to our watermaker, without hesitation, he said it's the Clark Pump.  So, 6 weeks later and a half hour to swap out the Clark Pump we are back in the business of making fresh water. Oh yea, it was still under warranty -  Hallelujah