CURRENT LOCATION: Anchored near Moss Cays, about midway between George Town on Great Exuma Island and Stocking Island, Exumas, Bahamas
23 30.546' N, 075 45.529' W (
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We have been taking our 'delay by propane' in stride. After we found that we were going to be here just a few more days, we decided to inflate the kayaks. Not only does that mode of transportation save us on gasoline, but it provides us a good measure of exercise.
On kayak day one, Sheryl and I each went our separate ways for the afternoon. Sheryl had promised Bob & Vicky on
First Look that she would tie a Turk's Head Knot on their steering wheel. We have one on ours, and it makes it possible to
feel where 'top dead center' is on the wheel. This comes in handy when maneuvering in close quarters and you need to know where the rudder is, or when navigating at night (just slide your hands along the wheel to know how much weather helm you are experiencing). I even use it when Sheryl is at the helm to help me know how to trim the sails (since Sheryl won't tell me to ease the sheets until the knot is down toward the cockpit floor and the toerail is in the water).
While Sheryl was demonstrating her knot-tying prowess, I went to the beach off of the Chat & Chill club and played tourist. I grabbed a chair, propped my feet up on the kayak, and read a paperback. When the sun's rays got to be a bit too warming, I set aside the book and my sunglasses, strolled out through the gently sloping water (gradually transitioning from beige to baby blue), and dove in. That afternoon, I did as the shampoo bottle suggests, "rinse and repeat" (although in this case I guess it would be "read, rinse, and repeat").
By late afternoon, I met my love near Honeymoon Beach, and we kayaked together back to
Prudence. As always, absence makes the heart grow fonder, so when we sat down the next morning and made plans for kayak day two, it was not surprising that my notion for exploration was quickly seconded by Sheryl. We decided to kayak around Crab Cay, home to an anchorage known as 'Red Shanks.' (Interesting note: Red Shanks is home to the RSYTC or Red Shanks Yacht and Tennis Club. This tongue and cheek moniker reminds us of home, namely the WYTC or Whortonsville Yacht and Tractor Club).
Although we found no tennis courts, we did find a very nice and secluded beach on Moss Cay, near the Red Shanks anchorage. There, Sheryl was able to find some palm fronts which were suitable for her basket-weaving projects. Free supplies from a renewable resource, now that's a hobby a cruiser can afford. While Sheryl was collecting materials for beautiful baskets, I strapped on the snorkel gear and checked out a few coral heads off of the beach. There was some short but pretty elkhorn coral; however, not much in the way of fish. Instead of snorkeling we spent time beachcombing. After a fortifying lunch of PB&J, we kayaked onward.
As we continued our circumnavigation of Crab Cay, we observed what appears to be a big development in progress (which seems to include a bridge from Crab Cay to Great Exuma Island). We also saw a large wreck washed up in the shoal waters of the northeast corner of the island. Overall, it was a very enjoyable day of exploration.
We left the kayaks to dry out overnight on deck, and today Sheryl and I worked on cleaning and stowing the kayaks. Sheryl made two trips to town. The first topped off all our onboard water tanks (yet again), and the second brought the much needed liquid propane. Meanwhile, I baked a huge batch of ginger cookies. Having spent our last few Bahamian dollars and provisioned with all we can think to provision, we are ready to go. With the sun's light fading to gray, we brought
Patience on deck and gave her a quick wipe down and rinse before deflating and folding her into the cockpit locker.
Baring any big surprises in tomorrow morning's weather forecast, we should be lifting the anchor for the first time in a dozen days, and heading on to somewhere south and east of here. Where we will end up is largely a function of the weather and our own offshore predilections. It could be another Bahamian island or perhaps another country. Only time will tell, dear Reader.