Making Memories

As our good friend, Emma Jean Wilson, would say, we've been "making memories"!  Our last days in North Palm Beach involved a bike accident and a fire drill...neither were serious but shook us up a little. We have small folding bikes and I had ventured out for a bike ride and was really starting to enjoy it when ...the handle bars collapsed and I ended up on the sidewalk but luckily just got some scratches and bruises. I walked the bike back to the marina and Randy assured me he found the problem and tightened every connection. Later that day both of us head out for a bike ride and after 2 rotations one of my pedals falls off!!  No injuries this time but feeling very skeptical about my bike. I'm trusting Randy that it really is ok now and have had a couple of uneventful rides. The next night we woke up at 5 am to the sound of a loud bell ringing which we discovered is the fire and bilge pump alarm.  After being sure there was no fire, we found that a switch had been turned off accidentally which caused the bilge pump alarm to go off.  After weeks of waiting, we left North Palm Beach on March 23, 2014 along with two other boats with one being an 85 foot Burger Yacht, "Koala".  The captain of the Koala is very experienced and had studied the weather so we felt confident about leaving with them after weeks of waiting for the right conditions.  The weather couldn't have been any better to cross the Gulf Stream and we have definitely had rougher rides to Shackleford back at home!  It was pretty special to see the aquamarine water of the Bahamas and each time I forget how beautiful it is!  We cleared customs at West End with no problems - all they really care about is getting your $300.  When you enter the Bahamas you fly a yellow flag which is a sign that you have not cleared customs and after clearing customs you fly the Red, blue and yellow Bahamian Courtesy flag.  

Early Morning Palm Beach Skyline

Sunrise Heading for the Gulf Stream
Koala our travel partner 

Point of Arrival in Bahamas

water we've been waiting for

Quarantine Flag Entering Bahamas

Bahamian Courtesy Flag After Clearing Customs

Crossing

March 23, 2014

Planning to leave at 7 am for West End Bahamas. Will try to post from the other side. We're looking forward to getting to the Abacos!

Time on land

March 4 - 19, 2014

After a few days with Mark and Pixie, I flew back to Raleigh. I drove many miles and saw a lot of people during my week back in North Carolina and  Virginia. I started by going to Greensboro to see Scott, Jessica and Hunter. Hunter as usual was sweet and adorable and I enjoyed every minute of my visit with him. I drove from there to Hampton to see my mother, sister and her family with a stop along the way to visit my uncle in Clarksville Virginia. After a few days in Hampton I headed to Wilson where I spent the night with Connie Heavener and also saw the Phillips. The next day I left for Raleigh where I visited with Sharon Mills and spent the night with Kathy and Tom Morton before flying out the next morning. Randy left Mark and Pixie's house when I did and went to North Palm Beach. He stayed on Walt Spruills boat, Hunter, for a few days enjoying more spacious accommodations. Randy has worked very hard doing varnish work on Loon since the weather hasn't cooperated for us to cross the 60 miles to the Bahamas.  We spent some time at anchor and now have been at North Palm Beach Marina for several days. Walt, Nancy and Hunter Spruill are visiting his brother Skookie this week in Palm Beach and we've enjoyed seeing them. The weather has been beautiful in the low 80s but just not good seas for crossing. We are ready to get to the Abacos but certainly not taking any chances. It does look like there may be an opportunity in a few days so will keep you posted as we make the crossing and move on to our next adventure.

        Mark and Pixie Mothena

         Best hosts in Florida

Walk on boardwalk at Fort Lauderdale

                      Cute

            Sweetness

             Different scenery

          Hampton with Mama

                Stone crab claws 

           Tiger's yacht

      Palm Beach afternoon cruise

Yachts in Palm Beach

Typical Palm Beach waterfront home

              The Donald's house - Mar Lago

Afternoon cruise with Walt, Nancy and Hunter Spruill along with Skookie and Nancy Spruill

Florida

February 27 - March 3, 2014

We arrived at our last anchorage Jensen Beach, FL. It was a beautiful afternoon so we decided to take the dinghy out for a ride and all went well until the engine cut off and discovered we were out of gas!  Luckily the current was taking us towards a marina and we rocked the dinghy and slowly made our way. We grabbed hold of a boat under the dock and Randy was able to get off and get some gas. Lesson learned...from now on we will always have the gas can and the oars. After that I broke out my fishing rod and on my first cast caught a catfish.  Today we were in the Jupiter Island area and passed  mansion after mansion. The water now is blue and beautiful and we have finally reached warm weather.  We traveled a few hours until arriving in North Palm Beach. We were fortunate enough to have Skookie and Nancy Spruill offer us a boat slip while we are here. We are enjoying a visit with Mark and Pixie Mothena for several days especially their backyard pool.

                        

           Lesson learned!

       First cast, first catch 

Grady at the lookout. 

             Reached blue water 

             Grady enjoying retirement