March 24, 2020

Hard to believe that it’s been over 2 months since I’ve updated the blog.  My apologies to the hoard of fans out there (All 2 of you, lol).  We spent about a month in Eleuthera hoping that the winds would calm down and the winter cold fronts coming through would get back to some semblance of normal; fronts coming through every 5-6 days instead of every 3 days and with less intensity.  Except for 1 instance it was not to be.  However, we took advantage of the one instance of 4 days of calm weather to get to the south end of Eleuthera, stayed in the Cape Eleuthera marina and used our dinghy to explore the southern end of the island.  We did a great dive where I speared the largest lion fish we’ve seen in the Bahamas.  It provided a fine meal.

Roots from Above

Openings to the sky

While in Eleuthera we anchored in Rock Sound and explored one of the caves in the area.  Sasi got to take a nice long walk and see her first cave. One of the neat things about the caves is how the tree roots grow down from the surface and anchor themselves in the floor of the caves.

Sasi on her walk

Old Dozer parked by the Motor Pool

Kathi behind bars at the Navel Brig

We also visited an old Navy base near Alabaster Bay.  The base was built in 1950 to test a Sound Surveillance System (SOSUS) to help detect submarines.  The base played an important role during the Cuban Missile Crisis by helping identify Russian subs trying to sneak to Cuba. Another interesting item was a football field sized concrete pad on a slope of about 15 degrees.  We wondered what it was for and turns out that it was used to collect water for the base.  The location of the base was just above one of the prettiest beaches we've seen, now called "Pink Sand Beach."

Pink Sand Beach at Navel Station

Tree Decorations

In mid-February our friend Ron from Nampa, Idaho and his girlfriend Julie arrived in Eleuthera to join us.  After only 2 days in Eleuthera a weather window opened up to head north to the Abacos where they were scheduled to fly out.  We had a wonderful 10 hour sail in 28 knots of wind and 5-6 foot seas.  I say a wonderful sail although I’m not sure our guests were ready for it though they handled the sail like fine crew.  We enjoyed their company for 2 weeks, snorkeling, getting lobster and moving from anchorage to anchorage to escape the winds which would not let up.  One of the places we love going to in Abaco is Pete's Pub in Little Harbor.  Unfortunately the pub was closed due to Hurricane Dorian; it is closed not because of damage but because of lack of visitors.  Even though Pete's was closed, we enjoyed a walk around Little Harbor and some of the decorations.

Drinking Pirate

Sunset at Lynyard Cay

Jolee and Larry's first snorkle

Our second set of guest, Kathi’s aunt Jolee and uncle Larry, arrived on March 3 for a two week stay.  Once again we had a great time with evening card playing and great dinners.  We had been hoping for calmer weather but that was not to be until the last 3 days of their stay.  Neither of them had spent any time snorkeling and both put aside any fears they had and enjoyed a new perspective of seeing the underwater beauty.  They saw us get lobster, fish and conch.  Of course, one of the required activities is cleaning conch.  Larry turned out to be a natural at the task.  Irregardless of the winds, we had a great time and were able to take them for walks on a few of the islands in the Abacos.  They especially enjoyed the beautiful sunsets and took many photos each day they were here. 

The devastation in the Abacos is still heart breaking but we’ve been impressed with how much progress has been made on the outlying Cays with getting life closer to normal.  Marsh Harbor on Great Abaco has a long way to go but they are clearing away debris and preparing areas for rebuilding.  

We’ve been following the impacts of the corona virus as I’m sure all the rest of you are.  Fortunately the Bahamas have been spared so far.  We are well provisioned on the boat and hope that all of you have adequate supplies for the foreseeable future.  We originally planned to head back to the States shortly after our last guests left but have reconsidered and decided to remain here for who knows how long.  We’d like the madness concerning the corona virus to diminish before we come back and hope that the impacts will be short lived-for this we pray.