MIDORI ADVENTURES

This morning, Feb. 2, we departed the Emerald Rock mooring field at 7:30 and headed south to Sampson Cay. We motored with the jib sail up, and made the 17.81 nautical mile trip in 3.5 hrs.

We dropped our anchor in the small protected bay north of the marina gas dock. We lowered the dinghy and on our way to the dock, stopped to check the set of the anchor with our "looking bucket". Then we went ashore to the Sampson Cay Marina Office/Grocery Store where we opened up an account in order to charge the cost of showers ($4.00), water
(.50/gal), gasoline, trash disposal, drinks, groceries, meals, etc. that would occur over the next few days leading up to Super Bowl Sunday. When we learned that Tuesday lunch at the restaurant was "two pizzas for the price of one", a quick decision was made. At two for $24 they were as good as any we have had anywhere! And the draft beer (and coke ) was $2.

We were happy to see that Rock is still the dock master and that Mike and Kathy are still the Managers of the resort, but very saddened to learn that Shirley, from CATSPAW, had passed away this summer. This had been her favourite cruising stop and she had been key in welcoming us and introducing us to this privately owned resort/marina two seasons ago.

Mary Ann and I looked around the small, but well stocked grocery store and made a mental note of some good stuff - like romaine lettuce, smoked ham lunch meat, eggs, strawberries and grapes, fresh pineapple. (Of course, nothing is priced). We should have bought right away, because two days later, all the good stuff was gone! Apparently, the supply boats had been going to Farmers Cay for the "Farmers Festival First Friday February (the Five F's) and other grocery stores on the islands nearby were running low on fresh produce. Not being aware of this, other cruisers beat us to it.

Our time here has been spent doing laundry ($4 to wash, $4 to dry); walkabouts on the trails or along the tidal flats; playing Farkle (dice game) in the shade at a picnic table behind the bar; boat chores, like defrosting the fridge; sundowners ashore and sharing of meals. The best meals come out of defrosting the fridge - like Chicken Kung Po.

The colours of the water here are indescribable and photos can't capture it - from white sand shallows to light green to emerald green to sapphire blue! Of course, my camera decided to stop working. I am learning how to use Brian's larger, less portable one.

We keep bumping into cruisers from the past - like Greg and Marion from MUSKOKA MOON - it's been a couple of years since we last saw them in Brunswick, GA.

Of course, Sunday's Super Bowl party was great fun with drink and meal specials happening on several of the nearby islands - like Staniel Cay and Great Guana Cay - and big screen T.V.'s being set up. Though not a football fan, I enjoyed the fun.

We decide to stay one more day, as the winds will be lighter on Tuesday. We will be heading further south into what will be new territory for us - next stop Black Point on Great Guana Cay.

Stay tuned,

First Mate Lynn

Note: Mary Ann bought a box of Ritz Crackers ($10) and I bought a long loaf of whole wheat bread ($9)