Bimini to Staniel Cay

Happy St. Patricks Day, it is March 17th. We are in Stanel Cay, the temperature is low 80's and the weather is perfect for the tropics. The wind is blowing 15 from the east so sailing is great northwest to southeast along the Exuma Island chain. What a difference from yesterday although we cannot complain about anything.

We left Bimini on Sunday March 6th anchoring out overnight on the Bahama Banks after a long day sailing east. We then went onto Chub Cay where we snorkeled and enjoyed a beautiful sunset before heading to Nassau the next day. It was a close reach (upwind sail) so we had to tack a couple of times before a late arrival in Nassau harbor. We took a slip at a marina so that we could sleep in peace without worrying about dragging: the harbor is scoured by tides so the holding is tenuous at best. We bought some groceries, filled up on fuel and headed out to Rose Island about an hour and a half away where we met up with Wes and Jan of "Dances with Dolphins" on the north side by Sandy Cay. What a ride but the anchorage was peaceful and the bottom sand which is the best holding.

After lamb dinner with them and a day of snorkeling we moved the boats to a protected hole in the island to avoid a big NE blow. Next day we moved to an achorage on the southside and enjoyed several more days with them. All good times come to an end, Monday we headed into the Exumas under perfect conditions. We arrived in Normans Cay where we snorkeled and made some new friends who invited us for happy hour and showed off (in a nice way) their beautiful IP445, a center cockpit sailboat. It was a great day.

We then moved to Big Majors spot, but a mini-ordeal given winds on the nose twice as strong as expected. We had to tack several times and ran the motor all day as we sailed close to the wind. Steaks on the barbee at 19:30 and a nice quiet harbor.

Big Majors Spot is five minutes from Staniel where tonight we enjoy a band from 4-7 then dinner. Our friends were very understanding when we changed our destination to wait one more day before venturing futher south. We look forward to being with "Never Bored" soon.

I guess to sum it up: we are truly enjoying the best of the Bahamas now that the weather is warmer and we are in the heart of the Exumas. Somewhat gone but not forgotten are all the difficulties we've overcome and the maintenance work needing to be done. Livin for today, yeah mon.