Friday, March 13, 2009

March 11-13 Gun Caye, Bahama Bank and Chub Caye

Still working that $11 connection, so a couple of shout-outs. First, happy anniversary today to Mom and Daddy Reed! 49 years, and still dancing together at parties! Second, a shout out to Dan and Sue...good to have a Nebraska contingent checking in. Send us your email and potential dates of travel...
We left Bimini Wednesday morning for a 4 hour trip over to Gun Caye, a quiet and deserted island. Prevailing winds still from the east, and well, we're going east. Heavy reliance on the iron jib again...this was expected and will change once we turn south. We dropped the hook and quickly assembled the dinghy for an afternoon of exploration

S/V Lorian, leaving Bimini BlueWater Marina.








A view of Gun Caye and S/V Hakuna Matata and S/V Lorian at anchor.



Unbelievable water...this is looking straight down into 10 feet of water...hard to keep a pool this clear.


Lori and Ian join us for a dinghy ride to explore the beach.


A driftwood tree, deocrated in conchs.

Conchs live their lives face down in the sand. Eyes, though. Who knew??

We left Gun Caye at dawn to cross the Great Bahama Bank towards Chub Caye and Nassau. To the left is the lighthouse at the narrow cut between Gun Caye and Cat Caye. Image to the right is crossing the bank.

If you are sitting at your desk with nothing to do, burn some company time on the internet, google Great Bahama Bank and have yourself a geography lesson. What I will tell you is this: We crossed over nothing but open water, 12 feet deep, at 6 knots for 10 hours. We stopped for the night right in the the middle of it, tucked in and surrounded by a 1-3 foot deep, horse-shoe shaped underwater reef. No land in sight. Very wierd.
I am content reading and catching up on novels.

Craig provides additional entertainment during the long journey.
Another quick 5 hours today, and we are anchored at Chub Caye. It was a bit cloudy this afternoon upon our arrival, so we relaxed on board and will scout the area tomorrow...perhaps snorkel and see if we can scrounge some lobsters for dinner. We are going to hang here for the weekend and head to Nassau Sunday. We have an appointment with a generator outfit on Monday. Its running, new oil and filters, but slow to start and blowing smoke. "No problem, mon, We can fix that, mon". S/V Lorian tore their main sail crossing the bank...they're up for a repair in Nassau as well.
The Admiral

6 comments:

Dan and Sue said...

Captain Craig - you look so - so - what's the word - spiritual - yes spiritual with a "head wrap"!!

What pix. Wow! It is wonderful to live this life via your stories.

Can't wait to hook up with you.

Dan and Sue

GOM & Dad said...

Thanks for the pictures and updates, keep them coming. GOM and dakota miss you. GOM wants a conch shell.

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear that you made it! It looks so much nicer there and in rainy, cloudy DC.

Listening to Radio Margaritaville as I work this afternoon to make me feel that I am with you!

Dan and Sue said...

Hi you two - Our email is shrader402@windstream.net Dates of travel depend on where you are at and when you want company. We are game for anytime - just let us know destinations and we can plan something!

xoxoxo

Dan and Sue

Anonymous said...

The water looks amazing. Glad you made it across safe and sound. Craig on the other hand, well, looks like Craig! :-) Goofy as ever. Enjoying the pics and stories!

---FJM

Christy S said...

Hey there.
Sitting here with Mama in Tampa reading the blog and checking out the pictures.
Needless to say she is very excited about the conch anatomy! LOL
Also enjoyed the dophin escort pics and the lighthouse (along with the BLUE water.)
Myself, I am most impressed with the lack of people and technology in the pictures!
Check your email (if you haven't already) - some minor news - all ok except for some metal pieces!
Miss you and love you both!

Don't forget to scout out a new living place for me! :D