I can't believe how fast days go by here! The weather has improved to what is more "normal" for the southern Exumas- and everything you would expect if spending a winter here. Lots of sunscreen, warm water, sand, super friendly people and awesome sunsets.
We got a weather window to make a run from Black Point to Big Farmer's Cay where we anchored off a beach, and despite windy conditions, swam/snorkeled everyday. Taking a dinghy ride to Little Farmer's Cay resulted in an opportunity to feed Conch to sea turtles! Not kidding! "Wilson" (aka turtle whisperer) treated us to an amazing experience of swimming with, feeding, and touching these amazing creatures!
Rays and large Jacks were also coming in for the buffet and I kept a watchful eye out for perhaps a hungry shark looking for a meal. A hammerhead was spotted here but Wilson said he shot at it and it hasn't been spotted since!! ( Life in the Bahamas!).
It's incredible how fast days go by here. Everything takes longer to do on a boat; half a day for laundry, making bread, snorkeling, paddle boarding, cleaning, taking in trash/doing groceries. We were super productive in a typical day at home and wonder how we will be when we get back. I suspect everything will seem somehow easier, but the challenges are part of this adventure and we're adapting pretty well.
Things we miss are endless supplies of fresh water, and fresh fish! It's crazy! You would think we could get fish anywhere. John caught a mahi but it proceeded to get eaten by a shark before John could reel it in! We're hoping to be more successful with catching fish. We've had Conch but haven't found any lobster yet- that may require donning our scuba tanks! The shark population is very abundant here so we're both a little anxious about looking like seals in our wetsuits!
We attended a Super Bowl bash at a local Bahamian bar/restaurant here in Georgetown. They brought in 3 big-screen TV's for all the Americans and sold hot dogs, chili, or wings for $12.
We'll remain in Georgetown through the weekend but moved to an anchorage in a place that we can swim off the boat. We were on a mooring in a hurricane hole for the big "wind event" ie 30-45 kt winds lasting 3-4 days.
There are no pump out boats here ( everyone flushes overboard in the Bahamas). Yes. Gross. A hurricane hole gets much less water exchange than out in Elizabeth harbor and while yoga class on the beach is great, we need to swim without trekking through mosquito-laden jungle filled with Poisonwood ( a tree that causes poison-ivy type blisters only more painful) to get to the beach.
While this boating community is very friendly with lots of activities, word has gotten out that there are medical people in the cove- a nasal laceration repair on a nine year old girl ( stick to the face), and a rip-roaring pyelonephritis boat calls within 48 hours. A clinic could certainly be set up here!
Planning on moving to Cat or Long Island beginning of next week then back up to Staniel Cay to meet my sister Jane & Ben! Hooray!
Also looking forward to seeing daughter Sarah & Blair in March in Abaco! Woot Woot!! Can't wait to share all this with them!
Take care family & friends! Hope things have warmed up in the great white north!
Congrats to the Eagles for a good game! Tom Brady should retire now- just saying ( actually last year- while at the top).

PS- if this blog seems somewhat " disjointed" I apologize! In an attempt to insert photos or an awesome turtle video, the text gets deleted and I have had to retype it 3 separate times now! Data is somewhat of a luxury here so will add photos to the gallery when WiFi is readily available!
Thanks everyone!