Despite the dire forecasts, the night passed with little fanfare. No devastating winds, no horrendous waves, just a lot of rain. Rain; something we haven’t seen in our three months in the Bahamas. According to other cruisers, we were smart to seek refuge in Nassau. Back south in the Exumas, east in Andros and north in the Abacos the storms were intense and prolonged. Only Nassau and New Providence Island escaped severe weather.

We had a brief conference with our “buddy boat” Cotinga to discuss the latest wind and wave forecasts. Winds for Sunday are predicted to be around ten knots, a little light, and waves at four feet, a little higher than we like. After much deliberation we arrived at a consensus; we will leave Nassau on Sunday morning and head north of the Berry Islands into the Northwest Passage, pass just south of Freeport and then catch the Gulf Stream north, arriving at Fernandina Beach on the Georgia border. A straight three day, 440 mile passage with no stops.

That being determined, Lynn and I set about completing our preparations. The water and fuel tanks are all full, the batteries charged, oil changed and all new fuel and oil filters installed. We pulled the dinghy up on deck and gave Serendipity a long fresh water bath. Groceries have been purchased and are being stowed. We’re entering our final navigation points. I am downloading podcasts and sending email to family confirming our plans.

There is a large group of cruisers here at the Harbour Club Marina, like us they sought shelter from the weather on their way north. We’re all planning to get together this evening for a short “pot-luck” cocktail party, a last hurrah before leaving the Bahamas.

Then it’s a quiet evening and early to bed. We leave around eight tomorrow, hoping to arrive Wednesday morning.

We’ll fill you in on the passage after we’ve made landfall.