tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26799323348792247232024-03-11T11:21:48.956-07:00Sailing the TanquerayOur journey from marriage to homeless, to jobless to living on a 32 foot sailboat as newlyweds to cruising south down the inter-coastal waterway and into the Bahamas and beyond for 1 year...Sara Daubenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445880985071299844noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2679932334879224723.post-76621557943243683262012-09-21T23:58:00.001-07:002012-10-04T14:18:41.823-07:00Tour of Colorado
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We first arrived in Denver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>First things first, we ran 5-miles on the river walk trail through town,
then met up for some local beers at the Ale House with our friend Ty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That night we ended up sleeping in the back
of our truck on a side street of a quiet neighborhood of Ty and Mike’s friend
Sarah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp1HyOh_6hyphenhyphen4DqARFIfNXszB1GetCl5VdukU0x_C0oytls4wh84PoxpbWjXKMvlk7B_KnWGV-GuTd8zj6rsHL0EQj__Ea6RY6kTC4-FBygo-QMpqs19i4qCm6069xN2u5uPfb-DvGz3KZp/s1600/DSC_0044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp1HyOh_6hyphenhyphen4DqARFIfNXszB1GetCl5VdukU0x_C0oytls4wh84PoxpbWjXKMvlk7B_KnWGV-GuTd8zj6rsHL0EQj__Ea6RY6kTC4-FBygo-QMpqs19i4qCm6069xN2u5uPfb-DvGz3KZp/s400/DSC_0044.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fans at the US Pro Challenge Cycling in Breckinridge.</td></tr>
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It was quite comfortable and
peaceful, but I’m not sure what the neighbors thought when they saw two
vagabonds crawl out the back of the truck parked on the side street in the
morning!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiGN89XERJ2ICkYOnjt1DLtV3JMhcZqx2-3AIyloJs1s2UQL1YH8aSSK0TYcSo3mBZPCU51O9WiMSp33kEovs9IAJuMou53O1SbLtRT2TTjW9s8pdnF25zzbmg-e1aBvSzeo85dFP3E11j/s1600/IMG_0358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiGN89XERJ2ICkYOnjt1DLtV3JMhcZqx2-3AIyloJs1s2UQL1YH8aSSK0TYcSo3mBZPCU51O9WiMSp33kEovs9IAJuMou53O1SbLtRT2TTjW9s8pdnF25zzbmg-e1aBvSzeo85dFP3E11j/s400/IMG_0358.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tyler & Mike</td></tr>
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Once up, and embarrassment set aside, we continued our trip
to Boulder, where Mike’s cousin’s Kiel and Jordan live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We met Jordan at their cute condo on the
outskirt of town, which seemed to me like a dream community for the young,
active, and fit!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone appeared to be
under 35 and if not running or biking, they were probably out doing some other
extreme sport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their condo backed up to
acres and acres of open space, which included trails and parks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were envious!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jordan cheering Kiel on via side-walk chalk in Boulder</td></tr>
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Luckily, we had time to take showers, but that’s about all
we had time for after arriving in Boulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jordan had an intense schedule worked out for us as fans of the US Pro
Cycling Challenge – Tour of Colorado races that Kiel was currently competing
in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sara & Jordan at the finish line.</td></tr>
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We dashed off to the store to pack a
picnic and then off to Beaver Creek (near Aspen) to watch the finish of stage 4
of the tour!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did not realize, until
actually seeing a race in person, and learning the rules of the road, that it
was this intense, involving so much strategy and that cycling had so many
FANS!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a fun event to be part of,
even as a spectator!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBAdPKXjDXa0tLfqCJNUo-Pe0BGq7WATF2_6UGpD4v7LdRv5ZmnwJ9KmIaOK4Zxht9lGi4QdUtMHio11sn9Bk-EC8eOawrnUP8IyOvp5dZXC1QierolCf_oBl-_KmHvF8KoF1YmQ-JYWRr/s1600/DSC_0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBAdPKXjDXa0tLfqCJNUo-Pe0BGq7WATF2_6UGpD4v7LdRv5ZmnwJ9KmIaOK4Zxht9lGi4QdUtMHio11sn9Bk-EC8eOawrnUP8IyOvp5dZXC1QierolCf_oBl-_KmHvF8KoF1YmQ-JYWRr/s400/DSC_0005.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking up the 3-mile hill to see the finish of stage 4 in Beaver Creek.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis27u-qKm8v7rj4OTUVeKc9JDo-0e8JJZEQGQ3MVv1Hfht1ZZnVWHqSAA4JwhbmSBtQKKjYaUS9auwg-o63fm_pHmjgvdmY6JetWWsbqHucbccYXYdBJIaTzPqnQP3wvAJWpdaJI6SkltS/s1600/DSC_0031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis27u-qKm8v7rj4OTUVeKc9JDo-0e8JJZEQGQ3MVv1Hfht1ZZnVWHqSAA4JwhbmSBtQKKjYaUS9auwg-o63fm_pHmjgvdmY6JetWWsbqHucbccYXYdBJIaTzPqnQP3wvAJWpdaJI6SkltS/s400/DSC_0031.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And they are off!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJwLizKBr8JoqDWmqdkhYOY3LmIcxKT5GtMLnU3BDbZDlj2iEnOMo-sJYcD42axGFq-aGRs9UqOtv_zNrvRKGdMkU3BWoPanV0PItjXk2EgC4G18yyBn2QxHRj2-OBGiFd2Jz6rxTgyPX/s1600/DSC_0013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJwLizKBr8JoqDWmqdkhYOY3LmIcxKT5GtMLnU3BDbZDlj2iEnOMo-sJYcD42axGFq-aGRs9UqOtv_zNrvRKGdMkU3BWoPanV0PItjXk2EgC4G18yyBn2QxHRj2-OBGiFd2Jz6rxTgyPX/s400/DSC_0013.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jordan visiting with Kiel at the finish of a race</td></tr>
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After stage 4, we visited with exhausted Kiel, who looked
like he just had finished his fourth marathon in a row, and then continued on
to Breckinridge to catch the start of stage 5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was a crazy whirlwind of driving across Colorado to cheer on Kiel for
5 seconds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span> </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivavL7NoH9oQA9NYK_ngn8QAOkmyuBfauO5YBSm4SCjCf-0doniYcbor8NQ7wBocKasum06VWxJfkF8N8hwufjdxY6sJefdnEcLNln1K92MVAehEHvz4yLF1gCTy-XI-CLVYdlJochinJz/s1600/DSC_0033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivavL7NoH9oQA9NYK_ngn8QAOkmyuBfauO5YBSm4SCjCf-0doniYcbor8NQ7wBocKasum06VWxJfkF8N8hwufjdxY6sJefdnEcLNln1K92MVAehEHvz4yLF1gCTy-XI-CLVYdlJochinJz/s400/DSC_0033.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Start of the race in Breckinridge<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Groupies outside the Team Type 1 team van</td></tr>
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After the start of the race
we drove to Colorado Springs to catch the finish of stage 5 and then headed
back to Boulder to catch the climb up Flagstaff for stage 6 the following day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span> </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL4HltkXT5j81XLt-659UTTzHYAWKxUdIfLZT6sn5OS-zxhMnlTqY1YcniVwnYwZl3WBe5wB8NoVg2wKtuthbJQe1kVbBuCMUa6WasyJG03WB2svp9GbiiMgvwlx6eLZlg89wRRmA_sRnt/s1600/saramikejordan_tourcolorado.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL4HltkXT5j81XLt-659UTTzHYAWKxUdIfLZT6sn5OS-zxhMnlTqY1YcniVwnYwZl3WBe5wB8NoVg2wKtuthbJQe1kVbBuCMUa6WasyJG03WB2svp9GbiiMgvwlx6eLZlg89wRRmA_sRnt/s320/saramikejordan_tourcolorado.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sara, Mike and Jordan at the top of Flagstaff</td></tr>
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We had quite the respect for Kiel after
watching him race the grueling 100-mile courses day after day, finishing in the
top 25 of all the cyclists!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean, I
was tired just driving from start to finish each day and hiking up the hills to
watch the finish of the races, I can’t imagine actually competing each day in
the 100-mile plus race for 7-days in a row.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Cyclists are a tough bunch; pain is the name of the game.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieoC_y-hdfiMNyrJXavp6egp_B1C2iqtdtEfHTLwzePt5P0KCeE99EQyBb9JNXZ-aSItoPyInKyIVEksZAHUUhLfTC9ty5OPAf6X89MULdtNCoY3qrQTT_RGMKMDqR1E4MlramHNQms6Ab/s1600/DSC_0019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieoC_y-hdfiMNyrJXavp6egp_B1C2iqtdtEfHTLwzePt5P0KCeE99EQyBb9JNXZ-aSItoPyInKyIVEksZAHUUhLfTC9ty5OPAf6X89MULdtNCoY3qrQTT_RGMKMDqR1E4MlramHNQms6Ab/s400/DSC_0019.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kiel's fan base - pre-race autographs<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
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We watched the final stage, 7, in Denver, which was a 15-km
time-trial.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mike, Jordan and I hung out
afterwards until later that evening when we attended the US Pro Cycling
Challenge Team Party that evening with Kiel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was impressed that the riders had enough stamina to come out, party
and drink more than one beer!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibh-sYouywM4iXoFgLu7W9iExpf5DGXNPTkmkJvw-DKt9mhkHW_iXGHGwxyQ_BsvYkATTP7XVJAlmpCrWGmW9xHhH03iD3vyMboo-5YlztGUU0vsnzDISrMiQcieNAgWwJ3i-CoSQ0NDAn/s1600/DSC_0024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibh-sYouywM4iXoFgLu7W9iExpf5DGXNPTkmkJvw-DKt9mhkHW_iXGHGwxyQ_BsvYkATTP7XVJAlmpCrWGmW9xHhH03iD3vyMboo-5YlztGUU0vsnzDISrMiQcieNAgWwJ3i-CoSQ0NDAn/s400/DSC_0024.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giving Kiel a little motivational support before the start of his race</td></tr>
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After the tour, we had one day to relax in Boulder with Kiel
and Jordan before returning to the northwest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We went on a short hike, packed our bags and flew out that evening to
Seattle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGVCGo_nMwTqDAYq7ikp6ZqYA0a3xTlt1xhrR_ZoJ0br1lzgbJC_UjbSJBL9iJAHSs9GVSLOLYakfMq3DC5nB5SJyLr6-2tcXdk2W99FFcNrLLNh7-rOjT9c1ftzWvDC4pDG4t2YFg20C/s1600/mikekiel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGVCGo_nMwTqDAYq7ikp6ZqYA0a3xTlt1xhrR_ZoJ0br1lzgbJC_UjbSJBL9iJAHSs9GVSLOLYakfMq3DC5nB5SJyLr6-2tcXdk2W99FFcNrLLNh7-rOjT9c1ftzWvDC4pDG4t2YFg20C/s320/mikekiel.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cousins - Mike & Kiel</td></tr>
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Our first time back to the West
Coast in almost a year!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two weddings, a
memorial service, visiting family and attending the Port Townsend Wooden Boat
Festival filled our two weeks on the West Coast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then back to Denver, Colorado to continue on
with our road-trip home.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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<!--EndFragment--><br />Sara Daubenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445880985071299844noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2679932334879224723.post-41006215672941075012012-09-11T21:56:00.002-07:002012-09-11T21:56:41.988-07:00Chicago - Big City Living<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibI6DbdliqdGvDApWYU996eoeSoW-skXFEuEh7YlScVrwrD220XX56ignnr5KQxs03iUB3fPNP40JD2ayEitxC_Jjv-wFavqkj_0qednOOHB5uiRYu_I8_bZD7TFTNcsCyJDtH_O0b0b5h/s1600/DSC_0187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibI6DbdliqdGvDApWYU996eoeSoW-skXFEuEh7YlScVrwrD220XX56ignnr5KQxs03iUB3fPNP40JD2ayEitxC_Jjv-wFavqkj_0qednOOHB5uiRYu_I8_bZD7TFTNcsCyJDtH_O0b0b5h/s400/DSC_0187.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waterfront Chicago</td></tr>
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Land of great architecture, the Great Lake, urban parks, delicious pizza and Big City living! It was difficult to get much sunlight on the skin, not that we needed that. Only at high noon when the skyscrapers did not cast shadows on all the sidewalks could you feel the sunlight for a moment.<div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicago skyline</td></tr>
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Not use to the hustle and bustle of city life, Mike and I did our best to tour the city of Chicago in our own island style way!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQtyGnUEBqQudAcdbIblS_2PnxqW8CVdlCqRj8Jq-0P2eGRERrOT6YZa4FI_0a06nWGdv4h2EKqzwgIsBHxsLe86fqSPDpg76ateQ2xhQ_4I2M5CyWtiV84ZUKFEQHpsf-CELoDu7s1hF/s1600/IMG_0276.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQtyGnUEBqQudAcdbIblS_2PnxqW8CVdlCqRj8Jq-0P2eGRERrOT6YZa4FI_0a06nWGdv4h2EKqzwgIsBHxsLe86fqSPDpg76ateQ2xhQ_4I2M5CyWtiV84ZUKFEQHpsf-CELoDu7s1hF/s400/IMG_0276.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Urban farm in the heart of Chicago!</td></tr>
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To start we pricelined a 5-star hotel in downtown Chicago, for a cheap cheap price of only $65/night. Unfortunately, we found out after booking the hotel room that parking in downtown, is not 25 cents per hour or $10 a day, how about $55-60 a day!!! Whooo! That cost us.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our hotel in downtown Chicago</td></tr>
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After sneaking Nelly into our hotel room on the 31st floor we enjoyed the views and a hot shower! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from room!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nelly in the elevator heading to the 31st floor</td></tr>
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Our first full day in the city we spent walking through Millennium Park, urban farms, the waterfront, a bar stop, the Big Bean and put in a good 10 miles on our shoes for the day. We also enjoyed making fun of tourists zip by on segways, dodging them and hoping not to get run over!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicago marina</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Bean</td></tr>
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After completely burning ourselves out the first full-day in the city we went out to dinner to see what the Chicago deep-dish pizza was all about. All I can say, is it is worth a taste or two or three! Gooey, cheesy, thick slices of pizza are quite tasty in Chicago!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike in downtown Chicago!</td></tr>
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We had hoped to go to the Chicago Art Institute the following morning, but found a line too long for us to patience through, so we explored the gift shop and continued on our way.</div>
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Next stop, Iowa truck stop. After driving a good 8 hours through rolling corn and wheat fields we decided to call it a day and sleep in the back of the truck. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike enjoying the Iowan ribs</td></tr>
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However, not before enjoying a true Iowan meal of baby-back ribs! One order of baby-back ribs was enough to last us through the following day!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5uKyP3kuoYKUToG_iwwPUwA5267dCR2qMM5cFv3buzn21Gxfj37fTh3vH04sAhISURuoQnuLNJCuEcBprJ-BaoVtyIgdZyHxipo8YcLpY7uxgH82tb-q3NZdKUPEERI1PTg5OIGIaUPu-/s1600/DSC_0222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5uKyP3kuoYKUToG_iwwPUwA5267dCR2qMM5cFv3buzn21Gxfj37fTh3vH04sAhISURuoQnuLNJCuEcBprJ-BaoVtyIgdZyHxipo8YcLpY7uxgH82tb-q3NZdKUPEERI1PTg5OIGIaUPu-/s400/DSC_0222.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div>
After Iowa, we drove straight through Nebraska and on to Colorado. Nebraska was flat and you needn't worry about missing any scenery along the way, since it is the same all the way through, flat cornfield after cornfield. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnotEyAs9UjsoQYTPLLhmxYeHJ4hyphenhyphen5pHEPZlKv_CcbVPwGEWVogNsrButwIuJ4wGvXvMUcV1_X52lxi_QP_CW-Fe1Oh3gjrzuE1WxP2LU-PRdwGkfk48ME0h_4Go_dubwR4eoWnplOtZD6/s1600/DSC_0225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnotEyAs9UjsoQYTPLLhmxYeHJ4hyphenhyphen5pHEPZlKv_CcbVPwGEWVogNsrButwIuJ4wGvXvMUcV1_X52lxi_QP_CW-Fe1Oh3gjrzuE1WxP2LU-PRdwGkfk48ME0h_4Go_dubwR4eoWnplOtZD6/s400/DSC_0225.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div>
We welcomed 'Colorful Colorado'!</div>
</div>
</div>
Sara Daubenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445880985071299844noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2679932334879224723.post-50963663923535882452012-08-22T12:59:00.002-07:002012-08-24T19:29:16.091-07:00The Road-trip Begins!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAjAj8UUFqIOKkmcIpIb0LJkeajAvoGBJa2oS5rbvnnTj-hals7oOcmf3LolEW486afp-9tt2ItqVntc-2uT8g6i8RfryhU75_orcPOl9X8KGn6U3Mg1RjaRG-tLmoAbdiUw4aiU76tPV/s1600/DSC_0091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAjAj8UUFqIOKkmcIpIb0LJkeajAvoGBJa2oS5rbvnnTj-hals7oOcmf3LolEW486afp-9tt2ItqVntc-2uT8g6i8RfryhU75_orcPOl9X8KGn6U3Mg1RjaRG-tLmoAbdiUw4aiU76tPV/s400/DSC_0091.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View on the Parkway - definitely worth the extra miles to drive this route!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Times;">Winding through the Appalachian mountains and into the midwest, we've only needed to camp
one night so far, much to our surprise. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;"></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnjP425ixOf3e2nERli1_CisFxa_m1vmyIPIk_eSvyYAPbj2dOE9Oc5KJ1Br2uKn4djPXvwNU6fcT64AH_krawdCxgjQCdq9KrpjFWxSc4SbHfA9vIr5vDqIr0CFABGZtvWPzPGavpD69R/s1600/IMG_0146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnjP425ixOf3e2nERli1_CisFxa_m1vmyIPIk_eSvyYAPbj2dOE9Oc5KJ1Br2uKn4djPXvwNU6fcT64AH_krawdCxgjQCdq9KrpjFWxSc4SbHfA9vIr5vDqIr0CFABGZtvWPzPGavpD69R/s320/IMG_0146.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hike in the Appalachian mountains.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Times;">With the many family, friends and friends of family,
our camping has not been the typical "camping" which usually lack showers,
laundry and comfy beds. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqo6CiLxU0VhB9hre99bDN7akaIGLPG-mX5iznjIcT5SdueOXTkSTNBF8IKWBoK7FQWAhYkZRT-ibOLl-_wBiP1STtpR60iSc8tqpqqDXnWHLmIiHTSd0GQNDe01h1qB7vW3ITt4k3ELFL/s1600/DSC_0083.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqo6CiLxU0VhB9hre99bDN7akaIGLPG-mX5iznjIcT5SdueOXTkSTNBF8IKWBoK7FQWAhYkZRT-ibOLl-_wBiP1STtpR60iSc8tqpqqDXnWHLmIiHTSd0GQNDe01h1qB7vW3ITt4k3ELFL/s320/DSC_0083.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View while driving through the Appalachian Mountains on the Parkway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Times;">Our camping has consisted of luxurious mountain
houses, boathouses and convents. Yes, a convent. We spent the night in Adrian, Michigan with the Dominican nuns. They even found it humorous when my Aunt Sis informed them we were on
our honeymoon! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQSSq9BKjslR32dT2bZO70BRzVWkOujSk8MiusHzZLClI6n_X_pSEnSapIANYQn08UkH9tCZyKN7jEzo8wh2B5PK0Dl3BYRl9YK-KykfQwAzm9HgKaIgoONSA6O36QXCt6_zF7QLg5pMu/s1600/IMG_0217.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQSSq9BKjslR32dT2bZO70BRzVWkOujSk8MiusHzZLClI6n_X_pSEnSapIANYQn08UkH9tCZyKN7jEzo8wh2B5PK0Dl3BYRl9YK-KykfQwAzm9HgKaIgoONSA6O36QXCt6_zF7QLg5pMu/s320/IMG_0217.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Aunt Sis</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;">After selling our sailboat to a pair of young newly
weds, Jon and Geri, that plan to honeymoon in the Bahamas like we did, we took off on our
road-trip immediately. Time was of essence and we had much to do and see.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgpirq4Isk_PASQmE8CMKP-hD7UxCp71OmvENCwonuP25n3BWcMvhvi-ADmO9PxUYdPyfKL6YbaIb6iMZlOYblUtSmcBXi3SKhx44laFP_LL25mdXu_XciHmzBqLIl31ZZlW60VwV4woe5/s1600/IMG_0054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgpirq4Isk_PASQmE8CMKP-hD7UxCp71OmvENCwonuP25n3BWcMvhvi-ADmO9PxUYdPyfKL6YbaIb6iMZlOYblUtSmcBXi3SKhx44laFP_LL25mdXu_XciHmzBqLIl31ZZlW60VwV4woe5/s400/IMG_0054.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jon & Geri on the Tanqueray</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Times;">We were excited to sell the boat and be on our way,
but it was a bittersweet day, saying good-bye to our trustworthy home was not
easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR0olrzF7fIU_YX1Lo7m72uu_SiG61JMAkymI1KUofg8tkd9Z1SgV_szREqOOP4IqeIBXWYJpxrBoe8gvKc1kCfF1oRorxjcso0xhyphenhyphen6Pvn9Ew-jeqOLw2Rk_OMAEZBeTncavmyU_i0tZBB/s1600/IMG_0119.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR0olrzF7fIU_YX1Lo7m72uu_SiG61JMAkymI1KUofg8tkd9Z1SgV_szREqOOP4IqeIBXWYJpxrBoe8gvKc1kCfF1oRorxjcso0xhyphenhyphen6Pvn9Ew-jeqOLw2Rk_OMAEZBeTncavmyU_i0tZBB/s320/IMG_0119.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sara, Mike and Nelly on the road.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Times;">There’s a saying known among boaters, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;"><br /></span>
<i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> “The two happiest
days are the day you buy a boat and the day you sell it”. </span></b></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;"><i><b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></b></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Times;">This rang true for us although it was hard to
say good-bye to the Tanqueray, our home of 9-months.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;"><br /></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHnK3dnX9oEtKIfbatXMCpRPDFQaBySE4y3TlOOU1SWLmTzeiRAk0foGPfgMLYlSUryfmPPaxHEiYF1WrNnwgYOE5MlRfy9gq-mGw0JvWxccva5ZZUQfxilc7LhM3Bmth7tDbo8wDZCdo6/s1600/IMG_0122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHnK3dnX9oEtKIfbatXMCpRPDFQaBySE4y3TlOOU1SWLmTzeiRAk0foGPfgMLYlSUryfmPPaxHEiYF1WrNnwgYOE5MlRfy9gq-mGw0JvWxccva5ZZUQfxilc7LhM3Bmth7tDbo8wDZCdo6/s320/IMG_0122.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nelly enjoying her new favorite spot in the truck while driving through the Parkway.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;">Now our adventure continues on a cross-country
road-trip back to the West coast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Below is a re-cap of our driving adventures through the Appalachians and
the Mid-west thus far since the Tanqueray left our worried minds:</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9jhjFqHNcB8DKkMwGhM-iHAeYLXxUe577wtzuvWkS5e4EEEGR0n13IDeHKqWLohe87llq2uhbQmCkaHejxm1E-RDWs_P2bZnWU4PfSyuaguG9tesjU_tagYfnYeSJVjcaNj3XHPkBzXK/s1600/IMG_0060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9jhjFqHNcB8DKkMwGhM-iHAeYLXxUe577wtzuvWkS5e4EEEGR0n13IDeHKqWLohe87llq2uhbQmCkaHejxm1E-RDWs_P2bZnWU4PfSyuaguG9tesjU_tagYfnYeSJVjcaNj3XHPkBzXK/s400/IMG_0060.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last photo aboard Tanqueray</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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</div>
<ul>
<li><b>Sold the Tanqueray on August 8,
2012 -</b></li>
<li>Cause for a champagne celebration with the
Walker's</li>
<li>Lucky Tanqueray, she will be
heading back to the Bahamas in November with her new owners, Jon & Geri!</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>Departed Fort Pierce, FL on
August 9, 2012 - </b></li>
<li>Good-bye & Thank-you to the
Walker's </li>
</ul>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXkFY_UcSosbriBdS0gaX7ehXcwJGVxlQfhEqDLHfPo8ob4N8YrSLXcT5eODz7Ekm3fdG1RwC0w8MOipVUJ8hbhtX2xQOXhZe_GZpcGl_BSyvQ0cXFzfCR0M0GYzz7hiPfPRvN2PN1u6Bg/s1600/DSC_0089.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXkFY_UcSosbriBdS0gaX7ehXcwJGVxlQfhEqDLHfPo8ob4N8YrSLXcT5eODz7Ekm3fdG1RwC0w8MOipVUJ8hbhtX2xQOXhZe_GZpcGl_BSyvQ0cXFzfCR0M0GYzz7hiPfPRvN2PN1u6Bg/s400/DSC_0089.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nelly relaxing in the backseat while road-tripping</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<ul>
<li><b>4 hour drive to Palataka, FL (2
nights) - </b></li>
<li>Hello Aunt Terri, Miles, Tyler,
Holli, Charlie & the girls</li>
<li>Tyler takes us on an hour flight
to St Augustine and back.</li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJiBe7Wb67pZ-nYVs9n-ZRjLf4GC3HU3oxOt8nndxHpQowFOMjgqDnbuD100kXdlky5eum2ZAg3XcozNhH_AHzDwmzLMas4w4YT3fTOacwNSH53RzDmyNApiezZLMuNHHXik_LrD4KlZw/s1600/IMG_0082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJiBe7Wb67pZ-nYVs9n-ZRjLf4GC3HU3oxOt8nndxHpQowFOMjgqDnbuD100kXdlky5eum2ZAg3XcozNhH_AHzDwmzLMas4w4YT3fTOacwNSH53RzDmyNApiezZLMuNHHXik_LrD4KlZw/s400/IMG_0082.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguSXVIdnHzo6CS6xHpPNS9ZuVt2WAi5RPt7wUcUvGenx8B-TSfR_DG5f-ddQLo4chH-E4QRnL8vGGcZxNDAVOC9BvOejU0YRx1Ih33HD5AI8QRmjZE4i6OOzofdo1PXq_VDL10743MZ9vA/s1600/IMG_0077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguSXVIdnHzo6CS6xHpPNS9ZuVt2WAi5RPt7wUcUvGenx8B-TSfR_DG5f-ddQLo4chH-E4QRnL8vGGcZxNDAVOC9BvOejU0YRx1Ih33HD5AI8QRmjZE4i6OOzofdo1PXq_VDL10743MZ9vA/s400/IMG_0077.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flying with Tyler</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVFLTrXae_ExR212NsOP5PM-e1nJDu8bZ1ogcZY4d5lMEr2pWsDf6pVvnu7NiNffo7puz3JqvOvI0Mwr8OnJnCae0FDqX0DH6KmqfvXxUAtnP8ULHIkX_qV9IkC1cNxqH9ikMXxAVVGlyH/s1600/IMG_0071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVFLTrXae_ExR212NsOP5PM-e1nJDu8bZ1ogcZY4d5lMEr2pWsDf6pVvnu7NiNffo7puz3JqvOvI0Mwr8OnJnCae0FDqX0DH6KmqfvXxUAtnP8ULHIkX_qV9IkC1cNxqH9ikMXxAVVGlyH/s400/IMG_0071.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike in the back seat of the airplane</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li>Holli gives us our first haircuts
since the Dominican Republic!</li>
<li>Terri & Miles take us out to
Happy Hour – it’s a fun visit. </li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzySH45zmZnT8eSrD8Db4yoN69ZrR9MDp2zna4oc4mu75oPUcTSlkq3_KJ-H08fkql5IvrUuWcU-sgBXxNTgg1tfNMWIWx55PmC41dBXxEMG-t0zsV0lO6D8df-QZR6teVhLOaZ2p1JAFE/s1600/IMG_0086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzySH45zmZnT8eSrD8Db4yoN69ZrR9MDp2zna4oc4mu75oPUcTSlkq3_KJ-H08fkql5IvrUuWcU-sgBXxNTgg1tfNMWIWx55PmC41dBXxEMG-t0zsV0lO6D8df-QZR6teVhLOaZ2p1JAFE/s320/IMG_0086.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRkz9vjHxDS68IRcTDiI9kz_kKGKrDZPES2CTrGZbNsBG6CvJcn9NuIc5frYXUf-QhQ5u_aeuKYduncyu_iJuR4SVKdgLPpqUTF_rgarmwihMj4Lskt3LB6V10rGUgpOfF9w8JAH_GiSvh/s1600/IMG_0093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRkz9vjHxDS68IRcTDiI9kz_kKGKrDZPES2CTrGZbNsBG6CvJcn9NuIc5frYXUf-QhQ5u_aeuKYduncyu_iJuR4SVKdgLPpqUTF_rgarmwihMj4Lskt3LB6V10rGUgpOfF9w8JAH_GiSvh/s320/IMG_0093.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li><b>3 hour drive to Savannah, GA (lunch stop)</b></li>
<li>Enjoyed a delicious meal of
shrimp & grits and walk the Historical waterfront. </li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKHFarmgcU065K8Rd_NYVgTJ0PdRCN1mHeyzdOHKX0U_vuZlC3jaUBgArPy1HCc5Gz8PIj69IwwQhsv0PRg_lXrrdN0V5-mBJxarcsEpXSNfVhaOLJcGU-ezzmEwECOZ1yv4P9wePw6sfT/s1600/IMG_0100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKHFarmgcU065K8Rd_NYVgTJ0PdRCN1mHeyzdOHKX0U_vuZlC3jaUBgArPy1HCc5Gz8PIj69IwwQhsv0PRg_lXrrdN0V5-mBJxarcsEpXSNfVhaOLJcGU-ezzmEwECOZ1yv4P9wePw6sfT/s400/IMG_0100.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Savannah, GA</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li><b>6 hour drive to Asheville, NC (3
nights)</b></li>
<li>Visit with the Naimark's &
Mike's Granny Pat</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfDOcPd-cJfpZRxKvBzJGuzxd6P1ZyH7sjYxtO8ljwUprO94WIj9NwP4erJymIwyydhzgiz6GaKSrvqhVkRTWyuJwnTYAVDVhb9_x3dH4H1K6jgpBdzwjRTSfN6MVFnVpZ3r_r9qurK8ad/s1600/DSC_0056.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfDOcPd-cJfpZRxKvBzJGuzxd6P1ZyH7sjYxtO8ljwUprO94WIj9NwP4erJymIwyydhzgiz6GaKSrvqhVkRTWyuJwnTYAVDVhb9_x3dH4H1K6jgpBdzwjRTSfN6MVFnVpZ3r_r9qurK8ad/s400/DSC_0056.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike, Granny Pat and Sara overlooking the Appalachian mountains</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYW0HwZVX-H4NhyskWmjRvywDdUwjP_g76cfw1rmlpABpcN6g6irMe4V4b6gUDAl5s2z1hmKRr9VLmK8VG3iligdS29QTtV_nqZktN3Jq1ch8CWdLCtYQ9NWQXkbrgwVm9TbqECffSrW1n/s1600/DSC_0069.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYW0HwZVX-H4NhyskWmjRvywDdUwjP_g76cfw1rmlpABpcN6g6irMe4V4b6gUDAl5s2z1hmKRr9VLmK8VG3iligdS29QTtV_nqZktN3Jq1ch8CWdLCtYQ9NWQXkbrgwVm9TbqECffSrW1n/s320/DSC_0069.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">historic site - Biltmore</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy92aHFOK6pxXoNJDNeDo_huJJeEPy9GjXhlhvMY6kScNjYucLlnhzTTZPZigYvDujBZM9I-gqf6ZkeQnFTblhjOorHp8iBy55RFTVV6fKU1HodBCUX-Wp618UNTHIGuGRMZlbvto3wXHa/s1600/DSC_0073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy92aHFOK6pxXoNJDNeDo_huJJeEPy9GjXhlhvMY6kScNjYucLlnhzTTZPZigYvDujBZM9I-gqf6ZkeQnFTblhjOorHp8iBy55RFTVV6fKU1HodBCUX-Wp618UNTHIGuGRMZlbvto3wXHa/s400/DSC_0073.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li>Hiking, picnics, campfires,
jumping into cold-cold water, Biltmore</li>
<li>Fun times in Asheville yet again!</li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnKlwpzUbWBMqc5jl19raSd88C7T594cEfYcFIg5pIYn1zu8stB0odxF3qZk6kCmaGWPM4fkkYUPHGg7mtqGbsAz6xJp5wmAIjHy7KyOYGf5ihB5ONnUvplDrFrnAvHEflVxyp64q0FSLN/s1600/DSC_0051.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnKlwpzUbWBMqc5jl19raSd88C7T594cEfYcFIg5pIYn1zu8stB0odxF3qZk6kCmaGWPM4fkkYUPHGg7mtqGbsAz6xJp5wmAIjHy7KyOYGf5ihB5ONnUvplDrFrnAvHEflVxyp64q0FSLN/s400/DSC_0051.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picnicing with the Naimarks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcFotbCq9O4swQHpdo3Eqo882d2DNSWr1BpOZc88tNOsEcY7TfjkazWiKpo1e9J475AJxuKZ4jTWhkV6qPpV96DdGR4j3o0g_KH6foAh7I6LjXaLboDZXVKvj4Iq9xIreEb-NpAtLxYiT/s1600/DSC_0024.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcFotbCq9O4swQHpdo3Eqo882d2DNSWr1BpOZc88tNOsEcY7TfjkazWiKpo1e9J475AJxuKZ4jTWhkV6qPpV96DdGR4j3o0g_KH6foAh7I6LjXaLboDZXVKvj4Iq9xIreEb-NpAtLxYiT/s400/DSC_0024.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful waterfalls in the Parkway outside of Asheville, NC</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0TtRLhnt9s4QHUZio9PTf43p2LOR5EADEoCEHAhmtmzgLTPe8ida2H_tJQ9GbRNjQ1Es-T6x79hHMwM6USRlo-wLwytOGfm_2RS1bk5u3LsbrgtYbAkndqGxBLOaStg0bcMpFUymxjYk8/s1600/DSC_0037.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0TtRLhnt9s4QHUZio9PTf43p2LOR5EADEoCEHAhmtmzgLTPe8ida2H_tJQ9GbRNjQ1Es-T6x79hHMwM6USRlo-wLwytOGfm_2RS1bk5u3LsbrgtYbAkndqGxBLOaStg0bcMpFUymxjYk8/s400/DSC_0037.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mick, Callie, Lizzy, Mike and Sara on a hike</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3r_fbURwSdzsslca0o_d2Q-2xvADDPvZuGHN0OqsXXgZi-er3bUwUe3Ohz8ehk8iZIP7_EZmELxBrLF5D45c4M_pgJhyMjqiC9ReKfQKsc55L7mLFeUPwMj4amJbQu2IW_dMauyn9z2U6/s1600/DSC_0011.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3r_fbURwSdzsslca0o_d2Q-2xvADDPvZuGHN0OqsXXgZi-er3bUwUe3Ohz8ehk8iZIP7_EZmELxBrLF5D45c4M_pgJhyMjqiC9ReKfQKsc55L7mLFeUPwMj4amJbQu2IW_dMauyn9z2U6/s400/DSC_0011.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View in the mountains of Asheville</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsFHPnQP6jNCGoUypGfR68kI3EsMrqbnSH7AaW9Yg5McI2ujLcPyERW7JCl5ucmjNpM4XkAtQBNgT5nYpSpfhM44NPxQnC07Pz-2auBgnvSGaRd40ty_mPFrMVFE8A2cHdkXhKcIPPywk3/s1600/DSC_0049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsFHPnQP6jNCGoUypGfR68kI3EsMrqbnSH7AaW9Yg5McI2ujLcPyERW7JCl5ucmjNpM4XkAtQBNgT5nYpSpfhM44NPxQnC07Pz-2auBgnvSGaRd40ty_mPFrMVFE8A2cHdkXhKcIPPywk3/s400/DSC_0049.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sara, Mike and Granny Pat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8OkK4RnO7MD90s5JgncZPACki_RDVY2-6V4ANFofywCAHAAh8W5QhvO9otMpC69bZZvjeEMj2JcDEow4Ytm1N7uF0h1Ql8d8Clb2kMia97C9LQIyK5Bm2Cr-gZYtmknAIqKFKkddS7Tbz/s1600/DSC_0045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8OkK4RnO7MD90s5JgncZPACki_RDVY2-6V4ANFofywCAHAAh8W5QhvO9otMpC69bZZvjeEMj2JcDEow4Ytm1N7uF0h1Ql8d8Clb2kMia97C9LQIyK5Bm2Cr-gZYtmknAIqKFKkddS7Tbz/s400/DSC_0045.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blueridge Parkway - view of Appalachian Mountains</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li><b>-1 day Scenic Detour on the Blueridge
Parkway (1 night camping)-</b></li>
<li>We ran 4 strenuous hikes in the
Parkway, our legs were exhausted.</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZiKxmbjSZ7IvPb5VLkPf-ZvoKZakIIboLhUzPzI5ZbLf1TjyZ8q98P0f0yACMINXcB7vBIuEQT9aIxKsSl6kuoG5D8Tfh2wca-lR9qKeA9Sb9Ava23V2Pg1IEoQAOovrUrvfe445yOIK/s1600/DSC_0088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZiKxmbjSZ7IvPb5VLkPf-ZvoKZakIIboLhUzPzI5ZbLf1TjyZ8q98P0f0yACMINXcB7vBIuEQT9aIxKsSl6kuoG5D8Tfh2wca-lR9qKeA9Sb9Ava23V2Pg1IEoQAOovrUrvfe445yOIK/s400/DSC_0088.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Driving on the Parkway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_JiP6UnzztL54wraPY0l8wXROrI0O06zK8-NoRCBiTS1c8f5RcDIglBJIbjV74yNe5hzjvCe_uQiY-7stAD3GKxpL342Gc5yuWq3TjnS2b924_-8rOKxplvrB4CwvMLz_Zl9Z2UQYUuN-/s1600/IMG_0143.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_JiP6UnzztL54wraPY0l8wXROrI0O06zK8-NoRCBiTS1c8f5RcDIglBJIbjV74yNe5hzjvCe_uQiY-7stAD3GKxpL342Gc5yuWq3TjnS2b924_-8rOKxplvrB4CwvMLz_Zl9Z2UQYUuN-/s400/IMG_0143.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hike along the Parkway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWuAWYeojWmTJUJ9Yo7tYxX4HZ2E_Op3vX83lyPAY8ReFX9oTCO1FN2ptOg9r6FRGCB3-JJeCPQTADCYFUYJK0tBLLrUDPc1RBECiNbHofG6Qm8Y-dhyWPub4ePz_tgp5jy3q9wLlGSjiD/s1600/DSC_0095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWuAWYeojWmTJUJ9Yo7tYxX4HZ2E_Op3vX83lyPAY8ReFX9oTCO1FN2ptOg9r6FRGCB3-JJeCPQTADCYFUYJK0tBLLrUDPc1RBECiNbHofG6Qm8Y-dhyWPub4ePz_tgp5jy3q9wLlGSjiD/s400/DSC_0095.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Music museum off the Pa</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj33GvPxD3IH5-pBBCsqmgrZhUXuG2nQDX5TdfRWLYW8xC_uxNWcqs1aV9p4XHmikrG_iWHNuaaEu6CHDYTfweqSwbyqT4eUxnvPNp3VUFjU1os4vpUWcZVg7BsCH-I64xuv75yPsa0fVVv/s1600/IMG_0139.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj33GvPxD3IH5-pBBCsqmgrZhUXuG2nQDX5TdfRWLYW8xC_uxNWcqs1aV9p4XHmikrG_iWHNuaaEu6CHDYTfweqSwbyqT4eUxnvPNp3VUFjU1os4vpUWcZVg7BsCH-I64xuv75yPsa0fVVv/s320/IMG_0139.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hike along the Parkway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQ3HQrXFH70qooWWPr1q05WUla8lHZGf7yE9lh8khHdpU8WoRtnQgl_bml9y53DYwAQxQsDa9zIxNNpsR6hIg_bfAlVrj0fAgwJweEvHG1hyphenhyphenQAaP7qbD6TzjUhUj0sbKcXbTta_ughRLV/s1600/IMG_0127.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQ3HQrXFH70qooWWPr1q05WUla8lHZGf7yE9lh8khHdpU8WoRtnQgl_bml9y53DYwAQxQsDa9zIxNNpsR6hIg_bfAlVrj0fAgwJweEvHG1hyphenhyphenQAaP7qbD6TzjUhUj0sbKcXbTta_ughRLV/s400/IMG_0127.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View off the Parkway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br />
<br />
<li><b>9 hour drive to Sandusky, OH (3 nights)</b></li>
<li>Drove through 4 states: NC, VI, WV, OH - beautiful drive with lots of green rolling hills</li>
<li>Stayed with Mike’s mom’s childhood best-friends daughter, Alice, in a boathouse on Lake Erie</li>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw-XQUVCtrtoFtGyYvK8HfGWZjKMnefzlnOlQc27p86TPlN2FM215dpr4lfZ-lNAVetFYrhCCP48HLx39hqN03Q68wmX7wsNEYLosG-I6esxvQgIacei5TI12xLUptly0ey9t-piSho_5H/s1600/DSC_0108.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw-XQUVCtrtoFtGyYvK8HfGWZjKMnefzlnOlQc27p86TPlN2FM215dpr4lfZ-lNAVetFYrhCCP48HLx39hqN03Q68wmX7wsNEYLosG-I6esxvQgIacei5TI12xLUptly0ey9t-piSho_5H/s320/DSC_0108.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alice, Nelly and Mike outside the boathouse in Sandusky, OH</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<li>Spent a long day at Cedar Point, World’s Best Amusement Park</li>
</div>
<ul>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCHg_Fw0EVL3OSWKbEdmEjQDeccrICq0Lk3a4V6ZJeJ6ONOPe8NHb15VYBP-Mp6VXvWWl-MoNq2ZIlSz9LOtxTO98ZPZym_p8uxkYaqYFoHeYOiwHtnTvdeH5sgWFeEAik7tbV5OcAScD/s1600/IMG_0191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCHg_Fw0EVL3OSWKbEdmEjQDeccrICq0Lk3a4V6ZJeJ6ONOPe8NHb15VYBP-Mp6VXvWWl-MoNq2ZIlSz9LOtxTO98ZPZym_p8uxkYaqYFoHeYOiwHtnTvdeH5sgWFeEAik7tbV5OcAScD/s320/IMG_0191.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8BJYYYz_nt2GO7ZJrfpMD8QiPzbNJy9q8el2KKzX8WKt1EGzi8quN_jMsdwjANzS3re-4aG18QBxtTXSzr7tNhExvf3_xisRrdw9I0g3dC91EVRfwyEWvXgA3xMu1U5bqY6-zMuF8j-uQ/s1600/IMG_0186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8BJYYYz_nt2GO7ZJrfpMD8QiPzbNJy9q8el2KKzX8WKt1EGzi8quN_jMsdwjANzS3re-4aG18QBxtTXSzr7tNhExvf3_xisRrdw9I0g3dC91EVRfwyEWvXgA3xMu1U5bqY6-zMuF8j-uQ/s320/IMG_0186.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li>Visited the Sandusky Yacht Club</li>
<li>Visited Mike’s 2<sup>nd</sup>
Uncle Rick and his historical 1900 house</li>
<li>Visited Mike's moms recommended sites - Catholic church, library, grandpa's grave, parks</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2YV1zAnZ_KX2QpGcdgtYZtvomtOX9RdLPRgHrOgiUeCN7YzP-2HnoBsrO-2p3UHKXzhObFZlR4wyob5RtcJ_Jfe34dzej9WZJWdIbM3OifHH3OOfIJMionaaCzljz2R7iEOY2cEtRMmEv/s1600/DSC_0098.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2YV1zAnZ_KX2QpGcdgtYZtvomtOX9RdLPRgHrOgiUeCN7YzP-2HnoBsrO-2p3UHKXzhObFZlR4wyob5RtcJ_Jfe34dzej9WZJWdIbM3OifHH3OOfIJMionaaCzljz2R7iEOY2cEtRMmEv/s320/DSC_0098.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Mary's Catholic church in Sandusky, OH</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li>Visited Mike’s Great Aunt Rita</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivLacN8-Izbj7ktYjz_bA8SQ3d3ZmXunoFdPMXAbIURwY9BGddmcJ9-cLhyphenhyphenigJZNHq93ELiPsHtaa97HfdPMUjTvM9hfTkMcCQQqOgUsJybS-kTIcPkGZA29w9LZnwqowDCrTKJOPBuJMg/s1600/IMG_0196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivLacN8-Izbj7ktYjz_bA8SQ3d3ZmXunoFdPMXAbIURwY9BGddmcJ9-cLhyphenhyphenigJZNHq93ELiPsHtaa97HfdPMUjTvM9hfTkMcCQQqOgUsJybS-kTIcPkGZA29w9LZnwqowDCrTKJOPBuJMg/s400/IMG_0196.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike and Great-Aunt Rita</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li><b>2</b> <b>hour drive to Adrian, MI (1
night)</b></li>
<li>Stopped at Ottowa National Park
for a nature run.</li>
</ul>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_oSf38baK_psqJaT3rmxQ6TRqL_2HRXGWbO0p-USFeF6DbF9hllQ1GGd2xj3mNDG7hi4oslMRbpon-GWJVEweP37025iOD_gUS3DwpQPB9aXIq9B1w5C1Z1kfHz_j7zY_tEVl-NKS1VWh/s1600/IMG_0205.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_oSf38baK_psqJaT3rmxQ6TRqL_2HRXGWbO0p-USFeF6DbF9hllQ1GGd2xj3mNDG7hi4oslMRbpon-GWJVEweP37025iOD_gUS3DwpQPB9aXIq9B1w5C1Z1kfHz_j7zY_tEVl-NKS1VWh/s320/IMG_0205.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ottawa National Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1v4jucyAyWj-Ig9MCNYIFN9b339MS0IxtpwMWR1aKaUO_bREGLqOKwl1sXqPEtLaJaW7-pjGkqP7eBt-d9E4VLIChrSu-BWfvXzQtf-K6bguVyAVtSMedZk19O37U9LvdQYaBOi7T1m8l/s1600/DSC_0123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1v4jucyAyWj-Ig9MCNYIFN9b339MS0IxtpwMWR1aKaUO_bREGLqOKwl1sXqPEtLaJaW7-pjGkqP7eBt-d9E4VLIChrSu-BWfvXzQtf-K6bguVyAVtSMedZk19O37U9LvdQYaBOi7T1m8l/s320/DSC_0123.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ottawa National Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxpa1Vd5cTUsJauFsWqdhW2-Gg0TPKJz21Xyre74SecrfLUQTSdOuHSfmPuBW-LjftLZrrZIPkt4COTGscMJaKM-WXBn76oWL_DbjnUwRO5NDgwAUJVagtJfti6MG9r2gDO8gtBrOq_HAs/s1600/DSC_0120.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxpa1Vd5cTUsJauFsWqdhW2-Gg0TPKJz21Xyre74SecrfLUQTSdOuHSfmPuBW-LjftLZrrZIPkt4COTGscMJaKM-WXBn76oWL_DbjnUwRO5NDgwAUJVagtJfti6MG9r2gDO8gtBrOq_HAs/s320/DSC_0120.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li>Stopped at a local fruit stand
for Melon Mania 4 for $1.00</li>
<li>Visited my Great Aunt Sis and the
Adrian Dominican Sisters</li>
<li>Spent the night in the convent
with the nuns!</li>
</ul>
<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFVBFVg0cY5W7uNrzRFSyl2qIfAc-S3jG5MmA8Px5o9u8iHLQoR5AkIHIGoIHafPZ7DXQ-EcRZeSQzRPjiw14TwpCkmIYA8-RHiz1A-GcCfTU3heQUmOytQHPk2nUKfmPe-c33heB8SsJN/s1600/DSC_0134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFVBFVg0cY5W7uNrzRFSyl2qIfAc-S3jG5MmA8Px5o9u8iHLQoR5AkIHIGoIHafPZ7DXQ-EcRZeSQzRPjiw14TwpCkmIYA8-RHiz1A-GcCfTU3heQUmOytQHPk2nUKfmPe-c33heB8SsJN/s400/DSC_0134.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aunt Sis showing me the history of the <br />
Dominican Adrian Catholic nuns.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li><b>5 hour drive to Chicago, IL (2
nights)</b></li>
<li>Stopped at Indiana Dunes Park
& saw Great Lake Michigan</li>
<li>Priceline 4-star hotel in
downtown Chicago only $65/night</li>
<li>Unfortunately parking costs
$50/day</li>
<li>We snuck Nelly, the cat,
into the hotel (Wish us Luck with that endeavor!)</li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLiWwb7iopFfajQ6vpqkD2hHyG7icNHnHHpn0rLypAyNKwoxD7QhJCdLPzvOCAJ-WRgdsgWFcZmufPETItb87VnUjIt6NsxI8UHZ9pFPNx254LZPcUHq3Ju3bc3SW-l8lNoTRmIbtiVC3P/s1600/DSC_0189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLiWwb7iopFfajQ6vpqkD2hHyG7icNHnHHpn0rLypAyNKwoxD7QhJCdLPzvOCAJ-WRgdsgWFcZmufPETItb87VnUjIt6NsxI8UHZ9pFPNx254LZPcUHq3Ju3bc3SW-l8lNoTRmIbtiVC3P/s400/DSC_0189.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of downtown Chicago</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFhhwNMn-nf4rR7cMLyoEC1egueky9vbiNKskOQhqdn8sH18oRvz-Fy-NWsLmGCj312a2qwLSmU0LppTul22CylOAnLKzous69PjZmn_VPvVrUtAKFn8S3EhQBNBqY3aVMEwVSFkNKEN3V/s1600/DSC_0146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFhhwNMn-nf4rR7cMLyoEC1egueky9vbiNKskOQhqdn8sH18oRvz-Fy-NWsLmGCj312a2qwLSmU0LppTul22CylOAnLKzous69PjZmn_VPvVrUtAKFn8S3EhQBNBqY3aVMEwVSFkNKEN3V/s400/DSC_0146.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nelly relaxing in the Hyatt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMM0RUjC4zrek_1ULGk7QMmX2vDS-7wTiKWp-oO3ssa3LayywsnQzRVPWF6lTyKTAlgwAbbPKOFzU0TLv_XFHOYnmMYoeAJuu6byjZatCAMZzYuXdnIv699AhBtMlazxJUBK7PxI29Yri/s1600/DSC_0140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMM0RUjC4zrek_1ULGk7QMmX2vDS-7wTiKWp-oO3ssa3LayywsnQzRVPWF6lTyKTAlgwAbbPKOFzU0TLv_XFHOYnmMYoeAJuu6byjZatCAMZzYuXdnIv699AhBtMlazxJUBK7PxI29Yri/s400/DSC_0140.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from 32nd floor in the Chicago Hyatt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Sara Daubenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445880985071299844noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2679932334879224723.post-18309946863957414972012-08-14T05:44:00.002-07:002012-08-14T05:44:25.371-07:00A Fishing Tale - A Fisherman's Delight<b>By, Michael Daubenberger</b><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Out of commission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That’s what happens when you spear yourself in the hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No need to worry with Sara on board to step
in as the head spearfisherwoman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our
first trip out since the accident, we were in search of lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Within 10 minutes Sara had spotted it, a
Strawberry Grouper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I watched from the
surface while Sara dove down and made a perfect shot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not bad for her first grouper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Four days later we went out again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sara with the pole spear and myself with the
Hawaiian sling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Time to get back on the
horse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a number of tries, I had my
first success, a Marget from the Grunt family of fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sara followed it up with a Nassau Grouper
just to show me up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dinner was
served.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
For our last fish in the Exumas, Sara and I decided to get
some small pan fryers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Porgies of
course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again we got one fish each.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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From the Exumas we moved on to Cat Island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A fifty-mile crossing and a great chance to
hook into a pelagic fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were hoping
for a Mahi Mahi and that’s what we got.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A nice one too!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sara fought the
fish, Otto got the helm and I grabbed the gaffe hook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was our first Mahi Mahi since Matt and
Cindy were onboard in May.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A long time
coming!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNFKGIxH0M2fpz1osxRDOfypAbPrX0NKjOf6uno8rvqTicX1Mea7hIGBiWVNncVezcyTe10sfah77gYDpuywBs5_611dCZVX-LknGgFpIfYC1ez0iS0uiuBbxD_oPCRiRC7HoMXbCZ6wzw/s1600/DSC_0126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNFKGIxH0M2fpz1osxRDOfypAbPrX0NKjOf6uno8rvqTicX1Mea7hIGBiWVNncVezcyTe10sfah77gYDpuywBs5_611dCZVX-LknGgFpIfYC1ez0iS0uiuBbxD_oPCRiRC7HoMXbCZ6wzw/s400/DSC_0126.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blood bath from the mahi mahi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Our trip up Cat Island took us
to the Devils Backbone located on the north end of the Island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Devils Backbone is an intricate passage
littered with coral heads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What better
place to stop, snorkel, and spearfish?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We made the stop indeed and it was worth it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The snorkeling was world class and the fish
were prolific.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the stop I speared
a small bar jack and a white grunt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Onward to the Abacos!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We didn’t know what to expect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
anticipated seeing less fish and less big fish due to the population on the
islands and proximity to Florida.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
couldn’t have been more wrong!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our
first snorkeling session was at the northwest end of Great Guana Cay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a protected land and sea park so no
fishing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The reef was amazing and so was
the abundance of fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Huge schools of
iridescent tiny fish filled the seas and groupers could be seen poking their
heads out from under the coral heads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Three days later we made our first entry into the water with spears in
hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The location, No Name Cay, the
reefs, just as vibrant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sara and I
snorkeled for two hours, chased out of the water only by the time of day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our loot, two Spanish Hogfish, and a
Schoolmaster Snapper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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Ty arrived and we headed to the west end of Manjack
Cay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We arrived under the threat of
tropical storm (Debbie).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She keep us off
of the outer reefs but not out of the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Upon arrival we jumped in the dinghy to find some dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not much fish, and not much reef but we were
able to find a Strawberry Grouper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Grouper Fingers!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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The next day we headed out and gave Ty the reins to the three-pronged
spear to kill a lionfish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lionfish
was small, real small.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not an easy
target, so Ty swam down for a practice shot 2 inches from the fish’s head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fish did not flinch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His next shot was a dead bulls-eye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fish was trapped between the three prongs
of the spear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not a single one of them
puncturing its delicate flesh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We could
have sold it to and aquarium unharmed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nice
shot Ty!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We continued to snorkel and I
found a school of porgies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pan fryers
for lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I speared three nice ones on
three shots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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With my ego soaring as I
trained my eyes on a Nassau Grouper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Again, a direct shot and another fish in the boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We drifted off shore and Sara caught my
attention pointing to a monster fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
first though was a shark!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No it was a
fish, a Cero.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Cero is a fish that is
constantly on the move, fast, agile, and not often speared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This one I was able to get within range
expecting my 6-foot spear to swim away with the fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fish I did spear, but swim away, he did
not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He made it about twenty feet before
I was able to grab the spear and haul him back to the boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our day of fishing was done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span>
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Our next stop was Moraine Cay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A wonderland for snorkelers and
spearfisherman alike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The coral heads
rose from 15 feet up to the surface with channels, caves, and tunnels
throughout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To say the least, we spent
days exploring and still just scratched the surface.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fish were everywhere but they were also a
little shifty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our first trip out we
came home empty handed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next trip
out was more rewarding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I spotted a
grouper and headed down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I approached,
the fish spooked so I poked my head in a cave nearby and spotted a nice
Schoolmaster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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The shot, right behind the
gills and the fish took off with the spear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The fight was on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He drug the
spear deep under a rock ledge were I could just reach the end of the
spear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fish was stuck, real
stuck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tugged and rotated and tugged
and finally as I was just nearing the end of my breath, I got him out. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sara and I jumped in the dinghy and ditched
the giant Barracuda that had is eye on our prize.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Our next fish, a hogfish speared for our neighbors on the
Kopy Kat. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their favorite type of
fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span>
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<br />
Again in the afternoon we headed out and Sara took
her turn with the Hawaiian sling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On her
first attempt ever she swam down twenty feet to approach a good-sized
porgy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She got there and waited, waited
for the fish to turn allowing for the perfect shot and the perfect shot it
was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Sara’s first attempt with a
Hawaiian sling she had speared a fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not many people can say that about their wife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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It was time for us to get our favorite type of fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Nassau Grouper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sara and I went out to find it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sara spotted the fish and I went down to get it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A nice Nassau Grouper!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Our next stop was a reef behind Allens Pensicola Cay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We watched the thunderclouds in the distance
and decided we were not in danger so we jumped in the dinghy and headed out to
the reef.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again we got a Nassau
Grouper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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In Foxtown after dropping off Tyler we met a couple in the
bar with a suggestion for our next stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Carter Cay, the land of Black Grouper and Mutton Snapper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We arrived, anchored and hopped in the dinghy
for a drift dive down the cut.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
drifted down and got a Yellowfin Grouper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That evening I followed it up with a hogfish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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In the morning we went out on slack tide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I dove down after a big Mutton Snapper and
gave it a shot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right behind the
gills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fish swam off and I followed
as he snuck into a hole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I reached for
the spear, it shook, and the fish swam out the other end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A 6 foot nurse shark joined in on the
excitement and bit the tip of the spear then drifted up towards the Sara and
the dinghy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sara jumped in and I
followed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately I still needed
to go back down and get the spear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
were told later that by a couple of Bahamian fisherman not to spearfish in the
cut because the sharks swim in packs in there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Luckily we didn’t see any shark packs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Later in the day we went out with our friend Bruce from Johnny Wasabi
and got two Nassau Grouper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Our final stop in the Abacos was Double Breasted Cay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One last chance to fill up the freezer and
fill it up we did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In total, we netted four
Hogfish, two Mutton Snapper, one lionfish, one Strawberry Grouper, one Schoolmaster and one
huge Margat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
Sara Daubenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445880985071299844noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2679932334879224723.post-64920516558217228542012-08-09T06:18:00.004-07:002012-08-09T06:18:42.040-07:00A Jaunt through the Keys<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
After spending two straight weeks in Florida with leads on
the boat coming and going, we decided to take a quick trip to the Keys to
rejuvenate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> W</span>e also
hoped that maybe if we got away, and made ourselves inaccessible, our luck
would turn on finding a buyer for the boat and we could continue with our road-trip. <br />
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And turn it did!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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The turn didn’t happen right away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It actually started off a bit slow, stressful
and not well planned; maybe we can blame it from living on a boat for too
long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Either way, we failed to realize
that you couldn’t just drop anchor in a car or for that matter park in someone’s
backyard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We discovered quickly that we
had forgotten how the “life on land” works.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We jumped in the truck and took off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No plans were made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not on where
we would stay or what we would do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No
water was brought for camping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Need I
say more?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1BPdRmjLg0OK8ucO3sfrlIUb_SMq-m2ceiNB_dJQs8vju2z8LEAbYnnKXQnyD8ZsX4pkKHEK3DTKJJr7ub0PCQItqYVoJBPSF_A-205O3O3WXmL90UuOulunfml4lro5tfR3CxeoKG9o/s1600/DSC_0038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1BPdRmjLg0OK8ucO3sfrlIUb_SMq-m2ceiNB_dJQs8vju2z8LEAbYnnKXQnyD8ZsX4pkKHEK3DTKJJr7ub0PCQItqYVoJBPSF_A-205O3O3WXmL90UuOulunfml4lro5tfR3CxeoKG9o/s400/DSC_0038.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve & Mika's house in Tavanier</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When we arrived in Key Largo, we immediately jumped out of
the car and headed straight for the movie theater – a matinee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still no plans had been made for where we
would stay for that night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the
movie we stopped by our family friend’s place Steve and Mika’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had discussed staying with them at some
point, but had failed to contact with them in a timely manner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trying to contact them on the road-trip down,
without success, was not well planned on our part. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6yK0x6dFso3BbyXuSrqUSkBIBu7A3EvX2hxCmrrasoZYbkfhG3cL_vR4yywRFm0O_Ghbsk_C2PHgAS05vS2xCPJP6pAqhXeuE_XsgvclxSyGImWYv6KmjtTRD2st1A4Yp-Hz2ngOmfKL/s1600/DSC_0045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6yK0x6dFso3BbyXuSrqUSkBIBu7A3EvX2hxCmrrasoZYbkfhG3cL_vR4yywRFm0O_Ghbsk_C2PHgAS05vS2xCPJP6pAqhXeuE_XsgvclxSyGImWYv6KmjtTRD2st1A4Yp-Hz2ngOmfKL/s400/DSC_0045.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Key Largo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
They were not around, so on to Plan B.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That would have been helpful if we had a Plan
B.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were no parks close-by with
camping or I might add cheap camping, so we had to contemplate parking
lots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Keys do not have many, if any,
locations that you can pull over in your car and park for the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYXyp41-KOoDCj04J9mcKCzNdzrP2qC5tTsJrSQBMDXF2uYkw2gmq2PRkIKeSX5DKEaduLQ6TjyU32xtBakoghLX1gIW9MauU4WS4vNsiqA-VGslrvtGTECFr0pFA6_ChHF2LHIgK1HrwH/s1600/DSC_0203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYXyp41-KOoDCj04J9mcKCzNdzrP2qC5tTsJrSQBMDXF2uYkw2gmq2PRkIKeSX5DKEaduLQ6TjyU32xtBakoghLX1gIW9MauU4WS4vNsiqA-VGslrvtGTECFr0pFA6_ChHF2LHIgK1HrwH/s400/DSC_0203.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Full moon at the beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Where to sleep?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
first thought maybe the church parking lot would be a good spot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately for us, it was Saturday night
and the church parking lot would be a busy scene in the morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We grabbed dinner at the Cuban convenience
store and then walked by Steve and Mika’s one last time before attempting the
parking lot campout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here’s where our luck began to change.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibUFDWy5LgmhZTG9M2rZAOvVmAijivi2nCFFGwQ19PVSHqlgSIwEaRcKybPtSGWHr2X7mGIfjjw1IohhytLB2SdzaWUeOYAsgEPsYiNUmX0QjXwJZhqceHu8XDaFsWx39TB_OnaotC6zyV/s1600/20120729_144444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibUFDWy5LgmhZTG9M2rZAOvVmAijivi2nCFFGwQ19PVSHqlgSIwEaRcKybPtSGWHr2X7mGIfjjw1IohhytLB2SdzaWUeOYAsgEPsYiNUmX0QjXwJZhqceHu8XDaFsWx39TB_OnaotC6zyV/s400/20120729_144444.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from charter catamaran</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Steve and Mika had just arrived home from a day of charters
on their sailboat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had called us
back, but of course, as luck would have it, our cell phone had run out of
batteries and we had not packed the car charger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were expecting to see us at some point
and were very welcoming, offering us their guest loft for the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were relieved!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxcWO5cUQ50imSZDH2fQIAT67A4aw2bzEXxBzBFlwcpJxVFPxnOHk0jJ7qIqdXT_YHhKzdtpQ0xW-f1LtzUa-sXfpW4TI0DSWW9YDSMhpnJWwLuiOMdCvQRXl91tLE6Tqq7mYTVz_NRxtR/s1600/20120729_144447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxcWO5cUQ50imSZDH2fQIAT67A4aw2bzEXxBzBFlwcpJxVFPxnOHk0jJ7qIqdXT_YHhKzdtpQ0xW-f1LtzUa-sXfpW4TI0DSWW9YDSMhpnJWwLuiOMdCvQRXl91tLE6Tqq7mYTVz_NRxtR/s400/20120729_144447.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve & Mika on their catamaran charters</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAkpmKInvT0nWiGCX3awIMTVHZDn40ZXfWNc0P7FBCc7BfkHlAsywswBazHmhUAFAvC11orgRdeK5w4Lto_2fJ-ZE7XKt0LD24QT1K_iKqH1GvNzF0q53ApHP2m0-ciR_N1oqkf6juSqTY/s1600/20120729_120013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAkpmKInvT0nWiGCX3awIMTVHZDn40ZXfWNc0P7FBCc7BfkHlAsywswBazHmhUAFAvC11orgRdeK5w4Lto_2fJ-ZE7XKt0LD24QT1K_iKqH1GvNzF0q53ApHP2m0-ciR_N1oqkf6juSqTY/s320/20120729_120013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUyJ5IIfucaXJalT_nGI0D9ckVqJMy4LM-XhFhqmneLo4YdDnAUG1nokl1jnhXJz0UaGPfxcKJ2RUemj-tukcnaGOiqlYzUgRszNhyKrWZ1rb85sl9ULLpGAd3w7Gp0XhFDgD-qrAo_IEF/s1600/20120729_144516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUyJ5IIfucaXJalT_nGI0D9ckVqJMy4LM-XhFhqmneLo4YdDnAUG1nokl1jnhXJz0UaGPfxcKJ2RUemj-tukcnaGOiqlYzUgRszNhyKrWZ1rb85sl9ULLpGAd3w7Gp0XhFDgD-qrAo_IEF/s320/20120729_144516.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One last snorkeling excursion!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The next day Steve and I went for a 3-mile jog and then we
jetted off for an afternoon snorkeling excursion on their charter cat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a blast!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Steve and Mika were such welcoming hosts,
giving us a spare house key for the time we were in the Keys, telling us to
feel free to come and go when we were around and giving us ideas of what to see
and do while in the Keys.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCi0KltrxLeSf7XPGwC7ytphmJkviyXLEo7OyGy-zrv_J8Rt0kQDaaMoxF2UEWDxT3WOAb8ty5JnF4q2_viJmgTlsB8iCefGjctOYNJcbfQD-zE2xv15g9VdqvMSKc165mHMJcTAlyrrFb/s1600/DSC_0048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCi0KltrxLeSf7XPGwC7ytphmJkviyXLEo7OyGy-zrv_J8Rt0kQDaaMoxF2UEWDxT3WOAb8ty5JnF4q2_viJmgTlsB8iCefGjctOYNJcbfQD-zE2xv15g9VdqvMSKc165mHMJcTAlyrrFb/s320/DSC_0048.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
The next day we took off for Bahia Honda State Park and on
to Key West, the furthest southern point in the United States.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, we wanted to get as far away from home
as possible before the long road-trip home!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2CIKRxlQGddO4XIg_dIYeXCvCiOdTzZSvc5hCH0Tzwduk0K_16h4EHEV_IUQp02m3ZyV5C7Q_YcYW5rQhHCXM2m4KV_NoVGmMfGqFQPiF2iaz5d3gZNdd6D3l92Bq0r-ND8aQcpkSriyJ/s1600/DSC_0190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2CIKRxlQGddO4XIg_dIYeXCvCiOdTzZSvc5hCH0Tzwduk0K_16h4EHEV_IUQp02m3ZyV5C7Q_YcYW5rQhHCXM2m4KV_NoVGmMfGqFQPiF2iaz5d3gZNdd6D3l92Bq0r-ND8aQcpkSriyJ/s320/DSC_0190.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
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Bahia Honda was a beautiful state park, but little did we
know, that:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4GcGMbgqWc8Y7ZaGfXRXwAYzsj64XcgU4NZaJjltH7CCQITYBzTtrb71slGXSwYw8NB1kc0mP0ZAU4wanQqWTeTamf1Z7dgb5MkbMnn4dG7CmEV0hySoZX4bcCMRmOYobr5IbMHr57-3/s1600/DSC_0088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4GcGMbgqWc8Y7ZaGfXRXwAYzsj64XcgU4NZaJjltH7CCQITYBzTtrb71slGXSwYw8NB1kc0mP0ZAU4wanQqWTeTamf1Z7dgb5MkbMnn4dG7CmEV0hySoZX4bcCMRmOYobr5IbMHr57-3/s400/DSC_0088.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dusk view at Bahia Honda</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Camping was so expensive: $43 for the night (you
might as well Priceline a hotel for this price)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>You need special screens to keep the no-see’ums
(tiny biting insects – and though they are tiny they pack a mean bite) out of
your truck or tent.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Camping does not mean you are secluded from civilization;
our 20 other neighbors were only a few steps away (this is not the Bahamas
anymore)!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSwXprwKVBtwqvEJ3Zv-9wbo2l5DkJe3cgNdyV3Ol_1G5GptDp1Tgh-hlVas0bj_UfMZoYISTTihZcE9uSpFIFYbs24-eXH9b4ju7gDjyl8w5_0hzf0-2xAR3fnFJeDBHwRVvfrWHV1JLj/s1600/DSC_0086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSwXprwKVBtwqvEJ3Zv-9wbo2l5DkJe3cgNdyV3Ol_1G5GptDp1Tgh-hlVas0bj_UfMZoYISTTihZcE9uSpFIFYbs24-eXH9b4ju7gDjyl8w5_0hzf0-2xAR3fnFJeDBHwRVvfrWHV1JLj/s400/DSC_0086.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Car camping at Bahia Honda State Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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After a short nights sleep, in fear of being eaten alive, we
continued south to Key West.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was fun
to see, but hard to appreciate after coming back from the pristine crystal
waters and deserted beaches of the Bahamas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>While riding the conch train and seeing the conch homes, we learned much
of the Key West history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, I said
conch (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">pronounced konk</i>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything appeared to be named after the
pink conch shell in Key West, starting to sound like a Tom Robbins novel.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbrQuyx5LJhyUD72E7ilVgQzyTWY_YdpGN5EuBysSEBQ0bwKDY0plW8HOBS59NSRng6fEZzFVvhiXDS-Ch7ERQBqiLxtC95uC6qpQpcgsMjU7wUp4CcHlALY23r4xlH8ToCWx1x-vlAlvx/s1600/DSC_0118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbrQuyx5LJhyUD72E7ilVgQzyTWY_YdpGN5EuBysSEBQ0bwKDY0plW8HOBS59NSRng6fEZzFVvhiXDS-Ch7ERQBqiLxtC95uC6qpQpcgsMjU7wUp4CcHlALY23r4xlH8ToCWx1x-vlAlvx/s400/DSC_0118.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Conch house in Key West</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHpqt5Dmii3DqP4c_gP-_hMD9-ClnhhBesGJpGSsb9cBOkVQkixwFtQ65cd-Dh7klBBr8P4SYvB0hL8-4pxi6kxMKybpXWfdVuFan99OtceCgGS_vVieOJ0JK6B3HS2u5RzgZErV_z4w6N/s1600/DSC_0138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHpqt5Dmii3DqP4c_gP-_hMD9-ClnhhBesGJpGSsb9cBOkVQkixwFtQ65cd-Dh7klBBr8P4SYvB0hL8-4pxi6kxMKybpXWfdVuFan99OtceCgGS_vVieOJ0JK6B3HS2u5RzgZErV_z4w6N/s400/DSC_0138.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from our room at The Moorings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We shot out of Key West in a hurry and headed back north to
Islamorada.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here’s where our luck really
took a turn for the BEST.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were invited
to stay at a friend’s, who we had met in the Bahamas, resort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was called The Moorings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was not just any resort, it was recently
rated #1 for small resorts in the Conde Nast Traveler’s magazine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqJk5u9i6kDOEMlRzwHrMfY2LAaUAwlTPbMZW-TiyE_sZ45wPsi-TW72dlC443RAb-sZE75qBazT9eoYMZli3qelytBn-aDTYh8G8N-ctvEVrZAUvvCBQZqotHbvaWRdD1GNjYRNZgH4zj/s1600/DSC_0122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqJk5u9i6kDOEMlRzwHrMfY2LAaUAwlTPbMZW-TiyE_sZ45wPsi-TW72dlC443RAb-sZE75qBazT9eoYMZli3qelytBn-aDTYh8G8N-ctvEVrZAUvvCBQZqotHbvaWRdD1GNjYRNZgH4zj/s400/DSC_0122.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from our room!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf__S0kAZ6VseaPxzTqVyR6vGJEK_64OfDNaf3JoRSql30ANW2JgokvhHkiZ_ZKT4iXPq_d9qsj5F6eTGXQO3k4UxRfhvp4UPReCeIQbs9-s832eYt8n5xAW-hMRcwEpE5TqtGhqI4OR0c/s1600/DSC_0059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf__S0kAZ6VseaPxzTqVyR6vGJEK_64OfDNaf3JoRSql30ANW2JgokvhHkiZ_ZKT4iXPq_d9qsj5F6eTGXQO3k4UxRfhvp4UPReCeIQbs9-s832eYt8n5xAW-hMRcwEpE5TqtGhqI4OR0c/s400/DSC_0059.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Mike and I were shocked beyond words to be staying in such a
beautiful place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We soaked up the sun,
lounged by the pool and pristine beach scattered with beautiful palms, took
long walks through the lush tropical paradise of the resorts grounds and
enjoyed the Honeymoon Cottage as much as possible in the 48 hours we were
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span>
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<br />
I mean, when would we ever get
another chance, in our lives, to stay in an $800 a night room!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZz7z3lHBJQDBuPxv8KwkCvxSk9htOFet5ORbhpz4C8yXrTDO5r1uTOJDox0SoliD_pHr2a4IH8UltaAeL0mk65aRMxhttqGs099OYZfvHD33jTqEbhpJax_eTzEaRWLUymBxxElDX7jYx/s1600/DSC_0196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZz7z3lHBJQDBuPxv8KwkCvxSk9htOFet5ORbhpz4C8yXrTDO5r1uTOJDox0SoliD_pHr2a4IH8UltaAeL0mk65aRMxhttqGs099OYZfvHD33jTqEbhpJax_eTzEaRWLUymBxxElDX7jYx/s400/DSC_0196.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our private beach for ultimate relaxation!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrfSZwWzovpdutBJwi1jRlon8KvCZD1AUI_TsgLmg1AJSIGaDibShiVMxbANgO0N1P27Yh51ivPzmzTkaFX19kOJcaQ76zkfZ22yoVbOaPidWpT92KQgsW7PCAQdD-9eMY53_iV4Pj3Qc/s1600/DSC_0136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrfSZwWzovpdutBJwi1jRlon8KvCZD1AUI_TsgLmg1AJSIGaDibShiVMxbANgO0N1P27Yh51ivPzmzTkaFX19kOJcaQ76zkfZ22yoVbOaPidWpT92KQgsW7PCAQdD-9eMY53_iV4Pj3Qc/s400/DSC_0136.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwR7wmxA-3cXvSz2TxBHBgI3dodeL5Sr9nzZct-HL1Wlaaqiz6LTyX8wX7p1fNFdH3_fDR1cTVk0Ap3zLtIAVfKrt1S3s1PPqSjCRwsnhkBps-fPmj72J2uaNPIuR8QIlP-v3SqTeucA47/s1600/DSC_0134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwR7wmxA-3cXvSz2TxBHBgI3dodeL5Sr9nzZct-HL1Wlaaqiz6LTyX8wX7p1fNFdH3_fDR1cTVk0Ap3zLtIAVfKrt1S3s1PPqSjCRwsnhkBps-fPmj72J2uaNPIuR8QIlP-v3SqTeucA47/s320/DSC_0134.jpg" width="214" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHOODCGo0B-Tgm8ddGe0l9K5ha0GjiRvF0wEn3rCXTyvEiTo2AcX9T0hMp1AmwNGZ13tan01ArNe5LjEIry27QzQKfTDdW26SiUU4NNx_XHL8qKCIVkXIxKbT73nnAEw9KZjFEKoBjV6fR/s1600/DSC_0123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHOODCGo0B-Tgm8ddGe0l9K5ha0GjiRvF0wEn3rCXTyvEiTo2AcX9T0hMp1AmwNGZ13tan01ArNe5LjEIry27QzQKfTDdW26SiUU4NNx_XHL8qKCIVkXIxKbT73nnAEw9KZjFEKoBjV6fR/s320/DSC_0123.jpg" width="320" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlwf48X6Z92BelgWLqj7AUcQM-EzCQKxYl6I877NmaA3NbtHrvecpybV3J1Lwf9RLB3nCdvdXbdbp59Ius_Z_8NClo6CVAQ0EjNEBo3CR1PA9DWnk7B7yBdxWRAQCftci8SlpqwX_iyc-/s1600/DSC_0057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlwf48X6Z92BelgWLqj7AUcQM-EzCQKxYl6I877NmaA3NbtHrvecpybV3J1Lwf9RLB3nCdvdXbdbp59Ius_Z_8NClo6CVAQ0EjNEBo3CR1PA9DWnk7B7yBdxWRAQCftci8SlpqwX_iyc-/s320/DSC_0057.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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While checking in to The Moorings, when we thought our luck
couldn’t get any better, we received an offer on our sailboat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe taking unplanned trips is the way to go
after all.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2nWfTk3jo-ZeSeegN2OYkedJxbC1Vpkq9HvacleZlakYq1xUmJ6t4fu2s5lfqOiQMdUELGtOG3mb_ZmuogPmUhsBHtTttJDJWiOjkvILD9Oz3mMIGuCXtGBTSPl_JRKyqfLKpOFa0nvxn/s1600/DSC_0061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2nWfTk3jo-ZeSeegN2OYkedJxbC1Vpkq9HvacleZlakYq1xUmJ6t4fu2s5lfqOiQMdUELGtOG3mb_ZmuogPmUhsBHtTttJDJWiOjkvILD9Oz3mMIGuCXtGBTSPl_JRKyqfLKpOFa0nvxn/s400/DSC_0061.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh-IgS4RtG2hCGxN0s2LpwKYkT3nUJJo4TPDQ66bH3KMUKSoAZ706MEMZ9scc8TPVyIWGHbfWRD05M964Y27JrvAFjMhNJYNYEwpiVBMlv6pfHTQG4SthzvZHLBCQ6J91idK0Bs4zuauDZ/s1600/DSC_0209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh-IgS4RtG2hCGxN0s2LpwKYkT3nUJJo4TPDQ66bH3KMUKSoAZ706MEMZ9scc8TPVyIWGHbfWRD05M964Y27JrvAFjMhNJYNYEwpiVBMlv6pfHTQG4SthzvZHLBCQ6J91idK0Bs4zuauDZ/s400/DSC_0209.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>Sara Daubenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445880985071299844noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2679932334879224723.post-81115093065512390992012-08-05T09:44:00.004-07:002012-08-05T09:44:56.575-07:00Home Away From Home<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMMF_a_6yrbkiskNhXfluxdtisUwGFYXlWcIm9B1zoY2ozbgtxer64epuEZqcmHSdqVZDvz8kiY2RBfqAh0mvJ6kqD1GKYpSN2RFDbacTYCcFTl8g0xcYilRMdd2M4hHPX_kBoa5j0pl8Z/s1600/fort+pierce+map.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMMF_a_6yrbkiskNhXfluxdtisUwGFYXlWcIm9B1zoY2ozbgtxer64epuEZqcmHSdqVZDvz8kiY2RBfqAh0mvJ6kqD1GKYpSN2RFDbacTYCcFTl8g0xcYilRMdd2M4hHPX_kBoa5j0pl8Z/s400/fort+pierce+map.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map of Fort Pierce, Florida</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We’ve spent the last 3 weeks in Fort Pierce, Florida, since crossing the Gulf Stream. Leaving the pristine Bahama islands was difficult, but Florida and our friends have made it a slow transition back to Land.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjumOGO7CXp7M8DZMI26NcDo3PHNIB7vUfrH1kk5INQZY4ew9Xwy0g4o5TIysITgzMEQjEi5jYCk5eXzRIUluHjc-_jtNAEKCKO50OCndiIn94mwaZrxPx3vn9_ky8Dl8ONfl4YxmYnVsDL/s1600/DSC_0232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjumOGO7CXp7M8DZMI26NcDo3PHNIB7vUfrH1kk5INQZY4ew9Xwy0g4o5TIysITgzMEQjEi5jYCk5eXzRIUluHjc-_jtNAEKCKO50OCndiIn94mwaZrxPx3vn9_ky8Dl8ONfl4YxmYnVsDL/s400/DSC_0232.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Luckily for us, our
stay hasn’t been on the hook or at an expensive marina. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our newly made friends from the Abacos, Ken
and Diana, took us under their wings.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYVxVXSR3KEPDyPK42xOh5A94FtUD4lvBB6m8YaH3Cl6NaFB95z3O2-wfxN97jJn6LoEJgR0kIA9Q5HxGPHJdDGX0azKtv6MYwyGK-dtpW0C6DMD10PSrh4aUCecHUItX9wpgZH96S_91F/s1600/DSC_0008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYVxVXSR3KEPDyPK42xOh5A94FtUD4lvBB6m8YaH3Cl6NaFB95z3O2-wfxN97jJn6LoEJgR0kIA9Q5HxGPHJdDGX0azKtv6MYwyGK-dtpW0C6DMD10PSrh4aUCecHUItX9wpgZH96S_91F/s400/DSC_0008.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ken, Mike and Diana in the kitchen preparing dinner</td></tr>
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They have been gracious hosts; making us feel at home, giving us a room in their house, letting us tie our boat to their dock, helping us find a car for our road-trip home, feeding us spectacular homemade dinners, babysitting Nelly during our Keys road-trip and offering to show the boat if necessary while we were out of town. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghjk5DgR5xqR9nTylcNlhs479Xs0TdDMTjZnpGEFJonDal5UsNFXDPp0V0LOeZK36wytUFnKvefd4BPntimUXJ_yoH4fl475rteNwR3XCh-DqXFEcLKjbsZN5Lo0OCfuCP94KW_PSjwY_h/s1600/DSC_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghjk5DgR5xqR9nTylcNlhs479Xs0TdDMTjZnpGEFJonDal5UsNFXDPp0V0LOeZK36wytUFnKvefd4BPntimUXJ_yoH4fl475rteNwR3XCh-DqXFEcLKjbsZN5Lo0OCfuCP94KW_PSjwY_h/s400/DSC_0001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ken and some of the pets in the kitchen</td></tr>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjAbgDfBlxKBO5Fut8zJ9kqaub_5iJc7OLKTP10a78fDaaUl4pxhPshQKeDc3i_TlCG1M2Vcx958_PeQURif65yDZ7LDxGpIIvbHlXaWbuT1oiKfyUs1TznWsFJHt5ZiiBtgnigVm9_uCa/s1600/DSC_0006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjAbgDfBlxKBO5Fut8zJ9kqaub_5iJc7OLKTP10a78fDaaUl4pxhPshQKeDc3i_TlCG1M2Vcx958_PeQURif65yDZ7LDxGpIIvbHlXaWbuT1oiKfyUs1TznWsFJHt5ZiiBtgnigVm9_uCa/s400/DSC_0006.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sara sorting through & cleaning Bahama shell collection</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
What
more could you ask of people you had met for less than a week while on
vacation, some may even say just acquaintances.<o:p></o:p><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkUoXIeXBDAvozMb0I-5mkrV1U-nS2d71WDnd9wHvcc5ik9oSggt9eIZBU7RmV4XFt1qG4PTUPujDky4CqdsRk6qCYRZ4TpNFDogRXU3kcqsgjR7mSTV3Rqn4jCiJPYohDQhI94XmRgPL/s1600/DSC_0228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkUoXIeXBDAvozMb0I-5mkrV1U-nS2d71WDnd9wHvcc5ik9oSggt9eIZBU7RmV4XFt1qG4PTUPujDky4CqdsRk6qCYRZ4TpNFDogRXU3kcqsgjR7mSTV3Rqn4jCiJPYohDQhI94XmRgPL/s400/DSC_0228.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset view from front of house</td></tr>
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Well, the Walker’s are not just acquaintances to us, at
least not anymore, whether they like it or not; they are like our second
family, <b>home away from home</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheNUtLvm3UaIyFpXeCRppSJK1elLgZBJqSI-fssMVfHe1a2rnMaguHCMr1JxG8rB6ZJ209dY9zxpYb5t-XJD6w4AUmgv2Cj7UwhK0WnTnbUBqrTN0G-xWCtdQ1XwO9UBru-GeE00q-Susq/s1600/DSC_0020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheNUtLvm3UaIyFpXeCRppSJK1elLgZBJqSI-fssMVfHe1a2rnMaguHCMr1JxG8rB6ZJ209dY9zxpYb5t-XJD6w4AUmgv2Cj7UwhK0WnTnbUBqrTN0G-xWCtdQ1XwO9UBru-GeE00q-Susq/s400/DSC_0020.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Backyard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyCUTNDiBeClO8HWGF8egkgcc1FxlkSXC7wqXhSGp3VmOIm9TNXwl2xOKfF7VHvBWhbKBrroXc2qrInI73xxmAR_t84Ezq8fIiucoV1nSDNKgE5rgfxkMSbHc7Nl0PCsd0oOSvpTyoBOhE/s1600/DSC_0015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyCUTNDiBeClO8HWGF8egkgcc1FxlkSXC7wqXhSGp3VmOIm9TNXwl2xOKfF7VHvBWhbKBrroXc2qrInI73xxmAR_t84Ezq8fIiucoV1nSDNKgE5rgfxkMSbHc7Nl0PCsd0oOSvpTyoBOhE/s400/DSC_0015.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dock and boats</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYJo8swo9CE6Pi8Bo4PbQ-ahgs_4_SCKonyz0BokAWTq0HEXMJmaXxurVbY6Ob5fWBwY4BQdW1VS7sRskNS49xca-tjvan6e2IIQNRU5PwN9BpsWgnhg_IsUnOA2YkZZypKxnTeMDYo7X/s1600/DSC_0025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYJo8swo9CE6Pi8Bo4PbQ-ahgs_4_SCKonyz0BokAWTq0HEXMJmaXxurVbY6Ob5fWBwY4BQdW1VS7sRskNS49xca-tjvan6e2IIQNRU5PwN9BpsWgnhg_IsUnOA2YkZZypKxnTeMDYo7X/s320/DSC_0025.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neighbors - Jeff & Katherine's boat<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Their
generosity has made our transition back into the states comfortable, easy, fun
and stress-free.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We want to give a big
thanks to Ken, Diana and their son Scott.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s been a great few weeks and we couldn’t imagine a better place to
be. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3NwxvajYBuBsNPO5WeqzVB6IW-S9GTmsqSTqPTVr1XlcjScnzdh2Je5LFYYy-cdKyNY6tsUhvsBPsFczcuMs8pr8XAGk8RCJj-IRZrtKU-SrzM78Qw-hbYrpxocV-rYAU1pPlqhkwuA3c/s1600/DSC_0017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3NwxvajYBuBsNPO5WeqzVB6IW-S9GTmsqSTqPTVr1XlcjScnzdh2Je5LFYYy-cdKyNY6tsUhvsBPsFczcuMs8pr8XAGk8RCJj-IRZrtKU-SrzM78Qw-hbYrpxocV-rYAU1pPlqhkwuA3c/s400/DSC_0017.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike going up the mast, Scott hoisting the halyard</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4tkYFCVDKuKPn9PJ_6HlVWG9rd8_9d-22Q3iPjRUyuMXUSf3cZvpTs1ivJESV2oytlGLxBDJkyRPG2Er7qJUQmHVjUiEWkq_dmj_cPOnU3c7fbwF0q5Vqpk0sRbGqqtD5zsWQd2XGhnCn/s1600/DSC_0021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4tkYFCVDKuKPn9PJ_6HlVWG9rd8_9d-22Q3iPjRUyuMXUSf3cZvpTs1ivJESV2oytlGLxBDJkyRPG2Er7qJUQmHVjUiEWkq_dmj_cPOnU3c7fbwF0q5Vqpk0sRbGqqtD5zsWQd2XGhnCn/s320/DSC_0021.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike ready</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlHkpZpPWKt8YpttpwnZrkuzZlA2gnW0G0MTpt7AlmSA0B_EIomDB3hv0MwNFzLfV30LHH_oEcn41V1Pl7nasZmA29xr8p3h30nr87Wi3yn9216KPBhbsC_eI16pQYrP5Y9MZ-WNFL1KVf/s1600/DSC_0024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlHkpZpPWKt8YpttpwnZrkuzZlA2gnW0G0MTpt7AlmSA0B_EIomDB3hv0MwNFzLfV30LHH_oEcn41V1Pl7nasZmA29xr8p3h30nr87Wi3yn9216KPBhbsC_eI16pQYrP5Y9MZ-WNFL1KVf/s320/DSC_0024.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ken sending up tools<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
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Even Nelly, the spoiled 'Only Child', has adapted to living with a family of two dogs and two cats.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_r-mdGov1cF1ZifQCg3d6ldAjW0wm5nDPrHGHgWYz8HnBIwSsfO8zGj09tNQrNC9O08AxL1KNKwAR8Xzvde7c3wdcjOjIeJFYz1NvOezx2UUc63MXOCtCpMVT08rV9Y931AewxUNzadd9/s1600/DSC_0009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_r-mdGov1cF1ZifQCg3d6ldAjW0wm5nDPrHGHgWYz8HnBIwSsfO8zGj09tNQrNC9O08AxL1KNKwAR8Xzvde7c3wdcjOjIeJFYz1NvOezx2UUc63MXOCtCpMVT08rV9Y931AewxUNzadd9/s320/DSC_0009.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nelly guarding her room in the house</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9mqyOkjCtaiUuIg_035vt31pYshxB1JbmY24ngC9RyOAitxA-2XIUC48Poaa7OfUMObrTgE8V2oRh8TqHMQbxZxxo5OPyaslITPP2VfiSKBGEzAJAryeRmTt4k8fF2atRkckj06DElgc-/s1600/DSC_0011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9mqyOkjCtaiUuIg_035vt31pYshxB1JbmY24ngC9RyOAitxA-2XIUC48Poaa7OfUMObrTgE8V2oRh8TqHMQbxZxxo5OPyaslITPP2VfiSKBGEzAJAryeRmTt4k8fF2atRkckj06DElgc-/s200/DSC_0011.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shotsee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD5MIUee9zthOyzwFLIZp8cx1g_hZHeH_c4EYHhv1YgfZoaTDXnIFvCI8BS8VjmrWgpQsp5-K92KIMXm5MGqmvvlDbwg_N5XqdQzEUcHMC6Fv1wHnsk2vm1b5lXOwUKu4euR0vG70s0m63/s1600/DSC_0019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD5MIUee9zthOyzwFLIZp8cx1g_hZHeH_c4EYHhv1YgfZoaTDXnIFvCI8BS8VjmrWgpQsp5-K92KIMXm5MGqmvvlDbwg_N5XqdQzEUcHMC6Fv1wHnsk2vm1b5lXOwUKu4euR0vG70s0m63/s320/DSC_0019.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blackjac</td></tr>
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</div>Sara Daubenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445880985071299844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2679932334879224723.post-36543128850429510182012-07-24T12:10:00.003-07:002012-07-24T12:14:47.276-07:00Tanqueray For Sale<h2>
<b><br /></b></h2>
<h2>
<b>To see the boat listing go to:</b> </h2>
<h2>
<a href="http://www.boattrader.com/listing/1989-O'Day-322-339308">http://www.boattrader.com/listing/1989-O'Day-322-339308</a></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitQGYcWcd_9qrw2y2Q9iLo3cwnlgBTWYKk4EJNLYWUIoV6H8-Rz6epX_jm7f5rCak-lnQWuEcPwW91VHmnc4EoATOVq5EQT5ZNAePVx4q0YCBEFELWJQmJFwUi2zHT8kcqHgCbnSKGBHWZ/s1600/DSC_0571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitQGYcWcd_9qrw2y2Q9iLo3cwnlgBTWYKk4EJNLYWUIoV6H8-Rz6epX_jm7f5rCak-lnQWuEcPwW91VHmnc4EoATOVq5EQT5ZNAePVx4q0YCBEFELWJQmJFwUi2zHT8kcqHgCbnSKGBHWZ/s400/DSC_0571.jpg" width="391" /></a></div>
<br />
Yes folks, the Tanqueray has had her last voyage. We crossed the Gulf Stream from the Abacos to Fort Pierce, FL a week ago today. It was a smooth sail, but also a bitter-sweet sail, knowing that our trip was coming to an end. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvu7GvnDnFgTJXt3cryDeBFgkUcmKVmoc-z57w7k3by-VYEJjSv3zMxfcGwvrVEU5HM3En0XU0JMhIyhwgNA6zzIot58B3gKB-VBVQPUHQcP_94hyphenhyphenGnh6PWl4kfY_mV9ZkI6KBD1UG57KY/s1600/DSC_0086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvu7GvnDnFgTJXt3cryDeBFgkUcmKVmoc-z57w7k3by-VYEJjSv3zMxfcGwvrVEU5HM3En0XU0JMhIyhwgNA6zzIot58B3gKB-VBVQPUHQcP_94hyphenhyphenGnh6PWl4kfY_mV9ZkI6KBD1UG57KY/s400/DSC_0086.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sara on Tanqueray - heading back to Florida</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggBctGli7tpRUlpiArq5Y4RkfzhajdyChRTZ9LSGJlsOfcXIRKF-KbWtIe318mRsZc8fT7YaIxUQpO6gT4ojVeQl8KPwKHzcYWUST1lCpJo2NO2_jpOtByIUHXn7O5pQJnB2csecaX54c4/s1600/DSC_0084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggBctGli7tpRUlpiArq5Y4RkfzhajdyChRTZ9LSGJlsOfcXIRKF-KbWtIe318mRsZc8fT7YaIxUQpO6gT4ojVeQl8KPwKHzcYWUST1lCpJo2NO2_jpOtByIUHXn7O5pQJnB2csecaX54c4/s400/DSC_0084.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike sailing her into Fort Pierce, FL</td></tr>
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However, we hope that, as it may be 'our' last trip on the Tanqueray, it will not be 'her' last trip. We are looking for the right owners now, who want an adventure of their own. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-_j6m7lpOGNib1TJg9pkbdDwxekWW_S14CZUevAXO-47kk65EsdFP2B6LUGeaI05Zyqd-EwORVu1yoZlDGJ-dJ4LI6MQ_3XOdYfDBWcpctzLjlYecOtEQvEIcNXNcYe5NcEw2Uu-hxMh/s1600/DSC_0011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-_j6m7lpOGNib1TJg9pkbdDwxekWW_S14CZUevAXO-47kk65EsdFP2B6LUGeaI05Zyqd-EwORVu1yoZlDGJ-dJ4LI6MQ_3XOdYfDBWcpctzLjlYecOtEQvEIcNXNcYe5NcEw2Uu-hxMh/s400/DSC_0011.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last sunset in the Bahamas - one word "Magical"!</td></tr>
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The Tanqueray is a sturdy, well-crafted sailboat, fully equipped and ready to head back south. We are willing to negotiate on price to make your dream happen. Please contact us if interested and/or you'd like to schedule a visit. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDk0U8dSnidZjywK1_Z-iWZ3ySROfSyFKThq8UfRTayWKocyZ2NQAEjtPhB2XuDELX8vlIZRsFjdFvcqclA2Iskr09FIrynlH-xHMausc3jyT5p4hE4Sh5jsc514GtIQIk6zuzL4jCMk4/s1600/DSC_0094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDk0U8dSnidZjywK1_Z-iWZ3ySROfSyFKThq8UfRTayWKocyZ2NQAEjtPhB2XuDELX8vlIZRsFjdFvcqclA2Iskr09FIrynlH-xHMausc3jyT5p4hE4Sh5jsc514GtIQIk6zuzL4jCMk4/s400/DSC_0094.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tanqueray sailing into Fort Pierce </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8igS1M4DoI0iz5kZuhB30pomlDB9149Xs7pVSnrOmTLRPZP5Xzo3NFIBK7r5KldUnRZnszSIxExSS8yQmU_R35YNLVvJCHqIw6v-U14bDzAEU87hYDTB3YweljMBn05ro3rGALpgyZ7N/s1600/DSC_0107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8igS1M4DoI0iz5kZuhB30pomlDB9149Xs7pVSnrOmTLRPZP5Xzo3NFIBK7r5KldUnRZnszSIxExSS8yQmU_R35YNLVvJCHqIw6v-U14bDzAEU87hYDTB3YweljMBn05ro3rGALpgyZ7N/s400/DSC_0107.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tanqueray docked at our friends the Walkers house in Fort Pierce. <br />
Tied up beside the yellow catamaran Kopy Kat.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xr2pZhIJfEqSBNPgxmZ2VHW1lMEQo5jAZAEV21ovXaA7QCc2t1Fyw92E16yClvd_F8FTkwohbXyQ1uk9HJePQmY5g8iOvuIREuJj6oODzWy47h48zjPajspXcfpI3UUf1kBfJ0P1IBGz/s1600/DSC_0101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xr2pZhIJfEqSBNPgxmZ2VHW1lMEQo5jAZAEV21ovXaA7QCc2t1Fyw92E16yClvd_F8FTkwohbXyQ1uk9HJePQmY5g8iOvuIREuJj6oODzWy47h48zjPajspXcfpI3UUf1kBfJ0P1IBGz/s400/DSC_0101.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike's final Bahama profile</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZwLr6vvOn1kMw4eq1StpSVCdoRaWJjIUGcWhyKVw9-iWj2pjuGNKcFZEm5EW6xoWolQUrM-on95rzuIiPvrtE4FPVCawQivGonjedDYY01rqCHVfEZmbY7Seqrf3l_Bq6rd_uBEWwyJeX/s1600/DSC_0111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZwLr6vvOn1kMw4eq1StpSVCdoRaWJjIUGcWhyKVw9-iWj2pjuGNKcFZEm5EW6xoWolQUrM-on95rzuIiPvrtE4FPVCawQivGonjedDYY01rqCHVfEZmbY7Seqrf3l_Bq6rd_uBEWwyJeX/s400/DSC_0111.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tanqueray's topside looking good</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidTOmyC3NE76g5RxgiIELhALVcbWCZ-IMTC-5EVa7nWDz82_zWcp_CPnLft84Gxuwx0znx9cq4It8lWSXGbVzLQ674OjOgEiKnc-dFyFOdbfRkFDvoOylh_lmPuUFfIPy49mSfBnWVW-ic/s1600/DSC_0120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidTOmyC3NE76g5RxgiIELhALVcbWCZ-IMTC-5EVa7nWDz82_zWcp_CPnLft84Gxuwx0znx9cq4It8lWSXGbVzLQ674OjOgEiKnc-dFyFOdbfRkFDvoOylh_lmPuUFfIPy49mSfBnWVW-ic/s320/DSC_0120.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chart table</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbWTmYn1-fdZAujxfVXJ-ozCjRzZ8Owh16atzbi34trB93P2KTuil-nZQDcwyp9V5vhMXrAdtN1qkHzQlxVVtPzGWyHNKpaWORKBshlRKRHsEaob4heiY3cbtNyZ4TB-Ulmk8p85Xy-9up/s1600/DSC_0115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbWTmYn1-fdZAujxfVXJ-ozCjRzZ8Owh16atzbi34trB93P2KTuil-nZQDcwyp9V5vhMXrAdtN1qkHzQlxVVtPzGWyHNKpaWORKBshlRKRHsEaob4heiY3cbtNyZ4TB-Ulmk8p85Xy-9up/s400/DSC_0115.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tanqueray's salon - ready for the next owner to move-in!!!</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6WDelPLmzqBRPZQXEnJrX6sEkZsMP7-o_zqBVus706J453C0zQP3hNn089y9EfMNNGs_k93RdOfwnvDn4f3g_408eUh33UvnwvWU1jrgbr7KX0z30aFmER1roAr-wND9S13b4fTGMxw_t/s1600/DSC_0122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6WDelPLmzqBRPZQXEnJrX6sEkZsMP7-o_zqBVus706J453C0zQP3hNn089y9EfMNNGs_k93RdOfwnvDn4f3g_408eUh33UvnwvWU1jrgbr7KX0z30aFmER1roAr-wND9S13b4fTGMxw_t/s320/DSC_0122.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the companionway</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19NofXvXl8w1v2oywahmRFcsUH9sY0Dfex0Hcd-1RV0OMtX56xQIHgzqSLERrOCRdJENRbfkB2DrGoDiwOWKkzXZ9GLY1YQmBV0QiHFtcH_YAi5iUUlETA4aaH7so9d5AaFsSxhwWER96/s1600/DSC_0104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19NofXvXl8w1v2oywahmRFcsUH9sY0Dfex0Hcd-1RV0OMtX56xQIHgzqSLERrOCRdJENRbfkB2DrGoDiwOWKkzXZ9GLY1YQmBV0QiHFtcH_YAi5iUUlETA4aaH7so9d5AaFsSxhwWER96/s640/DSC_0104.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our new ride a Ford F150 to cross the country in on our road trip back to the west coast.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<br />Sara Daubenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445880985071299844noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2679932334879224723.post-15820024235267012282012-07-22T12:00:00.000-07:002012-07-22T12:00:43.727-07:00Best of the Bahamas<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Longest running beaches, best food, friendliest settlement, best coral
& snorkeling, best shelling, best fishing grounds, best sunset view, most
secluded, best color blue, best marina, softest sand, best spear fishing, most
picturesque town, best mangroves, best anchorage, and the list goes on…some
awards were given out to multiple locations because sometimes it’s so beautiful
you can’t just have one favorite (not listed in any particular order).</i></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></b></div>
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1. Conception Island
– Best beach award – spectacular white, I emphasis white, fine sandy beach -
out of this World! This island is a Land
& Sea Park and protected by the Bahamian government, so hopefully it will
stay deserted and pristine for future generations to enjoy. The beach is over a mile in length on the
anchorage side and a great running beach with the softest, finest sand. The snorkeling is also some of the best here,
even if you cannot spear fish, you can focus on observing the colossal coral
and schools of fish. On the ocean side,
the beach is also amazing, but up high on a plateau garbage and sea grass
washes up on the beach after big storms.
If you like dumpster diving, this is the place to go, you get to enjoy a
beautiful beach and who knows what you may find washed up on shore.<o:p></o:p></div>
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2. Point Nelson
Marina, Rum Cay – This wins the best marina award. Not only is it cheap ($1 per foot), but it is
the friendliest marina we’ve encountered. Given, we haven’t stayed in many marinas,
this is an adventurous marina in itself.
You must enter at high tide because the channel entrance to the dock is
no more than 5 feet at high tide and 20 feet wide! The owner, Bobby, throws
potluck dinners at the clubhouse practically every night consisting of gourmet fish,
fresh bread and the like. You get the
feeling at the dock that everyone is one big family happy family. A great place to spend a couple days, meet
fun people, and share dinners. If you’re
planning to go in to a marina this is the place to stop. Also, it a hotspot for fishing and Bobby can
facilitate skydiving, kiteboarding, and surfing. <o:p></o:p></div>
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3. Flamingo Bay, Rum
Cay – This anchorage wins three awards: best beach, best snorkeling and most
secluded. Anchoring at Flamingo Bay is
not for the faint of heart, you must navigate through coral head after coral
head that break the surface of the water and are only a few hundred feet
apart. You must also be aware of the weather,
as this is not a protected anchorage for any weather conditions with north or
west in the wind or swell direcition.
However, once you arrive, it’s difficult to leave. The beach is one of the best for running,
possibly the longest stretch of beach that I’ve encountered with firm enough
sand at low tide to get a good stride in.
Being one of the most secluded areas, due to the difficulty of getting
there, also makes it a great shelling beach and there’s not a lot of
competition with other beachcombers picking over the shells. Finally, but not lastly, the snorkeling is
worth a trip on it’s own. To sum it up
in one sentence, the first day we arrived at Flamingo Bay we spent the first 4
hours underwater – huge coral formations, 20 feet tall, make you keep swimming
and looking, not wanting to leave. Some
of the largest stag horn coral that I have seen in the Bahamas!<o:p></o:p></div>
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4. Moraine Cay,
Abacos – Best easy access snorkeling and diving award. The Abacos, being our last stop before
heading home to the states, we didn’t know what to expect after seeing almost
everything else in the Bahamas. However,
we were happily surprised when we discovered the barrier reefs off most the
cays. The snorkeling on the outside reef
of the Abacos is some of the best snorkeling we’ve encountered on our whole
trip! Reef that juts up from the bottom
20 – 30 feet to the surface with caves and swimthroughs throughout. It’s difficult to some up in a paragraph how
amazing the reef actually is. The reef
is like an underwater playground for water lovers, swimmers, divers, and
snorkelers. The intricate maze of reef
stretching off Moraine Cay is especially beautiful and isolated - mind blowing
the first time you jump in the water. Millions
of colorful fish swim by along with big schools of jack, porgies, surgeon fish
and snappers. You’re likely to spot an
easy target for a grouper, hogfish or porgy during your dive out here, but act
quickly because sharks are never far away.
The Abacos are a great place to hang out during the spring after the
northers finish blowing through. During
the winter, the reef would not be so accessible. <o:p></o:p></div>
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5. Jumentos - The
Jumentos win the awards for best diving, most secluded, best color blue and
prettiest beaches. This string of
islands lie south of the Exumas and are among one of the most secluded. Only the daring make the trip south, navigating
through the many non-charted coral heads scattering the banks and anchoring in
the rolling, unprotected anchorages. We
found some of the best diving here along the cays and at the blue hole 3-miles
west off Water Cay. The anchorages we
enjoyed were at Water Cay, Flamingo Cay and Jamaica Cay. The color and clarity of the water is
overwhelming, a deep blue that most people never encounter. Spearfishing is excellent here, the Jumentos
are known as the fishing grounds for the Bahamas – watch out for the sharks
when the fisherman are cleaning fish off their boat in the anchorage!<o:p></o:p></div>
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6. Stocking Island,
Georgetown, Exumas – This is definitely the best shelling beach, located on the
ocean side, if you are looking for little colorful shells. It is also one of the most beautiful beaches
in the Bahamas and has an amazing running beach, but the anchorage is crowded
with cruisers and the snorkeling on the inside is nothing to write home about. It is home to the famous Chat ‘n Chill bar,
however, which serves the $5 cheeseburger (a steal in the Bahamas) with or
without a shirt, shoes, or pants for that matter!<o:p></o:p><br />
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7. Landrail Point,
Crooked Island – Some of the friendliest people in the Out Islands (also known
as Family Islands) live at Landrail Point, which is the settlement south of
Pittstown. When we stayed here, we ended
up sailing back two other times because we enjoyed the people and the town so
much. We were invited out to Gibson’s #2
Restaurant, owned and run by Willie Gibson, three nights in a row, taken out on
spearfishing excursions with the locals, loaned bikes to ride through town,
offered rides and pick ups from the airport, able to use free internet and the
list goes on. Crooked Island, is an
island of less than 350 people total, so people really are family when they
call it a Family Island. Landrail Point
also has some of the bluest, clearest water in the Bahamas, dropping off 2000
feet in a quarter mile from the beach, the stark contrast in blues is amazing
to see with the naked eye and makes for great photos, capturing multiple colors
of blue in one shot. This is also one of
the best spots for deep sea sport fishing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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8. Castle Island (at
the south end of Acklins Island) – This wins both the most secluded and one of
the best beaches award. There’s a
beautiful lighthouse and a beach that wraps around the corner and continues for
another mile and a half – my favorite type of beach is the one that wraps
around the corner! If it weren’t for the
rolling anchorage (there is not much protection at this anchorage), then we
would have stayed several more days here.
It’s also great fishing grounds and a good spot to look for washed up shells
– we found a beautiful helmet shell on the beach here. There’s also a shipwreck off the beach that
can be snorkeled.<o:p></o:p></div>
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9. Pipe Creek, Exumas
– Some of the most beautiful water and colors you will see are here in Pipe
Creek. There is an amazing anchorage
between two sandbars and at low tide it looks like the boats are stranded in a
desert of white sand. The colors change
from clear to light blue, turquoise, sky blue and on and on and on. And to top it off the sand is some of the
softest sand in the Bahamas. At low
tide, while walking on the sandbars you sink in almost a foot, which releases
little air bubbles as you walk. It’s
quite an amazing place, a big slice of paradise. Close by you’ll find Thunderball Grotto, an
underwater cave where parts of the James Bond movie Thunderball was filmed, off
Staniel Cay. Just a hop away from the
cave, is Big Majors Spot, where you can feed swimming pigs, yes swimming pigs!<o:p></o:p></div>
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10. Samana Cay - If
you are an adventure seeker, look no further, Samana Cay is your island. This cay is where the cascarilla bark, which
makes Campari, cosmetics and medicines is harvested by locals. It’s approximately 22 miles north of Acklins
Island, with a treacherous entrance and surge in the anchorage. However, once you arrive, it has amazing
snorkeling, BIG fish, beautiful reef, lots of sea urchin shells and friendly
friendly people working on the cay, willing to invite you over for dinner on
the beach at shacks the live in for several months harvesting the bark. There is no town, no stores, no vacation
homes, no locals except the 8 Bahamians from Acklins harvesting bark. This spot is one of the most secluded as
well.<o:p></o:p></div>
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11. Attwood Harbor,
Acklins Island - One of my favorite
harbors, with green waters at low tide and a flat calm anchorage as long as the
weather is not blowing out of the north through west direction. Dolphins enter the harbor, a mangrove estuary
flows into the harbor on the west end and it is full of conch and bonefish, the
beach is over a mile long and is in the top 5 for running, diving is
spectacular on the barrier reef on the northeast side of the entrance, plus
lots of lobster can be found in the shallow shelves in the northeast side of
the harbor. <o:p></o:p></div>
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12. Governors Harbor,
Eleuthra – This town wins the award for most picturesque town. The water is stunningly beautiful, with white
sand fringing the harbor and grassy bottoms in the middle creating a drastic
color changes from blue to green. The
homes are colorful on the waterfront and the town is full of historical
buildings from the 1600’s when the Eleuthrian Adventurers settled the island
back in 1648. The island is very fertile
and has an amazing assortment of plant life and tropical flowers and grasses to
add to the beauty. However, the most
picturesque spot in this town can be found after walking up the big hill in
town, lined with beautiful Victorian houses and witnessing the view from down
below. On the ocean side, there is also
a stunning pink sand beach that runs for two miles and some very soft sand. It is one of the most amazing beaches to be
found!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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13. Shroud Cay,
Exumas – This cay in the northern Exumas wins the best mangrove award. It has many other qualities as well,
including, a spectacular Oceanside beach, beautiful colors and lots of sea life
(located in the Land & Sea Park of the Exumas), but the mangrove channels
running through the cay clear to the other side are what set this island aside
from the rest. Dinghying through the
channel to the ocean side you will encounter sea turtles, conch, sharks, fish
and some of the most beautiful mangrove forests around. It’s about a mile and a half passage, but
well worth the trip and to top it off you arrive at an amazingly beautiful and
secluded beach on the ocean side – great place to pack a picnic and have lunch!<o:p></o:p></div>
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14. New Bight, Cat
Island – New Bight settlement wins the award or at least ties the award of
Friendliest People. Not only are you
able to hitchhike all through the island, but people stop and offer you a ride before
you even have a chance to walk 10 feet. We
were introduced to Pompey the first day in town and the next night enjoyed a
live Rake & Scrape performance from him and entourage. Traveling further north up the Coast of Cat
Island, you will encounter some of the most beautiful and longest white sandy
beaches in the Bahamas. The ocean side
of the island is practically one big stretch of beach and has some amazing reef
for snorkeling as well. The vibe on the
whole island is laid back, even the bar at Pigeon Cay runs off the honor
system, where you pour your own drink and put it on your tab.<o:p></o:p></div>
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15. Long Island – The
best conch bar can be found just north of Clarence Town off the side of the
road - Max’s Conch Bar. So delicious and
fresh, it’s cleaned in 60-seconds before your eyes, and sitting in a bowl in
front of you the next minute. Max is
there cleaning the conch and visiting with the customers as well, quite the
character and social butterfly.
Definitely worth a stop for the ambience itself, VIP seating is across
the road in foldout chairs! Close-by you
can also check out the deepest salt water blue hole in the world at Dean’s Blue
Hole. Beaches are beautiful and long on
the ocean side. The east side of Long
Island, also wins the best fishing award because this is where we caught our
infamous 7 foot sailfish!<o:p></o:p><br />
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<br /></div>Sara Daubenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445880985071299844noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2679932334879224723.post-21162587118440270372012-07-18T04:31:00.000-07:002012-07-18T04:31:54.011-07:00Green of the Abacos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green waters of the Abacos!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We arrived in the Abacos on the evening of June 18<sup>th</sup>
preceeding a rough nearly 60 mile crossing from Harbor Island, Eleuthra. It took us over 10 hours of sailing hard on
the wind. I threw up once. Let’s say we were happy to arrive!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sailing at dusk in the Abacos</td></tr>
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Our first stop was Little Harbor on the big island – Great
Abaco. We were not too impressed, very
built up, lots of homes, we didn’t bother to go on land. Instead we ate a pizza dinner and crashed out
early. <o:p></o:p></div>
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To digress, our first impressions of the Abacos were not the
best of impressions: green-murky water, tons of tourists, built up islands, and
power boats, power boats, power boats.
Where did all the sailors go? The
change in water clarity was for the worse, but just in the southern part of the
Abacos, diving we found to be amazing and clear once you found the right spot
and discovered the Barrier Reef, No Name Cay and Moraine Cay.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sailing in the Abacos</td></tr>
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The waters color was different than much of
the Bahamas, but it turns out that green in all its shades create a spectacular
view. The amount of people, tourists and
infrastructure on the islands did not seem to continue much north of Green
Turtle Cay and there are some amazingly secluded and pristine cay’s along the
northwest Abaco chain.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hope Town harbor</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hope Town</td></tr>
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Continuing on with the chain of events, the next morning, we
headed north towards Hope Town. We
explored the picturesque town, but found ourselves bumping into tourists left
and right. Too many people for me, maybe
I’ve been on a boat too long, but I prefer the remote islands or local
settlements compared to the tourist filled towns and/or resorts. We enjoyed a $9 milkshake and some fried
wings in town; picked up a few groceries and then headed back to the boat.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset in the Abacos</td></tr>
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The following day, we set sail, yet again, north towards
Guana Cay. We arrived mid-afternoon and set
off for land, to the ocean side beach where we were to locate the acclaimed
Nippers Oceanfront Bar and go for a much needed run. The ocean side beach was outstanding,
beautiful pink sand with an amazing view of the ocean.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike snorkeling off the boat as we sail 1-2 knots.</td></tr>
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Nippers didn’t disappoint, with its rainbow painted walls,
dilapidated yet inviting waterfall swimming pool, and drinks that knocked you
off your feet (aka Nippers); it’s was a time warp straight into the 80’s. We ordered the Nippers special cocktail made
with 4 types of rum and 2 juices - it was a strong one. We found ourselves lounging by the pool and
then making our way back to the boat for dinner. But after the “Nippers” drink, all we could
muster up was spaghetti noodles with parmesan instead of our original dinner plans
for sweet potato encrusted mahi mahi accompanied with pasta – that would have
to wait until tomorrow – luckily we only ordered one drink at the bar!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snorkeling</td></tr>
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The next day, we sailed to the outside of Guana Cay, ready
to explore the barrier reef. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Our dingy – Tonic – has not been the most reliable of
vessels, so we must go by sailboat if we plan to venture more than half a mile. The reef was amazing; we spotted tons of
Nassau grouper, but unfortunately were in a designated park area, so
spearfishing was not permitted. Times
like these are difficult for Mike – he lives and dreams about the next fish
he’s going to spear. After diving for a
couple hours we sailed north to No Name Cay.<o:p></o:p></div>
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While working out on No Name Cay’s beach, we were shocked
when five porky pigs bombarded us. They
seemed friendly enough, but it was time to get moving. We were down to our last
gallon of drinking water – you can’t survive long on salt water and rum!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beach at Green Turtle Cay</td></tr>
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New Plymouth, only 2 miles away from No Name Cay and located
on the south end of Green Turtle Cay, was a town more up our ally. Not as many tourists to speak of; a quaint, well-kept
town with a few small convenience stores and several hurricane holes to take
your boat, if needed – we are in hurricane season, we must remember.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Plymouth, Green Turtle</td></tr>
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We met a friendly storeowner that let us fill
our water tanks from his cistern. That same night a squall hit us and rained
nearly 3 inches in less than hour. We
filled the rest of our water tanks - compared to the alternative of lugging
around jerry jugs for water this was sure convienent! <o:p></o:p></div>
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From New Plymouth, we headed back to No Name Cay to discover
the spectacular reef and snorkeling. We
spent hours upon hours in the water.
Some of the best snorkeling we have seen in the Bahamas and such easy
access to the outside reef. The Abacos
aren’t so bad after all. We haven’t even
hit the best of the Abacos yet!<o:p></o:p><br />
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<br /></div>Sara Daubenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445880985071299844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2679932334879224723.post-33946061252590982212012-07-14T19:02:00.000-07:002012-07-15T19:31:49.405-07:00A Fishing Tale - Fishing with Company<br />
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<b>By, Michael Daubenberger</b></div>
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Much time has passed and many fish have been eaten since we
checked in last. Our story continues at
Cat Island with the arrival of Kevin and Emy.
The first of our catch was a hauled in by Kevin as we made our way on a
snorkeling excursion to Little San Salvador Island. It was a good-sized Almaco Jack of excellent
food value. Unfortunately as I grabbed
the fish to unhook it, the fish slithered into sea before it could be
photographed. Our next fish struck as we
headed down the inside of Cat Island. It
was a fighter, didn’t have as much enough fight to outlast Emy. When we finally got it to the boat we were disappointed
to find it was a three-foot barracuda.
Two fish landed and nothing for the table. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mosquito ridden anchorage at HawksNest</td></tr>
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Time to try our luck on the high seas!! We headed out of the Hawksnest on the south
end of Cat Island at 6 am sharp awoken by the buzz and stinging bites of the
mosquitoes. Our minds were on the Tuna
we would encounter at the Tartar bank.
Schools were everywhere, but in five hours of trolling under the motor
we were able to hook into only one and it quickly broke our 40-pound test
line. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike with speared grouper off south Cat Island</td></tr>
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Lunch was had at Devils Point along with a snorkel session. The anchor was down in 30 feet of crystal
clear water with coral heads dotting the bottom. We jumped in and discovered the boat was
anchored directly over a nice Nassau Grouper.
During the past week I had been explaining to Kevin the nuances of spear
fishing with the Hawaiian sling.
Particularly how the fish swim away after you spear them and you need to
chase them and the spear down before they can swim away and/or a shark gobbles
them up and takes the spear with him.
Never have I shot a good-sized fish where it just drops down dead. <o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grouper speared in head</td></tr>
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Well that’s what happened with this one. I dropped down to the bottom, gave it a shot
and rushed in to the catch the fish. It
didn’t flinch; just fell to the ground dead.
A lucky shoot indeed. On our trip
back as we left the reef and entered the deep blue ocean, we hooked into a
monster. Kevin grabbed the pole just in
time to keep it from stripping clean.
Sara manned the helm and backed down on her. I grabbed the camera and ran play by
play. The fight lasted a good fifteen
minutes before the beast stripped free.
There was much speculation on the fish type and size, but we were sure
it would have been a record catch.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diving in Cat Island</td></tr>
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The next day we had not intended to fish, but the wind was
blowing just right to send us down to the fishing grounds on a beam reach, so
we set off in the morning with a couple of hours to blow. No sooner had we reached the Tartar Bank than
the first fish struck. A Blackfin
Tuna. Kevin grabbed the pole, braced
himself against the roll of the boat and reeled her in. Sushi for dinner tonight. Ten minutes later the second fish hit. This time a small Barracuda.<br />
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Sara and I said our goodbyes to Kevin and Emy in Cat Island
as they barely made it to their flight in time. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sushi dinner</td></tr>
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We sailed back to the Exumas the following day
to pick up the Sundborg girls. Two of
Sara’s sisters and her cousin. As we
left the banks of Cat Island with the sun rising behind us, we hooked into a
nice Blackfin, and again as we approached the cut of Staniel Cay we were
rewarded with yet another Blackfin. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike with tuna hook-up from Cat Island crossing</td></tr>
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Fishing with the girls.
We should have known what to expect, seasoned veterans. Stacy fishes commercially in Alaska need we
say more. Well yes, she caught all the
fish for our wedding reception. Susy may
be afraid to touch a fish but she knows how to handle a pole from her many
trips to Alaska fishing on her grandparents yacht, the Queen Bee. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Queen B anchored in SE Alaska</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls with another cero</td></tr>
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Mackenzie is a fishing conundrum. Her pallet is much like Nelly’s, if it comes
from the sea, it’s not meant for the plate, but she loves catching them and
feeding the carcasses to the sharks.
What better way to dispose of the body?
With the girls we made two short passages on the ocean-side, but each of
the girls received a fishing story out of the trips. We’ve seen it before and I’m sure we’ll see
it again, the “Sundborg Luck”. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stacy with speared lionfish</td></tr>
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The first fish was a lionfish speared by Stacy on her first attempt. Not bad for a rookie spearfisherwoman. The second fish was wrangled in by Susy, a
Cero. The fight didn’t last long. At least not long after we determined it wasn’t
sea grass. I netted the fish and we
brought her aboard. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Susy & Stacy with Susy's cero catch</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4Sr416MVXkJAj209LExaT58teBcp79DCqHHUR3hfA6vV6X7HhF35XrDMGCt65XdSijU8JOPqFsUhzjiVuJ4KC-mKeBNrGgVkHS9nQYmWuReCf2aT9t_urK0hCUOq4KSzasQh3rbKk-fY/s1600/DSC_0031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4Sr416MVXkJAj209LExaT58teBcp79DCqHHUR3hfA6vV6X7HhF35XrDMGCt65XdSijU8JOPqFsUhzjiVuJ4KC-mKeBNrGgVkHS9nQYmWuReCf2aT9t_urK0hCUOq4KSzasQh3rbKk-fY/s400/DSC_0031.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reef shark</td></tr>
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The carcass was dissected and feed to a reef shark and a
school of big horse eye jacks. Hours of
excitement. Stacy hooked into the next
Cero and had it up onto the boat and cleaned in a matter of minutes. <o:p></o:p><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCeY4oyidNGElljgqhnH8B5rSUM5GU4hckNWJhdiDlhIjbymFWv55uIRkhYUKI44sjdlJq7KsTvog4d56cZjykBfOAc0v6pFI_oW2sHuEuJtxIAYIA8KOb0o-zOdxkOzdNhoRZgjMjDen3/s1600/DSC_0042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCeY4oyidNGElljgqhnH8B5rSUM5GU4hckNWJhdiDlhIjbymFWv55uIRkhYUKI44sjdlJq7KsTvog4d56cZjykBfOAc0v6pFI_oW2sHuEuJtxIAYIA8KOb0o-zOdxkOzdNhoRZgjMjDen3/s320/DSC_0042.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stacy with filleted cero</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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On our last leg of the trip as we raced into Georgetown we
spotted a flock of turns and a school of tuna.
Actually, Little Tunny. Our first
pass was for naught. Not even a bite so
we turned the ship around. On the second
pass we heard the reel zing. <br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipUvSm4lNpLp3M9E13yTaQtU-YKov4GIikcoqZENy9z02ubfdfqcy1AdJcjdhp7nUo-O74TkWGffagqOguAQx9n2mn1PSM23HMalw1Pl3X-4zrVrIPSaq2IESCm3MY8J62wdK3aIenyH4_/s1600/DSC_0074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipUvSm4lNpLp3M9E13yTaQtU-YKov4GIikcoqZENy9z02ubfdfqcy1AdJcjdhp7nUo-O74TkWGffagqOguAQx9n2mn1PSM23HMalw1Pl3X-4zrVrIPSaq2IESCm3MY8J62wdK3aIenyH4_/s400/DSC_0074.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mackenzie with tuna catch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Mackenzie
grabbed the pole and started fighting.
From the onset we could tell it would be a real battle. The fish was landed and she was a real
beauty. A nice Little Tunny. Once again sashimi for dinner!!! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tuna sashimi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Our tale continues with the arrival of our guests Tommy and
Nicole. Our first fish arrived as we
neared the cut to Farmers Cay. Tommy
grabbed the pole and reeled her in. A
Cero Mackerel, similar to a Spanish Mackerel and good eating. The lines were tossed out in hopes of
another. The next fish struck hard in
the shallow waters as we entered the cut and it was likely to be one thing, a
Barracuda. It was and it was a big one,
4 feet at least! Tommy wrestled it up to
the boat and I went to grab the pliers.
I reached for the leader, the fish shook its gnarled head, and away it
went taking the lure with it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tommy with cero</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedDOw-Z9OAIujdE3j4WxN44cwlzutere5YFFobgHX2xSal5-ooxD9PnZbGQW_yvUVr2z91gxc8A7lUHw5oBW0HHeqIXqiXD6gPirb5agOH8HoUdemfQKil8QPwYOOj7nWg4dFa4QjlUKy/s1600/DSC_0184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedDOw-Z9OAIujdE3j4WxN44cwlzutere5YFFobgHX2xSal5-ooxD9PnZbGQW_yvUVr2z91gxc8A7lUHw5oBW0HHeqIXqiXD6gPirb5agOH8HoUdemfQKil8QPwYOOj7nWg4dFa4QjlUKy/s320/DSC_0184.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
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We entered Pipe Creek with the hopes of hooking into some bonefish,
spearing a few Grouper, and collecting some conch. The evening we arrived, Tommy and I went out
on the bonefish flats with poor light and lots of wind. Fortunately, the flats were only 100 feet
from the stern of the boat. Within
minutes we spotted a huge school of fish finning. As we approached, they moved like a wave
through the water. It was something to
see!!! We worked our way to windward and
got a couple good casts out in front of the mass of fish, but we had no luck
hooking in. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBs1uSUA3Jhrrmz6qf1_gQyv38sxAZKhyphenhyphenf00kQkvR3FCC2TxJQlYwafzLqYpsDc0eu6OBmKC02psQQnSWOuy9ueSy-qk6WZLxbicomqJxH9g1z2m5Ic8lD_sv8QxdIEqzZnhYt2p6GjI-f/s1600/DSC_0024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBs1uSUA3Jhrrmz6qf1_gQyv38sxAZKhyphenhyphenf00kQkvR3FCC2TxJQlYwafzLqYpsDc0eu6OBmKC02psQQnSWOuy9ueSy-qk6WZLxbicomqJxH9g1z2m5Ic8lD_sv8QxdIEqzZnhYt2p6GjI-f/s400/DSC_0024.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tommy & Mike trying their luck at bonefishing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The following day, the four of us went out on a fishing
extravaganza. We were going to hook into
bonefish, spear grouper and collect those conch that I had talked about. We had the poles, the spears, our lunch, and our
drinks. We were ready!! Heading out the cut we spotted a few sharks,
a big stingray, and a school of bonefish.
At the cut, we jumped in for a drift dive looking for our next big
catch. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmvUs4ly2tVfbXUgQCYJRNBaRe4DMk8HVJkwtLwdBd4gNjz0EW78lUS5Fq0E9sLc2z4bJ4zKifoFOnDYeUZHFfzsvLujXf4HGhLFkQ4G0ZoTa0oSfclJjBXKr6MPN4mgj_hYIiEmdjbbAu/s1600/GOPR0430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmvUs4ly2tVfbXUgQCYJRNBaRe4DMk8HVJkwtLwdBd4gNjz0EW78lUS5Fq0E9sLc2z4bJ4zKifoFOnDYeUZHFfzsvLujXf4HGhLFkQ4G0ZoTa0oSfclJjBXKr6MPN4mgj_hYIiEmdjbbAu/s400/GOPR0430.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Big it was, a fish it was not!! I was clearing my goggles and holding my
spear in my left hand. The spear slipped
through the handle and the barb lodged itself a ½ inch into webbing between my
thumb and pointer finger. I had hooked
into something, myself!! The big fishing
trip was cancelled. Some medical
attention was needed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>Sara Daubenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445880985071299844noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2679932334879224723.post-25001605129373045982012-07-11T16:29:00.000-07:002012-07-11T16:29:00.129-07:00Grouper Fingers<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoMJRoYR5YSHc6rYPxfhGF7dJej87RyMz3pGo9Eshpt4ikszOZze0cTzPylS7QH6jJX6CshAn_DXPjCoJnT_xqsHY7r1ZSc-U6sDDW9gqKM33_WOIDu3SDvi1wCLtW_JQlkaaf5jS3o_xd/s1600/DSC_0396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoMJRoYR5YSHc6rYPxfhGF7dJej87RyMz3pGo9Eshpt4ikszOZze0cTzPylS7QH6jJX6CshAn_DXPjCoJnT_xqsHY7r1ZSc-U6sDDW9gqKM33_WOIDu3SDvi1wCLtW_JQlkaaf5jS3o_xd/s400/DSC_0396.jpg" width="232" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>A traditional Bahamian meal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Grouper fingers typically uses Nassau grouper, but for those that don’t
have access to grouper, any white fish will do.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUWyi5zRLhIt0IQdKL_zwMTlgpjee49mX0jU_EMkZdO2PR_NYoL1tQjxanTiCidW2zXG8K5fcYANCuGuqu-arp7E78Dn5EUHnaw5TtUb46vXRChpok_hguVAMCH5SUUiWAjAgMrvtS5iI/s1600/DSC_0378.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUWyi5zRLhIt0IQdKL_zwMTlgpjee49mX0jU_EMkZdO2PR_NYoL1tQjxanTiCidW2zXG8K5fcYANCuGuqu-arp7E78Dn5EUHnaw5TtUb46vXRChpok_hguVAMCH5SUUiWAjAgMrvtS5iI/s320/DSC_0378.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grouper fingers with mayo-sirachi dipping sauce</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ6nZ74QN33ml8vteF0nnZ9opMDZb3ULMVnMbFdoApS__C1E2rgxW1U_doBkJUG5q5szWKhcSJUCcBDeon7HYBYPy5c_Fp5d61wh5Q5IFj4tYM8eou4QKIydCIOykfHr9d7bn3Ad74TvQE/s1600/DSC_0436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ6nZ74QN33ml8vteF0nnZ9opMDZb3ULMVnMbFdoApS__C1E2rgxW1U_doBkJUG5q5szWKhcSJUCcBDeon7HYBYPy5c_Fp5d61wh5Q5IFj4tYM8eou4QKIydCIOykfHr9d7bn3Ad74TvQE/s320/DSC_0436.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>2 fillets of grouper<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>1-2 eggs – mixed in bowl, add a couple tablespoons of water
to mixture<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Small bowl of flour – mix in salt pepper and other
seasonings (we use Old Bay)<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Vegetable oil <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Panko (optional)</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cut the fish into bite size chunks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next dip in flour mixture, then coat in egg
batter, optional dip in panko.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once skillet is hot with frying
oil, drop in fish and cook for a couple minutes on each side, until
browned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fish should be flaky when cut
open.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZmQbh8l0GmK4omPKWfrkKzB52ZOVuHjFgBHdcjjizJLZvmavKXz5A_xtn5Phbj2KfVT9qVpdZkQhdRQKDIB2ySvpKOySS0KyXNDdKWVoYBDViGeCpQ90lYzogQ2PE-UZ12g1pXt6UZcid/s1600/DSC_0036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZmQbh8l0GmK4omPKWfrkKzB52ZOVuHjFgBHdcjjizJLZvmavKXz5A_xtn5Phbj2KfVT9qVpdZkQhdRQKDIB2ySvpKOySS0KyXNDdKWVoYBDViGeCpQ90lYzogQ2PE-UZ12g1pXt6UZcid/s400/DSC_0036.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grouper fingers in panko<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Enjoy with a side of peas & rice and/or coleslaw!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Sara Daubenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445880985071299844noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2679932334879224723.post-87776543572565907702012-07-04T11:13:00.000-07:002012-07-04T11:13:00.715-07:00Eleuthrian Adventurers<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPQNDgjFjDhZ-zccV0Sqd5vjWMuSMxeWzPW3M_GwOa2XsUkxtcKngcYegKYOlulGducObIyehrivxTfvfRmAXi6ZQtX9NJN-FsWR4VLk67NTm8z4-72X-CFBua-TLcdXztKPLni6jLB1Gc/s1600/DSC_0177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPQNDgjFjDhZ-zccV0Sqd5vjWMuSMxeWzPW3M_GwOa2XsUkxtcKngcYegKYOlulGducObIyehrivxTfvfRmAXi6ZQtX9NJN-FsWR4VLk67NTm8z4-72X-CFBua-TLcdXztKPLni6jLB1Gc/s400/DSC_0177.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eleuthra - long beautiful pink sand beaches<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>By, Michael Daubenberger</b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTdD64y23PthfzGFd5ZwEN-NF6PUxwom_QN8I7OBi2Hoc5kX16REKqxJkutt2lr8ReEYGN6eVN5jgoteOFNuuAs5198N2LgcN3QCcJ7HnLqjAsSfhVbCvtOK2hgxoYbYJF7LiKUOgSVWEs/s1600/DSC_0230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTdD64y23PthfzGFd5ZwEN-NF6PUxwom_QN8I7OBi2Hoc5kX16REKqxJkutt2lr8ReEYGN6eVN5jgoteOFNuuAs5198N2LgcN3QCcJ7HnLqjAsSfhVbCvtOK2hgxoYbYJF7LiKUOgSVWEs/s400/DSC_0230.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tanqueray and Tonic anchored in Governors Harbor, Eleuthra</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In 1648 a group of 100 settlers from Britain were marooned
on a Bahamian Island – Govenors Harbor, Eleuthra – known as the birthplace of
the Bahamas. They were known as the
Eleuthrian Adventurers. Now, 364 years
later, the adventurers aboard the Tanqueray, Mike, Sara and Nelly, have arrived
at Governors Harbor.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHwkqbn7lt95QqXryebFvjwwzIBtbu8_d4Z2HIjcxP_3Q3lZNaa_XvkI-x2FlBETJgNNM7UKQr9hqdKLktJP3ycMolao5vcmm4j9aG1aNvxGPVhxxlYGh6PtU5Lv8GM_BWtvGXjoW2jvA/s1600/DSC_0225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHwkqbn7lt95QqXryebFvjwwzIBtbu8_d4Z2HIjcxP_3Q3lZNaa_XvkI-x2FlBETJgNNM7UKQr9hqdKLktJP3ycMolao5vcmm4j9aG1aNvxGPVhxxlYGh6PtU5Lv8GM_BWtvGXjoW2jvA/s400/DSC_0225.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike in town at Governor's Harbor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Our journey was
hard fought as well, taking two days of sailing a total of 70 miles hard on the
wind. Our first night was spent anchored 3 miles off
the coast of Powell Point, Eleuthra, 20 miles from Governors Harbor. After setting anchor we headed straight for
bed, only to be awakened at two in the morning by an unpleasant rolling of the
boat. We had to travel 2 miles closer to
land to find settled waters for a comfortable remaining nights sleep.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkdVdd6A1RadaTbSbveAvUEmOWdCdy_0ZVb9KmgJZgTdGjkISfl6zcX2VrT7yZR8mX66gZjR6pyBGToFmbrI5mGhMwtL6eA_09vzsVlNMmjAcf78ENSjpz3ueLGgZdt5jE0xqs0l0LfoIb/s1600/DSC_0135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkdVdd6A1RadaTbSbveAvUEmOWdCdy_0ZVb9KmgJZgTdGjkISfl6zcX2VrT7yZR8mX66gZjR6pyBGToFmbrI5mGhMwtL6eA_09vzsVlNMmjAcf78ENSjpz3ueLGgZdt5jE0xqs0l0LfoIb/s400/DSC_0135.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRIg7jZCHGqlO6-2u2NySafaxBW1toCejHvUp6gBFLjrQQP_ftKPJtNlUN3_sIEgUJoXd-9fmsBE8tCWLlZsAtU00D_s99eIkv8BThWypZTGJCX9qR7mu8axsAbEUs1025bV5LY5Jo6Rck/s1600/DSC_0134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRIg7jZCHGqlO6-2u2NySafaxBW1toCejHvUp6gBFLjrQQP_ftKPJtNlUN3_sIEgUJoXd-9fmsBE8tCWLlZsAtU00D_s99eIkv8BThWypZTGJCX9qR7mu8axsAbEUs1025bV5LY5Jo6Rck/s400/DSC_0134.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
After arriving at Governors Harbor with an escort of
dolphins, we quickly hopped into the dingy “Tonic” and set out towards
land. We were amazed with all the
produce available at the grocery store and the big Victorian houses in the
settlement.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivJKtjY-gPrK0GO2ESy8waeJ0dZV9Zyqs2TghQ-T5sUJV5QCbURCRpOGIrHgrCSIrOlkZ88sP0KbhdPd0fm1I_xzZGz4g9TUEzWlmqA4iIihTpJ0_i8vqpcbpjjSq2QBDT1VhkCvwd8L2A/s1600/DSC_0162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivJKtjY-gPrK0GO2ESy8waeJ0dZV9Zyqs2TghQ-T5sUJV5QCbURCRpOGIrHgrCSIrOlkZ88sP0KbhdPd0fm1I_xzZGz4g9TUEzWlmqA4iIihTpJ0_i8vqpcbpjjSq2QBDT1VhkCvwd8L2A/s400/DSC_0162.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Victorian home </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKhBCuOc4NJk8a-F9284vDnjvZApKP8mCgamPF6m3_pIksv90zw2euDZFQme40ZluI79Gk7c8jexPmmdebNdyYzPPmdXVOAgyNo3z7Stwd1kH11LSXn_Bl9jyf4jzlTobTUj1JodnvAgVY/s1600/DSC_0213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKhBCuOc4NJk8a-F9284vDnjvZApKP8mCgamPF6m3_pIksv90zw2euDZFQme40ZluI79Gk7c8jexPmmdebNdyYzPPmdXVOAgyNo3z7Stwd1kH11LSXn_Bl9jyf4jzlTobTUj1JodnvAgVY/s400/DSC_0213.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Maybe we’ve been in the Out
Islands too long, but this seemed like a BIG town to us! Even wifi was available at the local library.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWndJ8Q4nNEIq7EuDdxWLMx_Yya2_kft4S5KCUvzc3gvkzSNXw_KtPTkgpkoOgtC-NlVvBD7467IUD7fWu9EA9eaXUqTUuhk45-fJzonuckUsWDHv5OBcAohNw4YY5yq_KIs46Tbdc6Cbn/s1600/DSC_0196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWndJ8Q4nNEIq7EuDdxWLMx_Yya2_kft4S5KCUvzc3gvkzSNXw_KtPTkgpkoOgtC-NlVvBD7467IUD7fWu9EA9eaXUqTUuhk45-fJzonuckUsWDHv5OBcAohNw4YY5yq_KIs46Tbdc6Cbn/s400/DSC_0196.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dolphin escort into Governor's Harbor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If you can manage to hike the hill in town, you are rewarded
with an unbelievable view of the harbor and beautiful pink sand beaches.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqOX0DN38IIEmjfSmUiLWZTI4mt2OctY6wxY7rgFYw56wOHCW4w8s3VJYe4qzk5ruaDq-ArH_I0UgtI0Olr1LtZJe1FiEKwj8KrtWAXLQDI170fuvJ2fK1SVWldVfhizm-g-1J96kYY3M/s1600/DSC_0219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqOX0DN38IIEmjfSmUiLWZTI4mt2OctY6wxY7rgFYw56wOHCW4w8s3VJYe4qzk5ruaDq-ArH_I0UgtI0Olr1LtZJe1FiEKwj8KrtWAXLQDI170fuvJ2fK1SVWldVfhizm-g-1J96kYY3M/s400/DSC_0219.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Viewpoint of Governor's Harbor, Eleuthra</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We walked the length of the beach and were
amazed by the pink hues in the sand, due to the coral and shells ground down by
the seas. The beach was at least 1.5
miles in length – great for running.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oceanside beach at Governors Harbor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG0CYjSTe0aWXe-ZvCu16GNKWMhBtkHemSXwRMmdH-IkiS5t9G7TdBtBK70-gL85eioYFdypP2eS3YJ2_zkpUFD9kriBgG0GsNhwRRg3vCvXdnWNs-JEqMFo6LRkTz5LvganKnUSnG7XGk/s1600/DSC_0026LH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG0CYjSTe0aWXe-ZvCu16GNKWMhBtkHemSXwRMmdH-IkiS5t9G7TdBtBK70-gL85eioYFdypP2eS3YJ2_zkpUFD9kriBgG0GsNhwRRg3vCvXdnWNs-JEqMFo6LRkTz5LvganKnUSnG7XGk/s400/DSC_0026LH.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
After a couple days in Governors Harbor we set sail
northwest towards Hatchet Bay, Gregory Town and the Glass Window. Our first stop was to be Hatchet bay and the
settlement of Alice Town but as we approached, we found a nice breeze at our
back and a couple hours of sunlight so we scratched the plan and headed to
Gregory Town. We arrived just as the sun
had set and the food made its way down to our bellies. A great decision!! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSIA_cqGjKJZGFB0kJZWgG_9ozmGvqXJxdRlxCzwsNmnbqf0gd7QRuerLgd9qgdrSqzxGbWoGohL8RwCYmy-Per1Dmvl2WWj07JNAsZfIoAi-4mkGs1sPvD_w1n12HcT4mo2pePHf1tgW2/s1600/DSC_0301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSIA_cqGjKJZGFB0kJZWgG_9ozmGvqXJxdRlxCzwsNmnbqf0gd7QRuerLgd9qgdrSqzxGbWoGohL8RwCYmy-Per1Dmvl2WWj07JNAsZfIoAi-4mkGs1sPvD_w1n12HcT4mo2pePHf1tgW2/s400/DSC_0301.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tanqueray anchored in Gregory Town</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNMEg0exzM7ZToFh5hW2Wv2GEQp9ieyiTy3lfo7a9twAz6ziOAh-bMvx0Y9xlGMeEsxS99F4cmcd_i3Cj6g3rYT1FpX3XrkBoII04YD0sLAobcp2-O78aDambRkpVUUCtdHasyxisD_5bw/s1600/DSC_0304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNMEg0exzM7ZToFh5hW2Wv2GEQp9ieyiTy3lfo7a9twAz6ziOAh-bMvx0Y9xlGMeEsxS99F4cmcd_i3Cj6g3rYT1FpX3XrkBoII04YD0sLAobcp2-O78aDambRkpVUUCtdHasyxisD_5bw/s400/DSC_0304.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Gregory Town</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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A big day of exploring ahead of us, we headed into Gregory
Town to explore the town and to pick up the famous Eleuthera pineapple. Success was found for each mission and we
quickly returned to the boat to continue our voyage.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_LV0_9_2hswE0fbsd0NTJTY90iM92gpQrKTwQ6QqFnZQCoqGzaPsC9yrsJOtBpQsA9GKnKW4sfXCE9zQq69LG9lY1Yf0nZU_qAZiQ6ZaPd1Si66tHEJExotBxc44M0CUoY2LvD_EgyUs/s1600/DSC_0309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_LV0_9_2hswE0fbsd0NTJTY90iM92gpQrKTwQ6QqFnZQCoqGzaPsC9yrsJOtBpQsA9GKnKW4sfXCE9zQq69LG9lY1Yf0nZU_qAZiQ6ZaPd1Si66tHEJExotBxc44M0CUoY2LvD_EgyUs/s400/DSC_0309.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tanqueray anchored in Gregory Town</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Before leaving it is customary to take a
cooling good luck swim and we were indeed rewarded with good luck. The anchor was sitting no more than two feet
from a huge conch and the stern of the boat rested neatly over another!!! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gregory Town</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Onward to the Glass Window!
The glass window is a natural wonder at the north end of Eleuthera. It is a looking glass that ties the calm
turquoise waters of the Bahama banks to the angry deep blue waters of the North
Atlantic. A hundred years ago, there was
a sandstone arch tying the north portion of Eleuthera to the south. This natural arch was destroyed during a
hurricane and has been replaced with a bridge.
We were not disappointed by this wonder of nature. A sight like this is rare to see, and
unfortunately, it’s hard to capture the stark contrasts that exist at the Glass
Window with anything other than the human eye.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGW5vN-trDMpvHcognmqaQLIiPv8oBO4LC2GD7ejh9c4R1DXXKb4dLNpibBPe4yU0RM19Xb33DdbMeekFIHM5B-GLPuEweN7oRPjexWDFleGSMW_GPfMIgjFfe0QtNawWhQ-RcI8_LqLVg/s1600/DSC_0332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGW5vN-trDMpvHcognmqaQLIiPv8oBO4LC2GD7ejh9c4R1DXXKb4dLNpibBPe4yU0RM19Xb33DdbMeekFIHM5B-GLPuEweN7oRPjexWDFleGSMW_GPfMIgjFfe0QtNawWhQ-RcI8_LqLVg/s400/DSC_0332.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the Glass Window</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Again, we checked the sky and sew we had a few more hours of
daylight. Onward!! Onward to current cut, a tiny slit between
Eleuthera and Current Island. Going was
slow and the wind shifted constantly.
For long periods we were going 0.0 knots. At least we weren’t traveling backwards. We call these swimming breaks. Ten miles takes four hours and we finally
motored the Tanqueray in as day became night. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful flowers and foliage on Eleuthra Island</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggIpj25FPz1YtMyuSs64MH0Rbq8BDZUNkFBvqja4wskn4stu7LWzzkjbuyuMNKmx7m7iGhkBeaGv4Bz-h8Mv0IloW7lwFBeAdBGqQELNEGZi2OlbS3unhxZoaPywKDx58UcQihFvV4Pi9Z/s1600/DSC_0208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggIpj25FPz1YtMyuSs64MH0Rbq8BDZUNkFBvqja4wskn4stu7LWzzkjbuyuMNKmx7m7iGhkBeaGv4Bz-h8Mv0IloW7lwFBeAdBGqQELNEGZi2OlbS3unhxZoaPywKDx58UcQihFvV4Pi9Z/s400/DSC_0208.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2QvHzRHlmINGK73V4C5mFqDVcS04lpV9XsOjPV9A-XyLOy5ZG_6xwoCSG9X7qDG0fZgC4k3EvzJMJPmQOSoBTVeULTYK7lBzw3LFgNFLFW6bBiEn9sDd1R-qJOSt0NC_oqvXFUOYfxqfq/s1600/DSC_0026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2QvHzRHlmINGK73V4C5mFqDVcS04lpV9XsOjPV9A-XyLOy5ZG_6xwoCSG9X7qDG0fZgC4k3EvzJMJPmQOSoBTVeULTYK7lBzw3LFgNFLFW6bBiEn9sDd1R-qJOSt0NC_oqvXFUOYfxqfq/s400/DSC_0026.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slow sailing, but beautiful waters!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Up early to catch the outgoing tide we motored into current
cut and rafted through its jaws. We were
doing 8 knots with 4 knots of current help.
Easy traveling!! Our goal for the day was to reach Spanish Wells and
possibly Harbor Island. Spanish Wells was
reached by noon.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waterspout - view from Tanqueray at Spanish Wells</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As we arrived our heads
turned to the south, and our mouths fell agape.
The sky was filled with a massive dark cloud and from it a huge funnel
dipped down to the earth below. The
waterspout is directly over our anchorage from the night before! Lucky us, it waited 4 hours to arrive. We watched as the funnel grew and then, as
quickly as it appeared, it was gone. We
headed into Spanish Wells.<br />
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Spanish Wells is a fishing community with a fleet of fishing
boats fit for Alaska. This is a big change from the 20 foot Boston Whalers that
we are used to. The town is charming
with brightly painted houses and well kept yards and wonderful views of the
ocean from all sides. We searched for an
ice cream cone but our search is in vain, maybe we can find one at Harbor
Island.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fishing fleet at Spanish Wells</td></tr>
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We returned to the boat to take on the Devils Backbone, an
intricate series of reefs that must be passed to access Harbor Island. The trip was spectacular with the sun high
above. The reefs, sands, deeps, and shallows were set off in the most
unbelievable of colors by the lighting above.
We stopped mid way and snorkeled the reef. It was full of fish and vibrant with coral. Dinner was found at the ends of our spears.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike with catch from diving off Devils Backbone</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mac & Cheese</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Dunmore town, Harbor Island is a picturesque town, even more
so than Spanish Wells. It is a small
town by US standards but to us, the settlement of Dunmore Town is a city. It was abuz with tourists and locals alike. The
town has coffee shops, high end restaurants, two Marinas, and well stocked
grocery stores.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgotrtV5tHbOkJOJRJygU3MSTpwtq1FB5uqu-pZ0a6IT65yDwHgEbIY5tiR56egeRF3T8cHB4M0_T5CIckJUnd8UG4guNw96AQpdN1mh-3GoOF7kcj_5kdZ4wO0Eh1c2HCaF9jv_1TGsXks/s1600/DSC_0040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgotrtV5tHbOkJOJRJygU3MSTpwtq1FB5uqu-pZ0a6IT65yDwHgEbIY5tiR56egeRF3T8cHB4M0_T5CIckJUnd8UG4guNw96AQpdN1mh-3GoOF7kcj_5kdZ4wO0Eh1c2HCaF9jv_1TGsXks/s400/DSC_0040.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dunmore Town, Harbor Island</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd7iATwbX2d8BTV6yUClI1mby6mq6XsNNrIeAA2oxKfy-0woLPX223Wh9K5hn5gTwgp7mKvU_1m9_Fzq_fU0SGfYerrO8KyUSAa_owWT-yrdUg9btyieJ938mQxD5y1_7Ubb892FPPazG8/s1600/DSC_0006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd7iATwbX2d8BTV6yUClI1mby6mq6XsNNrIeAA2oxKfy-0woLPX223Wh9K5hn5gTwgp7mKvU_1m9_Fzq_fU0SGfYerrO8KyUSAa_owWT-yrdUg9btyieJ938mQxD5y1_7Ubb892FPPazG8/s400/DSC_0006.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dunmore Town - everyone rides around in golf carts!</td></tr>
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Our assessment does not
ring true with all guests. Our first
night in we were offered a ride on the back of a golf cart with a local. “Where are you going”, he says. The truth is we didn’t know so we said into
town. It was obvious that he thought we
would be disappointed by the town when he starts in with “Dis is and Island,
you’re not in a big city like Nassau or Freeport your not going to find a bunch
of bars and nightcubs.”<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9lLVTrA-rZHrPDLRF8z4Q1UeHJ-WFI7mZtU6OONIk4xV7JEGcXKdfWtGwOn7DxwzSV4a7Xt5UnWcaSMUF6_iyaYh-2BGnU2Nfv-uGM_nQNMzuU3xIS524VKdZlLVybzjMXcEeu-oQSOiZ/s1600/DSC_0270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9lLVTrA-rZHrPDLRF8z4Q1UeHJ-WFI7mZtU6OONIk4xV7JEGcXKdfWtGwOn7DxwzSV4a7Xt5UnWcaSMUF6_iyaYh-2BGnU2Nfv-uGM_nQNMzuU3xIS524VKdZlLVybzjMXcEeu-oQSOiZ/s400/DSC_0270.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
He’s had to let
some people down a time or two you could tell.
For us it was a big city. You
don’t even have to knock on someone’s front door to get them to open the
grocery store.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizESZIVFt9CS5MFOnaptbRjRaHaab-Xs15GKUvUxUQ8xqXTm4ArxMTVd7bIt79yJHbyRcvbDMAg1HvoPL5xpZZBpZ-CytgFYFdBUE2dgCy4qPe3IpJdm1I0gq3fYG0ULFgiX8SwC49mEaE/s1600/DSC_0161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizESZIVFt9CS5MFOnaptbRjRaHaab-Xs15GKUvUxUQ8xqXTm4ArxMTVd7bIt79yJHbyRcvbDMAg1HvoPL5xpZZBpZ-CytgFYFdBUE2dgCy4qPe3IpJdm1I0gq3fYG0ULFgiX8SwC49mEaE/s400/DSC_0161.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Governors Harbor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We are slowly being
brought back into the world of civilization.
It is a change indeed. It’s a
good thing we have the Abacos before jumping into Miami!!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnC1Y23s9_-6FB_gRVfqUszFUbbjPx2LI06jQ5_lZ5HWXX5sztwSR7Rdya-NnuyJ7a3TSdmt33V55TaEGPLHb1ZQMCh-yi_IsV65sFmXKkbW3ZNDL-LwZJ3eOVHPQMd3eS9aVyEz-86w8j/s1600/DSC_0199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnC1Y23s9_-6FB_gRVfqUszFUbbjPx2LI06jQ5_lZ5HWXX5sztwSR7Rdya-NnuyJ7a3TSdmt33V55TaEGPLHb1ZQMCh-yi_IsV65sFmXKkbW3ZNDL-LwZJ3eOVHPQMd3eS9aVyEz-86w8j/s400/DSC_0199.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orchid Gardens at Governors Harbor</td></tr>
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<br /></div>Sara Daubenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445880985071299844noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2679932334879224723.post-26946048452228492312012-06-25T18:05:00.000-07:002012-07-22T11:53:21.085-07:00Pipe Creek Retreat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tanqueray anchored at Pipe Creek</td></tr>
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After our final visitors of a 5-week stretch departed from
Staniel Cay, Mike and I retreated back to the Pipe Creek area. Here we explored the vicinity and relaxed for
a whole week before continuing northeast to Eleuthra Island.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8MNirMO3v7WTY2-DGXKDbf3TEGbKbhT7amruNCiosG9_ozHllW-DOwVqPRNqtXbhhvBW7aJ4odT7Xnr3AoBP-E8F3W6vF8OOw-PdndAHCL15cfmAfgug3orngRAy___SbEsQi6c6e4OY/s1600/DSC_0053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8MNirMO3v7WTY2-DGXKDbf3TEGbKbhT7amruNCiosG9_ozHllW-DOwVqPRNqtXbhhvBW7aJ4odT7Xnr3AoBP-E8F3W6vF8OOw-PdndAHCL15cfmAfgug3orngRAy___SbEsQi6c6e4OY/s320/DSC_0053.jpg" width="214" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-36RvNq19K6c4plP3LFca7GNJlwptevXObeTYP9CXxlMQRYeAwcEFc-fCpnsePOZyVobAfMLtZBNHfswSKKqieQNn9riDO_wQCeE_6DWQAA-hpHZHPE220pc69ovxv9v92zk7Dv5Qt5L/s1600/DSC_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-36RvNq19K6c4plP3LFca7GNJlwptevXObeTYP9CXxlMQRYeAwcEFc-fCpnsePOZyVobAfMLtZBNHfswSKKqieQNn9riDO_wQCeE_6DWQAA-hpHZHPE220pc69ovxv9v92zk7Dv5Qt5L/s320/DSC_0001.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
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We spent the better part of a week, relaxing at Pipe Creek,
but also checking out the Pipe Creek area, sailing through the cays of Compass,
Foul, Bell, Sampson, Overyonder, Thomas and Pipe.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbcX-j1blFuZQzFerPf9cajMGtSd2w3vuVhK4JuTAM54MjyYYBzLlihR03yPy1C4PbGoe_0e_tZ4ei2tJ6O1BfkpVwB3RVffTdqIl8NI6_AKIyk0VKYTD5cvBY4SR4uinmoMXJXAQ9SLar/s1600/DSC_0030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbcX-j1blFuZQzFerPf9cajMGtSd2w3vuVhK4JuTAM54MjyYYBzLlihR03yPy1C4PbGoe_0e_tZ4ei2tJ6O1BfkpVwB3RVffTdqIl8NI6_AKIyk0VKYTD5cvBY4SR4uinmoMXJXAQ9SLar/s400/DSC_0030.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sailing into Compass Cay</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjodN96sL0GDK185Y-NvMtoH0WYPsabOTqvqFyDrJNS5J8pSDlqeERufm7_LBujSM-6n7wo0m53mVP_1p_RrTfyF_ZlBdgvrsEBssQtnB9tB4NPEPWgTYfyN9bkFM77XGnFLvtMXLouHqVt/s1600/DSC_0048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjodN96sL0GDK185Y-NvMtoH0WYPsabOTqvqFyDrJNS5J8pSDlqeERufm7_LBujSM-6n7wo0m53mVP_1p_RrTfyF_ZlBdgvrsEBssQtnB9tB4NPEPWgTYfyN9bkFM77XGnFLvtMXLouHqVt/s400/DSC_0048.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sailing out the cut</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0iiRp53KE8cy91JDLOyrJ78ueqwU5Nb2R2QQ080SkN9ze1-PxjDnraysUIdf1GgpZqI13D9zIX5mhyphenhyphenM0rxnglcqiOvICJt5HCT596Y4ksljQN2jlOzowD8LvzyBCXmv9MGh7hr4MaYhKK/s1600/DSC_0044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0iiRp53KE8cy91JDLOyrJ78ueqwU5Nb2R2QQ080SkN9ze1-PxjDnraysUIdf1GgpZqI13D9zIX5mhyphenhyphenM0rxnglcqiOvICJt5HCT596Y4ksljQN2jlOzowD8LvzyBCXmv9MGh7hr4MaYhKK/s320/DSC_0044.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">conch salad</td></tr>
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We attempted bonefishing in the shallows with
defeat from catching them, but not without sighting them. We spent hours upon hours of reading and
lounging in the cockpit, dipping in for a swim now and then when the heat was
too much to bear. We went conch grazing
with great success, collecting extra to take on the voyage to Eleuthra with
us.<br />
<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZ885GKEuHHa0WOiVNNnL-lsbMsCZcqvg_cHYDca9wOnVuDUhY0yA1xlE55ncX6MXEuCE2yzM29f290Hcc9ShCjELi_X3_UZT_PSkP6rTVg_F7iQFwRZusw6uXVgufN6MqLKCHxnGSN6g/s1600/DSC_0032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZ885GKEuHHa0WOiVNNnL-lsbMsCZcqvg_cHYDca9wOnVuDUhY0yA1xlE55ncX6MXEuCE2yzM29f290Hcc9ShCjELi_X3_UZT_PSkP6rTVg_F7iQFwRZusw6uXVgufN6MqLKCHxnGSN6g/s400/DSC_0032.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Compass Cay channel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHKCSUWJpHCVl88IvCLsMAwiSDp_FunQ2lORrHi8kjNXA6F7ZPUrOiBOpPSgkxiX6meIYbNRxp80vCHEfSQXzJh-3ghHA1fv4jFFZeTzUUFlvBnJdV88yJFYUpNCvMWKKX9zVOM-6UCh6W/s1600/DSC_0062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHKCSUWJpHCVl88IvCLsMAwiSDp_FunQ2lORrHi8kjNXA6F7ZPUrOiBOpPSgkxiX6meIYbNRxp80vCHEfSQXzJh-3ghHA1fv4jFFZeTzUUFlvBnJdV88yJFYUpNCvMWKKX9zVOM-6UCh6W/s400/DSC_0062.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apricot swirl bread</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We snorkeled the cuts and the
outside reef, also snorkeling the rare pillar coral. I speared my first Nassau grouper, Strawberry
grouper and Porgy, with a three-prong spear, I might add. They weren’t the biggest fish in the World,
but they were my catch!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhblMN2DXT-LCCPVJm6yK36Y9Fj5Xg93CWhKHHOm0My9tJB-RYGWZAZ9tD9fHwjv_buu9r6ATjC0bpLq83qQLZ6nZHjTWo3IZkV_lgK5s5iDKpoq3_hJEl-v1r76tVOqB30h1EFnzrQfeVm/s1600/DSC_0015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhblMN2DXT-LCCPVJm6yK36Y9Fj5Xg93CWhKHHOm0My9tJB-RYGWZAZ9tD9fHwjv_buu9r6ATjC0bpLq83qQLZ6nZHjTWo3IZkV_lgK5s5iDKpoq3_hJEl-v1r76tVOqB30h1EFnzrQfeVm/s320/DSC_0015.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">strawberry grouper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihomOKw0AUrSDTeZ4yhJ5ulWxMdqtNzTapcCRpeyF_Szv78GK89eY0aU8b3RlqmsSuUuX7DGjGWZkRZAn2vw5jitL2VQVvVQBnWJkPzlALrF3mI4e5tOLJIu58HItFG0Bvcu7jvBbA8GJK/s1600/DSC_0071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihomOKw0AUrSDTeZ4yhJ5ulWxMdqtNzTapcCRpeyF_Szv78GK89eY0aU8b3RlqmsSuUuX7DGjGWZkRZAn2vw5jitL2VQVvVQBnWJkPzlALrF3mI4e5tOLJIu58HItFG0Bvcu7jvBbA8GJK/s320/DSC_0071.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nassau grouper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhN2cye32RTQqwXCIcZOwfcjAy7qo0V7w0il2thK9lnibPBsJFvMbU7cSAtVpxoWIRuFSTk5JTjlOz6xGIEIUt-1dV7VyXGjQYAQK4r7D8OTfGR4CTpGRQUKOQCpj9lMisViRhvyN_VTLj/s1600/DSC_0043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhN2cye32RTQqwXCIcZOwfcjAy7qo0V7w0il2thK9lnibPBsJFvMbU7cSAtVpxoWIRuFSTk5JTjlOz6xGIEIUt-1dV7VyXGjQYAQK4r7D8OTfGR4CTpGRQUKOQCpj9lMisViRhvyN_VTLj/s320/DSC_0043.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fish tacos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK39ZxKFcrTg1-2RzzioMyhc1KifZbKzWp87P_AAdN0zMkBv52-z9u1A8CC-jy_3feR8SQE-Yy_Tc_2q-pWOkfZR9uhy_GGtE-xOJE9miOFyT5is07uGzIPw_vMge6MAowtPMEbxjk1TXW/s1600/DSC_0111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK39ZxKFcrTg1-2RzzioMyhc1KifZbKzWp87P_AAdN0zMkBv52-z9u1A8CC-jy_3feR8SQE-Yy_Tc_2q-pWOkfZR9uhy_GGtE-xOJE9miOFyT5is07uGzIPw_vMge6MAowtPMEbxjk1TXW/s320/DSC_0111.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike & Sara's Porgy lunch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We hung out with
a new made friend, Humbert, from Hattie Cay, whom we met after Mike speared his
hand with the Hawaiian sling. He kindly helped us with medical supplies for his hand and offered us some
beers. Luckily we were able to close the
wound with butterfly bandages instead of stiches from the nurse in town.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJwFhSa6iSMz2MiT3aDqu7Pu-Mf9vNWb-e1YOCPL6PeNfUavqhNg4i70p48qhXP0mkls4BgohWqzAPE-oUCAE6_QVMVVAsmrqcc7KAwUKdYxbNIMlV4cHL2IhhfWPqRJ3Gohu17xx_YWu-/s1600/DSC_0073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJwFhSa6iSMz2MiT3aDqu7Pu-Mf9vNWb-e1YOCPL6PeNfUavqhNg4i70p48qhXP0mkls4BgohWqzAPE-oUCAE6_QVMVVAsmrqcc7KAwUKdYxbNIMlV4cHL2IhhfWPqRJ3Gohu17xx_YWu-/s400/DSC_0073.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hattie's Cay</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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And to tell you the truth, the real reason for spending the
week at Pipe Creek besides it’s aesthetic natural beauty, was to partake in the
Lionfish Tournament/Cook-off happening the up-coming weekend. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZDFTNOB0smzp8Pe5XUiYxaOFpj2ZWueDziuKXyyLsx2T3GcpRkeFqYVrKMewjjyaGy3GhRMA7XHNFmTzNw-uiiaASxOridmm6x7BdQ1_q60_Yb95j0RReY7LSvt2iOH9Bi5KddlCzSRe/s1600/DSC_00620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZDFTNOB0smzp8Pe5XUiYxaOFpj2ZWueDziuKXyyLsx2T3GcpRkeFqYVrKMewjjyaGy3GhRMA7XHNFmTzNw-uiiaASxOridmm6x7BdQ1_q60_Yb95j0RReY7LSvt2iOH9Bi5KddlCzSRe/s400/DSC_00620.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tanqueray and Sara at Pipe Creek</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWYcdI7wuB5QbwBtNQfurKtsIKdUEG4-tuQsEfXniExrdRAa89d3H0wGAMebywsH3pK682bQ-xeuQNKbtQMBvNW98y3BgRCEv9I_1sNZPljZ2CHzex1zNz-8HMMfhDT4p3rEuZ0i9mBp3_/s1600/DSC_0061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWYcdI7wuB5QbwBtNQfurKtsIKdUEG4-tuQsEfXniExrdRAa89d3H0wGAMebywsH3pK682bQ-xeuQNKbtQMBvNW98y3BgRCEv9I_1sNZPljZ2CHzex1zNz-8HMMfhDT4p3rEuZ0i9mBp3_/s320/DSC_0061.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">chocolate chip cookies - boat baked.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We’ve had lots of practice this year
spearing Lionfish, but apparently not enough.
The Bahamian teams brought them in by the hundreds!<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96ol2BQj5X5-pwTgAK3p2ZwyYNozcUddHx3_4btvTF5fUHKLEF3VA3XCJ4dM2xZiqGtc0Var0w96NkC6k9HO3pN_A_hzrd8NkFZFXIFGSDjGZZTtV4qA4DQOZvGGQ_XsN0K1RhPymdmh_/s1600/DSC_0116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96ol2BQj5X5-pwTgAK3p2ZwyYNozcUddHx3_4btvTF5fUHKLEF3VA3XCJ4dM2xZiqGtc0Var0w96NkC6k9HO3pN_A_hzrd8NkFZFXIFGSDjGZZTtV4qA4DQOZvGGQ_XsN0K1RhPymdmh_/s400/DSC_0116.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
We did not register for the event because our
trust-worthy dingy “Tonic” was not up for the haul. However, we went into Staniel Cay to see the
results, partake in the party, and taste the cook-off dishes of the Lionfish
catch. My favorite dish was a Lionfish
chowder topped with caramelized onions and served with veggie rice. Mmmm
Mmmm.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ4TvWltWj4ZlJFCoPEx2PVLXCiP18C3XJW9SZ1qX2fbCCwQXSLDcQXu9FEDUNs3meFpF8jn_F3WSwouPXgb33Z4VXuE6wShVo0zqv8UfAh-yaTECoHPwxRh7O8TJD9hgTOe4bGoV60met/s1600/DSC_0122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ4TvWltWj4ZlJFCoPEx2PVLXCiP18C3XJW9SZ1qX2fbCCwQXSLDcQXu9FEDUNs3meFpF8jn_F3WSwouPXgb33Z4VXuE6wShVo0zqv8UfAh-yaTECoHPwxRh7O8TJD9hgTOe4bGoV60met/s400/DSC_0122.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-_ZrBUHZZI2zFIlFlzczfgplqSc7Ww_HD1mhB4eNSMj1K7HlWqETn62mkbdoBlLy6l_mRTqzzGeg-SLASMPfjQr9olpPuWSZdiLcUkoj8BfA9flWlRA-taDLatxpQV_1It7vVcmT8F9tr/s1600/DSC_0119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-_ZrBUHZZI2zFIlFlzczfgplqSc7Ww_HD1mhB4eNSMj1K7HlWqETn62mkbdoBlLy6l_mRTqzzGeg-SLASMPfjQr9olpPuWSZdiLcUkoj8BfA9flWlRA-taDLatxpQV_1It7vVcmT8F9tr/s400/DSC_0119.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKu5YAIyasPtIO62dW02rmp6s_32gCoYuuTCyCV2jxeCbhQ1XO0C530MQNFjuQPFxZ1ZXPzJ-ozJaJu9AeqA76WkE1uD_VDOTo1xMXNGAz_upBiweyqaPZoPCoOc85W50FmoKvNHwotWvH/s1600/DSC_0113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKu5YAIyasPtIO62dW02rmp6s_32gCoYuuTCyCV2jxeCbhQ1XO0C530MQNFjuQPFxZ1ZXPzJ-ozJaJu9AeqA76WkE1uD_VDOTo1xMXNGAz_upBiweyqaPZoPCoOc85W50FmoKvNHwotWvH/s400/DSC_0113.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
The next morning, we got up at 6:30am and set sail by 7am
for our crossing over to Eleuthra Island.
It took us 1.5 days, stopping over night the first day just off Powell
Point to arrive at Governors Harbor the next afternoon, 70 miles in total distance.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiYTNwfYMfpAWXMd7fcz4r-2OlJwom-DQU8f5Dli9otscE2MWgbF4rtyOL3INrqFv0srVtCw4pBLoFyKT0-iPnjFOYzkjQ4v0PuIb-dUDoZlKYJr8Ly9VbufzKNMOk2Y9JxOPaJT39eNmx/s1600/DSC_0088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiYTNwfYMfpAWXMd7fcz4r-2OlJwom-DQU8f5Dli9otscE2MWgbF4rtyOL3INrqFv0srVtCw4pBLoFyKT0-iPnjFOYzkjQ4v0PuIb-dUDoZlKYJr8Ly9VbufzKNMOk2Y9JxOPaJT39eNmx/s400/DSC_0088.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike & Nelly (thanks for the sunglasses Kevin!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiee6T6Xq1mmemz9fS06qf0pTwCKZUSFHCym2J9On2u7OCfb2MQ5J6o9OY6F6cza7V6Y4Q4E7HssrDXhLKI7obKvlqyoF0aswNhVLdjjsDFMIAnAwy62fLgTZq0-TfzkEs4_W3MeaaXwdD_/s1600/DSC_0095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiee6T6Xq1mmemz9fS06qf0pTwCKZUSFHCym2J9On2u7OCfb2MQ5J6o9OY6F6cza7V6Y4Q4E7HssrDXhLKI7obKvlqyoF0aswNhVLdjjsDFMIAnAwy62fLgTZq0-TfzkEs4_W3MeaaXwdD_/s400/DSC_0095.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dusk at Pipe Creek</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdHJxYBd0mU7FYvR_N8fG0POQBkRHV3vbfWEB48KFDuygIWwRic47euOUjKPBA7AcQf9sCX8yeiKmiBEgmDOQRQD74DxmI5tMUGTgz-y-PRxMhNl00JaOaoZTryeNlyN8GEUgyVW9iapE0/s1600/DSC_0103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdHJxYBd0mU7FYvR_N8fG0POQBkRHV3vbfWEB48KFDuygIWwRic47euOUjKPBA7AcQf9sCX8yeiKmiBEgmDOQRQD74DxmI5tMUGTgz-y-PRxMhNl00JaOaoZTryeNlyN8GEUgyVW9iapE0/s320/DSC_0103.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nelly manning the bimini</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Sara Daubenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445880985071299844noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2679932334879224723.post-7810985720741806222012-06-18T15:52:00.000-07:002012-07-22T11:52:58.341-07:00Regatta in the Exumas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJlxkAQGu30QCkZS0ThHxM0jGMZ90uc87LZeF1gtBLpNG7kt5lHTYMsMHy0ROlnegVBUIizZJ-GkskHZ6874L37xnHt5nB4NK6hXmSb6tDU5aq0rLU7clpnuaL0J5gNiwhWyBu0hguM77M/s1600/DSC_0138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJlxkAQGu30QCkZS0ThHxM0jGMZ90uc87LZeF1gtBLpNG7kt5lHTYMsMHy0ROlnegVBUIizZJ-GkskHZ6874L37xnHt5nB4NK6hXmSb6tDU5aq0rLU7clpnuaL0J5gNiwhWyBu0hguM77M/s400/DSC_0138.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<b>Written by, Nicole Ricci</b><br />
<br /></div>
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Our trip began in George Town located in the Exuma Island
chain in the Bahamas. After a long
series of flights, Tommy and I were happy to finally be in the Bahamas! We met up with Sara, Mike, Susy, Stacy, and
Mackenzie at our hotel, the Peace and Plenty.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOZYtGn30sYTNYmI45JES1LESdJWFFdFWQPLqrOTwOkxENn1wjvoUQ_tUIUrj3boqJxLHG5jD6vNjx2keDvCnae6omDiHkJSBlWpPYNZjsj8tEtTRAOimjDkxWbtt46SuSc4fOmEriX3d/s1600/DSC_0131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOZYtGn30sYTNYmI45JES1LESdJWFFdFWQPLqrOTwOkxENn1wjvoUQ_tUIUrj3boqJxLHG5jD6vNjx2keDvCnae6omDiHkJSBlWpPYNZjsj8tEtTRAOimjDkxWbtt46SuSc4fOmEriX3d/s320/DSC_0131.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Susy, Stacy, and Mackenzie were on the final leg of their trip, so it
was the perfect opportunity to have a joint celebration – a “last night in the
Bahamas” for them and a “first night in the Bahamas” for Tommy and I. Of course, rum punch, pina coladas, and some
authentic rake and scrape music/dancing were all a part of the celebration. Stacy and Mackenzie put the rest of us to
shame with their Rake and Scrape skills that they’d learned while in the
Bahamas! It was a fun night capped off
with a crazy thunder/lightning storm!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirr7UpdGJn-Unc3L6gFeXCKXEs3ozuKE2lDyNtxAcjBWWbk1T189kEd7szGeNcfBmbWgKWDwJ67CVpNhi_nP3HGcPUHc5uTH25HpXMHHTXm1QiTFVgxZOB_VDyXzpgjvQ08swbRkhuEiw8/s1600/DSC_0169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirr7UpdGJn-Unc3L6gFeXCKXEs3ozuKE2lDyNtxAcjBWWbk1T189kEd7szGeNcfBmbWgKWDwJ67CVpNhi_nP3HGcPUHc5uTH25HpXMHHTXm1QiTFVgxZOB_VDyXzpgjvQ08swbRkhuEiw8/s400/DSC_0169.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nicole & Tommy aboard the Tanqueray</td></tr>
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The following day was full of re-provisioning the boat and
setting a route. We were going to be
heading north out of George Town towards Staniel Cay where we’d catch our
return plane ride to the US 10 days later.
All the while, a tropical depression was brewing out on the water, so
our first goal was to find a secluded area that would provide some shelter from
the storm and set anchor. So, with
appropriately named “Dark and Stormy” cocktails in hand, we sailed to a small
bay a short distance from George Town to take shelter. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2NUrm1nhIfW6sVHkjFIad3PF_EMXn_jsQnRwx1phz4fsvZWRiX6qduHpun1wbiszjY3LJ4rY9Z87z4Uq-rnliHV1ACOB8ivfsdzOwgW7EoPxv9xsq1LheJd6dWG0mmRs8-rmpCgnTyjT/s1600/DSC_0122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2NUrm1nhIfW6sVHkjFIad3PF_EMXn_jsQnRwx1phz4fsvZWRiX6qduHpun1wbiszjY3LJ4rY9Z87z4Uq-rnliHV1ACOB8ivfsdzOwgW7EoPxv9xsq1LheJd6dWG0mmRs8-rmpCgnTyjT/s400/DSC_0122.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The storm actually did two good things for
us. 1) It enabled me to get my “sea
legs” … while I did not feel too good the first day or so with all the waves, I
think it helped to speed up my acclimation<span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span>. 2) We got to experience one of the craziest
thunder and lightning storms I’ve ever encountered! The lightning came in sheets that illuminated
the entire sky and the booming thunder that followed directly after was so loud
that at times it hurt my ears!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner time aboard the Tanqueray - Tommy & Nicole</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
That
along with the fact that all of us (including Nellie and the Tanqueray) came
out unscathed made my first tropical storm on a boat a pretty cool
experience. <o:p></o:p><br />
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Over the next day and a half, we passed our time exploring
beaches between rain showers and playing cribbage (Sara and I dominated Mike
and Tommy!), and before we knew it, the conditions improved enough for us to
head north! Our goal was to get to
Barreterre on the northern tip of Great Exuma Island by Saturday to attend the
annual Regatta. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike sailing downwind with his new bamboo whisker pole</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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On our sail northward,
we filled our time cooking (Sara showing us how to cook up gourmet meals in
their galley … including fish fingers, homemade pizza, onion rings, blackened
fish, roasted chicken, and fish tacos – delicious!!), swimming/snorkeling,
cliff jumping, and, of course, sailing!</div>
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<o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tommy with Spanish Mackrel (cero) catch</td></tr>
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The night before we made our final push into Barreterre, we
anchored up a mile or two from the main town.
After another delicious meal and a round or two of cribbage (Sara and I
still winning, of course) we retired so that we could get up early the next
morning to get into town. That night,
all of us were awoken by the deep bass beat of music that could only be coming
from some crazy party for the Regatta. <br />
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The next morning we all expressed some concern that they may be all
partied out due to the fact that the music had gone on into the wee hours of
the night. Never fear. After anchoring the boat and taking the dingy
into shore, we realized that they were already gearing up for round 2 ...
several people already having beers in hand as they prepared to watch the
races.<br />
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A few things I learned from my
first Bahamian Regatta experience: 1) there is delicious Bahamian food served
(chicken, fish, peas and rice, corn, mac and cheese, etc), 2) they continually
rock the traditional rake and scrape music (which is awesome) at an ear
piercing level (which is not so great if you are standing near the speakers),
3) once the locals have had a few beers to loosen them up (read: sober them up
from the night before) they love to discuss the races with you, 4) if you are
an obvious foreigner/first time attendee, the local news channel will spot you
out and ask you for an interview (thus Tommy, Mike, Sara, and I were all
interviewed<span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span>).<br />
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After a fun filled afternoon at the races, we
headed back to the Tanqueray to journey further north towards Staniel Cay.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As we ventured further north we filled our days with more
snorkeling, beach combing, and a beach fire complete with roasting sausages
over the open flames.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm4YV7i9qT_1qWs6CBejJ8qhwleCi96BDCantH-mn81RwUI7Vbf8McqCYlrh4CskTS8sUq5TCLrPnQu3UgJaGUyKF7VjtGTdfBjIx13gDDEBDaBs8wuyik1dkF4pm6K8MBYIkRaVZJ2f3a/s1600/GOPR0412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm4YV7i9qT_1qWs6CBejJ8qhwleCi96BDCantH-mn81RwUI7Vbf8McqCYlrh4CskTS8sUq5TCLrPnQu3UgJaGUyKF7VjtGTdfBjIx13gDDEBDaBs8wuyik1dkF4pm6K8MBYIkRaVZJ2f3a/s400/GOPR0412.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nicole underwater</td></tr>
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<br />
We also stopped
into civilization for a bit with a visit to Black Point for laundry, shopping,
and a delicious fish sandwich at Lorraine’s Café. After all the travelling we were happy to
arrive at Pipe Creek to spend a few days exploring before heading to Staniel
Cay for our flight back.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tommy and Mike attempting to bonefish at Pipe Creek</td></tr>
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Pipe creek is
one of the most gorgeous places I’ve ever been … water in 1000 shades of
turquoise encircled by islands and large sand bars that are fully exposed for
walking around on when the tide goes out.
It is so tranquil there. A short
time after our arrival, an impressive motor boat sped in at full speed and
docked up at one of the islands. We were
immediately intrigued, and it was just our luck that the following day Mike
speared his hand (sorry Mike!!) leaving us with a need for a power boat to get
him into Staniel Cay for stitches, etc. <br />
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As we approached the island, we were greeted by Hubert aka “Ubi” (as we
came to learn) and his <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>thick</u></b>
French accent. “Hello! How is the fishing! Would you like a beer?” We appreciated his friendliness and his
offering of beers, but at the moment we were concerned as to whether or not
Mike needed stitches. Upon realizing
Mike may have a serious cut, Humert ushered us onto his island where he
provided us with first aid supplies out of his arsenal (and by arsenal, I mean <u>arsenal<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></u><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> … </b>he even had a
defibrillator!). We soon determined
that Mike would likely be okay without stitches, so we were able to take Hubert
up on his offer of beers and conversation.
He had made the trip down with two friends/employees who were helping
him get his island prepped for all the summer activity as well as general
maintenance.<br />
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We made plans to return to
the island for a cocktail later on that evening once they were done with their
work. The island by night was as, if not
more, impressive than it was by day … the extensive boardwalks were all
illuminated by candles, and the main deck off of the main bungalow provided spectacular
views of Pipe Creek, which was illuminated by a three quarter moon that night. We had a wonderful evening full of drinks,
conversations, and the Spurs vs. Thunder playoff game. To illustrate how small the world is – it
turns out Hubert is friends with Mike’s family’s oldest friends!<o:p></o:p></div>
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To complete our trip, we had to visit the famous swimming
pigs of Big Major and go snorkeling at Thunderball Grotto right outside of
Staniel Cay.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSOoVCWVjw58jiXCXQALPdWUnKyeV64zj49oxc1XrRC5utXbCLgG205sRO2RAXehbLJ6KCMrZDUkcUhOf8LCIvmcenoatzjs_vqfeJ1NMhZU5IQ5NrCS6qPAukXryG0_kj7-aV1RvUCdxO/s1600/GOPR0464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSOoVCWVjw58jiXCXQALPdWUnKyeV64zj49oxc1XrRC5utXbCLgG205sRO2RAXehbLJ6KCMrZDUkcUhOf8LCIvmcenoatzjs_vqfeJ1NMhZU5IQ5NrCS6qPAukXryG0_kj7-aV1RvUCdxO/s400/GOPR0464.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike swimming at Thunderball Grotto</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tommy swimming in the cave with the fish</td></tr>
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Thunderball Grotto provided
the best snorkeling of the entire trip and perhaps the best I have ever
encountered. It is not often that you
can swim into a sea cave full of tropical fish of all colors and sizes.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nicole swimming into the hole</td></tr>
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There are some holes at the top of the cave
which helps the visibility… amazing!! We
capped off our final night with dinner and drinks at Staniel Cay. While we were sad to go back to reality in
Portland, we will always treasure the many memories from the trip. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nurse sharks under dock at Staniel Cay</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZK18904dTkfd0Z1CHUDmFvJ5E3VYQQpZIBIEz_WEbfemoqIHZS_cFR8Y6vWVtIc7hS5PCOj_nZGyjQGm5cCf9LvDeCVtKB36SjI1RDr1w0QrIr4f2CCVksnVs6Yx6aCWKAae2v5-Un1gF/s1600/DSC_0033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZK18904dTkfd0Z1CHUDmFvJ5E3VYQQpZIBIEz_WEbfemoqIHZS_cFR8Y6vWVtIc7hS5PCOj_nZGyjQGm5cCf9LvDeCVtKB36SjI1RDr1w0QrIr4f2CCVksnVs6Yx6aCWKAae2v5-Un1gF/s400/DSC_0033.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the many beautiful Bahamian sunsets</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A million thank you’s to Mike and Sara for
the incredible trip! We already miss you
guys and look forward to seeing you back in the Northwest soon!!<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZhmYe6VDgBZDUdSbbr0BvXqBf601JOlDsGz5qBZdbdrXF9pPRvT-omZbP1m1dZJxbiosQk_Eg99QSSPT4qexGrenqa-IxL6i32xXdqGDsMalcZHbstXex3FEXzGHnKq1CzRzN_b3v0z1u/s1600/Bahamas+2012+503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZhmYe6VDgBZDUdSbbr0BvXqBf601JOlDsGz5qBZdbdrXF9pPRvT-omZbP1m1dZJxbiosQk_Eg99QSSPT4qexGrenqa-IxL6i32xXdqGDsMalcZHbstXex3FEXzGHnKq1CzRzN_b3v0z1u/s200/Bahamas+2012+503.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike & Sara out to dinner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /></div>Sara Daubenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445880985071299844noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2679932334879224723.post-91225125730439423732012-06-04T13:41:00.000-07:002014-01-04T09:03:01.543-08:00The Girls visit the Exumas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>Both Stacy & Susy graciously volunteered to retell the tail of sailing through the Exumas aboard the Tanqueray. This was an All Girls Adventure plus Mike with the Sundborg clan: Susy, Stacy, and Mackenzie (honorable sister). We started the first day on a mission to accomplish bucket lists: feed sharks, swim with dolphins, see swimming pigs and jump off high places. Mike was not left out in the adventure, on the contrary, he was amidst many friends, Bahamian men, hoping to woo these "Ladies of the Tanqueray". There was the marina staff at Staniel Cay, the men of Black Point, the tour guides of Farmer's Cay, the Rake & Scrape gang in Georgetown, and the boys of Stocking Island to name a few. By, Sara</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh7bug3kS1Cxu-0nIqkBpmB83AKJ0oO6lCHilmdJnygihWQpCqy7u6N0L65hLVSv12sRsSfXiXJ98JwUz21TlsvT-zfVjpbm-AoLseZBG9j0GGfoUv19bWP9WbGmDFj0VaEtremd_26hz1/s1600/DSC_0020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh7bug3kS1Cxu-0nIqkBpmB83AKJ0oO6lCHilmdJnygihWQpCqy7u6N0L65hLVSv12sRsSfXiXJ98JwUz21TlsvT-zfVjpbm-AoLseZBG9j0GGfoUv19bWP9WbGmDFj0VaEtremd_26hz1/s320/DSC_0020.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mackenzie, Susy, Stacy, and Sara aboard the Tanqueray</td></tr>
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<b>The Exumas Journal </b><br />
<b>By, Stacy Sundborg</b></div>
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Day 1: May 14<sup>th</sup> <o:p></o:p></div>
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After a grueling journey to Nassau, we
made it to our hotel, threw our things down and walked to Atlantis. After
stopping into a police station to question if it was safe to walk at night, we
decided taking a taxi home was our best bet. Getting to Atlantis was a journey
in itself, after the long stretch over the bridge we found ourselves on the
opposite side of the water, starved! Decided the best thing to do was to buy a
$40 pizza and explore the mini-city. Young girls walked around in mini-skirts
and heels as we continued on in our airport attire. Walking through the
aquarium was magnificent. We then found the sharks under the giant waterslide
just as a thunderstorm struck. Back to the hotel!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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Day 2: May 15<sup>th</sup><o:p></o:p></div>
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We didn’t realize how much excitement was in store for us
when we boarded our plane to meet Sara and Mike in Staniel Cay the next
morning. We met some locals at the boat docks, as they explained different
types of sharks to us they banged on the fish cleaning table. About ten sharks
swam over right underneath us! If that wasn’t enough for an introduction to the
Bahamas…we decided to go diving into Thunderball Cave with bags of rice to feed
all the beautiful tropical fish.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxya3Ei5Uzj9fbbDTs_ZKpudYKobDi7HH39wUVbk0PAAroagru2PRAaOTMcThzoAyMWa9BYIDXuNxcuu-m3A5BhfptG5_i7p4qpMNKpENBWFcfmIiN92jieB8LTG5w2duDPxLNdj7_hTVB/s1600/GOPR0304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxya3Ei5Uzj9fbbDTs_ZKpudYKobDi7HH39wUVbk0PAAroagru2PRAaOTMcThzoAyMWa9BYIDXuNxcuu-m3A5BhfptG5_i7p4qpMNKpENBWFcfmIiN92jieB8LTG5w2duDPxLNdj7_hTVB/s400/GOPR0304.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready to enter the cave!!</td></tr>
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Sara and Mike had to drag us out of the cave
so that we could go explore Sandy Cay. At the end of the day we anchored by Big
Majors in hopes that the famous swimming pigs would come greet us. This is the
moment I realized that everything looked HUGE on the islands…later to learn
that the trees were actually just very small…Stacy size!<o:p></o:p><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYanXIaBfsbXp2iod2sqJfYKb6UwO1rRX4-t-n2l6pRBYgoR0kjOhKgq0ZV_Ot-KfR5ydZwEjl7bBrckhL1WPyHtBDOZXqlbSbAQ80X-XWMO7PgDV_RLWqTf_I-JGsvy7RBn6dz-h4X2N0/s1600/GOPR0308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYanXIaBfsbXp2iod2sqJfYKb6UwO1rRX4-t-n2l6pRBYgoR0kjOhKgq0ZV_Ot-KfR5ydZwEjl7bBrckhL1WPyHtBDOZXqlbSbAQ80X-XWMO7PgDV_RLWqTf_I-JGsvy7RBn6dz-h4X2N0/s400/GOPR0308.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Day 3: May 16th<o:p></o:p></div>
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We all jumped in the skiff this morning as soon as we
spotted some pigs on the beach. FOUR giant, snorting pigs came running off the
beach into the water to our skiff. Screams let loose, food went flying!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OEDU4UIBcdLbPXUwDwLBVvfLwercBUKKYCIvpz1b8M7YORCrrxefwQF-5nTl7a7_Y6ntDLaVzP5gRUEk3HBZEjQH1-CWCjIgLQvH0-afucPOqXOukWQW83F0D_iGhitiwHkNCEzeQdz9/s1600/DSC_0043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OEDU4UIBcdLbPXUwDwLBVvfLwercBUKKYCIvpz1b8M7YORCrrxefwQF-5nTl7a7_Y6ntDLaVzP5gRUEk3HBZEjQH1-CWCjIgLQvH0-afucPOqXOukWQW83F0D_iGhitiwHkNCEzeQdz9/s400/DSC_0043.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We all
begged to go back into Thunderball Cave before we left Staniel Cay. Mike,
Mackenzie and I climbed to the top of the cave in hopes of jumping in. Didn’t
quite realize how high of a drop that was going to be through such a small
hole! Mike didn’t seem to have a problem jumping right in as Mackenzie and I
sat up there quivering contemplating what would be worse: not jumping and
feeling like wimps or dying of fright on the way down. We wimped out and soon
climbed down. We sailed our way into Black Point to have one beer at the local
bar. WRONG…we found karaoke. And everyone is SO friendly, you make friends in a
heartbeat here.<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-color: black; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-color: black; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1pt; border-top-color: black; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 0pt; line-height: 115%; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;"> </span><o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR1AWOnX8JdRJ2Ke4WnwOkuUwoOl7sCfbS3V_0mSp6xLfKKyvpGuu8jOqjlHWpAhEo51X8MYfDwrANnp_E-6Svp7_fPNxIrFIZbQ_k1U09ul5dHqw131t4sLHLSqhxLIKvksJPka7Tcxum/s1600/DSC_0052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR1AWOnX8JdRJ2Ke4WnwOkuUwoOl7sCfbS3V_0mSp6xLfKKyvpGuu8jOqjlHWpAhEo51X8MYfDwrANnp_E-6Svp7_fPNxIrFIZbQ_k1U09ul5dHqw131t4sLHLSqhxLIKvksJPka7Tcxum/s400/DSC_0052.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Pigs at Big Majors Spot</td></tr>
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Day 4: May 17<sup>th</sup><o:p></o:p></div>
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Sara and I woke up early and decided to go for a run through
Black Point: grueling but well worth it. We sailed and anchored at Great Guana
Cay where we scuba-dived for hours looking at the reefs full of life all around
us. We speared two lion fish, which Mike cautiously filleted. And soon went
scouting for conch shells. I was watching Susy as she swam off from the pack a
little ways. She turns around and pops her head out of the water. Calm as can
be she tells me while crawling into reliable little Tonic, “Hey Stacy, there is
a shark in the water .” We all scramble aboard and head back to the mothership.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyDuQs-ZJydYuz4LEEw3woC3EaWBQ961syeDdp5-nH09SBFUoKM2gh-kKvJfhqG16H1pHJaQagN37ef_9lCB-S0JjjIi3wjxxBglT4IzvohkD0jqYROPzTIgQkwcyrX0taETPlPeyCXPLu/s1600/DSC_0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyDuQs-ZJydYuz4LEEw3woC3EaWBQ961syeDdp5-nH09SBFUoKM2gh-kKvJfhqG16H1pHJaQagN37ef_9lCB-S0JjjIi3wjxxBglT4IzvohkD0jqYROPzTIgQkwcyrX0taETPlPeyCXPLu/s400/DSC_0003.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stacy with Lionfish catch</td></tr>
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Day 5: May 18<sup>th</sup><o:p></o:p></div>
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We ended up spending way more time in Farmer’s Cay than we
had expected. Explored the cute little town, met people at just about every
corner, and then went to “the” restaurant for lunch. Afterwards, Monkey Mike
zipped on up the coconut trees to retrieve Susy’s lifelong dream of getting her
own coconut. To our surprise, they were “jelly” coconuts. Interesting new
texture. Finally out of town, we dropped the sails and ended up at Prime Cay
where we anchored for the night. In hopes of starting a fire on the beach, the
girls went in the dingy to see how it was. Softest sand I have ever felt in my
life. The only problem…we found a human jawbone.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvSkxbMkMmj3A5_08LH2nDPMBWvQiAzbdT4pLhwJ13knDCJeMC32IR8-V6h95EUbAAEU-UpY4GckIPmbiiCEGwLNtmBt546WsmJmWuljRyF09prWzOztWCU6rwBqSrtzSRHr01Bs_7y60M/s1600/DSC_0069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvSkxbMkMmj3A5_08LH2nDPMBWvQiAzbdT4pLhwJ13knDCJeMC32IR8-V6h95EUbAAEU-UpY4GckIPmbiiCEGwLNtmBt546WsmJmWuljRyF09prWzOztWCU6rwBqSrtzSRHr01Bs_7y60M/s320/DSC_0069.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunbathing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Back to the dingy…the boat
didn’t seem like such a bad place for dinner after all. Jumped in the water and
swam with a stingray to realize there was a shark nearby as soon as we got out
of the water. Spent the whole evening feeding and filming the shark…so
exciting!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_kcNGKhEEjNBEkulp06eHQ7MIiyD8AilAFzWxyscFMWoRQAHuRZtl0VM1osej4B1arCOziU9bCFTUO1onuyDYb1znt4bSqhJEkeHHVdiPxrSJ4AoclinQfRANjyk_Wp6mtaQmhvX9KXVS/s1600/DSC_0028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_kcNGKhEEjNBEkulp06eHQ7MIiyD8AilAFzWxyscFMWoRQAHuRZtl0VM1osej4B1arCOziU9bCFTUO1onuyDYb1znt4bSqhJEkeHHVdiPxrSJ4AoclinQfRANjyk_Wp6mtaQmhvX9KXVS/s400/DSC_0028.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feeding sharks at dusk</td></tr>
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Day 6: May 19<sup>th</sup><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Calm weather, Oceanside sailing = SUPER slow, but very
exciting! Susy caught her first cero and then a barracuda that
she let go.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVjMbq5O45HfA4n3kanwm1KzSqaXsL-WtUO1JdrHfP0gbaf_zAPahpuFz3yqtXjAI94TRatg1GNqtiPVC85Gwn7_9tMP7ld-LP785vH_tZDEC3nmGaoa7Z4bAsa1d6Q0CejjoxximjorfV/s1600/DSC_0016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVjMbq5O45HfA4n3kanwm1KzSqaXsL-WtUO1JdrHfP0gbaf_zAPahpuFz3yqtXjAI94TRatg1GNqtiPVC85Gwn7_9tMP7ld-LP785vH_tZDEC3nmGaoa7Z4bAsa1d6Q0CejjoxximjorfV/s400/DSC_0016.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Susy & Stacy with cero.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We stopped at Square Rock in order to jump from high places
again…this time was successful. We then snorkeled around the rock where Mike
found a lobster. A long battle, accompanied by some screams, Mike pulled that
guy out of the water.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGNAyVFzdLCQGlK2dFf1Js4nH3A6nXX0le_J2i-BxZCl13zr_unHWCrq0-FfcexEylj10YmOhariRrUOq-KC8ddS1EWa_tDZi8rI8uOZsXnSiaAdsV4cEgy3soPk1BHHUSQziQTilKqecM/s1600/GOPR0389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGNAyVFzdLCQGlK2dFf1Js4nH3A6nXX0le_J2i-BxZCl13zr_unHWCrq0-FfcexEylj10YmOhariRrUOq-KC8ddS1EWa_tDZi8rI8uOZsXnSiaAdsV4cEgy3soPk1BHHUSQziQTilKqecM/s400/GOPR0389.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sara & Susy jumping off the lower part of Square Rock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As we continued on towards Stocking Island, we spotted a
school of fish, so (obviously) we sailed through that area a few times.
Mackenzie caught a Little Tunny…didn’t look that little to me!<o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMlCLa_O2ZING1iDo0fwjocWWeoEpvPwCjI9H_CRN_8G_kRPaav_M-UnpooEbl5cxZ-NThPhPEAYsE67T8b0cTFcy1S2XL4DL0RVS1dM-i4Guaux2d97swB_r6iLmD-ZjXwRCLsoBwWRAf/s1600/DSC_0071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMlCLa_O2ZING1iDo0fwjocWWeoEpvPwCjI9H_CRN_8G_kRPaav_M-UnpooEbl5cxZ-NThPhPEAYsE67T8b0cTFcy1S2XL4DL0RVS1dM-i4Guaux2d97swB_r6iLmD-ZjXwRCLsoBwWRAf/s400/DSC_0071.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mackenzie reeling in the Little Tunny</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Day 7: May 20<sup>th</sup><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We spent the day relaxing, eating Chat ‘n’ Chill burgers
(GREAT little burger place, somewhat addicting), and swimming with
dolphins…just a day in the life. Mackenzie and I made friends with two little
local boys. They came aboard for the cookies and soup! Mackenzie spotted two
dolphins right alongside the boat. As if we had rehearsed a response to the
arrival of dolphins, everyone dived into the water without hesitation. What an
incredible experience…one that will never be forgotten by anyone that day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizqfSVRgrfvGZxcjjR_rnxEeiA26Zx2ootKeMWE0A5gE7040cohrxBlYPQvnk1PPHUnBhu_XfrsVfjXlOhYjX6nk8p6Z199ESZdKBsL665yZ89tqHbPXXZ22tRu0rAC73b_3N2JekWZslr/s1600/DSC_0136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizqfSVRgrfvGZxcjjR_rnxEeiA26Zx2ootKeMWE0A5gE7040cohrxBlYPQvnk1PPHUnBhu_XfrsVfjXlOhYjX6nk8p6Z199ESZdKBsL665yZ89tqHbPXXZ22tRu0rAC73b_3N2JekWZslr/s400/DSC_0136.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mackenzie, Stacy and Stocking Island boys.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-WU69HC1WKqBXT7hz5H-KDY2hyHQbPW_M0-CNyJckUKh1HhsKk3JybrMPu1CzK4h87VLfCssuUCLuTHQELhdRJlff_saUs_x922SkNwzrQWs85r3sR1fm2t8ZdaGXJduVHLhGcA_1kqtq/s1600/DSC_0085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-WU69HC1WKqBXT7hz5H-KDY2hyHQbPW_M0-CNyJckUKh1HhsKk3JybrMPu1CzK4h87VLfCssuUCLuTHQELhdRJlff_saUs_x922SkNwzrQWs85r3sR1fm2t8ZdaGXJduVHLhGcA_1kqtq/s400/DSC_0085.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chat 'n' Chill's, Stocking Island, Great Exuma</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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Day 8: May 21<sup>st</sup><o:p></o:p></div>
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It was a gorgeous, sunny day for our last one in The
Bahamas. We decided to swim to land and explore a little. After collecting
seashells to make jewelry later on that evening, we hiked up to the monument,
sweating all the way up. Another round of Chat ‘n’ Chill burgers and off to
Georgetown we went. After taking in the little town and eating ice cream out of
the carton, we found Nicole and Tommy at their hotel.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1nx0nybi5G_ZHFA5Y2QOeu2bZU7Yfxe2QPghjLXeXjSdWGKNWsVrjmwfCVK6zgu9ZACeGm2eQDg41R2lITQR9c-kBZvYeaQWV-MyShEU3cc3RiEPE1u0B2I2OYABv0q_6KAhHt7xN8yy5/s1600/DSC_0093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1nx0nybi5G_ZHFA5Y2QOeu2bZU7Yfxe2QPghjLXeXjSdWGKNWsVrjmwfCVK6zgu9ZACeGm2eQDg41R2lITQR9c-kBZvYeaQWV-MyShEU3cc3RiEPE1u0B2I2OYABv0q_6KAhHt7xN8yy5/s400/DSC_0093.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone outside Chat 'n' Chill</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Weather was starting to
turn at that point and we found ourselves amidst “Tropical Storm 2012!” We
spent the night at a nearby bar with the friends we had quickly made there in
Georgetown learning “Rake and Scrape” and “Stomp a Roach".</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi35vgEQb8zW1ZZK7G6ORTjJqVsNG3WZXYVygPIEmgAwk8sUqsWyp4j1xijkZbCSkyGXiQEISSrFR0faeBn6wBGAIGacZ0pzrvPBYpdiIRKEYKQqcfyhyphenhyphenEv2DZ0aOkDZQ7u1JoijzniP4eY/s1600/storm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi35vgEQb8zW1ZZK7G6ORTjJqVsNG3WZXYVygPIEmgAwk8sUqsWyp4j1xijkZbCSkyGXiQEISSrFR0faeBn6wBGAIGacZ0pzrvPBYpdiIRKEYKQqcfyhyphenhyphenEv2DZ0aOkDZQ7u1JoijzniP4eY/s400/storm.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of storm from Tanqueray</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We were all sad to leave but extremely fortunate to have an
opportunity to experience such adventures. Thank you Sara and Mike for the
incredible memories we will hold onto forever.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<br />
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<h2>
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><b>The Exumas Continued</b></span></h2>
<h2>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px;"><b>By, Susy Sundborg</b></span></h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWrk1JBsuhj1IYoIY-e7xrrh2YlTuX6VF5feC9Bgoehhjh3twi9yGYCZwg2DP4gzycvMukD1LyuE3JZom3XxYU0xubgKfzwWh6jw8J-wYIzcMPMFywEIL-G2TkaDlBDMDNtkA5S0AJ5I8-/s1600/DSC_0067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWrk1JBsuhj1IYoIY-e7xrrh2YlTuX6VF5feC9Bgoehhjh3twi9yGYCZwg2DP4gzycvMukD1LyuE3JZom3XxYU0xubgKfzwWh6jw8J-wYIzcMPMFywEIL-G2TkaDlBDMDNtkA5S0AJ5I8-/s400/DSC_0067.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Once upon a time Susy, Stacy and
Mackenzie Sundborg ventured on 5 different planes to the land of crystal clear
sea, rum, palm trees, sail boats, sharks and swimming pigs—also known as the
Bahamas.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4lKia-xKPLcEV539p22-exeq_xDMJPuF9nuUAOYXRhmivcsPX7j_Zc6bFPYhyphenhyphenqcLHD3FdxgsNqH6R3ajCtgwyv5_ZA6BPwhZEUHek__ToPaUqxBmkT3r3lP7leVGpCKp0YaAQQvS5qQqf/s1600/DSC_0091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4lKia-xKPLcEV539p22-exeq_xDMJPuF9nuUAOYXRhmivcsPX7j_Zc6bFPYhyphenhyphenqcLHD3FdxgsNqH6R3ajCtgwyv5_ZA6BPwhZEUHek__ToPaUqxBmkT3r3lP7leVGpCKp0YaAQQvS5qQqf/s400/DSC_0091.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Gang at Chat 'n' Chill, Stocking Island, Great Exuma</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"> We began the trip with a night
in Nassau—with the resort Atlantis beaming in the distance, on it’s very own
island. We couldn’t help but explore our way to Atlantis, after all, it
was where Mary Kate and Ashley Olson filmed their latest movie, which Mackenzie
enthusiastically informed us of. A 3-mile trek later, we were submerged
into the depths of Atlantis, a resort where the rich people of the world
congregate and eat over priced pizza and lounge on man made beaches. We
quickly realized it wasn’t our idea of a vacation, but hey, it was fun to
see. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixAc-IOiBaIhebweB-wdarzCtZmJstxCsNELXMd2CjfxW1DnmyTu4Yed29vIeLvvTxAQ1jyaK5Jztx00Orv9D22CWSvnXmzMGveE3ZdN1TqsCljsPsDOs6HHfbsSJbRnNsNDG-JeCASYzP/s1600/DSC_0117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixAc-IOiBaIhebweB-wdarzCtZmJstxCsNELXMd2CjfxW1DnmyTu4Yed29vIeLvvTxAQ1jyaK5Jztx00Orv9D22CWSvnXmzMGveE3ZdN1TqsCljsPsDOs6HHfbsSJbRnNsNDG-JeCASYzP/s320/DSC_0117.jpg" width="214" /></a><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"> The next day, we hopped on our
final plane ride, which to Mackenzie and my dismay, was a 4-seat plane that
took off with the passenger side door open. Stacy (a pilot) was elated
and spent ample time reassuring Mackenzie and I that the plane would not go
down. Yes, I’ll be the first to admit that I have a slight fear of
heights. When we landed, I’ll never forget the moment I saw Mike and Sara for
the first time. I must start by saying that I have always had the darkest
complexion in the Sundborg family. However, Sara now looked like she
belonged in Mexico and was easily 20 shades darker than me. Mike was
toned and looked like a straight up grizzly man and both Sara and Mike had
bleached blonde hair. So, this is what spending a year on a sailboat in
the Bahamas does to your physical attributes. Ah ha! <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"> I could probably share every
single detail of the trip, it was that great. These memories are forever
engraved in my mind because they were so unlike any other experience I’ve ever
had. Instead of chatting your ear off for 3 hours, I’ll highlight my top
5 moments on the Tanqueray. </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgSv9-oGu4o9oV9ECZ6p2t7kNwL7XYGyROIGM_B91qekIAPYEHCN9DXJv7mVm3emF6IM347n5DutPnFxoR6mi6bPP00GMfvnRbpPcKIosGodffplnqrDPmSmCt9UBHa0mGnXudcaFMCELW/s1600/DSC_0059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgSv9-oGu4o9oV9ECZ6p2t7kNwL7XYGyROIGM_B91qekIAPYEHCN9DXJv7mVm3emF6IM347n5DutPnFxoR6mi6bPP00GMfvnRbpPcKIosGodffplnqrDPmSmCt9UBHa0mGnXudcaFMCELW/s400/DSC_0059.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Girls below deck.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4VzpD4BtaDGUnmOYKRAwsJemOokrHt1HbC1EmHIgaVMkLw5mB3KWjbIJP1H22DRhxYmD-YeWTQVx1U6BEvKKer3JvmBX9tH7nlbDsoy227NIRYBmT3c8U4varuxgjOY8HDcDPOJJF0DL/s1600/DSC_0063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4VzpD4BtaDGUnmOYKRAwsJemOokrHt1HbC1EmHIgaVMkLw5mB3KWjbIJP1H22DRhxYmD-YeWTQVx1U6BEvKKer3JvmBX9tH7nlbDsoy227NIRYBmT3c8U4varuxgjOY8HDcDPOJJF0DL/s400/DSC_0063.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike & Sara paddling in the Tonic.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"> 1. The underwater cave.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Our first day trip in the Bahamas was
to Thunderball cave—think James Bond. To prepare for the under water
extravaganza, we filled zip locks with rice, gathered our flippers and goggles
and said prayers that the sharks would not eat us on our first expedition into
the open waters. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8AcUlbUzkmwU9DyS874oJ0ffLTsYJDYl8xOp2DKC9bs1E2G9ZpuDKGX7KPx6KoaZSMSmMxqolAQQDma2-IZOFi2qQZLraV2dNraLLBu-bCqWcaEumWJTDP9sAC4AXqqvYLXD0aM3XNmU/s1600/GOPR0335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8AcUlbUzkmwU9DyS874oJ0ffLTsYJDYl8xOp2DKC9bs1E2G9ZpuDKGX7KPx6KoaZSMSmMxqolAQQDma2-IZOFi2qQZLraV2dNraLLBu-bCqWcaEumWJTDP9sAC4AXqqvYLXD0aM3XNmU/s400/GOPR0335.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Thunderball cave at Staniel Cay</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">The cave was unlike anything I’ve swum into
before. It was like diving into a hole, not knowing where you would come
out, only to surface to the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen—a vast room,
with crystal clear water and thousands of exotic fish swimming around
you. We fed the fishies rice and they swarmed us and nibbled at our
fingers. This was wonderful.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCka6ct-7hjQUQKuHnKrU6xsc9HVukhTXNSgBAgJnIaPthAvttLIoD1y41iCoqhc3r7qqm74YzfhKY1tDdIAg9Avx3X0hCVnqk0yJcqLDSk2MsN4RteMr8oITymzDAJh9yHB7T21UZedo/s1600/GOPR0340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCka6ct-7hjQUQKuHnKrU6xsc9HVukhTXNSgBAgJnIaPthAvttLIoD1y41iCoqhc3r7qqm74YzfhKY1tDdIAg9Avx3X0hCVnqk0yJcqLDSk2MsN4RteMr8oITymzDAJh9yHB7T21UZedo/s400/GOPR0340.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swimming in the cave</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"> 2. Our new friends.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">One day, we were all having a
pleasant time on the boat when Stacy and Mackenzie disappeared with the
floaties. Not too worried about it, Sara and I were enjoying some quiet
time. Next thing we know, we see the girls bringing two little Bahamian
boys back to the boat on a surfboard. </span><br />
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCupq_rOC2cWnS8j1W1VHKb29SQeIl5ee4Rq6_2V9lIUWkyyFW8AMjHHmhGlsQc_UsGnfe4rJnsK28AN0xt1PsQM_NmLI-X6vSlHauLI6VwtvnL6zb6tMV3GS3rB8no7pSoESaHSSDcU6B/s1600/DSC_0122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCupq_rOC2cWnS8j1W1VHKb29SQeIl5ee4Rq6_2V9lIUWkyyFW8AMjHHmhGlsQc_UsGnfe4rJnsK28AN0xt1PsQM_NmLI-X6vSlHauLI6VwtvnL6zb6tMV3GS3rB8no7pSoESaHSSDcU6B/s400/DSC_0122.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">The boys were quite silly and
adorable. We were in the middle of baking cookies, which they discovered
when they ran (dripping water from head to toe) down to the galley. The
littlest boy proclaimed, “I wish it rained cookies.” The boys devoured cookies
and top ramen and sang an original Christmas tune, which made my
day. We were happy to have them on the boat, their mother, not so
much. Stacy and Mackenzie were scolded when they took the boys back to
the island. Uh oh. </span><br />
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVrXJZi8xG2tBpaCHT37Qkb06gGwWg-sPz0lxma0LK3_T0K3m6-avrLtBgb1Pg1I3DfqzLW72qiU5OAtpMHrY-t6pYSCNDLz0eVNUf5EQ5WR_lbV5jYSqEE60bUBeOelE6YrhE8t0RQzu/s1600/DSC_0133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVrXJZi8xG2tBpaCHT37Qkb06gGwWg-sPz0lxma0LK3_T0K3m6-avrLtBgb1Pg1I3DfqzLW72qiU5OAtpMHrY-t6pYSCNDLz0eVNUf5EQ5WR_lbV5jYSqEE60bUBeOelE6YrhE8t0RQzu/s400/DSC_0133.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nelly enjoying good company!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"> 3. Dolphins, Dolphins,
Dolphins.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">I never dreamt I would see this day.
I swam with dolphins in the wild. Mackenzie spotted the little guys
when the 2 Bohemian boys were still on the boat. We all forgot about the
boys, grabbed goggles and snorkels and pounced into the ocean to swim with
DOLPHINS. If I had had my fins on, I know I could have touched
them. It was a mom and child and they were communicating the entire
time. You could tell that they were curious about us and liked us.
I tried to talk to them, you know, high pitches. I also tried to touch
them. They hung out with us for 30 minutes or so and it was an amazing
experience. It felt like a dream.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtR3UWzpVCIEJLkszMFfQ4O5zC0scYoICflEmUYrjZ1PVlK-gtMNt63HTe7nzg4LJ5kgC-1nofubcDJrOs3XFOLeRgxEQi2NXYDStEI8HCHY8qO7vaFXyvE4o5Y1TPpMnGRj4tbnb8GFEP/s1600/DSC_0102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtR3UWzpVCIEJLkszMFfQ4O5zC0scYoICflEmUYrjZ1PVlK-gtMNt63HTe7nzg4LJ5kgC-1nofubcDJrOs3XFOLeRgxEQi2NXYDStEI8HCHY8qO7vaFXyvE4o5Y1TPpMnGRj4tbnb8GFEP/s400/DSC_0102.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tubing off Stocking Island</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Susy & Mackenzie returning with water</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"> 4. Sharks, sharks,
sharks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">My biggest fear prior to my trip was
the sharks. Especially when my dad and Cindy planted the word in my
ears. Who wants to swim in waters that are shark infested?!?!?!
Well, I am happy to say that my perception of sharks has changed.
They are not my best friends, but they do not intimidate me from swimming in
the water. We saw several sharks. The first day in the Bahamas, the
locals were feeding a group of Nurse sharks off the dock. Next, we were
snorkeling around a reef and I saw a shark approaching in the distance.
This was unnerving, but ultimately, I did not get the sense of danger, more so,
curiosity. After this, we baited a rope with a fish head and taunted the
shark for hours-- cheap and fun entertainment. While swimming in the
ocean, I was always on the look out for sharks. However, I was proud of
myself for not letting the idea of a shark attack stifle my ability to enjoy
the crystal clear open waters. They do there own thing, as we do our own.
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQ89P5lbKMDa90Vjv08Oyc8IbGbs2VMZms9PqDhI1IoLXEOSb_vODCW49pTBy1Cn_PWBc7auYN3b_eprbDAFVTZrHjHfWnvDGTKemWllib_yOdhBFKH-JTu9vJHhD7sEac0Nf9INvA9hyphenhyphen/s1600/DSC_0031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQ89P5lbKMDa90Vjv08Oyc8IbGbs2VMZms9PqDhI1IoLXEOSb_vODCW49pTBy1Cn_PWBc7auYN3b_eprbDAFVTZrHjHfWnvDGTKemWllib_yOdhBFKH-JTu9vJHhD7sEac0Nf9INvA9hyphenhyphen/s400/DSC_0031.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"> 5. A coconut extravaganza<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Anyone who knows me, knows that one
way to my heart is the coconut. I’ve loved them since I was little.
Each time that we adventured onto an island, I sheepishly grinned at the
coconuts taunting me in the trees. Oh how I dreamt of having one, yet
there was no way I could climb the tree. Don’t you fear, Mike is
here! For those who did not know, Mike can climb a palm tree like he’s
tying his shoe. I have no idea where he obtained this skill; however, it
came in handy. He picked 3 coconuts, cut them open and made me the
happiest girl in the world. Mmmmmm, I can still taste the heaven.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"> This trip was bliss.
Thank you Sara and Mike for these unreal memories that I will carry with me
forever. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><i> Honorable mentions-</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><i></i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><i><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Dancing with the locals<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><i><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Mike catching a lobster with his hands<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><i><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Stingrays</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Swimming pigs </span><br />
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">(Stacy covered this, it was quite traumatizing for me)</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpsjGUHCJximi94u79o1wA-VEABv0Wx_Uc4VGU7KkjiLIYQnxRj6SzJlnXgm8yME_Sf_g7xsFtlxMXAuof-3lujvGqNDJENvdcTs2AEV46e0cVQS0snlD3MMX70NXL9ZLuwCkiVHFIqgy/s1600/DSC_0082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpsjGUHCJximi94u79o1wA-VEABv0Wx_Uc4VGU7KkjiLIYQnxRj6SzJlnXgm8yME_Sf_g7xsFtlxMXAuof-3lujvGqNDJENvdcTs2AEV46e0cVQS0snlD3MMX70NXL9ZLuwCkiVHFIqgy/s320/DSC_0082.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px;">Drinking my morning coffee on a floaty in the water.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64XJA_l8bhxmfWvqqG7-TqpTfhxkRHXHjzzluT9AukFXmoSkyeOOlunjjD_1HJqs8KYOn2vGKfiwUcTwQkVvdqGfudyditpvWbPtbIBB5l6-mcLT5WUspb70oQemcKr3q9Ugo4BB158KE/s1600/DSC_0022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64XJA_l8bhxmfWvqqG7-TqpTfhxkRHXHjzzluT9AukFXmoSkyeOOlunjjD_1HJqs8KYOn2vGKfiwUcTwQkVvdqGfudyditpvWbPtbIBB5l6-mcLT5WUspb70oQemcKr3q9Ugo4BB158KE/s320/DSC_0022.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stacy, Susy & Mackenzie with cero catch</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catching beautiful colored tuna</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready for the Chat 'n' Chill burgers</td></tr>
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Sara Daubenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445880985071299844noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2679932334879224723.post-22619337545345720492012-05-29T12:31:00.000-07:002012-08-05T08:27:16.690-07:00You Know You Live on a Boat In The Bahamas When:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tanqueray anchored at Pipe Creek, Exumas, Bahamas</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Swimming is a daily activity!</div>
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You've reached your maximum tan.</div>
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You no longer communicate with cell phones, but with the VHF.</div>
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You listen ("eavesdrop") to other conversations on the VHF.</div>
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You break your can opener.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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You break your replacement can opener.<o:p></o:p></div>
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You are stingy with your fresh water, washing & bathing in salt water as much as possible.</div>
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Your wild nights are in a town of 300 where you meet
everyone in town in the first 5 minutes & are in bed by 10pm.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Night time entertainment is a game of cards or reading a good book and not a movie or TV show.</div>
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The latest product in your hair is the salt from the sea.<o:p></o:p></div>
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You dream of HOT SHOWERS, hey, maybe even COLD showers...<o:p></o:p></div>
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You worry about the head (toilet) breaking.<o:p></o:p></div>
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All your valuables are stored in zip-lock bags.<o:p></o:p></div>
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When it’s not unusual to hit your head once a day.<o:p></o:p></div>
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When your wardrobe consists of 90% swimsuits.<br />
You look for the green flash in the sunsets.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjengvPV1Wj-f75VXZaRPVqY11opPFZu6PJRUWu-ELF1RDBar7B50OIMKiu8jBRCroKlZtcFhxNItgs0ANCw3JtLxgTNPnvqj8v2SZjjDKjmGDJ_KmviDEiH4FZ4AE9R5kF6xRqvraA73pR/s1600/DSC_0038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjengvPV1Wj-f75VXZaRPVqY11opPFZu6PJRUWu-ELF1RDBar7B50OIMKiu8jBRCroKlZtcFhxNItgs0ANCw3JtLxgTNPnvqj8v2SZjjDKjmGDJ_KmviDEiH4FZ4AE9R5kF6xRqvraA73pR/s400/DSC_0038.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fishing is considered an arm workout.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You use vocabulary like: scuppers, stanchions, jib, leeward, forestay, bow, stern, forward, aft, companionway, cockpit, halyard.....</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You listen to the weather forecast instead of the news every
morning.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You reuse ziplock bags.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Your recycling bin consists of burnables, compostables, and
sinkable's.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You use a sea sponge for a dish sponge.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You tape your cupboards shut.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You have a new waterfront view everyday.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Your center of balance is no longer standing straight, but
leaning at a 30 degree angle.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You drink warm cocktails, occasionally warm beer, if you are
lucky enough to get it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You line dry your laundry.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You consider letting your husband cut your hair. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You get Internet 3 times a month instead of 3 times a day.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You speak in units of knots instead of miles per hour.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You compare things like: length, draft & speed with your
neighbors.<o:p></o:p><br />
There are not enough words to describe the variations in the color blue.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHI-P98UnP0IuECbsPnyxBQTrWOPi8VA7JgNi6aZKo0AaMF2adl0VXgI-XgxavRJnA8YcMOYJNxcpGBglC89kDAKzUCNdYJ1BItp1F5Dp-ADuwpeb2LvZ82cnjw8EClkSjPDBwoKz0FiYh/s1600/DSC_0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHI-P98UnP0IuECbsPnyxBQTrWOPi8VA7JgNi6aZKo0AaMF2adl0VXgI-XgxavRJnA8YcMOYJNxcpGBglC89kDAKzUCNdYJ1BItp1F5Dp-ADuwpeb2LvZ82cnjw8EClkSjPDBwoKz0FiYh/s400/DSC_0003.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pipe Creek, Exumas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Happy hour doesn’t have to start at 3pm and end at 6pm.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fish is a daily part of your diet.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In terms of keeping your home clean, sand, salt and mildew
are your worst enemies.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Leaving the head (toilet) valve open could sink your home.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All your lights are LED & you monitor your power usage daily.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You use port and starboard for left and right.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Parking requires an anchor.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wind is your best friend and worst enemy.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You cook with propane.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You are excited when you make a tray of ice cubes in a day.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You NEVER wear socks.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You rarely brush your hair.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Visiting the neighbors requires a dingy ride.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Practically everyone on the SEA is your new best friend and is willing to lend a helping hand!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZlUO0mquVSfs5IlTEpZ55SJbgMv08tkTiJzy2bdCOZTttdslzXcjduNge3nijlzdimsWUfs2eU6UDNqT7_UOXC8GtDsSs2vdsRfG_SvODJye8VhWtcgt-NNwYbqB4Yk9oqISi-VRGwwrf/s1600/DSC_0164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZlUO0mquVSfs5IlTEpZ55SJbgMv08tkTiJzy2bdCOZTttdslzXcjduNge3nijlzdimsWUfs2eU6UDNqT7_UOXC8GtDsSs2vdsRfG_SvODJye8VhWtcgt-NNwYbqB4Yk9oqISi-VRGwwrf/s400/DSC_0164.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pitts Town, Crooked Island</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
......the joys of seamanship in the Bahamas!</div>Sara Daubenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445880985071299844noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2679932334879224723.post-57964009313074363242012-05-08T07:01:00.000-07:002012-07-15T13:43:24.249-07:00Cat Island Honeymooners<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;">By, Kevin Jensen</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-collapse: collapse; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOcPK0hTQpUPysaszy_3ezyOsYfG-CfQtsu3CDdN02ZBOt_dw7h0zfynal9iSKrl2Soeo5GFzvf2axfBvV5IB5N2p56-0wE_l9voBgiwXn24r2u3cebtpZXhjfXhbDRTiExReJjkgLBTuL/s1600/DSC_0569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOcPK0hTQpUPysaszy_3ezyOsYfG-CfQtsu3CDdN02ZBOt_dw7h0zfynal9iSKrl2Soeo5GFzvf2axfBvV5IB5N2p56-0wE_l9voBgiwXn24r2u3cebtpZXhjfXhbDRTiExReJjkgLBTuL/s400/DSC_0569.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
Our journey to the Bahamas actually started back in October with Emy and me getting married. Our fellow honeymooners, Mike and Sara, were were gracious enough to offer us a chance of a lifetime to spend our honeymoon sailing with them in the Bahamas! So after a long rainy and cold winter in Seattle we departed in search of warmer weather, clear water, and a little nautical feline companionship.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXSMfn3yvGE0JFVroTiCi1fJaPl1lAfxoQdOUPpXtc3NrE2taiRswG6B45wQZiLjN1zK1QqaJK_0ot3AsYnNz7p0hRqvHaYxNcNSMIg644hC4qL3VNb3xCifC0fML-c3n_8IkrEmfTTUIn/s1600/DSC_0530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXSMfn3yvGE0JFVroTiCi1fJaPl1lAfxoQdOUPpXtc3NrE2taiRswG6B45wQZiLjN1zK1QqaJK_0ot3AsYnNz7p0hRqvHaYxNcNSMIg644hC4qL3VNb3xCifC0fML-c3n_8IkrEmfTTUIn/s400/DSC_0530.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sara, Cindy, Matt & Emy taking Tonic in to the boat.</td></tr>
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On arrival Mike and Sara wasted little time in educating us in the Bahamian lifestyle, which included hitchhiking, enjoying cold ones by the sea, and my personal favorite of feeding the sharks the table scraps. Also on the first night we were lucky to still have Cindy and Matt on board to show us the ropes of boat survival.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX7FkFGrVFSK8Gp2gySTY5Q1G8UoMrr-w7pWcneOCY395iW1efjO2GYLtTdhGMq3roO8qPC9L6gUA0XFpJK7w6mSXuJv-FQHxyrPAgat9DMyEZrLolFHM2dXEQviVLJfGGMdCr7Zi9Of6x/s1600/DSC_0558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX7FkFGrVFSK8Gp2gySTY5Q1G8UoMrr-w7pWcneOCY395iW1efjO2GYLtTdhGMq3roO8qPC9L6gUA0XFpJK7w6mSXuJv-FQHxyrPAgat9DMyEZrLolFHM2dXEQviVLJfGGMdCr7Zi9Of6x/s400/DSC_0558.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tanqueray anchored off boat-house</td></tr>
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The following day the sails were raised and the sail began towards our boathouse retreat on the north end of the island. Our sailing instructors did their best to show us the finer points of sailing along the way, which Emy picked up much quicker than I. During the day and throughout the trip Mike kept commenting how the weather and sea conditions were the "best ever". To us it seemed like any other day in Paradise!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWF1XkV0Tt7G3AEpBaVfJL1dPFin287HBFJkqSBsE6ZS7UWVKgwVgaQdLhhKtZqnbmSErqvzxNHp0CT41uC7e6LlEH9OQ11JwCnh804I9H333mot9do7pkrPSae3vFnbo-0dkJRsLecng1/s1600/DSC_0602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWF1XkV0Tt7G3AEpBaVfJL1dPFin287HBFJkqSBsE6ZS7UWVKgwVgaQdLhhKtZqnbmSErqvzxNHp0CT41uC7e6LlEH9OQ11JwCnh804I9H333mot9do7pkrPSae3vFnbo-0dkJRsLecng1/s400/DSC_0602.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deck on the boat-house</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYgY6FY1m7T9FQIu57vQ-ULK58QZzqvHm78Wmg0YBKxZl2hw1g-_1vM3_daKLPGKQ90GFX5Albs7NDp8IrRRGWVnBa7aCX3asVlqwiJYBuA_RMhzXJCqVpUeBmfjem1lN_458HQ09vlTIn/s1600/DSC_0629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYgY6FY1m7T9FQIu57vQ-ULK58QZzqvHm78Wmg0YBKxZl2hw1g-_1vM3_daKLPGKQ90GFX5Albs7NDp8IrRRGWVnBa7aCX3asVlqwiJYBuA_RMhzXJCqVpUeBmfjem1lN_458HQ09vlTIn/s400/DSC_0629.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner-time at the resort</td></tr>
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We were welcomed to the boathouse by our soft spoken landlord Leslie. She simply met us at the beach along with her barking dogs and pointed in the direction of the house; she said “you don’t need a key; nobody locks anything on Cat Island”. Our high expectations were not disappointed by its accommodations including an outdoor shower, full kitchen, hammock, a nearly deserted sugar sand beach, a view to rival most and a home perfect for our band of travelers.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimkyhBPVMPefk5Enkmkq2LK7sYYVum743EMD0XUma6sB1RO_znFmc5SODRB2XqqtJvmAK5h51pWw7KRLOjkkJqV1GCmetu6i7aGPBr5DUAapmloPIQGZ0gUkmF2k8scgrZt1RO3sYypYz8/s1600/DSC_0567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimkyhBPVMPefk5Enkmkq2LK7sYYVum743EMD0XUma6sB1RO_znFmc5SODRB2XqqtJvmAK5h51pWw7KRLOjkkJqV1GCmetu6i7aGPBr5DUAapmloPIQGZ0gUkmF2k8scgrZt1RO3sYypYz8/s320/DSC_0567.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our lizard friend on the beach</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaqX29h_FQ33SoXov5o9YqDQJfPOeeryPK0zoAWTn1M6XA2lJumgZS_3OAXl-ayNixVXumRt9EAOyYfWGstJQigOkhUCXX-cqvBgvYIF1qphXY2QUVm1Cf0cWoYH3b2NIAWGAAZLtXER6h/s1600/DSC_0582.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaqX29h_FQ33SoXov5o9YqDQJfPOeeryPK0zoAWTn1M6XA2lJumgZS_3OAXl-ayNixVXumRt9EAOyYfWGstJQigOkhUCXX-cqvBgvYIF1qphXY2QUVm1Cf0cWoYH3b2NIAWGAAZLtXER6h/s400/DSC_0582.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset view from the boat-house looking through Kevin's sunglasses.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8hegjZ5IUdB_XBFU4dspCIAGzy8CPv3RbwROH4sz48M82Tnj38Xyj4o4X4FOthpp6QbcMv9QH9V_jbEWsNS8hafrPUb4-AwUskFmBW43OLD0Ax2QrLCdV8tkXOILk2EZZFpfUlzcMyxNy/s1600/DSC_0675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8hegjZ5IUdB_XBFU4dspCIAGzy8CPv3RbwROH4sz48M82Tnj38Xyj4o4X4FOthpp6QbcMv9QH9V_jbEWsNS8hafrPUb4-AwUskFmBW43OLD0Ax2QrLCdV8tkXOILk2EZZFpfUlzcMyxNy/s320/DSC_0675.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kevin & Emy aboard Tanqueray</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Our days at the boathouse were spent exploring the coastline by canoe, bike and our personal favorite inflatable pool tubes. The dining was exceptional thanks to Mike and Sara's expert knowledge in cooking with even limited resources found at the local grocer; Pizza, sushi, salad, fresh bread, brownies, and all the fish you could ask for. Cat Island would disappoint a traveler looking to be pampered, but we loved its rustic feel and lack of souvenir peddlers. Even the bar lacked a bartender! Instead the bars were under the honor system. We did our best to maintain the system...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyVRrKv2LhbTN6PUPX-0xIZrH2nr6xodLiq8wsP719HAw4G_7RM3aofvSPp9rqjRQuTSCCCRXXHSifx95Ha0cdeGDF_xKo5rQYywRPcHAhpZOwMGqDwo3V5I5uDCjJ0W3IfK6G8S9szJqy/s1600/DSC_0626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyVRrKv2LhbTN6PUPX-0xIZrH2nr6xodLiq8wsP719HAw4G_7RM3aofvSPp9rqjRQuTSCCCRXXHSifx95Ha0cdeGDF_xKo5rQYywRPcHAhpZOwMGqDwo3V5I5uDCjJ0W3IfK6G8S9szJqy/s400/DSC_0626.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kevin bartending at the bar</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcrxhg-McC0_tDNAYoJymovX093AlywLZ4ShF-2ECxx0pxNOtBiU5UhYuk6SSEjLtf6UQfVC0d9DVrw4ziinEGcSFseg0KYEDEPNHnoJdTEl3elifygc6TINsSl38mnSPkq5kUt18ndcRK/s1600/DSC_0555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcrxhg-McC0_tDNAYoJymovX093AlywLZ4ShF-2ECxx0pxNOtBiU5UhYuk6SSEjLtf6UQfVC0d9DVrw4ziinEGcSFseg0KYEDEPNHnoJdTEl3elifygc6TINsSl38mnSPkq5kUt18ndcRK/s400/DSC_0555.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emy & Sara enjoying the inflatable pool tubes on the beach.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo9KI2dtU63QSA5z1FaaPavosVTVHkcBcGGKLtuwcGCRF4Te4c2w8FLJDOueXf6A9gJOixGIm9mtDHlx_ag6TpeeAtMZB27b5WwpbTljEpU0XvdgcPvN0SgSok2A3NB5K9_hkJ0QjHoVfq/s1600/DSC_0580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo9KI2dtU63QSA5z1FaaPavosVTVHkcBcGGKLtuwcGCRF4Te4c2w8FLJDOueXf6A9gJOixGIm9mtDHlx_ag6TpeeAtMZB27b5WwpbTljEpU0XvdgcPvN0SgSok2A3NB5K9_hkJ0QjHoVfq/s400/DSC_0580.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sara & Mike enjoying the boat-house - showers, <br />
laundry, water, ice, full kitchen - we were in HEAVEN!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One expedition stands out amongst the rest in which we explored the opposite shore of the island. To make the trek which we believed to be a couple miles one way we used the 3 bikes found in the garage, however, we 4 members in our group. Without even drawing straws Sara volunteered to make the trek across the island by running alongside us. This is after doing a very long beach run that morning. Apparently the Bahamas haven't slowed her down. Once to the opposite coast beach we found another sugar sand beach with pink confetti, later learning that this was coral that had broken and washed ashore. We snorkeled out to the reef, Mike led the way and after venturing 200 yards off the beach he spotted a SHARK! Mike is not known for showing fear in any situation, but this time he had a look that made me a bit uneasy. He instructs us to reverse course and head straight to the beach which means crossing a very shallow reef. Thankfully nobody endured reef rash or a shark bite. Sara then laces up the running shoes and completes her triathlon day by running the 3 to 4 miles back.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kevin & Emy exploring underwater<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"> </span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">Another expedition with perfectly calm water took us up to Little San Salvador, the island currently known as Half Moon Cay. The snorkeling was great, but no luck fishing. We saw dolphins multiple times, at one point there were 6 swimming along side us, which made up for our lack of catch.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Sailing the Tanqueray along the west coast of Cat Island</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kevin helping the motorless Tonic.</td></tr>
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Departing the boathouse was sad as the seas were finally flexing some muscle. Tonic at this point was motor less so it took Mike and I rowing with the ladies in the water kicking to reach the Tanqueray. We sailed south to explore the other end of the island. The seas calmed again and the sailing was pleasant. The south of Cat Island was the home of the sport fisher’s marina “Hawks Nest”. We hoped to find refuge for the night here but were greeted with a thick cloud of no-see-ums. These suckers tormented even after we set sail for the fishing grounds the following day. Hawk’s Nest was also our first interaction with more than two people at a time…apparently this is the place to come if you are hosting a college frat house reunion.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike & Kevin both at the helm, spotting tuna</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXfyiMz3ztC6gzfQ6AdKqMQhK2UerKlg-JuFbUoNO-RfQju3cDz2b-d7ug2QkvNV2-SbQZPayrtu35gAuq1EQiwf7_q835Nec9ZtVVXo20j5OynsnDKcbW2c_5gUMApaGKW20LXDVoAw7K/s1600/DSC_0665.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXfyiMz3ztC6gzfQ6AdKqMQhK2UerKlg-JuFbUoNO-RfQju3cDz2b-d7ug2QkvNV2-SbQZPayrtu35gAuq1EQiwf7_q835Nec9ZtVVXo20j5OynsnDKcbW2c_5gUMApaGKW20LXDVoAw7K/s400/DSC_0665.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kevin & Emy with the black-fin tuna catch of the day</td></tr>
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The fishing grounds on the south end of the island were around a sea mount a few miles off shore. The mount rose nearly vertical from 2800 ft below the seas to around 60 ft below water at its peak. With the clear water we could see the bottom even at a 60 ft depth! The tuna schools were easy to spot thanks to our feathered friends and the fact they actually made the sea surface bubble they were so thick. However, catching one proved difficult even with countless passes of our bait straight through the heart of the tuna schools. Finally deterred we sailed back to the island and found some snorkeling that ranked as the "best ever" in my book. Here we had our third up-close shark encounter. Mike expertly speared a good sized grouper with a sniper shot that didn’t even leave drop of blood for Jaws to come after. On our way back to the Island I picked up the pole and fought a mystery fish for around ten minutes while Mike provided instructions to Sara the helm. As any good fishing tale ends the monster fish slipped off the hook and was never seen.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grouper speared through head.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivtcZswSZWi7v3E2M2qRKLc-Mu7MiD-gqZnL2JHxz-18TUGbWSLlV5e-6EvOXjhyRVqrWsePjOXrjWkYJRXoj_LECEzh-bs44BnnDqeEM9v3annfAF0okpYRmadHviF-DRDaJ9K0Q99Ype/s1600/DSC_0652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivtcZswSZWi7v3E2M2qRKLc-Mu7MiD-gqZnL2JHxz-18TUGbWSLlV5e-6EvOXjhyRVqrWsePjOXrjWkYJRXoj_LECEzh-bs44BnnDqeEM9v3annfAF0okpYRmadHviF-DRDaJ9K0Q99Ype/s400/DSC_0652.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike & Sara with speared Nassau grouper off south-end of Cat Island</td></tr>
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The conclusion of the trip included a stay at Fernandez bay, located only a mile or so from our departure airport. The bay was perfectly calm lined with nice beach bungalows and it even had other boats anchored nearby us. This was the first time we even saw another sailboat on the entire trip. This island really was remote. We packed our bags and we all walked up the road, which is the only road running the length of the island. We start walking to the airport hoping to hitchhike. As luck would have it not a single car pass in our direction and suddenly our plane whizzes a mere 30 ft over our heads for landing. With sweat dripping we hustle to the airport trailer terminal only to be told we are too late to make the flight. Ten nerve racking minutes later the nice Bahamian airline lady succumbed to our pleas and allows us to board. Just getting our sea legs under us, delaying our departure wasn’t such a bad thought.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LpIK8L-9ONwMpC4Gpxzj-W9X86RAxNZEpqAUboTsvd1qTWX0yMa0bIy3dEk0NrOmqydyn6sMjUpE0IRK7gh0qkfYuoLgVc8z9pk_FAhnglpsZkAd94Eo0FhvBBkEQFC8f1Ur1WWZMGFP/s1600/DSC_0695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LpIK8L-9ONwMpC4Gpxzj-W9X86RAxNZEpqAUboTsvd1qTWX0yMa0bIy3dEk0NrOmqydyn6sMjUpE0IRK7gh0qkfYuoLgVc8z9pk_FAhnglpsZkAd94Eo0FhvBBkEQFC8f1Ur1WWZMGFP/s320/DSC_0695.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seared black-fin tuna dinner</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2BcCXcET5mN-txhSNUbk0HEs0NniK3w84EcqYthPMcGuyxRROHQi8TTa2AdVdAY3DwKGp7WMJoNIpeoI4hmhkRrRKJqWkj0Reevav8aNDN8QYJp_XQCb216_ZeIu37PE7amOQv4nlWmCC/s1600/DSC_0703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2BcCXcET5mN-txhSNUbk0HEs0NniK3w84EcqYthPMcGuyxRROHQi8TTa2AdVdAY3DwKGp7WMJoNIpeoI4hmhkRrRKJqWkj0Reevav8aNDN8QYJp_XQCb216_ZeIu37PE7amOQv4nlWmCC/s400/DSC_0703.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kevin and Emy enjoying dinner aboard the Tanqueray</td></tr>
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The trip of a lifetime is over and we part ways with Mike and Sara. We THANK YOU again and look forward to seeing you back in the NW! </div>
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</div>Sara Daubenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445880985071299844noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2679932334879224723.post-22190063623231935822012-05-05T17:22:00.000-07:002012-05-16T17:24:03.970-07:00Fours Company<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Fours Company</span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">By, Cindy Sundborg</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Ehuq7drlsXp9cVnk2g7T-uOOrd0ZXYn1E2O-9BeNxIWGELR8sf2zWeXgccn8FQJGe-o7p3kzF-4xkoX7x1WWVeMhklGbCKoPTMPwxdYn9P6cfHV3Le3rvLW_GmFu_vwdQOfrrnentrXu/s1600/DSC_0412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Ehuq7drlsXp9cVnk2g7T-uOOrd0ZXYn1E2O-9BeNxIWGELR8sf2zWeXgccn8FQJGe-o7p3kzF-4xkoX7x1WWVeMhklGbCKoPTMPwxdYn9P6cfHV3Le3rvLW_GmFu_vwdQOfrrnentrXu/s400/DSC_0412.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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We started our trip in Nassau. Best decision #1: Choosing to
stay at a quaint beach get-away called Coral Harbour Villa. </div>
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Best Decision #2 Rent a car for our 3-day stay in Nassau.</div>
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It is beautiful here – we can hardly believe the color and
clarity of the water. We have our own personal chef at the small restaurant
there, and we nearly eat the entire menu during our stay – conch salsa, putine,
chicken wings, conch fritters and fish tacos. Oh, and of course our favorite
local beer – Sands or Kalik (FYI – Conch is pronounced like ‘honk’, but with
‘c’ <span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span>).</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZpvcY2Z9c2hSeJAZ2DLlXBi2fnQ1m6uyV7LfJU7n40eAX5torGE8AY9GdSO-yyzk-wbDmQcw3qYnOoBi24Y3A0aiAItPvbXN9LGmzkOVfGymkW5Mq1quLZpm_728Zmy0Taa9rT3VtRJz2/s1600/DSC_0156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZpvcY2Z9c2hSeJAZ2DLlXBi2fnQ1m6uyV7LfJU7n40eAX5torGE8AY9GdSO-yyzk-wbDmQcw3qYnOoBi24Y3A0aiAItPvbXN9LGmzkOVfGymkW5Mq1quLZpm_728Zmy0Taa9rT3VtRJz2/s400/DSC_0156.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue waters at Crooked Island</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBzLak6t0OVeBm554X3NTHyNQU6mtEMW96eW2rKwnkNXF4Y6lARcXI1ZC_j5IwRsaZooobA1TrU_K7kgxOuqMNHg7PPSiERVxTgaCrs0ff8ny1ZYuSiIYLWIums8Zg_zLKdkQEqlnizI5G/s1600/DSC_0163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBzLak6t0OVeBm554X3NTHyNQU6mtEMW96eW2rKwnkNXF4Y6lARcXI1ZC_j5IwRsaZooobA1TrU_K7kgxOuqMNHg7PPSiERVxTgaCrs0ff8ny1ZYuSiIYLWIums8Zg_zLKdkQEqlnizI5G/s400/DSC_0163.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pitts Town on Crooked Island</td></tr>
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Our stay in Nassau was an adventure in and of itself. Over 3
days we pretty much drove around the entire island (multiple times), tried to
knock down coconuts (unsuccessfully!), survived a tornado (no joke, one
actually hit land while we stayed there), explored Paradise Island, drank pina
coladas & daiquiris on the whitest, white sand made in real coconuts and
swam in the most brilliant blue-ish shades of water.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwCju4w96i7eUJZSM4mnj69ZMnwTDeUBcJv1FM48zF1SYSCIq9_b66IsejZyp7H42fm05nwQHdBWfC77zZPCUfHqcWEe5NXxXM0uE1dVzNfgxQ9ywUn35pe188TmBrn7zodU0k1l7H_RQf/s1600/P4210538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwCju4w96i7eUJZSM4mnj69ZMnwTDeUBcJv1FM48zF1SYSCIq9_b66IsejZyp7H42fm05nwQHdBWfC77zZPCUfHqcWEe5NXxXM0uE1dVzNfgxQ9ywUn35pe188TmBrn7zodU0k1l7H_RQf/s400/P4210538.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_-5BCkJWLvtqSPDtmv56k67QyiigoYffPcNF8d1OL6FzorYG1MLGlYQC_3ONcajF0Fb4dAqSNKxseQph5oDnwEVG5VBY2sWNslZ_lnnhMQ_JW7CTN54yHcX5P4ZJ1CaXMNYI0TPhlXkV/s1600/DSC_0322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_-5BCkJWLvtqSPDtmv56k67QyiigoYffPcNF8d1OL6FzorYG1MLGlYQC_3ONcajF0Fb4dAqSNKxseQph5oDnwEVG5VBY2sWNslZ_lnnhMQ_JW7CTN54yHcX5P4ZJ1CaXMNYI0TPhlXkV/s320/DSC_0322.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike & Matt pulling Tonic onto the beach</td></tr>
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After getting our fill of the capital, we hop on a plane and
head southeast to our first “out island,” Acklins (via Crooked Island). Hook up a ride from Napi and meet up with two
beach bums on the east end of the island – Mike and Sara!! They look great – bleach blonde hair and sun
bronzed bodies. We jump into our new
friend, Tonic (the dingy) and head out to our home for the next 12 days –
Tanqueray!<o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiycVQKJI6tciIHIJmOW2EVGEfxI57BsYDfx7swom2g7lGEjxGIWJcEFkCIR8YAOhDx3SyBSCTHminmlRY6hFV9cyksU_nF4-2Y3v9bnEg_VZ56CS09ERQ32fY5jl1bcl_Y54qogaBl1M_/s1600/DSC_0124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiycVQKJI6tciIHIJmOW2EVGEfxI57BsYDfx7swom2g7lGEjxGIWJcEFkCIR8YAOhDx3SyBSCTHminmlRY6hFV9cyksU_nF4-2Y3v9bnEg_VZ56CS09ERQ32fY5jl1bcl_Y54qogaBl1M_/s400/DSC_0124.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cindy & Matt on Tonic at Atwood Harbor, Acklins Island</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6795eND9QLv5R1pRqz6_YgjQ7sgSjq0FmIKR3dm0BQwHnJQ0UISDGJaaVqOM0VDj9busCjHw4aBUp62VawDieWePov63_uJa2hrGAmQAirEWQimLWE3W1JylybumKzx15GdcKT7Qtnr1P/s1600/DSC_0133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6795eND9QLv5R1pRqz6_YgjQ7sgSjq0FmIKR3dm0BQwHnJQ0UISDGJaaVqOM0VDj9busCjHw4aBUp62VawDieWePov63_uJa2hrGAmQAirEWQimLWE3W1JylybumKzx15GdcKT7Qtnr1P/s320/DSC_0133.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sushi dinner</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lighthouse at Landrail Point, Crooked Island<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6tUgHXr0CQ3GeIHB3j4Eg4BzBWB0Iof7iizrfwrDdkoAHHRww1YQKRZex-crnvxey4BtJmjJFRkqmd7lDELTLGAOAjSTwIvTHM0KSggN0qzwOteZeQy44t2787A0RsvAZ0u4oF2S_zb2s/s1600/DSC_0222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6tUgHXr0CQ3GeIHB3j4Eg4BzBWB0Iof7iizrfwrDdkoAHHRww1YQKRZex-crnvxey4BtJmjJFRkqmd7lDELTLGAOAjSTwIvTHM0KSggN0qzwOteZeQy44t2787A0RsvAZ0u4oF2S_zb2s/s320/DSC_0222.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt & Mike with tuna</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT4alNcOmlCE2uP0lNlpAz_BxR21o_UohO7TbJX_E9Ng77jP9GGiTWKAPmQ9cvC37-ILW5vHCjON5pMcjbFdhoLTVC9Mn_Wds3CMVQDbWdAQSAdfGbhyWZfClCY9JAsWL0ln2JVwVF0bSn/s1600/DSC_0248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT4alNcOmlCE2uP0lNlpAz_BxR21o_UohO7TbJX_E9Ng77jP9GGiTWKAPmQ9cvC37-ILW5vHCjON5pMcjbFdhoLTVC9Mn_Wds3CMVQDbWdAQSAdfGbhyWZfClCY9JAsWL0ln2JVwVF0bSn/s400/DSC_0248.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Narrow entrance into Rum Cay marina</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuiIyvvzRtZ3fSf7r5_i1GQGdlKrH0JatDESI9B7gPca5njnhdHOBfsZ2exqoiWHN1bQOE0wqhUbS1x5L49t-D3X2MNemPcQIwa05exJXkPRxLCzpYSTcwPhe2Bpjx2jdXlYy2oFqC75sR/s1600/GOPR0046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuiIyvvzRtZ3fSf7r5_i1GQGdlKrH0JatDESI9B7gPca5njnhdHOBfsZ2exqoiWHN1bQOE0wqhUbS1x5L49t-D3X2MNemPcQIwa05exJXkPRxLCzpYSTcwPhe2Bpjx2jdXlYy2oFqC75sR/s320/GOPR0046.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sara & Cindy snorkeling</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-YQ32D7N9BtfYyrM2LhODbMeFTTg6t1Z3IsSxRv4BTTsIbrz6OEy4xpxeXt6DIvpXM-aiyWFPXm5BQbE1XCQRUhBgnmGuUCG9z3By9CgF2AoxFqb5_47srKwq6Nr9wIgZNpdDSXD4ZfEU/s1600/GOPR0075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-YQ32D7N9BtfYyrM2LhODbMeFTTg6t1Z3IsSxRv4BTTsIbrz6OEy4xpxeXt6DIvpXM-aiyWFPXm5BQbE1XCQRUhBgnmGuUCG9z3By9CgF2AoxFqb5_47srKwq6Nr9wIgZNpdDSXD4ZfEU/s400/GOPR0075.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt underwater</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKAxPEAH0TJdBeCM4my1OpTXc8z7x235Ve1jD3lcxFQu_eqixCRurrOI2O_widoD7c_oiG027dgAKna0TX25UQOu5eEdCOhAxnxLGNEQWk5HFICoJH3ngfgZuWDV9KDblBTy3MFkus_Ihg/s1600/GOPR0115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKAxPEAH0TJdBeCM4my1OpTXc8z7x235Ve1jD3lcxFQu_eqixCRurrOI2O_widoD7c_oiG027dgAKna0TX25UQOu5eEdCOhAxnxLGNEQWk5HFICoJH3ngfgZuWDV9KDblBTy3MFkus_Ihg/s400/GOPR0115.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spearfishing adventure with the locals at Landrail Point</td></tr>
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And in no time, we’re sailing. Sailing!!
What a way to travel. Cutting
across the water powered only by the wind – no engine, no mechanized noise to
yell over, hardly a wake, just us, Mike, Sara, and the indomitable Nelly. And what better place to travel than in The
Bahamas?? We see more shades of natural
blue than I’ve ever seen. You lose words
to describe the hues – royal, aqua, teal, navy; we flash through each of them
with every new anchorage and crossing.
And they never lose their luster.
How many times can you say wow in a trip? Ahh, this is vacation.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLocic-H8kw6dAnn165cLqSpDgPge8b6mCvoJuvZqKaHzpHwPsPK1C7BZFMZxItNPk7IRpw8sBS_F6DHYYWZpD1M9OKcAYwV07tQ0So8cVo4E_E03zijkxIsFqB4yrTRU4VNJFAHcpEa-4/s1600/DSC_0098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLocic-H8kw6dAnn165cLqSpDgPge8b6mCvoJuvZqKaHzpHwPsPK1C7BZFMZxItNPk7IRpw8sBS_F6DHYYWZpD1M9OKcAYwV07tQ0So8cVo4E_E03zijkxIsFqB4yrTRU4VNJFAHcpEa-4/s320/DSC_0098.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Tuna catch</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdRUPSG4AQ0weUQZPoTpvcEA1xOWiwkXaBOMRVe3maeXy92A3Wl2A2lOaJdf08SyHR9MygNgGtqZxQgv6JLowFFYO-HN5Wz_ZA5U-qrjqrZEnWonF1szLWPRQtO1MFCcPBj0l1JSBVXUZF/s1600/DSC_0227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdRUPSG4AQ0weUQZPoTpvcEA1xOWiwkXaBOMRVe3maeXy92A3Wl2A2lOaJdf08SyHR9MygNgGtqZxQgv6JLowFFYO-HN5Wz_ZA5U-qrjqrZEnWonF1szLWPRQtO1MFCcPBj0l1JSBVXUZF/s400/DSC_0227.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cindy & Sara with good size yellowfin tuna</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn8a9xCNGYhjSHVSVt54akYXCQpDHya3BaGbqJU6z2X9IQm2c-R2FMxvtTXcjRr6KD2JNPPdaMG-P_M4rAD9vlaoNlr4ESxpyK4fQ2mr2TSr_9O_tK3_v_NbQLhYflafdtvltq3TloPeaF/s1600/DSC_0142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn8a9xCNGYhjSHVSVt54akYXCQpDHya3BaGbqJU6z2X9IQm2c-R2FMxvtTXcjRr6KD2JNPPdaMG-P_M4rAD9vlaoNlr4ESxpyK4fQ2mr2TSr_9O_tK3_v_NbQLhYflafdtvltq3TloPeaF/s320/DSC_0142.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt & Mike with the mahi mahi</td></tr>
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But sailing’s not just pina colada’s and sunblock… Wizzzzzzz - Fish on!! Cindy, grab the reel! Sara, take the helm!
Matt, pull in the jib (and try not to fall off the boat!), Mike grab the gaff
hook! Woohoo, we’re pulling in a tuna –
and it’s a yellow fin! Hardly a better
meal in the ocean. And we quickly
discover that this isn’t going to be a vacation of snack bars and warm
water. No, we eat like royalty. Would you like the seared tuna with soy and
ginger, or would you prefer a three cheese mushroom rizzoto? Pizza? – check. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB4Rc8Dlwq2GpmXoZVb_Q8hwQcn0188BOPaYJUiPq9SFcbyjj5gS1VWCmV4r7C0zLu7QRhg5FEMMKwNty8s7OlKv7yVHt5Oaf3ZQ0NQcRcRhW4FBQkPaj8xPaSqR_rzGDqhhHUo9Nuql6I/s1600/DSC_0352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB4Rc8Dlwq2GpmXoZVb_Q8hwQcn0188BOPaYJUiPq9SFcbyjj5gS1VWCmV4r7C0zLu7QRhg5FEMMKwNty8s7OlKv7yVHt5Oaf3ZQ0NQcRcRhW4FBQkPaj8xPaSqR_rzGDqhhHUo9Nuql6I/s320/DSC_0352.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strawberry grouper catch of the day</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoG_OxpeTy4lyb6cVU528xESQGnfle0wf1m-RGCji5TFKbvQtHQcV80lmN93qwi35_Kus5zjHGrKzOdQG0YBsGXU8hB9Qo6IgD5P6xUZsbo_ukaizlGde8Xof-9K3gsY8AnrT2iMbxi1M6/s1600/DSC_0370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoG_OxpeTy4lyb6cVU528xESQGnfle0wf1m-RGCji5TFKbvQtHQcV80lmN93qwi35_Kus5zjHGrKzOdQG0YBsGXU8hB9Qo6IgD5P6xUZsbo_ukaizlGde8Xof-9K3gsY8AnrT2iMbxi1M6/s320/DSC_0370.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sara & Cindy on the beach at Conception Island</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXRi6CZJ58Rl4WZN5lyiA7sGpM6q4h_kVd5WjHZUNBRn_lSqLTVNkxHqKGTndDcbExc9t34LElQh6hsDqw_byvcKgjW8E2TnyYMNxj26AsHLW52SUNB_K_Yx_jmMcmnIYbuVwtFmghyphenhyphenVCF/s1600/DSC_0465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXRi6CZJ58Rl4WZN5lyiA7sGpM6q4h_kVd5WjHZUNBRn_lSqLTVNkxHqKGTndDcbExc9t34LElQh6hsDqw_byvcKgjW8E2TnyYMNxj26AsHLW52SUNB_K_Yx_jmMcmnIYbuVwtFmghyphenhyphenVCF/s400/DSC_0465.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt & Cindy on the beach at Conception Island</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU__Z77LjApHvCNDBilM-dKf72kMvI9w3qCcHp4JmElEMthUMSpvvuJzYK3PP6pGTyqg6OHl1eze3nuPLiOwUyM7PX2tGfVu2YKZLctohaAhobdixWcmHAKdYDj51c11J5ZG71O0i8tUdc/s1600/DSC_0478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU__Z77LjApHvCNDBilM-dKf72kMvI9w3qCcHp4JmElEMthUMSpvvuJzYK3PP6pGTyqg6OHl1eze3nuPLiOwUyM7PX2tGfVu2YKZLctohaAhobdixWcmHAKdYDj51c11J5ZG71O0i8tUdc/s320/DSC_0478.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lemon shark under the boat</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWeluonyvDuwn5ntE8mRJ-czJ4_iZhofUC2YGWw5bXq_9i2gcFXr7d2TlHE6ZWBiRmWEaVBy7y1VFCoGa2cu-WbTOLFXpwVCH9XB9_HKS3jKFDOVER-QtXRhywhEOpkPl12S_Nt59_EI3u/s1600/DSC_0497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWeluonyvDuwn5ntE8mRJ-czJ4_iZhofUC2YGWw5bXq_9i2gcFXr7d2TlHE6ZWBiRmWEaVBy7y1VFCoGa2cu-WbTOLFXpwVCH9XB9_HKS3jKFDOVER-QtXRhywhEOpkPl12S_Nt59_EI3u/s400/DSC_0497.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another beautiful sunset</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKCw-N9_iDa_Ta2XT5PysSwkhLH4s6_tAlizbniXy6WfmZzl0CBL0i6awbFUdA3pY1koaPSXfnvlB0X6NutdJItQSGJrxUX-sJ-oM8AsJUf6jnjBKGsJC6TYrmYhC7YtnSn-2orSUHg6YM/s1600/DSC_0528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKCw-N9_iDa_Ta2XT5PysSwkhLH4s6_tAlizbniXy6WfmZzl0CBL0i6awbFUdA3pY1koaPSXfnvlB0X6NutdJItQSGJrxUX-sJ-oM8AsJUf6jnjBKGsJC6TYrmYhC7YtnSn-2orSUHg6YM/s320/DSC_0528.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Like your sweets for breakfast? – no problem,
cinnamon rolls it is. Need a break from
fish? – freshly baked wheat bread just coming out of the oven! Did I mention wow??<o:p></o:p><br />
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">But back to the fishing – We turn out to be
expert trollers. Or at least very
lucky. Black fin tuna, mahi mahi, yellow
fin tuna, and a couple that just got away – but they were big! Not many places you can travel where you get
the bulk of your food from the environment.
The fish are brilliant, too. As
mahi glide through the water it’s gold, and blue, and silver, and green, and a
whole rainbow of other colors – until you kill it. Then the colors drain out of it like water
til all that’s left is a drab grey.
Almost creepy.</span><br />
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Besides our trolling booty, we “catch” conch, lobster,
grouper, and pick up some hogfish from our adventure with our local Crooked
Island friends.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhD8f9y-51EC1Z9gxYUnrFUTB3vLztbGlTyjjHXOIcVq_7GLyBXFVvJ5MdPVF5E_JG_qYfpSJ-WyKidXS11iaJ79pL6ZFqgwDp0y3JD14c_AiuIBZFpBW73Emi-o_wUgNjwVdwoNobel2J/s1600/DSC_0243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhD8f9y-51EC1Z9gxYUnrFUTB3vLztbGlTyjjHXOIcVq_7GLyBXFVvJ5MdPVF5E_JG_qYfpSJ-WyKidXS11iaJ79pL6ZFqgwDp0y3JD14c_AiuIBZFpBW73Emi-o_wUgNjwVdwoNobel2J/s320/DSC_0243.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seared tuna dinner</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tanqueray docked at Rum Cay</td></tr>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beach at Rum Cay</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snorkel time</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfe0wvQZly8RaghvRHTwgUk5HjJDl8fjgOPct-Bk0_du9YFGRmfXVXjnmwofXXQ-DmxzOOWA7xma9NRprHC1l1YZvzQSIZp7a7nuwONHaTBB08Ces-UZw_DYdWfJHVmUuFxs-YS2JkfJnV/s1600/DSC_0148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfe0wvQZly8RaghvRHTwgUk5HjJDl8fjgOPct-Bk0_du9YFGRmfXVXjnmwofXXQ-DmxzOOWA7xma9NRprHC1l1YZvzQSIZp7a7nuwONHaTBB08Ces-UZw_DYdWfJHVmUuFxs-YS2JkfJnV/s320/DSC_0148.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt & Cindy with Mahi Mahi catch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhklp8tj_DqilGXBNDXFShyTuGv2nN7d8FbS3LPSSccOwHG4f2KQiXuR4rGR_wsCFJx8uQvhMhWkGrAFi2p5WqujDrxNpef7LU07HEj09GPq5PUWX6OmLdirbu4VpHYKRsOxxz3O3RdpRhY/s1600/DSC_0341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhklp8tj_DqilGXBNDXFShyTuGv2nN7d8FbS3LPSSccOwHG4f2KQiXuR4rGR_wsCFJx8uQvhMhWkGrAFi2p5WqujDrxNpef7LU07HEj09GPq5PUWX6OmLdirbu4VpHYKRsOxxz3O3RdpRhY/s320/DSC_0341.jpg" width="214" /></a>Of course living on a boat has its drawbacks, too. The casual warning – “watch your head” – is
ominous foreshadowing. I’ve discovered
new ways to run my head into things. On
the boat, inanimate objects seem to jump out with just the intention of banging
my head. Top of the head, side of the
head, forehead, in the nose – I’ve managed to whack ‘em all. And just when I’ve mastered my body
contortions to get around each obstacle, the sea throws in a big swell to throw
off my balance and SMACK, a new lump.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We can both say that this trip was one of the most
unexpected experiences. Before we left Portland, I remember asking eachother,
“What do you think Sara and Mike do all day?” We decided to pack 3 books, of
which neither of us finished one! We sailed to 5 islands, caught a variety of
fish, lobster, conch, we spear-fished, explored the white sand beaches, rode
not always the most reliable dingy (“tonic”), met some of the most friendly and
welcoming natives and fellow travelers, and we even went on a scavenger hunt –
finding a pirates booty! </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAcVamgh6M06YasXud9DweqmmFggR4w6umbuUMWiNB88dQC5AekkDibhqFJMrmQlQ5v_khOLbrkkGzOJssYStMCLj2YnHM8wG1Tu275lxvj5GjtJftqXjao1NnXNq4Hrjt_J_WoxQd1AUo/s1600/Bahamas,_The-CIA_WFB_Map.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAcVamgh6M06YasXud9DweqmmFggR4w6umbuUMWiNB88dQC5AekkDibhqFJMrmQlQ5v_khOLbrkkGzOJssYStMCLj2YnHM8wG1Tu275lxvj5GjtJftqXjao1NnXNq4Hrjt_J_WoxQd1AUo/s400/Bahamas,_The-CIA_WFB_Map.png" width="372" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCBrsdIilMNDFIRnopdnbc0_yxPDOcTanDnUyUJNe81IkI4Oa-5M0XTASJgBuP_TKpfr4ZwIdTP2Cv6RFjU0VoeBN_e9rCw5-2jzsdTm8oDZUKZ0u6e6LK2O5HDud5YAzeTKoWZwHlMQvg/s1600/DSC_0337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCBrsdIilMNDFIRnopdnbc0_yxPDOcTanDnUyUJNe81IkI4Oa-5M0XTASJgBuP_TKpfr4ZwIdTP2Cv6RFjU0VoeBN_e9rCw5-2jzsdTm8oDZUKZ0u6e6LK2O5HDud5YAzeTKoWZwHlMQvg/s320/DSC_0337.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
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We mastered (well almost!) the art of crossing a large
channel in the middle of the night, saw the moon set and the sun rise over the
brilliant blue waters, saw more sharks than we ever dreamed of seeing,
snorkeled amongst a variety of fish and coral, and we experience what it’s like
to prepare food (or even stand) in a boat that’s heeled at a 45 degree angle!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJJLTkefg4qWjjteVdg6i-XPIkoNYG-bEdbheqRuA68x7fbZzO4T7NptpxyF59BA5k2BKFCuy_Uu76b5tfvKVON1fyn3Q74vqzbugB5q0tzoRsGICmmMXdOxRxQ8aqtj5M3eMEmGJh79dd/s1600/DSC_0272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJJLTkefg4qWjjteVdg6i-XPIkoNYG-bEdbheqRuA68x7fbZzO4T7NptpxyF59BA5k2BKFCuy_Uu76b5tfvKVON1fyn3Q74vqzbugB5q0tzoRsGICmmMXdOxRxQ8aqtj5M3eMEmGJh79dd/s400/DSC_0272.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dominos</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZAwR1dVFE3xvvJLDx6Yl7uJ1HoNworZuvlR4n8-BKW5w-LMOtRT34dE7lQ-wJi_t9gI_fGgv2siZbZZbMFE6LruG0Q4PdcL2rAXfCmD8XLQ6kWzguyUalCm7rcYcrJ7JYQ2gUCy6gksH/s1600/DSC_0384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZAwR1dVFE3xvvJLDx6Yl7uJ1HoNworZuvlR4n8-BKW5w-LMOtRT34dE7lQ-wJi_t9gI_fGgv2siZbZZbMFE6LruG0Q4PdcL2rAXfCmD8XLQ6kWzguyUalCm7rcYcrJ7JYQ2gUCy6gksH/s400/DSC_0384.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Portlander's For Life - Go BLAZERS!</td></tr>
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Now that we’re here back in Portland, we want to say “THANK
YOU” to the most incredible, adventurist hosts – Thank you Sara and Mike! We
LOOOOVED the trip we were able to experience together. Can’t wait until the
next one! ;)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJJ2U1k0unq8jayks6wGo4oGS4iLKxnAIc2HIGZHKMoiVcHEChBf3x8umRgyj5GYG69DpwKa6nAoP9fUQ0hueSlwft8KlDdiBxTZU3cpH1LMPy-z6Zh-7fasQCqvXP-3qeTLzJWdCC1o3c/s1600/DSC_0185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJJ2U1k0unq8jayks6wGo4oGS4iLKxnAIc2HIGZHKMoiVcHEChBf3x8umRgyj5GYG69DpwKa6nAoP9fUQ0hueSlwft8KlDdiBxTZU3cpH1LMPy-z6Zh-7fasQCqvXP-3qeTLzJWdCC1o3c/s320/DSC_0185.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Gang at Landrail Point, Crooked Island</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span>Sara Daubenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445880985071299844noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2679932334879224723.post-7772066131005752712012-05-04T11:01:00.000-07:002012-05-08T06:13:11.784-07:00A Fishing Tale – Return to the BahamasBy, Michael Daubenberger<br />
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We exited the crystal clear waters of the Bahamas and put
away the poles as we entered the Dominican Republic (DR). Not with one last bit of excitement
however. It was early morning and we
were making our last 120 mile push across the Windward Passage to the DR. Our course had us skirting the banks of the
Turks and Caicos as we headed south. I
was at the helm and Sara was manning the lines when the fish struck. Zing the line went and down goes the pole
tip. It’s a big one. Sara grabs the pole as I ease the boat into
the wind and slow her down from 6.5 knots to a more manageable 3. Sara fights the fish and gets her up to the
boat. It looks like our biggest Mahi
yet. At least 55 inches head to
tail. I reach down and grab the line
right before the leader. The fish shakes
and the line breaks. What luck after we
had already announced dinner for all on the VHF. Sara is disgusted that I didn’t grab the
leader and I am also. <o:p></o:p><br />
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Two weeks in the DR without a line in the water sure seemed
like a long time and we were getting the fishing itch long before we left. The first leg was a long one and a nasty
one. We set out at night in a heavy sea
with a stiff breeze and quickly found ourselves rolled into a state of constant
queasiness. It was no time to be fishing
and we couldn’t muster the energy to toss out the lines during the whole 20
hour trip. Not the most heroic return to
the seas!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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We arrived in the Turks and Caicos after fishing a 50 mile
passage without a single strike. Time to
slip in the water and try some hands on fishing. Success came quickly when Sara spotted a
spanish lobster only minutes after entering the water. Dinner was ours!! The spanish lobster looks like a huge
cockroach and was known to me growing up as a “Cockaroacha Del Mar” a name
coined by my father. It didn’t taste
like a cockroach!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Our next leg of the trip was from Mayaguana to Acklins
Island. Another 70 mile passage and
another passage with no success. The
fish were waiting for something and that something came in the form of Matt and
Cindy. Our first trip with our new
guests was a short one. 5 miles between
Lovely Bay and Attwood Harbor. The winds
were light and our speed slow. Hardly
the best conditions for picking up a nice catch. I had forgot we were fishing when I saw the
line run. In an instant it was all hands
on deck. Cindy grabbed the pole, I
grabbed the wheel, Sara secured the cockpit, and Matt rolled in the jib. From the looks of it this fish was a fighter
and it was going deep. A good sign as
far as we were concerned. Fish that dive
deep are typically wahoo or tuna. Two of
our favorites! Cindy was battling hard
to keep the pole tip up and get the fish in before it got off or a shark got
it. She did it!! Our first keeper
blackfin Tuna!! </div>
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Next up Matt’s tune.
It didn’t take long. Our next
trip was from Attwood harbor to Landrail point.
30 miles. About 15 miles in the
line started running and Matt grabbed it.
We slowed the boat as Matt reeled her in. This time a 37 inch Mahi. The perfect compliment to our tuna resting in
the fridge!!<o:p></o:p><br />
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Our trip to landrail was highlighted by another fishing trip
with some of the local guys Jeffery, Woody, and Lorenzo. We headed south to long cay to stir up some
grouper. The weather was bad but the
spearfishing was great. All told we took
5 Hogfish, 2 Yellowfin grouper, and 5 Nassau grouper. The Carcasses were fed to the sharks. A great chance to test out our new GoPro.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwNQEX9bAy7O2iwvYLpA-3xqgYwNgRPtfcgt9enijM7wUFpV2VPTwvkQ2GUJqwpldBjfKu50GEOPD5bZ1gHzvAeoPBQZxq_kM7FGOUB5rYv2bKQK9v4fWSt-f7jPMQZBpzcaGmTZSB_01s/s1600/DSC_0220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwNQEX9bAy7O2iwvYLpA-3xqgYwNgRPtfcgt9enijM7wUFpV2VPTwvkQ2GUJqwpldBjfKu50GEOPD5bZ1gHzvAeoPBQZxq_kM7FGOUB5rYv2bKQK9v4fWSt-f7jPMQZBpzcaGmTZSB_01s/s320/DSC_0220.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
The trip to Rum Cay was another success. About 14 miles from our destination we hooked
into a fighter. Sara grabbed the pole
and I grabbed the helm as Matt and Cindy rolled in the jib. The fight was on! Sara worked him in and he worked his way
under the boat dragging the pole tip into the water with him. Time for a tack, and then a jibe to keep him from
getting tangled. Sara got the fish to
the boat. It was a nice Yellowfin
Tuna! The prize jewel of our culinary
catch! We bled him out over the side and
attracted the attention of and 8 foot oceanic white tip shark. Everyone was careful to stay on the boat!<o:p></o:p></div>
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With the fish cleaned, it was time to dispose of the
body. Over the side he went. Again we attracted a shark. This time a 10 foot Hammerhead!! He circled our boat for the next hour. <o:p></o:p></div>Sara Daubenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445880985071299844noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2679932334879224723.post-33953447337857756312012-05-01T08:26:00.002-07:002012-05-01T10:27:59.306-07:00Seasickness Leaving the Dominican Republic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtr_0fs3QL_FnugoJO2bqH6y671ReNxsQ-c9-nnLf7MZuc7PFvXaMCKf-gRWg-5w7SPQXoHnFwo33firsYFJpM-xB9TPZSXf50Ii9McogSFOV1QX3yVJ_IVo6TOkA2l5P8yd7dx2aZJ6I9/s1600/DSC_0013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtr_0fs3QL_FnugoJO2bqH6y671ReNxsQ-c9-nnLf7MZuc7PFvXaMCKf-gRWg-5w7SPQXoHnFwo33firsYFJpM-xB9TPZSXf50Ii9McogSFOV1QX3yVJ_IVo6TOkA2l5P8yd7dx2aZJ6I9/s400/DSC_0013.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tropical flower</td></tr>
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<div>
We had a fabulous two weeks in the Dominican Republic. Enjoying the fruit and vegetables. Eating out for under $10 for both of us. Enjoying the $1.50 22 oz. beers - Presidente and Bohemia. And touring around the island by land, taking several day trips to Puerta Plata, Sosua and Santiago. We also made several great friends in Luperon, other cruisers, who we were sad to say good-bye to when the time came to leave.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTs-XHNtoVNg6rdMkt4_8XTGvoKMtpLBAIbMsh_ONvU9TkaMoi2IENW2kadZz9EWIscmZ1Yt4Kw352n1zVRUkEjXad5uHPNulrJjpUx0mxAzZ0GYsSKOEnH2gcDF0A1l0k5LhjekWVFoAg/s1600/DSC_0006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTs-XHNtoVNg6rdMkt4_8XTGvoKMtpLBAIbMsh_ONvU9TkaMoi2IENW2kadZz9EWIscmZ1Yt4Kw352n1zVRUkEjXad5uHPNulrJjpUx0mxAzZ0GYsSKOEnH2gcDF0A1l0k5LhjekWVFoAg/s400/DSC_0006.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the dock in Luperon</td></tr>
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Our return voyage back to the Bahamas from the Dominican
Republic differed in two ways from the arrival:
seasickness and speed. We left
Luperon harbor just before sunset and had little time to adjust to the high, jolting
seas before the horizon disappeared into the darkness. Having the horizon to focus your eyes on is
key in preventing seasickness when vigorously rolling back and forth in a
boat. Also, being on land and a very
calm, still anchorage for 2 weeks, you begin to lose some of that sea tolerance
to motion sickness.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tanqueray anchored in Luperon</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On land for a night in our $25 hotel room in Luperon</td></tr>
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We both had spent the past week recovering from a cold that
we picked up while taking public transportation through the island. Public transportation in the Dominican
Republic consists of jumping in a Toyota Corolla (taxi) with 6 other people
already in the car. When you are use to
being alone at sea, void of all germs, and then are suddenly thrown into a packed
car where people are lapping up, germs are your worst enemy. That being said, we had a rough voyage
leaving the Dominican Republic.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjITCRwp0hDtN3OjWNQGIi1JG7rwMe6OIdbMPOlaGUxjUjdyLtDFH4Xg7A4yh-JHrt77dmyvnMT6quOsnGf5a6X-jTHS-NuTYPOjem8X0Rdp4LCaydyCkCboVX-PCc7mNhUIFjECDDPjqzB/s1600/DSC_0026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjITCRwp0hDtN3OjWNQGIi1JG7rwMe6OIdbMPOlaGUxjUjdyLtDFH4Xg7A4yh-JHrt77dmyvnMT6quOsnGf5a6X-jTHS-NuTYPOjem8X0Rdp4LCaydyCkCboVX-PCc7mNhUIFjECDDPjqzB/s400/DSC_0026.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Country side in the Dominican Repulic (view from taxi)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beach in Sosua</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLlLvSIQeFgCgU3LEAlXdcd26JECX6cMubnZ-OSEbHK18a-u0ng-fGvT1TaM2_x-rBgFp4VnJXb0AZvWbn0TZakR95OWwOt4V0Rdqmv9IlVkDB2vEyuKTYPLrqFzrv6JfeWCBy3Ohqntve/s1600/DSC_0051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLlLvSIQeFgCgU3LEAlXdcd26JECX6cMubnZ-OSEbHK18a-u0ng-fGvT1TaM2_x-rBgFp4VnJXb0AZvWbn0TZakR95OWwOt4V0Rdqmv9IlVkDB2vEyuKTYPLrqFzrv6JfeWCBy3Ohqntve/s320/DSC_0051.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catholic church in Puerta Plata</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_6QlU1IB6qjD9yDBqqZdaomTeOZ_WhlbEPvKW61RoCeQjuksAgkAnEhSs0cmGH2QIvkN4Rrmc0EaZpz-nxdYr-vGvAvQwHR0oZGCwkeU3DmUFS-rkN6l2rcOqjHPJ0-95dTAP2j_12kZj/s1600/DSC_0029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_6QlU1IB6qjD9yDBqqZdaomTeOZ_WhlbEPvKW61RoCeQjuksAgkAnEhSs0cmGH2QIvkN4Rrmc0EaZpz-nxdYr-vGvAvQwHR0oZGCwkeU3DmUFS-rkN6l2rcOqjHPJ0-95dTAP2j_12kZj/s320/DSC_0029.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visiting the Big City - Santiago</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz1hM4MhN2-7kA-hAJZT5VXd0IJizDGISpzKIox6oLTOzAmBj700PF5ODYtVNosu4NlGjFCMcnycLrr5T6ItjPsCL7SShnEnWeQ9V-URe_kFzeuZkoR-nYuMR1JFJ4Z-rOi2m9dYpgJIiT/s1600/DSC_0018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz1hM4MhN2-7kA-hAJZT5VXd0IJizDGISpzKIox6oLTOzAmBj700PF5ODYtVNosu4NlGjFCMcnycLrr5T6ItjPsCL7SShnEnWeQ9V-URe_kFzeuZkoR-nYuMR1JFJ4Z-rOi2m9dYpgJIiT/s320/DSC_0018.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Museum in Santiago</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
About an hour into the trip, Mike said he wasn’t feeling too
well. I thought I was fine, but little
did I know that I was getting seasick too.
In the end, I beat him to it, and threw up. I thought I’d feel much better after puking,
but quite the opposite happened. I
couldn’t stop throwing up and I was not much help to Mike at the helm. At this point, Mike didn’t have many options,
so he continued to steer the boat along with trusty Otto (our electric auto-helm;
we treat as a crew member) through the night.
Meanwhile, I lay in misery on the floor with no strength to grab a
pillow, still in my foulies, a puke bucket by my side and my head resting
questionably close to Nelly’s rancid litter box that was way over due for a
cleaning. </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5LNhr98EcLCChRmLibO7AqUTZLWF1JLjSQHEgYqsxH_fhwKTeb0yfesjHVYZgEKYkEY4_Atjm0pwFuc1-MkQTg39T0yXOdtl3TThuAKBaqWV52VhBZVX3v3uChPTkGYweI7cJSgnMCmZP/s1600/DSC_0009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5LNhr98EcLCChRmLibO7AqUTZLWF1JLjSQHEgYqsxH_fhwKTeb0yfesjHVYZgEKYkEY4_Atjm0pwFuc1-MkQTg39T0yXOdtl3TThuAKBaqWV52VhBZVX3v3uChPTkGYweI7cJSgnMCmZP/s320/DSC_0009.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our mechanic, Marino, who fixed out <br />
outboard for $9, in the DR</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0XbWW7JoNHSfV4HPsly_oaR8Zjwb7wjJmDYdB10-dkbZR8vzJUFL4FjfWTiqiAdTyZNCdNK0VVxw7u-384rn-RudN8WLNGpCy-4K45J8Rv_8_84tAHI8SQ3NddRPXoY9QogX5D0j0cXl/s1600/DSC_0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0XbWW7JoNHSfV4HPsly_oaR8Zjwb7wjJmDYdB10-dkbZR8vzJUFL4FjfWTiqiAdTyZNCdNK0VVxw7u-384rn-RudN8WLNGpCy-4K45J8Rv_8_84tAHI8SQ3NddRPXoY9QogX5D0j0cXl/s320/DSC_0003.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank you Mike for taking this<br />
lovely picture of me seasick.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yes, I did consider death.
It was a horrible feeling and I thought I’d be much better off dead than
seasick! I finally feel asleep and awoke
in the Turks and Caicos a little after sunrise.
Mike was exhausted at this point, so I took over at the helm, feeling
much better. I’m glad seasickness is a
rare occasion for me, it would be tough to travel feeling that sickly. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4IE1Gp7qH6AcRgmliHzz_s3D32y-6H781dWa-plwrx8wbGCMYzhi0Q5nSNzBpvylsUUMKY2y_Ia90UlSaT_n2osFVcy9zRu0sWCYQVsOigv186Y4RHqmC8Oto6hm6bLP9i5aoEPS3jwfU/s1600/DSC_0012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4IE1Gp7qH6AcRgmliHzz_s3D32y-6H781dWa-plwrx8wbGCMYzhi0Q5nSNzBpvylsUUMKY2y_Ia90UlSaT_n2osFVcy9zRu0sWCYQVsOigv186Y4RHqmC8Oto6hm6bLP9i5aoEPS3jwfU/s320/DSC_0012.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Market in the DR</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Smq78Vyf6jjQZy4hgbIhtv2xbI4lK1QbJ6_zK5PKy8GujRMkk_DAcdU9zM1PwPgqOT-mpqodGho7xO0Os71nos8z0EQDAqpgc7w0qzn9qoohRXIXy21pGHaHYdsM09tSvnnpqSYLusmg/s1600/DSC_0010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Smq78Vyf6jjQZy4hgbIhtv2xbI4lK1QbJ6_zK5PKy8GujRMkk_DAcdU9zM1PwPgqOT-mpqodGho7xO0Os71nos8z0EQDAqpgc7w0qzn9qoohRXIXy21pGHaHYdsM09tSvnnpqSYLusmg/s320/DSC_0010.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8snQpjysBPhoTb4CD0Smw3UEG6AKckDOK_UA4pa5_6iYATXlZzu0Lc9fl6kESeYUSeiQz2n_VFfQmr0ZO82PHEB4r4B4QSbiIV4iG-TdCz88buF8Kxp1CenTWvh3X2KyTh9FX47-KMJHK/s1600/DSC_0044.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8snQpjysBPhoTb4CD0Smw3UEG6AKckDOK_UA4pa5_6iYATXlZzu0Lc9fl6kESeYUSeiQz2n_VFfQmr0ZO82PHEB4r4B4QSbiIV4iG-TdCz88buF8Kxp1CenTWvh3X2KyTh9FX47-KMJHK/s320/DSC_0044.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVKtqnZCTX3tnCltHXIWgg2AZ0qoiVzM-aQuxTgnjJXLZysXTJObmpBq1Qa7p7YayvZ_ZWn8drZlXAGiYK7L7J3YAuRPQLqTvQ4Frrm2KXrL_9NbZZsskO5sBoVEVnOe0TImQi_MnE6db/s1600/DSC_0050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVKtqnZCTX3tnCltHXIWgg2AZ0qoiVzM-aQuxTgnjJXLZysXTJObmpBq1Qa7p7YayvZ_ZWn8drZlXAGiYK7L7J3YAuRPQLqTvQ4Frrm2KXrL_9NbZZsskO5sBoVEVnOe0TImQi_MnE6db/s320/DSC_0050.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The rough seas were subsiding as we entered into the banks of the Turks and Caicos. We arrived early afternoon to French Cay and anchored for the night. We were overwhelmed with the beautiful crystal clear blue waters as we entered the anchorage. It’s good to be on our way home to the Bahamas!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeeRRMcg0Bei7LEqz0Smhc9bjyfbruWwLbe6HEd2GLgKOIfhB8mMyjDHqZ2UPDfB3nQ_2W4-4cCyPkZlajntnH2pQI7gewuwG5_ss0y9Cog5P9OMITiTP9aL73Fk7aox6nNMRE9Hhz3Scw/s1600/DSC_0054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeeRRMcg0Bei7LEqz0Smhc9bjyfbruWwLbe6HEd2GLgKOIfhB8mMyjDHqZ2UPDfB3nQ_2W4-4cCyPkZlajntnH2pQI7gewuwG5_ss0y9Cog5P9OMITiTP9aL73Fk7aox6nNMRE9Hhz3Scw/s320/DSC_0054.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mango's and avocado's!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0s5bO5M-vJwv6VMYyAvmDdb2GaWQXa8NWRDGUb5CRTqGJzF1sfBdOokokoV5aVXrOWI6idwcKU72eHlHMDlab01jmCn04N3-0djQ2kCxRSfq7k1laF6iS2r03CyRn8O4bckVQYVES5s0o/s1600/DSC_0073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0s5bO5M-vJwv6VMYyAvmDdb2GaWQXa8NWRDGUb5CRTqGJzF1sfBdOokokoV5aVXrOWI6idwcKU72eHlHMDlab01jmCn04N3-0djQ2kCxRSfq7k1laF6iS2r03CyRn8O4bckVQYVES5s0o/s320/DSC_0073.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anchorage in Luperon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_hnfeao_j7txSXd_djTgQj9fXv87diVSPzKCd6YtG8XzjbVjK8x2H1RL8xLG09yvmVWbvWnmaTa1qsjLcYSpNctdDDWjlUci1C6hA4OGTStWGmogkZIzYRrbBrjcxNQBZSnbpgatj8wRc/s1600/DSC_0075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_hnfeao_j7txSXd_djTgQj9fXv87diVSPzKCd6YtG8XzjbVjK8x2H1RL8xLG09yvmVWbvWnmaTa1qsjLcYSpNctdDDWjlUci1C6hA4OGTStWGmogkZIzYRrbBrjcxNQBZSnbpgatj8wRc/s400/DSC_0075.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For my BPA friends. Transmission towers in the Dominican Republic.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicn24_lOaYAlQ1aXm6TFf_ULLrnUbBaxQavcSjJ_qwlf0G60o4v1bqKfSKHWa9TiEQb6THCl2STk7rMZYdWqQsqHs-zHvdqFuoaTPq_K6wSMgevTH0yVhj0WK7Mt44fHPYfxNZndklcJ_W/s1600/DSC_0084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicn24_lOaYAlQ1aXm6TFf_ULLrnUbBaxQavcSjJ_qwlf0G60o4v1bqKfSKHWa9TiEQb6THCl2STk7rMZYdWqQsqHs-zHvdqFuoaTPq_K6wSMgevTH0yVhj0WK7Mt44fHPYfxNZndklcJ_W/s320/DSC_0084.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge7ZiCwE14NR6ql62xVsSODvoZHBdYJuzNmfQam6XdxuGd9tHKKSQ8vWcGUnxyijjamVrr_iLfJk858DyO1Noj4N2oclYfmatCeyO0Ay8EmsBQSIEhIvgrjR9apgkfldZ2LkkEF9bMHeHP/s1600/DSC_0092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge7ZiCwE14NR6ql62xVsSODvoZHBdYJuzNmfQam6XdxuGd9tHKKSQ8vWcGUnxyijjamVrr_iLfJk858DyO1Noj4N2oclYfmatCeyO0Ay8EmsBQSIEhIvgrjR9apgkfldZ2LkkEF9bMHeHP/s320/DSC_0092.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike in the bosun's chair about to be hoisted up the mast</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNU72sKEU_cKF9w99ojSuORI9uLigIUwBhIYY2DWehFYVELS49pB30RURVvPv2s84FixvZjD2BwCimsBezx9R4d-Ti9XSgdE7tlCEUPwkWS4HGp7eIdjTDiYqCbWd6zEcy1q5A3YF8QjTY/s1600/DSC_0094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNU72sKEU_cKF9w99ojSuORI9uLigIUwBhIYY2DWehFYVELS49pB30RURVvPv2s84FixvZjD2BwCimsBezx9R4d-Ti9XSgdE7tlCEUPwkWS4HGp7eIdjTDiYqCbWd6zEcy1q5A3YF8QjTY/s320/DSC_0094.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike going up a friends mast to do some work</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7QywpD4uZJsDcr1ib-7RrZLYV6GmwWNT4iIazymZgzD_UKRZwCTzW5np7EgERZmeIoRpSE8c47X5U6pqtJOq-T9C4hrwgEidqBtbdA8YrObE7D0MfhVYrG8Xgkh1rS6HJysVo1-7tLCtg/s1600/DSC_0122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7QywpD4uZJsDcr1ib-7RrZLYV6GmwWNT4iIazymZgzD_UKRZwCTzW5np7EgERZmeIoRpSE8c47X5U6pqtJOq-T9C4hrwgEidqBtbdA8YrObE7D0MfhVYrG8Xgkh1rS6HJysVo1-7tLCtg/s320/DSC_0122.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike at a restaurant in Luperon<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKK7WxlrGYgJwsc285xxAXvhhgQntU0i5W8XZ9lufOHWug__Iy18EoQgG_3HoiFA3NVoSR7WR1t97Eg73o0UMCkhIytptdduIkkmgGrhuhfnpyVGtLjFkqwoI-uysopChtKVFzSbwSuLe/s1600/IMG_2106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKK7WxlrGYgJwsc285xxAXvhhgQntU0i5W8XZ9lufOHWug__Iy18EoQgG_3HoiFA3NVoSR7WR1t97Eg73o0UMCkhIytptdduIkkmgGrhuhfnpyVGtLjFkqwoI-uysopChtKVFzSbwSuLe/s320/IMG_2106.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waterfalls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUfbzrC1xqB-v_904YE7Pl3B_5fJN1Fe9Ky-Ox0DUprW_CUfIBugra3k1slqo06JrKK71MgpSUQoFwxQ0DiqI1Jdg2_7-nHkfxllv2LfUxWQnDl7Jozfhj7UB-zNMW4wk9YsFfqXT4NLq/s1600/IMG_2118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUfbzrC1xqB-v_904YE7Pl3B_5fJN1Fe9Ky-Ox0DUprW_CUfIBugra3k1slqo06JrKK71MgpSUQoFwxQ0DiqI1Jdg2_7-nHkfxllv2LfUxWQnDl7Jozfhj7UB-zNMW4wk9YsFfqXT4NLq/s320/IMG_2118.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going down the natural waterslide</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span id="goog_244504671"></span><span id="goog_244504672"></span></div>Sara Daubenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445880985071299844noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2679932334879224723.post-63705878207870061272012-04-15T17:51:00.003-07:002012-05-08T06:12:46.711-07:00Beyond Bahamas<div class="MsoNormal">
<span id="goog_1307977388"></span><span id="goog_1307977389"></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUGgzIpHRKMgpLc2Tz8CrmKbrBnnmlkjF9l1PKo88HOM_9Qo_7jhCwVZFlghDHv1tNz2ZOVifeNGP2gEP4vK8YVFYW_CnPBP2WdtLMB1RvW3GqwoK7gKqmxgDWD7S1J1XyrBLamN7hgMQp/s1600/DSC_0049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUGgzIpHRKMgpLc2Tz8CrmKbrBnnmlkjF9l1PKo88HOM_9Qo_7jhCwVZFlghDHv1tNz2ZOVifeNGP2gEP4vK8YVFYW_CnPBP2WdtLMB1RvW3GqwoK7gKqmxgDWD7S1J1XyrBLamN7hgMQp/s400/DSC_0049.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Travel day! We cleared out of the Bahamas the previous day and are heading to the Dominican
Republic. We leave Abraham’s Bay,
Mayaguana around 7am the 29<sup>th</sup> of March. After an hour of motor sailing, we shut down
the engine and sail 3-4 knots. The wind
begins to shift and we pick up speed to 5-6-7 knots. Smooth seas, sun out, music on, what more can
I say, it’s a great day out on the water.
We’re comfortable and cruising fast towards our destination, French Cay,
located in the Turks and Caicos. We plan
to spend the night there and then continue on to the Dominican Republic the
next morning.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYt4gdvIMlZP0U_nXndEFNrK4XhyZOAVjD6Ku7CgLavVTrclGP7oJMipJxH55RlNriDdqF0IxcRQkorMqoGxtQIjfphsY-fLyrK_vTiuzhols2z4AyfoSRu6gbXt0caYtTe2gT-nwY8H6/s1600/DR+map.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYt4gdvIMlZP0U_nXndEFNrK4XhyZOAVjD6Ku7CgLavVTrclGP7oJMipJxH55RlNriDdqF0IxcRQkorMqoGxtQIjfphsY-fLyrK_vTiuzhols2z4AyfoSRu6gbXt0caYtTe2gT-nwY8H6/s400/DR+map.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sara at Luperon bay</td></tr>
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</div>
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By 6pm, we arrive at the south-end of West Caicos, only
16-miles to go. We turn the corner and
beat (this is when the wind is on the nose of the boat, a hard point of sail)
across the banks the last 16-miles, elongating our trip another 6 hours. Navigating into the anchorage by midnight, we
drop the anchor and crash out. Tomorrow
will be longer yet.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHU8epb0WOUy10tcNd2oriWa05-MneTX7mXCeprhyphenhyphen-sKFb2bTExJQFIUpv9zfURwxaweFU5PTTjCOKniIY2iX5hyGqwtH_kFn_sR6e87s0hXWTWomf8TxT1IImfb_emazRdsgL8KW6r7pV/s1600/DSC_0008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHU8epb0WOUy10tcNd2oriWa05-MneTX7mXCeprhyphenhyphen-sKFb2bTExJQFIUpv9zfURwxaweFU5PTTjCOKniIY2iX5hyGqwtH_kFn_sR6e87s0hXWTWomf8TxT1IImfb_emazRdsgL8KW6r7pV/s400/DSC_0008.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lind sighted - West Caicos</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYUVqIScnavIHbrwYvFuf3Ru7nT6UsEaqB5p_Uj86gw1dqrFD_TwVwpHNvgqF7yLQjELn-eauunZMIUdOWRFY85eRQg4aDAvuJ16kjZqJlUFSYauF8pcPtxrLK8QdTcYoEPJGn_6JzDYpH/s1600/DSC_0009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYUVqIScnavIHbrwYvFuf3Ru7nT6UsEaqB5p_Uj86gw1dqrFD_TwVwpHNvgqF7yLQjELn-eauunZMIUdOWRFY85eRQg4aDAvuJ16kjZqJlUFSYauF8pcPtxrLK8QdTcYoEPJGn_6JzDYpH/s320/DSC_0009.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">West Caicos sailing by</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7zZr6M6hPVVlOSYAJoRNKVGbIo1-bjpDICnPmHkGGXN6jTIkN8jq2O_xozozNdGwKBGFg2yi9kbOapxnesoz01yxmvFOvChUUgNQIW9kSxwqA9xVD4F2PjJUfBREyiQ3xocwmLPBaShq4/s1600/DSC_0021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7zZr6M6hPVVlOSYAJoRNKVGbIo1-bjpDICnPmHkGGXN6jTIkN8jq2O_xozozNdGwKBGFg2yi9kbOapxnesoz01yxmvFOvChUUgNQIW9kSxwqA9xVD4F2PjJUfBREyiQ3xocwmLPBaShq4/s400/DSC_0021.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nelly wedge against the starboard side</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Six hours of sleep, if that, we wake up to the weather
forecast. Not sounding good for our
original plan to cross the banks to east Turks and cross to the Dominican
Republic from there. Mike hails the
other sailboats in the anchorage to see if anyone is heading to the DR. Lucky us, two are heading straight there and
two are heading across the banks. We
leave shortly with Wayward Wind and Spray, both heading in the same
direction. This is great news, to have
other sailors within radio contact for a long crossing, one of the toughest
in the Caribbean chain. We head
southeast to the Dominican Republic. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRKcryBUtudpIN6HBXVW3fhgbmiTg9TAueuzVqUXQ1WqiNewLHaNBBQ_MvcupBPj_t6Vhbt_-WVlnP4dCx4CkM2lWT6xrlgA64TaCpNAzlaZFgdiIoCf16EOzvtrcIpG_YUMCjh16CFAWQ/s1600/DSC_0018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRKcryBUtudpIN6HBXVW3fhgbmiTg9TAueuzVqUXQ1WqiNewLHaNBBQ_MvcupBPj_t6Vhbt_-WVlnP4dCx4CkM2lWT6xrlgA64TaCpNAzlaZFgdiIoCf16EOzvtrcIpG_YUMCjh16CFAWQ/s320/DSC_0018.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Food along the way</td></tr>
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</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrhBwPK2y4F-HELwHK84nwWFuJhgfLUumt-I1073SPagf6X_8HBhT4W6rtwCAkRH9Q7KdEmO5_4ru2Gllg86rVJB5kcrdYYlFN-DldYQbgWrsQn2uX3JDuBnHSdsi6amakLAol8hzj365-/s1600/DSC_0015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrhBwPK2y4F-HELwHK84nwWFuJhgfLUumt-I1073SPagf6X_8HBhT4W6rtwCAkRH9Q7KdEmO5_4ru2Gllg86rVJB5kcrdYYlFN-DldYQbgWrsQn2uX3JDuBnHSdsi6amakLAol8hzj365-/s320/DSC_0015.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike at the helm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The wind direction starts in the northeast, shifting to the
east later in the day. We start out
flying, sailing 7 knots, close to our maximum hull speed, but eventually slow
down as the wind shifts more out of the east.
In total, we sailed 35 hours from French Cay to reach our destination of
Luperon, Dominican Republic by 6pm the following day.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtqv_W0NT0Fe-BrJJxWoM7DRWbSPCLSP2t389MR_dC7SPhgEi0p2MqSQFczE4sA7QdA8lxF0-8BQgeSdcej8PQi3KzifPrzEV_zQvG5bmG29GRgPOCZfPBpeEMdUP_vgjwWjmejXFKxaXY/s1600/DSC_0055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtqv_W0NT0Fe-BrJJxWoM7DRWbSPCLSP2t389MR_dC7SPhgEi0p2MqSQFczE4sA7QdA8lxF0-8BQgeSdcej8PQi3KzifPrzEV_zQvG5bmG29GRgPOCZfPBpeEMdUP_vgjwWjmejXFKxaXY/s400/DSC_0055.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nelly learned to switch bunks for each tack</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
By nightfall, our progress slowed and we reefed in the sails
to feel more comfortable while traveling in the dark. We motor sailed on and off as needed for speed and battery charging, a total of 14 hours with the engine on. By 9pm, we
were ready to begin actual shifts at the helm (steering the boat). I took the first shift from 9pm to midnight,
while Mike napped below. Mike took over
from 12am - 3:30am and then I picked up from 3:30am-sunrise (6:30am). At sunrise, I spotted LAND! The beautiful green, jutting mountains of
the Dominican Republic were a drastic difference from the flat and barren
islands of the Bahamas, which don’t peak above 300 feet. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxCErRgLoU1HEVhXih62WP75ALyfI8EaLbZbGswj4Hg9QVz66Xtx9F2KogjEX8Uyqf2gJGdTUcVtzuI32a7UBp3uRINEU3uj40rqAheFXc8LKNPXQLgKrEVPFOjw_uQXBnDAMESL6ivT5/s1600/DSC_0026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxCErRgLoU1HEVhXih62WP75ALyfI8EaLbZbGswj4Hg9QVz66Xtx9F2KogjEX8Uyqf2gJGdTUcVtzuI32a7UBp3uRINEU3uj40rqAheFXc8LKNPXQLgKrEVPFOjw_uQXBnDAMESL6ivT5/s400/DSC_0026.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise at sea</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6j0rsm4e7Bm1H4r83qAYs-r3RGSZ29Kj44A8T3Z9OMq-5RKOprKU4G9M7ADy8zDbuVHBR5N_CWcKQcGmK3cfrjfitdvKQm5ANW-y7SZ2raOcC6-eXU15f8e-N4zb6h72ZPcWe54kxQg5j/s1600/DSC_0024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6j0rsm4e7Bm1H4r83qAYs-r3RGSZ29Kj44A8T3Z9OMq-5RKOprKU4G9M7ADy8zDbuVHBR5N_CWcKQcGmK3cfrjfitdvKQm5ANW-y7SZ2raOcC6-eXU15f8e-N4zb6h72ZPcWe54kxQg5j/s400/DSC_0024.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Land sighted</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We were so close to somewhere new and
exciting! I go down below and nap until 9:30am at which time I go into
the aft cabin to get some drinking water before heading up to the cockpit with
Mike. To my unpleasant surprise, I see a
couple inches of water on the floor and the water jugs floating. For those that have a hard time waking up in
the mornings, this will do it – the rush of adrenaline that the boat may be
sinking is not a good one. I call up to
Mike that there is water in the back room and he says, “Of course there is,
that’s where the water is kept”. I
relay, not that type of water and he comes jumping down below.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkO9xF4vposlFx5LwBf3EH2Saz1n5GmuDixICXSxsKcwuKagF0I8g24oI6iFa-FuZszD1IX0Wh72sWrIsOXSe0Z5WfTtsBjO4MLnAE1245XoNU9V_svP4ejIQeckUkFeBpCAp1Jx5tNVIg/s1600/DSC_0032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkO9xF4vposlFx5LwBf3EH2Saz1n5GmuDixICXSxsKcwuKagF0I8g24oI6iFa-FuZszD1IX0Wh72sWrIsOXSe0Z5WfTtsBjO4MLnAE1245XoNU9V_svP4ejIQeckUkFeBpCAp1Jx5tNVIg/s320/DSC_0032.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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To our good fortune it was a simple fix. We could see land, but were still 9 miles
north of getting there and 23 miles from Luperon further east. Mike identifies the problem, a leak in the
cooling line to the engine. I shut off
the engine, while Mike goes below to repair the leak. <o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYdGZv54H7qg97Wk0u1BNfkNJ55qh17buZR3hdGv-ouoRctTySPyJT5-KdMzNtcUqRm_yf58e_FXxBo3ueKQBy0hmxn2741vZRGEy4ECwdTn8gs3hwc1a4aGxfbP09bEiR_x2r1RRFuOlO/s1600/DSC_0061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYdGZv54H7qg97Wk0u1BNfkNJ55qh17buZR3hdGv-ouoRctTySPyJT5-KdMzNtcUqRm_yf58e_FXxBo3ueKQBy0hmxn2741vZRGEy4ECwdTn8gs3hwc1a4aGxfbP09bEiR_x2r1RRFuOlO/s400/DSC_0061.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entering Luperon harbor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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During this time, there is not the slightest breeze, so the
Tanqueray is left bouncing around in the sea, getting closer and closer to
Haiti than the DR. Once the engine is
fixed, we turn it on and start to make some headway towards our destination,
very slowly.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nelly at anchorage in Luperon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfgOL89de_4w3aw7J8jnYYS8euIZV8l0ZrJPd-C3X3cxIDyJDHQcA1hywm966r-21At1orY5P9P205ILTL5-7XBBgyb34d5XCLQz8WQx-V8VNVP0t_Ygap3EeEmlddMc3PnMdsg4n9WKh/s1600/DSC_0101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfgOL89de_4w3aw7J8jnYYS8euIZV8l0ZrJPd-C3X3cxIDyJDHQcA1hywm966r-21At1orY5P9P205ILTL5-7XBBgyb34d5XCLQz8WQx-V8VNVP0t_Ygap3EeEmlddMc3PnMdsg4n9WKh/s400/DSC_0101.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luperon harbor - boats at anchor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw5khEC_nF_Xhh6vErktA9mfqyeSGiK8y9XIJ7DFewrAg6eq-zgEWNfuLlP_u1jS3gxXNDbWakLJz5DxfH2RYAXKNo92Hr02ZFRSpmH3zb00dOlIbJdav2NzRK6uLBd8aPYRFb46ou4V5T/s1600/DSC_0052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw5khEC_nF_Xhh6vErktA9mfqyeSGiK8y9XIJ7DFewrAg6eq-zgEWNfuLlP_u1jS3gxXNDbWakLJz5DxfH2RYAXKNo92Hr02ZFRSpmH3zb00dOlIbJdav2NzRK6uLBd8aPYRFb46ou4V5T/s320/DSC_0052.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Egrets at anchorage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Tack in, tack out, we work our way up the coast trying to
lay the Luperon entrance with the wind on our nose. Finally we get close enough to lay the
entrance with the engine on. We’re
heading in. It’s the most beautiful,
calmest entrance we have seen, and maybe we are biased after being at sea for
35 hours, but we already love it here.
Granted the water is not crystal clear, as in the Bahamas, but the tall green
mountains and cliffs dropping into the sea are a stark contrast to the sandy, flat
Bahamas. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCcNGhmClE_bHP_EVwzss1ed0XXnnd5tchEyXwo7KxpA0tbQH4WMMn7Qw2_jDInxrZNXaR0us3BGNF2jAryWcU4Cleul3nv33IjLJnlEh4wJG6rv5_UmIIQrjk2k41h1kfgpMJy0GMwhMm/s1600/DSC_0111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCcNGhmClE_bHP_EVwzss1ed0XXnnd5tchEyXwo7KxpA0tbQH4WMMn7Qw2_jDInxrZNXaR0us3BGNF2jAryWcU4Cleul3nv33IjLJnlEh4wJG6rv5_UmIIQrjk2k41h1kfgpMJy0GMwhMm/s400/DSC_0111.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkAu2biYxvhUCoEXlC_y_PfnYlVUN078W7E5n8uEQn4oA3QFIU-6ZxZGk-Wtpj4H6up3P0NAi2th6o8y66_ZJQMYYvfFx8v4MpLQXhyphenhyphenUoEw3HNl0TMTkKjn4wV6byJR5Jv9kYHGDLrI0KO/s1600/DSC_0097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkAu2biYxvhUCoEXlC_y_PfnYlVUN078W7E5n8uEQn4oA3QFIU-6ZxZGk-Wtpj4H6up3P0NAi2th6o8y66_ZJQMYYvfFx8v4MpLQXhyphenhyphenUoEw3HNl0TMTkKjn4wV6byJR5Jv9kYHGDLrI0KO/s400/DSC_0097.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
We see fisherman at work, in wooden canoes, as we enter the
harbor and then a multitude of sailboats, mostly blue water cruisers, while we
enter in our 32-foot weekend warrior, as Mike calls her.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM62BZYcILnNQ5m6RVoIkB4b5nIOdqYReF8jpphNmBeSaMS6l4nFaXuWxryPRaycnLimkhP8TrTmoXNRXTMolWbl9D-e48grnyhIdPWmMbU0dr6RLQYGrt6II-9hGzh-FftMWTuae71O37/s1600/DSC_0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM62BZYcILnNQ5m6RVoIkB4b5nIOdqYReF8jpphNmBeSaMS6l4nFaXuWxryPRaycnLimkhP8TrTmoXNRXTMolWbl9D-e48grnyhIdPWmMbU0dr6RLQYGrt6II-9hGzh-FftMWTuae71O37/s320/DSC_0004.jpg" width="214" /></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0bdxtiulPAn6egyTLtzKSWz2fSkp_HQZIGcUpyJ5fadYBJa-kET3tVIkMcOm0jWOzCQ1MgE6pwWWY96qXLOy8w1ltpwP55SMBBxdQ2b0yR4_4XEszBCCur0731peAoCRWpTX75Mc74ul/s1600/DSC_0117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0bdxtiulPAn6egyTLtzKSWz2fSkp_HQZIGcUpyJ5fadYBJa-kET3tVIkMcOm0jWOzCQ1MgE6pwWWY96qXLOy8w1ltpwP55SMBBxdQ2b0yR4_4XEszBCCur0731peAoCRWpTX75Mc74ul/s400/DSC_0117.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In town in Luperon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
We have arrived, 193 miles from the Bahamas! We have about 2 weeks to explore the
Dominican Republic before we need to head back to Crooked Island to pick up our
guests, Cindy and Matt. The food is great here, fresh fruits and vegetables, the people are amazingly friendly, the scenery is beautiful and it is HOT.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPz1vySi5HSQDmjOJP3uTDEj-88AzJB6VV3WHifQE_9fANRT4CQFXtMAk8CKK_g4tXOFv_4-CqG6mcS23XR2K4sPm2JZ4H1nH4vjA5yT72iLmHaSumpNfK_AGzMysKSQKPWW54un1s5LTK/s1600/DSC_0044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPz1vySi5HSQDmjOJP3uTDEj-88AzJB6VV3WHifQE_9fANRT4CQFXtMAk8CKK_g4tXOFv_4-CqG6mcS23XR2K4sPm2JZ4H1nH4vjA5yT72iLmHaSumpNfK_AGzMysKSQKPWW54un1s5LTK/s640/DSC_0044.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike celebrating arrival to the DR</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span id="goog_306845057"></span><span id="goog_306845058"></span>Sara Daubenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445880985071299844noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2679932334879224723.post-38528914542341762812012-04-11T07:00:00.000-07:002012-04-11T07:00:10.898-07:00Messages from Mayaguana<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyVg_H7uuL2vNsfiDMm1lRa9p1DbdFKmUMq2NRvhWe1AZHl4wwQfK4eitM2a-QXVhBEAPVhP7FuaLzUgOGVme3-QBZ9Wnolp1iuqFK0kNnXlPFosLaHcqnl8bhRteJNcyrS5wTvNzahzaf/s1600/DSC_0073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyVg_H7uuL2vNsfiDMm1lRa9p1DbdFKmUMq2NRvhWe1AZHl4wwQfK4eitM2a-QXVhBEAPVhP7FuaLzUgOGVme3-QBZ9Wnolp1iuqFK0kNnXlPFosLaHcqnl8bhRteJNcyrS5wTvNzahzaf/s400/DSC_0073.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Long passage setup (on a calm day)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Calm seas and great wind direction made our sail to
Mayaguana from South Acklins, approximately 75 miles, a pleasant crossing. We left the anchorage at noon and arrived the
next morning at 6am into Abraham’s harbor at the south side of Mayaguana. </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1QRr6jGVQDFh0wQgSfvChQvMPFfVjH8bIT9nddioLiNKyw1yqNk8bEPE6KIuSLTGoDiqp7ul2ctke2lX9sNi3JPqC5YgzmsdPBbp2U-RmaGTKbu9I9auNRHJo_YFPhwqt5UDkEfMkeAv/s1600/bahamasmap_small.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1QRr6jGVQDFh0wQgSfvChQvMPFfVjH8bIT9nddioLiNKyw1yqNk8bEPE6KIuSLTGoDiqp7ul2ctke2lX9sNi3JPqC5YgzmsdPBbp2U-RmaGTKbu9I9auNRHJo_YFPhwqt5UDkEfMkeAv/s400/bahamasmap_small.gif" width="355" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2dAh1snog0YQ454Zfvfq5gTye6Ts_V_O7Y9Iy9zhm9sDgZXd0iUmCb8lfJ0E3_TOao87E0tTTRFa2OSnxnd8WL0zONXcgBfFCRTsgfDip6VZqsl4hlKclUfSHLwHAgY_ZTRSBPawjCObl/s1600/DSC_0072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2dAh1snog0YQ454Zfvfq5gTye6Ts_V_O7Y9Iy9zhm9sDgZXd0iUmCb8lfJ0E3_TOao87E0tTTRFa2OSnxnd8WL0zONXcgBfFCRTsgfDip6VZqsl4hlKclUfSHLwHAgY_ZTRSBPawjCObl/s400/DSC_0072.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike testing the new spinnaker pole on our way to Mayaguana</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6I8qLkBUQgEDt8VN6udsYqy5ub-Fpir1U7MMNQnlT-nvzOiELgQeHJ4pWeUp5qzqbJnvP7r7_RU1Hi9pJ2kofjpH1w2TMjWHkSp16G1e4P67L1QThw0inbvJhHKiLjZvYVJlw1p8Osbv/s1600/DSC_0091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6I8qLkBUQgEDt8VN6udsYqy5ub-Fpir1U7MMNQnlT-nvzOiELgQeHJ4pWeUp5qzqbJnvP7r7_RU1Hi9pJ2kofjpH1w2TMjWHkSp16G1e4P67L1QThw0inbvJhHKiLjZvYVJlw1p8Osbv/s400/DSC_0091.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mayaguana dinghy dock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoHmyW2vn652FdChh1HTBriR1tSs_CyQeFpw1bpuFwnYsl2klzevJbUxdnCSqZQ14p1lg1RH3NECsFBT8WlM93Lyqzqv6fSZMvgjWnrGd2b3V2w4DpHyzswUglDHU0Ho_swIN_Rc9eVX9x/s1600/DSC_0097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoHmyW2vn652FdChh1HTBriR1tSs_CyQeFpw1bpuFwnYsl2klzevJbUxdnCSqZQ14p1lg1RH3NECsFBT8WlM93Lyqzqv6fSZMvgjWnrGd2b3V2w4DpHyzswUglDHU0Ho_swIN_Rc9eVX9x/s320/DSC_0097.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abraham's harbor, Mayaguana</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx1usx6e92oIZKW_J7aKaN6zxOAeARZJNDnWctnNBt9_7FoLvVofb0KkKCxZr-V4ceSMc2Y9UcCp4uWhEEy4deOEUDtewA0D-JIm-PdCcHKok4ysZTr-kRhSbSg1P9mMnCRXvfQG6gp8UA/s1600/DSC_0098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx1usx6e92oIZKW_J7aKaN6zxOAeARZJNDnWctnNBt9_7FoLvVofb0KkKCxZr-V4ceSMc2Y9UcCp4uWhEEy4deOEUDtewA0D-JIm-PdCcHKok4ysZTr-kRhSbSg1P9mMnCRXvfQG6gp8UA/s320/DSC_0098.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinghy stranded at low tide at Abraham Bay, Mayaguana</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJHBrNoeXZErQOIMCUzheTT_AhhZjvwuE73tIn3aMF2kdEGu2NMCq0tTRgzTFYZPyVSQOuR2-nTxBeiNYXr57XTZuDjPDjY02kld1qQ413UtYXHP9gfiEqBSSXmeuB-nWI8UxMieg22hyphenhyphen/s1600/DSC_0096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJHBrNoeXZErQOIMCUzheTT_AhhZjvwuE73tIn3aMF2kdEGu2NMCq0tTRgzTFYZPyVSQOuR2-nTxBeiNYXr57XTZuDjPDjY02kld1qQ413UtYXHP9gfiEqBSSXmeuB-nWI8UxMieg22hyphenhyphen/s320/DSC_0096.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Low tide in Mayaguana</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some local fisherman greeted us, when we arrived on land
later that afternoon. We saw their catch
of the day, which included the largest lobster that I have ever seen and about
400 conch. It was quite the catch for a
days work. We were told that the lobster
would be sold in Nassau for around $100!
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbrnh4f1IRDA87W6_Q6zAe9J-SKUdR5VXZ4NxJVmMMKHZJulYXBdF4A_zhr2V7tN7Bm7zPbWhgk4PA-BYTpoUjba9rosZNAdhtMnnS8J9VUXkJZlsRHcAY9HdvvL1Q77IrdqFbMZHuMTop/s1600/DSC_0084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbrnh4f1IRDA87W6_Q6zAe9J-SKUdR5VXZ4NxJVmMMKHZJulYXBdF4A_zhr2V7tN7Bm7zPbWhgk4PA-BYTpoUjba9rosZNAdhtMnnS8J9VUXkJZlsRHcAY9HdvvL1Q77IrdqFbMZHuMTop/s400/DSC_0084.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Town of Mayaguana<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqgKvddlbWronQTNoLh_F78nDvPYNtTLJh4SfItwB-AiXbVD1YqHnrEFpvbVPKNk0YH3r2bO-YBA2_9Y1KddAy7Hu0ONKN3oKuv3JAj2w0hgQzQQMq01kzOzhwQKO-J2hR4slimrqVSbkD/s1600/DSC_0076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqgKvddlbWronQTNoLh_F78nDvPYNtTLJh4SfItwB-AiXbVD1YqHnrEFpvbVPKNk0YH3r2bO-YBA2_9Y1KddAy7Hu0ONKN3oKuv3JAj2w0hgQzQQMq01kzOzhwQKO-J2hR4slimrqVSbkD/s400/DSC_0076.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dalton with his lobster catch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjPPssb8zR7qcnfmfBUV6rzKerok0lgKs_A7rJpIYJMoYf_TVsOMu9q1cKGIB4vkXAYqk-e6-AI_el3jhuJhvaWICvoFwWRkYHj7zXnKDOjb8kGNfwtWcjjXET2kn-Wu0d5vV5rGiHM3EW/s1600/DSC_0083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjPPssb8zR7qcnfmfBUV6rzKerok0lgKs_A7rJpIYJMoYf_TVsOMu9q1cKGIB4vkXAYqk-e6-AI_el3jhuJhvaWICvoFwWRkYHj7zXnKDOjb8kGNfwtWcjjXET2kn-Wu0d5vV5rGiHM3EW/s400/DSC_0083.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Power lines in Mayaguana knocked down from Hurricane Irene</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We left Mayaguana 2 days later with two messages to send to
the Dominican Republic. The first was from
our new acquaintance, Scully. Originally
Mike invited him to join us on our sail to the Dominican Republic, not thinking
that he’d be interested, but immediately Scully said he would love to have
sailed over with us except that he just got a job yesterday to watch J.R.’s
boat in the harbor. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFJDcNQ-ptZjL9u8ngp9zTR5-QHGUATZVW1MiZ2APx9tLoLgL5AzoHEBKA4TaOA0bLy-f7TDSM56k0nUZjgw7Oxn_yiQqtRWxIjCWjbygbvx2Ywh0Ki3AmgUjbigDXSF2V-ygVc5loucX0/s1600/DSC_0114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFJDcNQ-ptZjL9u8ngp9zTR5-QHGUATZVW1MiZ2APx9tLoLgL5AzoHEBKA4TaOA0bLy-f7TDSM56k0nUZjgw7Oxn_yiQqtRWxIjCWjbygbvx2Ywh0Ki3AmgUjbigDXSF2V-ygVc5loucX0/s400/DSC_0114.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Town of Luperon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEive-Pjz2ZJX1R3XpfZg-xv15804B7WYrP2L9EMj1o0_jcP4R_TyL_bejfIl4SQyEEvYYzeT_NXIJczPJAbaAbONXAj4tHzpAjv5zynJswjYV18I1H19o0wnm3TuhnKf4pAfY-OrWfjVl8X/s1600/DSC_0054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEive-Pjz2ZJX1R3XpfZg-xv15804B7WYrP2L9EMj1o0_jcP4R_TyL_bejfIl4SQyEEvYYzeT_NXIJczPJAbaAbONXAj4tHzpAjv5zynJswjYV18I1H19o0wnm3TuhnKf4pAfY-OrWfjVl8X/s400/DSC_0054.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Land sighted</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Instead, he told us to tell J.R. in Luperon that he was
watching the ‘other’ J.R.’s boat in Mayaguana.
He assured us that J.R. would know who J.R. was. I guess, living in the island world you can
refer to people on a first name basis and find them from island to island. We accepted unsure of our success in passing
on the message, but he was pleased and did not seem to doubt our ability to
find J.R. in Luperon. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB9CUg48gmb0joECV7ySuprUUCljuERBZCH6N4uKoDvtuaxqa67enrnhO4JbVgyL1K0xon7niMOgX_klYEZWWEdGiKk01dLHkiwAHTdCkw7ShnDFNrZBHkUNCTxIQ0etsMbdQqjrpI7AxC/s1600/DSC_0089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB9CUg48gmb0joECV7ySuprUUCljuERBZCH6N4uKoDvtuaxqa67enrnhO4JbVgyL1K0xon7niMOgX_klYEZWWEdGiKk01dLHkiwAHTdCkw7ShnDFNrZBHkUNCTxIQ0etsMbdQqjrpI7AxC/s400/DSC_0089.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entering Luperon harbor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdkFdUChIVkT-0tMwieTS9FtvHJOmxw8rcssZC8M5XOsMKjkjeiKmQtF_Rr8a3BZEyZGliPdluA1QkXRtaUeFMXSpNbcCnX1mP5QGa5Lh-Gxsym_uR5HIZ6iLjSRp3IyrPdUecuEw7ImVJ/s1600/DSC_0101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdkFdUChIVkT-0tMwieTS9FtvHJOmxw8rcssZC8M5XOsMKjkjeiKmQtF_Rr8a3BZEyZGliPdluA1QkXRtaUeFMXSpNbcCnX1mP5QGa5Lh-Gxsym_uR5HIZ6iLjSRp3IyrPdUecuEw7ImVJ/s400/DSC_0101.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luperon, Dominican Republic harbor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-GRsPzaD2C8kQ9K8-YlFAZxxyedso6FQSAAHXEtGLJsE29CsBUXYpTvoXgl2xrcD8D7JjvNGPOIqHUg4FN8ywyBqT90Lqo6FKwotgbIB9mLV9GkE7RIFDENrWdOD5Vo6XUW9XBbNqKy-M/s1600/DSC_0087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-GRsPzaD2C8kQ9K8-YlFAZxxyedso6FQSAAHXEtGLJsE29CsBUXYpTvoXgl2xrcD8D7JjvNGPOIqHUg4FN8ywyBqT90Lqo6FKwotgbIB9mLV9GkE7RIFDENrWdOD5Vo6XUW9XBbNqKy-M/s400/DSC_0087.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entering Luperon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our next message was from the restaurant and bar owner
Reggie. Who, coincidentally, was the
cousin of Willie, the restaurant owner on Crooked Island. He wanted us to pass on the message to Steve to
call him. We said we’d try our best to
find Steve and pass on the message. He
told us he owned a restaurant in Luperon.
Little did we know, at the time, that Luperon would be so easy to
navigate and find both J.R. and Steve to pass on the messages.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihSDTI9gAwXM-JAcuhfIZ6ckZBwmHIqnv_CIlGvo0tIZtc_wvyLRZeljxKaG4roL3CrLXQ2O6_SC35LrzYInML-a5EvZ4PwJb1jEuflph3uXRdxL56bBUlUa1Ap2VEUBH9vhlRdKF_OA1L/s1600/DSC_0119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihSDTI9gAwXM-JAcuhfIZ6ckZBwmHIqnv_CIlGvo0tIZtc_wvyLRZeljxKaG4roL3CrLXQ2O6_SC35LrzYInML-a5EvZ4PwJb1jEuflph3uXRdxL56bBUlUa1Ap2VEUBH9vhlRdKF_OA1L/s400/DSC_0119.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outside of Steve's restaurant in Luperon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6OBnys2ZSjZGMtsIVkUl2tuc_ipRu1kLj7QxeOMX6dnvus7K-iuNgJfjLWw3R9KhMLwtCxv0oNSgGjnvo59qkwqsvTSZiUav8svP5hSfvtxDIE4VJk1y8A97zNoAi5js_caZJPX6cFM0V/s1600/DSC_0124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6OBnys2ZSjZGMtsIVkUl2tuc_ipRu1kLj7QxeOMX6dnvus7K-iuNgJfjLWw3R9KhMLwtCxv0oNSgGjnvo59qkwqsvTSZiUav8svP5hSfvtxDIE4VJk1y8A97zNoAi5js_caZJPX6cFM0V/s400/DSC_0124.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Captain Steve's restaurant </td></tr>
</tbody></table>Sara Daubenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445880985071299844noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2679932334879224723.post-41966795748885317082012-04-07T08:00:00.001-07:002012-04-07T08:00:01.452-07:00The Faces of CrookedAfter one weeks time, you really get to know the community in a place with a population of 350 people. Plus we had already spent a week at Landrail Point a few weeks prior and had gotten acquainted with several locals.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Our first day in town on the return trip we went for a jog and ran into our friends Nappy and Trevor, who offered us an island tour and lunch across the island. We gladly accepted and in return took them for a sunset sail out to the lighthouse and back. Nappy even offered to pick up Cindy & Matt when they arrive to Crooked.<o:p></o:p></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-PPSlIOiuNu9bhXFKXzXiq5kuPezssat7KAyjljJVA3Qt-qMcCFFynyc3qh43U5Lu1ng6MWADmuHzB4OOTW4ipIESCt3UdASQlOi1HRNbOpHY-VO_FdIO3s9uvZpvsdIg_fvJg_pv-1I/s1600/DSC_0315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-PPSlIOiuNu9bhXFKXzXiq5kuPezssat7KAyjljJVA3Qt-qMcCFFynyc3qh43U5Lu1ng6MWADmuHzB4OOTW4ipIESCt3UdASQlOi1HRNbOpHY-VO_FdIO3s9uvZpvsdIg_fvJg_pv-1I/s320/DSC_0315.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trevor and Nappy aboard Tanqueray</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">That evening we ran into a couple and their two children who were vacationing at Landrail Point, Jackie and Brian. They invited us on a snorkeling excursion for two days out, requiring a change of plans, no longer were we leaving the next day!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Day two, we met our neighbors in the anchorage, Don & Janice, on Plane to Sea, a Lancer 10.5 (34.5 foot sailing vessel). They were a bundle of energy on their way down to the Dominican Republic. Over a couple of pina coladas, they renewed our desire to make it to the DR and again we had a change in plans. <o:p></o:p></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXcb_Tw2_EdZgjCNcedwEII8gGPERzUBRi1_arWQnLO_M5l1p25rQCIYSkJlxJXcUzYgBmW4eUHLPtZOlM6ma7pQjD4si0KTpJTQJ7x2XqU-T_6b4EDES_l5h_1890qcbes7P2aLmGXRbf/s1600/DSC_0084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXcb_Tw2_EdZgjCNcedwEII8gGPERzUBRi1_arWQnLO_M5l1p25rQCIYSkJlxJXcUzYgBmW4eUHLPtZOlM6ma7pQjD4si0KTpJTQJ7x2XqU-T_6b4EDES_l5h_1890qcbes7P2aLmGXRbf/s320/DSC_0084.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jackie and Brian at Landrail Point after the diving expedition</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5BxrUehxJFTQzMnbueESJE-isVEI3wtorjtacJmJxtN7AAzt9LaEntPvJtWpZ457lLLnoQ_G6nZjY4BHWxhv1o8vkrNJHHk-2_s4yzN4N_2K0uS27fyNImUSgKV7_XGGWGntOFJK72qcY/s1600/DSC_0041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5BxrUehxJFTQzMnbueESJE-isVEI3wtorjtacJmJxtN7AAzt9LaEntPvJtWpZ457lLLnoQ_G6nZjY4BHWxhv1o8vkrNJHHk-2_s4yzN4N_2K0uS27fyNImUSgKV7_XGGWGntOFJK72qcY/s400/DSC_0041.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brian, Jeffrey and Kim cleaning fish </td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbt7qVel9K3Noc1bcoQcFm39TFZ3A24WVAA1iWEFzblsNAFf81B0BnHha_HPlOdxUaUnraIA1MklHcK5aeHKQe1JfzbTNU1XQlcPDWQdGFfd-6ejhsaiO1bvVxh8gvZ6Q-lzFK6_HFZn8/s1600/DSC_0017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbt7qVel9K3Noc1bcoQcFm39TFZ3A24WVAA1iWEFzblsNAFf81B0BnHha_HPlOdxUaUnraIA1MklHcK5aeHKQe1JfzbTNU1XQlcPDWQdGFfd-6ejhsaiO1bvVxh8gvZ6Q-lzFK6_HFZn8/s320/DSC_0017.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cooler full of grouper and hogfish</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Day three, we head out on our spearfishing expedition with Brian and his local friends, Jeffrey, Kim and Elliot. We come back with a cooler packed of fish, specifically grouper and hogfish, the largest I’ve seen on this trip! We were in the water for 4 straight hours, needless to say, Mike and I were exhausted. So, for dinner, we stopped at Gibson’s Restaurant #2 (Willie’s). We enjoyed a delicious meal of fried chicken on special request, since we’d been eating so much fish and now had a freezer stocked with even more fish.<o:p></o:p></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDc8i-MYVmkIou3WtZIX50ICE6FDfH4XI-GSwLaQRcuJnL-Y6U5rUJdGlpgct6Y2C5gL1Z7O2C3e9YTapypz5CEC9aGNdpHKj9pHmElfVWkrQHidQu9A7ZkSEZlWsPkoOwaPwgZQiCp1Qn/s1600/Daubie's+visit+076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDc8i-MYVmkIou3WtZIX50ICE6FDfH4XI-GSwLaQRcuJnL-Y6U5rUJdGlpgct6Y2C5gL1Z7O2C3e9YTapypz5CEC9aGNdpHKj9pHmElfVWkrQHidQu9A7ZkSEZlWsPkoOwaPwgZQiCp1Qn/s320/Daubie's+visit+076.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Willie</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Day four, we had brunch at Willie’s (a treat from her for all the fish we had brought over last time). Getting ready to leave town again, we bumped into Nappy and he told us to jump in his car. He gave us another island tour, this time stopping at some of the homes he built and introducing us to the owners. <o:p></o:p></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQblfEugGZvW9i1Sh51tfKmx-_ZusQ0DoRVDf5n-2kkosNJdUQwqNwFLzEEAuJLi0DktMyGjH7RLffITuugL8rHpkquC_Cew7qbi2ygTAofVp4KKkUuS71-0cP6tQDkzlrH-vmoWmepih1/s1600/DSC_0089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQblfEugGZvW9i1Sh51tfKmx-_ZusQ0DoRVDf5n-2kkosNJdUQwqNwFLzEEAuJLi0DktMyGjH7RLffITuugL8rHpkquC_Cew7qbi2ygTAofVp4KKkUuS71-0cP6tQDkzlrH-vmoWmepih1/s400/DSC_0089.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Bruce's house</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVguaJ3uB3TrbOCR7dQ-SoJC6fCV4j7-1xMeBHGF4KPTYUbmiQ-hDO3U4hWOKgXAE6rhEWUF-tRYL1rcoXHFp7Ght7lHMMc1OK0ziFwxbx4_pnCTMMTWGkSjJxiCOFvpWfHLkxq_DwvTa/s1600/DSC_0090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVguaJ3uB3TrbOCR7dQ-SoJC6fCV4j7-1xMeBHGF4KPTYUbmiQ-hDO3U4hWOKgXAE6rhEWUF-tRYL1rcoXHFp7Ght7lHMMc1OK0ziFwxbx4_pnCTMMTWGkSjJxiCOFvpWfHLkxq_DwvTa/s320/DSC_0090.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Dr. Bruce's house</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Here we met Dr. Bruce Ball. What an outgoing and amiable character. Even before introductions, he announced, “You must be in need of water, laundry, hot shower and a place to sleep!” We were thrilled and said of course! If things couldn’t get any wilder, he mentioned that he was from Yakima! (Note: that’s were I grew up and my mom is a nurse and he recognized her name). <o:p></o:p></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIDIVRMAb4nrGWsvuj7_oOrR9Z3bhjld44pyR-cE8KNlVnxB60346ahOySaN1TlAdHYEXeW5GF8kWnTJGYrMdRt3KaL0lbrFGWZWbgN13dkP_jVC9utzZp5HXFt-V4o9ByjSbdpkVS5lvG/s1600/DSC_0092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIDIVRMAb4nrGWsvuj7_oOrR9Z3bhjld44pyR-cE8KNlVnxB60346ahOySaN1TlAdHYEXeW5GF8kWnTJGYrMdRt3KaL0lbrFGWZWbgN13dkP_jVC9utzZp5HXFt-V4o9ByjSbdpkVS5lvG/s320/DSC_0092.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike and Bruce outside of his house</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Bruce came by the dock to pick us up later that afternoon and we enjoyed cocktails at his beautiful, hand built home overlooking the ocean, while doing the laundry. Later that evening we were invited to his neighbors, Maury and Fritz’s house, for an ex-pat dinner party. What a fun night, everyone was so friendly and all from the Northwest. Fritz also has a book out “Ten Years Behind the Mast” which he wrote after traveling around the world on his sailboat.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Day five, we enjoy a coffee and crepe breakfast with Bruce and then head back to the boat. Today we are heading out of town, for real this time! We have exactly a month until Cindy & Matt’s arrival to Crooked Island and have places to get to that require some serious travel time and weather windows.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwp_uj3DKZmyZKaZWGa6q084ZXL3k3jPyosdj5qeqEtYkW3cc-f6jk5_QqZHz6eRd0Re-K2pTs8scGV8SCyhBw4BuErBkKqUjXZMKnCROdYuWPzrpxLCacL7Z0rCNglyaHf3YCsFfPF9XR/s1600/DSC_0139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwp_uj3DKZmyZKaZWGa6q084ZXL3k3jPyosdj5qeqEtYkW3cc-f6jk5_QqZHz6eRd0Re-K2pTs8scGV8SCyhBw4BuErBkKqUjXZMKnCROdYuWPzrpxLCacL7Z0rCNglyaHf3YCsFfPF9XR/s320/DSC_0139.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sandbar at Fish Cay</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">That afternoon, we sail south and stop at Fish Cay, just south of Long Cay off Crooked Island. It’s an interesting anchorage, located in a cut between two sandbars. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0bibYfVFJ3Nz_roXpvHJ1ooFSUvSjNq2ZGM0avwhjfL1qsLUvteMhFOODrY-nLgxJq6P0b6YQgfvzrmFF3WPLp8l0rd0jXUTy4_mV_hejOWCWsz3APt87UJ0EnCZLeb6hHIxsKS4iEvwn/s1600/DSC_0025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0bibYfVFJ3Nz_roXpvHJ1ooFSUvSjNq2ZGM0avwhjfL1qsLUvteMhFOODrY-nLgxJq6P0b6YQgfvzrmFF3WPLp8l0rd0jXUTy4_mV_hejOWCWsz3APt87UJ0EnCZLeb6hHIxsKS4iEvwn/s400/DSC_0025.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tanqueray anchored at southend of Acklins Island</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">At low tide the next morning, you can actually see the sandbars.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We enjoy the beach, which turns out to be an amazing spot for collecting BIG shells, much to Mike’s apprehension.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">He seems to worry about how many shells I like to pack aboard the boat, fearing I may sink the vessel.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I relieve his stress by saying I’ll only take the top 5 back to the boat.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">That afternoon, we continue south, stopping at the south tip of Acklins Island and reuniting with our friends on Plane to Sea.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLvKN2iCOAItUgSiRpcD9si6C3xa-jeBV-1KbS-U4-YlXVFJmicOU_esdAPpINy1q7dFVPj_8pb65yWoP5byfLePkcKQIIb8E2DxSqGO9eT6CcGAF4-e376DNVYLyStj7CM48tVFONURR/s1600/DSC_0161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLvKN2iCOAItUgSiRpcD9si6C3xa-jeBV-1KbS-U4-YlXVFJmicOU_esdAPpINy1q7dFVPj_8pb65yWoP5byfLePkcKQIIb8E2DxSqGO9eT6CcGAF4-e376DNVYLyStj7CM48tVFONURR/s320/DSC_0161.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beach at Castle Island</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVlRk1Ggyrm4J8jSiP_XtTcA4lFE1imrGf3GpgpdqdgFsLp9EQnohHYygCTs8hc2-fVxrE8frqpwS9rbgZQsgMhg7qKTIRnbI_KgdrdLVes-0Me4SQhtJxjbEwFy-eYb1ZNSIoA2EY4v4/s1600/DSC_0147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVlRk1Ggyrm4J8jSiP_XtTcA4lFE1imrGf3GpgpdqdgFsLp9EQnohHYygCTs8hc2-fVxrE8frqpwS9rbgZQsgMhg7qKTIRnbI_KgdrdLVes-0Me4SQhtJxjbEwFy-eYb1ZNSIoA2EY4v4/s400/DSC_0147.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lighthouse at Castle Island</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Zo-eszSHsxsgcJwuWPAG4qJ5SETDdCsWCmA7BpRAaWmZ1E_juM08S5mMwEuMit_1FHV2QQCLcVV170aBYohjN82HmMOsWywl0xeh8ZPGKXRMRCb-GF311qvdYw3RlJcjDg3lMdhok73D/s1600/DSC_0019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Zo-eszSHsxsgcJwuWPAG4qJ5SETDdCsWCmA7BpRAaWmZ1E_juM08S5mMwEuMit_1FHV2QQCLcVV170aBYohjN82HmMOsWywl0xeh8ZPGKXRMRCb-GF311qvdYw3RlJcjDg3lMdhok73D/s320/DSC_0019.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Relaxing on land</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2LOwu7imtwQvTdeULbSZfWHT6wnM-5alDNVtvcxvYOCgv7U5vUHBUw6znCW41sVZVUO6Fc5xLlLosv3HELCayyaOcTKt2rQNAtZMI7m4rkZQa3qsUzqUXzGF4_6QYqqpYhkt3rkssrxEs/s1600/DSC_0022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2LOwu7imtwQvTdeULbSZfWHT6wnM-5alDNVtvcxvYOCgv7U5vUHBUw6znCW41sVZVUO6Fc5xLlLosv3HELCayyaOcTKt2rQNAtZMI7m4rkZQa3qsUzqUXzGF4_6QYqqpYhkt3rkssrxEs/s320/DSC_0022.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Day six, our friends on Plane to Sea head out for Great Inagua, while we spend another day just 5-miles south at Castle Island. The beach here ranks in the top 5 and is one of the widest we’ve seen in the Bahamas. With a beautiful lighthouse protruding from the shrubbery, the rest of the island is deserted. The anchorage is not desirable on the edge of the ocean with little protection. We have a night of little sleep, the roll being ever present and punishing. The next day after untangling the anchor chain, we move to the anchorage just 5-miles north. We spend the day and evening lounging on land, solid land feels wonderful; it’s difficult to go back to the boat!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHFD9yLBjYhuW9k8ay07-mbbF6wAWXST1D22rqGfyYrVLOiigyPq4s1AtwmQraaBqx882XcxZED2nsVCPFdKT5J4aNggffnIN3rUhHzohl0kEXXGKzoF30xy5EstHTkjUAuusgY34-Fdll/s1600/DSC_0011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHFD9yLBjYhuW9k8ay07-mbbF6wAWXST1D22rqGfyYrVLOiigyPq4s1AtwmQraaBqx882XcxZED2nsVCPFdKT5J4aNggffnIN3rUhHzohl0kEXXGKzoF30xy5EstHTkjUAuusgY34-Fdll/s320/DSC_0011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRRIt-IX_Fr4S5X5dk7JLXiXF94gpYDQed7IT98lGQv0_yU1UF60r2jybFS4MYMQab4SSzlvDVuD6zKrgpMVa1og8J80YUBJ9L5eSITGH0ikVPki_LnCWz6Lu8z7adVL2VujZsM3nJclV7/s1600/DSC_0027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRRIt-IX_Fr4S5X5dk7JLXiXF94gpYDQed7IT98lGQv0_yU1UF60r2jybFS4MYMQab4SSzlvDVuD6zKrgpMVa1og8J80YUBJ9L5eSITGH0ikVPki_LnCWz6Lu8z7adVL2VujZsM3nJclV7/s320/DSC_0027.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our cove that we spent the day at on South Acklins</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcr9eseJebkfzkpIvyzD8s8Pi48oRqdhwuT2cvsUA4vJhZ2tWZBqSl1cWvFIyO0JeIloGYaJ6HxaPY9c6wk6I-VRLj_X0RatZQJPfZ57AkIMrdG5SeG6Wiv0lSe_0e1-yIoAHlt7RyuTFi/s1600/DSC_0032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcr9eseJebkfzkpIvyzD8s8Pi48oRqdhwuT2cvsUA4vJhZ2tWZBqSl1cWvFIyO0JeIloGYaJ6HxaPY9c6wk6I-VRLj_X0RatZQJPfZ57AkIMrdG5SeG6Wiv0lSe_0e1-yIoAHlt7RyuTFi/s400/DSC_0032.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sara and Tanqueray</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Day seven, time to get moving, looks like the weather is better for a crossing, we decide to head to Mayaguana instead of Great Inagua. After re-evaluating the charts, it looks like a better direction with the wind and mileage to head from there to Turks and Caicos and then continue on to the Dominican Republic if weather and time permits.<o:p></o:p></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-VmQ0vsosTaUoT4wXAcwfsysDq6S0uGzT57I2Cyai3fi9ICDw0AWWqgJjHXkO47UHIew-37iHhbr-xOObL8TePTbURnbIrLWiomNCwnndmQRzedQOMxRTCAHvvbK-XOryssqbrUkQE6xa/s1600/DSC_0097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-VmQ0vsosTaUoT4wXAcwfsysDq6S0uGzT57I2Cyai3fi9ICDw0AWWqgJjHXkO47UHIew-37iHhbr-xOObL8TePTbURnbIrLWiomNCwnndmQRzedQOMxRTCAHvvbK-XOryssqbrUkQE6xa/s400/DSC_0097.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mayaguana</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Sara Daubenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445880985071299844noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2679932334879224723.post-87726939036247347992012-04-04T07:00:00.000-07:002012-04-04T07:00:01.618-07:00A Fishing Tale – The Skunk is off the Lures!!<div class="MsoNormal">By, Michael Daubenberger</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbNZIoBw4MHyUobHmgB33ZDBdtoc1OFOm85XNQTDKjHBGutM6VKVI1LFLPmuger2zI1pJmHTl9JWZNBdUHffNNVlkyDkhrVQXGaGkr0Hd5y1JeKho79cfTvXq0sYWTzIWzfCdt-h3-gIa/s1600/DSC_0039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbNZIoBw4MHyUobHmgB33ZDBdtoc1OFOm85XNQTDKjHBGutM6VKVI1LFLPmuger2zI1pJmHTl9JWZNBdUHffNNVlkyDkhrVQXGaGkr0Hd5y1JeKho79cfTvXq0sYWTzIWzfCdt-h3-gIa/s400/DSC_0039.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike with his Grouper and Hogfish</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">Our tale continues where the last one left off. Yes, spearfishing in Crooked Island. The plan was to leave Landrail Point, our anchorage, on Monday. An invitation later and we were sticking around until Tuesday to go spear fishing with our friend Brian. The cast included Brian, three local guys Jeffery, Kim, and Elliott, and of course, ourselves. Tuesday arrived and we headed down south to the reefs off French Wells. We started diving on the relatively shallow reefs 10 to 15 feet and worked our way out. It was soon clear that Jeffery and Brian were putting on a spearfishing clinic. They would work the fish in pairs, and as far as I could tell never missed a target. The boat filled fast with Nassau Grouper. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn3mbrB-jA5nkGvaGx7Kavf82hNHk6YT-CXS4AaNwzO0F9F-xagnKO1XFbj1PWr1yCc3w2rDqCDwjjOJ56tjOtwmBmP-UgkpSJgb014AKiBHPZHcp5_pf9quysR_VNvujp1GSirFYB9E5d/s1600/DSC_0033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn3mbrB-jA5nkGvaGx7Kavf82hNHk6YT-CXS4AaNwzO0F9F-xagnKO1XFbj1PWr1yCc3w2rDqCDwjjOJ56tjOtwmBmP-UgkpSJgb014AKiBHPZHcp5_pf9quysR_VNvujp1GSirFYB9E5d/s320/DSC_0033.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Table full of fish</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYZGQtjaff5Q1dz8FMN4jgbwVppsYqgp4hfrtKoPgvzCh26nNlkhyphenhyphenz7-lZQQiEHbYHgjsxAafrI9xKe74UZE2ZwTHQlnVY0vNc1wYp13ng0Jcw23A7IZZ2fsEJtYQNJKu15nAPfT6nosVt/s1600/DSC_0036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYZGQtjaff5Q1dz8FMN4jgbwVppsYqgp4hfrtKoPgvzCh26nNlkhyphenhyphenz7-lZQQiEHbYHgjsxAafrI9xKe74UZE2ZwTHQlnVY0vNc1wYp13ng0Jcw23A7IZZ2fsEJtYQNJKu15nAPfT6nosVt/s320/DSC_0036.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kim with a Hogfish</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Later in the day we were working the reefs in 35 to 40 feet of water, which is about my limit. From the surface I spotted a Hog Snapper and pointed it out to Sara. From above it looked small but definitely large enough to shoot at so I drifted down. As I got closer the fish got bigger, it was a monster 15 pounds at least. I cocked the spear back and took my shot, a hit. He started to swim off and I grabbed the spear and headed up. The only problem was, I wasn’t going up. At least not fast. The fish was fighting and so was I. The surface, 35 feet away in this tug of war. Progress was made one foot at a time and I was ready for some air. I slid my hand down to the end of the spear and made my push to the surface. Just as I was getting ready to give in, I broke the surface. Again spear fishing success. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKYHJSlvMsDJwq1SZdLNt8ZEKbLMpg2kVPrd-fiFR1Gh2Z1rXmkQB5Qyi3jSDqBPwN_1WQvTTe6tNBLjEzIUgzvpUX868c6IjOWdDLDISsoDhkz_4Kilab3PysoravW-xEOeZr6d6vANEC/s1600/DSC_0019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKYHJSlvMsDJwq1SZdLNt8ZEKbLMpg2kVPrd-fiFR1Gh2Z1rXmkQB5Qyi3jSDqBPwN_1WQvTTe6tNBLjEzIUgzvpUX868c6IjOWdDLDISsoDhkz_4Kilab3PysoravW-xEOeZr6d6vANEC/s320/DSC_0019.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sara with one of the Lobster</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">At the next reef Sara made her first kill of the day. A lion fish. She dove down aimed that spear and whacked him square in the guts. I headed down after to check out a grouper. Too small. I headed up. Sara was at the surface waiting for the boat to retrieve her catch when the fish wiggled free and started half drifting, half swimming to the bottom. We were on a collision course. Sara was on the surface watching, no way to warn me, no time to swim down. 15 feet from the surface I look up and see a lion fish 10 feet above my head drifting down. I take evasive action and we pass each other in transit. I’m not sure what it would feel like to have a lion fish stick into your head but I’m sure its not good. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNmntyhrA1q__2F0thKMfqniHEZUsLlftKWCrhyphenhyphen-RzE6351Tq5GO_rE8QtcB2wqg_hHDFxzyumPM-CdHmkgx6sQ_gNxVlfCw3CgofqQLN5JScTfG5AQR-iS09EfUhBEV_RdiqQWiAHAvNR/s1600/DSC_0088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNmntyhrA1q__2F0thKMfqniHEZUsLlftKWCrhyphenhyphen-RzE6351Tq5GO_rE8QtcB2wqg_hHDFxzyumPM-CdHmkgx6sQ_gNxVlfCw3CgofqQLN5JScTfG5AQR-iS09EfUhBEV_RdiqQWiAHAvNR/s400/DSC_0088.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brian, Kim, and Jeffery at work cleaning</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG75DetnP6PetO_06woxipEyHSmIXe3JvqSbJPTdQCG6FbDCruJ28zk1p-cpz78F-HQeMjdYt-EX5RWiNQshkNniv678hDZAAlbo0JGe0eAbfxMLqt8ZuJVwrm5XT93xJTjFr6LzjAlRBq/s1600/DSC_0075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG75DetnP6PetO_06woxipEyHSmIXe3JvqSbJPTdQCG6FbDCruJ28zk1p-cpz78F-HQeMjdYt-EX5RWiNQshkNniv678hDZAAlbo0JGe0eAbfxMLqt8ZuJVwrm5XT93xJTjFr6LzjAlRBq/s320/DSC_0075.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skinning a grouper for boil fish</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Our catch for the day 14 Nassau Grouper, 2 Hogfish, 1 Tiger Grouper, and 3 Lobster. The Tiger Grouper was a mistake, my mistake. Tiger Grouper are a fish that commonly carries ciguatera fish poisoning. A poisoning that attacks the nervous system. It is not fatal but also not fun like getting stung by a lionfish. Just different symptoms that last longer. The Tiger Grouper became shark bait. Bait that almost took me in with a shark attached. My take included 1 Hogfish, 1 Nassau Grouper, 1 Tiger Grouper, and 1 Lobster. <o:p></o:p></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpRmLZytOkfkHyJ-DaDNQ867_1pxUbE0m7nOXScO43UZwmDdrMx5IlyozPUwp6mY76VVEHZtMwjtf9scimU6ti3mmaRBaTEVbwnj7Gpy-Fjt7f3AD4Y-4id-mBEO_jwzqe_0JqoTv0yhXC/s1600/DSC_0068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpRmLZytOkfkHyJ-DaDNQ867_1pxUbE0m7nOXScO43UZwmDdrMx5IlyozPUwp6mY76VVEHZtMwjtf9scimU6ti3mmaRBaTEVbwnj7Gpy-Fjt7f3AD4Y-4id-mBEO_jwzqe_0JqoTv0yhXC/s400/DSC_0068.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike feeding the sharks</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkdFy6G02YtYyXr6_LHXgG_27xrKRixiPpDgAQfmdsbuTaOyfpY4g8gu9U70Bz1nwI6TQa9e8Fp79PCYqwEw9q1jIOrzsoQSckNKISq3c_G6UtINxTXBMDGxjag5YmVuB1QOeLuK1QcQxE/s1600/DSC_0071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkdFy6G02YtYyXr6_LHXgG_27xrKRixiPpDgAQfmdsbuTaOyfpY4g8gu9U70Bz1nwI6TQa9e8Fp79PCYqwEw9q1jIOrzsoQSckNKISq3c_G6UtINxTXBMDGxjag5YmVuB1QOeLuK1QcQxE/s320/DSC_0071.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shark</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6tkPPKOJwcQ6w0-W7zanwB7DZm3JMXJ6VnvQT6E-XSPwM4UfzzA6Bd3ZKZQXi4iTbeP2tFECsPm5iv_qP-YpPOb2-BP7KiWi-8tmjuRX3VfyGWnU1BUOXDcsu5usigxe-WTzCPlDgmije/s1600/DSC_0066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6tkPPKOJwcQ6w0-W7zanwB7DZm3JMXJ6VnvQT6E-XSPwM4UfzzA6Bd3ZKZQXi4iTbeP2tFECsPm5iv_qP-YpPOb2-BP7KiWi-8tmjuRX3VfyGWnU1BUOXDcsu5usigxe-WTzCPlDgmije/s400/DSC_0066.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shark</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_rMfwAXFjYwLCxTK_aY6jgyjx0JjeM3ltgVx3loFuRsuk0GHcCHTMCi7ZzBJJ1a4_yZhSwoKE9VlqCjg4fwhnzJsOiQs7ywZD7ckyOrOP1goPUojABylZKG5Xtt-kqfgtVbYRCY4mExJ/s1600/DSC_0065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_rMfwAXFjYwLCxTK_aY6jgyjx0JjeM3ltgVx3loFuRsuk0GHcCHTMCi7ZzBJJ1a4_yZhSwoKE9VlqCjg4fwhnzJsOiQs7ywZD7ckyOrOP1goPUojABylZKG5Xtt-kqfgtVbYRCY4mExJ/s320/DSC_0065.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shark</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">We headed south to the bottom of Acklins Island under a stiff breeze and heavily reefed sail. Both lures out, orange and green. It had been so long since we caught a real fish that when it hit we were paralyzed. Sara was at the helm, I grabbed the pole. It was a big fish and it was taking all of our line. We came back to our senses, I tightened the drag and Sara eased the boat into the wind to slow her down from 7 knots to a more manageable 2.5 knots. The fight was on. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlHMeiK7JlEqIlwSkw_rxIL0TxCMkvo2b-SH7AmzEaWeaV5IqApnw9gAOcashLLwyQxKpch-TNZ8oI_uhrGf_qOrGkomMEzaHOzJfDBrzD20Ff0SOVLTrrlpwWfOkXnOrUad8X-e4_5hRD/s1600/DSC_0132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlHMeiK7JlEqIlwSkw_rxIL0TxCMkvo2b-SH7AmzEaWeaV5IqApnw9gAOcashLLwyQxKpch-TNZ8oI_uhrGf_qOrGkomMEzaHOzJfDBrzD20Ff0SOVLTrrlpwWfOkXnOrUad8X-e4_5hRD/s400/DSC_0132.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nelly checking out the Mahi</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Sara took the pole as I took in the jib, cleaned the cockpit, and collected utensils. Gaffe, Check, Fillet Knife, Check, Lines clear of the cockpit, check, Camara, Check. We were ready. The fish was a leaping big bull Mahi. It showed no signs of tiring. Sara did. It looked as though she might take up barefoot waterskiing at any moment. She didn’t, but she did hand me the pole. I was fighting, fighting hard in my speedo I might add. Not a comfortable outfit for reeling big fish in. 30 minutes later we had the fish at the side of the boat and I had the gaffe in his mouth. He was a monster, 52 inches and he filled the freezer. Sorry ice, your gonna have to move. Warm cocktails tonight. <o:p></o:p></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxjY2I6y-L1zVpcFnr-PvFt2z9mp-PjVi2ki_QO0Ffi6O7tF-TQjr2QRnGwWrYS1r1AAh59KKxga0ZNsssFQ3ZPOvg0wEYCsbYO7Q4BmQaYOVe7XCmWyLset0wEfLNWWvt8YfNqxnwB32v/s1600/DSC_0124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxjY2I6y-L1zVpcFnr-PvFt2z9mp-PjVi2ki_QO0Ffi6O7tF-TQjr2QRnGwWrYS1r1AAh59KKxga0ZNsssFQ3ZPOvg0wEYCsbYO7Q4BmQaYOVe7XCmWyLset0wEfLNWWvt8YfNqxnwB32v/s400/DSC_0124.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sara with the Mahi</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5gX0SrN911X_Fm0cJ3UONi7MNvcU8ajNt_8gRErf3sDoXHB-nk9LpEyd1qx-k96pxnjqrN93Jrgx8zb_iI1WJn6MjhUT5PrzL-SQ_7EpIXWSaX5uIgAu0A_0TPWQZNX9eBIkRNPtipQ9g/s1600/DSC_0105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5gX0SrN911X_Fm0cJ3UONi7MNvcU8ajNt_8gRErf3sDoXHB-nk9LpEyd1qx-k96pxnjqrN93Jrgx8zb_iI1WJn6MjhUT5PrzL-SQ_7EpIXWSaX5uIgAu0A_0TPWQZNX9eBIkRNPtipQ9g/s320/DSC_0105.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike wrestling the Mahi</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">At Castle Island we decided to take a dip, no spears, the freezer was full. How quickly your mind can be changed. I spot a good sized lionfish. We can’t leave him around, destroying the reef system. Sara climbs out, grabs the spear and goes after him. A shot to the head ands its all over. We toss him in the dinghy, dinner has been decided. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKrF3E3rIZeV2UDEy5FeOgSgQLapH47J4xKnDDlarh9QfebVXdYmE-UGR2JprUSFHZZ1C9rAzReE_QU-iUDexKBTCoLgNdNX7sAHCfsckZNk5eT7zMUOi8CGds7BRHYExb6zFwFki2W8wb/s1600/DSC_0154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKrF3E3rIZeV2UDEy5FeOgSgQLapH47J4xKnDDlarh9QfebVXdYmE-UGR2JprUSFHZZ1C9rAzReE_QU-iUDexKBTCoLgNdNX7sAHCfsckZNk5eT7zMUOi8CGds7BRHYExb6zFwFki2W8wb/s320/DSC_0154.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKeJeHXLew-EMLGgEotfdalmnjDXizq5YhCaZhnxJjmDaZmNfZD4GYbm2gCaX4ENHE-Qmgo1EvzaN3r0nKhmEsEJkG8dRmoZ8y12rLmmr0hS14oLir4v9gg_bEDii_3YN700AVwvtPspk3/s1600/DSC_0156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKeJeHXLew-EMLGgEotfdalmnjDXizq5YhCaZhnxJjmDaZmNfZD4GYbm2gCaX4ENHE-Qmgo1EvzaN3r0nKhmEsEJkG8dRmoZ8y12rLmmr0hS14oLir4v9gg_bEDii_3YN700AVwvtPspk3/s200/DSC_0156.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Our trip to Mayaguana was a long one, 75 miles. The fridge was pretty full but we figured we should try to diversify with a tuna, or a wahoo. 30 minutes into the trip we have our first hit, a 40 + inch Mahi. I battle as Sara steers. He leaps and leaps and finally breaks free. The fridge is full, the battle was fun, its all good. Another thirty minutes and another hit. This time a 32 inch Mahi. Sara battles him on the old pole. The pole is tired and the reel pops free. The mount has finally given up. I put on the gloves and go to work hand-lining him in. We get him up to the boat and I pull to take him aboard. No gaffe, he’s a little guy. No luck either, he gets loose as I pull and swims away. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_RlMnLdrRRDRwzRPMDggflHGe4xOelEk1zV7X8HmboSD_OnzY5J8ZPXfUUzl3cvKhzcP7M1-bG_vFO0r-VeNEPZBeA-2RZN422QEh9ThfPSq5jHd_9WnTC7N4yKudhtsSIu1lt7b9Sw6/s1600/DSC_0063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_RlMnLdrRRDRwzRPMDggflHGe4xOelEk1zV7X8HmboSD_OnzY5J8ZPXfUUzl3cvKhzcP7M1-bG_vFO0r-VeNEPZBeA-2RZN422QEh9ThfPSq5jHd_9WnTC7N4yKudhtsSIu1lt7b9Sw6/s640/DSC_0063.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">School of Tuna</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Next up, the schools of blackfin tuna marked by dive bombing birds (aka tuna birds). We troll through the first school. The fish are jumping, but not onto our lure. We make a second pass and a third. No luck. Over the course of the day we see four schools but catch 0 fish. Night had set and we had forgot to pull in the line and were reminded when we heard it rush out. Sara commands that I take the pull and I begin the fight. It feels like a tuna, a small one. Ten seconds later he’s off and the line is reeled in. A great day of fighting, but no success getting the fish in the fridge. Not a common problem on the Tanqueray. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIM6m_vwMDJ1G2lxdUOJrE19HjbrPg1B1_V4Vzhaoc45mpU4cKDMMUQO1n121W0r50eHwBMszZQLGojL0gXFe95kY-2Y0dLJg2u4InMqUVn0U6ICgXoqZC5pJnLy5CpNiWtenrGbzLGFT8/s1600/DSC_0077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIM6m_vwMDJ1G2lxdUOJrE19HjbrPg1B1_V4Vzhaoc45mpU4cKDMMUQO1n121W0r50eHwBMszZQLGojL0gXFe95kY-2Y0dLJg2u4InMqUVn0U6ICgXoqZC5pJnLy5CpNiWtenrGbzLGFT8/s400/DSC_0077.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7MXvcou_xub-7cZyhhv_HRZL84iOE8N7OwKufzWl2S6l3g_kbEkb9Tczj0ttQWOI-ElAaesYHIC-Ki4CvZnWTWDWwP2f2mqqmu-0l4XRlg7Hqky2BXNx3gDnEk45qNU2tC8aFD2JZpeV/s1600/DSC_0074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7MXvcou_xub-7cZyhhv_HRZL84iOE8N7OwKufzWl2S6l3g_kbEkb9Tczj0ttQWOI-ElAaesYHIC-Ki4CvZnWTWDWwP2f2mqqmu-0l4XRlg7Hqky2BXNx3gDnEk45qNU2tC8aFD2JZpeV/s320/DSC_0074.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dalton's Lobster </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqzoFcqSBmkfyMV7NSbFJfmsiW0qJPel8j9OlZI0G5jPdWJ8AJJVkjSFcZBHpxFFwVb2aouc7ftgIRrDRioP-Oz3WCok0Do2A2ghi00_pUNObW5mdi0jOKYgL2ekBG_fKtC4SpF3gJ8mg/s1600/DSC_0079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqzoFcqSBmkfyMV7NSbFJfmsiW0qJPel8j9OlZI0G5jPdWJ8AJJVkjSFcZBHpxFFwVb2aouc7ftgIRrDRioP-Oz3WCok0Do2A2ghi00_pUNObW5mdi0jOKYgL2ekBG_fKtC4SpF3gJ8mg/s400/DSC_0079.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dalton's catch</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">We arrive at the dock with at the same time as a local fishing boat. A Boston Whaler dinghy, about 16 feet. We check out their catch and Dalton hoists up a monster lobster that had been piled on about 400 conch. In Nassau the lobster will go for $100, the pile of conch $400. We are told it will take 2 hours to clean the conch. For us, it would take 200. While in town the locals do some fishing as well. After our greetings, the conversations would often turn to a questioning of Sara. Do you have any sisters? Do they look like you? When are they coming? I was flattered. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sara and her sister's</td></tr>
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</div>Sara Daubenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445880985071299844noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2679932334879224723.post-5275062067939492222012-03-29T08:00:00.000-07:002012-03-29T08:00:04.220-07:00A Fishing Tale – Attack of the Sea GrassWritten by, Michael Daubenberger<br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">At some point, luck always has a way of running out and ours has with fishing. It all started innocently enough when we oiled our reels one day at Crooked Island. We figured our gear should be in tiptop shape for the monsters we would be catching. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. That’s the mantra we should have stuck with. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: left;"></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal">Since we oiled the reels we have caught about 200 wads of sea grass and two 3-foot Barracudas. Hardly worth writing home about. We’re not sure if it’s the scent of the oil, the constant sea grass, our aged lures, or just plain bad luck but the fish aren’t biting off the stern of the Tanqueray. 5 passages, a fishing excursion and 340 miles later and still no fish to report.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7O476czJl9fKZ6YCVjoM0yfUopvZAwmclnd4NPLvV-0wjA0P3aitIDiBW7V42IuCgH8pi3LEq7d8UVf70lTLj5KR3O0STeFuDuVnV41eUubQ0Vb0tfaO_ucEWJqB57HhdKrR-XNv88k2D/s1600/DSC_0239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7O476czJl9fKZ6YCVjoM0yfUopvZAwmclnd4NPLvV-0wjA0P3aitIDiBW7V42IuCgH8pi3LEq7d8UVf70lTLj5KR3O0STeFuDuVnV41eUubQ0Vb0tfaO_ucEWJqB57HhdKrR-XNv88k2D/s320/DSC_0239.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sara with Seagrass</td></tr>
</tbody></table>However, the fishing has not been without excitement. We have been traveling under some heavy seas that produce massive quantities of sea grass. With the sea grass comes bites. We watch the pole bend, the heart gets pumping and then we realize its just another clump of sea grass adding to our woes. Time to reel in the lines clean them off and heave them back out. Not a fun task when your sailing 6 knots in the ocean I may add.<br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Although we have not been hooking up on the passages, the Tanqueray is far from fish free. There was the night at French wells on Crooked Island where we casted with light spinning tackle for horse eye jacks. Our boat was surrounded by jacks hitting baitfish at the surface. After dinner we figured why not toss a few casts out. Little did we know we would be fighting them until midnight. The first two broke the line straight off and the third was a true battle waged against all the anglers on the boat (Sara, Daubie, Max, Laura, and Myself). The gear was light and the fish would not tire. The fight ended with the whole crew jumping in the dinghy and chasing the fish until we were able to finally wrangle it in. A 10 pound jack. Great fighter, not to be eaten. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOjYn8dkbYDcrPW6BL3CbgSvp-4D9fdKYuzWswxbBGMidcfBjhcNQaMFi_cu8mQu2KPWA5jiagqkYwQ54NGGJlj6vw7J9-rkBwYKENzan2ATLh9w3FosEGreX_6vZqBoEtwPDzPaHZkk6Q/s1600/P2201409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOjYn8dkbYDcrPW6BL3CbgSvp-4D9fdKYuzWswxbBGMidcfBjhcNQaMFi_cu8mQu2KPWA5jiagqkYwQ54NGGJlj6vw7J9-rkBwYKENzan2ATLh9w3FosEGreX_6vZqBoEtwPDzPaHZkk6Q/s320/P2201409.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horseye Jack</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Once again our fishing adventures turn to the underwater realm, spearfishing, at Atwood Harbor on Acklins Island. Our first day in the harbor my pops speared two rock hind, a type of grouper. The old man still has it. He is quite proud. The next day we collected lobsters with JJ. See my previous story “JJ our Rastafarian host”. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5mEuJHXT2KwxXSG0wTvC1RpmRCBUFA79O6-LTxg_mZHWjoKsRx14LL-OecL4TIcav7dBj0Ha4FHPceu7w_6HqkO8ymT7cp8iRSdje1oDIk0BNBXD8cDqgzqLPmJMzdLxFZGgmOrrQh3XP/s1600/P2261704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5mEuJHXT2KwxXSG0wTvC1RpmRCBUFA79O6-LTxg_mZHWjoKsRx14LL-OecL4TIcav7dBj0Ha4FHPceu7w_6HqkO8ymT7cp8iRSdje1oDIk0BNBXD8cDqgzqLPmJMzdLxFZGgmOrrQh3XP/s320/P2261704.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daubie's Strawberry Grouper</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQpQsicEVMkkLj8qwho5J6U2iU0gCI0ifZ3qtv0ACxZh9t5GoPxU6bcpAFYnc5dZnSK-biup4CVNKtM12Kh7Hoa1ImFq3sg-Lla6Jt1LgbP-Mgq9oXjw1n-Vep3gFBdjRK_TPGuwhHCXZe/s1600/P2261711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQpQsicEVMkkLj8qwho5J6U2iU0gCI0ifZ3qtv0ACxZh9t5GoPxU6bcpAFYnc5dZnSK-biup4CVNKtM12Kh7Hoa1ImFq3sg-Lla6Jt1LgbP-Mgq9oXjw1n-Vep3gFBdjRK_TPGuwhHCXZe/s320/P2261711.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daubie's Stone Crab</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">We have some good spear fishermen in the family but I’m not one of them. My father is and my brother is, but I instinctually scare fish away, and if I don’t, I don’t see them. Lobster, I can spear. Lionfish, I can spear. Neither move when approached. My spearfishing abilities were in drastic need of improvement. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">At Samana Cay I got a taste of progress. Our first day in the water I got a good sized lobster. Our second day a Permit. The Permit I was proud of. Permit are an excellent game fish and get quite big. They are excellent eating and are not typically speared. The Permit I found was swimming in a school at the edge of the reef. I got to within 8 feet and took a shot with my Hawaiian Sling (The Hawaiian Sling is similar to a slingshot but it shoots a stainless steel spear, not a rock or marble). A hit, but the spear went right through the fish. I took another shoot and I hit again. This time I get two fish on the spear at once. As I race for the spear, one wiggles off. The other, I am able to collect and proudly yard back to the boat. Success!! <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimsi6x3QeEP0O5pvJxeEXTQCAqkhj4pyTvuolKZb4PzwmSAErEOYp6iXnaBBRKt5V7OIPHmKwoddkqRJ1bIp9i_neB8YmU5Lx9NkPREACsKvnwZWzzEOV3JZWYqBo8_HccvHnQjcj4wnWu/s1600/DSC_0271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimsi6x3QeEP0O5pvJxeEXTQCAqkhj4pyTvuolKZb4PzwmSAErEOYp6iXnaBBRKt5V7OIPHmKwoddkqRJ1bIp9i_neB8YmU5Lx9NkPREACsKvnwZWzzEOV3JZWYqBo8_HccvHnQjcj4wnWu/s320/DSC_0271.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Permit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I go back to the same spot. The fish are gone so I take a shot at a snapper. Right in the head but not enough umph. The fish gets free and I search for him in the coral heads. No luck. Time to head back. 15 seconds later I’m met by a 7-foot reef shark swimming towards me. I cock my spear back and watch him as he swims by not more than 15 feet away. Lesson learned. Hit your prey, get it on the boat, and out of the water quickly in the out islands. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The weather comes in, bad weather that is, and we do not enter the water for a week. Back in Clarence Town, Long Island, the fridge is empty, it’s do or starve time. Sara and I head out in hopes of spearing a couple pan fryers for dinner. At our first stop I spear a grunt. Grunts are small but tasty if you are willing to clean them. I was. We head to the next spot in search of another small snack. Something easy. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8lv_v0jvdFGSWH0Q7NYhJnxoevFLPkzuyHCowaKhjdBVgwaSkQFojeqemcTIChfvCqVaJY9e5sktnJJFwTQhbdYFbHWODHCY-w8zSjTsWtuEka5zMt39iZfFEk1_dI3ilbldVavNJhaCS/s1600/DSC_0266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8lv_v0jvdFGSWH0Q7NYhJnxoevFLPkzuyHCowaKhjdBVgwaSkQFojeqemcTIChfvCqVaJY9e5sktnJJFwTQhbdYFbHWODHCY-w8zSjTsWtuEka5zMt39iZfFEk1_dI3ilbldVavNJhaCS/s320/DSC_0266.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Grunt</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">After 5 minutes we see the fish. A good-sized Nassau Grouper. I swim up to him slowly, avoiding eye contact. He is constantly watching me but is not moving away. I dive down, he turns sideways, a perfect target. I pull back the sling and spear him in the guts. The chase is one. Even with a 5 foot ¼ inch diameter spear in him he is much faster than me. He goes into a hole. I follow. The spear is sticking out and I give it a yank. It won’t budge. I release the barb, retrieve the spear and give him a kill shot. It’s just a matter of working out the jigsaw puzzle to get him out. Another 5 minutes and a couple bloody hands later and dinner is ours. Again improvement has been made. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4DEnzTKqGRG3JzpEvRBBlZzSnnSfv1Jc1lZsYcude8qTXNlFvRf7ulWghDIQnUyyKWUzjWr0nhZ9Zh01qsbSOv95QAquoKLSMHJuTNEjyNAE_a3pCXKabcn5n8_7v3PgYtXm9My2hgm8/s1600/DSC_0261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4DEnzTKqGRG3JzpEvRBBlZzSnnSfv1Jc1lZsYcude8qTXNlFvRf7ulWghDIQnUyyKWUzjWr0nhZ9Zh01qsbSOv95QAquoKLSMHJuTNEjyNAE_a3pCXKabcn5n8_7v3PgYtXm9My2hgm8/s320/DSC_0261.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nassau Grouper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The next day we head to the same reef, this time with confidence. We don’t see any big fish so I take a shoot at a pan fish that we have been curious about. I’m 15 feet away and want to take some target practice. I had no expectations of hitting the fish but some times you find the needle in the haystack. It’s a direct hit, right through the head. I collect the fish and a couple of conch and we head back to the boat.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Porgy</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">However, our most productive fishing came at the most unexpected spot, the fuel dock. We were filling up on fuel and water and I was chewing the fat with a couple of guys from a sportfishing boat, Tommy and Jason. They had been out fishing the day before. Tommy left and came back with a Mahi-Mahi. He asks if I’ve got room in the dinghy for a fish. Of course! A forty-inch Mahi, with none of the work. Next he comes back with a couple Yellow Tail Snapper and a Red Snapper. I clean all the fish at the fish cleaning station. Sure beats the cockpit of a rolling boat. It would have been more fun to catch them, but it was great to fill the fridge before heading out. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Before this article could go out to post we made a quick trip to the reef outside the anchorage nabbing two big lobsters and a schoolmaster (snapper). Not bad for an afternoon’s work!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sara with a couple Lobster</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio9OJrlPZ74xacE-I0anoBBmLDDv9uzl-7GkPEg-SWnUQL4_wwX6Nvcfh6vUp5rvdsP4QRGj1SP2O_Lhi1AWc6WredRxQaGqJkDmUT4owoFFg4uuQmq7qyYQPBxqgqrFX5oQqM7rlqFEzO/s1600/DSC_0235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio9OJrlPZ74xacE-I0anoBBmLDDv9uzl-7GkPEg-SWnUQL4_wwX6Nvcfh6vUp5rvdsP4QRGj1SP2O_Lhi1AWc6WredRxQaGqJkDmUT4owoFFg4uuQmq7qyYQPBxqgqrFX5oQqM7rlqFEzO/s320/DSC_0235.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike with snapper and lobsters</td></tr>
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<o:p></o:p></div>Sara Daubenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445880985071299844noreply@blogger.com2