Mother Nature decides when we travel and where! Our time in the Bahamas is coming to a close. It is looking like we might have a weather window this weekend to cross over to the East Coast of Florida. Easter Sunday is looking like great conditions to cross the Atlantic and travel the Gulf Stream but we will see if Mother Nature is playing tricks. As we closely watch the weather, we are moving west to stage getting back to the states.
Anchorage #1 – March 26, 2024
We had a sunny, low wind 25 Nautical Mile cruise to our fist stop – Allans Cay. It is an uninhibited island that provided good protection from light winds, so we dropped the hook. We enjoyed grilling on the sun deck and stargazing. We attempted a hike to the Naming Tree but the path seemed a bit overgrown. We went as far as we could and left a name board.
Anchorage #2 – March 27, 2024
Our intention was to cruise and anchor at Great Sale Cay. Our goal is to get to the West End of Grand Bahama Island, where we will wait for the weather to cross to the states. It was a beautiful day, sunny, low waves and light wind. Knowing the wind and waves are going to pick up Thursday afternoon, we decided to take advantage of the good conditions and pressed on to Mangrove Cay. In plotting our stops, we had to zoom in on the map to find the spit of land called Mangrove Cay. It did provide a safe anchorage from winds and other boat traffic along with giving us a nice short cruise to the west end for our final leg, but it is the middle of nowhere.
Dock at Old Bahama Bay Marina – March 28, 2024
The short 26 Nautical Mile (3.5 hour0 cruise0 was a little bumpy but quite fine until we hit the turn around Indian Rock. Wow! Yikes! Wait, what hold on! Truly, 15 minutes of hell: rocking, rolling and the bow dipping and dipping. Three Sons was fine and could definelty handle it. Tracy held on, tried to take some video but had to close her eyes and Captain Bob drove the boat smartly to handle the waves and surge. Approaching the docks at Old Bahama Bay, the dock hands tied us up and then told us where the Tiki Bar was located. Certainly, they have seem a few first mates dock with the fear of god look in their eyes.
After that, our three nights at Old Bahama Bay at the West End of Grand Bahama Island was pure joy and relaxation. The marina was filled with cruisers waiting for the anticipated weather window on Sunday. Our time was spent bike riding checking out the area, relaxing by the beautiful, refreshing pool, docktales, and chatting with old and new friends.
