April 1, 2015 - Excited for Mexico!

The days are a blur, since we've been here. It seems that time passes so quickly that I can't remember what day, what date, or what we did yesterday! Is it old age, dementia, or just plain enjoying every day and worrying about nothing?

Last week we rented a car and spent part of a day (not nearly long enough) at the Kennedy Space Center. It happened to be the day of the Delta 4 Air Force navigation satellite system launch. It was our first visit there, so to experience a launch was topping on the cake. While we both grew up knowing about NASA and the very beginning of space exploration (geez, I guess we ARE old!), it was exhilarating to be reminded of its evolution. Space exploration as we knew it is not at all what it is now. It was great to learn about what has happened since Apollo, and what is planned for the future.

While we were in West End, Bahamas, awaiting our trip back to the U.S. on March 12,  there was another launch from Kennedy Space Center - MMS, Magnetospheric Multiscale Study, Atlas V421. Its purpose is to study the magnetic fields around the earth. This launch was really spectacular for us, as it was at night and we actually saw the booster drop off, and saw Atlas' fiery exhaust streaming through the sky until it quickly went out of sight. This location truly was one of the best for viewing launches from Kennedy.

While Merritt Island is best known for Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center, the barrier island is a National Seashore/National Wildlife Refuge maintained by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the National Park Service, in cooperation with NASA. This really is a sight to see, and I highly recommend it to everyone!

This marina has proven to be a perfect place for us to stay for this time on our journey. It is well protected, but just off the intracoastal, people are friendly, and there are no worries about leaving the boat for our various excursions and trips during the time we are here.

Highlights since our last post:
 - Lunch and a short visit from Debbie & Greg Apel, Barb & Paul Apel (from Punta Gorda). They were in Orlando and made the drive to Titusville to catch up with us.
 - Friends Bill & Lori  on Perfect Day stayed in the marina for one night, so we had a little time to catch up with them.
 - Reconnected last night with Loopers (Gus & Roe on Summerland) who had been our neighbors in the marina at Green Turtle Bay. They live in Orlando, completed the loop and keep their boat at this marina in Titusville. It's always so much fun to reconnect with friends who have become part of our lives!!
 - THE BIGGEST HIGHLIGHT...going home to Michigan for 4 days for our grandson's first birthday party. We soaked up every second of time with our kids and grandkids and had a hard time saying goodbye to Kade, as it will now be two months before we will see him again. At his age, they change so fast that it's hard to keep up. Fortunately, Dave & Jen are very good at regular FaceTime visits with us.
 - While it was hard to say goodbye to the other grandkids, we are over-the-top excited about our upcoming trip with them to Mexico. We leave this Friday (the 3rd) and return on the 10th. Can't WAIT!!!

When we return from Mexico we will be on the water again, making our way north. We have reservations at the St. Augustine Municipal Marina, where we will stay for a couple of days, then on to Jacksonville. Our friends Ron & Amy from Pentwater will be joining us in St. Augustine and Ron will make the day journey from St. Augustine to Jacksonville with Jim, while Amy and I have some girl time.

Life is good today and every day!

Large, beautiful houses along the intracoastal - Vero Beach

Baby Kade being shy, snuggling with Grandpa

Intracoastal is very shallow. Important to stay within the markers or we'll bottom out on these sandbars

Atlantic beach by Peck Lake anchorage

Sunset in Florida, on the intracoastal

Jensen Beach, the place my parents went every winter for several years. Awww...nostalgic flashbacks.

Sunset from our anchorage near Squidlips Bar/Restaurant 

Jim's friends gulping the run-off water from his boat washing project

Three manatee were vying the spot where fresh water was inviting them

Kennedy Space Center

Mosaic of the International Space Station and the flags depict the countries involved in the mission

Replica of the Apollo shuttles

Moon rover 

Shuttle van, used to take astronauts to the space shuttle

Pictures from Little Harbor (Abaco)

Large cave close to our anchorage, purportedly the site where the people who settled and developed Little Harbor lived before they cleared the land and built their home.

High rock ledges surrounding the anchorage, many houses built to capture the spectacular view

The main "road" of the island, just in front of Pete's Pub, the popular place to eat and drink in Little Harbor. Those speed bumps are made of ship lines that have been recovered from the ocean. Quite unique.

The home of our hosts for beach night potluck, just on the shore close to our anchor spot. These folks are from Manistique, Michigan. Small world.

Their creative landscaping art

More yard art...multi-colored crab pot buoys. Clever!

No electricity in Little Harbor, so only source of power is from solar panels

Bahamian working with his machete to clear his land. We interrupted him to ask directions to the blue hole. Very nice man, thankfully - especially since he was wielding a huge machete.

One of the views of the ocean from a bluff

Rocky, lava-like stone around this part of the island

Friends Al & Collette, who went with us to Little Harbor and introduced us to our tour guide

Life is good today!

Pete's Pub. The popular thing to do is leave a t-shirt on the ceiling or wall. We heard one of our boating friends hailing Patriot on the radio, so Jim answered on the bar radio. You might ask...did we deposit a t-shirt? Well, of course! The next question...did one of us strip off our shirt? Answer to that is "no" - donated from Collette's t-shirt stash and signed by 8 of us! 

View from the deck of Brian (our tour guide and friend of Al & Collette

Patriot on the anchorage, picture taken from Brian's deck. MANY very large green turtles occupy spaces in this anchorage

March 21, 2015 - In Titusville, FL

After spending the night in the Peck Lake anchorage that was mentioned on the last post, we decided to make a long day on Thursday so we would have a shorter trip to arrive in Titusville before the MSU basketball game. Consequently, we traveled over 85+ miles to an anchor in Melbourne, FL. We found a very protected anchorage just off the intracoastal, and in the back yard of Squidlips bar & restaurant...a very large, beachfront, tropical bar/restaurant with very good food and great music. It was a very short dinghy ride to shore and after dinner we came back to the boat and enjoyed the very loud music and warm night breeze from the top of Patriot.

The restful night prepared us for an early rise to make our trek to Titusville. The trip and day provided many memorable events. The Indian River was as calm as glass...we both remarked that very few times in our boating experiences have we ever seen water this calm. It was a very spectacular ride! We are missing the turquoise waters of the Bahamas and Atlantic and again find the water murky, brown and not at all appealing for swimming.

Once again we saw many different sights along the river, from opulent homes to wild, unoccupied areas. The dolphins gave us a show most of the day and we never tire of seeing them.

As we were traveling along we heard a call from a boater not far from us requesting assistance from the Coast Guard to help one of their passengers who was apparently having a heart attack. We followed that drama on the radio for quite a while and luckily, the person was successfully taken to a local hospital. Not long after that, we heard a call on the radio from a boater who had witnessed a sailboat whose mast had hit a power line and attempts to radio the sailboat went unanswered. Just a short while later, we heard the Coast Guard communicating with the sailboat and they indicated their boat was on fire. We recognized the name of the boat, as we had passed it a few minutes earlier. Long story short, we arrived at the marina and discovered that the vessel who struck the power line was a sailboat from this marina - folks our age whose home and entire belongings were with them on the boat. By then, the boat was reportedly engulfed in flames and nothing would be salvageable. Fortunately, the passengers and their dogs had been secured on another boat so there were no fatalities.

Once we got settled and watched the game, Jim went to work cleaning the outside of the boat in an attempt to banish the layers of salt. As I went to do laundry, I noticed some manatee slurping up the water that was running off the boat. It was quite comical, as three of them were crowding around the boat to get their fair share. They continue to hang around our boat, hoping Jim will clean the boat again. :)

This marina is very large, very plain, and some of the boats have been abandoned - an interesting phenomenon - but remain in the marina. Apparently, when abandonment occurs, the marina (owned by the city) takes ownership of the boats and attempt to sell them. In most cases, the boats are in such disrepair that they are impossible to sell. Difficult issue!

Today we took the city bus to the grocery store, another thing to which we are not accustomed. I wouldn't say it was an experience that makes me long for more, but it is one of the only ways to get around Titusville, as there aren't many things within walking or biking distance.

March 18, 2015 - Back in the good ole' USA

We left Great Guana on Sunday for Great Sale Cay (perfect day!!!), spent the night on the anchor on Sunday night with about 15+ boats planning to make the same trip across to Florida. We had a very calm, peaceful night and took off from Great Sale about 7:30 for the trip to West End. Monday was a little rougher on the water, but very manageable and not at all uncomfortable. We landed at Old Bahama Bay Resort/Marina mid-afternoon on Monday - plenty of time to get settled, relax and prepare for the trip across the Atlantic on Tuesday. Tuesday's crossing was spectacular...VERY calm seas except for the last 5 miles as we got close to the mainland at Lake Worth, Florida.

We feel SO fortunate to have been able to make the critical crossings within our "timeline"...no waiting like several other boaters we have met. Because we have been able to cross with plenty of time to spare for our upcoming travel, we are now on a leisurely journey up the intracoastal waterway of eastern Florida.

Last night we anchored in a great spot in Lake Worth, relaxed with our morning coffee and made travel plans for the next few days. As a result, we left Lake Worth around noon and went about 30 miles up the intracoastal to a perfect anchorage immediately off the intracoastal where several other boats are anchored. We took the dinghy to shore and walked a very short distance across the peninsula to the Atlantic Ocean. This has proven to be a perfect spot, as it will be easy to continue travel on the intracoastal tomorrow for our next destination...unknown.

We have reservations at the Titusville Municipal Marina, as soon as we can get there, until we return from our various trips in the next few weeks. With a long day tomorrow and a stopover to watch MSU basketball on Friday, we plan to be in Titusville by Saturday. We will leave the boat there while we go home for little Kade's first birthday party (March 26-30), will be there for relaxation and exploration for a few days, then leave for our Mexico vacation with our daughter, son-in-law & grandchildren for April 3-10. CAN'T WAIT to see our big/little sweeties!!!

After we return from our Mexico trip we will be scurrying to meet up with fellow Loopers to finish our journey. It will be good to be together with "the group" again. Many of them are Michiganders to

We are thankful every day for the gift of good health and the ability to realize this tremendous experience. We send our good wishes and love to you all!!

You will be inundated with pictures once we have a "free" internet connection, so stay tuned. Yikes!!

March 14, 2014 - Preparing to return to U.S.

My, how time flies. I can't believe it's been a week since the last post. Every day seems to fly by and we are now in Great Guana. We crossed the Sea of Abaco on Thursday afternoon with Wayne & Andrea (Sea Cove) and John (Sojourn) and anchored in Fisher's Bay for the night. It was a little rocky, as the anchorage was pretty full of people who had come to attend The Barefoot Man concert and the more protected spots were already taken.

John, Wayne & Andrea and Jim went snorkeling in the morning looking for lobster but had no luck. We had all gone out a few days earlier in Marsh Harbor area and the lobster hunt was successful. Andrea spotted the lobster, John shot it and lost his "arrow", and Jim was able to administer the killing shot. He was thrilled!!

Barefoot Man concert was very good...lots of partying people, many of our new friends were there so it was "old home" week, seeing friends we hadn't seen in weeks/months.

We came to a slip at Orchid Bay Marina (on Great Guana) yesterday and will stay again tonight, then mosey along to Green Turtle tomorrow and hope to cross the Atlantic on Wednesday or Thursday to Stuart, Florida.

Since the internet access continues to be very slow, this is just one of the pictures you will see when I post a multitude of photos when we return to the States.

Just  one of the reasons we love it in the Bahamas! Sights like this surround us.

March 7, 2015 - Back in Marsh Harbor

After spending three nights at Little Harbor we ventured back to Marsh Harbor Thursday afternoon. We had planned to leave on Wednesday, but friends talked us into staying one more night.

Al & Collette (Euphoria) and we joined the group on the beach for their Monday night get-together and had a great time. We met many more people, many of whom are winter residents of the area. One of the residents, Brian, invited us to join him for a road trip on Tuesday so he could show us some of the highlights we hadn't seen.

The four of us piled into his little road trek and bounced along the very rutty roads to various places. Our first stop was a blue hole - a mysterious phenomenon which is a hole in the ground that leads to underground caves and tunnels and eventually leads to the ocean. Apparently some divers commonly dive in these blue holes and because it's very dangerous, some have lost their lives. We were mesmerized by the blue hole, saw many beautiful fish swimming in the hole, and tempted them to the surface by throwing bread crumbs as a treat. Brian took us to the very small community of Cherokee, many beautiful lookout spots, beaches, and a surprisingly pristine golf course right on the ocean by Winding Bay.

When we returned from our tour, Bill & Lori (Perfect Day) and friends from California had come to the harbor where we were anchored so we toasted their arrival with a beer at Pete's Pub, then we took them on a walk to show them the blue hole. It was great to reconnect with them and, as always, we had many laughs and enjoyed two fun, relaxing evening with them.

Thursday morning weather proved to be very windy so although Al & Collette and Bill & Lori ventured out for their next destination, we stayed at our anchorage until about 3:00 when the winds finally calmed down. Consequently, we had a very calm ride back to Marsh Harbor...except for the "cut" areas, where Jim crisscrossed (sailors call it tacking) to hit the rough spots on the bow or stern, rather than the beam seas that we detest. This proved to be a much better way to maneuver our way through the very rough seas in the cut areas.

Yesterday (Friday), friends Wayne & Andrea (Sea Cove) went fishing and returned late afternoon with two very large maui maui and one strawberry grouper which they promptly cleaned and shared with everyone in the marina. Needless to say, we enjoyed a very tasty dinner of fresh mahi, cooked according to a recipe given to me by one of the other boaters in the marina. Delicious!!! Today one of the locals is scheduled to come to the marina with fresh conch and fresh lobster. We plan to load up on that, as we will soon be gone and unable to enjoy those fresh catches.

Well, this is the news that our loyal followers are waiting for:  We have decided we will definitely finish the loop this year instead of leaving the boat in Florida for the summer. Therefore, here is our schedule - leave Marsh Harbor early next week and make a few stops along the way to Great Guana where we will enjoy a huge party/concert by The Barefoot Man. As soon as weather permits, we will travel to the spot where we will cross to Florida. On April 11 we will leave Stuart and continue up the East coast of Florida where we will connect with our "original" looper friends and will travel until just before Memorial Day. We will go home from Memorial Day to the middle of July and then will go back to the boat and resume traveling until we arrive back home in Ludington in late September. This has been a hard decision, as we have SO enjoyed being in the Bahamas on our boat. Now that the decision has been made, we are both relieved to have a solid plan.

March 2, 2015 - Sunny and HOT!!

Sorry to rub it in for those of you stuck in the cold, but the weather has been absolutely fantastic down here since our Michigan friends took the cold weather home with them. We are settled in here in Marsh Harbor, have met a lot of nice people from all over...some very interesting stories to share when we return home. :)

Today we went with a sailboat neighbor/friend (Al & Collette on to Little Harbor, which is just a short ride from Marsh Harbor. We're came here via car to Pete's Pub with Kevin & Michele, Al & Gayle after we picked them up at the airport. Coming by water is a TOTALLY different experience, and doesn't even look like the same place we came by car. While it was a relatively short ride by boat today, part of the journey was very rough. In the area of the small barrier islands adjacent to Great Abaco Island there are areas called "cuts", which are openings through which the rough (today) waters of the Atlantic Ocean crashed through to the inner passage of the Sea of Abaco, and provided rough seas through that area. Thankfully, it was only about ten minutes of very rough seas, where I stayed in the salon and guarded the cupboards and other things that hadn't been secured. We made it through the rough seas to the protected cove called Little Harbor, where we plan to spend a couple of days.

There are several boats anchored and moored here, and Monday night is a weekly "beach party", sponsored by one of the winter residents here (summer residents of Manistique, Michigan). Everyone in the harbor and on the island is invited to bring their own beverages and a dish to pass and have a "meet and greet" gathering. It was great fun, we met many wonderful people and got some great suggestions for places we might be able to keep Patriot if we decide to leave her in Florida and go back to Michigan for the summer. As of late, our love of the Bahamas has prompted us to reconsider finishing the loop this year. We are now very seriously contemplating leaving the boat somewhere in Florida, going home for the summer and coming back here for the winter. Decisions, decisions...tough life, we have!

It's just so much fun to be able to pick up and leave for another spot, as there is SOOO much to see in the Bahamas. While many cruisers prefer the Exhumas, we are in love with the Abacos. There's plenty of civilization here and it's about as "modern" as it gets in this part of the world. Our internet connection is spotty, so probably the most challenging of things for those of us who rely on technology. Because it's spotty, it's also very weak so makes it very difficult to post pictures.

There is a very large grocery store in Marsh Harbor, a marina store, hardware stores, etc. The Marsh Harbor Marina, where we are, is located on the opposite side of the bay from "downtown" Marsh Harbor, so while it is a little more secluded, it is a short bike ride or dinghy ride to town. There is a night watchman that oversees the marina at night, so there is little danger of theft or questionable intruders. We feel very safe there, and have great neighbors that look out for one another.

Our time in the Bahamas is winding down. We will take a few more side trips, then end our visit here with a concert in Great Guana by The Barefoot Man (the Bahamas' own Jimmy Buffet). As soon as weather allows, we will move along and make the crossing to West Palm Beach and bid farewell to the Bahamas for this season.

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