04/04/2009, Elizabeth Harbour, Great Exuma, Exuma Cays, Bahamas
We left Farmers Cay at a relatively high, but ebb tide. We were able to get out of the anchorage without having to plow sand with our keel (unlike the way in). Leaving through Farmers Cut into the deep water of Exuma Sound, the current was crazy. Even though Exuma sound was almost waveless, the current from the ebb tide created standing waves and swirling currents that ran quite a ways out into the deep water.
Soon after we go out and the sails set, I began to set trolling lines. Soon after, we had a hit out one of the lines, but no fish hooked. I did see some fish jumping around where the lured were being trolled. Later I noticed that the split ring holding the hook to the lure was stretched and one of the hooks snapped off. Bummer...I like hits, but you can't put a hit on the bbq..only fish landed.
It was a very quiet trip, eventually had to roll up the sails, as they were hanging limp, as we motored the rest of the way.
The description of the entry to Elizabeth Harbour sounded a bit complicated, with cays, rocks and reefs, but it is really quite simple. Actually, I took some time on the way down to program waypoints for the whole way in, around the rocks and reefs, and the autopilot took us all the way to our anchorage..very cool.
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04/03/2009, Little Farmers Cay, Exuma Cays, Bahamas
We were planning to do a street meeting with the local pastor on Staniel Cay, but felt we should leave and go further south. We sailed here to Little Farmers Cay and were ashore about five-minutes, when we met a Bahamian who'd been living in the USA and had returned as a missionary a couple days before. She helped us setup and preach the Gospel of jesus Christ in the open air three times on the island. We spent time getting to know people & talk with them. We didn't want to leave; easy to get attached to the people on this island..the island is full of problems, but the people pretty lovable.
We anchored the far side of the harbour, actually right off the shore of another island. In between, is a large sand bank...beautiful while sand. At low-tide, it's waist deep or less, warm..crystal clear. The sun shines right through it...like the world's largest swimming pool. We went out there for family baths. Apparently not necessarily the best place to swim on a high and rising tide, as the high-tide currents bring in larger, predator types from the deep sea nearby.
If you've a chance to visit this quiet, almost sleepy place, take it. I don't know if there are any accommodations ashore, but a very cool place to visit by boat.
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03/31/2009, Little Farmers Cay, Exuma Cays, Bahamas
After a week near Staniel Cay, we felt antsy and felt we should move on. Hearing there might be propane on Little Farmers Cay, we headed that way.
We were only able to actually sail the first half hour or so, and had to fire the iron-genny after that and motor the next few hours south to Little Farmers.
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03/30/2009, Staniel Cay, Exuma Cays, Bahamas
On Sunday, we were able to attend the little Baptist Church on Staniel Cay (think it's called the Mt. Olive Baptist Church). Berkie Rolle is the pastor (also the man who fueled up our golf cart for us at the marina). Berkie (with one prosthetic arm) is also the church organist. The church is very welcoming and feels somewhat like taking a step back in time. We enjoyed visiting.
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03/28/2009, Big Major Spot, Exuma Cays, Bahamas
After filling our gasoline jugs (powers dingy and generator) we headed off for our baths, on a secluded section of beach. Fresh water is in short supply, so when we can, we bath in seawater..preferably in shallow water..and preferably without ton of people around.
The kids and I got inspired and went and got some chicken out of the freezer and began to thaw; while building bonfires on the beach. We barbequed the chicken while enjoying building fires into the night and roasting s'mores and marshmallows. We came home dirty and smelling like wood-smoke. I think it was a highlight for the kids..they want to do it again.'
Tomorrow, if weather is still okay, we are planning to sail south towards Little Farmers Cay..hopeful we'll get our propane tank filled there..they're still out here and we're coming up on a week of eating cold food.
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03/26/2009, Big Major Spot, Exuma Cays, Bahamas
The water here is SO clear! I can stand on the deck and watch (clearly) my anchor hit the bottom and begin to dig into the sand 12'-15' beneath the surface. I rather dislike swimming in water I can't see through. Here, we can snorkel and the sunlight is reflecting brightly off the white-sand bottom..we can see a long way in every direction under the boat..we can dive down, swim under our keel.seeing everything clearly..yahoo.
We've begun taking baths in the ocean either off the beach, or off the back of the boat at anchor. Joy dishwashing liquid lathers in salt-water..so we dive over with a bottle of Joy and wash-up..sometimes rinsing with a little fresh water back aboard. This saves fresh water..hard to find and expensive in most places. We have a water-maker..a reverse osmosis system...making fresh water from salt, but it's output is small and take precious power.
At Big Major Spot, bathing off the back of the boat, we got to see good-sized stingrays swimming under us and even about a six-foot nurse shark. They are very cool to see that close-up.
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