Wandering about Abaco

Wed March 17th thru Mon March 23rd--
   With warm sunny days in the mid 80's and nights around 70 we find ourselves being lazy relaxing on the many area beaches. On Wed morning in dead calm Chris climbed the mast to take care of some chores we had been putting off.  I havn't been able to do any strenuous work since Oct as I have been batteling a herniated cervical disk and still have trouble looking up or using my arms above chest level. Chris was able to replace our broken windvane and reave a new spinnaker halyard. Note that even with our new mast steps we still use a safety harness.

Chris enjoying the view from 55 ft up

     Later that morning we decide to head south which requires a  jog out into the ocean to round Whale Cay. As we approach the cut the swells are rolling in with alarming size and we decide to play it safe and return to Green Turtle Cay. The next morning we head south again but with a full moon(supermoon) giving an extra high tide we take the inside route called don't rock passage that I have always wanted to try. We could never make it at low tide but with an extra 3 ft we see no less than 6 ft of water. The ocean waves were still making their way into this area but just a gentle 4 ft swell.
     Spent Friday night anchored near Water Cay taking advantage of the extra low tides to explore a few backwater areas on foot. After spending the day Saturday exploring in the dinghy and a day on the beach we head into the protected anchorage at Treasure Cay where we can use the resorts facilities for a minimal fee.
Sunday was another glorious beach day and today(mon) we were able to get to the Batelco (phone co.) office to get sim cards for our phone and computer. We now should have internet wherever  3g service is available (a surprising number of islands).

   Monday March 23rd thru April 4th

Settled weather allows us to visit many different anchorages we have missed the past couple of years. We spent time at Fishers Bay on Great Guana Cay, Water Cay off of Great Abaco, Man-o-War Cay, then back to Treasure Cay to ride out the latest cold front.
Our next stop is Marsh Harbor where Chris got to stock up on fresh veggies at the supermarket there.  This is the only small city in Abaco and boasts most everything a boater would need.  Picked up a case of our favorite rum “ Fire in da hole” it being one of the few things that is a bargain compared to US prices. Also a visit to the fish market for frozen Conch and Lobster tails without shells.  We always thought that buying from the local fisherman was the best deal but find that since we freeze most for future use the price is just as good and sometimes better.

Snake Cay-  On wed April 1st we made our way to a spot that has always attracted us but is only favorable in west winds.  We anchor in the lee of what at one time was a huge port complex and is now abandoned.  We spent an enjoyable afternoon on 5 mile dingy excursion into the back waters of the numerous cays that dot this coastline.  Hundreds of sea turtles along with many huge rays were the highlight of this trip. Thankfully I brought along the gps map to guide us  as we wound our way thru miles of shallows dotted with many small islands.

Lynyard Cay- Tranquil weather has been with us for much of the trip thus far but with the predicted return of strong trade winds next week we decide to prepare to cross open ocean to Eleuthra while we can. We spend a quiet night anchored close to the Little Harbor inlet where we exit the Sea of Abaco.