We are at Lady's Island. We should be here until Sunday. Then off to Charleston, SC. We will stay at Charleston for several days and then off to NC.

Before we arrived to Cumberland Island, Tom caught a 26 inch Spanish Mackrel. We had it for dinner. It was great!!

I didn't think I would continue my blog, but when we arrived at Cumberland Island--I realized that I was wrong. Both Non-Linear and Our Freedom crew went exploring the island at 10 am and finished at 1:30 pm. We walked for over five miles. From the ranger station to the beach to the Dungeness Ruins--then to the Ice House Museum--to the river path and back to the ranger station. We took many pictures. The beautiful live oaks trees with many palms around them. Some of the animals we saw were Ghost crab on the beach while we were looking for shells. Then on our way to the Dungeness Ruins we saw a snake (which Grandma did not like)--some wild turkeys--and wild horses. We were all tired when we dragged to the boat--had lunch and rested. Fun day!!!!!

Going back to the USA took about for days to do. After lunch at Green Turtle at the Wrecking Tree, we sailed to Crab Cay. We rested and enjoyed the evening. Day two, we sailed to Great Sale Cay. Day three, we sailed to Mangrove Cay and where we met eleven other boats heading back to the USA. At 3:00 am we very slowly moved out of the anchorage as we did not want to hit anyone in the dark. Tom sent me down to the cabin to sleep--which I did. After we traveled half the way back to the US, I yelled to Tom "You have a fish." He ran up to the cockpit and started to reel the fish in. It took 30 minutes to do. It turned out to be a 55 inches Mahi Mahi about 25 pounds. Tom was so exhausted. Our buddy boat, Non-Linear, asked Tom to keep it--he would clean it. Tom said OK. So we hauled it in and kept it cool by putting wet salt water towels on it the rest of the day. We finally got into Ft. Pearce about 7:00 pm. We cleared into Customs by phone and shortly after, Jon was over to our boat to clean the fish. We finally ate about 8:00 pm -did the dishes and then had a evening drink in the cockpit. Then finally a good night sleep. The next day we got up later and took a leisurely trip to Vero Beach. We will get provisions for the boat and in a couple of days--head for North Carolina. This will be the end of the blog for this adventure as the following days will be travel and rest mostly. We had a great time but we are glad we are back home!!!!!!

We are in the process of heading back home--we remembered that the festival was going to go on for two days. So we stopped so we could enjoy the festivities. They had lots of food vendors and also craft vendors. Friday was set up for the children. The girls did the Maypole routine and then they got someone from the audience to do it along with the little girls assistance. Kids sang their songs and they even had tug of wars.
The whole day was rainy at times. So when we saw it get extremely dark in the east--we headed for the boat. Shortly after we got on the boat--Non-Linear called and said there was a tornado on land. Sure enough--it had started as a waterspout over the water--moved to land--it lasted for about fifteen to twenty minutes. Someone put it on U-Tube--about 11 minutes long video. It finally broke up and left. Everyone went home--they did not want to party after that.
The next day was a different story--sun shining--but a good breeze to keep people cool. As usual we ate lunch, listened to the entertainment for a while. We then went back to the boat to rest for about an hour. The entertainment was Rake and Scrape by Brown Tip, Eddie Minnis a folklore singer, the Royal Bahamas Marching and also their dancing band. Everyone was great. They ended the entertainment with the Junkanoo winners. Every New Years the islands compete making Junkanoo costumes--they normally are really elaborate. We went back to the boat as the next day is Marcia's birthday and I am going to have them over for a birthday dinner.
But the crowd on land danced the night away until 4:00 am

After our second time at Hope Town, we went to Elbow Cay near the Tahiti Beach--so we could go to Cracker P's Bar and Grill for the New Moon Party. We were told we had to get there early to get a seat. They were right!! We got there about 5:30 pm and met several boats we knew. We finally ate at 7:00 pm It was buffet style and the food was great. We left about 9:00 pm and there were people standing in line for a seat. They had music to dance to. Plenty of food, drinks, and music--and of coarse the Full Moon. It was fun!!!!!

We left Elbow Cay near Tahiti Beach because the Johnson Foundry at Pete's Pub at Little Harbor was going to pour a bronze mold today. When we almost got there, we called since we did not know what time the pouring would be. We found out that there was a problem with the firing and it would not be done today. We continued to Little Harbor so we could have lunch at Pete's Pub--I have conch burger and Tom had a regular hamburger--we both got a rum Blaster drink. After lunch Marcia and I walked the beach for shells and glass. We did not find too much. Then we all walked over to the Johnson Foundry--and yes they were fixing the mold and the statue they were making.

Since it was early in the day, we moved over to Lanier Cay for more protection. The next day when the tide was low--we went to the cay and walked the beaches. I found a star fish and many other shells. It was fun. The guys walked over the area to the ocean side to see if there was a beach--the answer was NO--so the girls did not go to the ocean side. Marcia found a life Triumph Conch--they researched how to get the conch out without damaging the shell--many said to freeze it--so they did.

The next day we were going to snorkel; however, the wind made the waves very high and short in intervals--no snorkeling today. So back we went to Elbow Cay and Tahiti Beach. As we were traveling, we saw a pod of dolphins and they swam with us for about five minutes. They kept jumping and swimming with us. When the tide was out the beach was great to walk on. I found more star fish, sand dollar and many other shells--no sea glass--this is not the ear for sea glass.

Tomorrow is back to Hope Town for lunch and shopping and then to Marsh Harbor for shopping and laundry and also wait out some bad weather. Then we plan to go back to Green Turtle Cay for their Family Festival. We also plan to celebrate Marcia's 60th birthday.

We stay very busy and having fun!!!!!

Before we left for Hope Town, we ate at Destiny Delight Cafe and had a great pulled pork pannie sandwich. Tom had a huge slice of Coconut Cream pie and I had a Destiny Delight custard pie. Both were great!!! Then we went to our dinghy--what a difference an hour can make--when we left the water was calm and the winds were not blowing. When we got to Government Dock--the ferry was having a terrible time backing up to the dock--finally made it. Shortly after we got on our boat we headed to Hope Town.

We wanted to have Happy Hour with Bill on Hali Kai--it has been about a year since we last saw each other. Jon and Marcia joined us --we showed Jon the fish that was swimming near the restaurant. Jon said "Where is my line when I need it." Shortly after we received our drinks--guess who walked into the restaurant--Reta and Larry Foster. We were surprised to see them. The waitress put us at a larger table. We found out that Reta has breast cancer and this was a trip she wanted to do. Please keep Reta in our prayers!!!!! They sold their home in Fairfield Harbor and now lives in Chockowinity. It was great seeing them and catching up. Then Jon and Marcia and Tom and I went over to the Hope Town Lodge to see the movie. It was very interesting!!
Time to walk to the On Da Beach Bar and Grill for lunch and hope we would see Larry and Reta again. They did not show. Marcia and I walked the beach for shells and sea glass. Then we sailed down to Tahiti Beach to be in place for the Full Moon celebration at Cracker P's tomorrow night.