What a difference a year makes.

What was Hell in 2008, punctuated with occasional moments of serenity, is this year purring contentment. The learning curve of last year was as steep as a rocket launch and just as scary for a first timer. Even new skill or task was learned under the fire of crisis. Harmony’s "efficiently designed" interior became claustrophobic during the foul weather that kept us stuck in one place a lot longer than we had expected. Boat problems and getting used to a galley the size of a shoebox presented Lew and I with challenges neither could have anticipated. Most days began with him crawling out of the engine room, swearing. I did my share of cursing as I developed new ways to cook, clean, do dishes and any number of annoying domestic chores, often while the boat was rocking on anchor. We discovered new areas of our personal communication as we dealt with the tensions that seemed a cruel cosmic joke. We completely understood why the first year is named the "break down and break up year."

This year we chose to stay on the dock of Treasure Cay Marina for the first month here in the Bahamas. What a difference! When the days turn too windy for travel, we don’t care. We take advantage of the good days by going to the beach or walking into the tiny town. We can go to the library if we want to - or the post office - or just hang out under some palm tree somewhere and read or draw or even paint. We have the learning curve behind us. Life has settled into an unusual but workable routine.

Our two day excursion to Great Guana Cay for the BBQ was a lovely experience. We even managed to SAIL back to this "home" dock! What a concept. It seems that Lew and I made a very good decision to come here again this year. We are away from the bitter cold of the States. There aren't many birds and we haven’t gotten around to snorkeling yet but the curly tail lizards entertain us whenever we go for a walk. We are surrounded by the most beautiful colors in the world. The lagoons here and the Sea of Abaco change from deep blue in early morning to green and then turquoise by mid-day. It is pure Heaven.
This seems to be what every "snow bird" could hope for. May you find your Paradise someday.

FW: Bahamas

Just checking in to see what is the news. We are in Treasure Cay, having just gotten back from Great Guano Cay. Look them up in Google earth. Anyway thought you would like to see some pictures.

Island hopping

Sunset at Great Guano Cay
Nippers. Sundays are pig roast day.

Jamaican afterburner on our sail from Treasure Cay to Great Guano. We are back at Treasure now after another delightful sail.

Florrie and Lew are cold in the Bahamas

I know. I know. It is much colder where you are but, you might like to know it gets cold in paradise too. Florrie is reading a book, in bed as we run the generator to run the heater. We haven't moved...still in Treasure Cay.

Lake worth to Treasure Cay on Catamaran Harmony

We left Lake Worth at 6:00 AM on Sunday and motor sailed to Memory Rock where we entered the Bahama Banks just north of West End in the northern Bahamas. Then we did an overnight across the banks seeing no other boats and no navigation lights...all by GPS. We got to Green Turtle Cay about 7 AM and it was not light yet so we pushed on to Treasure Cay where we will stay for awhile. Not much here but one of the 10 best beaches in the world according to National Geographic and a beach bar. Oh well, someone has to do it. When we pulled in this morning, our friends Emery and Pat from Honeywind met us at the dock. Checked in with customs at the airport ($50 cab ride) and now it is time for a nap.
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Riviera Beach Marina

Riviera has uped its prices 150 per cent for catamarans dispite being put on a cement wall with no ladder. Only doubled for monohulls. No increase in services.

Sail plan

We are off the dock and anchored in preparation for a 6AM departure tomorrow which should get us to Memory Rock by 4PM and straight across the banks to Green Turtle Cay about 10AM on Monday. Wish us luck.
When we get to the Bahamas, we will have to look for internet connections and will not have any phone service. Best way to contact is still the web but it may take a few days.

Lake Worth aka West Palm Beach

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRO !!

Here we are after a very nice day of coastal cruising (motor and jib) down the coast of Florida. We left Ft. Pierce about 10 AM and went out into the ocean to avoid 7 opening bridges. Pulled into Lake Worth just as the sun was setting so there was light to anchor. Of course, the anchor alarm went off when the tide changed and the wind swung around and we dragged a little. it was not enough to have to do the deck dance and reset and the anchorage is not very crowded.

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Catamaran Harmony in Fort Pierce

Here we are on the hard getting ready to go south again. We now have a clean hull, a new washdown system, Florrie's artwork hung up, supplies, alcohol and new zincs. Other than that we have just been hanging out and enjoying the non existence of socks although it has been chilly at night. We found Marine Connection, a huge warehouse of new and used boat "stuff" which makes West Marine look like a Mom and Pop deli. Hopefully we will get the boat compounded and put in the water on Saturday.