Enjoying “stories” while we wait for our steaks at the Jib Room


It doesn't seem like it's been nine days since we landed at Marsh Harbour airport to begin our trip with John and Ann through the Abaco's. As has happened to other guests, our luggage was left in Miami and didn't arrive until late the next afternoon – too late for us to begin sailing.

Our trip has been filled with new adventures for Bruce and me – rib night and steak night at the Jib Room; music and cocktails at Nippers; and sunsets that may rival those we see in the Texas Panhandle. One sad thing has been seeing the smoke from the fires on Great Abaco and the “death” of the reefs we snorkled with John and Ann. Tahiti Beach on Elbow Cay was my favorite beach, especially watching the tide changes. We were fortunate enough to watch the tidal stages ending with an awesome full moon. We never awakened early enough for the sunrises, that I'm sure were just as awesome.

Ann and Bruce have made mouth-watering meals while aboard Jascat – pork tenderloin with new potatoes; shrimp scampi with grilled vegetables; grilled grouper with rice and fresh vegetables; chicken varacruze; and finally grilled snapper with stir-fired vegetables and rice.

At Man-O-War we walked across the island from Sea of Abaco to the Atlantic, which was amazing because the only other time Bruce and I have “walked” across an island was at Hobox in Mexico.

Our sail to Guana Cay was slightly rainy and this may have added to the beauty of the evenings sunset and provided clear skys for a beautiful moon rise that evening.

At Hope Town on Elbow Cay we climbed the Elbow Reef Lighthouse – as most of John and Ann's past guests have. Bruce and I enjoyed the Wyannie Malone Museum and I took lots of pictures of the quaint cottages with their unique names.

Today we made our way back to Marsh Harbour where we helped John and Ann prepare Jascat for their return trip to Texas and Bruce and I will make our last “tourist” purchases before we fly back to Texas.

Finally these points of view from a Texas Pahandler:

Sunsets in Abaco and the Texas Panhandle are both beautiful.

Waves on the Sea of Abaco remind me of the “amber waves of grain” in the Texas Panhandle.

“The stars are bright” both in Abaco and in the Texas Panhandle.

Mouth-watering “homemade” meals are delicious no matter where they are served.

Sharing stories around “kitchen tables” are always special times.

But most importantly – making new memories with family and friends will last a life time.