3/2/2006 through 4/1/2006
After a false start over towards the central Exumas we realized we had better head for Fresh Creek, Andros to clear into Customs as clear-in spots are few and far between in the Exumas. After clearing in we hung out on a mooring for a day or so to rest up. Headed down the east coast of Andros to South Bight, where we planned on getting up at 3AM for an early departure across the Tongue of the Ocean to the Decca Channel. Made the Decca at 9AM and had good visibility for crossing it - no soundings less than 12’ and only 1 or 2 coral heads even close to the channel. A beautiful & easy day on the autopilot, and we arrived at Cambridge Cay around mid-day.
Who should we run into but our good friends from Green Cove “Mesmariah” with John and Louann aboard, plus “Lioness III” with Terry and Marjatta aboard. Louann and I had made a couple of trips to the canning center in Jacksonville together where we had a great time fixing up good food! We had met Lioness this past summer in Annapolis during the boat show. We had a great time snorkeling, sundowner’ing, and having BBQ’s on the beach with these folks. Worked our way down the Exuma chain to arrive in Georgetown on 3/19. On the way John caught a yellowfin tuna, then went on to catch a mahi mahi. This proved too much to reel in using a Cuban spool rig, so we maneuvered our boat up behind his where Ed was then able to gaff the mahi from our swim ladder and get it aboard Dreamtime. We then decided what the heck we should go ahead and clean the tuna as well, so with Louann at the helm (saying “I’m not comfortable with this” to John as she headed right for us) John and I managed the exchange using a bucket and 2 boatpoles. Now, we finally make Georgetown, or chicken harbor as some call it, others just call it Mecca, where we spent time getting some much needed R&R , and catching up with old friends like “Kenepuru” and “Chatagem”.
As “Mesmariah” was heading back north for the summer and “Lioness III” and ourselves were debating the wisdom of heading off to Trinidad, Terry organized a southbound flotilla which included several boats including “Diesel Duck”, “Scott Free”, “Casa del Mar”, “Nereia” to name a few. These boats would become an important part of the landscape as we made the 1500 mile trek south. Next log…the DR.
