4/13/09 After a rolly night at Powell we moved to Allans-Pensacola. The wind was not as cooperative today so we only put up the main to pretend we were a sail boat. After anchoring and lunch we walked over to the Atlantic side beach. Jay and Ginger added their names to the signing tree. Wayne and I walked to the point to see how the Atlantic side anchorage looked. The wind was predicted to shift during the night. The seas were already starting to lie down. Early in the evening Teamwork pulled into the anchorage. After dinner we taught Ginger how to play Mexican Train Dominoes. Jay only needed a short refresher lesson because he played Mexican Train when he visited us on our first cruise.
4/14/09 The wind was shifting to the south, so we needed to move to the Atlantic side of Allans-Pensacola. Teamwork left before we did and radioed to say that the anchorage looked perfect for the wind. We moved around the island and anchored not far from Teamwork and very close to where we had anchored when we were there before. Ginger had never snorkeled before but wanted to give it a try. We went to shore to let her try snorkeling. Although Ginger is a good swimmer, she has a touch of claustrophobia and is also nearsighted. Because she could not see well out of the mask and felt closed in, she decided that she would not be snorkeling on this trip. She did enjoy swimming around while Jay, Wayne and I snorkeled and explored the white sandy bottom near shore. Later in the afternoon Teamwork called to say they were going out to the reef so Bill could do some fishing and asked if any of us would like to go. Jay and Wayne joined them for a short snorkeling trip before the rain started. Ginger and I stayed on Born to Cruise and I taught her how to play Quiddler. We enjoyed Trigger Fish for dinner. Trigger Fish is a mild white meat fish that is very tasty. The Trigger Fish was from our freezer, Teamwork had given it to us after a previous snorkel trip. After dinner Bill called on the radio to say he was watching the radar and we were in for an evening of squalls and heavy rain. We had a lot of squalls this evening. Bill kept us informed of when to expect them. We played Farkle and kept a close watch on the storms. The boat got a nice rinse and we were thankful when the storms had finally passed around 10:00 PM so we could go to bed.
4/15/09 Teamwork was going snorkeling and invited us along. Jay and Ginger road over with Teamwork. Wayne and I took the dinghy. It was a beautiful reef with lots of fish. The first thing I saw when I got to the reef was a big grouper. I called Bill over and he caught it. Ginger fished some with Bettie Sue, then Jay took her for a dinghy ride using the Looky Bucket. A Looky Bucket is basically a 5 gallon plastic paint bucket that has had the bottom replaced with something that is clear so you can see through it. They really work well to see into the clear Bahamian water. Bill found a small turtle on the reef and pointed him out so I could get a picture. The turtle was not posing well so Bill picked him up so I could take a few pictures. As I was going back to the boat after snorkeling I saw a big Trigger Fish under Teamwork. Bettie Sue put a hook in the water and was able to catch him. There was a four foot barracuda hanging around keeping his distance. When I saw the 9' nurse shark I decided it was time to stop snorkeling for the day.
Earlier in the season Bill had mentioned he would love to climb our mast and take pictures. The conditions were right, so he came over and took pictures from the spreaders.
The winds were going to pick up over-night so we moved back to the main anchorage. After we moved Bill came over to take more pictures, this time climbing to the top of the mast. Bettie Sue had cleaned the two fish and gave us half the catch of the day. I downloaded the pictures I had taken underwater and got some good ones. Unfortunately when I tried to take another picture later in the day the camera would not work. Now we are definitely getting another underwater camera when we get back. After dinner we taught Jay and Ginger how to play Rummy Cube.
4/16/09 This morning Bill was burning his trash on the beach and Wayne and Jay joined him and burned our paper trash. I made granola and shared my recipe and technique with Ginger. After lunch we again snorkeled with Teamwork. We went to a beautiful area of reef on the inside of Allans-Pensacola Cay. I was so disappointed that my underwater camera was not working because I was eye to eye with so many beautiful fish. I guess we will just have to go back next year so I can get my pictures. Bill and Bettie Sue once again caught fish and shared them with us. We had wonderful fresh fish for dinner! When Bettie Sue cleaned the fish she saved the non edible parts, around sunset Bill threw these parts in the water between our two boats. He attracted 4 small reef sharks and a large ray. They enjoyed their snack and we enjoyed watching them. Tonight we played a card game called "oh hell".
4/17/09 The winds were again shifting so it was time to move. Teamwork was going to head north to catch a crossing window and we were going back south. We said our good byes with the promise that we would see each other soon. After breakfast we raised anchor and went to Powell Cay. We swam and snorkeled the ship wreck at Powell Cay. After lunch we again raised anchor and made the trip to Manjack Cay. The winds were already picking up and the water was choppy which made for a bumpy ride. We anchored at Nunjack Beach at Manjack Cay. Tonight it was Dominoes night, so we played Smutchski and Mexican Train dominoes..
4/18/09 Happy Birthday to Ginger! We spent the morning walking the north beach of Manjack Cay. A beautiful beach but not many shells and no sea glass to pick up. We did pick up some trash and put it in piles. After lunch we moved to the main anchorage at Manjack Cay. Jay swam out to snorkel the barge wreck while Wayne and Ginger followed in the dinghy. I made Key Lime Pie while they were gone. Ginger's birthday dinner was steamed lobster, green bean casserole, pasta salad and key lime pie. Games for the evening were Farkle and Mexican Train Dominoes.
4/19/09 Our adventure today was a visit to Bill and Leslie on Manjack Cay. They have 5 acres of property that they have spent 17 years nurturing. They have a beautiful home surrounded by plants and flowers, including vegetable gardens and fruit trees. They have beautiful chickens and feed a variety of birds. Jay fed the little birds in the palm of his hand. Ginger fed the chickens out of her hand. Bill explained bees and their importance to Wayne and me. It was a wonderful morning, we appreciate Bill and Leslie sharing their piece of paradise with us. After lunch Jay and Wayne snorkeled the barge wreck. This evenings games were Triominos and Farkle.
4/20/09 Again the winds were changing so it was time to move. We went to White Sound in Green Turtle Cay and set the anchor but did not like where we were anchored. We raised the anchored and moved to Leeward Yacht Club in Black Sound. Leeward is a new neighborhood with beautiful homes and a new dock. After lunch we rented a golf cart for 24 hours, Thanks Ginger. We explored the Lowe Art Gallery, the town of New Plymouth and got a few groceries. We decided to have dinner at the Green Turtle Club, it was excellent as usual, Thanks Jay. Farkle was the game for today.
4/21/09 It was raining early in the morning. Wayne decided it was time to pickle the water maker for the season. We only use the water maker in the pretty Bahamian water; we do not use it in the US. To pickle a water maker you put in chemicals to clean it out, flush those out and then add a chemical to "pickle" it to keep things from growing in it until you are ready to use it again. This process preserves the membrane so it can be used again. The rain stopped so we took advantage of the hours left on our golf cart rental. We walked a beach, revisited a few gift shops and had lunch at the Wrecking Tree.
The weather forecast was shaping for good a crossing window. Wayne and Jay emptied the fuel jerry jugs into the tank and were going to get them filled. We found out the nearest fuel dock was out of fuel. So Wayne and Jay just took a dinghy ride around Black Sound. Tonight's games were "oh hell" and Quiddler.
4/22/09 Jay and Ginger's flight was scheduled to leave in the early afternoon. They spent the morning packing and figuring out ways to take home shells, sand dollars and a few conch shells. We said our good byes. Once again they had door to door service as the ferry picked them up at the dock just in front of Born to Cruise. They left the Bahamas and found new snow on the ground in Colorado and unfortunately they were back to reality.
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