s/v " WIND WARRIOR ": Jan 24th, 2015

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 6^th 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 7^th 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 21^st , 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 25^th 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.