February 24, 2015 - Weather is beautiful

Wouldn't you just know it?! The minute our friends left, the temperature warmed significantly, the wind died down and we once again have the Bahama weather we expected. We think the cold weather may have stowed away in their suitcases for the time they were here, and thankfully stowed in their suitcases for the return trip.

We have had some memorable, fun times these past few days, and the blue skies and calm water have helped contribute to that. Our friends Larry & Deb from Bear's Nest came to Marsh Harbor so we connected with them and some of their fellow Canadian friends a few times over the past few days.

Yesterday, because the weather had made a huge turnaround for the better, we left Marsh Harbor for a short trip to Great Guana, where we had visited by ferry with our Michigan friends just a few days earlier. We anchored in Settlement Bay and reconnected with our friends Bill & Lori from California & Charlevoix, who are also on The Loop. We had a great evening with them, and then enjoyed a restful sleep on Patriot with calm and peaceful water.

While enjoying our morning coffee we saw a very large ray swim past us. The water is SO clear and beautiful, we can see fish, starfish, rays, etc. as they swim around us. It is really thrilling! After breakfast we went for a dinghy ride around the point to Fisher's Bay and met up with Larry & Deb from Canada (Bear's Nest) at Grabber's. Larry & I are both celebrating birthdays today, so we toasted to a long and happy life with a morning bloody mary.

Late in the morning we pulled anchor and left for Man-o-War Cay where we were pleasantly surprised. This island is very much a "small town", like a step back in time. I very much enjoy the quaintness of the island, which is not at all a tourist town. It's very laid back and family-oriented. Very unique and charming! We were joined in the anchorage by Bill & Lori (Perfect Day) and had the best dinner of our entire Bahama time at Dock and Dine this evening - Conch in da bag - indescribably delicious, and so much food that Jim and I both brought at least half or more home as leftovers. For birthday dessert we shared a coconut cheesecake. Oooooh...delicious!!

Conch are plentiful down here, so we have been enjoying conch fritters, conch chowder, and conch salad, but none of those dishes could compare to what we had tonight. We have also enjoyed the lobster we have purchased at the docks, but we are anxious to enjoy the lobster that Jim is hoping to capture very soon. He bought bait today, so plans to try to catch some fish over the next few days. Lobster hunting will happen soon also.

Tomorrow we will head back to Marsh Harbor, as the wind is supposed to escalate and we want to be safely back into our slip before the high winds move into the area.

We are hoping to have better access to internet when we return so will hopefully be able to post more pictures.

February 21, 2015 - Friends are gone... :(

Well, after several days of great fun with Al, Gayle, Kevin & Michele, we are now left to our own devices and once the winds calm down we will begin exploring the area. Unfortunately, the water was too rough to take the group on Patriot for another island, but it is predicted to calm down tomorrow, Monday & Tuesday.

We went on several excursions while guests were here, including Treasure Cay (twice), Hopetown, and Guana Cay...some by car and some by ferry. While it wasn't warm, "beach" weather, a great time was had by all.

Steak night at the Jib Room...limbo entertainment after dinner

Rough seas by On the Rocks, water splashing onto the deck

Michele, enjoying her morning protein drink on the deck, weathering the high winds

Off the deck on the Sea of Abaco side of their pad On the Rocks...much calmer on this side

Ready to load the ferry to Hopetown

Beautiful Sea of Abaco

More photos will follow. The internet at the marina is very slow today so I am having difficulty posting photos. Stay tuned!

February 18, 2015 - Cont'd.

Yesterday, Tuesday, we all hopped in the van for a trip to Treasure Cay, where we fell in love! Rated as 1 of the top 10 beaches in the world is not an overstatement. Whoever did the rating was right on. It is breathtakingly beautiful! We had another fun day, good food & beverages, then came back for a light dinner of burgers, quinoa salad and mozzarella salad.

Being at Treasure Cay was the greatest high ever! The air, the water, the sand, was mesmerizing. Definitely a destination for future trips.

Today is cool and cloudy/rainy, so our daily plans are yet to be determined. Tonight's special at the Jib Room, our marina restaurant is BBQ ribs, so that is the only plan we have cast in concrete. We are hoping to be able to take them on a boat ride around the area if the weather clears.

Al & Gayle...a most spectacular day in Treasure Cay. 

Windy, windy but so beautifully Bahama.

Kevin & Michele

The beach at Treasure Cay, one of the top 10 in the world, truly spectacular!

Notice the lighting in these photos...no touch-up, just the reflection of the water, sun & sand. Vivid colors on everything around us. This feels like the Bahamas we expected!!

Lovebirds enjoying the tranquility

Jim soaking in the beauty of it all

Breathtaking

This is one happy girl!

Water to wash down the bloody mary's

Cruise director Michele talking about our next adventure

Gillettes in the sand, taking it all in...an overload of the senses

Sunset on the beach

Gazebo on the beach, similar to the one in Pentwater

February 18, 2015 - Great Friends, Great Fun!!

After having a fantastic evening with Kevin & Michele, they settled into "On the Rocks", their home away from home, and we cozied on Patriot. They picked us up on Sunday and we took the ferry from Marsh Harbor to Great Guana Cay, the home of famous Nippers on the ocean and their Sunday pig roast. We had an outstanding day, in spite of the hurricane-force winds. and enjoyed the party atmosphere at Nippers, their pig roast dinner, the spectacular beach and the laughter and fun of being with Kevin & Michele. Before going to Nippers we stopped at Grabber's a quaint resort and bar/restaurant right on the beach.

Entrance to Marsh Harbor...a welcome sight

Marsh Harbor is the largest city in the Abaco Islands

Our marina - Marsh Harbor Marina & Jib Room...if it ever gets warmer we'll enjoy a relaxing day around the pool

Grabbers, beachside restaurant/bar on Great Guana Cay

Michele, giving the thumbs up. Order us a Kalik!

Grabber's beachfront. We played a couple games of corn bag toss and relaxed in the beach chairs before heading back to the ferry to return to Marsh Harbor.

Much calmer on this side of the island, and very peaceful.

Michele, SO happy to be here, and not wading around in Michigan snow

Kevin has his eye on this sleek boat

Ah, yes...this is one of the boats Kevin has drooled over

Corona Light is the flavor of the day

This digger along the path to Nippers, looking tired but in the party spirit

Now THIS is the Bahamas I expected! Nippers Bar

Toasting to our good fortune, with Nippers' specialty drink. Yummy!

Very happy to be celebrating with our friends from home!

The guys, seriously contemplating our next move.

Kevin, NO...don't throw her over the edge!!

O.K., I guess I'll keep her.

Posing before our wind-blown beach walk

The view from Nipper's deck

Very rough on the ocean today, with waves crashing wildly

Lots of coral rock along the shore

Glad we're not on the water in the boat today

Finding some interesting shells

Coming back from our beach walk...a long walk up the steps

On Monday our chauffeur picked us up and we went to the airport to collect Al & Gayle, who flew in from West Palm. They are here until Friday. We all happily greeted each other at the airport, and they were impressed with the welcome sign and ecstatic with the cold beers that were awaiting them in the van. We took the long trip out to Pete's Place for lunch. The landscape on Abaco is quite unexpected - roads surrounded by pines and scrub brush, with no roads running along the Sea of Abaco or the Atlantic. The roads are paved and in fairly decent shape, but no signs or center line. It has taken us all a long time to become accustomed to driving down the road on the opposite side. It is quite intimidating!

After stopping at the local grocery store, we took them back to On the Rocks so they could get settled and came back to the boat to collect items for our upcoming dinner...fresh lobster! The lobster was enjoyed by all, and the melted butter was the best we've ever had, prepared by Al.  :)

Dolle art

Patiently waiting

We were all very excited to connect with the new arrivals, Al & Gayle

First introduction to Bahama's local beer - Kalik

Pete's Pub menu, delivered personally by our own Jimmy Mon

This group is loving' the Abacos!!

Shoreline at Pete's Pub

Al, checking out the telescope at On the Rocks