Dcember 28, 2011

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Happy Birthday Dad!  I love you so much!  Wish we could talk today but this weather has us confined to Casa Mare’.  Hope you are having a fun day!  We were planning to go to Mac Duffs today and I would have called you but...they are closed, due to the weather.

Last night was a rough one.  When we came back to the boat from that special little island, Fred discovered that the sump shorted out.  He wasn’t really concerned, after all, everyone has a spare sump pump, right?  Right!  Fred had a couple of them.  In spite of, we actually had hot showers and Fred dipped the water out by hand.  Bless his sweet heart.  The weather was getting rather rough by dinnertime and then the wind really picked up.  I went topside to take the clothes in but they were still damp.  It was then I was actually hoping for rain to rinse the clothes out since I soaked them in sea water with ammonia to get all the salt out of our stiff clothes.  I left them hanging in hopes of fresh water from above.  We weren’t going to be near a laundry mat for a few weeks so I thought it would be a good time to try this method out.  I actually made my own laundry soap which consists of Fells Naptha, Borax washing soda and  something else that has completely slipped my mind.  This is some strong stuff but I never gave it a thought it would take hot water to dissolve the soap in order to wash with it.  There will be a next time to boil water to dissolve the soap.  The night was rough.  The boat danced all night.  I woke Fred up because I thought I heard the anchor chain slipping.  He went topside and came back saying it was the snubber loose again.  All is well.  It did rain some but the clothes were neither wet or dry by sunrise.   The day is gloomy, no one seems to be leaving their boat and going to shore.  Listening to the radio channel 16, everyone seemed to be hunkered in for the day.  Some were even coming in from their anchorage outside and from what I understood on the radio, Mac Duffs is closed because no one could get in because the tiny airport is closed.  I think they just cancelled the day.  I took advantage of the down time and sorted out the pictures I downloaded from my camera, put a pot roast in the pressure cooker  while Fred is working on the sump pump.  I don’t think he is a very happy camper right now, but he is certainly driven to get this problem fixed.  The only help I can give him is to stay clear of his work area which, I might add, is about the entire boat.  I just try to ignore the pops, cracks and smoke coming from his project and happy this boat isn’t mine or I would be calling an electrician by now.  I asked him if we could stay another day since the weather is ugly because I really wanted to explore this area.  He agreed.  I put a pot roast in the pressure cooker for dinner, later added some potatoes and dinner became one of those comfort foods we all crave once in awhile.  Today was just that day, a good day to snuggle and stay low.  Fred found that both of his sump pumps were bad and we need to pick up another one the next opportunity we get.  All that means is that anything coming from the sink and shower don’t have a way out of the boat unless we hand dip it.  That’s okay, we are surrounded by water and who needs a shower when out at sea?  This is where one of the items I talked Fred into bringing of mine finally comes in handy.  It’s a big 3 gallon roundup sprayer used to spray weeds in the yard.  Since it was brand new I thought it would be a good thing to bring so that when we bathed over the back of Casa Mare’, we could use this to rinse the salt water off since it is filled with fresh water.  Provisional alterations!  Now I have graduated from a 2 foot square luxury sit down shower to an open sea.  Who could ask for anything more?  I even have my own personal fresh water spray operator.  Life is good!  I was deep into a book I am reading when Fred asked me which game I wanted him to beat me at.  I immediately said Scrabble.  Beat me he did.  He said he really dislikes that game because it makes him think too much.  Since this trip was not about forcing our minds to think, I thanked him for beating me at Scrabble and promised it would be the last time we played.  He smiled.  We brought several games and love to play.  Scrabble will be tucked away in the bowels of the aft cabin, out of the way.  I read myself to sleep, rocking to the rhythm of the sea.

December 27, 2011

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

I must have gotten plenty of sleep last night because when I woke up I thought I overslept and it had to be close to noon.  I quickly gave myself permission it was okay to sleep until noon and got up anyway.  The thought of coffee invited me to the galley and was perking just in time to take a cup up with me to the cockpit and welcome this beautiful day.  Fred finally got up and joined me and said “I think we will spend the day here”.  I was excited because Allen’s Cay was really the first real deserted island we anchored at.  I noticed a stack of rocks at the top of the hill on Allen’s Cay and asked Fred about them.  He explained that these were called Cairns and were built there hundreds of years ago as landmarks from sea.  I was drawn to them through the binoculars and also noticed small shrubby trees full of what looked to be small citrus hanging from the branches.  “Fruit” I thought and free at that.  I was ready to explore...right now!  We hopped in the dinghy and made out way to the small beach we passed coming into the entrance.  The sand was white and loose.  Limestone sand I suppose since the island is made up of limestone, but not the kind of limestone I had ever seen before.  It was full of holes, cracks and crevices, evident the water  had worn it’s way through creating the most eerie landscape.  Deep cave like crevices, some large some with water in them and others dry each eaten away by the sea.  It wasn’t an easy feat to climb but I just had to check out those ancient Cairns and the fruit.  The top revealed more carrins we couldn’t see from our anchorage.  One wouldn’t want to fall on this island as injury would be certain.  We found some more of those fruit trees but they weren’t citrus.  Fred, brave as he is, cut one in half and yelled over to me, “it looks like an egg with a yoke inside.”  He said the outer part was tasteless and the center bitter.  I said “it may be poisonous”.  I don’t think he swallowed  it, just tasted it.  He’s still breathing so I guess he is okay.   I had to take a specimen back to the boat just so I know what they were so I will look it up on the internet when we ever find a connection again..  Leaves looked almost like a rhododendron but the fruits ranged from green to yellow.   On our way back I heard this groan and there was Fred, one leg in a hole (which he just a bit ago warned me to be careful of)  and the rest of himself trying desperately to catch himself.  Yes, I got a picture and Yes, I laughed, when he resurrected himself from the foot snatcher.  He was okay, just a few scrapes.  He would never tell me if he wasn’t okay...men.  I found a really neat piece of wood, aged by the sea and claimed it so we could carve Casa Mare’ with our names and date on it to leave “Boo Boo Hill” on Warderick Wells, another island we will get to on this journey.  I had heard about this when my Brother Jim, Linda and Jennifer told us about it and left one with their names and “OPUS”.  Fred said we would be going there also.  Its just a tradition cruisers do when they get there.  Like the mailbox on Wrightsville beach but this is out in the middle of nowhere.   I found a few shells on that little beach at “Allen’s Cay” and brought them back with us.  Fred said the water actually looked good to cruise on so we decided since we had explored the area yesterday and today, we could move on to “Norman’s Cay” which has some interesting history itself.  It is one of the longest islands in the Exumas, 6 miles long & 1000 feet wide, It used to be a base, under control by drug Lord Carlos (Joe) Lehder for smuggling cocaine.  The only reminders from the late 70’s and early 80’s are the bullet holes in some buildings and the remains of a plane crash in the water.  I already had started to do some laundry but that wasn’t anything that couldn’t wait and do while under way.  The trip was rougher than we thought it would be, but short, a few hours or so.  And he promised me that each island would be prettier than the last.  He was right.  Coming into Norman’s Cay was like a picture from a vacation magazine.  The colors of the water, the islands, beaches and coral just beautiful.  We didn’t waste any time hanging the clothes on the lines and hopped in the dinghy to go see a plane wreck just a few yards from Casa Mare’.  I managed a few pictures but it was a bit windy so I am hoping for a calmer day while here and get better photos.  We then went to this little island Fred named “Patti’s Island” because I loved it so much.  One palm tree and a bench someone had placed there in memory of a couple who loved it as much as I do.  I couldn’t wait to get out of the dinghy.  We hit the sandy bottom before we even got to shore so I anxiously grabbed the line and stepped out of the starboard side.  One leg out and two tries were unsuccessful to get my other leg out and the third was a charm.  Fell right into the water, under the dinghy, came back up over the bow clutching for dear life and said “don’t worry, I got it under control”.  Lesson:  never exit a dinghy when the tide is coming from the other side.  The dinghy will float right over you, after you are in the water.  Not only Fred was laughing but a family on the shore was laughing as I resurfaced.  Not too sure what they were laughing at, the fall or me nearly loosing my britches over that spill.  The island was rich with great finds.   Coral, starfish, shells, sand dollars.  I couldn’t get enough of it.  I felt like I was in heaven!  I didn’t take pictures this time, I knew we were going to be here for a few days and plenty of opportunities for that.  The water is cold, found out the hard way and everyone I see snorkeling have wet suits on.  I really want to see what’s in store for me to explore under there though.  I can’t wait.  Most of Norman’s Cay is privately owned but it doesn’t feel like it.  MacDuff’s is a promised treat while here.  I could stay here for a long time!  It’s amazing how things would look if people didn’t build over God’s wonderful creation.  I am so blessed to be here!

December 26, 2011

Monday December 26, 2011

Woke up to a beautiful day to sail.  We took the dinghy into The Green Parrot with our laptops hoping to get one last chance to post some things before we left Nassau.  Although the connection was slow, I did manage to post some updates on facebook from the trip.  Fred called my parents and we talked to them until the connection went sour again but at least we got to say hi.  We could hear them, they couldn’t hear us.  Anchor up we cruised through the harbor between Nassau and Paradise island.  The water was even prettier than before.  All shades of blues and greens.  Coral heads were every where and Fred told me the first time he came through here he was really scared because coral heads can take a boat down in a really short time.  I was amazed how shallow the water was on out way to Alan’s Cay.  Threw the line out but didn’t get a bite, just a bit of seaweed.  As son as we left the harbor, the main went up then the jib.  Wind power!  Quiet, and all one could hear is the bow cutting through the water as we moved West.   We had to motor during the last part of the trip in order to reach Allan’s Cay before sundown.  This was one of the most remote places I have ever been.   As soon as the anchor was set, we lowered the dinghy and off we went to shore.  As soon as we got to the beach, I fell out of the dinghy with my camera around my neck.  Thank goodness it was a good recovery.  The only thing damaged was my pride.  Ha!  One look after getting myself upright and there were all these prehistoric Iguanas coming out of the shrubby tree line.  They didn’t seem afraid of people which made me happy because I just had to have a close up of one of these.  Looking further up the island, the tree line and beaches were covered with these strange looking creatures.  After spending some time there we got back in the dinghy and rode around a bit, exploring the other rocks and islands from a distance.  The sunset was beautiful.  We ate on deck, pork chops, salad and rosemary/garlic potatoes.  This is so relaxing, it is hard to get anything done.  The bottom is crystal clear.  I can’t wait to get ion the water and snorkel, but it won’t be on this island.  I asked Fred if we could stay here a whole day but tomorrow we are leaving for Norman’s Cay, which is the location of Fred’s very favorite little island.  I think I am in for some beautiful treats in the days ahead .  I can’t imagine anything better than this.  I did learn a few more things though.  After pulling the lines Fred asked me to clean up my “Spaghetti”.  I thought he was kidding but he was dead serious.  That tangled mess of lines laying there is called “Spaghetti”  and we don’t leave “Spaghetti” laying around a sailboat.  I am still having a time wrapping the lines.  I just can’t seem to have them come out even so I decided to use my foot to coil it.  I saw Fred looking at me puzzled wondering what the heck I was doing.  But it worked...for me anyway.  I think I have invented a few knots along the way also that even Houdini would have trouble with.  Don’t ask me to show you...I could never do that again.

December 25, 2011

Sunday, December 25, 2011 CHRISTMAS DAY

Woke up to a Merry Christmas kiss, how sweet is that?  I brewed up a pot of perked coffee decided to make French toast for breakfast.  We had no syrup, guess I could have made some but we decided grape jelly would do just fine.  Fred and I exchanged Christmas gifts and tears came to my eyes when I opened it and saw a beautiful white gold charm of a sailboat attached to a fine chain.  Gorgeous!  He liked the palm sander I gave him.  He had been talking about redoing the teak on Casa Mare’ and needed one.  The sheets bedspread and cushions were hung on deck to dry out which certainly had us looking like the sailing Clampet family in the middle of the beautiful harbor on Christmas day.  Some things never change.  I cut Fred’s hair and off we were to shore to walk around.  As soon as I jumped in the dinghy, Fred said, “you are driving”.  “I am not, not with all these boats around us”.  He explained it was the perfect time to practice again.  I did a little better at starting it this time but made sure we were going slow enough not to catch some wind and waves along the way.  There was nothing between Casa Mare’ and the cruise ship harbor so Fred said to go around to the other side of the ships.  There was one left, smoke coming out of the smoke stack and people all over the decks.  I thought to myself, “they look like they are having a great Christmas and probably going home...to their family.  Sigh...I still miss my family and it is what it is.  I haven’t even been able to get an internet connection to even send them Merry Christmas wishes”.   Slowly cruising the “Liberty” I felt so tiny as I cruised under their bow.  Then I said to Fred  “wow they must be leaving because they are pulled from the dock just floating there...and floating...and floating.   I was just taking in the size of her from under her bow.  As soon as I was clear of them on their port side, the “Liberty” inched her way out of the harbor.  Fred said “She is leaving and you were holding her up”.   Looking back I saw he was right.  They were slowly leaving and I indeed held up a cruise ship with a little ole inflatable dinghy.  I was so grateful that they didn’t push the big boat rule this time, and let me pass.  Heck, they didn’t even blow the horn at me.  But...it’s Christmas and this was certainly a gift not to have a huge loud horn blow me out of their way.  Probably would have given me a heart attack anyway and held them up even longer.  Yes, it was funny.  A story not many could tell, but I could.  Just part of the adventure.  I quickly realized I was still the inexperienced dingy driver and we are approaching a wall with a bar on it.  I strongly suggested that Fred take it from here, after all, I already held up a cruise ship, no telling what may happen next.  He took my place without any hesitation and it was only then I could relax.  Yes, blessings of abundance!

We found a small floating ramp under a bar called “Senior Frogs”  I wasn’t sure this was really a proper entrance to land but it looked good enough to me.  As we approached closer I noticed a bunch of conch shells, live I may add,  suspended in the water waiting  to become someone’s dinner.  It was at least 10 feet from the dinghy to the small extended deck above with a ladder to climb.  Probably their fish and conch surplus no doubt .  We decided it would be okay but just in case, went into the bar and had a diet coke and let them know that was our dinghy down below.  They were okay with that.  Most places were closed, for one of three reasons or perhaps all three.  It was (1)-Christmas day, (2) the last cruise ship left or three, tonight is Junkanoo a type of festival/celebration that starts at midnight December 26th  A very colorful parade and it lasts for a few days here.  It must be something because there are bleachers all over the place to watch.  We have been told to come early tomorrow morning, otherwise it will be too crowded to even see anything if you don’t get a seat.  We opted not to go.  They were putting fences up everywhere and the police were at nearly every corner, getting ready for what looked like would be a pretty rowdy crowd.  As we walked the town, it became clear to me that this town thrived on the tourists.  It is definitely dripping with history.  We walked up to the Queens staircase and wow how interesting.  The fort was old and cut through rock creating a wall around the steps to the fort.  You just have to see it.  There were few sidewalks and even then were mostly single file walking.  They drive on the wrong side of the street here also.  Fred asked me how I knew it was the wrong side and I told him to look, they were not on the “right”.  The people here are pretty friendly,.  We were warned that crime is high here and actually suggested to pull the dinghy up on the davits at night.  We didn’t and no one took it.  We are anxious to go to Allen’s Cay so we plan to leave tomorrow.  Nothing there except a beautiful key and lots of Iguanas and privacy!  I did get to talk to Mom and Dad this evening,

This has been a great Christmas.  Merry Christmas to all!

December 24, 2011

Saturday, December 24, 2011     CHRISTMAS EVE

Anchor up and we are on our way to Nassau, in the mix of other boaters heading for the same direction.  The weather allowed the sun to  wink at us at sunrise but only enough to let us know it was Christmas eve.  Weather threatened us during the entire stretch except when we began approaching Nassau, way in the distance.  Stasia never came out from under the seat at the helm.  The hand line was out and Fred said “Well, Sweetie, if you don’t catch anything today I will take you out to dinner”.  Sounded like a plan. spent pretty much of the day hanging on to anything I could .  The swells were pretty high.  We would sink into one trough so all I could see in front of me was a wall of dark blue water.   Suddenly we were on top of the ocean. And could see for miles.  The seas were active and at one point we took a pretty hard hit into one which actually came over Casa Mare all the way back to the cockpit.  Gliding up and hitting hard on the return  reminded me of being in one of those exercise machines that a belt around your waist would shake excess “whatever” off.  It was comforting to know I was getting something out of this anyway.  A few cruisers were beginning to catch fish and I was reasonably certain dinner would be on the boat tonight.  One hooked a Marlin, another a Dolphin fish which also escaped  before getting it to the boat and then Dinner was caught.  A 3 ’ dolphin, although it wasn’t on my hand line.  It was so hard to go below.  I had to synchronize with the swells and waves as timing was the essence of getting below in one graceful step.   I had to pee so bad but just didn’t want to fight my way down and actually thought about just going in the cockpit, but knew that would be just as hard.  At least the head was about a 2’x 2’ tube, not leaving much room to be thrown around...once I got there.  I could tell without looking up that we were close to Nassau because boats were coming in from all directions, sea planes and private planes swooped over us.  The water was changing from sapphire blue to lighter green.  There she was...cruise ships all lined in a row like soldiers, colorful buildings and  people on the beach on the Nassau side.  The port side was Paradise Island, Atlantis was full of coral colored buildings less inhabited but still thousands since it was a resort.  Each side was separated by the lighthouse at the harbor entrance.  Fred and I were not sure if we would be here for a day or three.  This was our last civilized spot for awhile so we knew we had to make good use of the facilities here.  Filled up with diesel, which by the was came in handy because the wind was coming straight at us on our way over and it was too much a fight in that foul weather to fight with the sails so we motored all the way.  Filled the diesel and water tanks and found anchorage and dropped the anchor.  I think about everyone else took a slip at the marina. But we wanted to be alone.  Since it was Christmas eve, we knew we better hurry to the grocery store, not knowing what time they would close on Christmas eve.   We hopped into the dinghy and speed off to the Marina where our fellow cruisers were and tied up to Rhapsody.  The grocery store was right across the street so the hike was really short,  I could not believe the prices.  I had to talk Fred out of buying a box of “cheese its” for $7.00.  An apple was over a dollar each.  What an eye opener.  It was clear this was the beginning of living frugal.  When we returned to “Rhapsody” with our goods we grabbed the dinghy and headed over to Casa Mare’.  Just as we were leaving they invited us for Christmas eve dinner.  Everyone was to bring a side dish and they planned to make dinner out of their prized catch of the day.  We opted not to.  I am sure it would have been fun but we were pretty worn out.  We had a problem back on the boat anyway.  Somehow, in all those high seas, water soaked the cushions in the V Berth, the sheets and the spread.  SOAKED!  I prayed for a hot day on Christmas so we could throw the cushions, sheets and spread over the railing to dry.  Homesick started to set in.  I was missing  my parents, who for the past many years we have always been together.  I left like a little girl wanting my Mommy and Daddy.  It wasn’t the tree, it wasn’t the presents under it, it wasn’t the parties...it was the tradition of gathering together celebrating the birth of baby Jesus.  This was one of the major reasons  I was thinking about not making this trip early on.  Family.  But I knew they were thinking of me just as I was thinking of them.  Although felling separation one must have felt back in the pioneer days, it wasn’t all about me, at all.  It is about the celebration of the birth of Jesus.  My eyes started to well up, in disbelief of what God went through  giving us his son, all in the plan that Jesus would also die for us.  WOW!  I slipped into a nap on the settee while Fred tried to get online.  He woke me up and we hopped on the dinghy to the Green Parrot.  Only a handful of people were there.  I was glad to be there with Fred to.  I fell asleep on the settee again, on the eve of Christmas Day.  I prayed and thanked God for everything I could think of, including the rough seas and to especially be with the ones who were felling alone this night.

December 23, 2011

Friday, December 23, 2011 Frazier's Hog

8 AM and anchor chain is raised with the windless.  Sun is shining and to the North of us is some weather.  We are hoping to avoid it.  The beautiful gift today was a huge rainbow on our port side.  Sails are up.  Main sail lacks about 6” from the top of the mast.  I suggested WD40, good for all kinds of stuff” and Fred said probably.  I need to remember where I stowed it.  Next time the sails come down, it’s WD:40 time.  The water is mesmerizing.  I could just stare down to see so many things and the thought crossed my mind “wow, if the water table lowered just 12” all of this would be a desert”.  It was hard to distinguish the sea grass from rocks but it was all beautiful.  Fred suggested I wait until we got to the NW Channel marker to drop the line because it is so deep past that.  Better chance of getting something good to eat like Mahi Mahi (dolphin fish).  By 10:50 we were in the Tongue of the Ocean.  It got it’s name because of the shape of the ocean there, surrounded by little islands here and there.  Within 20 minutes the depth went from 12 feet to 2100 feet, one of the deepest bodies of water in this area.   I was happy to be in the hull of this boat and not out swimming in that abyss.  I am not that brave.  I would rather see what is around checking out my toes than not so the cockpit suits me just fine.  I got to experience another adventure also.  I worked my way up to the bow of the boat and hung onto the unfurled sail which was wrapped tight enough to be just the perfect thing to cling my body onto and see everything ahead of us above and under without any obstructions.  It was like flying, feeling like Wendy in Peter Pan.  Amazing!  I would not do that in rough seas though.  We encountered rough seas once we hit the Tongue of the Ocean and it was there I realized how powerful the seas are.  Relaxing, reading a bit and enjoying the world around me, we did get a bit of rain.  Felt good.  I decided to take a shower in that small tube below.  I should have known better with all the rolling around there was but I was trying to make record time showering this time.  By the time I was all clean again, I could barely make it to the settee.  I was surprised because I had a patch on.  I couldn’t decide whether to stay below or muster up the energy to crawl to the cockpit.   I chose the latter and laid down on the lazerette, closed my eyes and hoped for the best.  Fred made me a sandwich and I did feel a bit better.  Then he broke the news…”Patti, this isn’t even rough seas”  and I felt doomed and overtaken by the strong seas but quickly put my big girl panties on and told myself I can do this.  It’s worth getting seasick over.  We arrived at Frazier's Hog, the same place where the mooring ball broke loose with “Sail Away” attached about 4 am.  Fred decided not to take a mooring ball but to just swing on the hook.  It took a few tries and we finally were set.  I noticed that when I was setting the snubber, the Fortress anchor hanging over the Port side was missing.  I heard a loud splash last night and we either lost the anchor then or while we were in rougher water in the Tongue of the Ocean.  Since I didn’t get anything on my hand line, I decided to make tuna salad for Fred.  He can just pretend it is a fish we caught.  I was anxious to go ashore and explore.  There were a few shabby homes but no real sign of civilization except a hotel, restaurant and fuel dock all in one place but no people.  They looked like business was not to be had there.   Fred and I walked down a narrow primitive limestone road and lined with scrub brush and discovered the other side of the island.  There were Conch shells everywhere.  I found a nice one to plant a basil start that Sami from “Da jevu” had given me in Florida the day we left.  I have the soil, but no flower pot so I decided this would be my gift from the island.  A shell flower pot for my basil.  By the time we came back to the dock where the dinghy was tied to we ran into a group of cruisers Fred knew going over the plans for tomorrow..  There are about 10 sailboats waiting to go to Nassau tomorrow.  We will be joining them.  I was glad to see that “Sail Away” was ok and not much damage at all.  With all the help nearby from other boats, they managed to stop “Sail Away” from getting lodges in the rock wall.  Nice people.  Other boats here are “Rhapsody”, who sailed with us today, “Mutual Fun”, “It’s About Time”, “Kismet” along with others we cannot remember at the moment.  Stasia stayed pretty calm today.  She makes it clear that she does not appreciate the motor running but tolerates it.  Today, she did not get sick.  She will make a great boat cat in time, I have trust in her.  I am learning how do chart a coarse and tell how long it will take to get there.  Now I am beginning to understand why I had to learn some of that math in high school.  For some reason this is a lot more fun than in school.

Tomorrow morning we are headed to Nassau.  Civilization.  I like it better on the islands with few people and I know God will take us where he wants us to be.  He is the only light of the way. 

December 22, 2011

Thursday, December 22, 2011 (Russell Beacon)

By 6:30 were on our way.  “Rhapsody” was behind us and “Saranade” behind  them.  “Saranade” (trawler) glided right past both boats and radioed they were going to make a turn to record a section on the chart that was missing and off they went.  Then they started towards us again.  “Casa Mare’ this is “Saranade”, over”  Fred answered switched channels from 16, up one to 17 and Monty said we have something hanging off our anchor.  I thought he was talking about the Christmas wreath but he said he could see the wreath, and that this object looked like it was hanging off our anchor but he could not tell what it was.  I quickly jumped up and walked to the bow of the boat.  There it was...hanging like thousands of strands of Angel Hair beneath the wreath and anchor blowing in the wind.  I decided this would have to be an upside-down stretch and thought about the hook but was reasonable sure I could do this without the hook.  I braced myself, wondering how far I could bend over the bow of the boat without falling in.  When the opportunity arrived between swells, I reached down and raised the mystery object., still balancing and holding on with my right hand and 10 toes.   Proudly held up our first catch of the day and showed it to Fred.  Since I am a catch and release kind of fisherwoman I threw the remains of a badly tangled and shredded piece of rope back out to sea.  Afterthought…that was a crazy thing to do without a lifeline attached to me.  The trip was wonderful.  Seas were a teeny bit choppy with a few white caps and I was glad Fred reminded me to put my seasick patch on the night before.  Either he was counting on “healthy help” for the day or he really does take care of me.  We were actually out of site of anything except “Rhapsody” who trailed behind us  because they started about 1/2 hour later than us.  I decided to put my prized hand line out in hopes of getting a fish.  Cantaloupe and a sandwiches were lunch.  Fred took a short nap and when it was my turn to nap I went below and laid on the settee.  I noticed Stasia under the table hunkered down in the corner getting banged by whole coconuts as we rolled from side to side.  Evidently she made friends with the coconuts because they were around her like little kittens.  This cat has patience, no question about that.  As I was about to close my eyes I looked up at the microware just in time to witness a basket of potatoes slide off, spilling the potatoes onto the cushion just above Stasia then raining down on her like hail falling out of the sky.  No sooner than that happen there she was, potatoes rolling all around her among the coconuts and the basket upside down on her head.  She had enough, got up and made a beeline for the V berth, loudly taking a stand and meoooooooooowwwwing to let me know she wasn’t happy and couldn’t get any peace when this tube of what ever it is was moving.  I jumped up, tore her claws out of the spread and embraced her until she fell asleep in my arms.  I woke up to Fred calling from the cockpit, “I think you got a fish”.  Poor Stasia didn’t know what was happening but she bolted to the cockpit right next to me.  It was a fish alright, about 3 feet long, a barracuda.  I learned a little bit in Bimini about fish.  They have really nasty teeth just like this one, and are not shy about showing them off.  I got him/her to the side of the boat and Fred grabbed the hook, snagging it through the gills to bring it up so I could retrieve my spoon or whatever that thing was on the end of the line.  Fred made it crystal clear, he was NOT going to reach his hand inside it’s mouth to get the spoon.  It was either me get it or cut the line.  Reaching down, careful not to let those vicious teeth, I got it out. Release!  I am hoping there will never come a day I would need to eat Barracuda because I hear it isn’t a good fish to eat.  Fred didn’t want it so I continued my reputation as a catch and release fisherwoman.  It was fun to pull it in without a rod and reel.  My first barracuda and the biggest fish I had ever caught in my life, except a Salmon I hooked in Seattle but that one got away.  I don’t think the salmon was bigger than my cuda though.  So there went dinner plans.  No fish.

We are now where it seems like in the middle of nowhere.  360 degrees of nothingness.  It was dark...really dark...so dark I could not see where the sea ended and the sky started.  The sky was breathtaking. Heaven dotted with millions of angels shining it’s light to remind me that all of this is God’s creation and my gift from God.  Every bit of it.  Taking time to let all of this breathtaking heaven to soak in, I prayed.  It suddenly dawned on be, “Big Ships”.  Wonder if they come through here.  Wonder if they could see us, a dot in the middle of nowhere.  I asked Fred if those big steamships ever came though this area and he corrected me and said, they don’t use steamships any more.  He never did answer my question.  I decided I would rather not know.  Felt like we were in the middle of peaceful and serenity.  “Rhapsody” is just off our bow a few yards away.  Another early start in the morning.  We are planning to go to the NW light @ the Tongue of the Ocean.  At that time we will either go over to the Berry's aka Frazier's Hog or Bird Cay.  Weather permitting.  Still not sure where we will be at Christmas.  Floating somewhere between there and home.  Fred just asked me to dance so I am out of here!