May 8, 2012 Sea Aquarium

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!  I know you two are celebrating somehow, how ever it is, I know you are enjoying it to the fullest!  We will celebrate again when we return.

Al and Sue invited us over to their boat this morning and we discussed the day.  There is an impending storm coming up and we want to be in a protected spot before it comes.  That day would be Thursday, unless things change.  That protective anchorage would be either Norman’s Cay or Nassau.  If it were left up to me, I would bypass Nassau but we need to go for water and fuel before we stage for the next leg towards Bimini.  We also discussed the Abacos, it was a split decision...Fred and Sue wanted to go, Al and I have pressing business to get home to.  Mine is not as pressing as Al’s but I am sure my grass and yard needs care and the plan was 6 months.  As it is now, we are pushing into seven because of the loss of the outboard motor.  There is also the factor after the month of June, of thunderstorms offshore and we would like to miss most of those.  No since of setting up put selves for that if it isn’t necessary.  The decision was made, skip the Abacos this time.  We can go there next time.  Within 15 minutes anchors were pulled and we were on our way to the Sea Aquarium, which is an underwater coral reef with lots and lots of fish.  Mercy, we weren’t even out to sea yet and the engine overheated again.  Fred said there is a very small leak in the hose so we need to pay more attention to it, like on a daily basis and nurse it home.  We had it fixed in no time and were on our way.  Sue decided not to go to the Sea Aquarium so Fred, Al and I went.  I was gun ho about it until I saw how strong the current was.  They both tried to coax me in but my better judgment told me no.  I hung over the dink with my snorkel mask on and saw quite a bit,  I thought the coral was not as pretty as yesterday but wow, the fish were in abundance.  Rainbows of abundance dancing through the corals, everything working synergistically.  It was beautiful.  The cove area is about as big as a three car garage and when back in there the current seemed to be okay, just that around the dink it was strong.  They both stayed in about 15-20 minutes, first Al jumped back into the dink then it was Fred’s turn.  I could see the current was strong and keeping him away from the dink.  Then Al and I helped him get hold of the strap and Al helped pull Fred back in.  At that point I was counting my blessings that I made the right choice.  That current was wicked.  I was there, just didn’t get in.  From there we headed to Shroud Cay.  It was a great trip, although we motored all the way.  No wind at all.  Tomorrow we will do the mangrove creeks by dinghy which, by the way, is said to be an adventure in itself.  I wish we had more time but we will see what we are suppose to see.  This trip is coming to an end, or should I say, a new beginning?  I could do this full time, live on a boat.  The seas are my passion.  Destinations are endless.  It is said that boats are costly, and they are, but it is really the cheapest way to live, if one is cut out for it.  I fall in that category.    Noah was a very fortunate man!