Bahamas 2013

We left Palm Coast for the Bahamas on January 15, 2013.  Our stops included New Smyrna, the Indian River, and Vero Beach.  Danette had lunch with an old friend from Michigan, Barbara Dunn, while Jim did maintenance while at Vero.  We then anchored at Palm Beach, just south of Flagler Bridge.  The anchorage is wonderful as there is a city dock with restaurants, grocery, and shops within walking distance.  Saturday there was a city market.  On Sunday, January 20, we decided to head to Miami and cross to Bimini as there was a weather window the next day.

Starfish in Berry Islands

Miami to Bimini is about a 50 mile trip.  The seas were calm until we reached just south of Bimini when the seas got a little lumpy.  We spent three uneventful days at Bimini as the winds were high to make a move.  We crossed the Great Bahama Bank to the Berry Islands, which is about 85 miles.  The interesting fact of the bank is that 90% of it is less than 10 feet deep, and the bank is one of largest under water plateaus in the world.

From the Berry Islands we headed toward Nassau on New Providence Island.  We crossed the Northeast Providence Channel, which is the start of the Tongue of the Ocean.  The depth quickly changes from 10 feet or less to between 1,000-4,000+ feet deep.  The crossing was rough only to be complicated by fuel problems.  About 12 miles out of Nassau our starboard (right) engine and generator stopped.  We limped into Nassau on one engine, dropped the anchor near the cruise ships and Paradise Island, and proceeded to have a couple cold beers.  Spent five days in Nassau with most days being consumed by having our fuel thoroughly cleaned and filtered, along with a deep clean of the two fuel tanks.  Of approximately 250 gallons of fuel we had 75 gallons of sludge that had built up in the tanks over the boat’s 30+ years of use.  The workers said that it was a blessing that our port (left) engine did not also give out when the starboard did.  While Jim worked with the technicians, Danette saw the sites of Paradise Island, the straw market, the docks to buy fresh conch, and the liquor store to buy rum.

After spending a few “boat bucks” we left Nassau and proceeded to the Exuma Cays.  We made stops at Allen’s Cay and Highborne Cay.  Allen’s Cay is known for a species of iguanas that live only on this island.  Our intent was to head further south to other islands, but with the relentless northerly winds, and no place to hide, we decided to move north to areas with more sheltered anchorages. 



Spanish Wells toward Harbour Island

We cruised about 50 miles north to Current Cay near Eleuthera.  Made a stop at Meek’s Cay and then moved to Spanish Wells, which is on the north tip of Eleuthera, on St. George Island.  We stayed five nights there due to strong winds.  Spanish Wells is not a big tourist destination but it has the largest fishing fleet in the Bahamas and supplies more than 75% of fish caught in the Bahamas.  The heritage of Spanish Wells is English.  We took a fast ferry to Harbour Island.  This area is known for their beautiful pink sand which is caused by pulverization of coral.  

Winds shifted to the south and there was a one day window to head north.  We took off at 7 a.m. Tuesday, February 12, for a 50 mile trip north through the Northeast Providence Channel.  Seas had 3-4 foot rollers.  For PEACE, it was an eight hour journey to the southern end of Great Abaco Island.  We entered Little Harbor Cut into the sea of Abaco where we anchored.  As is typical, after we anchor we have a cold beverage.   At this point it felt like old home week as we were back in our favorite cruising grounds where depths average 20-30 feet deep.  There are a multitude of places to anchor in the open in good weather, and many places to hide during high winds.  We went to Marsh Harbour to do laundry, cleaning, and boat maintenance.  Our friends, John and Pam Mitchell, winter here so we connected with them.  We did some island hopping to Hope Town on Elbow Cay, took the ferry to Man O War for their annual school fair, and anchored in Fisher’s Bay at Guana Cay. 

When we left this year, we were to travel with our friends Greg and Corinne Backhouse, on GORMA, from Canada.  The day we were to meet, January 18, they had a “run-away engine” and had to get their engine replaced in Stuart.  We are happy to report that on February 19, we were reunited with them after our and their issues.  We celebrated with wine, food, and great stories. 

Greg, Corinne, Danette, Jim at Guana

Junkanoo

We bounced around the Abacos with Greg and Corinne over the next few weeks.  We travel well with them and had a wonderful time. This is our fifth time to the Bahamas and it was the windiest ever.  We spent a lot of time in protected harbors. We were able to snorkel once at Fowl Cay. We were at Guana, Hope Town, Treasure Cay and Marsh Harbor where we saw the Junkanoo. 

Hope Town

Pat and Bill Drumm came to the Abacos the first week of March.  We did a full week of island hopping. We went to a singer’s songwriter festival two nights where eight song writers were at Hope Town from Nashville.  We enjoyed having Pat (PK) and Bill as they are long time friends.  Our grand finale with them was going to the Jib Room along with Greg and Corrine where we drank, ate, and danced the night away. 

Our last week in the Bahamas was spent with Greg and Corrine.  The winds were strong so we could not get around “the Whale” to get to Green Turtle and home.  We enjoyed our days around the pool at Treasure Cay and then went to the Barefoot Man concert at Nippers on Guana Cay.  On Saturday, March 16, we left Guana Cay on PEACE and traveled for 36 hours where we anchored at Cocoa, FL.  It took us from 8 a.m. to midnight to cross the banks of the Bahamas, another 9+ hours to cross the ocean, and then up the ICW (intracoastal waterway).  We arrived at our dock Monday, March 18, at 6 p.m.  As always, it is good to be home.  

Guana Cay

Tahiti Beach

 









 





Christmas 2012 New Year 2013

Tony invited Jim and I to spend time with Lynnette and her two children in NC right before Christmas.  It was great fun as her children had never seen snow.  They live in Puerto Rico.
We spent time with Andrea, Tony, and families on Christmas Day and weekend before New Year.







For New Year's Eve we had visitors from Jamestown, ND.  Scott (my first cousin) and Amy Maurer, along with Ron and Janet.  They spent a week with us and it was great fun.  We partied, saw the sights, and had time at home to enjoy the hot tub, boat, and each other's company.

Week in AZ with Darline, Danette's mother.

Danette flew to AZ for a week starting Dec 3.  Darline (Mom) flew in from Fargo, ND.  We stayed at Valle Del Oro in Mesa, which is the place Mom and Dad stayed when they went to AZ.  We had a fabulous week visiting friends, seeing a show, going to restaurants, and enjoying time together. 

July to August 2012

Jim and Mary H.

Deb and Sandy (dog)

After weeks of staying at Deb and Teri's, with our great lake view, it was time to pack up and say goodbye to family and friends. 


Sorby, Wahowske, Wolfgram, Potochick family

Mike, Katie, Ian

We drove north of Brainerd, MN for a family camping weekend.  Danette's mother, brother, sister, and their families all came.  Enjoyed our time together swimming, biking, and relaxing.


Susan (sister of Danette) and Chelsea, Kayla, Nicole (nieces)



headwaters of Mississippi

We hooked up the Casita and headed north to the headwaters of the mighty Mississippi in Itasca State Park.  Our big accomplishment was stepping across the origin of the river and paying a visit to Paul Bunyan and the blue ox.


Our international part of the summer began when we crossed the Canadian border to Hecla Provincial Park, west shore of Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba.  Greg and Corinne, our boating friends, live within the park.  It was a great stay and they were perfect hosts.  We biked, met their family, and saw the sights.  We drove to Winnipeg for the weekend, saw more of their family, and went to four plays as part of the Fringe Festival.  We were impressed with Winnipeg as the city has done a great job of preserving the architecture.  It is a clean and vibrant city.






After Winnipeg we started our trek south and made a quick stop at Larry and Susan's on Lake Delavan, WI.  We headed east toward Cleveland, OH and stopped to see Renee, our friend that we spent a lot of time with when we lived CA.  From that point on, it was "the horse going back to the barn" when we drove non stop to Palm Coast.

 Within a couple days of our return, we saw our grand kids who were visiting from Tampa and CA.  We packed up PEACE and headed to St. Augustine with Chloe, Hans, and Sofia.  We stayed on a mooring ball which they enjoyed.  They played hide and seek on PEACE, played games, and read. We went to the Pirate Museum, Sofia bought two turtles, and they fed the fish from Santa Maria restaurant.  We were also fortunate to spend time with Jim's kids, spouses and Lynnette and her children.

June to early July 2012

On May 26, 2012 Danette flew to Fargo to be with her mother and father in Fargo, ND.  Danette’s father had been ill for some time.  Jim drove to Fargo, ND pulling the Casita camper and arrived Memorial Day.



Church and Pastor Bill, June 15

Dad, June 5, with intarsia he made for
Fargo Redhawks and donated
to head coach.

Parents grand and great grandchildren

We spent the next three plus weeks in Fargo.  Danette’s Dad passed away the early morning of Monday, June 11.  While this time was sad and emotional for the family, it was tempered by the great 84 years of life he, Sam, had lived.  The funeral was a great celebration of life which included 150+ people.

Mom, Darline, with niece and nephews



Tom and Kris home WI

Jim's family

June 20, we drove toward the St. Croix and Mississippi Rivers and camped along with MN and WI borders.  We took the scenic route south to Jim’s brother and wife, Tom and Kris, place in Rising Sun, WI (south of LaCrosse).  Jim’s cousin and wife, along with his sister and husband, spent the weekend with us.  We went to a wine and beer festival and enjoyed time at the house.

southern MN

Left WI and camped overnight in MN at an old Sioux Indian reservation area, which is now a state park. 



Scott Maurer with golfers

Adrian, ND

ND rain and fields

Took a scenic drive toward ND and went to Monpelier, ND, which is south of Jamestown.  We saw the cousins and participated in the Dally Cup golf tournament on June 30.  Scott, Danette’s cousin, was the organizer and is also Mayor of Montpelier.  60+ people attended and we stopped at three bars after the tournament, with the Dally Up being the final stop.

Jim grilling for 20 guests

Deb, Teri, Viki at MN winery

We stopped to see Danette’s mother, Darline, before going to lakes.  It was difficult to leave Fargo after spending so much time with family.  July 4 week we spent at Deb Anderson's, my best friend, cabin along with her two sisters, Teri and Viki, near Detroit Lakes, MN.  Saw some good long-time friends, and Uncle Marv. 

Jim and Sandy relaxing

Biking by Paul Bunyan

Next adventure will be toward Brainerd.  Remember the movie Fargo and the wood chipper!  After that, north to Canada.

Winter 2012

Jim and I drove up to North Dakota to support my family. 
Dad, Sam, went to rehab January 5.  We got up to ND Feb 13 and stayed until March 14.  Sam is at Bethany Nursing and Rehab facility where he receives care and therapy.  Sam enjoys looking out the window at the events outside.  The staff really enjoy him, and his humor, and take good care of him.  Sam takes everything "a day at a time".
Mom, Darline, ended up in the hospital for four days after fainting and falling and was also in rehab short term.  She has been cleared and is back home.  It was great to spend a month with my parents.  Jim was outstanding with his support and spent hours on end with my father.

We managed to have an outside life while up in Fargo.  Spent time with Susan, my sister, and her family, Mike, my brother, and his family and Uncle Marv.  We went to a blues festival with Deb.  Spent time with with my good friends, Nancy and Cathy, and also saw my cousins, Bill and Scott, and their families.

 

After leaving ND, we spent time with Tom and Kris in WI.  Also stayed in Chicago with Kathy and Gary and enjoyed the fun for St. Patrick's Day.  Tom is Jim's brother and Kathy is Jim's sister.