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


Follow us in real time:
Pelican Path

Southern Adventure

 Hammock Beach, FL and Argentina
January - March 2017

The winter of 2017, we docked at the Marina at Hammock Beach to have new bimini built by Cooper’s Canvas. The project would take several weeks with an uncertain completion date. That ruled out a Bahamas crossing, but using our boat as a floating condo lacked the element of adventure. We’d felt the draw of other kinds of travel, so we broke up the winter with a three-week trip to Argentina. Keith spent countless hours researching and creating the itinerary, and what an unforgettable adventure it was! 

The Metropolitan Cathedral in Buenos Aires

Street tango performers - passion in motion

Impressive buildings abound in Buenos Aires

The much visited grave of Evita Perón 

On a day trip to Uruguay via ferry, overlooking historic Colonia Sacramento

Street scene with color and personality, Colonia Sacramento

At Iguazu Falls 

A broader view of the immense falls - we couldn't capture it all!

We visited several wineries in Mendoza, and every one was also an art gallery

The cross-country double-decker bus trips were amazing. We reserved the front seats above the driver. Attendants served dinner complete with wine.

 

Elephant seals on Península Valdés

Magellan penguins, also on Península Valdés

Our itinerary

Sisters, Sisters!

November 11-15, 2016
Hammock Beach at Palm Coast, FL

We’d been waiting for this a long time. Eleven years ago, my three sisters and I went to New York City on our first Sisters Trip. It was so much fun we said we should do it again. Soon! We had no idea it would take more than a decade—or how our lives would change between then and now. Finally we made it happen in Palm Coast, Florida, staying at the condo building next to the marina where Pelican is docked.

L to R: Jeanne, Joanie, Joyce, and Jan

Yacht Harbor Village, next to the marina

The pool at the condo

Even though the weather didn’t offer up iconic warmth and sunshine, making us reach for our jackets, we were able to do everything we wanted: sightseeing, walking the beach, seeing the super-moon rise over the ocean, soaking in the hot tub, eating out, shopping.

At Flagler College in St. Augustine

In the rotunda of Flagler College

Soaking in the rays and wind at the beach

Rest from sightseeing

We even bought the matching T shirts.

These three were there from the moment I first became aware. They helped me learn how to share, how to love, how to be part of a family. They got me into and out of trouble. They were fiercely loyal growing up and have been strongly supportive ever since. It was a gift to reconnect with my dear sisters and enjoy concentrated time for deeper conversation, sharing each other’s hearts, praying about each other’s burdens.

In honor of our mom, who was an expert seamstress and taught us all to sew, this quote describes our sisters’ bond:

“We are more than just acquaintances...

it’s as if we are cut from the same fabric. 

Even though we appear to be sewn 

in a different pattern, 

we have a common thread that won’t be broken—by people or years or distance.”

Splashed and Settled

November 4-10, 2016
St. Marys, GA to Palm Coast, FL
And we’re off…it’s another new snowbird season on Pelican. On October 6 when Hurricane Matthew blew through, we wondered if that would be the case this year.

Last-minute touch-up

Ready to splash

View of the beautiful Georgia marsh

“The storm” is still a frequent topic of conversation here. Our boatyard was spared by the timing of the hurricane. It hit at low tide, and just two feet of water flooded the yard. At high tide, with the seven-foot tidal range in southern Georgia, the storm surge would have floated all the boats off their jack stands.

Once we splashed and moved south, storm damage was unmistakable. The fearsome force of the surge snapped docks like popsicle sticks and tossed boats like toys. Fernandina Beach Marina, a favorite of many boaters on the northern edge of Florida, is closed indefinitely. St. Augustine was hard hit. Dozens of boats were carried into the marsh and stranded, while others fared worse or sank. Marinas that are up and running are filled to capacity.

Stranded

Not the prettiest or quietest anchorage ever

Happy to be under way

We’d made reservations last spring at Hammock Beach Marina in Palm Coast or we might have been turned away. Our project this fall is to have a new Bimini made with a frame that will accommodate solar panels, giving us the luxury of more electrical power at anchor. We’ll settle in here while the work is done.

The Marina at Hammock Beach Resort

Settled in for a while

Full Up!

Nassau to Great Harbour Cay
March 29 - April 12

Nassau is a can’t-miss stop for us. Because Keith lived there from ages 10-15 and we spent part of our honeymoon there, our associations are all positive. Unfortunately, many cruising friends don’t stop there at all because of the high crime rate. We’ve heard stories but never had problems ourselves. In fact, people we’ve encountered have been friendly and helpful.

The market at Potter's Cay in Nassau harbor

Land crabs at Potter's Cay

Skinny of Skinny's Place on Potter's Cay. Great conch salad, and a great guy!

It was a quick stop, but three of Keith’s school friends from forty-some years ago made time to see us. One was his best buddy who introduced him to sailing at the Nassau Sailing Club. It was fun to hear them trade stories of the shenanigans they pulled off.

Drew and Penny with their son, Ben

From Nassau, we crossed to the southern end of the Berry Islands. Our view at anchor was a private island, Little Whale Cay. One of the best landscaped and maintained private cays, it is surrounded by a handbuilt stone seawall, graced by a coral-stone church.

You can rent the island of Little Whale Cay for weddings or vacations

Keith achieved the trifecta of fishing in less than a week, catching the three most delectable kinds of fish he trolls for (counting the mahi shown in the previous post). We spend most of our time on the shallow banks where catch-and-release barracuda are about all you can expect. During this week we transited deeper water three times and on each trip Keith caught a winner. He also speared lobster and dived for conch. Our bellies and freezer are full!

Blackfin tuna

Yellowfin grouper - the best! 

Conchs

Now we are at Great Harbour Cay Marina at the north end the Berry Islands, waiting for benign conditions for a Gulf Stream crossing. Our trip is drawing to a close and we are full up with memories and gratitude.

Manatee with a dinghy at the marina

New moon spring tides are more extreme; the "low-low" tide allowed us
to walk to Haines Cay and Hawksnest Cay...

...and access this tunnel on the ocean side of Hawksnest Cay

The magnificent beauty we’ve seen has filled our hearts and senses. There’s no counting the number of times we’ve said, “Wow, that’s gorgeous!” or “This is just stunning!” Usually it has to do with the color of the water, shimmering shades of aquamarine and sapphire. Often when we’ve seen yet another spectacular view, the words come out spontaneously, “Thank You, God, for the privilege of being here and seeing this!”

The caves on Great Harbour Cay - awe-inspiring

Lovely water colors

Just another perfect beach

Look at that color!

It reminds me of the three essential prayers Anne Lamott writes about: Help, Thanks, Wow. “Thanks, God, for the wonderful season we’ve enjoyed! And Wow, what a wildly wonderful world!”