I just listened to Chris Parker’s 6:30AM weather on the SSB for Wednesday 4-6-16. As predicted we will get a clocking of wind from North to East and up to a 30 mph blow today as a weak front passes and dissipates. The event is short lived; winds will lay tonight and move around from East to SE making tomorrow’s 30 mile trip to Nassau a downwind cake walk. Listening to Chris, we are still stuck in the winter weather patterns. Normally these fronts have quit pushing this far south. Spring weather patterns normally moderate the winter blows by April… hopefully the Bahamas will come into “spring” soon.
Reason said we could have made the trip to Nassau yesterday, but after the 100 mile spirited sail from Bimini, a layover was definitely in order. If we hadn’t waited… we would have all missed the great beach we found yesterday. More often than not… waiting is the right answer but when your time limited like all vacations are, it’s hard to slow down enough to do the trip right. Luckily we did it right this time. So far we haven’t rushed through any destination. We did Bimini justice, the Berry islands got a quick look and tomorrow we will go to the zoo. Not literally the zoo, but to Nassau.
I call Nassau a zoo because of all the tourist activity and boat traffic. Nassau is almost always a stopover because of its geographical location; it’s on the way to the Exumas. We might top off our fuel there, but we are only down 5 gallons since Bimini. I probably will go to the grocer and to Batelco just across the parking lot to activate my Bahamian phone. From the zoo, it’s South to paradise! The Exumas….. No more long trips for a while, I’ll try and slow down my mind to “Island Time” and enjoy every corner of each stop. Unfortunately I already see the end of our trip approaching but choose not to dwell on it. I don’t overstate it when I say this passage has been an intrepid endeavor.
There have been many difficult obstacles to overcome this year after leaving New Orleans on SYL. Most would probably have called off the trip. Some say I should have, but at this moment my eyes are filled with the amazing blue water colors of the Bahamas. No it’s not sweeter for the trials; they have taken their toll on the volume of my happiness. I guess “glad we persevered” is still to be determined. The trips start gave us a lot to get over, hopefully the remainder of the trip will overcome the truly ugly start.
I have had special moments with Jonathon, and with the Jumanji crew. It’s been very special sailing next to Mike on a sister ship. I suspect when the full Seawind fleet of four assembles in the Exumas, I might be able to say “It was worth it”. You know a woman’s home is her castle.. but for a man it’s his garage stuff. I haven’t lost the lump in my throat when I think of the 15’ long dumpster full of my things I lost in the flood. Linda falling and having to be operated on a second time for her knee was heart breaking, I went home for that and the flood but there was certainly no joy in it.. only love for Linda and duty of cleaning up after the flood. We beat into weather for 2 weeks after making my way back to the boat trying to make Florida, the boat had issues… getting to where I sit was not an easy thing this year. Linda is not with me so much of my joy is automatically missing in that, this trips joy may be more about getting to know my son, and training him to be a sailor.
Jonathon wants more than anything to buy a sailboat and cruise the Bahamas for an extended time. I look at him and see his wheels rolling often.. thinking about what it would be like… writing down favorite places…. He’s processing the possibilities. I’m glad I can pass along what I have learned about weather, navigation and the art of sailing. He may choose not to do it, and that’s perfectly fine with me… but if he does he won’t start out at ground zero.