Marathon Florida

Hello Everyone,

 

It has been awhile since we have updated the blog.  It is Feb. 15, 2013 and we are in Marathon Florida.  We are behind schedule but are enjoying the weather here and learning the weather patterns down here so we can continue our journey.

We have heard about the weather that you have been experiencing and we don’t really miss it but do miss relatives, friends and ooops television once in awhile.

Well we are getting a few matters in order to make the crossing to the Bahamas. We are hooking up our SSB radio, getting a new anchor light ours is a dull orange colour and food. Knocking on wood we have not had any more engine problems, electrical fixed with the help of Jamison in Marathon. He replaced charger, cleaned up some wiring and gave some general advice. We also got a freezer for the boat as our small compartment in the fridge would only hold about 4 days of meat so now we will be good for about 1 to 2 months and room to make some ice. The freezer fits nicely under the salon table at the bow end without taking up any leg space.

So back to our adventures. We will be here for about another 2 to 3 weeks. Marathon is nice to get stuff done. My projects while we are here is to make covers for our gas cans and to do some teak refinishing. Jack is such as slave driver ha ha, but we want to move on the nicer waters.

 The internet here is extremely bad and trying to download pictures on the blog takes forever. I tried to get on my facebook page but since I have not been on it forever I forgot password and I have tried all the suggestions that facebook has given me but no go. I can get on from Jack’s but cannot get on it to change or add anything. I guess my next resource is to open a new page more computer work. I thought I was getting away from all that but bottom line is it is more important now so I can stay in touch.

We went to Key West.  It was nice but very touristy. Great sunsets and good eats. Marty was done and joined us and we made use of his car and had some great times together some were just sitting in the cockpit, barbecuing and watching the sun set or rise. We also had a visit from Frans and Vita. It’s always nice to meet up with long time friends. While we were in Miami Lois and Bernie came to visit. They were staying in Fort Myers on the west side on Florida. It makes a difference when you have a car. Gets expensive renting cars. For Christmas we went to Kathy and Ross’s for a few days. It really is great seeing everyone but makes me homesick. Well before you know it I will probably be making a trip home as there is another little one on its way. Yes Colleen is having her second baby in July but we will have a lot of area to cover before that time.

Jack will have to update on the actual route we will be taking over the next few months with my sense of direction for currents and winds we will end up in Africa and I definitely do not want to end up going across the Atlantic.

 They have pig races in Marahton.  This is the finish line.

 

Bimini Bahamas

March 30, 2013

We are currently sailing across the Great Bahamas Bank at about 6 knots, winds are between 15 to 20 knots waves about 3 feet, sun is shining. The waters are only about 20 feet and an aquamarine colour. The sails are up and Xanadu is cutting through the waves like butter giving us a pleasant ride.

It has been awhile since we have updates our blog but this is the start of the interesting part of our journey.

We have finally left the safe confines of the us waters to search out lands where life is more relaxed and not driven by the all mighty dollar even though it is a necessity but not to the extent that we are used to.

We sent seven weeks in Marathon Florida. We provisioned Xanadu for the next 8 weeks and then ran out of space to put things. So we did some minor repairs and checked out charts and weather forecasts during that time to be prepared to leave the big cities behind.

Finally a weather window opens up where we would sail across the Florida Straits and through the Gulf Stream from the south with southeast winds directing us to Bimini, Bahamas. It was supposed to be an easy crossing but even with the best planning Mother Nature does not adhere to schedules.

We went across the reefs in Florida not big deal except wind on our nose and we felt like we were in a washing machine but once through we turned east and picked up the south winds and things settled down for a bit. The crossing over to Bimini was comfortable but once in a while a larger wave would toss us around. Lesson learned from this crossing make sure all you lockers hold tight the ones that don’t add extra security in our way was bungee cords. Books seem to find their way out of there assigned areas.

We arrived in Bimini in calming seas but coming around the reef takes a little getting used to as the water is crystal clear and is hard to determine how far down the bottom is. We got a slip and prepared to clear customs. The marina supplied us with the paperwork, filled it out, took in our documentation to the customs office they asked how long we would be staying and granted our request. Now we are official and can start our sailing adventure that is right we are actually using our sails instead of the motor what a relief.

We ended staying in Bimini for 7 days as the weather just would not co-operate. These cold fronts kept coming through the Abacus with gale force squalls but the exumas in South Bahamas were having nicer weather so we waited patiently for the first opportunity to leave. As the weather was not settling down we decided to skip the berry islands and head south to New Providence. We wanted to leave the squalls behind us.

It was an interesting stay in Bimini. We were fortunate to meet a gentleman by the name of Mr. Sanders.  His family lived in the Bahamas and he was educated in the us and Britain. He researched the history of Bimini wrote books about it and taught in the local schools. He also is in the process of building the Dolphin House. This is a work of art. The house has been built from left over building material and natural products of the island. It is well constructed to survive hurricanes and has a uniqueness that has to be seen. Every wall has a unique design incorporating conch shells, seashells, sea glass, left over ceramics and stain Glass, bottles and many other items too many to mention. Once again pictures say a thousand words.

On Bimini one side faces the banks and the other side is the FLORIDA Straits. Only two roads on the island but the beaches are beautiful on the west side of the island. We also visited a local place called Sherry’s and had rum punches and conch and guess what I Linda actually liked it. We also visited the shark research center on South Bimini. They took us out on the flats where they had pens with lemon sharks and rays in them. Of course they explained a lot first before we waded out to the pens.  The people there went in the pens with the sharks and rays and show us how they handled the creatures then a though came to me we are outside the pens where there are homes to more sharks and other creatures but the only creature that bothered us was a crab he kept trying to get your toes he was about three inches long. It was well worth the visit.

The rest of the time we watch the bull sharks swim around our boat when the fishermen came in and cleaned their catches. We met up Pat and Addison from Toronto and jack tried his hand at diving for lobster. Well no pictures on that one as we could not find any and Lobster season ends March 31.

We also met up with several other boats some going to the exumas and some returning to Florida so there we many rum punches and stories to be told.

We finally get our weather window and headed off to New Providence. We sailed all night in the company of five other boats all keeping in touch through the trip. We went to West end with two other boats and the others went to Nassau.

We sent a day in West End and hiked around the island taking in some ruins and beach areas. It has great swimming here and many nice places on the beach.

Well that brings us up to today Saturday March 30 we are travelling to Allen cay and we plan to send two days there do some snorkeling and enjoying the beach. I plan to get my sketch pad out and try to get it down on paper but my camera will be very busy.

Jack is trying his hand at fishing there is supposed to be mahi mahi and wahoo in this part of the Bahamas but so far no luck. I guess I will still need to go to the store once in a while.

I will close this portion of our trip with saying we are enjoying another beautiful day in the Bahamas.

 

Miami To Marathon

Miami to Marathon leaving this week onto Bahamas.

|Yes it has been awhile but we finally left Vero Beach after a stay of 7 weeks. There was plenty to and a hard place to leave after travelling for 6 months. The other name for Vero Beach is Velro Beach and it has earned it's name honestly.

The anchorage had many sightings of dolphins who would entertain us with their antics of jumping out of the water, teasing the dogs on an adjacent boat and just swimming around our boat.

Vero Beach was a good place to get food and enjoy the beach area and had alot of entertaining.

Well we then met up with Ann and Brad from Anneteak who have been travelling buddies to the Bahamas.

We also have met up with Pat and Addison form PCYC and have met up with them again in Marathon.

The visit to Miami was quite an experience. Coming into the channel we met up with a cruise ship, a container ship and a barge. There is no words than describe this experience but perhaps the pictures will do it justice.  We anchored off Bell Island and were able to dingy over to south beach and had a great time eating and drinking our way down south Beach.

We were joined by Lois and Bernie. They came over from Fort Myers and spent a few days.  Lois and I were able to get in some golfing too while the boys sent the day at the boat and local bar.

We then went to Marathon and have been there for 7 weeks. We hope to have all our additions done new solar panels, fixing wind generator.