Crossing east to west…

After a wonderful stay at Exuma Land and Sea Park we went north to Norman Cay for one night at anchor and then to Highborne Cay for a second rolly night. Did not snorkel or go ashore just hung out. We both had good books so just read and had dinner. A group of boats we had been with were heading to Nassau and we tagged along and were able to go to the same marina. The trip over was blustery and the seas got bigger as we went north. We went through the Yellow Banks and found ourselves surrounded by huge coral heads. We pulled in the sails and used the motor to twist and dodge around them. Scary time, but Bill did amazingly well and we missed them all miraculously! Was praying all the way through.

It was fun coming into the big harbor at Nassau, and we slipped into the marina beautifully after dodging a flock of little sailboats at the Nassau Yacht Club. They were tumbling over in the wind, flipping them back over and going every which way. We did slow down and they cleared a path for us to get through. Think they were all kids and just having a great time and sailing amazingly well.

The Nassau Harbour Club Marina was just fine and felt secure. Nassau was the only place we had been warned about security. They had a great pool and we did appreciate it as it was a hot day. We went to dinner with a couple from Osprey that we had come in with , and had a great evening. We cleaned and went to the grocery the second day and then in late afternoon after a swim, we went with the group we had been with at the Park over to Atlantis. After spending some time wandering around we had a delicious dinner at Bimini Road. After the day trippers from the huge cruise ships in the harbor have left the aquarium is open as are the grounds and we walked all over. It is a totally amazing place and so different from the smaller resorts and islands. It provides work for over 7000 people in Nassau. The casino is open at any time as are the stores.

And the camera ran out of battery at Atlantis.

We waited for the tide to change to leave and headed to Great Harbor Cay. We wanted a more tranquil anchorage as we had bounce on the surge all the night before so went around to the west side of the cay passing the Stirrup cays which are the Tiki Villages for Norwegian Cruise Lines. Ships anchor off these cays and ferry passengers to the islands for beach fun. The seas were larger than we expected and it was a rough ride. We anchored in tranquil Bullock Harbour just at sundown. We explored the settlement and the harbor and the marina in the dinghy the next day. We were able to get Atlantis on the way out of Nassau.

some drinks, cookies and a phone card as we were out of minutes. The harbor channel entrance was blasted right through rock and the harbor is wonderfully protected inside.

Sunset reflection at Frozen Island.

From Bullock we psyched ourselves up and after listening to the Chris Parker weather we headed out towards Lucaya and Freeport, sailing on past West End and across the Gulf Stream to Ft Pierce. We arrive late afternoon on Wednesday. Coming in the Ft. Pierce Cut was the most excitement we had the entire trip. Big waves and current slowed us down to 2 knots with the engine running hard!

We have been at Harbortown Marina since then and Silver Girl and Iolar were both here so we had a fun reunion exchanging stories of our adventures. Meals at the restaurant here are delicious. Today our nephew Austin arrived from California to travel the rest of the way back to Beaufort and Atlanta with us. He will be going into the Coast Guard in June after his brother’s wedding. We are looking forward to having some time with him before he starts this part of his life . Cooked out at the Marina grill tonight.

Tomorrow we head north with a mid tide to cross the bar at the entrance to the creek. On the way again!