We had a nice sail once we left Florida, surrounded by floating cities-Cruise ships. They passed us on all four sides, all lit up like giant cities. Sometimes you can just picture the festivities, music, drinking and dancing on board. Then there’s Raven and her crew quietly cutting through the night with the comfort of White Wings on her tail.
The next day there we were, on the shore drinking Goombay Punch and eating conch. Turns out Shark Week was doing a little filming in the marina. All was fairly quiet except the cameramen ready with all their artillery to film. They feed these behemoth creatures right off the dock and then visitors can get in a cage and observe, I passed! Swimming was discouraged in the marina.
We stuck around for a few days and then we slowly made our way to Nassau. At one point along the way, we anchored on a shallow spot where you felt you were in the middle of the ocean. No land in sight. Just White Wings and Raven resting out at sea. We had a beautiful sail into Nassau and arrived before sunset. We hung out there for a couple of days but other than venturing into town and having lunch we did not spend much time onshore or explore.
Initially, we were going to stay there a bit longer. However, we needed to get Raven safely tucked into the next spot, Staniel Cay before I flew out for Christmas and a wedding. I jumped on a little prop plane which felt like I was on school bus with wings. Left White Wings and Raven below and was able to see the beautiful islands and ocean that we had just passed through. What a sight to behold.
While I was back in California, David celebrated Christmas with Sondra and Stuart. Then later the three of them with David’s past coworker Melinda (who flew into help David hold everything down while I was gone) rang in the New Year at Staniel Cay Yacht club and so started the New Year 2020.
Before I returned, Melinda flew out and I flew in with friends Reynolds and Debra. The winds were high, the water was rough, it was questionable if we’d have to stay onshore. David did venture into get us and so the trip began for the new guests.
Both Reynolds and Debra had just gotten certified and so our plan was to dive. Raven was all set up with new gear. However, we didn’t know where we could dive and most areas looked out of reach to go by dinghy. The two of them with a lot of work on their part were able were able to get a dive boat to pick them up and do some diving. We did do a little snorkeling. One day we dropped into Thunderbolt Grotto which is oh so beautiful. However, I ended up having a panic attack, feeling trapped and had to get out fast!
We spent a few minutes with those pigs on the beach; that for whatever reason are a big tourist attraction. And for the first time we busted out our paddleboards that we picked up when we were in Annapolis. Most days were spent relaxing, reading and playing Mexican Dominos thanks to Melinda bringing that wonderful game to Raven.
Then before we knew it all guests were gone, and Raven and White Wings had their sails flying again. We went by and anchored close to David Copperfield’s island, and spent a couple of days at Black Point. We made exotic plans to see islands near and far. In the end the plan was to push on to the Exumas and get straight to Georgetown.
In Georgetown, we jumped right into the cruising community. Listening every morning to the net. Where they tell stories, trade boat parts, report the day activities. We did yoga on the beach, tried volleyball a couple of times. Went to the cruiser jam sessions. There was Texas Holdem, basket weaving, cornhole, drum circles, etc. Well it was pretty much summer camp for older people. It was a beautiful island with many sand dollars to be had. A long thin island that you could hike, and run some very nice maintained trails and run along the beach. Before we knew it almost two months had flashed by and we were itching to leave.
Before we left Georgetown Steve and Ann from Happy Times that we had spent time with in Virginia, jumped on board with us for a few days. We were hoping to dive or possibly sail off to Puerto Rico all together, but alas once again our plans were foiled by the wind and weather and it didn’t happen. We did get the dive equipment out and start to play with it and even though it wasn’t deep, it was too murky to enjoy. We enjoyed some beautiful dinners, sunsets and hikes with them and then we waved our goodbyes and two days later we had the weather window we were hoping for and we set sail for Puerto Rico.
Raven-Bimini to Staniel Cay
