Great Loop II Date: 05/12/2015Day #284 (Tuesday) 14 miles (3859 total miles)Locks: 0 (30 total locks)Bridges: 0 (4 total bridges) Port #66: Vero Beach, FLMooring: Vero Beach Municipal MarinaTodd and I decided to sleep late and go a short distance to Ve…
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Port #65: Fort Pierce, FL…Taking Advantage of the Gulfstream
Great Loop II Date: 05/11/2015
Day #283 (Monday) 99.2 miles (3845 total miles)
Locks: 0 (30 total locks)
Bridges: 0 (4 total bridges)
Port #65: Fort Pierce, FL
Marina: Harbortown Marina
The clock gave us the wakeup call at 4:50AM. First morning light was evident by 5:30AM. We left West End before sunrise with 3 sailboats.
 |
| Sunrise over rolling following seas…a preview of the day. |
 |
| Seadeuce…one of our crossing buddies. |
Seas were rolling at 3 feet on our portside quarter stern with a 4 to 5 second period between waves. All that combined gave us a constant roll. Todd took a heading for Fort Pierce to take advantage of the push from the Gulfstream. It also helped keep the rolling waves to our stern. If he had taken us the shorter distance to Lake Worth, the rolling would have been on our port beam and not tolerable.
The constant rolling eventually took its’ toll on both Todd and I. Vertigo set in and stayed with us until the waves decreased about 10 miles from the Fort Pierce Inlet. We tried peppermint candy, ginger ale, cola drinks, salty carbohydrates and none of them settled that constant queezy feeling. I had Dramamine on board but Todd didn’t want to endure the side effects.
We both breathed a sigh of relief as we entered the inlet and were formally stateside once again. Todd called Customs after we were settled in our dock. The process was so easy with our LBO cards. The Customs officer was extremely nice and funny at times, calling me Paula Abdul.
The vertigo stayed with us throughout the evening. We both went to bed early and slept like logs.
Port #64: West End, Freeport, BS…Last Stop Before the Bank
Great
Loop II Date: 05/09/2015
Day #281 (Saturday) 62.7 miles (3746 total miles)
Locks: 0 (30 total locks)
Bridges: 0 (4 total bridges)
Port #64: West End,
Freeport, BS
Marina: Old Bahama Bay Marina and Resort
The morning came ear…
Port #63: Great Sale Cay…Beginning the Trek Home
Great
Loop II Date: 05/08/2015
Loop II Date: 05/08/2015
Day #280 (Friday) 59 miles (3683 total miles)
Locks: 0 (30 total locks)
Bridges: 0 (4 total bridges)
Port #63: Great Sale Cay,
BS
BS
Anchorage: Tom Johnson Harbor
Although there was more to see in
the Abacos, we knew we needed to get OB back to the states and on toward Lake
Erie if we wanted to enjoy any summer at our home dock. Todd’s best calculations had us getting to
Lake Erie and Bay Point by the first of July.
To keep that schedule, we had to head OB back through the track we had
taken to get to Green Turtle. Also, that
schedule didn’t take in any weather delays.
Were we to take more time in the Abacos, we probably wouldn’t get back
to our Lake Erie dock until late August giving us only 6 weeks or so before
we’d store OB on shore and drive back to Cape Coral for the winter.
the Abacos, we knew we needed to get OB back to the states and on toward Lake
Erie if we wanted to enjoy any summer at our home dock. Todd’s best calculations had us getting to
Lake Erie and Bay Point by the first of July.
To keep that schedule, we had to head OB back through the track we had
taken to get to Green Turtle. Also, that
schedule didn’t take in any weather delays.
Were we to take more time in the Abacos, we probably wouldn’t get back
to our Lake Erie dock until late August giving us only 6 weeks or so before
we’d store OB on shore and drive back to Cape Coral for the winter.
We waved goodbye to our new found
friends and had OB underway at 6:30AM.
There was a mass exodus of sailboats both ahead of us and behind us all
day long. We listened to them discuss
where they planned to anchor, changing their plans as the wind changed and
generally happy because they could maintain sailing all day long with no
motoring.
friends and had OB underway at 6:30AM.
There was a mass exodus of sailboats both ahead of us and behind us all
day long. We listened to them discuss
where they planned to anchor, changing their plans as the wind changed and
generally happy because they could maintain sailing all day long with no
motoring.
We watched thunderheads grow around
us but never threatened us. OB arrived
at her anchorage early afternoon. Her
anchor set well and I followed it with adequate chain to allow for wind. Once we were settled, Todd, Charlie and I
took to the bridge to watch the sailors go to different parts of the island to
anchor.
us but never threatened us. OB arrived
at her anchorage early afternoon. Her
anchor set well and I followed it with adequate chain to allow for wind. Once we were settled, Todd, Charlie and I
took to the bridge to watch the sailors go to different parts of the island to
anchor.
 |
| The clouds began forming into thunderheads, as they did everyday. Rarely were we caught in the rain. |
 |
| The cloud formations were always interesting. |
The evening was delightful until
sunset when the bugs came out to dine.
We put all of the screens in place and retired to the inside for the
night. The winds died after sunset and
the night’s sleep began humid and warm.
sunset when the bugs came out to dine.
We put all of the screens in place and retired to the inside for the
night. The winds died after sunset and
the night’s sleep began humid and warm.
 |
| Our anchorage for the night…Tom Johnson Harbor. |
 |
| Even with the ripples from the breeze, the waters were so clear we could see everything on the bottom of the aquarium. Even a small black tipped shark came by to invest us. |
 |
| This was our position on the chart. |
 |
| One of the thunderstorms that formed to the south of us. |
 |
| Another storm to the east of us. |
 |
| A great sunset. |
 |
| Reflection of the sunset on the thunderheads to the east of us. |
Around 1AM the burgee (flag) on our
bow started to rattle. I got up to check
our anchor. The winds had picked up and
we were taking 1 foot rollers from the east.
It was interesting to see all of the anchor lights on the sailboats in a
circumference around the island. I guessed
there were at least 2 dozen sailboats dispersed between the north anchorage,
Northwest Harbor (where we anchored 3 weeks before) and Tom Johnson Harbor (our
anchorage for the night).
bow started to rattle. I got up to check
our anchor. The winds had picked up and
we were taking 1 foot rollers from the east.
It was interesting to see all of the anchor lights on the sailboats in a
circumference around the island. I guessed
there were at least 2 dozen sailboats dispersed between the north anchorage,
Northwest Harbor (where we anchored 3 weeks before) and Tom Johnson Harbor (our
anchorage for the night).
I went to bed satisfied that OB was
holding fast to her anchor. My sleep
continued to be broken by the lurching and rocking of the boat.
holding fast to her anchor. My sleep
continued to be broken by the lurching and rocking of the boat.
Port #62: Green Turtle Cay BS…The Eye in the Storm
Great
Loop II Date: 04/26/2015
Loop II Date: 04/26/2015
Day #268 (Sunday) 17.6 miles (3623 total miles)
Locks: 0 (30 total locks)
Bridges: 0 (4 total bridges)
Port #62: Green Turtle Cay, BS
Marina: Bluff House Marina and Resort
More difficult weather was in the
forecast. Todd and I knew we needed to
get through the Whale Passage. We
reluctantly dropped lines and left Treasure Cay for Green Turtle Cay.
forecast. Todd and I knew we needed to
get through the Whale Passage. We
reluctantly dropped lines and left Treasure Cay for Green Turtle Cay.
Our day’s travel was
uneventful. We docked at Bluff House
Marina and Resort once again. This time
the dockmaster had us add an extra line.
The day after we arrived, we found out why. A large storm came through with winds up to
35 to 40 MPH. OB strained at her lines
and bumped abruptly into the ladder at our stern. As she loosened those important two lines to
take another shot at the dock, I tightened them further. We never hit the dock again!
uneventful. We docked at Bluff House
Marina and Resort once again. This time
the dockmaster had us add an extra line.
The day after we arrived, we found out why. A large storm came through with winds up to
35 to 40 MPH. OB strained at her lines
and bumped abruptly into the ladder at our stern. As she loosened those important two lines to
take another shot at the dock, I tightened them further. We never hit the dock again!
 |
| The non-tropical storm…which ended up being windier than the real tropical storm! |
 |
| Sunset after the storm…the sunsets just kept coming. |
Our stay became extended by a
developing tropical weather system between the Bahamas and the Florida
coast. We felt somewhat marooned. Doug and Dahri took us out on their boat to
anchor at Manjack Cay, hoping the waters would be calm enough to snorkel. Unfortunately, the winds kept us from that
but it was fun to get away and see a new landscape.
developing tropical weather system between the Bahamas and the Florida
coast. We felt somewhat marooned. Doug and Dahri took us out on their boat to
anchor at Manjack Cay, hoping the waters would be calm enough to snorkel. Unfortunately, the winds kept us from that
but it was fun to get away and see a new landscape.
We also rented a golf cart for a few
days during Green Turtle’s Heritage Festival.
It was a small festival with lots of music, games for the youngsters,
and many booths with trinkets and food.
Again, it did get us away from the boat for a while.
days during Green Turtle’s Heritage Festival.
It was a small festival with lots of music, games for the youngsters,
and many booths with trinkets and food.
Again, it did get us away from the boat for a while.
 |
| The restaurant, pool and water taxi dock as seen from OB’s bow. |
 |
| Todd and I took the dinghy to the Heritage Festival the opening day. |
 |
| A fishing boat in Black Sound near the festival area. |
 |
| St. Peter’s Anglican Church in downtown New Plymouth. |
 |
| The inside of the church was beautiful and sparkling clean. |
 |
| Loved seeing the British, American, Bahamian and Canadian flags proudly displayed. |
 |
| A cute little bungalow on the main street (Bay Street) in New Plymouth. |
 |
| More houses in New Plymouth. |
 |
| We took the dinghy around on the Sea of Abaco to the Tranquil Turtle (part of the Bluff House Resort). This is where Todd was found in the hammock the first day here the week before. |
 |
| Doug and Coco with a cute little Bahamian girl. |
 |
| The Police Band and solo singer. The folks on Green Turtle really love this band and are very proud of it. |
 |
| This is one of the school girls that really liked Coco our first week in Green Turtle. |
 |
| The school kids playing musical chairs with the Loyalist reenactors. |
 |
| More Goombay Smashes at the Pineapple…where the conch graveyard was. |
 |
| Doug and Dari from All In…a really sweet couple we’ll certainly see again in Florida. |
 |
| THAT’S a Tranquil Turtle in my hand! |
 |
| Think this turtle needs to have a Tranquil Turtle. |
 |
| Dari and I both loved these signs posted right outside of the restrooms. |
The tropical storm became known as
Invest 90L and eventually TS Ana. We did get two days of heavy
rain but no wind to speak of. OB got a
good bath of fresh water and I got a lot of exercise pumping water out of the
dinghy. We did enjoy the delicious food
and exotic drinks at the Bluff House…and it all showed up on our waistlines as
well as the final bill!
Invest 90L and eventually TS Ana. We did get two days of heavy
rain but no wind to speak of. OB got a
good bath of fresh water and I got a lot of exercise pumping water out of the
dinghy. We did enjoy the delicious food
and exotic drinks at the Bluff House…and it all showed up on our waistlines as
well as the final bill!
 |
| The final dinner at the Bluff House. |
Port #64: West End, Freeport, BS…Last Stop Before the Bank
Great Loop II Date: 05/09/2015Day #281 (Saturday) 62.7 miles (3746 total miles)Locks: 0 (30 total locks)Bridges: 0 (4 total bridges) Port #64: West End, Freeport, BSMarina: Old Bahama Bay Marina and ResortThe morning came early with little …
Port #63: Great Sale Cay…Beginning the Trek Home
Great Loop II Date: 05/08/2015
Day #280 (Friday) 59 miles (3683 total miles)
Locks: 0 (30 total locks)
Bridges: 0 (4 total bridges)
Port #63: Great Sale Cay, BS
Anchorage: Tom Johnson Harbor
Although there was more to see in the Abacos, we knew we needed to get OB back to the states and on toward Lake Erie if we wanted to enjoy any summer at our home dock. Todd’s best calculations had us getting to Lake Erie and Bay Point by the first of July. To keep that schedule, we had to head OB back through the track we had taken to get to Green Turtle. Also, that schedule didn’t take in any weather delays. Were we to take more time in the Abacos, we probably wouldn’t get back to our Lake Erie dock until late August giving us only 6 weeks or so before we’d store OB on shore and drive back to Cape Coral for the winter.
We waved goodbye to our new found friends and had OB underway at 6:30AM. There was a mass exodus of sailboats both ahead of us and behind us all day long. We listened to them discuss where they planned to anchor, changing their plans as the wind changed and generally happy because they could maintain sailing all day long with no motoring.
We watched thunderheads grow around us but never threatened us. OB arrived at her anchorage early afternoon. Her anchor set well and I followed it with adequate chain to allow for wind. Once we were settled, Todd, Charlie and I took to the bridge to watch the sailors go to different parts of the island to anchor.
|
| The clouds began forming into thunderheads, as they did everyday. Rarely were we caught in the rain. |
|
| The cloud formations were always interesting. |
The evening was delightful until sunset when the bugs came out to dine. We put all of the screens in place and retired to the inside for the night. The winds died after sunset and the night’s sleep began humid and warm.
|
| Our anchorage for the night…Tom Johnson Harbor. |
|
| Even with the ripples from the breeze, the waters were so clear we could see everything on the bottom of the aquarium. Even a small black tipped shark came by to invest us. |
|
| This was our position on the chart. |
|
| One of the thunderstorms that formed to the south of us. |
|
| Another storm to the east of us. |
|
| A great sunset. |
|
| Reflection of the sunset on the thunderheads to the east of us. |
Around 1AM the burgee (flag) on our bow started to rattle. I got up to check our anchor. The winds had picked up and we were taking 1 foot rollers from the east. It was interesting to see all of the anchor lights on the sailboats in a circumference around the island. I guessed there were at least 2 dozen sailboats dispersed between the north anchorage, Northwest Harbor (where we anchored 3 weeks before) and Tom Johnson Harbor (our anchorage for the night).
I went to bed satisfied that OB was holding fast to her anchor. My sleep continued to be broken by the lurching and rocking of the boat.
Port #62: Green Turtle Cay BS…The Eye in the Storm
Great Loop II Date: 04/26/2015
Day #268 (Sunday) 17.6 miles (3623 total miles)
Locks: 0 (30 total locks)
Bridges: 0 (4 total bridges)
Port #62: Green Turtle Cay, BS
Marina: Bluff House Marina and Resort
More difficult weather was in the forecast. Todd and I knew we needed to get through the Whale Passage. We reluctantly dropped lines and left Treasure Cay for Green Turtle Cay.
Our day’s travel was uneventful. We docked at Bluff House Marina and Resort once again. This time the dockmaster had us add an extra line. The day after we arrived, we found out why. A large storm came through with winds up to 35 to 40 MPH. OB strained at her lines and bumped abruptly into the ladder at our stern. As she loosened those important two lines to take another shot at the dock, I tightened them further. We never hit the dock again!
|
| The non-tropical storm…which ended up being windier than the real tropical storm! |
|
| Sunset after the storm…the sunsets just kept coming. |
Our stay became extended by a developing tropical weather system between the Bahamas and the Florida coast. We felt somewhat marooned. Doug and Dahri took us out on their boat to anchor at Manjack Cay, hoping the waters would be calm enough to snorkel. Unfortunately, the winds kept us from that but it was fun to get away and see a new landscape.
We also rented a golf cart for a few days during Green Turtle’s Heritage Festival. It was a small festival with lots of music, games for the youngsters, and many booths with trinkets and food. Again, it did get us away from the boat for a while.
|
| The restaurant, pool and water taxi dock as seen from OB’s bow. |
|
| Todd and I took the dinghy to the Heritage Festival the opening day. |
|
| A fishing boat in Black Sound near the festival area. |
|
| St. Peter’s Anglican Church in downtown New Plymouth. |
|
| The inside of the church was beautiful and sparkling clean. |
|
| Loved seeing the British, American, Bahamian and Canadian flags proudly displayed. |
|
| A cute little bungalow on the main street (Bay Street) in New Plymouth. |
|
| More houses in New Plymouth. |
|
| We took the dinghy around on the Sea of Abaco to the Tranquil Turtle (part of the Bluff House Resort). This is where Todd was found in the hammock the first day here the week before. |
|
| Doug and Coco with a cute little Bahamian girl. |
|
| The Police Band and solo singer. The folks on Green Turtle really love this band and are very proud of it. |
|
| This is one of the school girls that really liked Coco our first week in Green Turtle. |
|
| The school kids playing musical chairs with the Loyalist reenactors. |
|
| More Goombay Smashes at the Pineapple…where the conch graveyard was. |
|
| Doug and Dari from All In…a really sweet couple we’ll certainly see again in Florida. |
|
| THAT’S a Tranquil Turtle in my hand! |
|
| Think this turtle needs to have a Tranquil Turtle. |
|
| Dari and I both loved these signs posted right outside of the restrooms. |
The tropical storm became known as Invest 90L and eventually TS Ana. We did get two days of heavy rain but no wind to speak of. OB got a good bath of fresh water and I got a lot of exercise pumping water out of the dinghy. We did enjoy the delicious food and exotic drinks at the Bluff House…and it all showed up on our waistlines as well as the final bill!
|
| The final dinner at the Bluff House. |
Port #61: Treasure Cay BS…Paradise Found!
Great
Loop II Date: 04/25/2015
Day #267 (Saturday) 12 miles (3606 total miles)
Locks: 0 (30 total locks)
Bridges: 0 (4 total bridges)
Port #61: Treasure Cay, Great Abaco Island, BS
Marina: Treasure Cay Marina and Resort
Weather came into deci…
Port #60: Orchid Bay, Great Guana Cay…The Beauty of the Atlantic Ocean in the Abacos
Great
Loop II Date: 04/23/2015
Loop II Date: 04/23/2015
Day #265 (Thursday) 9 miles (3594 total miles)
Locks: 0 (30 total locks)
Bridges: 0 (4 total bridges)
Port #60: Orchid Bay, Great Guana Cay, BS
Mooring: Orchid Bay – Dive Guana
.After filling the water tank and
giving Charlie a nice bath, we waved goodbye to Marsh Harbor and took a heading
for Orchid Bay on Great Guana Cay. The
winds always seemed to be blowing. They
had clocked around to make the moorings at Orchid Bay more comfortable.
giving Charlie a nice bath, we waved goodbye to Marsh Harbor and took a heading
for Orchid Bay on Great Guana Cay. The
winds always seemed to be blowing. They
had clocked around to make the moorings at Orchid Bay more comfortable.
We had planned to meet Dahri and
Doug on All In at Orchid Bay. Todd and I
came to know this fine couple at Bluff House Marina. Our timing was perfect. They hailed us on the VHF and were docked by
the time we took our mooring.
Doug on All In at Orchid Bay. Todd and I
came to know this fine couple at Bluff House Marina. Our timing was perfect. They hailed us on the VHF and were docked by
the time we took our mooring.
 |
| Moored in Orchid Bay on Great Guana Cay |
Great Guana Cay has two bar and
grills that are known by most who visit the Abaco islands. We chose Grabbers for lunch and Nippers for
dinner. Of the two, Nippers definitely
had the scenery.
grills that are known by most who visit the Abaco islands. We chose Grabbers for lunch and Nippers for
dinner. Of the two, Nippers definitely
had the scenery.
 |
| Grabbers T-shirt Shop…yes, we got one. |
 |
| The first round of the Billfish Tournament started at Great Guana Cay while we were there. These sport fishing boats were HUGE! |
 |
| Sunset from OB our first night in Orchid Bay. |
We returned to Nippers the following
day for lunch and to spend time on the beach.
The incoming waves were amazing to watch as they broke on the
rocks. We decided this was definitely
one of the highlights of our trip.
day for lunch and to spend time on the beach.
The incoming waves were amazing to watch as they broke on the
rocks. We decided this was definitely
one of the highlights of our trip.
 |
| Coming up Nippers Dock…you can’t get lost going to Nippers. |
 |
| The next directional sign… |
 |
| …and the next (in front and to the right of Todd)… |
 |
| …and the next… |
 |
| …this wasn’t a sign but it was on the way…think it died trying to get there… |
 |
| …then it’s just up the hill… |
 |
| …and you’re there…but this is the BACK of Nippers… |
 |
| …THIS is the view from the front of Nippers! |
 |
| We know why everyone that’s been there TALKS about it! |
 |
| That’s Doug, Dari and Coco on the beach. |
 |
| THIS is now my wallpaper on my computer! |
