Happy Easter from the Bahamas

I got up at 5:45 am this morning - after a stormy and rainy night - the water was flat calm with not a breath of wind blowing. I heard announced on the cruiser's net yesterday morning that there would be an Easter Sunrise Service on the south end of the island at Orchid Bay's Pavilion. I dingied into the dock and then walked about 20 minutes to the service by the sea. It was short and enjoyable. The clouds obscured the actual sun rising, but it was a very enjoyable time.

Sunset, Regattas and Waterspouts

Last night's sunset at Grabbers - where I've been spending 70% of my time and 90% of my money

The photo above is not unusual at all.  The only difference between last night and the other nights is the fact I took my camera.  That's why I haven't felt the need to move to another island.  Add to that the fact that the folks at Grabbers are becoming like family - and it's pretty near perfect.

This morning, I was washing down the deck on Serenity and as I looked toward the south, I saw a waterspout.  I stood there and watched it for a couple of minutes when I realized I should take a photo.  I went below and retrieved the camera, but the waterspout wasn't nearly as defined and large as it was when I first saw it.

I fixed some lunch on the boat and then watched a small regatta of sailing dingys being followed around by 2 motorboats.  It was a bunch of kids - about 10 years old or so - being taught a sailing class.  I grabbed the camera and took about 50 photos of the small regatta.  One of the guys teaching the class came over later and asked if I'd email him some of the photos.   I told him I'd be happy to put them on my thumbdrive and bring them over for him to download onto his computer.   Later, I did just that and they were all very happy to have the photos.

Tonight is 'baby back rib night' at Grabbers.  I've heard they're really good.  I'll let you know.

The graveyard overlooks the sea high up on the hill in Hope Town

I'm still hanging out here in Great Guana Cay.  I worked on the boat a little today, but even my job of replacing the raw water hose went faster than I thought.  I walked down to Dive Guana and talked with Troy a bit about the Rage and when the Whale might be 'enjoyably' passed again.  His opinion was that tomorrow would be doable, but Sunday would be better.

I'm watching the long range forecast for the crossing from the Bahamas to Florida and currently I don't see anything before Wednesday that has a window over 24 hours, so I'll be patient crossing the Whale, but I do need to get on the N side of it before it  gets nasty again.

After I cross the Whale, I'll have 2 days of sailing to get staged for the gulfstream crossing.

I spoke to another local this morning during breakfast and his opinion was that the waves during the high part of the Rage (Wednesday) were 35-40 outside the reef.  He said he'd never seen anything like it as long as he's lived here.   I knew they were big!!

2 or 3 nights ago, I walked along the harbourside road on my way up toward Nippers - after having the pot luck dinner at Grabbers.  One particularly small house - I would guess about 15 ft X 20 feet had a light on in the front room.  The shutters were open and no glass was in the window.  I looked over and had to just stop and take it all in.  Inside, was obviously the living room - which appeared to be about 5 ft wide by less than 10 feet long.  There were 3 old folks in there all reading books to the dim light provided by the one lamp.

I don't know why, but it brought to mind my great grandparent's place (which was much larger) up on the hill in the town I grew up in.  I think it was the posture of the folks inside.  They just looked kinda "American Gothic". They looked very contented not to be entertained by a flat screen TV with a Bose stereo system.   After I looked at the ocean in the moonlight at Nippers, I walked back toward the dock where my dingy was tied up and passed the house again.  I lingered longer this time and stepped back in the shadows - not wanting to be nosey, but at the same time wanting to enjoy this culture that has for the most part past with time in the U.S.   

It was cool.

Jan and I at Capt'n Jack's in Hope Town last week

I'm just still hanging out on Guana Cay.  The folks at Grabbers have become like family now.  We had a pot luck dinner on wednesday where all the towns people as well as the cruisers get together. It was a lot of fun.  Last night was Italian night and tonight is ribs.  

They serve breakfast on friday, sat and sunday, so I'll head over there after the cruisers net is done for some breakfast.

Obviously, I'm not starving to death.

The forecast goes through tuesday at this point and there's only one small window for crossing the gulf stream between now and then and that window is too small for my pleasure - since I'll be crossing single handed - it's less than 24 hours.

If any of my friends want to take a boat ride back to the U.S. next week and can get themselves to Marsh Harbour Airport - send me an email.

 Surf is down, and quite a few surfers riding the waves, but they're still double overhead.