I have been extremely neglectful in maintaining this blog. So, if anyone checks in again, here’s the synopsis of our time in the Bahamas!
We crossed from West Palm Beach to Bimini, checked in (Customs & another Covid test), met people on boats that we would continue to see as we made our way to the Exumas. We sailed across the Great Bahama Bank, with depths of 8-12 feet, & anchored overnight in (what feels like) the middle of the ocean. Caught a Mahi crossing over to Rose Island ( near Nassau) in “ the tongue of the ocean”- (depths to 6000 feet!). We had some good sailing days, many motoring days, fairly good snorkeling days, lots of swimming off the boat, manatees, lots of sharks, turtles, stingray sightings, and visited by 4 eagle rays while snorkeling one of the ocean cuts. .. and of course the dolphins riding the bow wake ❤️.
We’ve had different buddy boats along the way….. always good to have friends to share the good and endure the bad. Hiding from bad weather was a constant theme throughout our Bahamas stay…… 3 or 4 days of glorious sunshine, followed by 3 or 4 days of very high winds & seas. We made it to Black Point, Exumas, and decided not to go further south due to weather. We had ukulele jam sessions, met Johnny Depp on the docks at Staniel Cay, a birthday party for a new friend, heard stories from locals & saw evidence of hurricane Dorian’s devastation, visited cool caves, and small villages.
We had a direct lightning strike to our mast yesterday ( with many witnesses of the bolt and the sparks raining down) while tied up to a slip at Old Bahama Bay Marina, West End. Some electronics are messed up but we were on board sleeping when it happened, and we’re okay.
As we approach West Palm Beach, with our buddy boat “Refuge” as our wingman, we are grateful to be back in the US. Now to get a few things repaired so we can sail Seascape home to Maine. Thankful for my competent and calm Captain, and for the friendships we’ve made along the way…..See you soon! Happy Easter ❤️

Sailing by the tall condos and hotels along Miami Beach was an interesting with lots of humans on the beach, in the sky ( parasailing and advertisement banners being flown from planes), and in the water ( lots of motor yachts & big fishing yachts, & jet skis). We continued south to Key Biscayne… I know I wrote a bit about this anchorage in another post so will save you the details. We stayed a week which was all good except for the powerboats that go right through the anchored boats leaving big wakes. We swam off the black of the boat everyday…. Saw many dolphins, fish, and turtles. As we were raising anchor to leave, a baby hammerhead shark swam by ( about 18 inches long)…. Super super cool!
We had a lovely sail with spinnaker flying down to Rodriguez Key. ( see pics in gallery). XO

These daysails of 50 or so miles moving south brings clearer, bluer water, flying fish startled by our bow wake, stronger sunshine and warmer air temps. Anchoring in Lake Worth 2 ( Palm Beach) gave us the opportunity to explore the area by dinghy, walking, and biking. The yachts, mansions, landscaping and overall wealth here is astounding. Beaches are remarkably beautiful with very few shells and no trash ( also no seaweed so we're guessing little beach sweepers work at night...). Visited the Flagler mansion. Henry Flagler (founder Standard Oil Co. w/Rockefeller) was an integral part of developing Florida ( St Aug to Palm Beach area). The mansion allows a glimpse into their extravagant lifestyles, decor, and philanthropic activities.
(see pics in gallery)
We met a lovely Canadian couple on
"Daily A.R.K." ( acts of random kindness) who built their 63 foot steel ketch ( he owns a steel manufacturing co). Super nice family- sold their home and living aboard with 2 sons (11 & 13) for the next 5-6 years! Wow- just wow.
Sailed from Palm Beach south to Ft Lauderdale where ( we thought) we were so lucky to get a slip at Las Olas marina. This was by far the worst marina ( only one with any availability & also cheapest at $2.50/ night) we have been to as far as basic "amenities". We were located almost directly under the Los Olas bridge! The 3 bathrooms and shower stalls were literally in a portable trailer. My hopeful anticipation for a nice long hot shower was quickly thwarted when I saw the bathroom- unclean, trash can full, and smelled like a port-a-potty! The thought of undressing to take a shower made me feel dirty..... deciding not to go through with it, I left the bathroom only to find John standing there waiting for me and said " we shower on the boat"! ❤️ that guy! The bright side of FT Lauderdale was the magnificent beach and festive Xmas decorations & activities. ( see pics in gallery).
Leaving FT Lauderdale was not difficult - we used a spring line on a piling to counteract string current to get out of the ( small) slip... and it worked like a charm! John is getting so good at maneuvering the boat. We always discuss the plan prior to leaving the slip... and that has saved us big headaches.
We're learning that waiting for "weather windows to travel almost always has eliminated good sailing weather! We've motor-sailed much more than we like, and have rationalized this by thinking if we were on the ICW we would be motoring as well- minus the dolphin escorts!
We are currently anchored off Key Biscayne. We're swimming off the boat daily & exploring Bill Baggs state park where there is a lovely beach. Many portugese man-o-war on the beach ( so in the water). Key Biscayne has a free electric trolley ( 6-seater golf cart) that will pick you up/drop off so we did a grocery run without having to carry everything back (1.1 miles to marina). It's cloudy with an occasional shower today. Asian chicken lettuce wraps for
dinner after a swim today & will watch the Patriots tonight! Hoping friends arrive tomorrow and leave here Thursday to Rodriguez Key, then arrive Key West Saturday for a month. 👏
Take good care of yourselves friends and family! ❤️

How is time passing so fast? We spent 2 nights at Skull Creek marina in Hilton Head, South Carolina. Friends connected us with Burt & Prue Preston who were kind enough to give us a little tour of their community, Hilton Head Plantation, and drive us to a Publix! The Plantation is a self-contained gated community with 4000 homes, a medical care center, fire station, security, etc. We were in awe of the huge live oak trees with Spanish moss and an alligator basking in the sun by a pond. We walked to Hudson’s -a family-owned and operated seafood restaurant where I had the best “ low -country boil”! Best shrimp ever and John loved the hush puppies (“ donuts instead of bread!👏)
One short overnight got us to Cumberland Island, Georgia, where we anchored for 4 nights. Before arriving at the anchorage, we were hailed by coast guard to alter our course south -to Fernandina Beach- due to required security zone around a submarine heading out to sea from Kings Bay navy base. After circling for about 90 mins, we were notified we could proceed the 3 miles to our anchorage as the sun was delayed. We subsequently saw the sub being escorted down the river 2 days later. Interesting fact…. when launched, the sub passes through an de-magnifying cage so it can be stealth underwater. Super cool!
Cumberland island is a national park but once the home of the Carnegies ( the Philadelphia-based steel magnate). The mansion burned down but ruins remain, as well as many of the buildings and foundations. The beach is incredibly beautiful with so many shells. Walking the island, we saw many wild horses, armadillos, huge live oaks and birds. Camping is allowed at dedicated sites by permit. The northern end of the island is more forested. It is truly a magnificent place and has the feel of stepping back in time.
One long day motoring brought us to St Augustine where we are currently on a mooring waiting, again, for a weather window to get to West Palm Beach. We’ve been able to get a few projects done while here ( replace prop on dinghy motor, major grocery delivery to marina, fixed stern shower leak). We’re getting lots of walking in and exploring St Augustine, but getting antsy to move again. We’ll be here for Thanksgiving with a plan to depart Friday AM with West wind and smaller seas ( 🤞).
Happy Thanksgiving family & friends! We love & miss you!
Lots of pictures will be loaded in the “ Gallery”-

Wow! It’s been awhile- time is flying and we look at each other at the end of a day and wonder what we did all day! We have been waiting and waiting for bad weather to pass at every stop. We got tossed around on the docks at Solomon’s, followed by a lovely sail across the bay to Cape Charles, hoping to stage for a 54- hour passage out to Hatteras and to Bald Island ( south of Wilmington). We ended up waiting again for a good weather window ( along with many other boats) and finally got it after 4 days. We sailed in good wind and mild waves 136 miles out to Hatteras … along with about 20 other boats….. rounding Hatteras around 5:30 am and turning closer into shore toward Cape Fear and Frying Pan Shoals. These are treacherous waters and requires attention to charts. North Carolina has 3 capes to get around… Cape Hattera, Cape Lookout, and Cape Fear (Frying Pan shoals that extend 20 miles out into the Atlantic).
we were quite proud to arrive safely at Bald Head Island! ……And then the weather got bad with gale force winds and very high seas..
John secured the boat with 14 lines tied to the dock and pilings- we rocked somewhat but the noise of the 35-40 kt gusts is what proved scary.
Making the best of our forced delay, we explored the island on a golf cart ( no cars here), rented bikes, walked and explored the beautiful sugary-sand beaches. We found many scallop shells and 5 horseshoe crab shells! Apparently, horseshoe crabs migrate to the Chesapeake yearly to mate ( not too far away.
Bald Head Island is at the mouth of the Cape Fear river and home to the American alligator and beaches where sea turtles lay eggs! Who knew? We didn’t see either and not for a lack of searching!
We ( finally) leave tomorrow for an overnight to Hilton Head. Inside cabin temp this morning was 53… a little too cold for us! Time to get south!
thanks for checking in family & friends! We love you & miss you!
More pictures in the photo gallery…

The Hylas rendezvous at St Michael’s ran Friday through Sunday starting with a rally from Annapolis, happy hour(s!) complete with pain killers, mimosa brunch on “Vanishing Point” ( the new Hylas 57), a beer tasting, and a great dinner. It was wonderful seeing friends, making new ones, and learning about sailing through folks much more experienced ( around-the-world sailing) than us. We left early Sunday morning to the Solomon Islands, able to sail 6-7 kts close- hauled with SE wind. And….. I am starting to see pelicans… which is a favorable sign!
We are currently on a slip at Zahnisers’ marina giving us a chance to catch up on groceries, errands at West Marine, laundry, and meet new friends who are all waiting for these high winds (gusts to 40 mph) to pass. We will leave in the morning with the wind ( & waves) behind us for about 40 miles to Fishing Bay where we’ll anchor for a night. Our plan is to head out Thursday to Cape Charles or Little Creek. That will be our launching point for our big 2-3 days around Hatteras possibly Sunday or Monday, hoping to get to Wilmington. It all depends how we’re doing and how the seas are treating us.
A big squall came through yesterday as we were tied up to the dock- Gusts to 34 mph, driving rain, lightning and thunder. We were happy to be tied up to pilings on a dock and not anchored out. Mother Nature has some fury….. which is why we are waiting to round Hatteras…. No place to “duck in” if the weather is nasty.
No sign of any Covid concerns along our way….. few masks & no distancing.

Take care friends & family. We miss you. Thanks for checking in!