December 18, 2011

Sunday December 18, 2011

I woke up to chatter from neighboring slips here at the Marina and I heard Fred’s voice in the mix.  Boat and weather opinions were being exchanged.  I could already tell the day was going to be beautiful from the blue skies and shining light streaming in from the hatches.  First on the agenda for me...a real shower.  I am talking about letting the warm “fresh” water spray over my entire body without turning it off and on and sitting on the toilet.  Actually, I was able to shampoo my hair twice and I didn’t even want to get out but this was enough luxury for the day.  I really loved the gift of a shower though!

Fred decided to move Casa Mare’ out to swing on the hook and swing we did.  At the marina, it was $30.00 a night, Water was 60 cents a gallon, $10.00 a day for internet access and I have no idea how much electricity was.  It was clearly more economical to swing on a hook just north of the marina.  The wind was strong and we had to set anchor, twice.  The first anchor set well but the winds carried Casa Mare’ on a collision course to merge with a neighboring sailboat.  They had two anchors set to prevent theirs from swinging with the current as well as with the wind.  The harmony of the vessels movements seemed to sync except the one we were moving towards.  Fred started the engine but by then our dinghy prop was over his anchor bow line.  Immediately a neighboring boat was speeding to the rescue in his brand new dinghy and helped us out.  At last...we were free and moved even further north, making us more vulnerable to the elements of wind and current but, nothing to collide with unless the anchor didn’t hold.  Anxious to go ashore, we explored the beaches to the west of the island.  I found my 1st conch and wanted to keep it.  I thought it may be the last one I ever see on a beach.  In Wrightsville beach, mine would be considered a find.  Not here!  Walking a little further they were everywhere, some prettier than mine and some larger, but mine was special.  It was my “first” find.  I picked up a few pieces of sea glass as well as a sponge, a few pieces of coral and a variety of shells to bring back and try to identify.  It was hard not to pick everything up and I had suddenly realized this was not the last beach I would be beach combing.  I collect sea fans and as luck would have it, there it was, waiting to be found.  I claimed it also.  We explored a really old cemetery which was covered with some type of thick mossy grass.  It reminded me of Bermuda grass but Mercy, thick means when walking on it my feet would sink down about 6 inches.   It felt wonderful to step into it. 

The evening was rocking and rolling.  I woke Fred up to tell him there was a strange noise coming from the bow and I thought we were dragging anchor. 

Fred jumped up and said, “the snubber came lose”.  Darn it all, I was the one who set the snubber.  We both ventured on deck with flashlights only to find the snubber was still secure.  A sigh of relief flew through my body.  It was hard to sleep after that.  Like a new house, all the creeks and bumps were something I had to get used to.  I lay there going over the day and during the mess with the first near collision, I could see the anchor at the bottom and right next to it was a huge Star Fish.  I knew this was not the time to shout to Fred with excitement of my discovery, but that darn thing looked to be about 8” and very well fed.  God reveals so many wonderful things to me, even in a crisis!  I thank God for all the gifts he has given me.

December 17, 2011

Saturday, December 17, 2011

I was awake before the alarm went off, one of the few times we set it because we are on island time now but we were so tired and wanted an early departure so it was necessary.  We were ready so there was nothing to do except start the coffee and bring up the anchor.  The weather was nice as we raised anchor at 4:33 am.  It was dark although I noticed how light the deck was.  Realizing that it wasn’t coming from the mast lights above , but a half moon.  Moon beams shone on the water as if tiny specks of lights were raising out of the ocean waiting to guide our way.  South East winds were 12.6 knots although we were actually moving at 6.2 knots.  By 5:03 AM we were officially in the ocean, passing the mile marker 1.  At 5:23 we made a turn at Fowey’s Rock and were moving through 3-4 foot waves.  Looking back over the stern I could see Miami lights in the far distance and a few blinking lights ahead on the port and starboard side of us.   I was so glad I put a patch on last night.  I didn’t get sick at all.  Coffee in hand, we watched the sunrise in the East, coming through the distance clouds.  It seemed to be lighting up our destination.  Too early for pictures when it was too dark and later land was too far to capture in the lens so I just sat back, let Fred do the navigations heading at 111 degrees and trusted that would take us to Bimini.  Once we saw land I opened my gift from Jim, Linda and Jennifer.  Thank you, all three of you!  I can’t wait to use it,  A beautiful colorful book on reef fish.  The water was sapphire blue then later turned to a lighter blue, to turquoise to a beautiful island green.  I could see the bottom so I ventures to the bow, scamming to bottom to catch a glimpse of anything.  I thought I saw birds, but upon closer observation, I realized they were coming out of the water and flying then just as fast as they appeared, the disappeared.  “Flying fish”  I yelled back to Fred, pointing at the same time so he wouldn’t miss it but it was too late.  I remember Fred telling me that the water was so clear you could see the anchor at 80 feet.  I could almost see the specks of sand and wondered just how deep it was beneath Casa Mare’.  He was right, it was like there was no water between me and the bottom of the ocean.  My body jerked as if someone had lassoed us to a screaming halt.  By the time I got back to the cockpit, Fred was already on the radio and I heard him say, “I hit ground” must have shoaled up.  The only other thing I heard him mumble is…”and it’s high tide too”  I knew what that meant.  No need to drop anchor and just secure things below because we were either going to port or starboard.  I didn’t panic...but wait…”high tide now” I asked myself?  That means this is as good as it gets and there was no waiting for more water to come in and raise the boat.  I started to ask him if he had tow boat us or sea tow but the engine grew louder and louder as he tried to dig himself through the area.  For a moment there I thought if I leaned real far on one side or the other, that would help but before I could ask what I could do, we were moving again.  Fred radioed to incoming cruisers to take the South entrance because this area is too shallow.  We pulled into Bimini Blue Water Resort and Marina.  Set a spring line and we were ready to check in.  As Fred was filling out the papers the dock master gave him for immigration etc, I jumped off the boat and down the marina to get a shot of Casa Mare’ in her slip.  I heard Fred call me and I answered be he had already spotted me.  “You can’t do that, get back on the boat, you are under quarantine, want to get me thrown in jail?”.   “Quarantine?” I thought.  Then he explained that until we check into customs and immigration we are not allowed to leave the boat.  I scurried back inside, got my passport and Stasia’s papers and off Fred went to do the immigration check in thing.  We found that they no longer take you for 6 months, we need to check in after 3 months again.  “New Boss” the officer said.  When in Rome, do as the Roman’s do I thought.  I just stayed quiet and waited until everything was legal as Stasia was trying to recover from her trip across...poor thing.  The vet told us cat’s don’t get seasick.  Don’t believe it.  During the early dark hours, Stasia emptied her breakfast between Fred’s feet, twice.  Poor thing hung her head in the cockpit combing locker as if it were her own personal puke bucket, most of the trip.  We did manage to throw the planner off but not a bite today.  Rhapsody, next to us in the marina, not only caught a big fish,  but also saw a pod of pilot whales.  They were just behind us about a half hour or so.

December 16, 2011

Friday, December 16, 2011

Last minute running around turned out to be quite an exercise day for us.  I got to take my first bus ride on a public bus in the US.  Interesting and they only charged a quarter!  Cheapest thing I have seen in years.  The bus took us n the opposite direction we thought it would but happened to drop us off at another Marine store which had most everything we needed, except the lights.  I walked in and had a wonderful sales man named Chris and Fred told him I needed a planer and a hand line for cruising to the islands so set me up!  Set me up he did, he wrapped all the line on the ring, tied swivels and hooks and lures on leader lines for me as well a spoons.  While watching him explain what each colorful thing was to catch what and tie the different fishing stuff to lines, I thought it would be a good idea to purchase something with pictures and descriptions of fish I caught since the only thing I can identify is a goldfish and flounder.  I have heard you shouldn’t eat blow fish for some reason so I am hoping they tell you that stuff in the book I got.  Of course, there are shells there also so I had to get something to identify the shells and...I knew a girl shouldn’t be out in the wild blue yonder without a map so I threw a nautical chart in the mix of things as if I knew where I would be like looking at a road map.  Yep, another thing to learn on this adventure...how to read  map with no roads on it.  $150.00 later I realized I don’t even like to eat fish, I just like to catch them and throw them back.  I asked Fred if I caught anything would he eat them?  He said yes.  I said “will you clean them also”?    He said yes and I knew we were set for food...for him anyway.  I said “Gee, I hope I catch a fish” and he replied, well...if you only catch one that will be a mighty expensive fish”.  Now I am on a mission...I need to catch and eat fish.  I still hesitate at the latter part of the mission but, I will try it anyway.  West Marine was only a few blocks away they said and pointed us in that direction.  We walked and walked and walked until more than 1/2 hour later we saw the West Marine sign.  I kept telling Fred, “Come on, this is good exercise”.  I could tell by the look on his face he would rather have paid top dollar for a taxi but he was a great sport about it.  Finished up the list and a bus stop was on the next corner.  I knew how we were getting back to the marina, and walking was out of the question.  We fueled up, squeezed every bit of water that would fit into the boat and the rest went into water jugs, 25 more gallons worth.  It was free here, one of the last places we go to find free water.  It’s 50 cents a gallon in the islands.  Not to worry, I will be washing dishes in sea water as well as bathing in it also, yep, just like a mermaid, as long as I don’t see any sharks around.  I will probably have Fred sit in the cockpit and watch the fish finder for any BIG things swimming towards the boat.  We made it to No Name Harbor just as the sun was setting, made a pass into the harbor and decided to swing on a hook just outside the entrance.  This would lead for an easier exit in the morning.  We ran into s/v “Rhapsody” Carol and Skip, who are planning to leave in the morning the same time we are, about 4:00 am.  I Called Mom & Dad, Jim, Linda & Jennifer, Marion and Janet as promised before we left.  I was reasonably sure they wouldn’t want me to call them at 4 AM so I spent most of the evening chatting, knowing it would be the last time in awhile we would chat, except for Skype and that’s only when and if we have internet.  My phone will be useless in the islands so It will be temporarily disconnected for the duration of the trip.  I had the option of doing that and still keeping my number when I get back.  Dinner was quick, kielbasa and sauerkraut.  Good thing to have when you know you will be on deck most of the next day...breezy, you may say.  We raised the dinghy onto the davits and are set to go.  Fred says it will take about 8 hours to get there so I decided to set off the SPOT every hour to track our progress over the open seas.  From then on, we plan to set it “only” when we drop the anchor.  I am so excited, I can’t sleep.  Fred is sleeping and I overheard him telling my Dad that he will get us started and let me sail on to Bimini while he goes back below to sleep.  Maybe I should put on the life line while he sleeps.  Sooooo...off we go!

December 15, 2011

Thursday December 15, 2011

Fred saw a possible window on Saturday and radioed other boats nearby and they saw the same thing.  Still waiting for the camera housing to arrive, we did some last minute things around Casa Mare’ threw together a quick list of things we needed before we left for Dinner Key and waited for an email from UPS saying the package was delivered at Office Depot.  Bread, fruit etc were things we knew would be expensive once we crossed.  Not that it was an emergency to get those items, I came prepared with a few recipes and ingredients as well as cans of different fruits, just in case.  As soon as we returned from shore, we were under way.   The sky looked threatening but we were ready for that and continued on with our plans.  Soon the sun burst out from behind the clouds, leaving the illusion of  shimmering diamonds over the white capped water ahead.  I couldn’t resist, grabbed a cushion and bungee chord and went to the bow, strapped the cushion on the mast, sat down on the deck and took it all in.  The breeze felt wonderful, the air was full of salt and occasionally I would feel the sea spray mist over my body.  I wondered how deep it was, I imagined 12 feet or less.  The sun was on it’s way down to the West.  Boaters coming in here and there but it felt like the world was mine.  A great time to connect with God and thank him for all the beautiful gifts he filled my eyes with on this day.  I looked up and there they were, a pair of dolphins playing in the waves as they approached us from ahead.  I quickly turned around and got Fred’s attention so he had the chance to experience our first dolphins on this trip, jumped up and went to the Port side of the bow.  They came within 2 feet of the boat, swam along side and we left them playing in our wake.  It was like a Bon Voyage.  My heart was at peace.  Coming into the harbor was amazing.  So many masts, looking like toothpicks in the horizon.  It was only when we got closer, we could see the boats.  I grabbed my camera, not wanting to miss a photo opt of our last civilized port before we hit the islands.  Getting closer, I got up to put my camera below and Fred said, stay there...set the anchor over the bow roller.  Huh?  I hadn’t a clue what he was talking about and didn’t dare ask, I just used my head, headed for the bow where the anchor came out of the anchor locker and looked for anything that looked like a roller, pulled back on the chain lined it up with the cradle of, what I guessed was, the roller.  The anchor snapped tight, dangling over the bow, thirsty to merge with the water below.  I waited for Fred to hit the windless, and release the anchor, making sure my toes were out of the way.  Nothing like dripping blood in an body of water that harbored sharks.  Down went the anchor.  “Tell me the colors as you see them on the anchor chain” he yelled from the stern.  Watching it creak through the rollers I yelled “Red, White, Blue”, (sounded patriotic to me) and the anchor stopped.  I felt it jerk Casa Mare’ setting into the bottom and Fred came up to hook on the snubber (I’m still not sure the exact purpose of a snubber was, I was just happy to find the roller) to the chain and cleat it off, returned to the stern and hit the windless for a few more seconds…”yellow, green” I yelled as he nodded, smiled and turned off the engine.  We were here, the last place to gas and water up. Before we headed for No Name Harbor on Key Biscayne and the Florida light on Cape Florida.  Our plan was to take a bus to West Marine tomorrow morning to pick up a transducer, a water can, planer for my fishing experience  and a few spreader and steaming light bulbs.  Saturday was going to be an exciting day.  Last day in the continental USA.  I could hear party music coming from shore, not unusual for a boating community.  It reminded me of a Saturday night, not Thursday.  I lay there, trying to think of a way not to act excited.  I found that impossible.  God had so much for me to see.  My eyes closed as I slipped into the night.

December 14, 2011

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

So much for paying extra to have something shipped in 2-3 days.  No camera case yet.  I’m learning...there is no schedule allowed when on a sailboat.  I also learned that water will last us 8 days.  All that scrimping on water doing the dishes confirms my plan to go into the sea water dish washing mode when we hit the islands.  I tried for a shower today and when I squeezed into the shower tube and sat down (on the toilet) I turned the water on and all I got was a gurgling “burp” and it didn’t come from me.  Just as I was about to tease Fred for being the water oinker (he got the first shower) he asked me to hold and he ran on deck and emptied 3 water jugs into the tank.  What a sweetie...either that or he was tired of smelling me.  I’m not sure how long that much will last but it’s time to conserve on water even more.  This is fun!  Fred worked on some wiring today while I schlepped around on the boat.  My friends Paul and Donna Lopes were on the NCL “Dawn” which was scheduled to leave port about 4:00.  I asked Fred if we could run to the harbor entrance and take pictures of them leaving.   We hopped into the dinghy, armed with the photo bag, and rode to the entrance of Miami Harbor to bid farewell to Paul and Donna Lopes and their son.  Bobbing up and down in the swells,  waiting for her to pass,  I grabbed for my camera, trying to decide if I should use my telephoto instead but chose against it.   She looked beautiful against the bright orange sunset and I was hurrying to catch that perfect shot when something went wrong with my camera.  I suddenly remembered something…”operator error”...the battery was still plugged in the wall on Casa Mare’, charging.  Yep, I forgot to  put the battery back in the camera.  I broke the news to Fred and he just stared at me, being the patient wonderful guy he is said n a very professor like tone…”you have your cell”.  What a genius!  Yes, we waved wildly, yes, I got a few pictures and no, I didn’t see Paul or Donna. 

There were over 2,000 hanging over the rails and balcony’s, wildly waving back at us.  Had to be us, we were the only speck of anything in the water next to them.  I know they are having fun though!  After dinner Fred beat me in a game of Yahtzee but I came back only to beat him again...twice.  He decided he had enough of that game.  The wind is wild on deck, clouds are moving swiftly over us and I believe the chances of seeing any meteor showers tonight from  Miami will be rare, and it’s a bit chilly.  The boat rocks in the wind as Christmas music fills the cabin.  Tomorrow we may head on down to Dinner Key if the camera housing comes in.  We are excited to move on!

December 13, 2011

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Fred went to shore to try to find a few things for the boat while we are within reach of local stores.  I stayed back to update my stuff online and post a few pictures since we have excellent connection today.  He returned with a pretty Christmas Rose for me, my first flower received from him.  Now it really looks like Christmas in here.  Read some and actually gave myself permission to take a short nap.  That was hard to do as I seem to always want to be busy doing something because naps would be wasted time to me unless I was sick.  I woke up to Fred and Mark chatting and Fred invited him aboard.   He talked about how stressed he was with his job and decided to retire and live out his lifelong dream, which is what he is beginning to do now.  He reminded me of my brother Jim, wanting to experience life to it’s fullest and dare to dream on further.  The wind today was really strong, about 20 knots which swung Casa Mare’ in all directions.  Fred decided it wasn’t a good day to move on so we stayed since my camera housing is tracked to be here tomorrow.  Dinner was chicken salad and a movie.  It’s nice just relaxing and finding little things to do.  I love not having a schedule, not knowing what day of the week it is as well as not even knowing the date.  I am reminded daily of the date by writing, but for that only.  Good training for me to be still and listen to God.  I have been thinking about the birth of Christ more than the trip these past few days.  This has certainly brought me closer and more in tune with communicating with God, no doubt.  Every day is a gift from him.  My heart jumps when I think of that.  I love my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

December 12, 2011

Monday, December 12, 2011

The aroma of coffee was lingering in the air as I woke up.  It was a beautiful day.  Mark, our neighbor from Toronto, sailing “Aster” rowed over to Casa Mare’ and pumped us for information on the trip ahead.  He is planning to make the same trip only further.  Yesterday he told us he was nervous and Fred even out me at ease as they talked about the crossing.  I told him about my brother Jim’s trip with Jennifer and Linda and he asked for Jim’s website and email address.  I had to confess that this was my first trip sailing there also.  The only thing I could really contribute to the conversation was the wonderful discovery of Ziploc bags that come with a pump to take all the air out of it.  A friend of our told us about them and they are my favorite provision on the boat!  I pumped everything here away...need the exercise anyway!  Later in the day Fred said, lets go to Monument Island.  I grabbed my camera and hopped in.  “You drive”  he said.  “Me???  Drive this thing? “ I said as I glanced at all the boats so close to ours.  Fred made it sound so easy but I have seen people start them in gear and had the wildest time of their life, nearly ramming everything in sight.  Under his instructions, I threw it in neutral, pulled the choke and gave it a bit of gas, hoping not to be like the beginners I had seen in the past.  Pulled the rope and about knocked my jaw out of place.  “Too close”  I thought and backed up a bit.  Again, but just couldn’t pull up the strength to start it.  Just when I was about to give up on one last pull, it started.  I was all over the place, it doesn’t drive like a car with a steering wheel...it goes in the opposite direction you point the stick and with me being dyslexic, I can’t tell you how my head spun.  Faster than the prop for sure.  Within a few yards, I was on a straight course to the Island.  It was the return that was so confusing.  I missed the boat...twice.  The first time I tried to back up since I over calculated my approach and ended up further from the boat so Fred had me turn around and start all over again, coming in at a 45 degree angle.  My problem, I was having a hard time determining where to start the 45 degrees...I was still all over the place.  Finally coming up close to the boat, Fred grabbed the stanchion pole and held us tight, commanding me to put in neutral.  “Yes sir” I thought.  Disembarking took a few times.  First time I fell back into the dinghy but the second time I swallowed my pride and climbed back aboard, knowing I needed more practice.  Fred gave me a proud smile and not another word was spoken about my first dinghy lesson.  I think I need more open waters and a buoy to practice in.  Dinner was Rosemary/garlic chicken on the grill, cucumbers marinated in soy sauce and rice.  Robert Goodreau called and we discussed the trip.  He was hoping we would be coming down to Key West.  What a great guy!  We shared family storied, living in Morocco stories as well as Island stories.  He seems very familiar with the Islands.  He said he may just fly over to see us after we get there.  It would be fun!  Fred beat me at 2 games of Backgammon tonight.  I did manage to get on the internet just long enough to post a few things then I lost connection.  It’s quiet, Fred is reading, I can hear the water lapping against the dinghy as we slowly rock from port to starboard, like being in a cradle.  I have never known such peace.