This
year started off with a very cold week in Green Cove Springs. It actually
snowed in Jacksonville one day and the kids were throwing snow balls at each
other.
We
arrived at Wind Warrior on January 6th and uncovered her. She fared
quite well after sitting out in the blazing summer sun. The black sun cover we
put over her seemed to protect the decks very well. However, there was a lot of
green algae and stuff all over the upper decks. We purchased a small pressure
washer and that cleaned her up in no time.
The
inside of the boat fared out really well with absolutely no foul growth inside.
The little bit of mildew on the cabin roof was easily removed with Fantastic.
January
7th was launch day. It was cold and windy. Jan & I spent the
whole afternoon cleaning up the inside of the boat and getting the systems up
and running once again. The only problem was one toilet not working but after
taking it all apart it is now as good as new,
Wind
Warrior sat at the dock and looked a mess. The next day we rented a cube van
and brought everything back to the boat from our storage unit……. But at least
she was afloat again.
A
hard week went by putting everything back together and replenishing the stores
and water so that we could start our trip down the ICW on our 5 day trek to
Lake Worth to await a window for crossing the Gulf Stream. The trip took us up
to Jacksonville, where we fueled up followed by stops at St. Augustine,
Daytona, Coco Village, Vero Beach and Riviera Beach where we anchored for a
night before crossing to the Bahamas in the morning.
The
crossing was magnificent. Our friends Lane & Tina accompanied us on board
their new boat. This was their first crossing and we were hoping for a calm
one.
We
passed a number of ships plying the Stream. The weather was perfect.
On
Wednesday Jan 21st , 2015 we arrived in West End on Grand Bahama
Island and cleared customs at the Old Bahama Bay Resort & Marina. Everyone
hoisted their Quarantine flags before clearing customs, later to be replaced by
the Bahamas courtesy flag.
It
didn’t long for Tina & Molly to head for the warm Bahamian water.
Is
this a happy face or what as Tina samples her first Bahama Mama at the beach
bar.
The
next morning it was again time to head out of West End and through Indian Rock
channel for the 50 mile run up to Great Sale Cay where we would spend the night
at anchor before heading off in the morning towards Green Turtle Cay.
Unfortunately, the tide was at dead low by the time we arrived at 4:30pm and we
could not enter White Sound so the decision was made to continue on around
Whale Cay (The dreaded Whale) and on to Treasure Cay Marina for the night.
We’ve been in there before a few times but this was to be our first time
entering in the dark. As it turned out, most of the “lighted navaids” were NOT
lit so it was a very dark passage for a mile or so around the entrance shoal
and on up the channel to the marina. All was secured by 7:30pm and a well
deserved drink of rum was in order.
Saturday afternoon brought one of those dreaded cold fronts with
extremely high winds and heavy rain to our area so we decided to remain at the
dock.
Today
is Sunday January 25th and the weather is beautiful…. FINALLY !! Jan
& I walked over to Treasure Cay Beach and spent the day relaxing in the hot
sun and admiring the absolutely tranquil waters and soft sand.
Unfortunately,
our friends Lane & Tina had a minor incident with their boat and had to
remain in Green Turtle Cay. We saved them a couple beach chairs for the day.
They were missed.
After
a late afternoon lunch at the Coco Beach Bar it was more relaxing…. Well it
actually looked more like sleeping…. before heading back across the street to
Wind Warrior.
Upon
arriving at the boat we spotted this little guy munching on some growth on the
piling at the end of our dock.
Tonight
we are blessed with this absolutely beautiful Bahamas sunset. We feel so
fortunate to be here again.
Tomorrow
is the next day in the rest of our lives.
