3/17/2013 TO
3/25/13
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| BIMINI SUNRISE |
We were
reunited with Algonquin when they arrived at Bimini on Monday afternoon and
dock in the adjacent slip at Brown’s Marina.
Zeke, their Portuguese Water Dog, was generous with his kisses and happy
to get his paws on shore after two days traveling from Nassau. We enjoyed their company Tuesday then they
left for Florida early Wednesday morning, Garth’s birthday.
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| ALGONQUIN PULLS OUT AND HEADS FOR FLORIDA |
Mike
Wraga and Dave Powers flew into the little South Bimini Airport on Thursday afternoon
and Dan took the tender across to bring them to North Bimini and Quest. This little jaunt from North and South Bimini
is quite short and I could see them from the boat. The little ferry runs between the two islands
almost constantly transporting workers, school children and guest.
The
guys spent Friday fishing on a hired fishing boat and returned with a delicious
grouper for our dinner. The seas were
rough and conditions not so good but they all had a good time. The other days they just snooped around in
the tender and did catch a few more fish.
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| HERE FISHY, FISHY |
Someone
suggested that we go to the southern end of Gun Cay to visit the rays. Under favorable conditions it wouldn't have
taken long but with the winds and waves up in arms it took about 2 hours to
reach our destination at a slow idle speed.
Since the conditions were so bad I, unfortunately, did not take my
camera. Boy was that a mistake. We threw out an anchor and climbed out of the
tender in the shallow waters of the protected southern beach and were
immediately greeted by two beautiful and extremely curious rays. These silky creatures skimmed the sandy bottom
around our feet, weaving in and around our legs. At first it was a bit discerning but soon we
were bending down to pat the top of their wings. As we grew comfortable with their company we snorkeled
around their territory and even sat down with them. We were usually with three that seemed to
like being with us but did see up to five in the area. After we had been there for a while and they
grew to trust us, one of the Sting Rays brought over a very small, young ray to
meet us. This was truly one of the
coolest things I have done, ever. These
wild creatures were not forced to mingle with us but choose to approach due to
their curiosity and of their own will.
Just way too cool!
With
Mike and Dave scheduled to fly out on Monday afternoon (3/25) Dan and I felt comfortable
to take advantage of the extremely short window of favorable weather to make
the crossing from Bimini to Fort Lauderdale.
Since it looked to be the only day for a week to make our exit, it was
kind of a decision forced upon us. Dave
and Mike were able to leave their luggage at the marina, scour the town, comb
the beach and shower at the marina when they were ready to take the ferry to
the airport.
Quest
left Bimini around 11:00 AM and we were pulling into the Port Everglades Inlet
by 5:00 PM when we received a call from Mike in Bimini. Seems the best of plans can sometimes go awry. Their 3:00 departure had been delayed and
they were still on Bimini! They finally
made it to Florida real late, spent the night and flew out for the north early
the next morning. Whoops!
Boy,
guess we are not in the Bahamas any more.
The busy Port Everglades was a zoo with cruise ships pulling out,
fishermen returning to port and general chaos all around. We pulled into the Las Olas City Marina after
closing time but found many helping hands to assist in our tie-up. Now we can breathe a little easier knowing
that we have made the crossing and can get to Stuart, even under nasty conditions,
in time for Dan to fly out next Monday.
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| GUESS WE ARE NOT IN THE BAHAMAS ANY MORE |
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