We spent three days at anchor in a well protected spot in
the Berry’s as the wind howled around us from several different directions.
When it finally settled down we headed to shore to walk to the blue hole. There
was no trail as described. The rocky beach, which was supposed to be an
alternative, was more than we cared to negotiate, so we hauled anchor and
worked our way further north. We dropped anchor on the east side of Great
Harbor and loaded the empty Gerry cans into the dinghy. The Shell station was on
the other side of the island, about 2 or 2 ½ miles. We asked one woman if we
were going in the right direction. She replied in the affirmative and then said
that she would be right back and give us a ride. Before she had time to return,
three men in a pickup truck gave us a ride to the station and back to our
dinghy. That job certainly was easy.
Back on Submit and fueled up we again pulled anchor and
continued North. This time we were headed for Ocean Reef Yacht Club on
Grand Bahama Island on the southern most
part of the Abacos. We slogged slowly
under light winds and a starry sky. We were passed by several cruise ships and
freighters, so we were hardly ever alone. All of that activity makes the two
hours on watch go by quickly. The only
real excitement was the barracuda which Reggie hooked. I’m so glad that he
didn’t also hook the fish that was taking bites out of his barracuda as he was
reeling it in. We have had better fishing success this year, but still no fish
to eat.
Vic and Marilyn on Whisper, whom we met last year in Bimini,
welcomed us to the elderly cruisers retirement center. We are now experiencing
what it would be like to be a snowbird of the cruising world. There are two
pools with hot tubs, a tennis court, bocce ball a couple times a week, bingo
three times a week, Monday Madness dinners, Karaoke, and movies on Thursday
nights. A bus takes us to the grocery store on Saturday and Monday. There is
shuttle bus to the Market Place most days.
Our plan on arrival was to check in, say Hi to Vic and Marilyn
and go to sleep. Instead, we loaded into our dinghy and headed to Two Dollar
Bar for lunch since we hadn’t eaten breakfast or lunch, which was fine by me. I
could sleep later. We were able to meet many of our cruising snowbirders there.
What a raucous time! It was the best hamburger I’ve ever eaten.
When we retuned, it was time to catch the bus to the grocery
store. Our supplies were pretty low. I was falling asleep on my feet after the
long night and big meal. Reggie went to the store.
Other than the activities here and socializing with
everyone, we have taken the shuttle to the Market Place and then walked back
here by way of the beach. The Market Place consists of small touristy shops.
The women went into at least five jewelry stores. I noticed some boutiques and
restaurants and Reggie and Vic found a liquor store.
Today is stormy, so I’m mostly reading. Reggie is measuring
the mast to see if we would be able to get under a bridge to go to a marina
that sounds like the place we would most prefer to take Submit this year. Yesterday
he installed our new rigid boom vang. As long as he is happy, I’m happy.
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