March 25, 2011
We dropped the mooring pendant this morning at 0730 and headed for the Whale. It was nice to point Why Knot's bow west in the anticipation of entering US water soon. The destination today was Bluff House Marina in Green Turtle Cay. We had a very nice passage through the Whale in 4 feet lumpy swells from the northwest. There were a few larger sets and some might have been in the 6 feet range. We took a few of them over the bow. Why Knot was enjoying burying her bow and surging out on the other side. We were hitting them straight away. It was fun. Whenever we sail in blue water and WK is in her element, I keep thinking about the words to Roger Whittaker's song "Last Farewell" as she surges to rhythm of the sea.
We arrived at the slip just before lunch. It was a very nice, sunny morning and we decided that since we are paying a flat fee for electricity, we are running A/C for the first time since leaving the US. The dry air aboard most likely is causing some mold or mildew some discomfort in a remote area aboard but it felt well. Bear recovered from the grudge she had over the past few days and was able to get off the boat.
We spent one of our last days in the Abacos on a golf cart showing our guest crew Green Turtle Cay and New Plymouth. Unlike the first time we came here, both the marina and the town seemed deserted. It was quite a change from the activity of the Marsh Harbor area and one we welcomed. It is time to box up the experience and get ready for one long ride back to Texas.

March 26, 2011
I was first up this morning at 0545 to a dark marina. The entire island is dark due to some power company work. A dark marina is something to behold. Only anchor lights in the small harbor are visible and all else is moonlight blue. Of the other three boats in the marina, none are showing lights. This is similar to an anchorage on some remote cay.
Phase IV has been all we thought it would be and more. Reversing the course to head west has brought up some memories about the concerns and excitement of seeing what was around the next cay as we headed here. The Gulf Stream crossing was kind to us. As we sat in the cockpit, Bear and I marveled at the water color and the fact that we were finally headed to the "Islands". As we approached West End, the feeling was right off the scale. It is with that same excitement that we now head the other way.
We are looking at staging for the return to the US by sailing to Great Sale Cay today or tomorrow. The idea is to leave that place for the 110 nm passage to Fort Pierce. It appears the weather window favors the idea. That said, it may be a couple of days until our next post. Our time in the Abacos reluctantly is at an end. We will return if we can.