We came into Green Turtle Cay Sunday. We rounded the Whale Cay Passage and it was so pleasant and glassy when Elizabeth came up she didn't recognize it, it was that differently looking in calm conditions.
Dolphins jumped in our bow wake and as we came into Green Turtle, giant rays greeted us as they majestically swam by.
It was beautiful here, with friends on Civil Twilight, Artful Dodger, Marguerita, Sheet Music, Diamond and Falco all gathered here. Such fun.
The cruising families decided to go on a snorkeling expedition so we all headed out for the ocean beach with its spectacular reefs. Unfortunately, Reg had to finish his CYA course so he stayed on board but he said that he had enjoyed diving so much the day before he was OK with taking a break.
Elizabeth was the star that day, diving down 18 feet or so to grab a giant Queen Conch. Scott got two more, as did Craig on Diamond and Christine on Sheet Music. We made conch fritters that night, using a recipe from a Bahamian cookbook mom had given me.
Lisa from Sheet Music and I decided to share a big walk down the beach after snorkeling, as we are all leaving the Bahamas over the next few days. We had a great conversation, catching up on our adventures.
We talked to Alan and Geri on Civil Twilight about leaving together - funny as we came here together from Lake Worth in Florida four months ago. They have more experience than we do - and they're a lot of fun as well. We're taking from their courage and we're going to try to capitalize on a fantastic weather window opening up later this week.
We'll try to sail to Great Sale Cay - an uninhabited island in the north Bahamas bank tomorrow. It's a long run, about 60 miles. Then the next morning we'll head out early and run to the edge of the Bahamas bank, and enter the Gulf Stream and hopefully ride it north all the way to Charleston, South Carolina. It's about a 360-mile passage (I think) and we should arrive on Saturday sometime. It's a long passage and our biggest worry is the calmness of the seas and the need to motor. We carry just enough fuel to make it but we'd like to try to sail to take the pressure off our fuel reserves.
Today we're running into New Plymouth on a golf cart to pick up a few groceries for the trip (and for Reg's birthday) and we'll head back this afternoon for laundry and cooking up our meals for the week. We'll also get Reg started on his seasickness meds tonight to ensure he enjoys this big adventure.
Then it'll be time to say goodbye to some friends here and to the Bahamas.
What a gift this trip is - Reg and I took a long walk on the beach yesterday searching for sea hearts - I found my first here Sunday - and it was so lovely to share that time with my teenage son who is too quickly growing up.
That's not something that would have happened at home.
The time spent here is so very precious. We've managed to grab some time to watch our children grow and explore a beautiful piece of the planet.
We have so much to hold in our hearts.
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