Bimini Ho!

          The waiting for weather was getting to everyone, and while we enjoyed the company of the flotilla, I think everybody was getting a little stir-crazy.  So when a moderatly acceptible forecast of NE winds 10-15knots, seas 2-4 feet, building to 4-6 feet in the gulf stream came from the NOAA weather radio's monotone male robotic voice, we dediced to go for it. 

Penny makes one last ditch effort for adoption out of the Gualby Nation

And then rejection holed her up in bed for days

          We woke up yesterday at 4am, upped anchor and headed out government cut, leaving the marine stadium anchorage behind.  We motor-sailed at about 7 knots through a long period 2 foot swell with a 1-2 foot chop for about nine hours, bringing us in to Bimini at 1pm.  Meg and I felt like we couldn't have asked for better weather this time of year.


Heading East towards Bimini and the Sun


 One negative thing I can say is that we caught no fish.  I still can't believe we could sail all the way through the gulf stream, countless schools of flying fish, numerous weed lines, and not have pulled up a single fish.  Guess I'll have to fine tune my spread of lures.  The winds started out from the northwest, which was perfect for us, but by 9:30am switched to northeast.  Although the northeast wind kept us motorsailing to make good time it was a sunny day and an easy first crossing.  The funny thing is we saw about 10 other boats sailing in the same direction, and then we saw all these boats pull in to Bimini the same day.  Meg was amazed that as we pulled into Alice Town channel the water truly is gin clear and the blue-est of blues.

This is my sailing hair.  When not sailing it looks like Justin Bieber's

 
          Alice Town, Bimini, is exactly what I envisioned a Bahamas town to look like:  very rough on the outside, with extremely friendly and nice people walking around.  A one lane dirt road is lined with small and dilapidated buildings.  The stores are small and devoid of frills, but seem to have everything one might need, from booze to school uniforms.  Customs officials were really nice, not overly stringent, and seemed to want to get us in and out of the office as quickly as possible so they could resume watching soap operas.  We paid 300$ for a cruising and fishing permit that is good for up to one year.  The dog was no extra fee since we already had an import permit.  We bought a 7$ bag of ice and headed back out to anchor and celebrate.  Right now we sit anchored in a currently "under construction" marina and subdivision which is providing Wifi over the anchorage.   

Penny sniffs the warm Bimini air as we approach

          The plan for today is to motor to the north end of Bimini and snorkel "Bimini Road", an underwater,  boulder-lined road of unknown origin, that apparently leads out into the depths and disappears.  It has been suggested that it once lead to the lost city of Atlantis.  Then we will head to the south end of South Bimini to Nixon's Harbour, anchor, and use the canoes to explore and hunt for dinner.  Hopefully the next Update will contain pics of our spoils.
C