Well, after three long months of preparation, waxing, maintaining, painting, remodeling, and provisioning this old gal, I think "Mystic Lady" is ready for a four month trip across the pond to the Islands.
We got away a day later than planned because the night before we planned to leave the Admiral loses a filling in her tooth. But it rained most of that day anyway and the next day was absolutely beautiful so all is good.
We will be wandering around the Keys for a while, then over to Miami to wait for a weather window before crossing the Gulf Stream to the Islands.
If you would like to follow our journey you can check in on a daily or weekly basis as I will be updating the Blog "Chafton's Journey" daily if we have internet.
Heading out from the Ft. Myers Yacht Basin early this morning. We have beautiful weather for making our way down to Marco Island where we will meet up with some friends we met on our last trip to the Bahamas.
They are going to do the trip again also. Howard and Mary are great people to travel with because, like us, they don't like having a schedule.
The Admiral and First Mate "Annie Mae" are opening some windows as the sun is getting a bit warm.
Annie is taking to the boat life very well. Now, if we can just get her to potty on a pad we will have it made. She just don't see any reason to potty in her house after all that training to go outside and do it.
Put the Binoculars down and drive the boat.
Just like an Admiral!!!!
"Mystic Lady" is an awesome boat, the Marshall family that designed these boats knew what they were doing. Jules Marshall has been building boats in California since the 1970's.
Move over Admiral....and let an old "racer" show you how to get this show on the road...Click on the arrow and hang on, we're getting' out of Dodge.
"Nazdar" is a 68 foot, aluminum on fiberglass, Hargrave hull yacht built in Naples, Florida. She has been totally refurbished and is gorgeous.
Howard and Mary have done a fantastic job of bringing this old gal back to life.
50.7 nautical miles
Great fun had by all at "CJ's on the bay"..Our good friends Mary and Howard along with Mary's sister Ann. Another couple that is heading to the Islands with us is Kerry and Karen (with pooch named Orca).
Should be a hoot with this bunch of Pirate Chasers.
Finishing up some last minute upgrades on "Mystic Lady" and "Nazdar" before we pull out Tuesday. Smokehouse Bay is a great place to spend a week or two.
It's about a five minute ride in the Whaler from the anchorage over to the store.
Beautiful sunset with the Church in the background and Annie Mae loving on her mama.
The cross on the Church says it all.
The trio anchored off Little Shark River in the Everglades National Park.
We are about 1 1/2 miles off shore, just inside the Park boundaries.
Beautiful sunset and unusually calm waters.
Our friends Mary and Howard on "Nazdar" and their friends Kerry and Karen on "Concrete Idea" in the background.
We'll make our way down to Marathon tomorrow.
An early departure from our anchorage shows a gorgeous sunrise over the Eveglades.
Seas are still smooooooth, so should be an enjoyable trip down to the Keys.
Wednesday, Jan.21, 2015
Well the waters are calm but the crab traps are making for a very stressful cruise through the Florida Bay.
We have made this trip several times and this is the worse we have ever seen.
Howard picked up a trap line coming into the anchorage but freed it before arriving.
As we pulled out this morning Kerry hung a trap line on his prop and had to dive to cut it loose. While Howard was turning around to help Kerry he picked up two traps and had to dive his boat to cut those loose. About 15 minutes later Kerry hung another trap line and had to dive again to cut it loose. I managed to avoid any difficulties but it still made for an annoying trip. The picture shows just how thick the traps are set. Click on the picture to enlarge.
Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015
The Admiral likes smooth water for cooking and sleeping.
The mooring field here at Marathon is booked solid this time of year and usually takes a day or two to get in.
We got lucky and got in the next day.
We took a ride over to Smitty's Place today to meet up with Mary.
She had borrowed a car from Smitty and we picked her up in the Jupiter.
Really interesting ride back into the Mangroves to Smitty's house.
Howard and Mary tow the Jupiter behind "Nazdar" and makes Island Hopping a lot easier, even in snotty weather conditions.
She found someone to play tennis with over at the Marathon City Park.
"Salty" seemed to enjoy the company also.
Annie loves the Keys. Salty is a First Mate on a sailboat. We are going to dingy over to Sombrero Beach so these two can run off some energy. Maybe tomorrow.
Saturday, Jan. 24,2015
Up early to catch another Marathon Sunrise....coffee in the lower helm station.
Beautiful morning but forecast is for rain and cooler temps.
Guess Annie and I will go over to he Marina this morning and fill up the tender before the rain starts.
Gotta hot date with the Admiral this evening over at Dockside Bar and Grill so the tender has to be ready.
Well, look what we find at the fuel dock. This old yacht named "Freedom". She is a fully restored 1926 104 foot Mathis-Trumpy fantail yacht. She was refit from 2004 to 2009.......
Click the link below the picture for details of the restoration.
http://www.jamestownpress.com/news/2007-02-08/news/049.html
The weather is getting snotty and the seas have gotten too rough for even the sailboaters.
It is so windy I had to take the tender over to Sisters Creek and help Howard relocate "Nazdar" as she had started getting into the mangroves. While there I helped "Twins" reset his anchor as well. It was a very busy afternoon. Sure glad we got on a mooring ball before the weather turned.
We thought it might be the last chance to meet up before we each go in different directions.
The Dockside Bar and Grill would be the place but the weather made it difficult. Notice Christine in her Maine rain slicker, it was a wet ride in the tender with the winds blowing 18 knots.
What you will endure just to be a boater..............
Sunday, Jan. 25,2015
147.8 nautical miles
She was nursing the calf and paid no attention to the people around her. Annie didn't want any part of this big creature.
These creatures are so slow that they can't get out of the way of boats so there are several scars across her back where boats have cut her. They are protected in all of Florida waters making for a lot of slow zones.
Ya gotta luv the life-style........
It was also a beautiful night for a ride over to Sister Creek in the tender.
Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015
What do you do when you need some groceries and you don't have a car?
You get out the little red fold up wagon and hoof-it to Publix.
It's a nice day for a walk, a little cooler than normal down here but great for walking.
Besides, Annie needs the exercise...not to mention mom and dad.
Annie loved it, she got lots of attention riding in her "Little Red Wagon".
Looks like the weather might keep us here in Marathon for a few more days so we will probably be doing more of this.
It's been extremely windy and we are in no hurry to move, the Keys ain't bad this time of year
Wednesday, Jan. 28,2015
Annie is headed over to Sombrero Beach to run wild.
We are told there is a good place to dock the tender on the outside. So off we go.
The ride was nice but the docking was too shallow even for the Boston Whaler. Didn't want to scratch it up on the rocks so Annie will have to go back to the park to run.
The beach was too crowded anyway, lots of people here this year.......
Friday, Jan. 30, 2015
Howard is next door at "Concrete Idea" picking up Kerry before he comes over to get me.
The Jupiter is loaded with fuel, ice, six rods, some frozen Ballyhoo bait, lures of all sorts, and three crusty old men just dying to bring in the record catch.
Headed out about 20 miles to water depths of around 600 feet. We want the big ones...
What happened to all the pictures in between?
Well, it's like this......it was too windy, the waves were 4 to 5 ft. with occasional 6 footers over the bow of the Jupiter. Yes, we checked the weather beforehand??
Boat fuel......$240
Ice..................$10
Ballyhoo........$30
Lures............$200
A day on the water with good friends......Priceless
Tuesday, Feb.3, 2015
Todays journey is to make Islamorada by 2:00pm as to use high tides for more depth. We draft almost 5 feet and the Florida Bay has several shallow spots.
I know I'm hooked on these sunrise and sunset pictures but I just couldn't resist this one as we left the mooring field. The sun was NOT up yet although it appears to be in this pic.
Cruising along the Florida Keys on the inside. The winds laid down so we made a run for it.
The water was clear enough to see the bottom in 7 feet.
Another boat joined up with us for a while, friends of Howard's are also headed for the Bahamas.
They have five kids on board, that should make for an exciting trip.
Feb.4, 2015
186.3 Nautical Miles
This is one of many creeks and cuts along the way. The depths are usually good in the cuts but at the entrance and exit has shoaled over a lot of them.
We are heading toward an anchorage called Tarpon Basin at Key Largo to wait out the upcoming cold front.
Wow, look what we ran upon while sneaking through "Jewfish Creek".
That's a pretty nice fishing outfit....good looking boat too!!!!!
You never know what you might find down here in the Keys.
They better be heading for cover cause the radar says the rain is moving in....
Well, guess what? The forecast was wrong again. That front was supposed to come thru late today, after we get to Boca Chita. It came early.
The rain on the radar was about two hours after we departed Tarpon Basin this morning. So, button down the hatches, close the deck vents, tune in the radar and hang on.
It appears we are going to get the worst of the rain just as we approach the next narrow cut under this bridge.
All systems are working good, so nothing to do but motor ahead.
If it gets too bad we can go below and run her from the lower helm station where we have windshield wipers.
After the weather settled down a bit we got out and roamed around. I think the Admiral and First Mate was glad to be back on solid ground..
We'll stay here through Sunday and let the bad weather move on, then up to Miami to try to find a good anchorage closer to the Boat Show.
http://www.nps.gov/bisc/planyourvisit/bocachita.htm
Boca Chita is a beautiful island, part of the Biscayne National Park. The island was purchased in 1937 by Mark Honeywell of Honeywell Electronics fame.
He was building his retreat here but when his wife was killed in an accident here he abandoned the project.
It became State property in 1953, I think......
Note, all the walls and made from blocks of cut coral.
Jim and Vaughn (two on outside of pic) are on "Twins" a 60 ft.. Grand Alaskan. Mary and Howard (in dark shirts) are our friends on "Nazdar, a 68 footer towing the 31 foot Jupiter.
We are all headed for the Bahamas but not at the same time. We will meet up there at Great Harbor Cay in March.
And since First Mate Annie can't read the sign, she is having a good time on the grounds. Keeping a close eye out for the Rangers.........
"Mystic Lady", with the Lighthouse in the background, sits waiting for the next leg of this adventure.
Hopefully, not every leg will be as stressful as this one.
As most boaters know.......Boating is 20 hours of pure ecstasy and 10 minutes of sheer terror.
The Admiral doesn't care much for the "terror" part but it keeps my adrenaline flowing....
231.7 Nautical miles to Boca Chita
Friday Feb. 6, 2015
Little Boca Chita Harbor is starting to fill up for the weekend. Lots of locals from Miami come over to camp out. They bring the kids and and tents and spend the weekend.
We have met some really nice families already.
Lots of fishing going on as they take the small boats around the mangroves.
This weekend a local boat club is coming in, expecting 25 boats. I think the strong winds will lower that number as Biscayne Bay is very choppy.
This little hideaway is an awesome place to spend some time. A real Jewel in the Bay.
As the ladies arrive I put "Annie, the Chick Magnet" out on the deck.
The ladies love this dog.
She brings 'em in close and I take the pictures.
If it was a little warmer I think I would have some rally good bikini shots.
Heres hoping for some warmer days at Boca Chita.
Jim and Vaughn invited us over to "Twins" for dinner and cocktails. We have a great view of the sunset from their bow.
On the walk over to their boat some of the Latino Campers asked us if we would like some fresh fish. I said, I never turn down food!
They had caught some Mangrove Snapper, they call "Grunts". It was deep fried and WOW what a meal.
We had taken B-B-Q Ribs, Vaught grilled shrimp, but the "Grunts" was the talk of the meal. Awesome Evening........
This Grand Alaskan Yacht is absolutely gorgeous. She is 15 years old but looks like new. "Twins" is 60 feet long with a 16 ft beam, very roomy to say the least.
We dined on the foreword deck for another nice sunset. Christine still hasn't got to see the Green Flash yet but a couple months in the Islands should do the trick.
We will stay here a few more days before moving up to Miami for the Boat Show.
Click on the picture to enlarge. This is looking through the wind blown coconut trees across Biscayne Bay from the bow of "Twins".
The Miami Skyline is on the horizon and the glow in the sky is from the city lights, not the sunset.
Just thought it was a different view from this fabulous little piece of Paradise.
Wonder what tomorrow will bring?
Saturday Feb.8, 2015
The view from "Mystic Lady" today. It appears most of the boat club from Miami showed up despite the windy weather.
The Latinos are out in force. Seems we went to Cuba without even starting the boat.
Great bunch of folks, we have enjoyed their antics and family atmosphere.
Some of the younger ones arrived later and the loud music, butt floss, and exotic boats put on quite a show.
Today's catch included several different species of local delights.
These fellows go out each morning and come back with a couple of buckets of fish for the huge family they feed every day.
Sooooo many cousins, aunts, uncles, grandmas, dads, moms, grandpas, sisters, brothers, etc. etc.
Must be around 40 in this family alone.
They are eager to share their catch and Boy is it good.
The little building in the background is an old Church build around 1931.
And they just keep coming.........now 37 boats in a little harbor designed for around 20 boats.
Rafting up 3 and 4 deep, the Park Ranger rules is no more than 2.....
This is out our front windshield from the upper helm.
But peace and quiet can be found on the other side of the Island. The picnic tables and grills are scattered around the area, some near the beach, some near the Lighthouse, but the most popular are right next to the boats.....
Great place to camp out with the kids....
The Rangers just opened the Lighthouse so we're gonna stroll over that way.
A birds eye view from the Lighthouse before the big crowd arrives.
I love the history part of places like this so below is a few pictures I managed to capture from a book compiled by the Coconut Grove Club that volunteers on weekends to show the Lighthouse.
Just click on any picture to enlarge if interested in Old Pics.
Sunday, Feb. 9, 2015
About a 35 minute ride in rough waters so Annie and the Admiral stretched out up front to avoid the winds.
We stopped at No Name Harbor on Key Biscayne to walk to the Winn-
Dixie for some provisions.
Cruising thru "Marine Stadium Anchorage" with Miami Skyline in the background.
A well protected anchorage but still a little too far from the boat show.
We will head over to Star Island and Belle Isle to check those out next.
Here comes "Twins" into the fuel dock to top off before making the crossing.
We met them at Cranford Marina. We are checking out the fuel dock we will come to on our way down to the anchorage.
Several boats waiting for a weather window to cross over to the Bahamas.
We will meet up with them in March.
253.4 Nautical Miles
Monday, Feb. 9, 2015
Had a little excitement just before leaving Boca Chita Key.
Seems some illegal immigrants landed a boat on South Beach Miami so the State Police and FWC were checking all the barrier islands looking for additional boats.
Police arrested 8 from that boat but never said where they were from.
Nothing major, just showers most of the way to Crandon Marina.
Stopping there to top off the fuel tanks before setting up in Miami.
Hopefully, our next move will be to the Bahamas but that is still 8 or 10 days off.
Got a boat show to attend and Howard has friends coming down from up North to cross with them.
And the Marina had Drumsticks in the Ice Cream Freezer. Yum, Yum.
Miami skyline in the background as the Admiral and I munch on some treats on the way.
Weather is clearing up just in time for our approach into the Big City.
There will be several opportunities to get some neat night shots later this wee.
This one got the Admirals attention real quick. It is painted in a wild scheme that certainly stands out among the others.
Much prettier than the pictures shows...
This is the part of boating most people never see. It's "Oil Change" time in both main engines and both transmissions.
These big dogs gotta be kept in good shape for any offshore adventure.
With almost 100 hours on the oil it's better to do it here in Miami than waiting until we get to the Islands.
Oil disposal would be a major problem in the Islands...
Annie started barking so the Admiral went out on the deck to see what the commotion was all about.
Seems Annie didn't know what to think of the big Cruise Ship moving down Government Cut right in front of us.
It was a sight to behold watching her raise hell over that big ship....we are less than 1/4 mile from the Cut...
Notice the secondary anchor behind Christine. We have another cold front moving in tonight so we are preparing to put out a second anchor just in case.
I promised a couple of night shots of the Miami Skyline so here goes.
This view is from our boat as we sit anchored between Star Island (named for all the movie and TV stars who live there) and Hibiscus Island (probably for all the flowers on the Island).....
Sightseeing ferries go by about every 30 minutes....
This shot is a Mega-Cruise Ship heading out of Government Cut..
Although we are anchored between two islands off Miami Beach we are only about 300 yards from the main shipping channel.
This monster was beautifully lighted and worthy of a place on the blog.
It was only in port a few hours, how can they possibly clean her up in that short time between cruises???
Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015
Finally, the winds laid down enough to take Annie the First Mate and the Admiral to town.
We cruised over to the dingy dock to check out the city park and find a Post Office.
Here we are heading over to Collins Canal and see if we can get all the way up to the Convention Center.
We found the canal paralleling the street in downtown Miami Beach.
Mr. Collins dug this canal back when Miami Beach was first being developed. Today so many streets cross over it that it is only usable by dingy boats.
Lots of old original houses along the canal.
Sneaking under the streets of Miami Beach makes you feel like you're in Venice.
Annie didn't care for the close quarters but the Admiral though it was really cool.
We are working our way further into town to find the Convention Center. We already passed the Publix dock so we now know where to finalize our provisioning for the crossing.
Also located the Post Office so I could mail off my Oil Samples before we leave Miami.
Back at "Mystic Lady". South Beach high rises in the background.
Star Island is a pretty good place to spend a week.
If tomorrow is as calm as today we will get out and explore a few more places.
Too much time on the boat makes the natives restless.
Just had to throw in another beautiful sunset as the sun goes down over Miami.
Notice the smooth waters......best day we have had yet here in Miami.
Lots of boater friends are waiting to cross the Gulf Stream from here as soon as the boat show is over.
Forecast is for more cold fronts to pass this week, causing more windy conditions and delaying any possibility of a crossing.
Sure wish you Northerners would keep that weather to yourselves...!!!!
Thursday, Feb. 12, 2015
Took the girls to Miami Beach today, we did a little exploring in the tender and a lot of walking.
I think I wore'um out..
They both hit the couch as soon as we got back to "Mystic Lady"...
Tomorrow is the Boat Show, Annie is staying with Mary and Howard over on "Nazdar".
Friday, Feb. 13, 2015
Heading to the Boat Show early this morning. Left Annie with Mary and Howard for the day.
Sneaking thru downtown Miami in the Collins Canal.
Just hoping we still have a tender when we return from the show. We will lock "Mystic Girl" to a tree and hope for a good day.
We returned from the show early enough to take the Jupiter over to Miami Beach for dinner and cocktails.
Nice ride but a little too cool. These damn cold fronts just won't quit coming. The restaurant gave everyone blankets to cover up with while dining.
It got down to 48 degrees the next morning...Burrrrr..
Sunday, Feb. 15, 2015
We took the Jupiter over to Downtown Miami today just to check out that part of the Boat Show.
The show is spread out between Miami and Miami Beach. It takes up two marinas and the Convention Center.
Annie is enjoying the ride while the Admiral rests easy in her bean bag.
This marina is in full swing on this third day of the show. Lots of activities and hoop-la.
This is the Sailing Show at Miamarina.....
Gonna try to get inside the marina and check it out....Supposedly it is closed to boaters until the show is over....We'll just see about that !!!
We made it inside.....but no place to dock or get out of the boat..
Lots of ferry traffic taking people across the bay.
Let's head down town...
OK, this looks interesting...The Miami River going into downtown.
It's really nice to have friends with a 31 foot Center Console to do the exploring with.
Howard in not shy, he will put this tender anywhere he wants.
And we ran across this beauty just as we entered the Miami river.
After googling the name on the boat we find it belongs to Mark Cuban....ever heard of him?
She is 278 feet long with a basketball court on the aft deck.
WOW..
It got a little crowded as we moved on up the river..
Seems this is a real Hot Spot for Sunday cruisers.
The Casablanca Bar and Grill....
We threaded the needle through this crowd as they were rafting up with each other two and three deep.
Some were big yachts with bikini clad babes on deck...Even though it was a cool day.
Must be a great little Bar and Grill..
We passed thru then turned around and did it again.....Just to say it could be done....LOL....
Heading back out the Miami River and under several downtown bridges..
Lots of people on the water today, after all it's a beautiful day in Miami.
Just seems to be something to do every day down here in South Florida..Hoping for some good weather next week to make the crossing..
Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015
One of the many tour boats in the Miami area.
This Old Duck takes tourists from the streets to the bay in one vehicle.
It's a site to see the Duck drive right down the boat ramp.
This ramp is at the dingy dock we use when we go to town.
Had lots of errands to run today so we headed over to town to rent a car.
Last night Mary and Howard met a friend for dinner and drinks. Seems Howard had a few too many and got his line wrapped around the prop on the dingy and stripped his prop bushing.
Here we are towing them back to "Nazdar" with parts in hand. The winds are picking up again as another cold front approaches.
We take these matters in stride and just keep on keepin' on.
Sunday, Feb. 22,2015
Had a nice visit from our good friends Paula and Connie Bradish..They drove over from RiverBend to spend the day with us before we leave for the islands. Got so wrapped up with talking with them that I forgot to take any pictures. Oh Well, we are hoping they will fly over to Great Harbour Cay and spend a week with us on "Mystic Lady"...They're thinking about it.
Monday, Feb.23, 2015
And it was a wise decision, the first couple hours in the Atlantic was a little rough but the swells settled down just as predicted.
This shot is departing Miami and heading for Government Cut.
We met this cruise ship as we were leaving Miami...
Sure am glad we didn't meet him in the Cut.
It is just breaking daylight and we are on our way to Bimini, Bahamas to check in with Customs and spend the night.
Feb. 23, 2015
Sun is just peaking thru the clouds at daybreak. All systems are good to go.
Sonar, Radar, GPS, Chart Plotters, and Auto Pilot all up and ready...
The clouds made the trip a little more comfortable because it's a long day with the sun in your eyes.
Back to the marina and have just enough time left to take the Jupiter over to North Bimini, tie up at Big Game Club Marina and walk to the BTC store to get a SIM card for our phone.
They close at 4:30 and we got there at 4:15....Close.
Back to the Jupiter and then off to South Bimini for some rest.
The BTC (Bahama Telephone Company) is in Baileytown..
A quaint little village that has been ravished by hurricanes and is still rebuilding.
About the time they get it all fixed it will be hit again.
It was a little tricky leaving that early because the tide was out and we knew there was shoaling at the entrance to Binimi.
I measured just one foot of water under the props as we passed over the shoals. Too close for comfort, but it keeps the adrenaline flowing.
Breakfast was later in the lower helm, after the nerves settled down a little.
Did a little fishing on the way over to Great Harbour Cay....
I put the admiral in charge of the helm and I relaxed a little on the back deck.
Here I am bringing in my catch....
We caught a couple of "Pissed Off" Baracudas..
One was too big for the ice chest so I threw him back in..
I gave the other on away at the Marina, not good eating anyway.
Arriving at Great Harbour Cay the markers are taking us to a solid rock wall about 50-60 feet high.
The Admiral is shouting " I can't see the cut, you're heading toward a rock wall.
Then just as we turn to Port, there is the cut. A very narrow one at that.
This was cut by the British but I have yet to learn the history or dates of such a feat.
Feb. 24, 2015
385.7 Nautical Miles so far, Great Harbour Cay, Berry Islands
Great Harbour Cay is a beautiful little community that has a well protected harbor.
The staff is super friendly and hopefully we will meet some interesting folks while here for the month.
Wed. Feb. 25, 2015
Thank goodness Mary and Howard tow this 31 footer to the Islands. It makes exploring much safer.
Here we are heading for a secluded beach to let Annie burn off some energy.
This looks like a good spot. The water is crystal clear but only about 4 ft deep so we will have to wade in.
Mary and Annie are first in the water, Annie is swimming her way in with Mary along for safety.
No beach pictures due to not being able to dingy in but will take some from the Jupiter.
These girls love to swim. Annie took to the water like a duck.
When we returned to the Jupiter a few hours later the tide had come in so Annie and I both had to swim several yards to reach the boat. It was really cool swimming along side Annie.
We all got back on the Jupiter and had cocktails to wait for the sunset.
Even Howard couldn't resist a "worn-out" Annie wanting to snuggle up for some rest.
She had run the beach, dug multiple holes in the sand, and swam back to the Jupiter.
She will sleep good tonight.
We started heading back to the marina as the sun was setting. We came across these fishermen from the Abaco's.
They had come to the Berry Islands to spear lobster. They are towing seven small boats.
They free dive these waters to spear fish and lobster.
The guys were very friendly and explained how they dive and where they came from.
The sun is setting so off we go to try to catch the "Green Flash".
Christine has never experience the flash and we are hoping she will see it today.
Still didn't get that elusive "Green Flash"....Christine thinks we are pulling her leg..
Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015
They were excited and fired up but came back a little worn down.
Seems the golf cart broke down and had to call the rental guy to bring them another one.
Hey, It's the Bahama's Mon'..
Us guys took the Jupiter out for a little fishing.
The seas were a little too choppy but I managed to land a nice size Mackerel. The Admiral cooked up a fantastic sauce to top off the Mackerel. Wow, what a meal........
By the way, it was the only fish caught today....but we will try again.
The four girls are heading off to the beach....
Annie says "Yippeeeee" we're going to the beach.
These girls love the water and sand.,
hope they have good day.
Well, it didn't turn out quite like they planned..The golf cart quit running so they had to wait for another one.
They eventually made it the beach though.
Mary and Christine don't look very happy here.
When we returned to the dock this young man had had a great day of fishing. The Bahamian in the background was his driver.
This Snapper weighed 45 pounds and it was only one of several. They speared so many fish they had to stop because they ran out of cooler space to put them.
Ryan is a "Pro Free-Diver" and teaches others to dive. He speared these in 20 feet of water.
Trameco is cleaning the fish they hauled in.....Here he is cleaning the head and chopping it several pieces.
Most people throw the head away but Trameco says it make an excellent stew.
Friday, Feb. 27, 2015
Annie met a new friend yesterday so they made a play date for today. They are headed over to the "Flats".
It's an area of beach that goes dry when the tide goes out.
Christine is hoping a ride over to the beach to watch the dogs play.
Us guys are going to try our luck with fishing again....
Looks like "Rapid Roy the Stock Car Boy" has got his trusty Budweiser in hand and I've got the fishing pole so off we go to catch the big one.
It's a beautiful day in the Berry Islands. Much better than yesterday.
we caught twice as many fish today as we did yesterday.
Howard showing off his catch of the day, a nice Mackerel that will certainly make a nice meal tonight.
Christine cooked up some Mackerel I caught yesterday. Soooo good.
We also caught a nice "something", I think it was in the Tuna family. A beautifully colored fish but we'll eat it anyway...
That's the Bahama's Mon"..
"Rapid Roy" showing off his catch too. we are going to eat "High on the Hog" tonight.
Let's go see how many more we can come up with before we head in.
I hear theres a party at the marina tonight.
The Grill Master is hard at work, only problem is he should have started about 2 hours earlier.
He's grillin' for 40+ people in a grill for 10. It's going to be a late supper.
Tent's up, orders are in. let's eat.
It's "Grill and Chill" night at the Marina....Beer 4$....Rum Punch 8$..meat and two sides 10$..
I think they drag it out to sell more drinks......not a bad plan and it works .
When you ask when it will be done they say "I'll call you Mon". it's da' Bahamas" no hurries....
I am talking with Jeff and Karen Siegel, they are the couple that designed and wrote the "Active Captain App" activecaptain.com
Active Captain has done more for the boating community than anything since GPS came along.
Also met some other interesting couples while waiting for the Grill Master to cook up the Chicken, Pork Steaks and Ribs....
Saturday, Feb. 28, 2015
Today is chore day. Got a few things to do to the tender. Seems we developed a small leak in the lower unit while in Marathon. Water was getting into the oil so I picked up some seals in Miami but waited until we got to a calm marina to do the repairs.
Hopefully, we wil be able to use the tender a lot in the Exumas. There we will be anchored out most of the time and do our exploring with the tender.
It's party time tonight at the clubhouse.
One of the Gals who visits here every year had a 50th birthday so the locals and the marina guests threw a big party.
Lots of great food with music and dancing afterwards.
Fun was had by all.
Even some fireworks to top off the night.
We have snotty weather moving in tonight so guess we will hunker down a just chill for a few days.
Life is good...
It's even better in the Bahamas.
Monday, March 2. 2015
Seven dingoes heading out to Goat Cay to do some exploring and snorkeling.
It's about a 4 mile run up to Goat Cay and very near Great Stirrup Cay. Stirrup is where some of the cruise lines take their guests for snorkeling, jet skiing, swimming, etc.
Beautiful turquoise waters along the way. Several caves etched into the rocky shoreline.
Clear skies and a great day for snorkeling. I hope.....
We found the spot but I spend most of my energy trying to make sure the anchor was set so I could leave the Admiral in the tender.
This just ain't as easy as it was 30 years ago...imagine that.
Also forgot to put the ladder in the Whaler so it was quite a challenge getting back onboard.
We stopped at a secluded little beach on the way back to drink a beer and let Annie play in the water.
Annie has become quite the boat dog. She loves to run the beach and go swimming. She can swim with or without the life jacket.
We hung out here for some time, great day in the Islands.
Me and Annie playing in the sand. We ran hard in this powder soft sand. What a beautiful little getaway.
Honest Mommy, I wasn't digging in the sand.
Is it time to go back yet? I wanna play some more..
Heading back in as the sun is setting, Howard, Mary, and JoAnn is in the Nazdar dingy.
JoAnn's husband "Rapid Roy the Stock Car Boy" is riding with us in "Mystic Girl".
Another great day in the Berry Islands.
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Walked over to the Beach Club Bar today and 'Low and Behold' Christine found a place to go shopping. The girl was about to have a shopping break down until finding this little Art Shack.
We grabbed a Burger and Fries with Don and Cindi Peterson from "Sun Storm" and the folks from "Ho Hum"who we met earlier this week. Had a few "Kalik" beers and enjoyed the view from the patio.
The beach is awesome but we saved that adventure for another day.
Be sure to see the GoPro video of the island and this Beach Bar. The link is a few stories down the post.
The Admiral in her Sunbrella Cap.
We will come back here again, the burger was really good.....
Back at the Marina this young fellow caught a nice dolphin "Mahi-Mahi" out of his 28 foot sailboat.
Just for you Spivey.
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
Didn't do much today, just hung around the marina and waxed on "Mystic Lady" for a while.
Also jump started Ryan's tender, seems he left the key on overnight and it won't start. He had promised his bosses wife they would go spear fishing today.
When they returned to the marina they had a cooler full of fish.
Some grouper, red snapper, hog fish, etc.
Ryan gave me the hog fish for helping him get the tender started. She said it is better than grouper, we'll see.....The Admiral is going to fry it up tomorrow...
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Howard loaned us his golf cart so we took a ride over to the local Minit Mart...
This is it, Deans variety store...
a Bahamian 7-11....
Gotta love the Islands...
Also buzzed over to the fuel depot. It's the only fuel on Great Harbour Cay.
Notice the pumps down on the dock, that's where we will "Top Off" Mystic Lady when we leave.
Diesel today is 3.80 plus tax...making it $4.33..
Not to worried about fueling up here because the entire island electricity is powered by diesel generators so they use a lot of fuel.
The town of Bullocks Harbor is in pretty sad shape. Lots of old abandoned buildings line the streets. The hurricanes have taken a toll on this quaint little town.
Several buildings have been started but never finished. A tribute to the poor economy of the Islands.
Most agree the Islands were better off under British rule.
But back on "Mystic Lady" ......life is good. Grillin' a little chicken at the upper helm station....
Several boats leaving out today and tomorrow. The weather window is good for moving to the Exumas or back to the states.
We will wait for the next window as the weather improves with each passing week.
Friday, March 7, 2015
Turned out to be a good decision, our view now from the aft deck is much better, quieter, less sun in the evenings, etc.
I guess that's why she is the Admiral.....
So after the chores were done we loaded Annie and some gear into the Whaler and went beach searching.
We found a small secluded beach called "Bardot Beach" that we could anchor in close. Annie swam to shore and played in the sand while the Admiral strolled the beach.
Can you imagine, $40 for two six packs of beer.
Oh, well. It's Da Bahama's Mon....
Jacob and Dana are Law students who graduate next month, and take the BAR in July.
Jacob grew up here in the summers because his grandfather was one of the investors who plowed millions of dollars in Great Harbour Cay to develop it into an elite Island for the wealthy.
I know you've heard "Build it and They will come"....well they built it but only the rich and famous came..
Quite a story, they invested 38 million dollars in the mid-sixties but failed to promote it properly and it never happened.
His hobby now is filming Go-Pro videos from his drone.
Click on the link below to see his Drone mounted GoPro video of the Island we are on. He does a nice job with music and scenery..
GoPro Great Harbour Cay
The end to another great day in the Berry Islands.
Mystic Lady at her new location as the sunsets over the bow.
Tomorrow is the "Street Fair"....That should be interesting.
Saturday, March 7, 2015
Great Harbour Cay Street Party, vendors from town, DJ music, and fish and conch dinners.
The Harbor Master and Marina Mgr. did a great job of preparing the grounds with lights and decorations but the locals just don't seem to get motivated.
Only a few vendors showed up to display their goods.
I had the fish but it wasn't to my liking. A little undercooked and any time the fish is looking back at me I just don't feel good about eating it.
I went to the boat and had a bowl of soup.
Just couldn't resist this picture of the cute little Bahamian girl though.
It was a great night for the local kids, they really get into the street fair.
Someone had planned for them to participate in the "Junkanoo Festival".
Notice the kid caring the 55 gallon oil drum..He was King Drummer.
Other kids had homemade instruments of all sorts. Even Mico our dockhand was included.
Fun to watch them dance in the streets to the music.
Monday, March 9,2015
We woke up to the smell of smoke this morning and that's never a good thing, especially in a marina.
Seems a brush fire had started up the hill from us by the old abandoned clubhouse.
The Easterly winds kept the marina smokey all day.
Speaking of the Old Abandoned Clubhouse, here's a little history.
The clubhouse was over a million dollars, and that's in1969. Roads were paved, bridges built, marina with waterfront bars, 18 hole golf course with golf villas, etc.
This is a shot of the dilapidated old clubhouse, after wandering thru the ruble it is apparent it was very elite in it's day.
Taken from the bridge that leads to the golf course and golf villas.
Click on the youtube video below for a "drone look" at this old building.. Another cool video by new friend Jacob.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gYCb4RT4RY
Notice the railing on the bridge, solid stainless steel rails...Those weren't cheap.
The bridge is in good shape but has had no maintenance in years.
Probably never because the whole project failed in a few short years.
At this point we met a local man who was taking a short cut to town on one of the cart paths. He offered to tell us some history along the way.
He took us off the cart path at one point and showed me what was left of "Beverly Hills" as the locals called it.
It was old golf villas that had been overtaken by mother nature. Only concrete steps and a few foundations were visible.
I love to get the old locals talking about what it was like back in the 70"s on Great Harbour Cay.
It must have been a sight to see:
Click on the link below for some more history of Great Harbour Cay http://www.berryislandassociation.com/history/
It was another of the fine restaurants/bars that were built back in the 70's to accommodate the rich and famous.
The old bar is on the right side with the colorfully decorated doors and windows.
Leon says it was like a wonderland in those days. He was just 20 years old but remembers it well....
It's "PotLuck" night at the marina, sure hope it's as good as the potluck dinners at RiverBend.
Turns out it was as good, not better, just as good. Those gals at RiverBend are great cooks.
Jeff and Karen Siegel, founders of "Active Captain" presented me with my Active Captain hat at the dinner tonight.
Thanks to my Admiral we have posted enough reviews on Active Captain to earn the hat. It takes 250 points to get the hat and since this dynamic duo is here with us at Great Harbour Cay they decided to give it to me personally instead of mailing it.
Karen did the honors...
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
The Admiral needed a day for some house cleaning so Annie and I walked over to the beach for some exercise.
The powder soft sand was a treat for Annie as she runs the beach and darts in and out of the water.
She has no fear and the waves did not slow her down. She had not been exposed to waves until getting over on this Atlantic Ocean side of the island.
Today, it's all about Annie having fun in the sand.
And boy, does she have fun. Rolling upside down in the sand is her favorite.
Well, maybe digging holes in the sand is her favorite.
"I just know that little creature is down there somewhere and I'm gonna find him"
On our walk back to the marina I notice this sign in the front yard of a home here on the Island.
Can you make out what it says???
We take all the dingys and raft up with each other (dogs included) and we just drift in the bay outside the marina. Drink in hand of course.
It's a good opportunity to meet folks and their dogs.
Six showed up this evening but sometimes it is as high as 15 dingus.
Note: At this point go to :
Our Island Adventure II....2015...Part Two