We?re baaack! And will now be much better posting to the blog as we have reliable e-mail thru a pactor modem and the SSB radio. Currently we are sitting in Governors Harbor, Eluthra having crossed the Exuma Sound after 5 nights in glorious Norman?s Pond, a tricky spot to enter but wonderful if you make it, at Norman?s Cay northern Exumas. We ended up there kinda by accident after an aborted attempt to cross Exuma Sound with too much wind and big waves right on the nose. We could have made it but once the wine bottles began tipping over we realized the risk and did an about face. Somehow we skinnied our way into the pond an hour before low tide along with our friends Chris and Sheila on Neverbored, an Admiral 40 cat just like ours. We are hull #1, they #6. And now for a brief recap of the last month or so. Coming south from Nassau back in January, we, and our buddy boat Kokapelli, lollygagged and gunkholed thru the whole wonderful Exuma chain taking 3 weeks hiking, snorkeling and hunting lobsters and conch. Liz and Allen taught us how to find lobsters in 10-15 ft. of water and also the art of getting the slimy stubborn conch out of their fortress like shells. Upon arrival in Georgetown, our first time ever there, we quickly adapted to the huge well knit fabric of the cruising community making new friends, playing volleyball, watching skits, developing radio skills to ?lurk??where you listen in on everyone else?s conversations sort of like Clara and Abner Cravits from Bewitched, and dancing to the boater band called White Folks on Boats. Friends Rick and Cindy visited and then Ron came for a stay. Unfortunately for Ron, who was looking forward to some out island sailing, our generator broke and the week was spent watching and helping Lisa finally prevail in what could only be described as the ?repair bout of the century?, a 5 round fight with the generator chalking up decisive wins in rounds 1, 3, Lisa clearly dominating rounds 2 and 4 and round five was too close to call till the bell rang. Suffice to say that when Lisa got on the radio during the morning net and asked if anyone had a 2-Jaw Puller and metric die set she earned the respect of all mechanics and is welcomed in on any fix it project. After the victory in round five, Ron, Lisa and me all went to the weekly ?ARG? meeting (which we at first thought was an AA meeting and discovered it is actually the Alcohol Research Group) where Lisa was crowned ?Master of the Universe). And all of this was happily happened while we cruise with 2 dogs Rosti and newcomer George, one very black cocker and one very small snow white Maltese. Rosti, our 6 year old has accepted graciously the annoying prancing, jumping, and ear chewing habits of the new puppy. Rosti doesn?t have much to say except ?hey!, don?t pet the white dog, pet me me me? This morning we will get ship shape for a run up the western side of Eluthra aiming foe Spanish Wells to wait out a front and then hop over the ocean on a 50 mile run north into the Abacoes, still with buddy boat Neverbored. As I type I listen to the wonderful sound of the water maker that now works cuz the generator is fixed. Lisa and I are both sending positive thoughts right to Brian, Katie and all those concerned for the speedy recovery of their mom fighting it out at St. Joe?s hospital in Buffalo. Keep the faith. More later.

Comments [3] | | More

Merry Christmas from the New River. In the heart of downtown, very cosmo, great place to ride our folding bikes. All repairs finally completed and we left Beaufort last week and motored 350 mn. to W. Palm. where we replaced a water pump and got the water maker running. Tried the outside run to here but it was rough and we did not like a shroud the seemed too loose. Back in, tighten shroud and then did the intercoastal and the 21 bridges between W. Palm and Lauderdale. It did take longer (9 hrs) but the good news was we got to do the last leg at night and saw the best Christmas decorations along the water. Rosti the dog is a hit squished into the little basket on front of my folding bike. Bought some smaller fishin poles for the inland fishing and got Lisa picked out a nice strap on rod holder to fight the big ones. We had a hard time last year reeling with big fish on.
Merry Christmas too all.

Comments [6] | | More

We're here at Dataw Island Marina, about 6 miles from Beaufort SC. which is about halfway between Charleston and Savannah, two great cities. Plans to visit family and friends in Fla. for Thanksgiving never materialized as there was just too much happening onboard..as in overseeing the repair and replacement of just about every electrical component that were fried by a lightning strike. It looks like red, black and blue spaghetti in here. Wires everywhere. Hope to be outta here soon and sailing south.
An offshore run to West Palm is the plan. From there we can visit and provision for an extended cruise in the Bahamas.
Lisa has Siyasinana decked out for Christmas with led lights, wreaths, ribbons and Frosty on the bow. Dog Rosti has a killer Santa suit w/hat. Ho Ho Ho. We did not win first place in the chili cook off last night but Lisa did win "best participation" for her efforts during a Christmas song. A lotta very cute hopping and other complicated dance moves were required.
Had the mast taken off by crane 2 days ago (all the wires inside are fried).
Patched the dingy and finally got it started. I pulled on the cord for a long while until Lisa pointed out that I had the gas line in backwards....again. Hey, I'm not certified mechanic.
Spent today trying to figure out why the watermaker pump is cutting out and why the port side toilet back still fills with water even though we just put in a back flow device. The watermaker rocks though. It was making 30 gallons of fresh water per hour from salt water...amazing.
I think tomorrow I'll wash my sox. They tried running away without me. Rosti is passed out upside down on my lap snoring like a truck driver. Christmas is coming soon. We're gonna miss the kids, sad about that... but we'll have each other and that'll be great.
Anxious to cast off. cheers

Comments [3] | | More