The day started very nicely after a couple days of high winds and rain. So sunshine and light winds was a reprieve for us. We decided that we needed to make tracks to get to Nassau before the next system was due to arrive. But, the whole trip was going to be in exposed ocean waters and pushing to get in before the 'evil head winds' arrived. We left Marsh Harbour Friday morning bound for Lynyard Cay to the south through some fairly shallow waters. It was a casual motoring trip into very light winds.

We dropped anchor at Lynyard awaiting a departure at 4:45 pm so that we wouldn't arrive Nassau harbor before sunrise. We were expecting to start in seas about 6 feet and very light winds and then see reduced seas but winds increasing to 10 knots close to our nose. What we got...an Ocean swell running up to 6-10' and light winds to start, and 20+ knots of wind and the same waves as we approached Nassau. And it was all on our nose. It was a long and gloomy night! There are no pictures of the crossing since 1) pictures never show the wave heights as they really look, and 2) I was too busy navigating and cursing the bad luck :>)

We arrived Saturday morning somewhat late around 10 am after a total trip of about 24 hours. I was lacking from sleep as I only drifted off for a few minutes one time. Evan was able to cat nap several times, so he was fresh as a daisy. And if the lousy weather didn't make me grumpy, his cheery attitude really set me off! (Just kidding)

Anyway we made it to Nassau and decided to set into a marina for the night since the boat was just a cake of salt from stem to stern after all of the breaking seas we took aboard. We went to the east side of the harbor after getting clearance from harbor control and found a dock at the Harbour Club Marina and Resort where we had stayed the last time in the area. The rate was $1.75/ft with $8 fee for water and electric metered at $0.60/kwh. Fortunately we were right across the street from Evan's second home - Starbucks (he needed the free WIFI to stay in touch with everyone, and of course the coffee). I will let Evan describe Nassau as we saw things on Sunday from hiking around the area.

Our next leg will probably take us to Highbourne Cay for a couple of days. Highbourne is in the northern Exumas and is a nice stopping point after crossing through the coral heads of the Yellow Bank. If the weather cooperates, we will leave Monday morning late, but the next front is already upon us and forecast to be squally for the next couple of days. Then we will return to Nassau Wednesday of Thursday ahead of another strong frontal passage on Thursday and Friday. Coming up Saturday, we are all registered to run the 5k Susan Komen race through Nassau onto Paradise Island. And then we are back off to the northern Exumas for a few days before picking up Gene in Nassau and heading south to Georgetown. But, plans do change.