The Snow Birds
24 March 2009 | Abaco
John
As we sit on the mooring in Hope Town, many new boats are coming in that are on their way back home from wintering in the Exumas. Several boats were ones we met shortly after clearing customs. Everyone was pushing to get to George Town, Exumas. We have never been there, but wintering in an area with almost non-existent harbours of refuge when the cold fronts roar through, was not our idea of a relaxing trip to the Bahamas. Nor was the thought of bashing another 800-1,000 miles to windward to get to St. Thomas a fun thought. So we wintered in the Abacos and after hearing from those who went to lower latitudes, we're glad we did. Here are the stories:
"We had to wait out a cold front in-between some big rocks, with the current screaming through and waves rolling us for 3-days."
"The wind blew so hard we couldn't sail and were stuck in one spot for days."
"When the fronts would come through, which was frequent, we were totally exposed to the wind and wave. The west is where the strongest wind and least protection lies, although the banks are to the west so the waves are not as huge as they are in the ocean."
"There is NO communication with the outside world and NO food or water to be found, outside of a couple of major hubs."
"If it's isolation you want, then the Exumas are a place for you."
There are more boats on the way as this seems like the first wave. So get ready all you coastal towns and the ICW because here they come. They all seem to be in a rush to get home and it's still too cold north of Jacksonville.
Tonight we are going to a dinner theater at the Hope Town lodge and have an invite to a home on the water for dinner Thursday. Life isn't so bad in the Abacos and there are lots of anchorages people just don't go to or stay long if they do. So if it's seclusion you want, it's around the corner. As for us, we're having the time of our lives.