Green Turtle Club Marina

I thought this post went through on Friday and just discovered that it didn't, so will try again and add an update.

Friday, April 19: We are tucked in at Green Turtle Club Marina, docked next to Ginny C, with Change, Chatty Cat, and Broadwater II close by. And as you can see, we finally have internet access. Not dependable, but we have it at the moment, and that will probably be the case from now on.

Apparently, a cold front has moved in. I'm sitting in the cockpit and just told Wayne that I could use a sweatshirt. Wouldn't you know, after three nights at anchor relying on the generator to cool us off, we're finally at a marina, paying an additional $20 a night for 30 amp electric, and can't even take advantage of the a/c. Life is tough.

It's been a long trek from West End to here. We covered 51 miles on Tuesday to Great Sale Cay, 49 miles on Wednesday to Powell Cay, seven miles on Thursday to Manjack Cay, and nine miles today. Green Turtle Cay could be considered the beginning of the main part of the Abacos, and everything from here on is pretty close together.

I had been dying to get in the water and finally had the opportunity on Wednesday at Powell Cay. There was no reef and we didn't see any fish (except for quite a few stingrays from the dinghy on the way to the beach and a few nurse sharks), but we had a great time snorkeling with Broadwater II and Chatty Cat, gathering sand dollars and sea biscuits. With 85 degree water, similar air temps, and nothing in the water that we needed protection from, we had no need or desire to don our wetsuits. Sunscreen alone, though, was not enough to protect our backs from sunburn.

Yesterday the other two boats moved on to where we are now at Green Turtle Cay, but Wayne and I opted for an anchorage on the northwest side of Manjack Cay. It was a beautiful anchorage and we were the only boat anchored there—exactly the break we needed after nearly two weeks of long days and traveling with others. With twenty knot winds and choppy waves, it was too rough to go far in the dinghy or snorkel, but we did a lot of hiking and beach combing. And of course, we relaxed and soaked in the beauty of God's creation, so grateful for the privilege of being able to do this.

We were anxious to have internet service so we could find out what was happening with Dennis and Shirla. Dennis's email included a long list of equipment they had replaced—they accomplished a lot in a few days! Unfortunately, the weather window for crossing to the Bahamas closed starting today and another opportunity doesn't appear to be imminent, so they are headed back to Punta Gorda. Dennis and Shirla, if you are reading this, we miss you guys and are so sorry your trip was cut short.

Now we await the appropriate weather conditions needed to traverse "The Whale," an area that can be treacherous if conditions aren't just right. Ginny said we may have to wait until Tuesday or Wednesday, so it looks like we'll be staying put for awhile. That's fine with me.

Our internet service here isn't allowing me to upload photos, or do much else online for that matter. I'll try again later.

Sunday, April 21: Since weather didn't appear to be favorable for them to cross the Whale in their trawler until Tuesday or Wednesday, Chris and Ginny decided to spend a week here and wait it out. Ginny C and Change had a horrendous time crossing the gulf stream—with horrendous bruises to show for it— and they weren't eager for that kind of excitement again. The Green Turtle Club Marina gave them a good weekly rate for dockage and golf cart rental, the primary means of transportation on the island. It's three miles to New Plymouth and the four of us drove down on Saturday morning.

As we made our way through town, dozens of people garbed in black clustered around the church made it obvious that a funeral was about to begin. As we walked about town we saw several signs on shop windows saying they were closed for  George's funeral. Two hours later when we passed by the church, the funeral was still in full swing. As we finished lunch and ice cream at McIntosh Restaurant and Bakery across from the cemetery, we watched the mourners finally congregate at the gravesite.

Last night after dinner ten of us gathered in the resort lounge for a rousing game of Catch Phrase. It was only a warmup and we didn't keep score, but there will be a rematch and the guys better watch out, because the women are ready.

It's rainy today, but winds have calmed down and Wayne and I are ready to tackle the Whale. Chatty Cat and Broadwater II will take the inside route, since they are catamarans and don't draw as much as we do. We hope to make it to Great Guana in time for the weekly pig roast at Nipper's Beach Bar.