Coconut Grove/Bimini/Allen's Cay

4/17/09

How does one begin the telling of an adventure such as this? I suppose the only way to begin is to just jump in, or jump onboard, as it were, and tell whatever comes to mind. Thus far, almost two weeks into our Bahamas run, we are having a really great time – of course! I think Cocoa would agree that times are good, but Puddinhead is still a bit undetermined. We did find out on our second day out that cats DO get seasick. Poor babies. Fortunately, though, Dramamine works as well for them as it does for people and they at least got a good sleep out of the day. I found out on one of our sailing days down to Miami just what it is to be a “crusty” sailor. I never knew that you could accumulate so much salt on your body at one time and have it actually stay there. Boy was I ready to rinse off that night!

We spent three nights anchored off of Dinner Key Marina in Coconut Grove and had fun seeing friends and getting some chores done. On Saturday before Easter I think we became part of the Coconut Grove tourist entertainment. As we were nearing the time to pick up some laundry from the cleaners the heavens opened up and it began raining like crazy. Since we needed to get back to the boat in time to move it to No Name Harbor that day, we made a break for the cleaners and, once there, asked if they had any extra plastic laundry bags we could use to protect ourselves from the rain on the way back to the dingy dock. Lo and behold – out came two beautiful, very pink, bags. Once we had donned the bags with expertly cut head and arm holes, we proceeded to parade through the downtown Grove looking like two big pink stuffed sausages. What a trip. We stayed dry, though, and made is safely back to the boat and to No Name Harbor early that evening.

The sail over to Bimini was a good one. Dramamine early on for the cats saved us from flying kitty puke! The various color of the water has been absolutely magnificent. Not to mention the incredible sunrises and sunsets. It is all like being in a Technicolor dream. There have also been some amazing sites such as the remains of an old grounded concrete ship from WWI just off the Bimini coast.

I seem to be having the most trouble with my stupid fear-of-falling-thing. As David goes to drop me at docks here and there, as we did in Nassau, I find that the leap from the boat to the dock, (or step, rather) and vice versa, is a bit mind blowing. Somehow in my feeble brain it feels like I am leaping from one tall building to another with nothing but a death drop in between rather than just a simple step. I will definitely need to work on that one if we are ever to get more ice and make a phone call here and there. Perhaps I could train Cocoa to do the ice runs??!!

Today finds us taking a day off anchored off of Allen’s Cay in the northern Exumas. Later today we are hoping to put in some snorkeling time and go to shore to see the Rock Iguanas that I can see many of just on the beach. Yesterday afternoon I watched them chase some girls off the beach and into their dinghy. They’re big and fast! I’ll try to get a picture or two if they don't chase me down as well.