SAYING GOODBYE

The past several weeks I have been saying "I need to finish the blog"......but then I couldn't find the computer, or another box needed to be emptied, or an appointment had to be kept.....etc, etc.

So, Today is the day!.....Here  I sit in my "dirt house" in Rogers City, Michigan with TONS of boxes holding TONS of STUFF!....Where will it all go?  But I get ahead of myself.....First, back to the Bahamas....

April... We headed to Long Island and anchored out there before heading to Cat Island a few days earlier than originally planned as the wind and water dictated our moves....It worked out as Rob and Jennifer could change their flight arrangements to fly in AND out of Cat.....They arrived on a small island hopper plane that I swear looked like it DROPPED out of the sky, skidded on the runway, made a u turn and dropped them out the door.....Jennifer said that was exactly how it felt also!!  We spent the first day with them anchored out in a beautiful bay just outside Fernando's Resort, where they have an "honor bar" and good food.  The first evening with them, we ate down the beach at a  beach side shack, enjoying "one of everything" on the menu!....Fish, Lobster, Chicken, Kaliks, etc...what a feast.  We were happy we did this because after that evening and the next evening at Fernando's...the wind and rain forced us into a "substandard" marina (at least my impression, compared to some of the wonderful ones we had stayed in previously)  but the "kids" seemed to enjoy it...it also had good food, a pool and a beach....I just wanted a little better weather for them. We did take a few "road trips" by car .....and the word ROAD is used graciously....it was more like making our own path thru the jungle on a track that had been washed out by previous rains....oh well, more for the "adventure"...no wonder none of the rental cars have shocks....!  Rob has lots of wonderful pictures of the few days spent with us...and we have wonderful memories.

We finally made the crossing back from the beautiful Bahamas to Port Canaveral, Florida on May 6, after spending a week at Old Bahama Bay Marina in West End.  Our "buddy boats" left earlier in water that we were not comfortable with, so we stayed a few more days waiting for the right water for us.   That involved a failed start on the 5th...when the water didn't behave the way it was predicted.. we turned around and went back to Marina for another night.   The 6th started out as a beautiful day to cross and we had flat seas MOST of the way.  About an hour off the coast of Florida, USA, we could see a storm coming and knew we would have to ride it out.  It tossed us about and tried to tip us over, but good ole Le Reve hung in there as the storm just scared us and got us soaking wet!.  We were extremely happy to tie up that evening in a slip.  We spend the next few days getting back to Ortega Landings in Jacksonville.

 I don't know if it was the storm we endured, or the fantastic memories of our 4 months in Paradise....but I was the one to say it first...…"what will we ever do again on this boat that will even come close to the last 4 months?"  "Will we really be happy sitting in a slip in Florida next winter using LeReve as a floating condo?"......and "how much does it cost to have her sit there all summer/fall while we return to Michigan?"   So we made a very heart wrenching,  soul searching decision to sell LeReve and take it a day (or season) at a time.  We knew we would not be able to afford to head back to the Bahamas again in the near future.  We also were torn about "finishing" the loop, but not crazy about going up the East Coast to get to Canada, where we have boated many times....only to bring her back to Florida, just to say we finished,  and we knew we wanted to spend more time closer to our family.....Then to add to the mix,  Bob purchased the "eye sore" rental income property next to the house we purchased last December in Rogers City, with the plan to completely gut it and make it acceptable to the neighborhood and provide us with some rental income once complete.  We have a very busy summer ahead of us.

We had our plan...now to execute it.   We rented a U Haul and loaded ALL our STUFF (more than I could ever remember bringing on the boat 3 years ago....) shed more than a few tears and handed her over to our boat broker in Jacksonville.  After a few minor repairs, and upgrades LeReve will be ready for someone new to enjoy wonderful adventures.

We headed north, stopping first to see our friends the Flickers in Georgia, where they have started a new phase in their lives also with a new home in a beautiful golf course community.  We hope to be able to have some time to spend with them there in the future.  And we talk of where we will go to avoid Michigan winters......perhaps Mexico....or maybe we will even brave the cold and stay put for a year??  We have learned to take it a day at a time.....but always dreaming of the next adventure.

 For now, I feel like I will NEVER sort thru 45 years of STUFF that I know will not fit in our "downsized house"....Bob spends most of his days next door tearing things apart....he has employed some college boys looking for summer jobs to help him and next week we will also have a couple of our grandsons here also.  I spent a few days in southern Michigan seeing doctors, and more importantly spending time with our 18 month old granddaughter, who didn't remember us from Christmastime.....it is my mission that she will not "have" to go that long without seeing grandma Jane ever again!

So, for now, this is the end of "Jane and Bob's Excellent Adventure" blog.....we do not know what the future holds for us any further than unloading boxes, having a garage sale for our STUFF, becoming landlords next door, updating my kitchen and enjoying a Michigan summer.... I sure hope it warms up!

 It's been quite a ride!  Can't wait to see what's next.  We both look at each other and say "grow old with me, the best is yet to come".  Thanks for following our blog...we hope you enjoyed it.

The past month in Pictures.

 The above 3 pics were on a beach we dinghy to.....I noticed small tracks in the sand.....ekkkkk, it was an Iguana!

 I guess he can't help how ugly he is!!

 I much prefer the beautiful turtles....even got to rub this ones back!

 Obviously in "Farmers Cay"....directions to ALL the local hot spots!

 This is Molly!...our buddy boat dog....Molly LOVES Jane...she makes herself to home on LeReve.  Hey, it was a long day for her also.   If we ever get a dog, I will have to name her Stacey.....after Job Site's (buddy boat) daughter!!  But at least I can't forget her name.   And I love her too!  Notice the "shoeless" happy hour guest.....its a sad day when we have to wear shoes.  Love this life!  Obviously so does Molly!

 This is at the Sandals where we spent a glorious Sunday....so nice to be waited on!

A typical sunset at anchorage.   So beautiful

The 2 above pics are from Palm Cay, where you paid to use the pool....but so beautiful and very upscale compared to the future Marinas we will visit.

 I won't wait as long as this guy for a bus!...As you can see, someone on this island has a great sense of humor.   Bob didn't post the pic of the "springs" he walked to!   (but you can imagine what a BED spring looks like in the wild!)

 Our boats at moorings in the Exuma Sea Park....note the different colors of water.

 Too bad this is SALT water....there would be no need for a shower....and so clear...right off back of LeReve.

So...on Warderick  Wells you climb a high hill....and find a mound of plaques left over the years by previous boaters....of course, we left one in honor of LeReve.

 Maybe someday we will return and see if we can find it among the growing pile.

 I made Capt Bob take this pic of lizard ….except in real he was same color as leaf and we didn't think you would be able to see him so well...a real camellion ...

 Yes, that is us.....sandwiched between the BIG guys!!  But like we said, we are very happy with our boat .....and don't have to put up with a pesky crew lurking around you all the time.....wanting to wait on you and fix you food and drink.

 The above map shows you in BLUE where we have traveled this year....the red (north end covered over by Blue) was what we did last year.  Last season we came into Bimini and went to Chub Cay, Eleuthera, and north to Abacos.   This year we came across from father north coming into West End....traveling south to Eleuthera, Nassau, and Exumas.  Soon we will start our track back north....probably to west end again and cross back to good ole USA.

Good ole former Gov Chris Cristie just hanging with us in Staniel Cay watching MSU basketball....Thank goodness Michigan State won this one.  Poor rich guy who hosted him on HUGE boat got no recognition!  Just Gov and Mary Pat! ...have no idea who it was that was his host!

ET.....er, Jane... Phone Home.!...haven't seen one of these in a long time.  I attempted to go in, but something ran out the bottom before I got the chance, so no thanks!

Catching up ...Living the Dream!

So here we are in April and like stated, we are having so much fun at living life that it seems we have forgotten to add to our blog.  Everything we had heard about the Exumas is so true.   The water is so beautiful and more extremely colored than we have ever seen.   It is so clear that no mask is needed to see  bottom.   But here's the recap before we got here.

Spent a few nights anchored at Rose Island.....outside Naussau.  We could see the "Atlantis" resort and reminded us of the (many) times we spent there...gambling away our children's inheritance!  HAHA.....At this anchorage the young man on the boat next to us, proceeded to strip naked and swim in the crystal clear water.   There were several others on his boat, so I guess this was ok with them....AND it certainly was OK with me 👍😁.  

Then we went into Naussau…...I said I was NOT going, but was assured that this marina on the "other end" from the city was safe.   Well it turned out to be a beautiful place....very secure. (they even chain off the entrance to the harbor at night, and the road in is gated and secure.  So there was no feelings of apprehension for coming here.   Palm Cay is the name, and we took a courtesy car to a near by groc store.   Probably the BEST grocery store we have seen since the states.  Marina also had a spa which we both took advantage of, and a beautiful pool area and bar (extra charge....to get into the bar to pay for the drinks, and nothing in the Bahamas is cheap!)

Onward to the Exumas…...noting the marinas are getting smaller, more rustic, and so are the "towns"......

From here we cruised to Highbourn Cay...a beautiful, clean island....all that's here is the marina.  We dinghied to another island where the Iguanas come racing toward you once you land.....looking for the food people feed them....NOT me, I wouldn't get out of dinghy!   They are U G L Y!  We rented a golf cart here and got some excellent photos....will post separately.  Oh ya, they also have TONS of nurse sharks roaming around here, looking for food....I am TOLD they do not hurt humans.   Don't plan on being the one they didn't like the looks of, so stay far away from where they are swimming.

After a couple nights, we took off for Warderick Wells.  This is part of the Exuma National Sea Park system.  Our FIRST mooring ball experience.   With the help of our fellow boaters we secured a ball and had a beautiful view of this beautiful area  (plus only $30 a night on a ball)...a LOT less than the marinas charge.  Here, once again, our foreign friends next to us, striped down naked and swam and sunbathed.....this crew was NOT young....not nearly enjoyable as last time👴 👎.  This is were Johnny Depp owns an island....he apparently forgets who makes him famous, as his signs on beach are NOT at all welcoming.....and does not have a friendly reputation here either.  Someone said he lost the island in his last divorce...and no one is sad!

On 3/27 we left our mooring ball to anchor out in a nearby cove...should have stayed on the ball...It was VERY windy all night.  Capt Bob was concerned that a nearby sail boat was getting closer as the night progressed.   Early the next morning the sailboat woke up and got out of there quickly as they almost were part of our crew.   He did find us at the next marina and apologized.  I guess that is why we sleep better when we know we are secure to a dock.

3/28....We arrive at Compass Cay.....after the wind storm we are happy to get here......HA, tongue in cheek....This is a natural harbor that is very secure....with HUGE boats....They tell us to come IN BETWEEN 2 very large YACHTS....VERY large.   Thankfully we were pulling our dinghy which made for a great bumper between the BRAND new one on our port side....the Captain of that SHIP was glad also and was very gracious to help us NOT hit his boat.   It was quite an experience, but Capt Bob pulled it off once again!!  You are packed in like Sardines here and the only thing here is their shack which they sell burgers (when THEY feel like cooking) for $20 Each.   I do have to say, they were delicious!...think we had them both days for lunch.  Here also is where dozens of tour boats bring people in (they pay a fee of $10 each to step foot on island, in addition to tour fee)….and then they SWIM WITH THE SHARKS.   Not me (once again).  Our docking fees were $750 for 2 nights....with a additional electric fee of $85 per day!....plus water, by the usage.  I thought this was a fun place to watch tourist, and hob nob with the  big boat CAPTAINS....(you rarely see the owners of these large ships)   but been there, done that, as far as I am concerned about a repeat visit.

We anchored outside of Staniel Cay, our next destination for a night (save $$) and dinghy in to the grocery store....(a nice word for a room about the size of a walk in closet) with available items....AND, as I was deciding if I needed bread, someone takes the LAST loaf off the shelve in front of me.   Thank goodness for the bread machine on board....and I have discovered that you can use regular flour as trying to buy bread flour here is a lost cause....(along with bean sprouts in a can----so much for chop suey until we get back to USA)...oh well, will stick with Lobster and Mahi!

NOW.....here's an exciting event......we go into Staniel Cay Marina.....another expensive marina, but at least they have a town and a bar.  We spend considerable amount of time in the bar....watching the Final Four basketball on TV......WHO comes in, wearing old T shirt, shorts, not shaved, etc....looks like the rest of us (maybe worse)...but GOV CHRIS CHRISTIE (former gov of New Jersey)......We holler out, "hey gov" and he comes over and shakes our hands, poses for pics, chats with us (we tell him about our "republican" son in Michigan ❤😁)   Very gracious....apparently better manners than Johnny Depp!

So now, all of a sudden, it is April.....we take off for anchorage at Black Point.  I liked this anchorage very much.   Shallow waters, calm, town close, good eats.....and EVERYONE was at funeral in Naussau…(not sure who died, but figured the eulogy was cut short, because all the boaters were waiting for "Lorainne" to come back)  She makes her famous coconut bread....out of her house and people line up for it  (just like in US, ya, haha....she would be so regulated that we couldn't afford it)  Anyway, bright and early (think she was baking all night) we arrive in her kitchen and pick the loaves we want off the counter.  It IS delicious....think I am going to try to duplicate in my bread machine.  Lorainne is in her bathrobe and hairnet....Gotta love this life.

On we go to Farmers Cay.....Our boat buddies love this place....I thought it was gastly!...for only $350 a night to dock our boat on some worn out dock with rusted junk all around....It was then that I had flash backs of the river ride a year ago!  However there was a town...we had a beer, swam with turtles and put in an order for conch salad to be delivered "tomorrow"......this is a reoccurring theme here, as we have ordered conch salad almost every day, and it never gets delivered.....think it is easier for them to promise, just in case they do decide to make some!!  I have had a craving since the BEST EVER way back in Feb in Treasure Cay...but so far, nothing to compare it to!  The HIGHLIGHT of this island was the beach bar opposite side of Cay from marina.....the owner (?) bartender "enjoys" his own bar very much, as he was quite the entertainment (think we could probably bought anything we needed from him in way of illegal items!?)...we just opted for rum punch, which he proceeded to "TIGHTEN"....."need a tightening?" he asked....???...so we say sure, to which he brings out the bottle sets it on the table and we pour more booze into the punch.  we now use the  term "tightening" whenever we decide to pour a cocktail at our roving happy hours on our boats.🎉  Its times like this that will be forever in our memories.

From here we go on to anchor out for 3 nights at Williams Cay.  The water is rougher than we would like and something is wrong with our batteries that will not be fixed till USA.....but we can run generator for power.....off and on.  I don't like the idea of turning all off for several hours.....but that's boat life.  We attempted to dinghy to see the sunken piano that David Copperfield sunk about 15 miles from here.....but never had a day calm enough for that long a dinghy trip, so will just marvel at the pictures in the guide book!   We hiked the lands behind the beaches and are seeing sites that we could only imagine before.   Sharp cliffs, wide open ocean, caves and always beautiful sandy beaches.  We see sharks and turtles and numerous fish....

Once again, we are off, into the wide open ocean.....to Georgetown.  The trip was a little rocky but only 10 miles, but still happy to get to marina here.   It is a nice place....beautiful beaches (getting tired of them?......no way!!!) beach bars, etc.   We rent a car and go into town....not as much as we expected, but more than we have seen....(IE:  beauty shop/fish store all in one....why didn't I think of that!...not sure what smelled worse....the fish or the perms!)  The people here are SO friendly and so happy to have you visit.  We bought a day pass to a nearby Sandals Resort....spent Sunday laying in a pool cabana, eating and drinking.  We have never been to an all inclusive, this gave us a one day pass to experience it....we enjoyed it and met a lot of people who were there for the week.  We, of course, got our monies worth and ate way too much!  But it was good to get off the boat for a day.  Will probably NEVER take another vacation after we get down with this trip, but if so, might consider a Sandals.

So all caught up as far as time now....will attempt to post pics....from here we go to Long Island....good news there is we pick up Rob and Jennifer for a few days.  We are so glad they decided to come visit.....will drop them off at Cat Island after Easter.....then start heading  back.  It has been and continues to be the trip of a lifetime!

How Much Better Can It Get?...

We left the Abacos and caught up with our buddy boats....Puttzing Around and Job Site...they were waiting in Lynard Cay at a beautiful anchorage.   We spent the night here and early the next morning headed out for Spanish Wells in Eluthera.  We were familiar with this marina as we spent some time here last year and really enjoyed it.  This is where you buy the GIANT crab claws and Lobster tails in the hardware store.....Yup, they still have the cooler full....prices have gone up in a year, but still a bargain.  We rented a 6 person golf cart and proceeded to the grocery store, department store (or as close to one as you get here) for clothing, bathing suits and all kinds of stuff we didn't need.  Bob even found a birthday card for me in there....  And of course we had to go to all the favorite eating places.  The night before my birthday we went out and they served me dessert with candles and sang the traditional happy birthday song.  Of course on my big day we celebrated on our boat with happy hour goodies and drinks.  I received very nice homemade gifts and a beautiful bouquet of flowers.  It was great.

We spent 3 nights in Spanish Wells as the winds blew a little more than we like, but it is such a nice place, I didn't mind at all that we spent one more night than "planned".   The flies tried to eat us alive here, but we fought them off with candles, spray and screens.  After a fuel stop to take advantage of cheap diesel ($3.89 per gal)..we were off again to the next beautiful anchorage at Egg Island, (still Eluthera)  It is great to be with boats that have been here before, they know all the great places.....we just follow along.  We spent 2 nights here and dinghied all over the place  …….Little "Nightmare" worked just great for us.....better than she ever has....we are almost happy with her. Haha.   We drove over to Royal Island and viewed (from afar) a beautiful retreat with 5 cabins, pools, 2 main buildings, etc....it was not in use at this time....we did look it up on google and found it rents for $19,000 per night.....more "in season".   It is trying to make a come back after the financial crash and perhaps one day will be the huge resort with golf course and marina that was originally planned.

Every day the weather is warm and sunny and the water gets more beautiful the further south we venture.....where is was a beautiful aqua, I know think it is a darker, almost turquoise color and you can see the bottom and think you can reach over and touch it, but, of course, it is way deeper than you think.....no need to snorkel here....you can just look over the side of boat.

This post was started in mid March.....here it is April already and I never finished this one or shared pictures.....so I will post this late and try to continue on in a new post.  

We are having the time of our lives.....and seems no time to write....just enjoying this beautiful place.

BOB BEATS THE DINGHY ----we hope

Dinghy update..... we took "Nightmare" out for a ride and all seems to be well!  We can go faster than before, and even get it up on plane!   something we have never been able to do since the day she came home!  Like previous mentioned, apparently the Bahama service man knows more than the guy who built her!  We are very happy.    Of course, she still won't be able to keep up with "the big dogs" (40 hps) BUT at least we can bring up the rear.   She will be tested out this afternoon after we join up with our buddy boats and take her over to Pete's Pub.

So we will bid farewell to Abaco Beach Resort....this is a beautiful marina (and they know it! $$$).  We have enjoyed our couple nights here and got a little experience of what a few months here (next time???) would be like.   This is home to the Royal Marsh Harbour Yacht Club...of which we are members.  We joined to get the discounts the membership gets you, but there is actually an active club and this is their home port.  ( They have "happy hour" EVERY day at 5pm!  Honest...we only went once)  You get a discounted slip if you stay long term, prepay, etc etc.....it is still considerably more than we paid at Treasure Cay for a month,  but more offered.  We have learned that we don't plan that far in advance anymore.   So we will see what summer brings and if it is even possible to come over again next year......But not so fast.....we STILL have a month here this year and I understand the best is yet to come.

Bob is off to pick up his $$$ engine part...that has been delivered to  the CAT dealership, so we are told.  A lady from "the club" has offered him a ride over to pick it up. (another a benefit of belonging to RMHYC...such nice helpful people...."all in the same boat", actually all in different boats from different places and different walks of life)...  we will then head out to the anchorage where Job Site and Puttzing Around spent the night.  Then on to Pete's Pub......a great waterfront bar, probably mentioned previously as we have been there a few weeks ago.  Then tomorrow onward to Exumas, with a few stops in between.  The sun shines every day, the water is beautiful,...and Bob is starting to complain about the heat!....".hey mon, slow down.....you're in the Bahamas"!  Life is good!

Bob vs the Dinghy!

MARCH 4TH.. the score is Bob 0  Dinghy 5 !!

Yesterday morning Capt. Bob caught a car ride to Marsh Harbor.  His "plan" was to pick up repaired dinghy and motor it the 15 miles back to Treasure Cay.  I asked if he wanted me to go along.....mostly to weigh down the bow!   (since not being able to get it up on plane has been a problem since day one)…..probably should have paid more attention to THAT problem immediately.....But Bob was so busy mourning the fact that his "real dinghy" (with a 40 HP, stored in Michigan) wouldn't fit on top of LeReve....that he just assumed the "nightmare" dinghy would never meet his expectations....I regress....anyway...

He told me he would be back by noon, and I should use VHS radio to contact him and by 11:30 he should probably be within ear shot.   So about 11:30 I get a cryptic email message from someone I don't know, saying Bob is on his way back to dinghy repair shop and is looking for a car ride back to Treasure Cay.  Well thru a series of emails etc....we (back here on the docks) determine that Bob is indeed back at repair shop and does indeed need a car ride back.  Luckily, our friends that dropped him off, still had their rental car and were already back here.....but off they went to pick him up.  Seems the dinghy was launched and off he went....for about 1/2 the trip, all went well.....then the motor quit #@%&^!   and Bob now knows that rowing it anywhere is out of the question because it has a center console steering wheel and there is no where to sit to row....He is out in the Sea of Abaco, floating free (he did not take the anchor with him...or water....or Pepsi.....or.... boyscout??? Good thing I WASN'T with him)  anyway, he hails a sail boat underway, who graciously agrees to tow him back to Marsh Harbor.  That is who he got to email me with his whereabouts.  Nice boaters who wanted nothing from him, but a "pay it forward" for any boater we may find in distress someday....Aren't boaters great!....guess that's because we are all "in the same boat".....pun intended!

So, back at repair shop they figure that all that problem was that the hose connecting the gas tank to the motor came loose and hence no fuel.....BUT, the seemingly capable repair guy takes it our for a spin and says ….there is something very wrong with the fact that it won't get up on plane!  (duh, we knew that, but blamed the dinghy)…..his opinion is that the prop isn't sized correctly for the motor.  We are beginning to realize that we should have done a little more research 19 months ago, when we purchased the "cute little thing" from someone we knew little about....and are now finding out, obviously knew very little about dinghys and  motors, etc)  But that is in the past....so now the issue is finding a proper prop and attempting to fix the "Nightmare" to the point of just being able to get to shore and the nearest beach bar, when anchored out!  We have more confidence in our new friend, the Marsh Harbor repairman, than they guy we bought it from  …….on to the next issue

Capt Bob has ordered a part we must have to make the boat run  (so cost cannot be an option!)  but the bigger problem is how to get it HERE......he has more confidence than I do that the $1200 part will arrive from Miami as promised....(and you thought the US Postal service is bad!) It would have ONLY cost $850 if we were in US....anyone coming from Miami??  alas, we have placed the order and will now wait!

I cannot stress to him that it could be worse, as he feels totally beaten down at this point....he even missed our regularly scheduled "happy hour" last eve.   We have gotten back into the schedule of the "roving happy hour" now that our 3rd boat has joined up with us for the future travel.  I think he needs a relaxing day at the beach  (always works for me).

MARCH 9   UPDATE...    BOB 2 (maybe 3)  DINGHY 5
Today I will give Bob a 2 or 3.....he will probably get a 4 or 5 by days end.   Yesterday we made the move into Marsh Harbor for 2 reasons.  First the dinghy was ready for pick up.  This involved dropping an anchor in the harbor, the guy coming out to get Bob in "Nightmare", showing him how great it is working, and Bob then taking him back to pier....  All this was happening while I am standing on bow, praying anchor will hold (no reason for it not, other than my terror)  as I don't think I have ever been on LeReve with engines running, anchor out.....with others very close to striking distance (!) ALONE.... of course, it all worked out,  The captain returned and we towed dinghy to Abaco Beach Resort....the marina on other side of island.  Good News here, fuel is cheap $4.19 plus 12% tax.....YES that is a deal here in the islands...but that cost is offset by the high cost of the slip.  Very nice marina here in Marsh Harbor, the largest city in the Abacos.  Lots to see, do, shop, etc...but I have to say I prefer the quaintness of Treasure Cay, and the incomparable beach!  It was a great 5 weeks spent there....and better rates.   We are now getting into the "season" so prices will be going up.  It is strange to think that their busy season is now thru the summer.   Lots of people from Florida come here to escape the humidity, as there is always a trade wind blowing here.  It truly is paradise …at least in my eyes....I STILL marvel at the water color and clearness.  I am forever reminded of a friend in Colorado who barely knew me and said, "Jane, you affect me as someone who could be happy living on an island with a beach, somewhere warm" … she sure had that correct...I just didn't think it was that obvious!

            I will update Bob's score after he cleans the "Nightmare" up and takes me out for a ride😎…. (and 2nd reason for Marsh Harbor....we understand our $$ part is enroute...the shop is here where we will pick it up and hopefully be on our way to Exumas, I am still skeptical)  Other boaters tell us we "ain't seen nothing yet, until we see the water in the Exumas!"  Can't wait...just pinch me!

Where did February Go?

Can't believe we have been here a month.....just loving the Bahama Live.  Today for breakfast I had conch salad and beer....(note it is a Bud, friend Deb!)   Usually we drink Sands or Kalick...the beers of the Bahamas, but happened to come across this Bud that was left on board back in the states.

We have visited a few more out islands...anchored out on some small cay....(there are so many, I can't remember which is which) with buddy boat, Job Site.   I do remember that this is where we went to Pete's Pub, another happening beach bar where most come by boat!  And I do remember that we had a great time and great food.  This Cay is where Bob discovered his passion for snorkeling.....I was surprised he would even put his whole body underwater.....but he did and loved it.  This is also was where we discovered the dinghy motor would not start and that we would have to get it to Marsh Harbor for repairs.  We decided in addition to making that trip we would also (again) visit the world famous beach bar....Nippers!.. on Great Guana Cay.  It is such a fun place, especially on Sundays for the pig roast. (after a few/several rum punches, you then proceed to "Grabbers"...another beach bar, for pizza and beer and  the party continues there.  After so much partying,(actually we also discovered we are way too old to hang with the young kids and left earlier than most) we spent the night at Orchid Bay Marina and witnessed a beach wedding....complete with fireworks.   Got this ole mind working about how beautiful that would be for a couple I know and passed the word on!  Only hope I get an invitation if this were to happen there.  It was a beautiful celebration in a beautiful place.

Then it was off to drop the dinghy at the repair shop which involved finding somewhere to "park" while we unloaded if off the roof.  Not an easy feat, but we pulled it off.😎....we have received word that they fixed it (already!) and now have to come up with logistics to pick it up.  Capt Bob is toying with idea of driving it all the way back to Treasure Cay (in water)….the winds and waves will determine if that is an option.

   

So for now, we just enjoy the beauty of the beach and the beautiful turquoise waters....Jane goes to beach everyday, Bob golfs and finds projects to do on boat!  Last night the Marsh Harbor Yacht Club had a party on the docks following a golf outing.  Bob's team won first place!  (golf balls and a bottle of wine, great prize!)  and we met many new friends and joined the club.  Perhaps NEXT year we will spend more time there, where a lot of the people we met stay for the winter months.....But like I told someone last eve, we don't plan too far ahead anymore....just take it as it comes and enjoy a day at a time.....or one month at a time.

Living the Life

Rainbow over LeReve..Treasure Cay

We have been here almost one month and still are in awe of the beauty of the islands.  In between boat jobs and the usual housekeeping issues....we find time almost every day to go to the beach or pool.  We discovered that the ocean water is far warmer than the pool water!  I overheard a man at the beach say "if this is ONE of 10 of the most beautiful beaches in the world, I can't wait to see the other 9".  We should post a picture of the beach....next time.   Guess we are far too busy when we are there to take pictures.....(ya, sure).

Our day usually goes like this.....a few morning chores, beach time, shower, happy hour and dinner....most of the time out, or if I am really ambitious, I do something in the crock pot or instant pot ahead of time, because if I wait until its time to think about dinner, I am too exhausted to do it!.....HAHA...just a joke to show how laid back we have become!

One of our favorite places to eat is about 3 miles down the road (thank goodness it is not easy to get to, as quite pricey)...We celebrated Carole's(our buddy boat companions) birthday a couple nights ago, with dinner there.....Luckily we had rented a car that day and had transportation to take in this beautiful place. The dinner and atmosphere is wonderful....

pool on one side, ocean on other...alfresco dining.

During the day we had rented the car to go to Marsh Harbour, the BIG city....to get a part for our dinghy motor.  In case I haven't mentioned....Capt Bob HATES this dinghy and calls it "The Nightmare"...T/T (tender to) The Dream (LeReve)!  He much prefers his big, go fast one that is stored in Michigan and we use in the lakes there.    It is too large for on top of LeReve, so he has to put up with  "the Nightmare".....which lately, it has become!!  First it was the davit motor, we overcame that, then once it was down and in the water, it wouldn't start.  We had a guy (on island time) ….which is NO WHERE near fast enough for Capt Bob! come over and give his diagnosis....."new part needed"....have to go to Marsh Harbour for it.....so we rent a car, drive the hour to get there* …….and the guy there doesn't agree with diagnosis.  We NEEDED a 2nd opinion!!….So tomorrow we will take the dinghy, loaded back on top the boat, back to Marsh and "the guy" there will take a look at it.   I have already suggested that we just sink the damn thing, but not too loudly, as I think Bob would take me up on it!  This weekend trip will justify, (as if we need to) a side trip to "world famous" NIPPERS....the wild Sunday Pig Roast Beach Bar a few islands away.  We will attend that, and then drop off the dinghy Monday morning.....it could take a "few weeks" to fix it!  Ah, boat ownership @#% $$$.  We will head back "home" to Treasure Cay, and wait till it is fixed..(Or we will pull the plug on it)


P.S.  I did get in a little "personal" shopping while in Marsh.  Had to make the rental car and the trip worth it!😎

*PS....PS...Whats more hair raising....crossing the gulf with Capt Bob, or driving in a car with him with the steering wheel on the WRONG side, AND driving on the WRONG side of the road!?!..quite the challenge.....everything is backwards!  I sucked a lot of air our of that car!

A Bad Day in the Bahamas....

this means a couple of things...

We HAD to grill our Lobster INDOORS (!) for dinner last night.....bummer, but we made the best of it!  Bought them from "our guy" on the dock.   $10 each, fresh today.   He showed Bob how to "crack" the tail off the body and now we have the bodies stored in the freezer for bait!   So we have "a guy" and "bodies in the freezer".....

Today is also Valentines Day, which means Captain Bob becomes Candy man Bob...…"don't tell me how to melt chocolate"  he says to me trying to advise him!  He will take some to our dinner tonight and hand out to his "other girls"......We have reservations with 2 other couples here to enjoy the "sweetheart dinner"night at the marina.





 We have been here a little over a week and have discovered that there is a theme to every day... Monday is "BINGO for WINE" night!!  Tuesday is beach bonfire, Wednesday is Italian night, Thursday is Pizza Night....which is quite the event as it seems the entire community population comes over to the marina beach bar and stands in line for pizza....you CAN order the pizza any night of the week, but Thursdays seems to be special.....more like a social event.  Friday is steak night....

I FINALLY realized my "life long dream" (inside family joke) and swam with the pigs.....actually there is not much swimming and they are  "real pigs".....and grabbed the food I had in a plastic bag to feed them, right out of my hand and gulped it down, plastic and all!  The signs posted claim they are "protected" on the small island where they live with just other pigs and chickens.....BUT.....I suspect there is some kind of population control...  ie:  every SUNDAY is Pig Roast day!  My sister suggested I should start a Plaths Meat Market franchise (the WORLD FAMOUS meat market in Rogers City) ...as I was gathering food I had on the boat for them, Capt Bob says "don't take any bacon!!"  haha

We also took the dinghy over to another small island.....and found several "sea bisquits", shells and Captain Bob even found a " CHIA CONCH"

So, even though today is overcast and rainy, you know what they say......a bad day in the Bahamas is better than a good day.....you fill in the blanks.

  

The WAIT could be over!

We Left Fort Pierce on Tuesday, Jan 29 and headed south.  Arrived at Pirates Cove in Stuart.  The captain ONCE AGAIN did a superb job of maneuvering LeReve into a very tight slip.....in a very tight marina.....very large boats took up much of the entrance by sticking way out of their slips.  But with the great help of a great first mate (HA) he slid the stern in ….even though the harbor "helper"? told me "front end" in, when I asked if we should bow or stern in.....Someone said the next time ask him if he means the "pointy end" or the "flat end".   We learned later that it was his first few days as a dock hand ....Anyway, we had to STERN in, in order to be able to get off the boat.  Just like all the other boats were doing.  This was a nice marina, with a TIKI bar and a  pool.....the weather did not cooperate for pool time, but much time was spent hanging out in Tiki Bar.

so a dog walks into a bar.....

Sat AM......1st sun in days!!

The location wasn't ideal as far as facilities were concerned so we had to take a cab to Publix for just a few more things we "need" for our Bahamas stay.  Capt Bob has purchased fins....to go with the Lobster spear he has made, we have a snorkel and mask already on board.....he has visions of putting his body in the water and spearing a lobster.....Yes, those who know Bob know how funny that is, but it is HIS vision and I will go along with it!  (My mom suggested we just buy Lobster, good idea)  We made a day of that trip and had lunch at a great seafood dive in Stuart.  It rained and was cold (by Florida standards) the entire 4 days we were there. Saturday morning...finally bright and sunny.....time to get this show on the road.  We left,  heading south using the inland waterway route.  This took us down thru Jupiter, North Palm Beach, West Palm Beach and across Lake Worth.

In our tenure as "executive and wife" during the corporate years, we have had the opportunity to meet and greet a lot of people who owned large, grand homes.....but we have never seen anything like we saw on  Jupiter Island....and while I was ogling the Island Side, I was missing the "inland side" where the "normal rich people" have huge homes, but nothing like the estate mansions on the Island side...(think Tiger Woods, and wife...who beat him with a golf club...not that he didn't deserve it!)  anyway, most have boats that looked like mini cruise ships tied to their docks...and some on are on docks by large boat houses.....you couldn't bearly see the MAIN house thru the manicured hedges.  It was quite a trip.

The "small" Viking on the side is probably a 70 footer!

This one sat in front of the boat/guest house.....I want to be a guest!

We arrived, after crossing Lake Worth, at Rivera Beach City Marina.   And the prices reflect that fact that we are getting farther south.....and it is getting warmer.....(that's a good thing!---the weather).

By the scuttle on the VHS is sounds like we will have quite a caravan crossing tomorrow.   I just met a fellow looper at the gas dock.....same size we are, leaving tomorrow bright and early.  We are both glad to have a buddy boat to cross with.  Hopefully the next post will be from the Bahamas!!

And the Rain just keeps on coming......

January 27, 2019

Opened blog to add a new post and discovered that I never posted the last entry....so I just posted that and will update from there.

We did make it to Port Canaveral as planned (at least that was on plan!)  Did spend one night there, and at their transient dock prices, we probably could have taken a cruise instead ….speaking of which, there were several cruise ships in port that left the in the morning before we did...…and we never heard them leave.  We must sleep well on LeReve!

Left the 19th (early once again) and headed for Ft. Pierce city marina.  We stayed in Ft Pierce when we came back from Bahamas last spring, so are familiar with the area and like it.  Very walkable to events, etc. and on site tiki bar.... and on Saturdays they have a great farmers market.   We arrived too late for the one on the 19th...…NEVER expecting to still be here the next Saturday. (26th)  The Lord is still teaching us patience!!   I do think I am taking it all very well, Lord....so how about a good day to cross the ocean!?

We had another wonderful "outside" trip to get here....AND THAT WAS THE LAST NICE DAY we have seen....so I guess be thankful that we are at a nice place with things to do.   BUT, I do have my limits!  It has RAINED, and RAINED.....and then when you think it can't possibly ….it RAINS some more.   The "silver lining" in this is that friends, Ken and Deb (from St Pete) couldn't come the first weekend we were here, so they did get to join us this past weekend.....IN THE RAIN!...oh ya, we also had tornado warnings during the past week one day also.....a little break up from RAIN.  We did get to attend the farmers market and buy a wooden carved fish for the boat décor.....something we sure didn't "need".....but I think the break in the rain for one half day, made me delirious as I handed over the $$…..been saving cash for the Bahamas, but am beginning to think we might NEVER need it!  Speaking of meeting friends.....our "boating friends" that we had planned to cross with have been there almost a month....they say the weather there isn't so great either (maybe just making me feel better about not being able to get there) but, we also have Michigan friends that are flying over and spending a week in Treasure Cay (where we suggested) partly due to the fact that we would be there to enjoy the fun with them!  Have to keep reminding myself the first rule in boating......NO schedule...

So here we are, deciding what to do this coming week.....perhaps we will try to move farther south on the intercoastal, on the ONE day it looks like it could be a little decent...then the winds and rain start in again.  Oh ya, forgot to mention, it isn't just the RAIN.....the winds are 20 to 25 mph.....too bad we don't have sails!.....although there are a lot of sailboats spending the week here also.....guess that's not too much fun in this monsoon weather either!

There really is a sun RISE!---originally written January 17, 2019

Captain Bob (also known as the "slave driver") blew the up and at em whistle this AM at 6:30!  I stumbled out of bed and helped untie LeReve from the dock we were tied to.  The sun was just coming up!  How beautiful...."yes, Jane, there really is a sunrise!"

We left Ortega about 3pm yesterday, heading for the mouth of the river, just before the big, bad, ocean.   We stayed at a marina directly across from a naval base and were warned that they "practiced" thru out the evening!   Little did we know that meant at least once an hour.....thru out the entire night....that we would feel like we were in a tsunami!  We haven't rocked and rolled that much since our nights at the Venoy in St Pete last year!  Seems the navy likes to race their boats at high speed up and down the river all night long.  When we were leaving at 7am, I said to Bob   "go real fast and rock them"...ya, at 12 mph I don't think we made a ripple.  They were probably sleeping, getting ready for dark.  (I thought the government was shut down??...speaking of which, the army corp of engineers were dredging the river....and according to our depth finder, it was already over 50 feet deep??? go figure.)

At 7 am we entered the ocean "the outside" vs the inland waterway.  It is faster and today was the perfect day for it....nice seas, almost made the ride boring!  Boring is good.  Except for a few shrimp boats, there was no boat traffic, did see a few dolphins, other than that, just a nice trip on a sunny day.  We arrived at our destination about 3:30pm.  New Smyrna Beach, where we cut into the inland waterway and will spend the night.  Tomorrow we will head for Port Canaveral as a stop on our way to Ft. Pierce.  That is where we plan to base until we get a good crossing window to the Bahamas....also we will have some company here, as Ken and Deb Rogers will come for a day or two....it will be good to see friendly faces....and we can brag about our grandchildren to each other👫!

Deja Vu...all over again...

Last winter we spent way more time than "planned" in Panama City Beach waiting for good gulf crossing weather.....well this January it seems to be that Jacksonville is the waiting place.  No, we are not even close to checking the weather for a good crossing to the Bahamas...we are waiting on parts, workers, etc!  Bob told the guys painting our dinghy arm that he plans to paint the boat gray.....as he thinks he could paint the boat gray, faster than they were painting the arm white!....Maybe, maybe not, but that seemed to spur them on to finish the job and install the newly painted arm with the newly installed motor (that we were also waiting for...)  It LOOKS very nice, however the new motor doesn't work any better than the old one did!!!%%$!@#$.  Seems to be some issue with that kind of motor or something.  The workers blamed in on the government shut down! (seriously), Bob says "so its Trumps fault that I can't get a working motor?"!!HA.  So now we WAIT as they look for another one.  We have ALL the other items taken care of and Capt Bob has come up with something to do daily.   The latest job, after he has replaced the steps down into the engine room, replaced and fitted a new microwave, and a million other housekeeping jobs,  is taking out the  25+ year old, original, TV and making a storage cabinet out of that space.  We have a smart TV (smarter than we are) that sits on the top of the cabinets and allows us many more options of things to do while we WAIT  and now we will have more storage also.  The guy that made the doors for that project, marveled at Bob's handiwork on the other items he has done and offered him a job!.....seriously!   I said if they throw in health insurance, we're in!  We can always go to the islands for a long weekend  (haha).  If we stay here any longer I think he might seriously consider it.   Our friends, that we had planned to cross with, are already in Treasure Cay.  We really do plan to catch up with them...and I really do think the Lord is (trying) to teach me patience with this whole journey!  I am just taking it all in stride, something I probably would not have done a year ago.  Well, also, I somewhere picked up some bad germs  and have been on a heavy dose of antibiotics, so I wasn't in any shape to go anywhere, away from available health care, anytime soon, anyway.  Patience!  I just laugh when I go out "into my surroundings", as we are in a "working boatyard"and it is FAR from luxurious ….although, I will say it is kind of nice in the evenings when everyone goes home and we are the ONLY ones here.....very quiet and private.  I went out for groceries the other day and carried them back in between boats being lifted out and spray painters and welders...it is humorous that we are living in the midst of this. It has been cold, but like someone says, you don't have to SHOVEL cold, and the sun shines so I can hang the laundry out on the bow.  (my second favorite thing to do, right behind grocery shopping) Oh, the glamourous life I lead!  Maybe, just maybe, the next post will be the real deal from the islands.....have to wait and see!  We have our phones scheduled to be turned off on Jan 20 and will have to communicate by email after that....could be a "real vacation" right here in Jacksonville!