Enjoying the weather !!

Enjoying the weather, NOT !! We are riding out our first gale in the Bahamas. We really made the right decision to duck into a well protected marina. The wind is topping out at appx 35kts; so the boat is listing in the slip. Seas outside the marina are running 12-16 feet !! This blow is considerably worse than what we weathered in the remnants of Ida in Charleston (except for the rain).

Yesterday, Trudie and I took a walk across the marina to check out the ocean. The waves were crashing against the shore and the spray was shooting over the trees which are sea pines appx 50 feet tall. The spray was easily clearing the roofs of the two story homes set back from the beach. (This isn't some DP exaggeration, we have the pix to prove it !!) We needed to wear our foul wx jackets to ward off the spray 100 yards from the beach.

So, what would you expect THE CREW to do ?? You got it...we headed for the tiki bar at the pool. As we mentioned, the bar is not completed so we brought own ! The bar stools were all set up looking for "customers". We had a couple of coldies watching the surf pound on the beach....very impressive.

Hanging out, doing some boat projects and basically goofing off today.

(("Kinvara" if you are following along, circle Chub Cay Marina as a good hole to hide in on your way to Nassau; no TV, internet, public phones or cell service, but the security of the marina basin is more than worth it.))

Speaking of a lack of modern communication, I can't emphasize enough the importance of our ham radio equipment for the cruising sailor. This has been our ONLY link to the outside world; it is enabling us to get weather forecasts and safety info, emails, and of course posting to the blog to keep friends and family informed of our whereabouts. Can't imagine sailing without it....guess the only alternative would be a satellite phone....but that is VERY expensive and well beyond our budget. So, here we are relying on 1930s technology. But, you know what...it works great !!
THE CREW