Enjoying marina life

Matthew & his new friend enjoying dinner & conversation

   We think we will like our stay at this marina.  David & I started out this morning taking the resort's free shuttle to Port Lucaya, so David could get some work done.  Jill went to the cellular store to get a a Bahamian/International phone.  Then we each took the city bus back to the resort.  We have been having fun with the family next door.  It has been a very hot day, so the boys & mom joined our neighbors in the pool for a couple hours.  Tonight was the weekly resort dinner by the pool, so we joined everyone.  Free drinks and free dinner! Awesome! 

Moody teenagers - too cool for the rest of us

Matthew & friend in pool

Freeport, Bahamas - Ocean Reef Yacht Club

Ocean Reef Resort Pool, bar, & restaurant

   The weather since early Sunday morning has been miserable.  We thought we would be stuck at Port Lucaya Marina until Wednesday.  However, mid-day today, the wind stopped, the weather cleared, and other boaters said the seas were not bad if we were not going far. (and Jill walked across the street to check out the waves on the beach - no white caps)  So, off we went!  We left Lucaya around 12:15, and cruised out int the Atlantic.  There was not much wind, and it was only sprinkling rain.  We had 2 foot rolling seas - not fun, but not bad.  We turned west for about 1.5 miles, then cruised into the Ocean Reef inlet.  We had total cruise time of about 45 minutes from dock to dock.  the family Jill has been in contact with was there to meet us at the dock and help us tie up. YEAH!  Now we can relax here for about 1 month.

Total miles today:  4nm

Total miles traveled:  1,577 nm

Total cruising days: 25

Port Lucaya, Bahamas - rain, rain go away!!

Port Lucaya Marketplace

   We woke up this morning to rain.  Then thunderstorms in the morning. then more rain!  Lots of wind.  We are very safe here in the marina, but it has been a very wet day.  Based on reports form other boaters, it is choppy, rainy, & windy in the Atlantic.  With the tropical storm skirting the eastern edge of the Bahamas tomorrow, we are probably stuck at this marina until Wednesday. Nice place - right next to Port Lucaya Marketplace.  Many shops & restaurants.  It is just a little pricier than we would like.  Once the storm passes, we will cruise around the corner to a quieter, less expensive marina where another family on a sailboat with boys await us!  We cannot wait to meet these new friends!

   Meanwhile, we are exploring the shops and enjoying the food - conch salad (David's favorite), frozen drinks, and a yummy Italian dinner (deserts are below).  Internet has been very spotty today, so we have been a little frustrated.  David needs to work tomorrow, so hopefully it will be better.

Tiramasu & cheesecake from Giovani's - YUM!

McCurrys are in the BAHAMAS!!!!!

Entrance to Port Lucaya

   We have arrived on Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas!!!

   After a day of delay due to uncertainty Thursday night of Tropical Storm Bertha (which is supposed to stay east of the Bahamas), we left out early this morning.  After a few hiccups getting started (& a fuel stop to top off the tanks), we cruised out of Port Everglades at 8am this morning.  The sun was shining, though there were some rain clouds around (no storms).  The seas were 1-2 feet, and sometimes barely any at all.  By 12:30pm, we started to see buildings in Port of Freeport.  By then, the waters had turned a beautiful shade of blue!  After about 82nm of cruising, we hit our waypoint "Lucaya" and turned in toward the channel.  Once in the channel, the depths got to 13ft and you could see straight to the bottom!  YEAH!  We will be at Port Lucya Marina 1 night, as this is where we had to clear Bahamas Customs & Immigration.

Total miles today:  82nm

Total miles traveled:  1,573 nm

Total cruising days: 24

Sunrise on the New River as we leave

Thomas driving in Atlantic Ocean

Docked in Port Lucaya Marina

Chores! Chores!

Thomas scraping barnacles while Matthew scrubs

   Chores!  Whether you live in a house, or you live on a boat, there are always chores to do!  As we prepare to leave Ft Lauderdale for the Bahamas, we have spent the week doing numerous chores.  One big chore was cleaning the bottom of the dinghy.  After sitting in the New River for 2.5 months, the bottom had some definite barnacle growth.  Thomas, Matthew & Mom worked as a teamed scraping and scrubbing to get it clean.  You can see above the dirty area, and what we got clean.

David & Jill scuba dive!!

Sea Experience dive group (we are on left)

  FINALLY, David & Jill get to go scuba diving - the kids can't have all the fun!  We went out with Sea Experience, who both kids worked with getting certified. They were awesome!  Since we had not dove in 5 years (the last boat trip!), we had a dive master with us to make sure we remembered everything, and basically had a guide for the 65' Hog's Heaven wreck dive & 25' reef dive (The Caves).  The weather was gorgeous, there were practically no waves - fantastic!  We are now ready to go dive the Bahamas!!  

So, after diving, you need to rinse your gear really well (to get all the salt out).  David decided filling out dinghy with fresh water was the best way!  It works great!!

Divers in the water! (David on right)

David getting out of water

Scuba gear soaking in fresh water in dinghy

Final Bahamas preparations

Fully stocked pantry

   After 7 months of cruising and playing and working and planning (not to mention all our repairs), we are now in final preparation stages for crossing the Atlantic to the BAHAMAS!!!  I am sure our family & friends are tired of hearing us talk about it.  Now it is really happening!  We should be there by the end of the week.  As part of our preparations, we are stocking up on groceries.  Yes, we can buy them there, but it is cheaper and easier to get them in the States.  Freezers are full, pantry full, and spare parts on in the engine room.

Under bed food storage

Extra soda

Large freezer full of meat and such