Exumas Becalmed

The Exumas - Long Island

February 27 - April 11, 2023

Winter in the Bahamas is unquestionably the windy season. But in an extraordinarily rare weather pattern, the winds quieted to a whisper for days, holding their breath in awe at the exquisite Exuma doldrums. 

In Pipe Creek near Compass Cay

Barely a whisper in Pipe Creek

View of Compass Cay

Low tide in Pipe Creek

Beauty shot of Pelican at O'Brien's Cay

The beautiful cliffs at Lee Stocking Island

With friends Kim & Cathy from Quiescence

Our cruise this season was cut short at both ends.When we discovered a leak
in a large through-hull, we scurried to George Town to find some type of sealant.  

Our friends, Pete and Liz, on Manitou were anchored at George Town.
They kindly provided some StayAfloat, which did as promised but didn't completely solve the problem.

Time for a quick turn-around and repair at Oasis Boatyard in St. Augustine. We kept the flat side up and the pointy side down, connected with special people, and experienced some of the best cruising highlights. A successful season by any definition.

Keith with the main ingredient for conch salad

Grilled lobster coming up!

Tree art in George Town

Flying the colors

Back home, sailor's delight

Delayed Entry

Great Harbour Cay - Nassau
February 13-26, 2023

Those big, beautiful “panoramic windows” on Pelican are a terrific feature, until they leak. The thorough process of re-bedding one leaky window delayed our start across the Gulf Stream. But finally, on Valentine’s Day, we crossed to Great Harbour Cay in the Berry Islands. 

Sunrise on Valentine's Day

Entering the channel to Great Harbour Cay

Knowing it would be a short cruising season, we made quick passage to Nassau where we had the pleasure of connecting with a few old friends. 

A fun evening with Keith's friend from St. Andrew's School,
Phil, and his wife, Silvia.

Ask anyone, Skinny makes the best conch salad on Potter's Cay.
We're "regulars" every time we get to Nassau!

We took Una Carey totally by surprise when we knocked on her door.
Her family lived in that same home, just down the street from Keith's family.

The Model Bakery, where Keith and his brothers would buy Ginger Nuts as kids

Colorful market building in Nassau