01-13-08 position 25 32.00'N: 78 10.00
Well the crossing was a very nice one!! And for the first time we crossed with a gaggle of boats. One boat "Dream Catcher" took on the responsibility of taking hourly roll calls and at last count there were 26 boats within site of each other. It truly was like being in a wagon train!
The conditions were close to NOAA and Chris Parker, the winds were still a bit more southeasterly than predicted, and were 10-15 rather 5-10. This was a good thing for us. The seas were from the south and about 3-5 and a short interval. But all in all it was a nice sail. We made it the 52miles in nine hours, anchorage to marina. The only bad thing was no fish today, even though we tried?.
"Xanadu" and us got a slip at "Bimini Sands" marina and resort. A nice calm lagoon and they arranged for a bus to pick us up and take us to the airport to clear customs. All went well and we are now currently street legal.
Today we leave Jim and Dorrel, "Xanadu", at Bimini as they want to visit and hang out there for a day or two. We head across the bank, destination NW Channel. The conditions are beautiful!)-15 knots of wind from the south east, with a two feet swell form the same. We sail all the way across, averaging 6.3-6.8 and not a sound of anything mechanical!!!!!!!!!!
. But not wanting to sail into Chubb Cay after dark, we anchor just north of the entry to NW channel. And will continue on to Nassau tomorrow.
| 2007/2008 |
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Well we are headed across to Bimini tomorrow!!!
And for the first time we are traveling with a gaggle of other boats. A bunch of us are here off Key Biscayne staging. Diane said it reminded her of a wagon train. As every one was prepping their boats for the crossing, tying stuff down raising dinghies etc. etc.. So at 0600 we will be off to the Bahamas. So pictures will follow and stories of eating fresh fish and new adventures. Be Well
| 2007/2008 |
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Well Miami Beach just got a bit busy, so we decided to move a bit farther south. Other than GREAT cuban food at a small market and the scenery the most exciting thing was meeting the "Anchor Police" in Miami Beach. We had just come into the anchorage, south of Julia Tuttle Causeway. I dropped the anchor and started doing the paperwork of the day, and some boat chores. Diane came down into the engine room and informed me the police were here. Again my first thought was "oh crap, just what I need!
Again I was wrong!! The officer tied off to the spring cleat, with a fender, and introduced himself. He asks us our names, and informed us of the rules of the anchorage. He was almost apologetic, as he informed us of the rules. He was quick to explain that there were many exceptions, IE: bad weather, mechanical problems, medical problems, you almost just need a reason to stay longer than the seven day limit.
He explained the ruling was to keep the derelict boats from being anchored in front of the multimillion dollar homes for weeks on end, or forever!!!!!!!! I can understand their thinking here. He also informed us, sailors are generally nice folks, but he runs into an a??"hole every once in a while. He then informs them that, "they WILL, be required to leave in seven days!"
Again, as with the Coast Guard, the officer asks the required questions, filled out the forms, told us if we needed anything to call them, and left. He, like the CG was extremely polite, courteous and seemed to be a nice guy. It was a very refreshing confrontation. I can not imagine being treated more fairly.
With both encounters, it was very clear that the people were just doing their jobs. And I am sure if we had come across with an attitude, we would have been treated in the same manner. And as I always told my son," They have guns and sticks, be nice ? !" But these guys were entertaining, polite, and a pleasure to deal with!!!!!!!!!!
| 2007/2008 |
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