Shroud Cay

We had a few days with zero cell service.....but we're back on "the edge" of civilization now.

From Highbourne Cay we had a crazy sail - 30 knot winds.  We "reefed" the main (reduced the sail area) so we were safe but a bit uncomfortable with all the wave action.  (Our speed is only about 5 knots because we're sailing really "close to the wind" - we're almost pointed directly into the wind so our speed is limited).

We had a collision course with this big yacht but we actually had the "right of way"....and they nicely reduced speed to allow us to pass. 

 
Approaching Shroud Cay.   (I want to note that I do not "retouch" these photos - they're "for real")

We took the dinghy on a couple of hours trip along some tidal creeks in the interior of the island. 

It's just clear water and mangroves.

Very shallow at low tide.

This fork of the creek ended at the eastern shore and the Exuma Sound.

There was a "camp" reported to be up on a hill from many years ago - so we beached the dinghy and took a little walk.

Trail up the hill.

There was a sign at the top of the hill that registered the camp - and told us not to "leave anything" - apparently, folks had been leaving mementos here and the park officials were not amused.  Needless to say, we left nothing.

But the view was beautiful!  Exuma Sound side.

The view of the mangoves where we came in.

Back to the boat.   More later!

Highbourne Cay Activites

The wind really kicked up overnight - staying in the mid 20's most of the day.  We decided to just assume we'd get wet in the dinghy and go ashore.

The island is private, but the marina serves the public.  So we took the dinghy over - nice marina but a little pricey!

They have a well-stocked store and very nice restaurant.  Since we didn't need anything, we tried to find someone to ask if it was OK for us to walk to the Atlantic side of the island.  (It's a very narrow island!)  But, we couldn't find anyone and decided to respectfully take a walk.

The Atlantic side was beautiful!  But very rugged!  Glad we wore our hiking boots - that limestone is like walking on sharp lava.

 A little further down the beach, it turns quite lovely and deserted.

There was a little structure right on the beach - we were a little tired and stopped for a little rest since there was no one else around.

Note that it's not too sunny!  We came back to the boat (you see it out there in the anchorage, don't you?) to close all the hatches in case it rained.  Then we took the dinghy to the western shore - or the "banks" as they're called.

Anchored the dinghy on shore and took another stroll.  

After a little more rest on the boat (you see a theme here, don't you?) I wanted to go snorkeling.   There is a strong current for this reef, so it is suggested that one person snorkel while the other stays on the dinghy and just follows the snorkeler around.  Duane was happy to do this for me although he declined his turn at snorkeling.  

I'll just put up some of the photos - again they've got too much "blue" in them - I need to get a photo editor since it's just the camera that picks up the blue.  The water was actually crystal clear!

Beautiful healthy reef!  That's it for today!

Chub Cay to Highbourne Cay

Based on the weather forecast, we had to scoot again because the weather is going to turn very windy again.  Apparently that is going to be the way it is for this trip!!

So, we pulled anchor at 12 midnight and headed out from Chub Cay towards the Exumas.  The trip was 15 hours.

We passed on the west side of New Providence (Nassau) - and we did a bit of sailing finally!   But the winds soon were on our nose, so we had the motors on for the last 8 hours to make sure we got to the anchorage before dark.

Caught a 3' barracuda!!!  He fought really hard - bending the heavy rod almost double.

 I've zoomed in here - look at those teeth!  Mean bugger!!  We let him go....not good "eatin".

Arrived at Highborne Cay in the late afternoon....it was a bumpy ride again.  So, we're going to rest and hopefully do some snorkeling tomorrow!

Another pretty sunset from the back of the boat!

Bahamas - Bimini to Chub Cay

Forgot to tell you about the flags we have to fly -

We have a solid yellow "quarantine" flag when we arrive at a new country.  Only the master/captain of the ship is allowed to leave the vessel, only to go to customs and immigration to officially clear into the country.

So, on arrival at Bimini, we hoisted our "Q" flag - and Duane took the dinghy to do all the paperwork while I stayed on board.

It only took about a half hour, everything was in order - we have a year long "cruising permit" that includes a fishing license!


Back on the boat, we raised the Bahamian "courtesy flag" which we'll fly the entire time we're here.

We decided to scoot from Bimini east to a little spit of land, a good stopping point. 

So, we woke up at 1AM and lifted anchor and headed to Chub Cay.  The total trip was 15 hours, so we had to do some of it in darkness.

Put out my fishing rod - caught one reef fish, about 1' long.  Didn't want to keep him - but forgot to shoot a photo!  You'll have to trust me....

Arrived late in the afternoon to Chub Cay -  it's a private island with some fancy houses.....so we didn't go ashore.

Beautiful sunset.  We had planned to stay a day at Chub and go to nearby snorkeling sites, but the weather is going to turn windy again (story of our lives) and it would likely trap us here for several days or possibly a week.   The solution is to, once again, get up in the middle of the night tonight and head to the Exumas!   It's a 16 hour sail - and the wind angle promises that we will actually get to be a sailboat for the trip!!! 

Finally made it to the Bahamas on our own boat!

In case you didn't see the photos on FB, here a a few from Bimini - it is just beautiful here!  The rolly anchorage we stayed in this morning so that Duane could go clear us in at the Customs office.

The little town - Bimini is a really small place!

Took a walk along the beach.  We got our phones switched over to Bahamas Telephone Company - so we have internet and can make local calls.  (Our existing Verizon phone numbers are no good while we're in the Bahamas).

After getting some more diesel fuel we headed over to the north side of the island to escape the rolling water (wakes from passing boats makes our boat rock from side to side and it's just uncomfortable).    Plan to go overnite tonight to Chub Cay for some snorkeling!

7 Mile Bridge

For those of you who have been to the Keys, you're familiar with the Seven Mile Bridge.  Here it is from a little different angle this morning.

Finally heading east to Bimini

Pulled up the anchor this morning and we're currently motoring along the keys

If all goes well we'll arrive at Bimini mid day tomorrow.  We'll lose cell phone civcover, so it may be a few days before we get back online. 

Still hanging around

We're just hanging around at Ramrod Key...the weather looks really nice on Thursday, so we may move over to Marathon tomorrow to do a final fuel/water fillup.  Nothing new to report, sunny, breezy and warm here!

Still slowly on our way to the Bahamas!

We took up the anchor this morning and had a leisurely motor/sail eastbound.  We were thinking that we might just keep going east and end up in Bimini....but we looked at the weather forecast and could see the wave heights were 5-7 feet with a 5 second period.   We decided that didn't sound like too much fun....we'd be safe if we did it, but we'd be uncomfortable.....so, we pulled in at Ramrod Key and dropped the anchor.   It's near a little island called "Picnic Island" where the locals come on the weekends - shallow water so they pull up and wade to the little island for their picnics.  

 Nice anchorage - but still very windy.  The wind is howling thru the open ports on the boat, lovely temperature..... I turned the instruments on just now to see much wind is still out there.   Over 20 knots.

May stay here a day or two -  looks like the winds/waves will die down late in the week, so we may head to the Bahamas then for a peaceful gulf stream crossing!

On the way to the Bahamas

Forgot to post this photo from yesterday.  We had walked to the Winn Dixie for a couple of last minute provisions....and this iguana caught me by surprise on the sidewalk....I was shocked that he sat still for me to take this photo.

Leaving Key West - full of fuel and water after a quick stop at Conch Harbor Marina this morning.

Passing the cruise ship dock....this one is fairly small, I think!

 We slogged along for several hours today from the north side of Key West.  "Small Craft Advisory" was in effect for the area....but we thought it didn't sound too bad.  We did see 27 knot winds and the seas were as advertised - about 4-6 feet.  But the crew and boat were unscathed.....

View towards the "Southernmost Point" .....from a more southern point.  Haha.

 Several hours later, tucked in a little anchorage, safe from the nasty east winds.  Heading a bit more east tomorrow before we shove off to the Bahamas.