Grand Times in the Cays

MEGAN AND JEREMY JOIN MYSTIQUE

On Monday before Thanksgiving Megan and Jeremy flew to Staniel Cay from Nassau mid-afternoon. This was Megan's first time aboard Mystique and Jeremy's first time on a sailboat, so we decided to stay in the marina at a dock Monday night. The wind was still very strong when we left Sampson that morning but a front with rain came through as we were motoring the 5 miles down to Staniel, with beautiful conditions following the front and for the rest of the week that M&J were aboard (whew!).

The first night was peaceful and M&J reported getting a good night sleep aboard Mystique. The next morning we had breakfast at the Staniel Cay Club then motored up a beautiful cut between Big Major and Little Major Islands and anchored near the "aquarium" snorkeling spot that Jan and I had enjoyed previously. That afternoon we hopped in the dinghy and stopped at a beautiful beach so Jeremy could try his hand at snorkeling from shore. Although we sensed some fear and trepidation he took to it like a fish takes to water, so to speak. We enjoyed a wonderful meal aboard and a quiet night.

Wednesday we dinghied over to the 'aquarium' site for a snorkel off the dink. This was the first time Jeremy had ever seen fish and coral through a diving mask and he was (and we were) amazed at the colors and shapes of the coral and the color and variety of fish. After drying off we weighed anchor and actually SAILED north up to Warderick Wells (Exuma Park HQ). Meg and Jeremy were a great help with the winches and hauling lines and we got to enjoy moving the boat without the engine - a surprisingly rare treat.

After dropping anchor the dink was lowered again and we spent the afternoon beach combing and snorkeling. Another wonderful meal was enjoyed in the cockpit as we watched another spectacular sunset. We keep looking for the "green flash" which is supposed to happen just after the sun disappears at these latitudes. We haven't seen it yet, but keep upping our rum rations in the afternoon in the attempt. I'm sure this green flash phenomenon has some correlation to quantities of alcohol consumed! Another blissfully quiet night was enjoyed aboard.

The next day was Thanksgiving and we can't remember a time when we weren't celebrating the holiday with family and friends in Colorado. But we did celebrate with family in the Exumas! The highest point on Warderick Wells is called Boo Boo Hill and we hiked up the hill in the morning. From the 50' summit (high for the Exumas) you can see all the surrounding islands and the light sand to white to aqua to turquoise to emerald green to deep blue in the waters surrounding you. It is a tradition to leave your boat's name on a piece of driftwood on Boo Boo hill. We had no driftwood so we wrote "Mystique" in the sand and took a picture.

While previously at Sampson Cay we had heard about their Thanksgiving feast so we motor-sailed back to Sampson and did some more snorkeling before heading in to the club for dinner. What great food these people serve. It was another all you can eat buffet with ham and turkey and all the fixins, plus a variety of desserts. No, we did not lack for Thanksgiving dinner and it was such a treat to enjoy it with Megan and Jeremy.

Their plane back to Nassau and New York left the next morning and we made it down to Staniel Cay with plenty of time to spare because we were up early and weighed anchor at dawn. The small planes that make up many of the flights between islands seem to carry about 6 - 8 people. Not a lot of room for luggage, and when you board the plane as M&J did with a 6'6", 240 lb pilot and three equally large locals you have to wonder if the plane will make it off the runway! We had plenty of time to contemplate that as takeoff was about an hour after we were told. Whereas M&J landed on Staniel in 25kt crosswinds for a scary touchdown, this morning was quiet and beautiful and the plane did make if off the runway. Meg reported they flew low over all the islands we had visited and it was spectacular to see them from the air.

Jan and I left Staniel after breakfast and had a little cry alone on the boat. The joy of having Meg and Jeremy aboard, the wonderful times we spent together, and the pride of knowing your daughter is happy and successful all hit us at once. Then we opened the chart and a kind thank-you note they had written dropped out. How blessed Jan and I felt at that moment!

DOWN TO GEORGE TOWN

OK, way too many words, so I'll make this section short. George Town is our final destination on this leg of Mystique's journey. We're leaving the boat here for the winter while we return to Colorado for ski season. On the next morning's single sideband shortwave weather broadcast by Chris Parker we heard that the wind would be 10-15kt SE that day (Saturday) but increasing to 25kt the next day. The trip down to George Town, Great Exuma Is. involves heading out into the deep waters of the sound as the banks just get too shallow for sailboats. So rather than linger in the middle islands another 3 days for another break in the weather we decided to take our lumps and motor directly into the wind the 42 miles down to George Town.

This trip went well, albeit with the boat bashing into 2-3' waves, and we were in George Town's Elizabeth Harbor by 3:00. We've been settling in, taking the dink into town for errands and sight seeing, and getting to know our neighbors at anchor on Stocking Island. We're a one-minute dinghy ride to one beach bar "Chat 'n Chill" and a small resort that has a bar and restaurant. Very nice. We're finishing up on odd jobs and "mechanical opportunities" but mostly relaxing and enjoying our final days aboard Mystique. We'll have the boat all packed away and locked up by Saturday so we'll spend the night ashore at a small motel before catching our 8:20am flight Sunday morning.

We're heading to Bradenton to spend a few days with my parents before returning to the fresh powder and much colder temps of Colorado.

The Internet connection here is slow so I can't download too many pics now, but will let you know when they're up on Flickr later. Thanks for listening and sharing our journey with us.