01/19/2012 SHIRLEY CONDRON

01/19/2012 SHIRLEY


TODAY WE LOST OUR GREAT FRIEND SHIRLEY CONDRON. SHE WAS RELEASED FROM HER SHORT BATTLE WITH CANCER AND FREED TO JOIN HER LONG TIME FRIEND AND MATE CLAYTON. WE WILL MISS HER SORELY BUT WE WILL NEVER FORGET HER SUNNY DISPOSITION, LOVING WAYS, DEVOTION TO HER FAMILY, ALWAYS PERFECT HAIR, PASSION FOR THOSE L.A. DODGERS OR HER GENEROUS HEART.  DAN AND I MOURN HER PASSING BUT CELEBRATE HER LIFE AS WE REMINISCE ABOUT THE  MANY WONDERFUL MEMORIES WE HOLD DEAR TO OUR HEARTS OF OUR TIMES TOGETHER. SHE INFLUENCED OUR LIVES AND THAT OF OUR CHILDREN. THANK YOU SHIRLEY, WE LOVE YOU.

Image via Wikipedia

01/18/2012 MORE BRIGHTWORK

01/18/2012 PROVO

WEDNESDAY

0 NM

DOCKED AT TURTLE COVE MARINA IN PROVIDENCIALES

SUNRISE AT PROVIDENCIALES: 6: 30 AM

SUNSET AT PROVIDENCIALES: 5:29 PM

Still windy but the force is diminishing.

This morning I worked on sanding the remaining unfinished brightwork while Dan tackled the fresh water pump that falters now and again. Although he didn’t find the cause or a total cure, it seems to be working fine for now. We will have to rebuild or replace it when parts and new equipment are more readily available.

We got the first coat of varnish on the rest of the wood and boy did that feel good! We will continue to sand and add coats until we equal the six coats on the parts we did in Bimini and then add several more coats on all the surfaces. Looking good!

DAN HARD AT WORK APPLYING VARNISH

As a reward for our hard work we took the tender out of the harbor for a bit of exploration. That didn’t last too long due to the still rough conditions but we did make a stop at the beach near the harbor entrance.

Sandi and John picked us up and we spent a delightful evening at the Hotel Sibonne’s Bay Bistro. The wind had died down allowing us to enjoy their enchanting outdoor setting. Plans were made for Sandi to pick us up in the morning so that we might join them on their journey from the south shore Caicos Marina and Shipyard.

01/17/2012 TIME FOR AN OIL CHANGE

01/17/2012 PROVO


TUESDAY

0 NM

DOCKED AT TURTLE COVE MARINA IN PROVIDENCIALES

SUNRISE AT PROVIDENCIALES: 6: 30 AM

SUNSET AT PROVIDENCIALES: 5:28 PM

And still the wind blows!

After taking off yesterday as a play day we had to get cracking and change the oil in both engines, always such a messy job! Once that was done we got our bicycles down and made a trip up Ooh-Aah Hill to the Napa Auto Parts store. Now we needed to change the oil in the transmissions and it was necessary to lug back 5 gallons of the stuff on our bikes. At least we were now going downhill under the load! Poor Dan, he has to do all the dirty work and I’m just the “gofer”. It was sure nice to get that dirty chore done and out of the way.

John and Sandi came by after checking out of their hotel. Their little rental car was all packed up with everything to take home to Hanco. They are eager to be back on the water and hope that Hanco will “splash” around 3:00 this afternoon.

Dan and I walked up the hill to Magnolias for cocktail hour and enjoyed the spectacular view of the harbor from their high vantage point. Another lovely day

01/16/2012 da CONCH SHACK AND RUM BAR

CONCH S01/16/2012 PROVO


MONDAY

0 NM

DOCKED AT TURTLE COVE MARINA IN PROVIDENCIALES

SUNRISE AT PROVIDENCIALES: 6: 30 AM

SUNSET AT PROVIDENCIALES: 5:27 PM

Putting aside our boat chores we made this a day of play. John and Sandi took us to the boatyard to see their Hatteras receiving the finishing touches on-the-hard before dropping her back into the water tomorrow (maybe). All the HATS are so similar but each on is unique unto itself too. HANCO is longer and wider than QUEST with an outside passage from bow to stern.

HANCO ON THE HARD

When it comes to location, da Conch Shack and Rum Bar in Blue Hills occupies the primo location. Nestled under the palms and right on the beach it is a “must see” spot on Provo. They serve fresh conch every way you can think of and then some ways I never even dreamed of. After they “knock” the conch (remove it from the shell) and clean it, they start use the fine meat to prepare conch fritters, conch chowder, conch salad ceviche style and a scrumptious curried conch. Try it, you’ll like it!! Add a glass of Jan’s Infamous Rum Punch or a local Turks Head Beer and you are all set!

de CONCH SHACK AND RUM BAR

JUDY, SANDI AND JOHN JUST KICKING BACK

After eating all that conch we made a stop at one of the island's jewelry stores to see a conch pearl.  These beauties are usually elongated and range in color from an off white to pale pink to a rosy color.  Since environmental issues and over harvesting are drastically deleting the Caribbean conch, the normally rare occurrence of a conch pearl forming is now even more drastically reduced.

Image via Wikipedia

CONCH SHELL

01/15/2012 A LITTLE TCI BACKGROUND

01/15/2012 PROVIDENCIALES


SUNDAY

0 NM

DOCKED AT TURTLE COVE MARINA IN PROVIDENCIALES

SUNRISE AT PROVIDENCIALES: 6: 30 AM

SUNSET AT PROVIDENCIALES: 5:27 PM

Today saw ½ day of work with Dan sanding while I worked on the delinquent blog postings and tedious bookkeeping. Thankfully Sandi and John come by and rescued us from ourselves. We joined them by the pool at their nearby hotel and spent the afternoon chatting about everything under the sun then cleaned up for dinner at the Tiki Hut. The winds are picking up and the temperatures have cooled a bit. Sure happy to be tied up securely for the storm.

Image via Wikipedia

TURKS AND CAICOS FLAG

Now for a little TCI (Turks and Caicos Islands) background. These islands were first inhabited by the Lucayan Indians who were abducted and forced into slavery by the early Spanish explorers. Uninhabited for years, the French buccaneers used the island shelter as a hideout. The 1600s saw the beginning of a thriving salt business that lasted until the min 20th Century. After the Declaration of Independence some British loyalist packed up their families and left the Americas to take advantage of British land grants in the Turks and Caicos. They prospered there until their crops were destroyed by the boil weevil, poor land management and the devastating hurricane of 1813. The islands were federated with the Bahamas from 1799 to 1848 when they separated for their own local government. This expensive venture came to an end in 1878 when they were annex to Jamaica until 1976 when they were granted a new constitution that allowed them to elect officials to serve under the Queen appointed governor.

Today the TCI serves as an oasis for tourists with an international airport, first-class accommodations, an 18-hole championship golf course, fabulous fishing grounds, the world’s third largest barrier reef for diving and some mighty fine beaches for snorkeling.

01/14/2012 A WORK DAY IN PORVIDENCIALES

01/14/2012 PROVIDENCIALES


SATURDAY

0 NM

DOCKED AT TURTLE COVE MARINA IN PROVIDENCIALES

SUNRISE AT PROVIDENCIALES: 6: 30 AM

SUNSET AT PROVIDENCIALES: 5:26 PM

We started at 8:00 this morning when Watson and Paul arrived to assist in the boat washing chore then Dan and the guys moved onto sanding the still untouched brightwork while I was involved with inside cleaning tasks. The constant activity went on until 4:00 quitting time. Dan hopes to get all the preliminary sanding done tomorrow and put a first coat on this newly sanded area.

WATSON AND PAUL WORKING THEIR MAGIC ON QUEST

Our evening was spent at Shark Bite Bar and Restaurant watching a most exciting football game as San Francisco eked out a last-minute win over New Orleans. Talk about a “cliff hanger”!

01/13/2012 FRIDAY THE 13TH, LUCKY US !

01/13/2012 ARRIVING IN THE TURKS AND CAICOS

Image via Wikipedia

FRIDAY

70 NM

DOCKED AT TURTLE COVE MARINA IN



PROVIDENCIALES .95/FOOT+H20 at .12/GAL+POWER at .60/KWA ($20.00/DAY MINIMUN FOR P/W)

SUNRISE AT MAYAGUANA: 6: 35 AM

SUNSET AT PROVIDENCIALES: 5:25 PM

Having been a bit unsure of our anchorage, Dan had spent the night in the salon to be “at the ready” for any necessary action. Thankfully, none was needed but Dan was up and ready to move on early. Pulling up anchor, we watched our last Bahamian sunrise for a while.

DAN PULLS UP THE ANCHOR AS THE SUN RISES

WHAT A SPECTACULAR SIGHT THIS MORNING

Even though the waters of the Caicos Passage were by no means smooth it was much less tempestuous than yesterday’s crossing. These passages expose you to the full force of the massive Atlantic Ocean with no protective islands to deflect the power making timing everything.

Maneuvering the entrance to the sheltered Turtle Cove Marina was somewhat like executing an intricate dance on a narrow pathway over a churning bed of alligators. No miss-steps allowed! Once inside the little harbor we managed to temporarily tie up the tender so we could swing Quest around to dock in the Mediterranean style, stern in with tall poles on both sides to tie to. Passersby, John and Sandi Moore off the M/Y Hanco, lent a hand in our tying up and the Immigration Agent was onboard before Dan even had the rear ramp attached. As soon as he was gone the Customs Agent arrived to do his job. $15.00 to immigration and $50.00 to customs and we are set for 7 days now.

ENTERING INTO THE TURTLE COVE

After finishing our boat duties and cleaning up we met John and Sandi at the nearby Tiki Hut for drinks, dinner and good counseling on the area. Their boat, a 60’ Hatteras, is on the hard right now having some work done and they are staying in a little hotel right here by the Marina. They have traveled these waters all the way to Trinidad and Sandi even lived here in Providenciales some years back so they are a wealth of useful information to us “newbies” to the area .

01/12/2012 HOLD ON BOYS!

01/12/2012 A ROCKY PASSAGE FROM ACKLINS TO MAYAGUANA


THURSDAY

48 NM

ANCHORED AT BETSY BAY ON MAYAGUANA

SUNRISE AT ATWOOD HARBOR: 6: 38 AM

SUNSET AT MAYAGUANA: 5:27 PM

With last night’s light show done and the storm passed we were ready to start our travels again. After watching a few cavorting dolphin in the bay (the first we have seen in ages) we pulled up anchor and left the shelter of our two night anchorage in Atwood Harbor. Wham, Bam! As soon as we exited we were pummeled with winds and choppy seas. Guess the remnants of the passing storm still linger.

THE SUN RISING IN ATWOOD HARBOR

Only while passing to the north of the little Plana Cays did we realize a little calm then it was slamming us again as we crossed the Mayaguana Passage. The couch was sliding, shells were flying, my “not-so-teak” tables went crashing and I pretty much settled myself on the floor for the duration. Even though the winds were only about 23 out of the SSE we were getting tossed about in 6 to 8’ waves from two directions. Not a pretty picture but it was over by about 3:30. We were going to seek shelter in Mayaguana’s Abrahams Bay but decided not to attempt the shoal studded entry channel. Instead, we dropped the anchor just of Betsy Bay and resigned ourselves to put up with the surge.

Mayaguana is the halfway point in the cruising route between Acklins Island and Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos. Nothing much here, just a couple of small settlements scattered on the island. In years past Mayaguana housed a complex that was part of the USAF missile-tracking system. The 11,000 foot runway still exists and 7,700 feet of it are still usable today. Betsy Bay sports a 104’ BTC tower and Abrahams Bay has one that towers 175’. Cell communication is the way on the islands.

BETSY BAY'S 104' BTC TOWER
KEEPING THE BAHAMAS CONNECTED!

01/11/2101 RIDING OUT THE STORM IN ATWOOD HARBOR

01/11/2012 ATWOOD HARBOR


WEDNESDAY

0 NM



Image via Wikipedia

THE ACKLINS ISLANDS ARE IN RED

ANCHORED AT ATWOOD HARBOR

BETWEEN ACKLINS ISLAND AND

LADY SLIPPER CAY

SUNRISE AT ATWOOD HARBOR: 6: 38 AM

SUNSET AT ATWOOD HARBOR: 5:29 PM

The sunrise this morning was shrouded behind the clouds ushering in the expected blow. The powerful fishing boat left but Quest remained in our little bay with only a re-anchoring for slightly more protection and a little less surge.

THE SUN STRUGGLES FOR PURCHASE IN THE CLOUD CONGESTED SKIES

The Acklins Islands were once home to thriving cotton plantations before the crops were wiped out by the dreaded blight. Although it is sparsely populated now, the surrounding waters are popular for tarpon and bonefishing.

The dark and threatening clouds finally dumped a little rain on us but then moved out, always keeping just out of our cove. We motored to both Acklins Island where Dan collected abandoned floats to adorn a beach shrub then on over to the expansive beach on Lady Slipper Cay. There were no footprints anywhere on this beach and we enjoyed placing our stamp as we sifted the sand for unusual shells.




ANOTHER ARTESTIC ENDEVOR BY DAN



THE RESULTS OF TODAY'S COLLECTING

YES, WEW CAN HEAR YOU NOW!!  CONCH WIRELESS

QUEST NESTLED IN THE LARGE ATWOOD HARBOR

By nightfall the skies came alive with light flashes all around our little bay but we were safe and sound.

CROSSING THE TROPIC OF CANCER

01/10/2012 RUM CAY TO ATWOOD HARBOR IN ACKLINS


TUESDAY

76 NM

ANCHORED AT ATWOOD HARBOR BETWEEN ACKLINS ISLAND AND LADY SLIPPER CAY

SUNRISE AT RUM CAY: 6: 43 AM

SUNSET AT ATWOOD HARBOR: 5:28 PM

Today was a planned long day so we were untied and spinning around in the little harbor to make our exit by 6:45. Luckily we had our path on the chart plotter to follow out the narrow path with its coral head border.

THE SOON TO BE DRAMATICALLY ALTERED RUM CAY

The moon is still almost full and we were spectators for its 8:00 AM setting. Wow!

THE MOON CALLING IT A DAY

By 8:30 we had crossed the Tropic of Cancer at 23*30’ N, as far north as the sun travels above the equator during the northern hemisphere’s summer. Quest is now out of the Sub-tropics and fully committed to the Tropics and exposed to the full force of the mighty Atlantic Ocean.

We were really out there by ourselves today. We did cross paths with this mammoth car hauler and caught sight of a distant freighter making tracks north. We assumed they both had passed through the Panama Canal as the path seemed to be about right.

TOTING AUTOS ACROSS THE SEA

Our path was a direct route from Rum Cay to Atwood Harbor that nestles between Acklins Island and Lady Slipper Cay. We knew we were getting closer when we caught sight of the tip of Crooked Island. We shared our night’s anchorage with a lovely yellow fishing yacht and its matching yellow tender. Tomorrow’s predicted blow will keep us here then we hope to head for Mayaguana for a night before making Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos.

RACING TO THE ANCHORAGE

01/09/2012 A DAY ON RUM CAY

 RUM CAY

MONDAY

0 NM

DOCKED AT SUMNER POINT MARINA ON RUM CAY $1.00/FOOT 50 AMP/$40.00/DAY WATER .30/GAL

SUNRISE AT RUM CAY: 6: 43 AM

SUNSET AT RUM CAY: 5:29 PM

Tender is fixed and the new harness system will be tested out tomorrow. The boat has been washed. The blog is caught up. At the Last Chance Market we found the two things, eggs and romaine lettuce, which we were unable to purchase while provisioning for this next leg of the journey. The watermaker was put to work. More sanding on the brightwork was started. Then the sun set!
Now for a little history on this picturesque little cay. It is 9.5 miles long and 5 miles wide. The Indians first named this island Mamana then Christopher Columbus later changed the name to Santa Maria de Conception. Spanish explorers gave it its final name after discovering some empty rum kegs washed ashore from a ship wreck. The 1861 wreck of the HMS Conqueror, the Royal Navy’s first steam-powered ship, is in 30 feet of water off Sumner Point and a popular dive site.

It appears that Guy Harvey has bought into the quaint Sumner Point Marina and will be making renovations and upgrades beginning next month. The new Guy Harvey Outpost Resort and Marina will reopen this spring in time for the annual migration of the fishermen. Boy is this ever going to bring some changes to this sleepy little island!

We also ad word that dear Shirley had some gross misdiagnosis and her prognosis is not so grim.  Keep them on their toes, Shirley!

01/08/2012 THE ONE THAT (ALMOST) GOT AWAY

01/08/2012  RUM CAY


SUNDAY

65 NM

DOCKED AT SUMNER POINT MARINA ON RUM CAY $1.00/FOOT 50 AMP/$40.00/DAY WATER .30/GAL

SUNRISE AT EMERALD BAY: 6: 47 AM

SUNSET AT RUM CAY: 5:29 PM

It was a leisure morning here on Quest as we didn’t leave Emerald Bay until after 9:00. It was a bit of a bumpy ride and we adjusted the tender several times but finally made it to the entrance channel for Rum Cay’s Sumner Point Marina. Lucky for us, we spotted a center console heading in and planned to follow them through the tricky path but suddenly they veered off and we lost sight of them. Drat!

Next thing we know, Cruzin Rum is calling us on the radio. “Didn’t you have a tender you were towing?” Oh shit! After confirming that we once had a tender trailing our Quest, they generously headed back out and found the culprit a couple of miles back. Meanwhile, we were slowly (Quest’s best speed) making our way back to the runaway.

CRUZIN RUM SAYS "LOOSE SOMETHING?"

I took the helm while Dan dove in and rescued the remorseful and lonely tender. It appears that the “U-bolt” attachment was sheared and poor, unjustly accused con-Quest was truly not trying to fly the coop. Cruzin Rum led us back and guided us through the reefs. Just before entering the marina Dan jerry-rigged con-Quest back to the boat and brought us to the dock. Whew!

LONELY con-QUEST

SO DAN JUMPS IN TO RESCUE AS CRUZIN RUM KEEPS WATCH

This place is just too, too charming. The owner of the marina is off island right now but Jenny and Sam, a young couple that was just sailing through, had pitched in to run the place in his absence. Jenny prepared a wonder Wahoo dinner for us and we called it a night. Enough excitement for one day! Tomorrow we will attempt to re-rig the tender to Quest connection and explore the island.

SUMNER POINT MARINA

LOOKING OUT OVER THE BEACH

RUM CAY SUNSET

01/0702012 THE MARINA AT EMERALD BAY

01/07/2012 GREAT EXUMA


SATURDAY

0 NM

THE MARINA AT EMERALD BAY

SUNRISE IN THE EXUMAS: 6: 47 AM

SUNSET IN THE EXUMAS: 5:32 PM

Today was all work and no play. We finished up the laundry and did provisioning then Dan spent three hours loading the Caribbean Chip for the Garmen chart plotter while I cooked and cleaned. Quest is now ready for the next leg of our journey.

Our thoughts and prayers are with our dear friend Shirley as she faces this difficult segment in her journey through life.

THE END OF OUR DAY

MARINA AT EMERALD BAY

01/06/2012 ON TO EMERALD BAY


FRIDAY

15 NM

EMERALD BAY MARINA

SUNRISE IN THE EXUMAS: 6:47 AM

SUNSET IN THE EXUMAS: 5:31 PM

Robert and Steffi seem to have taken the colder, stormy weather with them and we enjoyed a lovely ride today. Let me edit that, the ride was calm until we made the cut out to the sound and they things got a little bouncy for a while.

Once in Emerald Bay we took on fuel (ugh!) then tied up for a secure night. I did one batch of laundry while Dan spent hours loading a Garmin card with the necessary information we will need to carry on to the Turks and Caicos. Thankfully it worked and tomorrow he will load another one with information for points yet farther south.

 THE WELL EQUIPPED LAUNDRY FACILITIES

We spent a delightful evening learning to play Mexican Dominoes in the club house with other boaters. I think we will spend tomorrow provisioning, doing our last laundry, loading the card and then take off on Sunday morning.

THE EMERALD BAY MARINA CLUBHOUSE

JUST ONE OF THE LOVELY ROOM IN THE CLUBHOUSE

01/05/2012 STEFFI AND ROBERT LEAVE US

01/05/2012


THURSDAY

38 NM

ANCHORED OFF WILLIAMS CAY

SUNRISE IN THE EXUMAS: 6: 48 AM

SUNSET IN THE EXUMAS: 5:30 PM

So it was back to the little Staniel Cay airport this morning for a little mass confusion. Seems two of the girls that expected to travel to Nassau had tickets for January 2 and both of the Flamingo airplanes were full. No problem, they hitched a ride on a private plane that was taking off. It’s all good! I am happy to report that Robert and Steffi made it all the way back to New York City’s JFK without a hitch. Steffi ran into a hitch there because all the flights to London were overbooked (remember she travels standby because Robert works for JetBlue) but was able to catch the last flight to Burlington where she could, at least, sleep in a bed and not one of those awful airport chairs.

CHECKING IN FOR THEIR FLIGHT.  NO, REALLY!

THIS PLANE OR THAT ONE.  BOTH WERE FULL, DESTINATION NASSAU
THEIR LUGGAGE WAS ON ONE AND THEY FLEW ON THE OTHER

Dan and I pulled anchor and sailed south to drop the hook south of the Lee Stocking Mooring field just off Williams Cay. After getting all set we discovered that there were two rowdy dogs in the house just above our spot but luckily they soon tired of yapping and our night was dreamy.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEFFI

01/04/2012 ON TO BIG MAJORS SPOT
WEDNESDAY

9 NM

ANCHORED AT BIG MAJORS

SUNRISE IN THE EXUMAS: 6: 49 AM

SUNSET IN THE EXUMAS: 5:30 PM

First things first, time to hang our signs! First Greg, Julie, Jessica and Madeline from Cee Jem found the perfect spot for theirs right above the table then helped Steffi and Robert. Finally, Dan hangs his new addition to the Tucker’s collection.

GREG, JESSICA, MADELINE AND JULIE

ROBERT AND STEFFI HANG THEIR SIGN



THEIR SIGN HANGS RIGHT BY STEVEN'S

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEFFI

DAN'S NEW QUEST SIGN

With the wind a little less we ventured out in the tender to swim in the Aquarium spot near the Cambridge Mooring Field. Only Robert and I got in but were rewarded with sighting of the little shark, a turtle and scads of the colorful reef fish. Bundled up we headed back to the Quest and spent our last few hours on Compass.

ROBERT TAKING A STROLL ON ONE OF THE SANDY SHOALS

Time to make our way closer to the airport for Robert and Steffi’s flight back to the uncivilized civilization on tomorrow morning’s flight, so it’s back to Big Majors Spot for their final night’s anchorage.