3rd Winter Cruise Complete

June 10, 2014

Today we made the short trip up the Manatee River to Twin Dolphin Marina to complete our third Bahamas Cruise.  We both agree, that in spite of some significant equipment problems, this has been our favorite year.

Our 'strategy' this year was to have longer, quality visits at places where we had previously visited and enjoyed, particularly where we had made significant relationships. Highlights of the trip included Green Turtle Cay and Marsh Harbour in the Abacos,  Rock Sound on Eleuthera, New Bight on Cat Island, Emerald Bay on Exuma, and Black Point in the Exuma Cays.   In each of these places we have Bahamian friends, some of whom we dare to call 'family'.

We were out this year for over 7 months and in the Bahamas for 5 1/2 months.Now we are docked back at Twin Dolphin enjoying air conditioning! We will be returning back to Syracuse in early July for our annual doctor, dentist, and friend visits and then back to the boat in August.

A few highlight pictures from our trip:

Dave's, New Plymouth, Green Turtle

Harbour View Marina, Marsh Harbour, Abacos

Sammy's Place, Rock Sound, Eleuthera

Cat Island Beach

Gifts of Bottled Tomatoes & Green Beans - Cat Island

Beautiful Bahamian smile at the Georgetown Primary school lunch 'window'

Peermon celebrating a narrow victory in the Mother's Day walk musical chairs

Joyce being eliminated in musical chairs - two young girls in the foreground were my 'dance partners'

Black Point Coastline

Bell Rock, Cambridge Cay

Many water colors at Cambridge Cay

SV Barefoot - Coconut Grove

I don't take many 'posed people' pictures, but at times like this I wish  I had more pictures of our many Bahamian friends.  Just know that each of these places has a rich set of them.

Tom
Docked at Twin Dolphin Marina
Bradenton, FL

Cayo Costa - 33rd Wedding Anniversary

June 7, 2014

We have spent a few days anchored in Pelican Bay on Cayo Costa Island, including our 33rd wedding anniversary.  Hard to believe we have been married that long - time flies!

On our anniversary we dinghied to Cabbage Key and had a great lunch of fresh gulf shrimp and burgers - yum.  Joyce is adamant, however, that this NOT our anniversary dinner, that will be be at the Columbia Restaurant at St. Armand's after our return to Bradenton.

We exchanged cards and my lovely wife gave me the PERFECT card.  With copyright credit to Hallmark, this is what it said:

For My Husband,

It has been an amazing journey to this place where we are-
          {Sailboat Image}
We started out, like many do,
with nothing but dreams in our pockets
and stars in our eyes.
Along the way, we met our share of obstacles.
But with love as our guide,
we've always enjoyed the adventure.
And now here we are,
so many miles and memories later..
deeper in love and stronger for the journey.
I know that we're right where we've always belonged...
         together.

Happy Anniversary
Love Joyce

I could not imagine a better wife, lover, and partner!  Love you too!

Although we love this place. we plan to leave early tomorrow to head up to the Bradenton area and we will be back at Twin Dolphin Marina on Tuesday.  Tomorrow will complete over 600 miles traveled in about three weeks, including two runs of 24+ hours - a lot of miles in a boat that travels about 6 MPH!  This is equivalent to a 6,000-mile car trip.

It is getting hot and not that comfortable at anchor.  We have a modest air conditioner, but we can only run it when we are plugged into shore power, so a dock is sounding pretty good right now!

Tom
Anchored Pelican Bay
Cayo Costa, FL