Well, I know it has been awhile but what can I say about a winter (November-March) spent in Marathon Florida. Wonderful !!
We arrived in Marathon on November 10/13, after launching the boat in Port Charlotte & traveling down the West Coast of Florida, with a few days stop in at Marco Island waiting for the winds to calm. We wanted to make Marathon in one day so knew we had to have a good day to do the 100 mile run. Perfect is not a word I would use to describe the day but we arrived, after experiencing high winds, bouncy seas & rain. Also we perfected the "crab pot shuffle". Stone Crab pots are placed indiscriminately, with no regard for the channel so it requires a very sharp eye to ensure one does not become part of the prop !!
We again enjoyed being tied on the seawall at Sombrero Resort & Marina but this time it was different as we had our car, enabling us to explore & enjoy the area.
We broke up our winter boating by taking a transatlantic cruise from Barcelona Spain to Ft Lauderdale & then flew home for a two week Christmas holiday with the kids & grandkids.
The rest of the winter went so quickly, seems we turned around & it was mid February, time to start preparations for a trip to The Bahamas.
We arrived back in Ft Lauderdale March 2nd, finished our provisioning & with Dave & Annie Hepburn on board, motored out of Port Everglades channel at 5:30am on March 4th. Eight hours later we were safely tied on a dock at West End, Grand Bahama, a community we had visited back in 1980. (For our 15th anniversary we stayed at a Jack Tar Resort, long gone). The Gulf Stream crossing was pretty well what we were expecting, Lumpy, bumpy & more bumpy !! But, all things considered, for our first crossing we felt we fared pretty well, the only casualty being a lampshade that I sat on when I lost my balance ( lamp was stored on a chair, won't do that again :) Captain Langley did a wonderful job of navigating, & along with Cap'tn Hepburn brought us right to the lighthouse at the entrance to Old Bahama Bay.
We cleared Bahamian Customs there, a very pleasant experience, paid our $300 & promptly sat for a very welcome glass of vino in celebration.
The next morning we traveled the 30 miles from West End to the dock where we now sit.
This little marina/resort captures the very essence of The Bahamas; warm, friendly & helpful staff. And, did I mention the wonderful Pina Coladas!!!!!!!!!!!!
In reality, this is a piece of Ontario transported to the Bahamas, almost every boat in here is flying a Canadian Flag.
So, in our short time we have to spend here this winter we hope to enjoy the beautiful beaches which are accessible by dingy, provided the ocean is flat, do some snorkeling in the amazingly clear water & just generally get a feel for cruising in the Bahamas, a new experience for us.
Will post some pics when the internet will let me... But, missed the best shot of all on Saturday while dropping Dave & Annie at the ferry dock. The little restaurant on the end of the pier does Shark Feedings at various times. We were not there at the opportune time but did see some cruising around waiting for "dinner". I am sure the one I spotted was at least 10' long, a big bull shark I think. But, I have been told that my imagination was running wild & in fact it was just a large guppy. YEAH SURE!! One thing for certain, I will not be swimming off that pier :) Stay tuned for the next update