Eatin' Good

Nassau to Lucaya 
March 20-31, 2019

Our homeward itinerary took us from Nassau, New Providence to Lucaya, Grand Bahama. 

Bridge view of Paradise Island, Nassau

In between, off the Berry Islands, lies the blue-water fishing ground where Keith has consistently had the most luck.

Tuna, soon to be tartare

Mahi mahi, many delicious meals off the grill

With plenty of good eatin' to tide us over, Lucaya became a safe haven to ride out a final storm front before crossing the Gulf Stream and ending a delicious cruising season.

At Port Lucaya Marina

Taino Beach, Grand Bahama

Alone But Not

Northern Exumas
March 17, 2019 

You may think that hardly anyone spends the winter in the Bahamas on a boat or that we’re almost always alone. But you’d be wrong. It’s not unusual to share some of the popular anchorages with forty or more boats. 

Sure sign of lots of cruisers

As nice as it is to spend time with friends...we’re always on the lookout for a solitary anchorage. We make a little game of seeking out new places, preferably unknown spots not designated on the charts with a little anchor symbol. We kick back in the cockpit, savor our uninterrupted view, and breathe in the serenity. When we can find our own anchorage with not another boat in sight, it’s a small win. 

But then, out there in the solitude, we’re reminded that we’re not alone at all. The greatest prize is the presence of God always and everywhere with us, filling the air around us, filling the whole earth.  

~~~

I know not where his islands lift their fronded palms in air.

I only know I cannot drift beyond his love and care.

John Greenleaf Whittier

Friends, Fishing, Fun

Great Guana Cay
March 12, 2019

Nothing tastes better than your own fresh catch eaten the same night.  

The best catch!

Unless it's fresh fish caught and shared with friends the same night. We try to meet up with Kim and Cathy every time we cruise in the Bahamas. The first time we met, we were both escaping severe weather in a marina in South Carolina in 2012. Keith and Kim soon discovered that they share a passion for diving and spearing. Cathy and I love beach walks. We caught up with them in the central Exumas and spent a few days enjoying all of those activities, including a dinner channel crabs and Nassau Grouper. 

Channel crabs -- a bit of work to get the meat!

Fresh catch shared with friends. It's better in the Bahamas. 

Adventure Run A-Muck

Thomas Cay 
March 7, 2019

Between this...

And this...

Lay a whole lot of this. 

In order to see the ocean side of narrow Thomas Cay, we only had to traverse a short distance that included an apparently dried swamp. 

Halfway across and fully committed, we found ourselves in muck that sucked us in above the ankles and had a huge appetite for sandals. Wrestling one sandal free meant the next was mired deeper. With each tussle, I felt like I might topple. 

Just a little bit of muck. But enough to strike fear into my heart. Fear of losing a sandal, cutting my foot, or falling headlong into the mire. Once we made it across, after cleaning up in the clear ocean water, it was the only way back. I prayed and asked God to help me be calm and keep my sandals and my balance. The way back across was much easier. This time, Keith held my hand, and even though I couldn't keep my sandals on, I walked in his footsteps, which was immensely helpful. It was a great picture of how God walks with us, holds our hand, marks out the path, and reassures us with His presence. 

An Addition to the Crew

 While we’ve been away from cruising, the most wonderful thing happened: Sean and Maggie added a new crew member, Bjørn, to the family. He’s the sweetest, most adorable Little Mate to be found anywhere. 

Over the past winter, the Captain and First Mate of Pelican stayed in the home port to help show him the ropes. (We had the privilege and joy of taking care of him two days a week. The best adventure!) 

Now it’s time for this crew to cast off the lines. We were able—just barely—to tear ourselves away from our Little Mate for a shortened cruising season, our next Bahamas adventure. The crystalline waters and secluded coves are gifts of God's handiwork whose beauty feeds our souls. The even better gift is connecting with old and new friends. Then heading back to our home port to be with friends and family there, especially the new crew member who's stolen our hearts. 

{And on this date thirty-seven years ago, the two of us had our first date. Another pretty good gift!}

~~~~

"Though I have seen the oceans and mountains, though I have read great books and seen great works of art...there is nothing greater or more beautiful than those people I love."
~Christopher de Vinck


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