Easy Living In Emerald Bay

December 12 - 16,  2013

A late lunch at the Grand Isle Resort

We have had a relaxing week at the marina.  My principle task has been creating meals that will use up the last of the perishables that are on board.  I'm amazed that I planned as well as I did, when we were provisioning at Costco.  The refrigerator was maxed out with barely enough room for air to circulate.    By tomorrow we will have finished off everything with an expiration date that puts it in jeopardy.  The main grocery in George Town has a good variety of food, but the prices are at least double their U.S. equivalents.  The frozen items that we have purchased have been a big disappointment.  I think they defrosted some where in route to the store.  And, the meat……..let's just say I'm glad that we brought as much as we did!  Produce is readily available from the grocery store and the Reverend's produce truck.  We also found the guy, that sits in front of the hair braiding salon, makes excellent whole wheat bread.  There is a Costco in Puerto Rico that is calling my name!!!  

For exercise we continue to trek the two and a half mile route across Sandals Beach and back.  Our fear is that after Christmas we won't have it to ourselves.  Dairy, a sweet woman with a shack at the far end of the beach, sells conch shells and shell jewelry.  When she sees us coming she yells, "hello Brian and Jack".  Well, of course, we have to go visit and buy a couple of bracelets for the granddaughters!  

Enjoying lunch and another beautiful beach 
at Big D's.

Earlier this week the dingy motor wasn't putting out cooling water.  Brian took it apart and gave it a good cleaning.  Sunday we dropped the dingy in the water and took a ride to Big D's.  As usual, the water looked very calm until we got out of the marina's protective wall.  The swells were three to four feet.  We just floated over them like a smooth ride at an amusement park….until we got to the reef!  I looked back as we crossed the coral beds and saw we were being pushed by a very large foaming wave.  No problem just a little unnerving to watch.  Big D sat down with us as we finished our lunch and we   talked about places overseas and in the U.S. we had all visited. 

I'm still trying to decide if he's a keeper or should I throw him back!

I just completed a new palm frond fish.  It has been a good conversation starter with almost everyone that walks the dock.  They probably go back to their boat and talk about the crazy woman on the trawler….   
     

Our next dingy…. Opps, one problem, it is almost
as long as our boat!
 Yes, that's four 300 horsepower motors on the transom!

When we take a break from our rigorous schedule, we have been reading.  Brian likes the John Sanford books that take place in and around our former Minnesota home.  I have been going with a more southern location (but just as familiar) -- Randy Wayne White's west coast Florida.  

Gotta smile -- we're lovin the ride!



               

George Town And Emerald Bay Marina

 December 5 - 11, 2013

The wind that was predicted and convinced us to return to George Town; came in on schedule Wednesday night.  Soooo, glad that we made the decision to return!  

Off the boat and enjoying my favorite exercise!

Mother nature has kept us captive on the boat for five days.  With the wind blowing, which also means rougher water, we have stayed on board.  Brian is actually relaxing.  He has read two books.  I'm becoming a domestic goddess:  cleaning, laundry, reorganizing cabinets and drawers and even cooking!  On the 10th we did drop the dingy to get some groceries and fresh produce in town.  We decided that this is probably as calm as it is going to be for the next week.  Time to pull the anchor and head to Emerald Bay Marina.  We had four foot swells pushing us most of the way.  Waves on the stern make for a fairly comfortable ride.   It is nice to be in a marina for a change.  The docks are beautiful here, but there are no amenities.  Luckily there are lots of friendly boaters that love to share experiences and compare notes.

The first morning at the marina we crossed the island and walked from one end of this
 beach to the other.  It is off season for another few weeks so we
practically had it to ourselves.

For 21 of the last 23 nights we have anchored out.  When we want to go to town or the beach we launch the dingy.  For you non-boaters, think of it as getting the car out of the garage.  It is great to see how independent we can be on our Krogen:  making our own water and electricity.  When the generator is started to charge the batteries, we turn on the water maker.  Our tanks are both full -- that is 400 gallons.  Marinas down here charge about $.40/gallon for water.         

              

Gotta smile -- we're lovin the ride!

In Spite Of Us --We're Where We Belong!

December 2, 2013

Our beautiful anchorage!

As with most experiences in our lives -- things always seem to work out for the best…in spite of us!  I was disappointed when we had to return to George Town, but that quickly changed. We love this community  and the longer we are here the more we love about it.  I think it is going to be a perfect spot to entertain the two sets of guests that we have coming after Christmas.  Excellent beaches, restaurants, provisioning, scenery, a protected harbor and some of the most genuinely nice people we have ever met.  

AJ working his magic…..

When we went to Chat and Chill yesterday we met AJ.  He makes fresh conch salad on demand.  Today we went back to sample his work.  It was delicious!  He begins by finely chopping tomatoes, green pepper and onions.  Then he pulls the conch out of the shell, trims  and finely chops it.  Limes and oranges are juiced over the mixture and it is ready to serve.  The trick is to eat it from the bottom of the bowl so none of the juice is lost.

Back on the boat for dinner, Gail and I scored a home run with an improvised concoction that was a cross between fajitas and fish tacos.  Thaw a package of guacamole and cook up some beans and rice…….Yummy!    

December 3, 2013  

A stop at Big D's Conch Spot.  Walking up to
the  restaurant I saw a man making conch
salad.  I asked if he was related to AJ.
 Sure enough -- AJ's cousin.

John rented a car for the day so we could see the island from the other side of the beach.  We checked out Emerald Bay Marina which is north of us.  We will stay there for a month beginning the middle of December.  The marina is the opposite of the Exuma Yacht Club.  It has perfect floating docks and excellent security.  The down side--  it is in the middle of no where.  Like Exuma Yacht the personnel are wonderful.  While we have guests we will explore the neighboring beaches with the dingy for a day or two and then head back here to anchor at the Chat & Chill beach.

We were sitting in the cockpit, when we saw what we thought was a jet's contrail.  The more we watched; we realized it was a rocket launch from Cape Kennedy.  We could see two of the stages drop off.  What a great birthday gift for Brian!  Saved me buying him a gift.   

December 4, 2013

Brian's Birthday

John and Gail left today headed back to some seriously cold weather in Minnesota.  We have spent so much time traveling together over the years; it's like having family on board.  There is no requirement for planned entertainment.  We all work together without a discussion about who should do what.  Easy guests that are always welcome.  

After dropping them at their rental car, Brian and I strolled around town.   First, we're greeted by No No who works at the Yacht Club Bar.  She is the local 'Lucy' of Peanuts fame offering life lessons to all.  Sheldon is at the gas station.  He offered a prayer as we took off in the car yesterday.  Lots of concentration is needed to stay on the left side of the road.  Coming out of the bank, we met Ken, who is related to the families on Little Farmer's Cay (that we met last week) and is a pilot.  Time for a snack at the deli.  In walks Cleavon.  He sits down for a visit while he waits for his carry-out lunch.     Time to continue our walk around Victoria Pond with a stop at Eddies for Brian's birthday lunch.   This is what we love about George Town.  Say 'Hi' and smile at someone and they respond with an equally friendly response.  I know I keep repeating myself, but it is amazing how cheerful and friendly EVERYONE is.  

Gotta smile -- we're loving the ride!

George Town To Cape Santa Maria And Back Again

George Town to Cape Santa Maria  

November 30 2013  

8 - George Town, 9 - Cape Santa Maria, 10 - George Town

First thing we noticed about Long Island - a little
more elevation and some tall trees.

We got a break!  Instead of another day in George Town, we were able to do a short passage to Cape Santa Maria on the northern end of Long Island.  The overcast day with intermittent downpours made it good for travel.  

The pot of gold at the end of this rainbow was free
WiFi for us and a strong signal!

While Gail and I fixed dinner, Brian poured over the weather and wave information that he retrieved thanks to the WiFi signal at an island resort.  
During dinner we discussed our options for the remainder of the pre-Christmas trip.  It looks like we have four days of good travel weather followed by sixteen days of winds in the 28 mph range.  His reports only went out that far.  Who knows how long those winds will stay around?  We could make it to Turks and Caicos, but then we'd be stuck in an area surrounded by open water.  The other option is to turn around and head back to George Town.  We have two groups of guests scheduled to arrive between December 27th and January 8th.  George Town seems to be the safer and more predictable option. So, as sad as it is -- tomorrow morning we turn around and retrace our route.  

Brian's improvised flopper stoppers

Just one more example of how unpredictable life is on the water.  We make plans and try to come up with reasonable options, but Mother Nature holds the trump cards and we have vowed that we won't try to bluff her with decisions that aren't safe.  So, what looked like a lucky break this morning turned out to be a 60 mile round trip back to where we started!  

It does feel good to have a plan that should be more reliable.  Now we know we can get home for Christmas and we can keep the doctor's appointments that were scheduled months ago.  We are a little disappointed………  Hey, I doubt that too many people are feeling sorry for us as we change our plans from one place in paradise to another.  The weather and water are still beautiful and we have lots to explore while we are in George Town.  Puerto Rico and the Virgins are still on the itinerary.  "I'm so happy -- Some buddy slap me!," from a favorite country western song.                   

Cape Santa Maria Back to George Town

December 1, 2013

Could you ask for a more beautiful beach?

By 11:30 we were back in George Town, ready to hit the beach and sample lunch at Chat and Chill.  It was one of my favorite days.  Plenty of time to walk the beach, wade in the water and explore in the dingy.  

Welcome to Chat and Chill

This ray waits for handouts and lets children pet him.

We have WiFi again so John and Gail made their flight reservations to return to Minnesota.  They will fly out on Wednesday.  We have a lot of restaurants to eat in and places to visit before they go.

   
Gotta smile -- we're loving the ride!