Winter Harbour Marina

NASSAU - 4/23/2015

  

We had a beautiful night anchored at Frazer's Hog Cay and woke to a beautiful sunrise and calm winds for our 36.09 NM crossing of the Northeast Providence Channel (this is where the depth finder ends at 131 feet) to Nassau, Bahamas.  We were anxious to get there as we had a long list of Things To Do. Our first  stop was at Harbour Central to refuel, move around the corner to our slip at Bay Street Marina and then it was time to visit Jakeil at Harbourside Marine LTD to purchase a new 15 HP, 2-Stroke Yamaha Engine.  This has been on JP’s wish list since our visit last year and may be part of the reason we are traveling here, but he is now one happy man!

It was back to Moonstruck to prepare the dinghy for her new engine – Life is Good and we can now cruise the Bahamian Water in current and wind. 

We have been traveling with Bob and Sandy MacNeill on Gusto and about 5:00 PM daily we meet for our Skipper’s Meeting to review the weather and plan for the next day.  Yes, there is usually alcohol involved, because no good idea ever started with a salad.

Sunrise at Frazer's Hog Cay

Bob, Sandy, Jackie, Diane, JP at Bay Street Marina

JP, Diane and Jakeil at Harboursde Marine 

Is it Christmas?

Moonie without a motor, but some nice looking Chaps

Moonie with her new motor

Miami - Bimini -

We departed Miami early on Tuesday with an overcast sky and favorable conditions to cross the Gulf Stream.  

Miami at our stern

Moonstruck + Gusto tied up at Bimini Big Game Club

54.59 NM we were tied up at Bimini Big Game Club, Next is to clear Customs, Immigrations, buy Bahamian Bread, Lunch and Yes, we are in the Bahamas!  Crossing the Gulf Stream is the shorter part of this adventure,

Crossing the Great Bahama Bank

Wednesday we crossed the Great Bahama Bank, dropped anchor at Frazer’s Hog Cay for a total of 88.5 NM under a cloudy sky.    Where is the sunshine, but it has been nice to travel with out a hot sun beating down.

South Carolina Oct. 12 -

Bull's Creek, Georgetown

Waking up in Bull's Creek

The front is coming through

Fresh fish or shrimp for dinner in Georgetown

Oriental to Southport NC. Oct. 7 - 11

Back to Oriental

Nice stay at the free city dock

Thinking of Norton(and Jan and David)

Reunited with Tracey in Swansboro

Playful Dolphins showing us the way

Waiting for the swing bridge

Lost a shoe in Wrightsville

Early Halloween preparations in Southport

This old church is now a private home

No shrimping on this boat

A gondola for the golf course

North Carolina Outer Banks Oct. 2 - 7

Oct. 2 - 5  Manteo

The Wright Brothers National Memorial

First successful flight on Dec. 17 1903

Jockey's Ridge State Park

Tallest Natural Dune System in the Eastern U.S., 80' - 100'

Elizabethan Garden

The Virginia Dare Statue, First born in the New World

The Elizabeth II

A replica of the ship sailed by the first settlers organized by Sir Walter Raleigh

On the way to Ocracoke

Smooth coming out of the channel

An encounter coming out of the channel

The Light House to guide the inlet

Sunset over the Pamlico sound

Dismal Swamp, Elizabeth City Sept. 29 - October 2

After a quick stop in Bell's creek and at Hampton city marina  we headed south to  the ICW

The Start of the Dismal Swamp

Deep Creek Basin - our first night anchorage

Deep Creek Lock - 8' higher

Robert, Historian, Conch Musician, and Lock Tender

Next is to pass Deep Creek Bridge

Welcome to the Dismal Swamp

The Farm Bridge

It's official, we are out of Virginia

Smoooooth!!!!

Quite anchor behind Goat Island

Morning Commute to Elizabeth City, NC

The Rose Bud Welcome Party with Steve, Diane and Gus

Memorial to the Confederate Soldiers

Free Dock at Elizabeth City

A Tea Exhibit - did you know?

Sunrise before departing Elizabeth City

Weeksville Blimp Hanger