Hope Town and Beyond, Feb 2018

We had planned on leaving for points south from Lynyard Cay, just next to Little Harbour but the winds were not favorable and wouldn't be for at least a week so we headed back to Hope Town and took a mooring in the harbour to await better weather. Once secure, we headed straight to our favorite beach bar, On Da Beach, for the best fish melt sandwich on earth. We watched friends race in a sunfish regatta (way to go Pete) and went to a weigh-in at a fishing tournament at Sea Spray with Pete, Linda and Scout. A couple of days later we sailed to Man O War Cay for lunch and ran into friends Leanne and Jon, who we met this year in Little Harbour. We enjoyed a cold one at the Dock and Dine and decided we'd race together on their catamaran in the upcoming Hope Town sailboat race. We had a great time and finished somewhere in the middle of the pack. I know we'll be seeing them often in the future!

On Da Beach

Leeanne and Jon aboard Lord Charlton

Jeff, manning the "whisker pole"

Mama and her two week old chicks

One happy manatee

Conch pile

The weather was looking agreeable to leave the Abacos and work our way down to Spanish Wells, so we met with friends Joe and Ellen, whom we met a couple of years ago, for lunch at Firefly before we left. Small world... Ellen is a fellow alumni of Lyman Hall High School and they have a house in Old Saybrook near my brother and sister in law. They also have a beautiful home in Hope Town where they escape to during the cold CT winters.

Joe and Ellen

We anchored at Lynyard Cay once again, to await a morning departure. We caught a 46" Mahi on our way to Royal Island, where we met up with friends Julie and Mike who have an Oceanis 45 like ours. It was a great meeting place and we shared appetizers, cocktails and many stories before heading our separate ways in the morning. We were lucky to cross paths since they were heading north to the Abacos and we were heading south to Exuma. Always a fun time.

A cuttlefish, the first I've ever seen, was enjoying the shade of our dinghy

Mike and Julie

The next day we arrived in Spanish Wells and took one of Bandit's moorings as we have done in the past. We rented a golf cart to ride around the island, revisit the Sandbar on Russell Island, enjoy a great lunch at The Shipyard and purchase some groceries.

Oh, and we stopped to visit some locals along the way. They were looking for some handouts, of which we had none. But a pat on the head and a chin scratch was enjoyed nevertheless.

More please?

No matter which island we visit, you can always find a beautiful beach. Spanish Wells is no exception.

From Spanish Wells, we planned on crossing to Highborne Cay to catch up with friends aboard Kristine, who we met in St. Augustine during our lengthy stay from November thru mid January. As mentioned earlier, it's always fun to cross paths with people we know and we spent a few days together there, beaching, biking, hiking, and enjoying dinner together. The North Beach there is a great place to kayak and swim. Kris and Tom and their Captain Scott are a great bunch to hang with and it's nice to have a girl-time beach buddy on those days we just want to chill.

Scott and Kris

Kris and Tom

More goats and a feisty male enjoying a few tidbits from his keeper

Oh, those kids....

And then there's Loo. Sweet Loo.

Who wouldn't want to stop at this stop sign? The view is beautiful.

Stay away from those trees! Much like poison ivy & oak

View from the open fitness center called the "Crows Nest"

We said our goodbyes to Kristine and left the marina shortly after they did. We sailed a few hours south to Shroud Cay, a favorite place of ours to anchor and explore. It didn't disappoint. The creeks are fun to dinghy through and the view from atop Camp Driftwood is 360 degrees of gorgeous.

Feeding our Romora "pets" who hang out under the boat awaiting scraps

After a two day stay at Shroud Cay, we sailed to Warderick Wells, another favorite place of ours in the Exuma National Park. We were lucky once again to obtain a mooring ball in the north field, which is closest to all the trails and beaches. It is truly a special place and we never tire of the blow holes, trails and the hike to Boo Boo Hill. Years ago we left one of our driftwood "signs" which has either been buried by many more or been blown away by a hurricane or two. The tradition continues.

From Warderick Wells we sailed four hours to Big Major just north of Staniel Cay. This is where the swimming pigs live to eat. There are so many people going ashore to see them (even many, many paying tourists) that they want not for food. The locals have even placed a water tank on the island so they have plenty of water to drink. Last year Jeff and I brought gallons ashore for them and they would simply open their mouths as we poured it in. Hopefully they will have enough water this year to avoid becoming ill. We didn't visit them this year and instead opted to do laundry and some provisioning. We had dinner at the Yacht Club with friends Miles and Laureen on Ariel and set sail two days later to stop in Black Point, and then anchor just south of there. Nothing could be better...

M/V Ariel

Some friends swimming around our dinghy looking for some tidbits

What a serene landscape

You know you've got good holding when you can see your anchor dug in 15 feet below.

March is upon us and we look forward to returning to Harbour Island where our friends Bob and Robin will fly in to spend some time. Until then....

Another Winter Adventure

A coat of wax and wooden framework for the tarp

On October 6th we left Maine in a rental car and headed to CT to spend time with family and friends. We enjoyed a fun dinner at my brother & sister-in-law's house where good friends Bob and Robin joined us. We met the newest member of our family, Weston while there. What a cutie! Brian joined us that day and the next morning we rode the ferry with him from New London to Orient Point where he would take us to see his beach house for the first and last time. He will be moving to CA after Christmas to pursue his dream. We walked the private beach there, loaded with round pebbles and rocks. Quite a different beach! 

Brian, Karen, Don, Frank and Joyce

Robin, Bob and Jeff

Chris and Jess's newest addition

Jeff and Brian riding the ferry from New London to Orient Point

Walking the beach at Wading River

After 5 days there we flew to NC where we would begin preparing EXILE to sail once again. This process took 10 days which seems like a long time, but we had her hauled to have the bottom cleaned and painted, a several day process. After this was completed we were ready to head south. 

Looking good!

Hauled out for bottom paint and hull waxing

Beautiful sunset anchored in Adams Creek, NC

Marine helicopters overhead at Camp Lejeune

A placid morning on the South Edisto River, SC

Sunset over Morningstar Marina in St. Simon's Island, GA

Sixteen days later we arrived in St. Augustine. Since there had been hurricane damage (once again) to marinas there, our usual stay at Camachee Cove didn't happen. The marina was full because of local boats having been displaced from their usual slips at other marinas. We were able to secure a mooring ball with the Municipal Marina for 6 days and then a slip there for 5 days. Fortunately, the Marker 8 Hotel and Marina across the way opened up and we were able to keep EXILE there for almost two months. Brian left NY as we were sailing to St. Augustine and arrived on the 18th of November. He was able to spend a month onboard with us and on the 26th of December, he and his good friend Dash, began their drive across the country. During our two months in St. Augustine we caught up with good friends and family. 

Dr. Stanley Paris on Kiwi Spirit II leaving St. Augustine for Bermuda.
If the hull lines look familiar, it is because EXILE was designed by the same folks, Finot-Conq

Taking flight

What a catch!

The Bridge of Lions, St. Augustine lit up at night

What a sky!

Visiting with our grandson RJ on his birthday in December

Our granddaughter Brooke, dressing one of her Christmas presents at Build-A-Bear

Sunset over St. Augustine

Brooke and Uncle Brian having fun posing for pictures

Becky and Brian enjoying the sunset

Brooke having fun with the resident marina cat, Peaches

We had originally thought we'd take EXILE around the Keys and up the west coast of Florida to visit people we know there, but delays in doctor appointments and damage to various areas in the Keys, we opted for a road trip instead. We left St. Augustine via car and spent Christmas day with friends John & Cherre in Estero (and their family), then on to Naples to visit with my brother & sister-in-law for two days. Next stop was Punta Gorda where friends Jack and Carol have a home. We loved it there! 

My brother Don, and Jeff relaxing on the patio

Jack and Carol treated us to a fabulous brunch at the Isles Yacht Club

After spending time with them we left for Venice to see Bruce and Ellen, friends who used to live in the Jacksonville area and moved there a few years ago. Last stop on the way back to St. Augustine was Gainesville, where friends Craig and Judith live. It was so much fun visiting everyone!

Bruce and Ellen

Judith, trying out their new fire pit

Since our departure was delayed due to beginning of year doctor appointments, we were fortunate to meet Jeff's brother Glenn, his wife Anne and my mother-in-law Jean for lunch while they were in town. On the 10th of January we were officially on our way. We left the marina and headed down the ICW to Palm Coast where we would spend the night. Five days later we tied up at Soverel Harbor to wait for a weather window to cross to the Bahamas. It's been a windy beginning to the year and because of that our plans to sail to the Exumas first became less and less optimistic. We decided to alter our plans and take the short two day window to cross to the Abacos. We anchored at Great Sale Cay after a 15.5 hour run, rested for the evening and continued on to Green Turtle Cay.

You'd think we were in Maine with all this fog!

A turtle family sunning themselves

White pelicans enjoying a sandbar

Jeff caught a Black Fin Tuna in the Gulf Stream

Sale Cay Rocks

We caught up with another traveler

Interesting cloud and sea formation

Many other sailboats who crossed when we did, taking the only opportunity for a while

Glad to be tied up at the Leeward Yacht Club in Black Sound, we cleared customs the following day along with all the other boaters who had seized the opportunity to cross. The customs office was packed, the printer ran out of ink and I was able to get a second printer running to make copies just after Jeff went back to our boat to make copies for three boaters. Needless to say, we made many new boating friends and the customs officer was very happy that the backup printer was working. I can't even imagine a laid-back process like that anywhere in the states, which is why we love it here so much.

The view from a road on the northeast side of Green Turtle Cay. Can't beat the colors!

Perfectly placed Triangle Palm

Hydroponic planter: square pots rotated 45 degrees as they are stacked
to expose soil for the plant to grow in. Drip irrigation at the top (Terry Eaton, you need some of these!)

A week and a day later (weather again...) we were able to leave Green Turtle and head around the "whale" to Marsh Harbour to restock our pantry and fridge. Whale Cay passage is one you don't want to traverse in high seas as you have to leave the peaceful Sea of Abaco, enter the Atlantic Ocean for about 3 nautical miles and back in through Loggerhead channel. It can be treacherous with a heavy easterly sea. Hence, most boaters wait for settled weather before attempting this passage.

That done, we anchored in Marsh Harbour, walked to the grocery store and made our purchases.

A $6 cab ride back to the Union Jack dock where our dinghy awaited and we were all set for another couple of weeks. The next morning we left for Hope Town, a short sail away and tied up at the Hope Town Inn and Marina ready for the next opportunity to head further south.

Our first stop: On da Beach for the most delicious fish melt sandwich on the face of this earth!

Roger and his cook working hard on a very busy day

We watched the Super Bowl at the marina on a big screen with friends Teri and John, who we met in the Customs Office in New Plymouth (Green Turtle) and had fun sharing stories. On Monday morning we left for Little Harbour and enjoyed a fresh fish dinner at Pete's Pub. We'll watch the weather closely and take off for Exuma when the timing is right.