Crossing over

After staying a day on a mooring ball at Dinner Key Marina, in Coconut Grove, FL we decided to move back to No Name Harbor and wait there to go out the inlet to the Bahamas.  We got to say hello to some old friends, Larry and Gale on "Tropical Gale Winds" and met up again with 2 other Caliber sailboats, "Roundabout" and Sea Trekker."  The Captains all got together and decided the weather looked good to cross over on Tuesday and Wednesday. So, we prepared "Makai" for the crossing by anchoring everything down inside and outside, putting the dingy motor up on the railing and tying up the dingy to prevent swinging.  At 4:30am, the radio was buzzing with sounds of everyone ready?  Next, you saw all the navigation lights on and anchors being pulled up.  "Sea Trekker" led the way, followed by "Roundabout" "Makai" and "ChrisPamMel".  As we got a little further, a call was heard from "Seas The Day" catching up and following us.  The winds were SW at 10-15 knots, and the seas were 3-4', higher than what was predicted, but we pushed on only making 4 knots.  As the day went on, the seas calmed down a little, but we still were not able to do more than 6 knots, so the 42 mile trip which should of taken 6-7 hours took 10 hours!  "Makai" and "ChrisPamMel" chose to go to Bimini, while "Sea Trekker" and "Roundabout"  chose to continue on through the night to Nassau.  "Seas The Day" decided to turn around and head back to Florida.  We are currently at the  Blue Water Marina and will enjoy Bimini and Alice Town for a few days and then continue on to Nassau hopefully to enjoy Christmas there. We are so surprised that the marinas here are empty.  Actually "Makai" and "ChrisPamMel" are the only 2 sailboats with about 4 fishing boats scattered between the 5 marinas.  Captain Ed cleared us through customs with no problems and everyone so sees Rylee loves him.

A little about the island ...Bimini is a skinny island with two parallel roads running down it. It is two blocks across, but several miles long. The buildings are mostly painted in these bright colors, probably so cars don't crash into them and yes, they drive alot of cars here, even though there is only 2 blocks in one direction and a few miles in the other, and there is nowhere to go to in either direction!  The people are super friendly and helpful.  The island is rather littered and dirty, the homes and buildings are in ruins, and food is non-existent in the 3 grocery stores here.  Eva priced a few

items:  milk, $5.50 for half a gallon, box of cereal $7.00, pound of spaghetti $2.25 and a can of corn or greens beans $2.20.  It makes you wonder how people can afford to live here!  All things considered, however, the atmosphere is very pleasant and the weather is beautiful.