Storm Prep 04/05/13

 We currently are sitting aboard the boat in the middle of the only major thunderstorm we’ve experienced since our departure.  The lightning is flashing all around and the rain pouring.  That’s actually why we’re here today.  This storm moved from the US coast and we’ve been watching it for almost a week.  The reports were undecided as to if it would affect our area but the conditions were too serious to ignore.  So we left the Exumas early to head for our intended dockage in Coral Harbor, near Nassau.

Weather is really the single determining factor for having a safe and happy life aboard.  It consumes at least a portion of every day’s conversations.  Being AHEAD of the weather makes life much less complicated.  So as we discussed our options for weathering this storm, we played it safe and crossed the Exuma Bank yesterday for our “safe house”.

The past few days since arriving from Eleuthera were not what we expected.  After the great reunion with Truansea and a night of cards and popcorn and stories, we said our goodbyes the next morning as they headed out for their next destination.  We filled our day in the beautiful anchorage at Normans, going for a long hike on the island where I found the most exquisite beach for a midday cooling swim. 

Norman’s was a drug haven “back in the day”.  There’s a sunken plane to snorkel that remains from a defunct drug run.  There are crazy winding roads to the water in different places and other signs of unusual, now deserted, activity.  The drug
scene is something the locals here are not happy to discuss and it stays in history as the islands have moved on.

Off of Norman’s is a tiny little island with one palm tree that has been dedicated to a cruising couple by their family.  With a bench and a couple of memorial plaques, it is a peaceful reminder of how precious our days are.  After a stop on the island, we snorkeled the crash site before weighing anchor and
once again making our way.

We anchored the next two nights at Highbourne Cay with the intention of finally being able to connect to long lost internet that we found there our last visit.  We found that not to be the case and were feeling pretty frustrated not to be able to connect to our weather sources and family.  On top of that, our dinghy motor broke when we were in Rock Sound and our fix “unfixed” itself that day so it meant we were land locked and not able to go to shore to troubleshoot the situation.

With the weather report looking ominous and our options limited for protection, we decided that being ahead of the game was our best bet.  We contacted the owner of the dock we were to use for our trip stateside next week.  With his confirmation of space, we set sail yesterday to cross the Exuma Bank. 

As is many times the case, the weather schedule had moved up from the forecast the day before and the conditions were not as good as we had hoped so we started the engine about half way across and arrived at the dock to find several other boats had found their way to our same destination for the same reason.

We gathered immediately after Moonshadow’s lines were set for a great happy hour gathering at the dock owner’s patio.  You really gotta love the cruising life!   The dock is filled up to maximum capacity of nine boats and we met many of their owners last night, sharing stories of adventures had and destinations planned.

Hazel, our new Bahamian market friend
- the best hugs in Nassau!

So here we are, back on the dock in a full-fledged storm, dry and cozy and out of harm’s way.  We will stay here now until we head to New Orleans on Tuesday for my family’s favorite yearly gathering at the French Quarter Festival just outside my Mom’s front door.  And in no time at all, we’re back to life as we USED to know it!