February 3, 2012 Rum Cay

Friday, February 3, 2012

Coffee, sunshine, devotions and my first load of whites washing up the hill..  I never thought I would say ‘life doesn’t get any better than this’ but it is today!  I am making my first major monetary contribution to Rum Cay.  $36.00 for 3 loads of wash.  One would think that is a lot of money and it is when compared to laundry mats in the states I guess but actually I don’t see how they make a profit.  They even have to make fresh water to do the wash here. I feel like the only thing missing was Rasta standing there with a staff turning sea water into fresh water.  No kidding.  Have you checked the price of water makers lately?  Bet not!  We are all so blessed to have something as simple as water coming out of our faucets with a twist of the wrist.  It cost a fortune here just to have the luxury of flushing a toilet.  I can’t tell you how grateful I am for those simple things I used to take for granted.  You do what you have to do.

I got some much needed rest last night.  Woke up once and was taken aghast when I looked out of the open hatch above me.  Stars!  Lots of them.  Heaven has got to be beautiful if it looks this amazing from here on earth.  These islands will completely take your breath away.

There are two of cruiser boats at the marina, s/v “Chaunteeler” and Casa Mare’.   S/v “Chaunteeler” lost her dinghy and it showed up at Waterick Wells in the Exumas just short of a week.  He went up to retrieve it and just got back last evening.  I think he said it took him 2 days.  Winds certainly must have been in his favor both sails.  He is heading to the Turks and Caicos also.  Everyone has their own stories, his is the Great Dinghy Race.  If you don’t have a dinghy with your boat, you are pretty much in peril unless you are a great swimmer.  It’s your lifeline to your home at sea.  The closest thing they have here to a dinghy is wind, and using that to blow it up is rather tricky.  I am glad he got his sidekick back.

We found out they do have free garbage pickup here at the docks.  We had a bag of trash but didn’t know where to dispose of it so left it on the dock next to the boat with full intentions of disposing it when we got back to the boat from the Out of the Blue Bar.  Rasta was leaving there when we got there but he said to just turn off the lights and don’t lock the door when we leave.  We forgot to ask about the trash and when we got back to the boat, the trash was gone.  Evidence was left here and there though.  They actually have trained island dogs to pick up all the trash cruisers leave next to their boat.  Lesson learned!

The wash is finally done and put up.  Fred filled the water tank, water jugs, and got the last 5 gallons of diesel on the island.  We decided we have enough provisions to get us through till the next island with a store but I did just whip up 3 batches of banana bread.

I talked to Rasta today and he told me Bobby, the owner of this marina, Sumner Point Marina, is back in the states shopping for materials.  They are going to completely renovate this marina.  I was glad to hear that.  So, this Cay does have hope!  Business is not good and vessels are bypassing  Rum Cay because it is hard to get into and damaged.   Boats are going to nearby islands.  I am glad we came here.  We are ready to set the sails again for more adventures.  Monica and Ronnie stopped by our boat just in time to have hot banana bread.  Ronnie and Fred looked over the weather and we are not leaving tomorrow, although we are ready!  Looks now like Monday may be the day.  The weather reports just changed.  Gosh , this sailing life is never one with a plan.  Steve from s/v “Chaunteeler” may join us.  There is another Catamaran talking about joining us also.  So, for sure, we are sailing with EOS.  I think we may be staying here until Monday.  Ronnie and Fred make those sailing decisions.  Monica and I just do the girl stuff and have fun! 

I found a dinghy for Fred.  I was telling Rasta about our dink adventures and he said, I have a dinghy I will sell you, hard bottom, 10 feet, no motor.  I was going to ask how much he wanted for it but instead just decided to tell Fred.  They talked and then found out he did not have the registration or the title.  Probably one of those island salvage rights items.  Fred opted out.  In NC it would be hard to own a dinghy without both of those in hand.  We wouldn’t want to break any laws.  If I am wrong about this, let me know.

Tonight it is really windy and we are glad to be in a slip.  This life is good for us!