April 20, 2009: West End, Bahamas

Today is finally the day. Although the wind speed is not what we would like, the direction seems good and we are going to cross today. We came out through Port Everglades where there is passage from the Intercoastal Waterway into the Atlantic Ocean. We passed no less that 7 mammoth cruise liners docked there as well as an ocean going freighter.

We saw the real definition of “navy blue”... the color of ocean water at over 2000 feet deep. The depth finder was a little freaked out by the depth, but it was occasionally right based on the data on the chart plotter. The water came in 5 foot swells from the east, and made for a ride sort of like being the bull rider at the rodeo. We listened to Christian modern gospel radio on the way over, singing along with songs like "I will rise again". Somehow it really made me feel better as we were fighting the rough waves.

What an amazing thing I saw on the crossing. The first time I saw them, I thought, it is too far out to sea to be seeing little birds. Then later I saw them again, and this time I saw them leave the water. Two small silver fish with their wings beating rapidly flew maybe fifty yards along the crest of the wave before reentering the water. The pectoral fin became rigid and served like a wing and carrying them a long way before their landing. You had to see it to believe it!


After 5 hours of hard riding, we reached the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, comprised of more than 100,000 square miles, of which only 5,382 are land including some 700 low lying islands and cays. The western most point and the closest to reach from the US is the island paradise of the Abacos at the Old Bahama Marina. We were delighted as we pulled into the still turquoise water behind the stone jetty. Tom was wonderful to wash salt from everywhere as the surging spray had totally drenched the boat. And it was wonderful to feel the stillness.


We went to the customs house and checked in and then took a walk to the lush pool area where a calypso band was playing. The swim in fresh water felt great. The walk led onto a small white sandy beach in a protected cove with crystal clear water. We played in the hammock, but they did not have enough “strings”! It was a place where you had to pinch yourself to believe you were really there.


Since we were never able to work in lunch today, we were hungry for dinner. Tonight we ate at the little restaurant overlooking the marina and had some delicious local tomato based, conch chowder and grilled Bahaman grouper. I had the rice and peas side dish that was a Bahamian version of red beans and rice from the deep south. We were grateful for the day and watched the sun melt into the clouds over the Atlantic.

Needless to say, we were delighted to find wireless at the marina. We are not sure where we will find it next time.