Ft. Pierce, CBP

Clearing customs here was really easy. We called the central number for CBP and were given a clearance number and told to report to a customs officer within 24 hours.  Steve from Sequel graciously drove us out to the Ft. Pierce Airport; 15 minutes and a few forms later we were all done.

Bahamas to the USA

Here is a general update. I still can't figure out how to back date posts so from here forward you may just have to guess at the actual date that these posts took place.  If I could get my act together and post regularly like our friend Esa does then things would be pretty much in the correct order.
Anyway, from memory after Tim & Cheryl's visit, we made our way to Green Turtle Cay only to have to return to Marsh Harbour to have all the house batteries replaced. While there we met up with 'Coral Bay', a KKY48 Classic. Once the batteries were replaced we headed back to Green Turtle Cay and dropped anchor at Coco Bay. Betty and Jill on 'LiLi' joined us in the anchorage for a few days. Green Turtle and New Providence are one of our favorite stops in the Abacos.
From Green Turtle we headed west to Alan's Pensacola for a few days then back east to Cave Cay. Checking the shallow VPR route in the dingy we decided to go down into the Bight of Abaco. If you have Garmin or Explorer charts follow them exactly on a high tide. You can carry a 5-6' draft but make sure you have timed the tide correctly.
Once in the Bight we anchored at Sweetings Cay, then Basin Harbour Cay and finally at Mores Island.  The next morning we headed out for a crossing to Ft. Pierce. All went well and 29 hours later we entered the Ft. Pierce Inlet.

Found The App.

OK, back on the Android, lets see how this works. I downloaded the free blogger app. So far this looks easy.
Now lets add a picture.........

Google has changed Blogger

OK, so this is a bit frustrating. Blogger has changed the interface so now it will not work properly from my Android Galaxy Tablet, and Android is a google product!  So I'm stuck with this big clunky Windows Laptop.  To add to this frustration, try blogging from the Bahamas on really slow connections! I now cannot figure out how to edit the post dates on blogger's new interface, grrrrrrr.

Little Harbour

Ken and Carol left 2 days ago and yesterday Tim & Cheryl joined us in Marsh Harbour. As soon as they boarded we weighed anchor and headed to Matt Lowes Cay for the night.

This morning we headed down to Lynyard Cay and dropped the anchor. We dinghied over to Little Harbour Cay where we first checked out the bronze sculptures in the gallery then from there we went for a walk to the light house ruins. That made us thirsty and hungry so we carried on to Pete's pub for drinks, a little dominoes and a great dinner. I think this is my favorite spot for a meal in the Abacos. The fish is freshly caught and you sit at an outside table with your bare feet in the sand!  It's a great spot and we highly recommend it.  Be sure to tour the bronze gallery and take in the history of this very cool spot.

Crossing to Abaco

This fine weather is forecasted to change with a cold front coming, serious sounding T’storms and squalls on Friday. We leave Governor’s Harbour in Eleuthera at 3:15 am Thursday.  The wind which was forecast to blow 12-15 kts from the SW is already blowing 15+. By the time we get to Current Cut it is blowing 20+ with 2-3’ following seas which is not too bad, Sylken Sea likes a following sea. Another surprise are a line of squalls off of Florida heading our way.  We keep an eye on them with the XM and thankfully, before 11 am, they are breaking up as we round the point off of Egg & Royal Islands leaving Eleuthera behind.  The wind continues to increase to 20-25 kts, and the seas are building. We're glad they're mostly on the stern.  With 4-6’ seas we run 1600 rpm. Everything is secured so north we go to Abaco.  Usually, we would not make a run like that with guests on board but Ken & Carol take it all in stride.  No problems “mon”, they've already got their sea legs.

Tarpum Bay

We leave Rock Sound and stop in Tarpum Bay for a walk about and lunch.  'Barbies' is a true Bahamian experience with local fish fried or "steamed", roast chicken, peas & rice and my new favorite, pumpkin & rice!

Rock Sound

We anchor in Rock Sound, Eleuthera, right off of the dinghy dock at Pascal’s Restaurant & Bar.  After a stop at the grocery store we enjoy the view, cracked conch and conch salad.  All of it very tender and delicious! Of course we had to wash it all down with Kaliks and Sands. Cheers Ken and Carol!

Spooled!

Crossing to Eleuthera with Ken and Carol on board. We've got the lines out and nothing is happening, that is until the captain goes to use the head. By the time I return Ken M. declares “out of line!’ then, snap!  We just got spooled, a large tuna we think.

Shroud Cay, Exumas Land & Sea Park

With Ken & Carol on board we travel north to Shroud Cay and Hawksbill Cay.  Mike & Barb on Goosebumps told us about this spot.  Check it out. Carol’s photo says it all!