Happy Thanksgiving from Sampson Cay

Jan reads Kendle during great sailing day

We did leave G.T. on Tuesday in 18kt winds from the ENE which made for a pretty comfortable beam reach in Exuma Sound to Galliot Cut N of Cave Cay - 37 nautical miles in about 5 hours.  Since we still had several hours of light we sailed around the W side of Little Farmer's Cay to a spot where we anchored on our first trip to the Exumas 3 years ago.  See short video from sail at this link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sandjcornwell/6406251369/  And more pics at the Flickr link to the left.

Path to beach from Kathryn's home where we spent many nights

It was surprisingly unemotional leaving George Town for what could be our last visit aboard Mystique, probably because we hope to return someday soon to visit Kathryn, Wendell, Chat n Chill, Brian and Larraine, shop at Top 2 Bottom, Exuma Market and Darville Lumber.  We've got great memories and have seen most of Great Exuma.  But it was time to move on and we're looking forward to getting Mystique back to the States to get some work done on her that we couldn't do in Exuma.  And it's been a long time since we've seen our new grandson, Will!  He's very cute on Skype but we need to hold him.

Refuel stop at Staniel Cay Yacht Club

Wednesday we motor-sailed up the back side of Great Guana Cay to Staniel Cay Yacht Club where we pulled into the dock on a gorgeous light-wind day to fill the diesel tank and wash the salt off Mystique.  She was scrubbed, shined and waxed in George Town and we want to keep her looking shiny white.  There was only one small diesel hose and we had to wait two hours while one of those huge mega-yachts took on 2,000 gallons ($10,000 in one gulp!).  We took 28 gallons, almost half a tank.

Sampson Cay dining room with Mystique in the harbor

High winds from the N - E were forecast for Thanksgiving and the weekend, so we pulled in to Sampson Cay which has a wonderful little anchorage in a well-protected harbor.  We've spent two previous Thanksgivings and numerous other visits here and thought it appropriate to spend a third.  This is a very high end resort built by John Malone, owner of the Discovery Channel.  But there are very few boaters or tourists here!  We ate with four others in their large dining room!  Kinda spooky.  But indicative of the slow tourist economy around the Bahamas.  They are so ready for the economy to rebound and the international tourists to come back.  Friday night there was a family of four eating next to us where were from Harbor Springs, MI, very near Traverse City!

We've seen a few other cruisers heading down to George Town - about 2/day.  It's the very beginning of the 300-400 boat influx every year which spends the winter down here.  We are very much going against the grain heading North but we don't mind.  We've always been in Colorado during the winter rush.

Hunkered down for the windy weekend (again) here, doing laundry today (Sat) and watching Michigan State beat Northwestern and Michigan beat Ohio State.  Tomorrow we're picking up our friend Bob who's flying in to Staniel Cay.  On Monday we'll head further north with a good weather forecast.

We've had time here to reflect on our many blessings, which include you, for which we are truly thankful!!  We're especially grateful that you've read our blog!