tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21205588888642336412024-03-05T06:12:25.538-04:00MOTIVATORAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04921442390538388294noreply@blogger.comBlogger173125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2120558888864233641.post-60025404864186821942014-10-04T17:21:00.001-04:002014-10-04T17:23:03.207-04:00Inventor Cruisers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinYQEAD0h_XDHVrwklNJRA6oEpSSUMi4438ilr_8dEEfqjE1Vwi_ARWtDafmNJftRw0hl082phnkUp606OX0bDCoIXOSd0vTXaGgYSIJ1WXDyGh2NGjei4-kTflRELFuzRVX4S6gJ3QKY/s1600/DSCN2010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinYQEAD0h_XDHVrwklNJRA6oEpSSUMi4438ilr_8dEEfqjE1Vwi_ARWtDafmNJftRw0hl082phnkUp606OX0bDCoIXOSd0vTXaGgYSIJ1WXDyGh2NGjei4-kTflRELFuzRVX4S6gJ3QKY/s1600/DSCN2010.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Rob & PJ’s
trawler <i>“C” Y A<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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At Pete’s Pub in Little Harbour, Bahamas we met Rob and PJ
over sundowners. They were cruising and
fishing - mainly fishing the Bahamas. Looking
at <i>Motivator, </i>Rob said I bet you have
a few RACOR fuel filters on that boat. I
responded yes, six to be exact. He told
me he invented FilterGuage®, a product that would tell me when to change the fuel
filters. </div>
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I said I had gauges on the RACORs for the main engines. He responded that the ones I have are notoriously
inaccurate even when you read them correctly, and that he would give me one of
his to try. After a little research, I determined
that I indeed was reading them incorrectly.
After starting the engines, I would do an engine room check that
included a glance at the RACOR gauges.
To tell you anything, the gauges must be read underway with a full load
on the engines, not at idle.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2GejaPmuDGQryCgeOoWc-igxSbuULwSyMLES6urw8JPKtWqwZ3i71baRDDZO6jgP-BQgtXw2GfXEay6e4NB6ZH8_Y59DoOdrppJ9l6YfQahXDhM9gCUNSWsCEMwKS8pym5VqTAc499us/s1600/TH01-small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2GejaPmuDGQryCgeOoWc-igxSbuULwSyMLES6urw8JPKtWqwZ3i71baRDDZO6jgP-BQgtXw2GfXEay6e4NB6ZH8_Y59DoOdrppJ9l6YfQahXDhM9gCUNSWsCEMwKS8pym5VqTAc499us/s1600/TH01-small.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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The next evening, Rob gave me a FilterGauge®. The big advantage of Rob’s gauge is that you
can read it with the engine off. It
registers the highest filter contamination level until reset. It is reset simply by pressing the button on
the top.<o:p></o:p></div>
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When the yellow indicator inside FilterGauge® is at the
bottom of the green area, change your diesel filter and push the reset
button. Do not wait for the indicator to
be in the red! Rob was able to
demonstrate this to me at the bar by sucking on the bottom of the T-handle.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk6pHFV7OFSOOc2wrA7gXijuKOU9nTGytieo6IN9gDv49xUSzrkyHi8oC1czS90cIVy4AVQVmtSLQpuDeb_7foYx5llimxX1ZjsrBdmsRMf6nIhyqx4_Dofn2bA2PM0vfYHfwKhKIdyvA/s1600/PA040067+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk6pHFV7OFSOOc2wrA7gXijuKOU9nTGytieo6IN9gDv49xUSzrkyHi8oC1czS90cIVy4AVQVmtSLQpuDeb_7foYx5llimxX1ZjsrBdmsRMf6nIhyqx4_Dofn2bA2PM0vfYHfwKhKIdyvA/s1600/PA040067+(2).JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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I gave the FilterGauge® a test run on <i>Motivator’s</i> small generator.
Removal and visual inspection of the filter when it reached the red
(above) confirmed its accuracy. Damn, he
only gave me one. Now I have to order
more from Defender Marine.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_rhjHMdnULAduDNDg0g7lsQhWVaMRjzufF5evHXaMr5p9ObBgY-1Vfv810TetqczcHQdseOSndq8mDTdUq3AmzkjqgwAUpmLW13voRzvdH9xDCp5ucRXxCrwy7Aqe4hShbC1gQW1SwpM/s1600/DSCN3110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_rhjHMdnULAduDNDg0g7lsQhWVaMRjzufF5evHXaMr5p9ObBgY-1Vfv810TetqczcHQdseOSndq8mDTdUq3AmzkjqgwAUpmLW13voRzvdH9xDCp5ucRXxCrwy7Aqe4hShbC1gQW1SwpM/s1600/DSCN3110.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Abby & Steve on <i>Who Cares<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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Another inventor cruiser we have met is Steve Skulnick on
E-dock here in New Bern, NC. Several
years back, Steve invented the Freedom Fender after watching regular fenders slip
off when used against pilings.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-AFwrgR4HA8dk_8pCuveJXsO2WqwVj8Nfpy69ka3tLQKkrnxcLLvyUp-T0RX_-zFSE_omL25MBnBQ-agr2Af70MGrijYf-7v-To2GxdxyBj93W9s_uGri5jFGaDmdeXkL72_dnTv4u4I/s1600/31GCD3141EL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-AFwrgR4HA8dk_8pCuveJXsO2WqwVj8Nfpy69ka3tLQKkrnxcLLvyUp-T0RX_-zFSE_omL25MBnBQ-agr2Af70MGrijYf-7v-To2GxdxyBj93W9s_uGri5jFGaDmdeXkL72_dnTv4u4I/s1600/31GCD3141EL.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Freedom Fender
eliminates the need for fender boards<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Freedom Fender is concave on one side so that it stays
centered on the piling. In 2004, Steve
licensed his patent on the Freedom Fender line to Taylor Made Products so he could go
cruising. The Taylor Made Freedom
Fenders are available at most chandleries.
<i>Motivator’s </i>crew was wishing
we had a couple when we were sliding off the piling during Hurricane Arthur.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP47M7ipzagybFPhAQAbaHlTPW1X5GUks_U9Pnai-AMylHHABbtT6IiCjFKRPoDqco4eX737RFaDyzZa8Y3tOfSGDggYFGFVbxFO6ulfVdqnGrDOJqnAfAddbAM6JSoRXQp6o0Kurvz5Y/s1600/PA040065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP47M7ipzagybFPhAQAbaHlTPW1X5GUks_U9Pnai-AMylHHABbtT6IiCjFKRPoDqco4eX737RFaDyzZa8Y3tOfSGDggYFGFVbxFO6ulfVdqnGrDOJqnAfAddbAM6JSoRXQp6o0Kurvz5Y/s1600/PA040065.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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Soon after purchasing <i>Motivator,
</i>I cable tied a yardstick to the fuel tank sight tubes. On the upper three quarters of the tank they
give a fairly accurate reading of the fuel status. With the yardstick cut off at the 35” mark,
one inch equals 10 gallons on our 350 gallon tanks. I wonder if I can get a patent on this?</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04921442390538388294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2120558888864233641.post-30136426806339178162014-09-14T13:53:00.000-04:002014-09-14T13:57:57.015-04:00Six-Pack License<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzPnYwgBmWYCE7wLjoxIXKx5Vls53ovOwdV1n9tkgL6QaUeTStuH2e0DFskTXs5TM8bNb7oNBIWcIvi_aBcF2KZ_KLbYf9IYpH_kFbUskaBb4WQiwgC5JqbceU4jvNUnt-7PxVWEiIMWE/s1600/421px-Merchant_mariner_credential.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzPnYwgBmWYCE7wLjoxIXKx5Vls53ovOwdV1n9tkgL6QaUeTStuH2e0DFskTXs5TM8bNb7oNBIWcIvi_aBcF2KZ_KLbYf9IYpH_kFbUskaBb4WQiwgC5JqbceU4jvNUnt-7PxVWEiIMWE/s1600/421px-Merchant_mariner_credential.jpg" height="400" width="280" /></a></div>
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An Operator Uninspected Passenger Vessel (OUPV) license
issued by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) is commonly referred to as a “Six-Pack”
license. The OUPV license is typically used
for six passenger (6 pax) or less fishing guide charter or tour boat operations
in US navigable waters. Vessels engaged
in operations for hire must comply with minimal federal standards for safety,
navigation, pollution and the operator must hold at least a Six-Pack license.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Six-Pack license is the starting point for a long list
of captain’s license issued by the USCG.
Numerous maritime training centers and online sources offer the course
that prepares want-a-be-captains for the USCG 5 part exam. Getting a captain’s license has always been
on my bucket list. With the <a href="http://wegivethetest.com/">World Wide Marine Training</a> center a
short commute from New Bern, why wait? I
also figured it might lower my insurance rates and possibly provide some
interesting opportunities. Besides,
increasing my knowledge of maritime rules, regulations and best practices could
not hurt.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Quiet! Exam in progress.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The first hurdle is completion of a USCG approved OUPV class
and passing a 5 part examination. <br />
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The
five areas covered are:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Navigation Rules (right of way, lights, and
signals)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Plotting (back to old school, no GPS)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Deck General (anchoring, radio ops, etc.)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Deck Safety (fire, abandon ship, man over board,
etc.)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Navigation General (compass, weather, coast
pilot, etc.)</span></li>
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The next hurdle is to put together an application package
that includes:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">USCG Application</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Conviction Disclosure</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Notarized Merchant Mariner’s Oath</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Three Character References</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Medical Evaluation Report</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Drug Test Report</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">First Aid and CPR Certificate</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Sea Service Form (documents experience of at 360 days)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">TWIC – Transportation Workers Identification
Card (background check)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Certification of Completion of OUPV Course</span></li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizXI6vfqzHreUMTVJ7FhI-TBzsQ4aLwNgUvIQBkdAcpIyC_DIORsNi21APjUDlsIGq5Zf6TjSapXFldeGkgS7K0KeNqiuXxpETIm_lslKYFf0OYnj58v0qlu4Rjn6JeMcsvXVoAZ1XhR4/s1600/Certificate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizXI6vfqzHreUMTVJ7FhI-TBzsQ4aLwNgUvIQBkdAcpIyC_DIORsNi21APjUDlsIGq5Zf6TjSapXFldeGkgS7K0KeNqiuXxpETIm_lslKYFf0OYnj58v0qlu4Rjn6JeMcsvXVoAZ1XhR4/s1600/Certificate.jpg" height="400" width="306" /></a></div>
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First hurdle
completed!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04921442390538388294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2120558888864233641.post-50033712098954976572014-08-22T13:08:00.000-04:002014-08-22T13:32:10.240-04:00CLODs<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
New Bern, North
Carolina<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUybxyL54oMekiVxgp3uwJf4ptfDpUNLeFmAFxMZvovDiSLxfRRGthNWMrKf5hyphenhyphenOC7BbUVI07RihKoxrJg6YF_YG7Mpb31M6cveBoe-I4oaIR_pUIGuisu1eZhvYgXnzKk_QnvzWib-8U/s1600/New+Bern+Grand+Marina+-+DSC_1394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUybxyL54oMekiVxgp3uwJf4ptfDpUNLeFmAFxMZvovDiSLxfRRGthNWMrKf5hyphenhyphenOC7BbUVI07RihKoxrJg6YF_YG7Mpb31M6cveBoe-I4oaIR_pUIGuisu1eZhvYgXnzKk_QnvzWib-8U/s1600/New+Bern+Grand+Marina+-+DSC_1394.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></div>
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Photograph by
permission from Curtis Blake<o:p></o:p></div>
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Click <a href="http://cblakephotography.photoshelter.com/">here</a> to see more great
photos <o:p></o:p></div>
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by Curtis Blake
Photography<o:p></o:p></div>
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Or, visit Curtis’s <a href="https://www.facebook.com/curtisblakephotography">Facebook page </a> <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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After almost 4 years of cruising, Pollie exercised her
option for a land base. She says she
only promised me 3 to 5 years of fulltime cruising. I, however have trouble recalling that
agreement (probably the rum). So now we
have “agreed” to become part time cruisers and part time CLODs (Cruisers Living
on Dirt). <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvcbl1jchh2dBBMC6bB39kbXPLbFyzuY4ESk1rs9wQ4cW_g3q2g6hSo8jFfyYUG9Xx5Wh6TGbMBF3eyPTF9lb1h6eiV9myFVmVLH-LL20NKgSr0hei_AQTfQFx9lozIrguh75Y-KENINA/s1600/P1180680+(800x731).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvcbl1jchh2dBBMC6bB39kbXPLbFyzuY4ESk1rs9wQ4cW_g3q2g6hSo8jFfyYUG9Xx5Wh6TGbMBF3eyPTF9lb1h6eiV9myFVmVLH-LL20NKgSr0hei_AQTfQFx9lozIrguh75Y-KENINA/s1600/P1180680+(800x731).jpg" height="365" width="400" /></a></div>
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Photograph by
permission of Izzy St. Clair<o:p></o:p></div>
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M/V <i>Izzy R<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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Part of our cruising goal was to find a place to eventually call
home. Factors included on our wish list
were climate, tax friendly, boating community, historic area, and friendly
people. After seeing the east coast from
Maine to Key West and most of the islands in the Bahamas and Caribbean, New Bern,
NC remained at the top of our shortlist.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRscDYdFn-zo_p4dVsWODKLe-6EwzO0rB1YW-pdjU6IXgK-qKmwxyDsuyF4zMa3Y4a1J4jdKFZN3MZWQ4VtFD3cx1rzYs0aLaqvhgyexfiGfdXOCYLcYjZSwskjulBygvBW6tMObrDKQg/s1600/Compliation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRscDYdFn-zo_p4dVsWODKLe-6EwzO0rB1YW-pdjU6IXgK-qKmwxyDsuyF4zMa3Y4a1J4jdKFZN3MZWQ4VtFD3cx1rzYs0aLaqvhgyexfiGfdXOCYLcYjZSwskjulBygvBW6tMObrDKQg/s1600/Compliation.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Century 21 Office Downtown New Bern</div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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My criteria for buying property included the following:</div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">I never want to see another lawn mower – limited
landscape maintenance</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">No Home Owners Association – HOAs can be
problematic</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Income producing – we need the tax advantage</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Easy to leave for extended periods of time –
remember, we are only part time CLODs</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Affordable – we don’t want to be “house poor,” and
we still must buy diesel fuel</span></li>
</ul>
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The list discouraged most real estate agents. They simply shrugged and said comeback when
you are serious. I figured my specific
criteria would keep me safe from becoming a CLOD in the near future.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtG9CBRyFwqOIHgD50_44YOdFrvWgMvVzoVEnxr54THqQe-ePISRKfvydLxmtmVGjPiigs3S3jcu7ZOcl9N2qn1S1870z1F7FzQKdUud4eurwmmCoUuHaqCLXoR4AN9L5GaX1HPBPtZ-U/s1600/DSCN2947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtG9CBRyFwqOIHgD50_44YOdFrvWgMvVzoVEnxr54THqQe-ePISRKfvydLxmtmVGjPiigs3S3jcu7ZOcl9N2qn1S1870z1F7FzQKdUud4eurwmmCoUuHaqCLXoR4AN9L5GaX1HPBPtZ-U/s1600/DSCN2947.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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I was wrong. One
agent, Denise, said, “I know the perfect property for you!” It was not on the market, but she persuaded
the owner to sell. Unfortunately, my
checklist was completely fulfilled.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZSBNoL44yCRplAsnsA2tpXe1tL4mTHlOm_B76dSqHgFKbUicxxwOX5zAFX0z2rpgzCPwkCKNz-fNNkHI5Co2FosM4y-g5GuDLk-u_K1T3GVJZlAoWL-VQWvsEwI39-ZPUqgPy2LPREl0/s1600/Whitehurst+House.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZSBNoL44yCRplAsnsA2tpXe1tL4mTHlOm_B76dSqHgFKbUicxxwOX5zAFX0z2rpgzCPwkCKNz-fNNkHI5Co2FosM4y-g5GuDLk-u_K1T3GVJZlAoWL-VQWvsEwI39-ZPUqgPy2LPREl0/s1600/Whitehurst+House.jpg" height="640" width="302" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Pollie is so happy!
Happy wife, happy life! Badabing…</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04921442390538388294noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2120558888864233641.post-588089703002577512014-08-16T12:28:00.000-04:002014-08-16T12:28:06.936-04:00The ICW Revisited, or America’s Crumbling Infrastructure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOniCpBCTLyxrMWyMAvrZxMwjfhDF7gLZCkHgUXxtpzP1ivGIDMq079y3LtzQA-YlzpZTZ_sryf3aPpPBDNKPiRFF685gmXImJ0iup-ttuZ-QZtCrsmOPoX-NtQE8S4kQWn82uT1pxM7o/s1600/DSCN2587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOniCpBCTLyxrMWyMAvrZxMwjfhDF7gLZCkHgUXxtpzP1ivGIDMq079y3LtzQA-YlzpZTZ_sryf3aPpPBDNKPiRFF685gmXImJ0iup-ttuZ-QZtCrsmOPoX-NtQE8S4kQWn82uT1pxM7o/s1600/DSCN2587.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Bridge of the Lions, </i>St. Augustine, Florida <o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Motivator’s </i>crew
usually enjoys cruising the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Intracoastal Waterway is a 3,000-mile
inland waterway along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States. Some
sections of the waterway consist of natural inlets, saltwater rivers, bays, and
sounds, while others are artificial canals. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intracoastal_Waterway"><span style="color: #1a0dab; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Wikipedia</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This trip, however was a little less enjoyable. Weather reports indicated a chance for strong
thunderstorms with lightening offshore, so we elected to stay on the ICW. Normally we avoid the ICW through Georgia due
to chronic lack of maintenance. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpabQcI3On7JepEgtJO0UrCrlRx9jBBEKAB3cnT7sYGAVMzND-3Ku8dWkkvQ-Z6wH7Gni6Zkw4kObpXMwXN36N3XTXs0LF7qunew1LDXk3jkVj_5m4JU5nkP7xNLW595zsE0pNSYXsl1M/s1600/DSCN2609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpabQcI3On7JepEgtJO0UrCrlRx9jBBEKAB3cnT7sYGAVMzND-3Ku8dWkkvQ-Z6wH7Gni6Zkw4kObpXMwXN36N3XTXs0LF7qunew1LDXk3jkVj_5m4JU5nkP7xNLW595zsE0pNSYXsl1M/s1600/DSCN2609.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;">Fishing at low tide</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On this trip we “found” shoaling, misplaced markers and missing
markers not only in Georgia, but also in Florida, South Carolina and North Carolina.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Patrol boat shadowing <i>Motivator</i> as we pass Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This is not to say it was all bad. As usually, we found plenty of depth and the
waterway from the inlet to Kings Bay to be well marked. I guess that may be a budget priority.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Railroad Bridge<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Also we found that several of the opening bridges have been
replaced by fixed bridges with 65’ of air space.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp50PX0qUVPoc3rg9Bx9-VXyK8_UGrPrhyphenhyphenZ6hIeU-n3CEpzDvFTTH-AdkdgTsIQpbKZVTW8p52rHW0TE8SSjD7QNY2tix2sOgKRjaz0ZPISt-bN5B_QJtdSFn4DEsTvRahruDTkLg3pRU/s1600/DSCN2668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp50PX0qUVPoc3rg9Bx9-VXyK8_UGrPrhyphenhyphenZ6hIeU-n3CEpzDvFTTH-AdkdgTsIQpbKZVTW8p52rHW0TE8SSjD7QNY2tix2sOgKRjaz0ZPISt-bN5B_QJtdSFn4DEsTvRahruDTkLg3pRU/s1600/DSCN2668.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We did encounter some bridge maintenance, and north of Myrtle
Beach had to wait over an hour while bridge fender boards were being
replaced. But, we never saw a dredger.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq21YVClmj5FGe0JtOe_qTJ1WG6gLjU5rec3Oc2GBKRgO9jcn_c3WvAHyz9jejtaADrwgCO-h1H-Z3-bGEZNd8mZ6hp5NyE8vlfjyjWWoMUUE1zcaP5FbZ6fSHgYR1rvfyTUkiz4yOegc/s1600/DSCN2690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq21YVClmj5FGe0JtOe_qTJ1WG6gLjU5rec3Oc2GBKRgO9jcn_c3WvAHyz9jejtaADrwgCO-h1H-Z3-bGEZNd8mZ6hp5NyE8vlfjyjWWoMUUE1zcaP5FbZ6fSHgYR1rvfyTUkiz4yOegc/s1600/DSCN2690.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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After dodging this behemoth crossing the Savanna River, we
managed to soft ground on a shoal in the middle of the ICW just before low
tide. As we waited for the tide to
return (3 hours), local boats passed by and told us we should have been outside
the channel to the east about 20 feet, that’s where one finds the deep water.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsXuYwOsmVtXR1SLZsBFbgaH4y9gtJp_CvYTkcVnBgNOQdBH8-KV36KjdzvnTn-kw-eHOpm0mBdfBd3cUP7SkAc2aLXuN9H4LB1Wf6d9pDjKikSDkOkObdt6rpOW0QJMXPdo-1sxrLBBQ/s1600/DSCN2713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsXuYwOsmVtXR1SLZsBFbgaH4y9gtJp_CvYTkcVnBgNOQdBH8-KV36KjdzvnTn-kw-eHOpm0mBdfBd3cUP7SkAc2aLXuN9H4LB1Wf6d9pDjKikSDkOkObdt6rpOW0QJMXPdo-1sxrLBBQ/s1600/DSCN2713.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Cable ferry that
crosses the ICW south of Georgetown, SC<o:p></o:p></div>
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Unlike the long open water passages we were accustomed to in
the Caribbean, navigating on the ICW requires constant attention.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhRVQBBaVXpA_OtEaJUNNrbaWba1IKWr4QneTpuu7tBgd_TQUY7S3B8NbXAuj_NhhFoFA63jrRZ1MeW800hkbcdJRRwOE-JEUJLNAQLQdqfHmal1hyvylkgncYmY9koLKz2UPGteKF6pA/s1600/DSCN2706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhRVQBBaVXpA_OtEaJUNNrbaWba1IKWr4QneTpuu7tBgd_TQUY7S3B8NbXAuj_NhhFoFA63jrRZ1MeW800hkbcdJRRwOE-JEUJLNAQLQdqfHmal1hyvylkgncYmY9koLKz2UPGteKF6pA/s1600/DSCN2706.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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You soon learn to listen to and watch your wake to tell if
you are getting out of the channel and into shallow water.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6SBCWhU1-r5AUjA2V7uF3zedyEFznZuCteqbmIOgIQ6DSwVJLm6VnAktWvH9zstaTj8uDMuiredxDb3TbNa6gXuMWAA8oW7F0BJ1why01vvM_VskRBSA64MDJxfl6U7H_PeMB3fuDmq8/s1600/DSCN2811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6SBCWhU1-r5AUjA2V7uF3zedyEFznZuCteqbmIOgIQ6DSwVJLm6VnAktWvH9zstaTj8uDMuiredxDb3TbNa6gXuMWAA8oW7F0BJ1why01vvM_VskRBSA64MDJxfl6U7H_PeMB3fuDmq8/s1600/DSCN2811.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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After several bumps on the bottom, we finally made it to
Wrightsville Beach, NC where we were guests at the <i><a href="http://blockade-runner.com/">Blockade Runner Beach Resort</a>. </i>Following Hurricane Arthur and the Fourth
of July, we continued on to New Bern, NC, <i>Motivator’s
</i>hiding spot for the 2014 hurricane season. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04921442390538388294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2120558888864233641.post-87198849221328947262014-07-06T12:09:00.003-04:002014-07-06T12:14:33.893-04:00411 Walnut Street<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9GUTcOFvWEssDL69jBQTzt9LUXmZ1G7mHVvZDMWQS_G9GrGvjeMdmyv1cPjVJ5vJc5N7ZeN6U3TCaeyC3z2fd06KLBP4aikmxakxNYQDlghuOX_uvnfViB-Gdwnzd8dLhbfRPqFSXbJw/s1600/DSCN2249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9GUTcOFvWEssDL69jBQTzt9LUXmZ1G7mHVvZDMWQS_G9GrGvjeMdmyv1cPjVJ5vJc5N7ZeN6U3TCaeyC3z2fd06KLBP4aikmxakxNYQDlghuOX_uvnfViB-Gdwnzd8dLhbfRPqFSXbJw/s1600/DSCN2249.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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No door-to-door
postal service here<o:p></o:p></div>
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Mail can be an issue for cruisers. Sometimes you can talk a family member into
handling it for you, but usually it is a real pain for them and they are not
very efficient at it. For a while we used
our son’s mailing address, but whenever he forwarded items he wanted a Chipotle
burrito in return.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOm6_mRP3oJ07SHJzl85RRzQ4xWaHSKm_uSjqe18BtkRDek7bFxLlMmSrc5x3zUFyIMVa6-o65m6v80fYkAay7JQA-z6lOMfIw6Ln3wbtt7N49RA6FoLzH85pjKJN7xbP4KV5UlTRm2-c/s1600/DSCN2370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOm6_mRP3oJ07SHJzl85RRzQ4xWaHSKm_uSjqe18BtkRDek7bFxLlMmSrc5x3zUFyIMVa6-o65m6v80fYkAay7JQA-z6lOMfIw6Ln3wbtt7N49RA6FoLzH85pjKJN7xbP4KV5UlTRm2-c/s1600/DSCN2370.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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After a lot of burritos, we decided to go with a
professional service, St. Brendan’s Isle, which many cruisers, RVers, long haul
truckers, and merchant marines use. So
many cruisers use their service that in Spanish Wells, Bahamas, the dock master
commented, “A lot of you live at that same address.” We have found them to be very efficient and probably
less expensive than buying burritos.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSkXtPq7wUeus1p5l7wx86BJlhh_Q2xy3SdkuKDZVKVbWVX0WzLmOKqgbNhX9GpYXLB6hXDNim4peGbXZglUuVXtcgQHEyq2dQSFInuNlUrMR3bjMex_CRQbPmhZN-Q937rXDVNotCDfQ/s1600/Untitled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSkXtPq7wUeus1p5l7wx86BJlhh_Q2xy3SdkuKDZVKVbWVX0WzLmOKqgbNhX9GpYXLB6hXDNim4peGbXZglUuVXtcgQHEyq2dQSFInuNlUrMR3bjMex_CRQbPmhZN-Q937rXDVNotCDfQ/s1600/Untitled.jpg" height="273" width="400" /></a></div>
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When your mail arrives at St. Brendan’s Isle, they send you
notification by email and you are able to see the front of the envelope. Simply by clicking a button, you decide
whether you want them to hold the item, scan the contents, or shred it. For example I had them scan the contents of
the Verizon mail above only to learn that Verizon had mailed confirmation that
I elected paperless billing. I had St
Brendan’s Isle then shred the document.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-Jf_et284FfttybWs5t9Ru4pPKFLUwneEG43EZDhovzNvE2ANK-w2UEg7LXmJk_wwVTNxlIy7zyHD3XC5BsqT2IIT0lk5EO1OdkvWNWXxQTmFt-AfmM4tOT77jPZLZ41ZBwqqLAQXKQ/s1600/DSCN2377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-Jf_et284FfttybWs5t9Ru4pPKFLUwneEG43EZDhovzNvE2ANK-w2UEg7LXmJk_wwVTNxlIy7zyHD3XC5BsqT2IIT0lk5EO1OdkvWNWXxQTmFt-AfmM4tOT77jPZLZ41ZBwqqLAQXKQ/s1600/DSCN2377.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Usually we have them forward mail to a marina we know we
will be visiting, but because we knew we would be in the area, we decided to
visit the place many cruisers call home.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvflDoD8dwcCbiY9DwVnu9GXR9bOjGJ7e5yTOqkxOnAcDCeNRCUj-pTjAt3ZfullM-82rwbtM-WAjPUVSmT99_BGblPAOdiTUjyPMYSfvjnJWGjc-GKNlMndzN3CIptk3K55_wDEbpFdA/s1600/DSCN2374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvflDoD8dwcCbiY9DwVnu9GXR9bOjGJ7e5yTOqkxOnAcDCeNRCUj-pTjAt3ZfullM-82rwbtM-WAjPUVSmT99_BGblPAOdiTUjyPMYSfvjnJWGjc-GKNlMndzN3CIptk3K55_wDEbpFdA/s1600/DSCN2374.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Cruisers, your home
has an aquarium!<o:p></o:p></div>
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(with a very goofy looking fish)</div>
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Actually, St. Brendan’s Isle outgrew their original location
at 411 Walnut Street, Green Cove Springs, FL.
They are now located in a strip mall, but managed to hold on to the
original address.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYbnQfV_WjlRNGHIouiylzT5knCeCtrF63bepga1M4HVgSSlsZM-dowJsEH9U3OeL0rrskOI7WP94M62kU8IxpiSbtPBEzMtyE3YSa9pMwHjEyHaWwUlx8kO3I8GAzEf3_3lkNbhCin-g/s1600/DSCN2375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYbnQfV_WjlRNGHIouiylzT5knCeCtrF63bepga1M4HVgSSlsZM-dowJsEH9U3OeL0rrskOI7WP94M62kU8IxpiSbtPBEzMtyE3YSa9pMwHjEyHaWwUlx8kO3I8GAzEf3_3lkNbhCin-g/s1600/DSCN2375.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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What started out in 1988 as a former cruiser helping out
some cruising friends with their mail has grown into an operation that services
close to 6,000 clients and employees several workers.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKf-ByU7E84xooxiKVrnIZ-xV8VQACoErZ-eOUw_dv8dvtwzk9n-Z2ouJwx9Q9mzcYlX8yUl4jDgbi5YkwvJn9FaYHyzkelhhyphenhyphenye0uGdQuFy3_jrTbk0QP9MNa6HLYb0V4kPMme4sxryA/s1600/DSCN2373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKf-ByU7E84xooxiKVrnIZ-xV8VQACoErZ-eOUw_dv8dvtwzk9n-Z2ouJwx9Q9mzcYlX8yUl4jDgbi5YkwvJn9FaYHyzkelhhyphenhyphenye0uGdQuFy3_jrTbk0QP9MNa6HLYb0V4kPMme4sxryA/s1600/DSCN2373.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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The current owners bought the operation in 1999 and have
expanded the client base as well as the services offered.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRd2UBWA6fuVcr1cF8cehHRq7tweyVyXH4x2xrYffHdz6G1xqqvUhJN4qCe-24XZkUGjI-St1YiezlVnfLX3WL-uq7NmuQn9yhks0TWZrR7U06Am6rDVN503kPcF-oN9nuUQ44coymws/s1600/DSCN2380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRd2UBWA6fuVcr1cF8cehHRq7tweyVyXH4x2xrYffHdz6G1xqqvUhJN4qCe-24XZkUGjI-St1YiezlVnfLX3WL-uq7NmuQn9yhks0TWZrR7U06Am6rDVN503kPcF-oN9nuUQ44coymws/s1600/DSCN2380.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Manager Scott Loehr<o:p></o:p></div>
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Besides being convenient and dependable, St. Brendan’s Isle
has always provided us with friendly service.
Our drop-in visit was no different.
Although they seemed very busy, they took the time to answer all of our
questions and show us around their spotless facility.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ouIjgxan3metwUKakWEVCVPec-oTWXERNZLb8okGbfW_P96qARnS1K1q1V5b5U3w-O3q5fEJ9IIS5bfSRpw-iGUXajqYFLMYXhlaFscAXQSrWkyemw-vM2bOTaaqKpt7LEmkPl7oBXs/s1600/DSCN2378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ouIjgxan3metwUKakWEVCVPec-oTWXERNZLb8okGbfW_P96qARnS1K1q1V5b5U3w-O3q5fEJ9IIS5bfSRpw-iGUXajqYFLMYXhlaFscAXQSrWkyemw-vM2bOTaaqKpt7LEmkPl7oBXs/s1600/DSCN2378.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Our mail box, number 6472, is located at the front of the
facility center aisle.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF04s7JqvjLIu_p8JNXcWbZcWxNPUEy5YjZkUyvdS7OkGj7LiE7t43lPgiWChMlvxsDiky3kboI9XIw9lzTY_CVKTE_NCIW0TzEJe59OYha-ZbnM8AlQ6oIdoEw3fenvbcIde3og_FyrY/s1600/DSCN2381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF04s7JqvjLIu_p8JNXcWbZcWxNPUEy5YjZkUyvdS7OkGj7LiE7t43lPgiWChMlvxsDiky3kboI9XIw9lzTY_CVKTE_NCIW0TzEJe59OYha-ZbnM8AlQ6oIdoEw3fenvbcIde3og_FyrY/s1600/DSCN2381.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Most importantly, Pollie was able to pick up her new 12
string guitar that she had been patiently waiting for. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>For more information about St. Brendan’s Isle Mail Service<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>click on their banner ad to the left.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04921442390538388294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2120558888864233641.post-85868764166947901762014-07-02T18:06:00.001-04:002014-07-02T18:06:55.857-04:00Dinghy Davit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_CvSyT172qtG8AmeedzA-UURjkIMOkJtcdH-Zc36-J6wzNONxUKaoivHIgHIvPTRD2Xmlra47Fb9Spc8KBptJXH2OJ0V7yhxXztK-5AFgHE-YDA5sy2X7DBBbbxlgGtCcYRfjxmcDY4/s1600/DSCN2360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_CvSyT172qtG8AmeedzA-UURjkIMOkJtcdH-Zc36-J6wzNONxUKaoivHIgHIvPTRD2Xmlra47Fb9Spc8KBptJXH2OJ0V7yhxXztK-5AFgHE-YDA5sy2X7DBBbbxlgGtCcYRfjxmcDY4/s1600/DSCN2360.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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In my March 30, 2014 blog posting titled, <i>A Tale of Woe, </i>I blasted the manufacturer
of <i>Motivator’s </i>dinghy davit, UMT
Marine, for poor customer service. To
recap, when we began having problems with the davit, I contacted UMT asking for
an owner’s manual and advice. Mostly
what I received was brushoffs, or bad advice and never an owner’s manual for
the unit. Eventually, this lack of
customer service cost me over $1,000 for repairs and a lot of frustration that
could have been prevented.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxNLiEQTglHXJ_vuAGDxcza9unxbVfhaFbX2Kzk-0nt3F5mgyhpK9VNP5aCIQ5mJsKRETjk3E6C4UFB0pAl_RP8r0B-ypM-ESRuenJSJEapcDtUPgWsTvPJVad3E-dmWSmxlxhlvKKtco/s1600/P3140034+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxNLiEQTglHXJ_vuAGDxcza9unxbVfhaFbX2Kzk-0nt3F5mgyhpK9VNP5aCIQ5mJsKRETjk3E6C4UFB0pAl_RP8r0B-ypM-ESRuenJSJEapcDtUPgWsTvPJVad3E-dmWSmxlxhlvKKtco/s1600/P3140034+(2).JPG" height="262" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Old electric winch
with gas struts with plastic ends on right<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When we had the electric winch replaced in Puerto Rico, Jose
Luis Martinez of Martinez Marine Services noted that the gas struts that assist
lifting the arm were looking a little tired and should be replaced. He also said that UMT had gone to a stronger
replacement and I should consider contacting them for information about replacement
units.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkARDYlfKjKX73qvqabz1Wf7QnEC5cmEPpzAYIkTSkH61aV49D3fbAu4j3NZYMUle7jvaHgHrw3HCbJ0lavGzRnzXZlwy0oeTPNMgRlt8LnWVPFpppaPx03pB_pPuGs_K3zdSVgNYIJ4M/s1600/P6150041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkARDYlfKjKX73qvqabz1Wf7QnEC5cmEPpzAYIkTSkH61aV49D3fbAu4j3NZYMUle7jvaHgHrw3HCbJ0lavGzRnzXZlwy0oeTPNMgRlt8LnWVPFpppaPx03pB_pPuGs_K3zdSVgNYIJ4M/s1600/P6150041.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
New gas strut on top,
old bent unit with plastic ends broken off at bottom<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As predicted, the gas struts soon failed for the third time. Once again, I contacted UMT and once again all
I got was a run-around. So, I contacted their
supplier for information about modifying the davit to accept upgraded
struts. When I did, I copied in UMT Marine
which prompted an exchange of “snarky” emails between me and UMT sales staff.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc2GNEVg6ikunPjm9epWeFhAMpn9E1kguqweVy7snnuX3pkqxYsMpUNNlnD5RNusszW8TX7HRo_7s2oYocXllV7SMEpOjIdDafLsUnfJ_yo0lax50sku5kp2LLFUia66vtmprbLu-aoKU/s1600/P6150040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc2GNEVg6ikunPjm9epWeFhAMpn9E1kguqweVy7snnuX3pkqxYsMpUNNlnD5RNusszW8TX7HRo_7s2oYocXllV7SMEpOjIdDafLsUnfJ_yo0lax50sku5kp2LLFUia66vtmprbLu-aoKU/s1600/P6150040.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
John Rossi,
Operations Manager, UMT Marine on left, and Boghra, UMT technician on right<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At this point I considered my relationship with UMT Marine
to be permanently severed. Then John
Rossi entered the picture. John was
recently hired by UMT as the Operations Manager. He pulled my previous emails to UMT and
agreed with me that the customer service I had received had been less than
stellar. John then immediately reached
out to assure me that he was committed to turning around my perception of UMT’s
customer service. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVUfO69IM9ZBGQkVxAMKAPziGKSwwL_DopLhe7hZojoHdsQb4_J25pWDAzpd_nxlO7OLqfFXEyLXmRPjV35XPun99XztDsjm5DYqLfTrjDZVBm-vYgBR9eOBK0uNA2gkOv2OocHZR3TtA/s1600/DSCN2358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVUfO69IM9ZBGQkVxAMKAPziGKSwwL_DopLhe7hZojoHdsQb4_J25pWDAzpd_nxlO7OLqfFXEyLXmRPjV35XPun99XztDsjm5DYqLfTrjDZVBm-vYgBR9eOBK0uNA2gkOv2OocHZR3TtA/s1600/DSCN2358.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With a UMT technician, tools, and spare parts, John drove
from Fort Lauderdale to St. Augustine, Florida to install new gas struts and
inspect the davit. In all, they spent
over 8 hours servicing my 10 year-old dinghy davit. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT8OarpMNudoIiCT3YTctOPPxr2YV_d1N5xMCIeoOwA3az03lM8gyTCy-v5zPg4SIlDp7oHVMI36zwnKUcjBK1gC_M4TDZTRMgbPM6RFb6EGoc19MBB-fih0Dpe1RPsUlxmnvI6486bbw/s1600/DSCN2364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT8OarpMNudoIiCT3YTctOPPxr2YV_d1N5xMCIeoOwA3az03lM8gyTCy-v5zPg4SIlDp7oHVMI36zwnKUcjBK1gC_M4TDZTRMgbPM6RFb6EGoc19MBB-fih0Dpe1RPsUlxmnvI6486bbw/s1600/DSCN2364.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p>One of the questions I had previously asked when I called
UMT was about the feasibility of replacing the stainless steel cable with spectra
rope. John also brought along a 40’
section of spectra with a stainless steel carbineer spliced onto the end that
he installed. We no longer have the
cable pops that have a tendency to wake up the entire anchorage early in the
morning and the whole unit works much smoother.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<o:p> </o:p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizi-CIPvEGUsCOtjCxdl-y6ZcI-LDtm8dYbdl-kaKr0oyHzJIhXR8fSXaeeHb56ZATLiTIp_0NMhHCGGB7kunr6zHhElGiSZUWzA-moi-xMaSSJIzH0GNsxNROD4GxuN8yKB1nWgiy0bg/s1600/DSCN2368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizi-CIPvEGUsCOtjCxdl-y6ZcI-LDtm8dYbdl-kaKr0oyHzJIhXR8fSXaeeHb56ZATLiTIp_0NMhHCGGB7kunr6zHhElGiSZUWzA-moi-xMaSSJIzH0GNsxNROD4GxuN8yKB1nWgiy0bg/s1600/DSCN2368.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They also properly lubricated the mounting post, making
pivoting the dinghy in position over the cradle much easier. Their efforts have restored our confidence in
the UMT Marine’s dinghy davit. With John
Rossi now at the UMT helm, my confidence in receiving stellar customer service
from UMT Marine has also been restored.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>See: <a href="http://www.umtmarine.com/">http://www.umtmarine.com</a></b></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04921442390538388294noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2120558888864233641.post-10456060056032359022014-06-29T16:20:00.000-04:002014-06-30T08:31:53.601-04:00Storm Chasers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDurVX5YeMh3o7C2DzTYDiLiQ_K0y0EF7j2QJhvCdmmgNVifE1SscRsCmoqStdBfygX7ITGFsUWccyJxixRDcoA4zADyD3BaL5EANV8z54AZOVeTT0RCZZ74NRk2F7Tz6eXjdhubC-GbE/s1600/Untitled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDurVX5YeMh3o7C2DzTYDiLiQ_K0y0EF7j2QJhvCdmmgNVifE1SscRsCmoqStdBfygX7ITGFsUWccyJxixRDcoA4zADyD3BaL5EANV8z54AZOVeTT0RCZZ74NRk2F7Tz6eXjdhubC-GbE/s1600/Untitled.jpg" height="161" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
From Green Turtle Cay in the Bahamas, we elected to do a 25
hour crossing to the Fort Pierce inlet and then up the Intercostal Waterway
(ICW) to Vero Beach, Florida. We could
have broken up the trip with stops at Great Sale Cay and the West End, but we
decided that we had a good weather window.
Also, the timing worked better for making the inlet and the ICW in
daylight hours.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjYwaK64t2d_QH-c8TJf6QQ-8IqfKDzK3qUEfxpqQBkB_-JJaYtEit6GhnjTsDUwaMrakz1XXa6SsbXvyjBBV1yq8mdgn052plSTyB-a7_er72No5KTzyWVU-i0gSSBG5VICUx2MED2Y/s1600/squall-line.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjYwaK64t2d_QH-c8TJf6QQ-8IqfKDzK3qUEfxpqQBkB_-JJaYtEit6GhnjTsDUwaMrakz1XXa6SsbXvyjBBV1yq8mdgn052plSTyB-a7_er72No5KTzyWVU-i0gSSBG5VICUx2MED2Y/s1600/squall-line.png" height="196" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The first half of our trip crossing the Little Bahama Banks
was grand. Perfect conditions for a
crossing. Wind was less than 5 knots and
the waves were less than 2 feet. At
nightfall conditions started changing. After
2 ½ years down island, we had mostly forgotten how severe thunder storms that
form over large land masses can be.
Dodging container ships and large tankers at night while in heavy rain
and strong winds can be somewhat stressful.
But, that was not our biggest concern.
Lightning bolts as big as Sequoia trees were!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7orgGw6CFeR3TdkPRbDGnWQJEaxz-P49-VTvWuUMCsRNo2TPLik9eOEfFzxfx5wZI1KEUFl46t4IKm7U6myH9Nu3J6i1VFO0bpulJ5fHiPu-dguzhyKlyg-jiK-j7yYKuLEk4lsweXSQ/s1600/DSCN2352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7orgGw6CFeR3TdkPRbDGnWQJEaxz-P49-VTvWuUMCsRNo2TPLik9eOEfFzxfx5wZI1KEUFl46t4IKm7U6myH9Nu3J6i1VFO0bpulJ5fHiPu-dguzhyKlyg-jiK-j7yYKuLEk4lsweXSQ/s1600/DSCN2352.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our radar displays the storm cells for us nicely. The problem is trying to maneuver around
cells building and moving at 25 knots in a 7 knot boat. After a couple of unsuccessful attempts it
became apparent we were storm magnets.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGJU5-FrObYJMZ_23cXx6mbTSwSvwLUmaws3uB24dwAHaiuchipZEVGGihr2V1t6k4Tmy3OKILgbITCZ5DbaFjKSD-h7h0zQMdDtRZmYF4ZS7UqZmZ_989SHWFTQmX7WFCKwrtx_DPI8Y/s1600/DSCN2355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGJU5-FrObYJMZ_23cXx6mbTSwSvwLUmaws3uB24dwAHaiuchipZEVGGihr2V1t6k4Tmy3OKILgbITCZ5DbaFjKSD-h7h0zQMdDtRZmYF4ZS7UqZmZ_989SHWFTQmX7WFCKwrtx_DPI8Y/s1600/DSCN2355.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Motivator </i>once
again<i> </i>proved that she can take more
than us and brought us safely back to the USA.
Unfortunately, our thunderstorm magnetism continues as we work our way
north. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04921442390538388294noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2120558888864233641.post-3478619801338484742014-06-15T16:52:00.000-04:002014-06-15T16:52:06.353-04:00The Abacos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIaO6j92Ki0-vst6djJhHMLsufMsRQBCnx4n7TQ7ZP2zGBjDtd3SMgfTaUq_ZiBDw6ux8eOf2gL1c3Lc0Po7qwrN3NuAdWgu6oRP-YNEluXuQKz57Lzqzk7eOQPIq_4mGJ7xxTR9vJvI/s1600/DSCN2126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIaO6j92Ki0-vst6djJhHMLsufMsRQBCnx4n7TQ7ZP2zGBjDtd3SMgfTaUq_ZiBDw6ux8eOf2gL1c3Lc0Po7qwrN3NuAdWgu6oRP-YNEluXuQKz57Lzqzk7eOQPIq_4mGJ7xxTR9vJvI/s1600/DSCN2126.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>Motivator </i>on a mooring in Hope Town<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As mentioned in a previous blog, many boats that cruise the
Bahamas never leave the Abacos.
Venturing south to the other islands that make up the Bahamas is just
too daunting for them, and they rightly believe there is plenty to do in the
protected waters of the Sea of Abaco.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNW6EfDl6LFuuSw7QEGovnq1967CU0k-IuNNi3Gadr9tB8EdrMnFthyqTzqPKjpsBBHLCOWb71zGniqr6rLW0ttg4cjz2gTje6RWYZV4uDBC1ZwMqUhUsiIjnbi2PmZQ_5ngQZIE5bHeE/s1600/Sea+of+Abaco.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNW6EfDl6LFuuSw7QEGovnq1967CU0k-IuNNi3Gadr9tB8EdrMnFthyqTzqPKjpsBBHLCOWb71zGniqr6rLW0ttg4cjz2gTje6RWYZV4uDBC1ZwMqUhUsiIjnbi2PmZQ_5ngQZIE5bHeE/s1600/Sea+of+Abaco.jpg" height="351" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Motivator’s</i> crew
quickly got into “cruising” the Abacos with stops at our favorite places.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p>
</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlb3fOmwi7eNsJhzTswjDonQqHNusJwKc4HBJZ9CC2KOyfuW6BF2N6_bb1Sr5PmOA3bTVSnzc1Ejrn_KFWVrQjRrnNX3FssL04SHztnn-bsm2HdZA703eqqYRrKY8bwSAul0sAPTqQn-A/s1600/DSCN2188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlb3fOmwi7eNsJhzTswjDonQqHNusJwKc4HBJZ9CC2KOyfuW6BF2N6_bb1Sr5PmOA3bTVSnzc1Ejrn_KFWVrQjRrnNX3FssL04SHztnn-bsm2HdZA703eqqYRrKY8bwSAul0sAPTqQn-A/s1600/DSCN2188.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After Little Harbour, our first stop was Hope Town on Elbow
Cay. The brightly painted little
cottages lining the narrow streets makes Hope Town one of the cutest places on
earth.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj06s2T0-kRCiF_rupGUKMGt9_46jgFmGv_RQizPK6l90vvAGTrjtJs4iOAIHcMEHiSz0veTt9PTCpGcnzgmEqW6PdREuU088ji4-9WwfS8_RwCp617rgVvnO5hh2rKg8o1ZV5p44esRFU/s1600/DSCN2220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj06s2T0-kRCiF_rupGUKMGt9_46jgFmGv_RQizPK6l90vvAGTrjtJs4iOAIHcMEHiSz0veTt9PTCpGcnzgmEqW6PdREuU088ji4-9WwfS8_RwCp617rgVvnO5hh2rKg8o1ZV5p44esRFU/s1600/DSCN2220.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elbow Cay is another one of the islands settled by British
Loyalist escaping persecution from those pesky American Revolutionaries. My guess is that today there are more
Americans with second homes than descendants of Loyalists living on the island.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBYg4xAMizr7Df0Er8_7JrifGHBmjp_tprRN4EoM1E4X0ZKzik7B_rzRELKHkrMIP38Maq7RT_DRyGgkprydmgVHNJDjYsTb7S5cQSHKEWfk5rlgpGHvlhFOF8IwqbL05Y9qV5qHc9MZQ/s1600/DSCN2229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBYg4xAMizr7Df0Er8_7JrifGHBmjp_tprRN4EoM1E4X0ZKzik7B_rzRELKHkrMIP38Maq7RT_DRyGgkprydmgVHNJDjYsTb7S5cQSHKEWfk5rlgpGHvlhFOF8IwqbL05Y9qV5qHc9MZQ/s1600/DSCN2229.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">But, the Loyalists
had a few setbacks.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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Swim up bar at <i>Hope Town Inn and Marina<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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We were interested in seeing the <i>Hope Town Inn and Marina</i> that was still under construction on our
last visit to Abacos. They are still
building cottages adjacent to the compound, but the main part of the
development is completed and open for business.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The new marina’s dockage rates were more than we wanted to
pay for the pleasure of being shoehorned in among the mega yachts. So we opted for a mooring ball nearby and
were happy to use their stellar WiFi.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Fellow cruisers told us that the restaurant at the <i>Hope Town Inn and Marina</i> was excellent,
but we had to go back to one of our old favorites, <i>Capt’n Jacks.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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Another must-do for us is <i>On Da Beach.</i> It is a healthy
bike ride out of town, but worth the effort.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The specialty
of <i>On Da Beach </i>is a drink called a
“Turtle Racer.” It consists of Bacardi
Gold, banana rum, Amaretto, and pineapple juice. More than one, and you are ready to race
turtles.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Marsh Harbour </i>was our next stop.
<i>Maxwell’s Supermarket</i> rivals
most grocery stores in the states and is a short bicycle ride from <i>Mangoes Marina </i>in Marsh Harbour. Pollie has “invented” a grocery carrier that
bungees to the back of her bike. Other
than looking like a “bag lady,” it works pretty well.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Great Guana Cay</i> is worth a stop in the Abacos. The last time we were there was in 2011 on
our sailboat <i>Serenity. </i> We were surprised to find an available mooring
ball in the small harbor. The reviews on
ActiveCaptain.com indicated that <i>Motivator
</i>might be too large for the moorings.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">However, the next morning when Troy from Guana
Dive came by to “knock us up” and collect the mooring fee, he didn’t even blink
at our size.</span></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
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The big attraction a Great Guana
Cay is <i>Nipper’s.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJR9pGJWwe0WeP3Q0ITS6yGyRaM9B-OJHAiDu57exW8BpgoBhKO3JsTTWj29e12P7qFj9n0Md_DRWnjNZSJujbclcWUL8W1X3v-FsUEhg0FltFTgm8xJd4C7R-J4D-CKDQekqhuzXJrU0/s1600/DSCN2336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJR9pGJWwe0WeP3Q0ITS6yGyRaM9B-OJHAiDu57exW8BpgoBhKO3JsTTWj29e12P7qFj9n0Md_DRWnjNZSJujbclcWUL8W1X3v-FsUEhg0FltFTgm8xJd4C7R-J4D-CKDQekqhuzXJrU0/s1600/DSCN2336.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Nippers </i>is funky at best, but it is a good place to have lunch and
relax either on the beach or by one of their two saltwater pools.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Our last stop was Green Turtle
Cay (sorry, no pictures). We only
anchored there one night to stage for making a 180 NM (25 hours) run back to
the states.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04921442390538388294noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2120558888864233641.post-84680517812939488492014-06-01T11:15:00.000-04:002014-06-01T11:15:41.630-04:00Little Harbour<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPlU_EhxFofR7gd66PyWs4H-p-tUY5coWvHkzby2d0OrhelC_mZhohItkRh2NVEDrDtYPwkbhSNE6HhMB5bdTM7lJHcys0iDBWX-Qwz-4JxLGCkUu4KwYJMVmJOOxNV0VQAvR0iG2oW7A/s1600/To+Abacos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPlU_EhxFofR7gd66PyWs4H-p-tUY5coWvHkzby2d0OrhelC_mZhohItkRh2NVEDrDtYPwkbhSNE6HhMB5bdTM7lJHcys0iDBWX-Qwz-4JxLGCkUu4KwYJMVmJOOxNV0VQAvR0iG2oW7A/s1600/To+Abacos.jpg" height="375" width="400" /></a></div>
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From Spanish Wells <i>Motivator
</i>headed for the northern most islands in the Bahamas, the Abacos. With nothing but open ocean between us and
Western Sahara in Africa to the east, this passage can be rather “sporty” in
the wrong weather conditions. But, <i>Motivator’s </i>crew has learned to wait for
the right conditions. “No hurry,
mon. You in the Bahamas, mon.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy90wVKd5DnE27YRx-kZWhm2abQSZ75ZZZ5pc0wOymwDt7vnDkq3FVVCtKEw_2e55ixN0S0M3M3mz04qvcR5Tv8N6jOSQwweu7WjOp67xkivB14gCqV2iLddChQ3yVtKaXzjp6_pkHwp0/s1600/Little+Harbour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy90wVKd5DnE27YRx-kZWhm2abQSZ75ZZZ5pc0wOymwDt7vnDkq3FVVCtKEw_2e55ixN0S0M3M3mz04qvcR5Tv8N6jOSQwweu7WjOp67xkivB14gCqV2iLddChQ3yVtKaXzjp6_pkHwp0/s1600/Little+Harbour.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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The next problem is crossing the three foot bar at the
entrance to Little Harbour with a boat with a 4’ 7” draft. You must time your arrival to coincide with
high tide, or anchor behind nearby Lynyard Cay.
Many crews, like we did the first time in the Abacos, askew this
beautiful harbor because of the shallow entrance.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxvKuvmk2vLBth3-x2E_fT5tx3kQF6lHkWtaNkognx17h_1R-uuVtbOsXLnYjXgZFB9djv2mFXjPObY1hONfFSPWvjR8CsTG2mbLOND9e-qKxAplv5pFAC7KB2qg48kgFvOBVGL__b3A/s1600/DSCN1998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxvKuvmk2vLBth3-x2E_fT5tx3kQF6lHkWtaNkognx17h_1R-uuVtbOsXLnYjXgZFB9djv2mFXjPObY1hONfFSPWvjR8CsTG2mbLOND9e-qKxAplv5pFAC7KB2qg48kgFvOBVGL__b3A/s1600/DSCN1998.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Motivator’s</i> bottom
cleaner wanted the calm water found in Little Harbour for a cleaning session
using the hookah breathing system. We
carry the Brownies brand system that is powered by two small motorcycle
batteries. It gives me about one hour of
cleaning time before needing a charge.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCmMuInuYhe0Q4m4x90bi1om00NQb7OPlgFSjc86IlOQvrWTUgQcNmoprFkbzUsueUAH59dXH8jzlVhcPi60sRPeblQIrhjgiXiDT5NC0XSgXzDaQ8__apCKs-h9Hv874B7RGmBguhzV0/s1600/DSCN2000.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCmMuInuYhe0Q4m4x90bi1om00NQb7OPlgFSjc86IlOQvrWTUgQcNmoprFkbzUsueUAH59dXH8jzlVhcPi60sRPeblQIrhjgiXiDT5NC0XSgXzDaQ8__apCKs-h9Hv874B7RGmBguhzV0/s1600/DSCN2000.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Pete’s Pub </i>at Little
Harbour is a quintessential beach bar that actually has good food. Next door is the Johnston family gallery and
foundry featuring some incredible bronze sculptures.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GHbRRfFwRG9LhN5G7Q8OkgGy6agHBI7UWNnnWFD0aPmPWb8XnHsSgcrIM-exurxIWxpx1RTiH4nWVmB5SabwQqMOFxcmfVsdw48W26D_eZkpu2kAW4HgkF4KjYssYU7d2LNnMqTniaY/s1600/DSCN2006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GHbRRfFwRG9LhN5G7Q8OkgGy6agHBI7UWNnnWFD0aPmPWb8XnHsSgcrIM-exurxIWxpx1RTiH4nWVmB5SabwQqMOFxcmfVsdw48W26D_eZkpu2kAW4HgkF4KjYssYU7d2LNnMqTniaY/s1600/DSCN2006.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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In 1950 Randolph Johnston and his family left behind the “Megamachine”
in Massachusetts in search of the perfect place for Randolph to do his
sculpting. They had planned on cruising
the Caribbean in their converted 47’ schooner, but when they entered Little
Harbour they knew they had found their paradise.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTXR7gBSE8NDBSVdEZUTtJF8yoBVX9AOkK-RwYF4laKRHc8S-cAVlF-U0hj1-uf-9yFttrylXcSnpAsdG-NGBKny-pIwLNIaEffRxEb3v58Mly0_nj_wlX2sX4FpH6JIf-uCB20LWUCzg/s1600/DSCN2005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTXR7gBSE8NDBSVdEZUTtJF8yoBVX9AOkK-RwYF4laKRHc8S-cAVlF-U0hj1-uf-9yFttrylXcSnpAsdG-NGBKny-pIwLNIaEffRxEb3v58Mly0_nj_wlX2sX4FpH6JIf-uCB20LWUCzg/s1600/DSCN2005.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Pete, Randolph’s son, took over the foundry after his father
passed away and now also runs probably one of the more popular watering holes
in the Abacos, Pete’s Pub.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBocxo45kwF5z_YgvjGk-uredxLiXJ_MIc8i6NYrRFT5Askcn5fJLvNPCT1W0H0TzBRGqZpkF1sG9pX3fW01JrDtrAPcgDQGNahcmB_GVmNggUHdyQw_rrnTfrYSMhxufrk9uGJsEA2_A/s1600/DSCN2004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBocxo45kwF5z_YgvjGk-uredxLiXJ_MIc8i6NYrRFT5Askcn5fJLvNPCT1W0H0TzBRGqZpkF1sG9pX3fW01JrDtrAPcgDQGNahcmB_GVmNggUHdyQw_rrnTfrYSMhxufrk9uGJsEA2_A/s1600/DSCN2004.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Since our last visit two years ago, there has been some low
level development around Little Harbour.
Included is Pete’s Private Club House built out on one of the
docks. Its purpose is mainly
speculation, but one story is that it is Pete’s private getaway.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6UULXYP2EsAVVpl7KcgpEz6r4rwj6NFlLRq2VmwU_gjG6sOw0mZi27ZT86xQg-u7xNW1qbg03b8ZArJqbM0plDwbdg69G-CeFrhgImdv9_Hzy7xkHm9BSuVDdQdzCIE3k6ZTcbSC4-Oo/s1600/DSCN2009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6UULXYP2EsAVVpl7KcgpEz6r4rwj6NFlLRq2VmwU_gjG6sOw0mZi27ZT86xQg-u7xNW1qbg03b8ZArJqbM0plDwbdg69G-CeFrhgImdv9_Hzy7xkHm9BSuVDdQdzCIE3k6ZTcbSC4-Oo/s1600/DSCN2009.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Abacos feel like an extension of Florida, and many of
the “cruisers” you find here never venture further south. Their boats are not the same as we were used
to seeing further south. This Carver
does over twice the speed of <i>Motivator, </i>but
at an incredible 30gph burn rate. The
owner indicated that he seldom passes a fuel dock without stopping. <o:p></o:p></div>
<o:p></o:p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04921442390538388294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2120558888864233641.post-79892581255621121722014-05-25T22:31:00.000-04:002014-05-25T22:31:10.369-04:00The One Finger Wave<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-IGy2sQwdfYmnbA7AmRXAstY0kNneNiro1d_T8HW-GHrZdCwr3qK51RKZUijkGPUrVz-tMc_6CS_1bHMpakJ6xsNMbGxAsOIh0xioP-l9w7wT-xVcJXVgvTaVP_0_IZo-ViKEkRuwzmo/s1600/Exuma+to+Eluthera.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-IGy2sQwdfYmnbA7AmRXAstY0kNneNiro1d_T8HW-GHrZdCwr3qK51RKZUijkGPUrVz-tMc_6CS_1bHMpakJ6xsNMbGxAsOIh0xioP-l9w7wT-xVcJXVgvTaVP_0_IZo-ViKEkRuwzmo/s1600/Exuma+to+Eluthera.jpg" height="337" width="400" /></a></div>
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After Warderick Wells Cay and the
Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park we move north to Highborne Cay where we anchored for
a couple of nights to wait for the wind to die down a little. Highborne Cay is a popular jumping off point
from the Exumas to Nassau or the Eleuthera Islands. <i>Motivator</i>
was headed for Spanish Wells north of Eleuthera.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tPxQ721SbaYKkkW81S_2niorJfAmemHrSQizlxWq3aVcTDxtELa_EwJJ7giubfPgN5Cyzd2WRIhI785K_Duh3vwgMvxyqEW_1VE5fbPkKc5ECLz-FcYHcLGx91gK9dNlQuFf8ApafUU/s1600/Current+Cut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tPxQ721SbaYKkkW81S_2niorJfAmemHrSQizlxWq3aVcTDxtELa_EwJJ7giubfPgN5Cyzd2WRIhI785K_Duh3vwgMvxyqEW_1VE5fbPkKc5ECLz-FcYHcLGx91gK9dNlQuFf8ApafUU/s1600/Current+Cut.jpg" height="400" width="305" /></a></div>
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The most direct way to Spanish
Wells is through Current Cut. The guidebooks
do a good job of scaring many cruisers away from this route, but it is actually
very easy to predict the current. When
the tide is flowing on to the banks, the current is east bound. An ebb tide produces a west bound
current. <i>Motivator </i>picked up 5 knots through the cut!</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUpv-pKtlvWzn7kqVgQLXcNglVQ4u-Br7a1WfQDgMzPUMlizPZXPSME6MD7tcdzt6jaUjPyNuK1F97zaIpG0GQHn5f-uGH_ZdS1cgk0jwHGOjknnqnYf5YNW5EpPedL_D0jwm76fEuEQs/s1600/DSCN1980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUpv-pKtlvWzn7kqVgQLXcNglVQ4u-Br7a1WfQDgMzPUMlizPZXPSME6MD7tcdzt6jaUjPyNuK1F97zaIpG0GQHn5f-uGH_ZdS1cgk0jwHGOjknnqnYf5YNW5EpPedL_D0jwm76fEuEQs/s1600/DSCN1980.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Spanish Wells inhabitants are descendants
of Loyalist who fled the colonies during the American Revolution and English
puritans who arrived in 1648. Their
accent is unique to the island, not quite British, Bahamian, or American. They have been quite successful at
fishing. If you go to a Red Lobster
Restaurant in the US, you are probably eating a lobster tail shipped from Spanish
Wells.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVnomlfBPmvhs826NB5WFgU2SfpaFHTQ2_8upEcahhBlqG_j5u1LAQ3yAQ8sQ5-IoNrR3UfdU_7bZuAN4e0GzF9Xy9AgGQdEYVKI7XY0FSwzAQAxFzz6oXJvF0atJpoTWnS8w8h5NZ4_Y/s1600/DSCN1957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVnomlfBPmvhs826NB5WFgU2SfpaFHTQ2_8upEcahhBlqG_j5u1LAQ3yAQ8sQ5-IoNrR3UfdU_7bZuAN4e0GzF9Xy9AgGQdEYVKI7XY0FSwzAQAxFzz6oXJvF0atJpoTWnS8w8h5NZ4_Y/s1600/DSCN1957.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Spanish Wells is the only
Methodist island in the Bahamas. Due to
the Methodist influence, it was a “dry island” for years. That policy is slowly eroding and now Budda, proprietor
of <i>Budda’s Liquor Store,</i> actually has
a license to sell alcohol from the tiny room on the side of his house.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6dEw6n_F4jUi16G93WSpOSJko5bsluI1UTld9ii4W2BpEXtEHaOgiAM5MKSQfJTPJrJ8U2YFaIUQLTF5E037_OGztEx0w5quqQkLFOmH6fUYh35gRFLZxuqSS4S5wRyoloE1nOkj9tM/s1600/DSCN1967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6dEw6n_F4jUi16G93WSpOSJko5bsluI1UTld9ii4W2BpEXtEHaOgiAM5MKSQfJTPJrJ8U2YFaIUQLTF5E037_OGztEx0w5quqQkLFOmH6fUYh35gRFLZxuqSS4S5wRyoloE1nOkj9tM/s1600/DSCN1967.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Out on the point at the eastern
cut there is a new restaurant/bar that opened within the last year. <i>Shipyard
</i>was doing a booming business the night we had dinner there. Talking to Jay, the bartender, we learned
that as a new establishment they are being very careful so as not to give the
more conservative residents a reason to complain. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik5GYgC6z9j3yLXvGQAqsAm795ShXkw7ChyphenhyphenldADXX-ZElhI5HMEg1RBxGcgMDdwJENtQBv1UwueyM2T60VFqusNTH7rJYZz0QrV5IXJMT2EGgYvRF2kgaxfsFAD5YLnUh7jKY8_6IBTKA/s1600/DSCN1977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik5GYgC6z9j3yLXvGQAqsAm795ShXkw7ChyphenhyphenldADXX-ZElhI5HMEg1RBxGcgMDdwJENtQBv1UwueyM2T60VFqusNTH7rJYZz0QrV5IXJMT2EGgYvRF2kgaxfsFAD5YLnUh7jKY8_6IBTKA/s1600/DSCN1977.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Spanish Wellsians, while a very
independent lot, band together for the common good. When they wanted a better grocery store and
pharmacy they combined resources to build <i>Food
Fair,</i> one of the better grocery stores in the Bahamas.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYVa8In5IjJ8q5mcQV8zsb8D-CdLH36iDSqa-gOr1IEe8t6zlhSN1vxdLtyKB9XVJHywVlVfHtwa3CdXxs7WoThu5usKKxu4-INVVFEE54bvLPfe_KnfFbTeOqGDjbNbRLtViyTnxJQGE/s1600/DSCN1960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYVa8In5IjJ8q5mcQV8zsb8D-CdLH36iDSqa-gOr1IEe8t6zlhSN1vxdLtyKB9XVJHywVlVfHtwa3CdXxs7WoThu5usKKxu4-INVVFEE54bvLPfe_KnfFbTeOqGDjbNbRLtViyTnxJQGE/s1600/DSCN1960.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Cruiser friends invited us to join
them for dinner on the front porch of one of the local homes. It turned out the chef was the part owner and
chef on a lobster boat, the <i>Cracker
Prince.</i> Thursday evenings, when he
is not lobstering, he cooks for guests.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjUTDtz5hNQfPmg2qtoe1bBTSi3CPaO0ckg9OBAJS2FyvKpoTqqGmWWTed875scrt6KFCBDkYn9LUJ0yIMPzVjpXimkgH9CtESiGsFsbduWMMffdr_VzdEdH4Z7U0cDJdsFRCDIwtojU/s1600/DSCN1955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjUTDtz5hNQfPmg2qtoe1bBTSi3CPaO0ckg9OBAJS2FyvKpoTqqGmWWTed875scrt6KFCBDkYn9LUJ0yIMPzVjpXimkgH9CtESiGsFsbduWMMffdr_VzdEdH4Z7U0cDJdsFRCDIwtojU/s1600/DSCN1955.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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For more casual dining there is <i>Budda’s Snack Shack. </i>It is a bus converted to a kitchen that
turns out one of the better hamburgers I have ever had. Fast food restaurants will have a difficult time
making inroads on Spanish Wells. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgUy_CYyxsVIBjazuHKmlQ2NKWmtaY5KVGNTTmdmVSjyRrOKQmCDfxqqRm0qsI9lExewGouUwrCEDyeg5FY5OEdRNZy7ngObgMhDN-INoQANToKYfZOtEe8d2EXVwFFa0O_psnEw6jYxc/s1600/DSCN1973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgUy_CYyxsVIBjazuHKmlQ2NKWmtaY5KVGNTTmdmVSjyRrOKQmCDfxqqRm0qsI9lExewGouUwrCEDyeg5FY5OEdRNZy7ngObgMhDN-INoQANToKYfZOtEe8d2EXVwFFa0O_psnEw6jYxc/s1600/DSCN1973.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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</div>
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<o:p> </o:p>Golf carts are the preferred mode
of transportation on the island.
Everyone seems to have one. The
golf cart repair shop is a thriving business.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinpJ0KmPvEPLSx52hWEmn3lljG_GK6Q_94S4rYDKduQOqfbx6JNroyG5IWTliGSLdN19d2z6G8vQj22tMj9zEU2cYD6IHKIW5ESE1mZ9umXaFdaxm8DW7a3tJx4GoWEo1Yz-sZc9Msqrw/s1600/DSCN1971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinpJ0KmPvEPLSx52hWEmn3lljG_GK6Q_94S4rYDKduQOqfbx6JNroyG5IWTliGSLdN19d2z6G8vQj22tMj9zEU2cYD6IHKIW5ESE1mZ9umXaFdaxm8DW7a3tJx4GoWEo1Yz-sZc9Msqrw/s1600/DSCN1971.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Bicycles and scooters run a close
second to golf carts, however our circus bikes still received stares. At <i>The
Gap,</i> our favorite breakfast place, I started to lock our bicycles but then
notice that the mopeds and golf carts all had the keys left in the ignition.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisjcnncFzgM3OiuGeNB2QYaU-KBVvbjjUaOjvUY7Ii0oHNE4Do8FAoXp4RsKttKrujMWEoP8g52OXDTE6gQ1Ipbu8ziokgVc2pVicIgL2bu7n6uVaNAbpInqcM2OvCsS9PBM_pgOuwAhk/s1600/DSCN1951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisjcnncFzgM3OiuGeNB2QYaU-KBVvbjjUaOjvUY7Ii0oHNE4Do8FAoXp4RsKttKrujMWEoP8g52OXDTE6gQ1Ipbu8ziokgVc2pVicIgL2bu7n6uVaNAbpInqcM2OvCsS9PBM_pgOuwAhk/s1600/DSCN1951.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Spanish Wells is probably the
most crime free place on the planet.
Building materials are left unlocked at the hardware store. When I asked locals about crime, they all
said my house is not locked and you can leave your wallet on the street and
someone will return it to you. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDUKnJP9Ply4H6uHep_5fLmWz1IO_VWB-ppr5g2dAFZa2wtxCtyT-VfIE6nGvLanBi3nyJXQqTr5rf_WPJzEzJvmMI5GLjW0UkHAiXtG-wy7Rr9zlVJePMaxY9OWnvR7u19QZwXnjjDgY/s1600/DSCN1943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDUKnJP9Ply4H6uHep_5fLmWz1IO_VWB-ppr5g2dAFZa2wtxCtyT-VfIE6nGvLanBi3nyJXQqTr5rf_WPJzEzJvmMI5GLjW0UkHAiXtG-wy7Rr9zlVJePMaxY9OWnvR7u19QZwXnjjDgY/s1600/DSCN1943.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<o:p> </o:p><span style="text-align: center;">Rental
cottage on the beach</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 123.75pt; text-align: center;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 123.75pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tourism has not found Spanish
Wells. Yes, there are a few rentals and
a limited number of cruisers find their way to the island, but the locals still
outnumber the tourists. That is not to
say the residents are not friendly.
Almost every passing golf cart driver raised their index finger to wave
at us.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1CY7MGeiQWZCzEOgwcytyqjwHmPGsoSkpHZNNyJxrdfbfhuFU0m5BLFLz4N5gDVQdNXiwucqPpnEYm_VLXGUyqPV1Up12PHnPp_X395dlYY9foMmier8eNsNC7JMBXx1EXr4H6g6O95I/s1600/DSCN1997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1CY7MGeiQWZCzEOgwcytyqjwHmPGsoSkpHZNNyJxrdfbfhuFU0m5BLFLz4N5gDVQdNXiwucqPpnEYm_VLXGUyqPV1Up12PHnPp_X395dlYY9foMmier8eNsNC7JMBXx1EXr4H6g6O95I/s1600/DSCN1997.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By the time we left, Pollie said
I had perfected the Spanish Wells one finger wave.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04921442390538388294noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2120558888864233641.post-44255095821544397952014-05-18T15:27:00.000-04:002014-05-18T15:27:09.808-04:00Replay Value<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9pNfoWWggLMkFExnrpa0ujxLHgJRLc3u_ssH0yqdBN9jsggoYz8HkUev-L5iCO0BEPOSiUK5UzsE00N2A7CGGUkYGt89dL0RPP-p_OjSnnALWcVFWC812KUBCCRNToQbYp3zq_J5-ZX0/s1600/DSCN1872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9pNfoWWggLMkFExnrpa0ujxLHgJRLc3u_ssH0yqdBN9jsggoYz8HkUev-L5iCO0BEPOSiUK5UzsE00N2A7CGGUkYGt89dL0RPP-p_OjSnnALWcVFWC812KUBCCRNToQbYp3zq_J5-ZX0/s1600/DSCN1872.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Warderick Wells Cay
North Mooring Field<o:p></o:p></div>
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Certain movies like <i>Captain
Ron,</i> with Kurt Russel you can watch more than once. Other movies like <i>Cut Throat Island, </i>with Geena Davis are hard to sit through the
first time. We say movies like <i>Captain Ron </i>have “replay value.” Islands are the same way. Some you want to visit more than once, while others
not so much.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBw8nB5J79kw1oJ7m6BOGJnS-R_ECF69AATfEAsjjiyvcrh_XpdKgUqwsOSf5WFEd3sv_HgNEDyfu4iWvMs5LoI8hijMCngz3FYlU9Zvs3vCCnuyr7M_Xb70SoWla17ugcXQphiDHEv5I/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBw8nB5J79kw1oJ7m6BOGJnS-R_ECF69AATfEAsjjiyvcrh_XpdKgUqwsOSf5WFEd3sv_HgNEDyfu4iWvMs5LoI8hijMCngz3FYlU9Zvs3vCCnuyr7M_Xb70SoWla17ugcXQphiDHEv5I/s1600/images.jpg" height="640" width="389" /></a></div>
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One place that certainly has replay value for us is the
Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park. Fifty
years-ago, a twenty-two mile stretch of the Exuma Cays was set aside as a
reserve. It is a no-take zone, meaning
no fishing, shelling, conching, or lobstering is allowed within the park
boundaries.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI4TO7yS3K1M8uBZrJiKTA0vmjvncGwFBPSp81OsY1xf8Ved56sqVoKnRq0Zjkj2JXkB8aNb2VmPOi9hqC2pHf5BDwbmT67gZ57OosEXGy9Ch5OR3_uqy25kT-ESctn2Mzzj3-5TMu8Ag/s1600/DSCN1875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI4TO7yS3K1M8uBZrJiKTA0vmjvncGwFBPSp81OsY1xf8Ved56sqVoKnRq0Zjkj2JXkB8aNb2VmPOi9hqC2pHf5BDwbmT67gZ57OosEXGy9Ch5OR3_uqy25kT-ESctn2Mzzj3-5TMu8Ag/s1600/DSCN1875.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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It seems most of the park’s creatures know the rules. The lizard above was happy to pose for the
camera. On previous trips we saw huge
lobsters waving their antenna as us as if to say, “Niener-niener-niener, you
can’t touch me!”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5gyD_X-4fdbYOAEMJEV2rivDq3qUwuIAvtSb7Cf0r1uP8YuVnB5ctBKWDESsrAQvzdgi23DMEsUGzc-WpF9KOOaZjx4rHewNZ2s-w1T-MmmgvyY6uT-U0LIW4LbALDi2Q0ujbTIpL73k/s1600/Capromys_pilorides.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5gyD_X-4fdbYOAEMJEV2rivDq3qUwuIAvtSb7Cf0r1uP8YuVnB5ctBKWDESsrAQvzdgi23DMEsUGzc-WpF9KOOaZjx4rHewNZ2s-w1T-MmmgvyY6uT-U0LIW4LbALDi2Q0ujbTIpL73k/s1600/Capromys_pilorides.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i> Source: Wikipedia</i></div>
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We even had a visit by one of the island’s hutia at a beach
cocktail party. You are not supposed to
feed the wildlife, but the little guy we saw appeared to be accustomed to
begging food from cruisers.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4UI39KIDal5YtVgqM76lZlQbO5a7qIUTBVx1NUapKl_fAYJj7fdLkLfjnc0RHnkVOhk3GvC6ECOszX_5jP7lMppEPEg76t__HF77e3VsSs4Q5aPhozpqvPFU2fBT8x7iVH0BQZJmAgQc/s1600/DSCN1824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4UI39KIDal5YtVgqM76lZlQbO5a7qIUTBVx1NUapKl_fAYJj7fdLkLfjnc0RHnkVOhk3GvC6ECOszX_5jP7lMppEPEg76t__HF77e3VsSs4Q5aPhozpqvPFU2fBT8x7iVH0BQZJmAgQc/s1600/DSCN1824.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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While we did not seem to intimidate the park’s smaller
creatures, some of the larger ones intimidated us. I was attaching the dinghy’s towing harness
to the lower pad eyes, when Pollie noticed we had a visitor. Please note how close the pad eyes are to the
water. The shark swam around inspecting
our towing harness, but then lost interest when I was no longer sticking my
hands in the water.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwEMqlp5M4W68iXaelV3ydfx0O4HO9HfFTvY3SCQbwI1OH6XLLGVUUFc1EA28afjx4KKfmcTJG8OJb0V_d994oIRiTCmpweyylFvOsrXwgIwG2dUsr0UeJUtWLYZCQ3MH4vcN1f6ZRRw/s1600/Trails.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwEMqlp5M4W68iXaelV3ydfx0O4HO9HfFTvY3SCQbwI1OH6XLLGVUUFc1EA28afjx4KKfmcTJG8OJb0V_d994oIRiTCmpweyylFvOsrXwgIwG2dUsr0UeJUtWLYZCQ3MH4vcN1f6ZRRw/s1600/Trails.jpg" height="640" width="505" /></a></div>
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Hiking the well-marked trails on Warderick Wells is always
an adventure.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmoLVG4IpzJsH3CdWKC00HUJDfoD3splqHVDjqggmawXJWG0SQdVFwMqZTBMkqWwjXm2wYzeq0CHnI7S7ODG0-n3tI89AVD6_sMT02z6OjnR8QtD3VpTQsmxZW5mC5baAKpDpSGyFUttY/s1600/DSCN1878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmoLVG4IpzJsH3CdWKC00HUJDfoD3splqHVDjqggmawXJWG0SQdVFwMqZTBMkqWwjXm2wYzeq0CHnI7S7ODG0-n3tI89AVD6_sMT02z6OjnR8QtD3VpTQsmxZW5mC5baAKpDpSGyFUttY/s1600/DSCN1878.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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We did find out, however that their estimation for the
length of time a trail will take is a little on the optimistic side. Evidently they had timed a mountain goat
making his way around.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj7ym1u1MvmhDmd0rV9kz3lQS7Z1IRcPKCg83yhhi0_FB8oitVr8Pscd2KqVJT0u-PlVg7aTvukkf-RLgw_W72fgDqpBUqWD3wfDESJAURp9pxMzigvE2JxCHLF1KMvoN7S2mDo-UWPOM/s1600/DSCN1897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj7ym1u1MvmhDmd0rV9kz3lQS7Z1IRcPKCg83yhhi0_FB8oitVr8Pscd2KqVJT0u-PlVg7aTvukkf-RLgw_W72fgDqpBUqWD3wfDESJAURp9pxMzigvE2JxCHLF1KMvoN7S2mDo-UWPOM/s1600/DSCN1897.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<o:p> </o:p>Pollie found the hike exhilarating.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJcBSZFf1AXhT2LoU-kAESQm9sqnmvsWZJwHHXYLKW-5K_delLdtV-6GCvIFf8qD618CBZXrNtgeiJKVfdfhFSQvmH7CqimrAgk6xrfgCSUjx2AzdTQfsgCSfHpnoDghC4Zhsdkcc_7k/s1600/DSCN1904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJcBSZFf1AXhT2LoU-kAESQm9sqnmvsWZJwHHXYLKW-5K_delLdtV-6GCvIFf8qD618CBZXrNtgeiJKVfdfhFSQvmH7CqimrAgk6xrfgCSUjx2AzdTQfsgCSfHpnoDghC4Zhsdkcc_7k/s1600/DSCN1904.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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While I found a bench perfect for communing with nature
while enjoying a cold beer which Pollie carried for me in her backpack. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOjTHP3caTGOswc6BxXbEBvvUoVsSrgUOOjxC3Ge7uy3cp4XjI6rtFio9XRPSQc6zmm41NiJw8-fssuWEZRVO13je1xn3N4OCDobkfhFteq-mI9rKQXb_oodS1NtSkzT8_E8Q31DWt-Kc/s1600/P5080002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOjTHP3caTGOswc6BxXbEBvvUoVsSrgUOOjxC3Ge7uy3cp4XjI6rtFio9XRPSQc6zmm41NiJw8-fssuWEZRVO13je1xn3N4OCDobkfhFteq-mI9rKQXb_oodS1NtSkzT8_E8Q31DWt-Kc/s1600/P5080002.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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This outfit should
scare the sharks away!<o:p></o:p></div>
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It is a <u>land</u> and <u>sea</u> park. Besides hiking trails the park boasts great areas
to snorkel. A variety of sea life can be
observed, and near Cambridge Cay they have their own sunken drug plane.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3fRw27nPJDOfVG-yP03RFOsJNiJV0Blrz777p2qwawmZGLAzPFcWeZJQYJPoOrd_JI4WeOqGufkOUAfF-h7t9qROaQlK5_C0iXCjAEPRW1nQMydD8P7kRVodD-ogpi1ZbDYpbEFOKC0/s1600/P5080021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3fRw27nPJDOfVG-yP03RFOsJNiJV0Blrz777p2qwawmZGLAzPFcWeZJQYJPoOrd_JI4WeOqGufkOUAfF-h7t9qROaQlK5_C0iXCjAEPRW1nQMydD8P7kRVodD-ogpi1ZbDYpbEFOKC0/s1600/P5080021.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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The crew of <i>Izzy R</i>
told us about a feature not on the official park snorkel guides. A sunken wreck between moorings number 9 and 10
in the north mooring field. That was
handy because we were assigned mooring number 9.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbwZB9-zW2DzijjsNEebiuQdjSVI0K29IpeJcKHSrLsRPoNdTRDgE1rompmFTw_Ada-IIOH2afNdxjtiGLqbkKqVxLKtZn1AHfW9Oj17YLz0WuSHf3jElqe7SVz1N2EX0stYNaVQxqIos/s1600/DSCN1858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbwZB9-zW2DzijjsNEebiuQdjSVI0K29IpeJcKHSrLsRPoNdTRDgE1rompmFTw_Ada-IIOH2afNdxjtiGLqbkKqVxLKtZn1AHfW9Oj17YLz0WuSHf3jElqe7SVz1N2EX0stYNaVQxqIos/s1600/DSCN1858.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Exuma Cays Land
and Sea Park definitely has replay value!<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04921442390538388294noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2120558888864233641.post-79038987286305330472014-05-16T07:56:00.000-04:002014-05-16T07:56:05.722-04:00Pink, Blue and Yellow Stores<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfj1cT322PdvY8FXsE4-7LVMl3NU3ra4exFxchnLcBqpN3ctcYc942C76pjK_Mq63WB_XbByRfXhyphenhyphenQ49QobVuwL8l6xyu55kYH_OkWS1PJ__RYEDboZ_6kFrtlZ_PnGMmBxWipDCaaHE/s1600/DSCN1776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfj1cT322PdvY8FXsE4-7LVMl3NU3ra4exFxchnLcBqpN3ctcYc942C76pjK_Mq63WB_XbByRfXhyphenhyphenQ49QobVuwL8l6xyu55kYH_OkWS1PJ__RYEDboZ_6kFrtlZ_PnGMmBxWipDCaaHE/s1600/DSCN1776.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Motivator’s</i> next
stop after The Marina at Emerald Bay was Staniel Cay (cay is pronounced key)
for light provisioning. Almost
everything in the Bahamas is imported, so there are shipping costs and stiff
import taxes added to all products. We therefore
try to bring everything we will need especially snack foods and toiletries
which seem to be very pricey</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGqP7lEix6tVQWyfDdDfHXhMT3-h1_d9eVS0s4l4IJ6r1jcwu1QyZh4SiGv0XS1eTFX2llm_nFfxEfGDJoPKMU4ybtLg-ARLdxRQt8w0a3azV79kqKU37tZToVLfggcZJLwrIjmopkkk/s1600/Exumas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGqP7lEix6tVQWyfDdDfHXhMT3-h1_d9eVS0s4l4IJ6r1jcwu1QyZh4SiGv0XS1eTFX2llm_nFfxEfGDJoPKMU4ybtLg-ARLdxRQt8w0a3azV79kqKU37tZToVLfggcZJLwrIjmopkkk/s1600/Exumas.jpg" height="262" width="400" /></a></div>
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From Emerald Bay to Staniel Cay we elected to travel on the
“outside” because the wind was out of the west.
After two years in the Caribbean easterly trade winds, wind out of the
west seemed strange. Throughout the
Bahamas shallow draft boats usually have the choice between traveling in the
protected water of the banks, dodging skinny spots and coral heads, or cruising
outside in the exposed deep water.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3QzkaLQ7alxkFmArV0PdbuoTnJQEqRewyu76J4xeA8hQhcVqPskHWxR_6FhJgzcPQAmNLf5etX6KLeDlL8_gH3-YslgdvgH9om_38JT8ceTRMl7WddRjggNRbF4Nlb9_hwCpGKRaUCEY/s1600/DSCN1732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3QzkaLQ7alxkFmArV0PdbuoTnJQEqRewyu76J4xeA8hQhcVqPskHWxR_6FhJgzcPQAmNLf5etX6KLeDlL8_gH3-YslgdvgH9om_38JT8ceTRMl7WddRjggNRbF4Nlb9_hwCpGKRaUCEY/s1600/DSCN1732.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Pigs receiving
restaurant scraps</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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The first night <i>Motivator
</i>anchored on the east side of Big Majors Spot. The next morning the wind
started clocking back around north to east.
We then moved to the west side of Big Majors Spot off “Swimming Pigs
Beach.” The first time we were here, we
took our dinghy over to the beach, only to discover that the swimming feral
pigs are rather large and somewhat aggressive.
Pollie says, “They have stinking breathe, big gnashing teeth and huge
gaping maws!”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiguBfWIpBtbMCl1ImS9kovzRQdCVN7TkZGN87MITGQct_U0pswXmereMj3X2Kq69sqtEHxAzkFBoZjIFShciqbVbhB4hJrQGIF7-MH6ZjpoRQ3Z68_4lFNFn11W8K0l2wrSu46lfBEgNw/s1600/DSCN1805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiguBfWIpBtbMCl1ImS9kovzRQdCVN7TkZGN87MITGQct_U0pswXmereMj3X2Kq69sqtEHxAzkFBoZjIFShciqbVbhB4hJrQGIF7-MH6ZjpoRQ3Z68_4lFNFn11W8K0l2wrSu46lfBEgNw/s1600/DSCN1805.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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In the Caribbean where we were usually the only motor yacht
in the anchorage. At Big Majors Spot we counted nine motor yachts. The “stink boats” outnumbered the “rag hangers.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2yHVb-wkg9mnIGcqJfeq-n1KeHFmvkQS9pQL43mhmmvt9-TX-xDFsL3NIKhC5Oq1a6hhefRJD_DSyNcoXiXdCbOvdJ3-mOUOmBCaorkRPXVvbgB3RRh_Wh0qqAaMV0LZDxBEQy9K3l18/s1600/DSCN1767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2yHVb-wkg9mnIGcqJfeq-n1KeHFmvkQS9pQL43mhmmvt9-TX-xDFsL3NIKhC5Oq1a6hhefRJD_DSyNcoXiXdCbOvdJ3-mOUOmBCaorkRPXVvbgB3RRh_Wh0qqAaMV0LZDxBEQy9K3l18/s1600/DSCN1767.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The only provisions we really needed were salad supplies,
lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers. Of the
three, lettuce is usually the hardest to find in the islands. We elected to start with the “yellow store”
which is best approached by dinghy. At
approximately 800 square feet (two car garage), it is the largest of the three
stores. On the way there, we passed <i>Tida Wave, </i>one of the winning Bahamian
sloops at the <i>Family Islands Regatta</i>
in George Town. The “yellow store” was a
strikeout on lettuce.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpto4XcUhIfmclMk8GTbj_A7oBmoCYErerENep-2lJbCGp3xJ83K4Q42ZzmO2Vvu7Ob3g7TivYzUdifAdomK8U4721q2xyj00_nh-nTR-nxduvnatzmbpZ4GZo61wB4V-xXTh9b-H3emI/s1600/DSCN1779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpto4XcUhIfmclMk8GTbj_A7oBmoCYErerENep-2lJbCGp3xJ83K4Q42ZzmO2Vvu7Ob3g7TivYzUdifAdomK8U4721q2xyj00_nh-nTR-nxduvnatzmbpZ4GZo61wB4V-xXTh9b-H3emI/s1600/DSCN1779.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The other two stores have to be approached from land. It is best to park the dinghy at the <i>Staniel Cay Yacht Club</i> and walk the
coast road to the “pink and blue” stores.
On the way there, we discovered that we had missed the local farmers
market by only a couple of days.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisYDjE28HAHsLasaaMz1WARlSLhiNMevHxx2e27Dg_iDHzGZ__U0sb_qo-7P8mP5A6su_xuH_kkn1su6QuXwoCBIXphNeuinMScmjwyngPtO7FHyiVkLnITvX8PqP_gYDPlwg1kiADtG8/s1600/DSCN1782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisYDjE28HAHsLasaaMz1WARlSLhiNMevHxx2e27Dg_iDHzGZ__U0sb_qo-7P8mP5A6su_xuH_kkn1su6QuXwoCBIXphNeuinMScmjwyngPtO7FHyiVkLnITvX8PqP_gYDPlwg1kiADtG8/s1600/DSCN1782.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Signage for the stores is somewhat lacking, but we knew the
way from previous visits to Staniel Cay. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFfEzq4MkvMk1D4GtJCSvqU_n4LmZAMhOiui1LOr3omI823xP64HXCzikwDRfDJu5Eep8bey2dMo5oyrIQ5mfmdPNd-u67GiVBZjzLs2TSpJCMFbvDahy5eHnxt3UzrzGV6uUyO9Ujk_o/s1600/DSCN1785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFfEzq4MkvMk1D4GtJCSvqU_n4LmZAMhOiui1LOr3omI823xP64HXCzikwDRfDJu5Eep8bey2dMo5oyrIQ5mfmdPNd-u67GiVBZjzLs2TSpJCMFbvDahy5eHnxt3UzrzGV6uUyO9Ujk_o/s1600/DSCN1785.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The “blue store” comprises of about 600 square feet with one
cooler and one chest type deep freeze.
We were pleased to find the “blue store” was under the next generation
of management. It was cleaner, better
stocked, and prices were clearly marked.
It had lettuce!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKeVwjgZzFvtOhN8Ghdgwni25BEiwmL6bCy_toMYQ8m9S9lI7IuYl7TE4945RIT-4ZIZvfBhqIXw3Y2rbQ6SVz_IAhwM31EBCz5qgYu_RZbWKlJDYIAL27LBqRQSQSH0UjJZdi_o647oA/s1600/DSCN1778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKeVwjgZzFvtOhN8Ghdgwni25BEiwmL6bCy_toMYQ8m9S9lI7IuYl7TE4945RIT-4ZIZvfBhqIXw3Y2rbQ6SVz_IAhwM31EBCz5qgYu_RZbWKlJDYIAL27LBqRQSQSH0UjJZdi_o647oA/s1600/DSCN1778.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
With our lettuce in hand, we skipped the “Pink Pearl Super
Market.” Last time we visited the prices
were not marked and at checkout the total was exorbitant. Also, the pot smoking grandmother at the cash
register tried to short change us. We
did notice that her house had been restored.
Last time, two years ago, she announced they were waiting for money from
the “government” to repair hurricane damage. </div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04921442390538388294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2120558888864233641.post-22246874396535401692014-05-03T21:31:00.000-04:002014-05-03T21:31:38.609-04:00No Reservations Required<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqTLDVQBOgDuKZjjUqHL8IHE7HYSKrThqcvqXAF6MbjFpfBLzlLwS3ap3LstD4IlDgfuwr1EouqeJTrT0Bx5joBcUNK4ZzspYzPQdtj12OUlkhtbesRzRQiZtP2FQ63N0LqIJzExbXAys/s1600/P5030003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqTLDVQBOgDuKZjjUqHL8IHE7HYSKrThqcvqXAF6MbjFpfBLzlLwS3ap3LstD4IlDgfuwr1EouqeJTrT0Bx5joBcUNK4ZzspYzPQdtj12OUlkhtbesRzRQiZtP2FQ63N0LqIJzExbXAys/s1600/P5030003.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Marina at Emerald
Bay, Bahamas<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Motivator</i>’s crew
seldom makes reservations at a marina.
We usually just show up and expect the marina of our choice to have a
slip available for us. So far we haven’t
been turned away. When we arrived at
Emerald Bay, the dock master gave us directions to D-dock and then told us to
pick an empty slip.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMr3IR_P2I0vH7h7mdnFzPOXlZTGufcsRsEz_N_rXeANh_KzAKpZcSIwxX5TRx7sLhk7heWTmfM73pTdHnEDjLUlh7f9TQK-Ce32wGgcwuLik9ycrEZkx_3vyDinidumzU8xU1BxS-YoQ/s1600/P8110095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMr3IR_P2I0vH7h7mdnFzPOXlZTGufcsRsEz_N_rXeANh_KzAKpZcSIwxX5TRx7sLhk7heWTmfM73pTdHnEDjLUlh7f9TQK-Ce32wGgcwuLik9ycrEZkx_3vyDinidumzU8xU1BxS-YoQ/s1600/P8110095.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Port Louis Marina,
Grenada<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p>
</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The only exception has been Port Louis Marina in
Grenada. Port Louis also has an
abundance of empty slips, but they only have one dock that meets <i>Motivator’s </i>power requirements, and it
fills up with other U.S. boats.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZOMxWS2frMCVOxuZ1zrRt3SAreL054KXQvmQghVS2_FGp8mevouZgTe9QDNGDMY6UUNH_dywyUlYso-Pms8aylIE39XWiLE55mgG46oJe-8jMuThyIFKq_D4efQAxmHdIjqRgYQP67Q/s1600/P4130064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZOMxWS2frMCVOxuZ1zrRt3SAreL054KXQvmQghVS2_FGp8mevouZgTe9QDNGDMY6UUNH_dywyUlYso-Pms8aylIE39XWiLE55mgG46oJe-8jMuThyIFKq_D4efQAxmHdIjqRgYQP67Q/s1600/P4130064.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Ocean World Marina,
Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Most marinas stick to a pricing schedule that would make one
assume that they have to turn away business.
At Ocean World Marina we were a little miffed at their deteriorating facilities
and creative new revenue streams. They
were “estimating” power and water charges and adding a 10% “Dock Tax” to the bill.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7yW60r3HGDn7uOW5MRylUvLXNz3CG-1zakWxtxBB6kJhToUH-c7QdWTYrEdMy267v-HC4N_YSE2SN6vCgZvJgp1GZDgriPX_TWV5eSOptAmpw7NO26beM4TrDSBIN_PRO_LLtFI3lQuI/s1600/DSCN0854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7yW60r3HGDn7uOW5MRylUvLXNz3CG-1zakWxtxBB6kJhToUH-c7QdWTYrEdMy267v-HC4N_YSE2SN6vCgZvJgp1GZDgriPX_TWV5eSOptAmpw7NO26beM4TrDSBIN_PRO_LLtFI3lQuI/s1600/DSCN0854.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Puerto Bahia, Samana,
Dominican Republic<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Puerto Bahia Marina was one of the few marinas that appeared
to be adjusting their pricing to reality by actually reducing slip fees. It seems developers jumped on a marina study
done in 2005-2006 that predicted a shortage of boat slips. Then, new boat sales were increasing by 38%
per year so the thinking was that people were going to need a place to park
them. And then there was that little
problem in 2008.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Y7WLrv6-tBMYD9oMq2G-3a1IOTJOOwM677TlrtkcfCzKmsNXiz_EdChPfIWmCKTl6lazpZneJyJG9faXptz0N1WDKB5SwG5NFvyZH__tLNLPbGKkWzRjlYT_T53U3MJJjyVAnDRnrdg/s1600/P5030004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Y7WLrv6-tBMYD9oMq2G-3a1IOTJOOwM677TlrtkcfCzKmsNXiz_EdChPfIWmCKTl6lazpZneJyJG9faXptz0N1WDKB5SwG5NFvyZH__tLNLPbGKkWzRjlYT_T53U3MJJjyVAnDRnrdg/s1600/P5030004.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was discussing empty marinas wanting high slip fees with
Bob on <i>Tide Hiker,</i> and he asked this
interesting question. “Why don’t marinas
price slips like airlines price seats?”
It is the same principle. Once
that aircraft takes off with an empty seat that is lost revenue that will not
be recovered. A boat slip that sits
empty overnight is also lost revenue. It
would be easy enough to hand Mr. & Mrs. Cruiser a rate sheet that says if
we are 40% occupied the rate is X, 60% is XX, and 80% is XXX. Airlines do it, but they are sneaky about it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9mOpWzFU2-GMGfueEOxVAsnL0vlAAA6l30nNnmJczHhEdRSOFXxiRBS3qxCTuq7diZKQe9z9k56ceJxH9fx90UoA5Yy9Fbeg_5WwKcSMDX_MGUacy5_fzQcejL_p6eRtq9x50MzwuhrE/s1600/P5030001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9mOpWzFU2-GMGfueEOxVAsnL0vlAAA6l30nNnmJczHhEdRSOFXxiRBS3qxCTuq7diZKQe9z9k56ceJxH9fx90UoA5Yy9Fbeg_5WwKcSMDX_MGUacy5_fzQcejL_p6eRtq9x50MzwuhrE/s1600/P5030001.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Unfinished power
cabling<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The marina pricing subject came up with <i>Tide Hiker’s </i>crew when I mentioned we were stopping at Emerald Bay
for a few days. Bob looked at me strangely
and said at $2.00 a foot, that place does not have enough to offer. I agreed and assured him that <i>Motivator’s </i>crew is usually only
comfortable in the $1.00 a foot range or less.
I then explained D-dock at Emerald Bay.
Because the cabling was not finished before the last bankruptcy, they
only charge $1.00 a foot on D-dock.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieb5Ss9008afnFWOLmeNkPKhu9e9xXtXFQZFKFp55Aj7jjw2B74nkI2QNRM43vuABAL_h24eDlMRQBMbm2eQxZR9thuAHNvIrnkCH88qrJ-ZnuJjK6CstYjLH8Lg8rgmHU5URiDBNTbZs/s1600/P5030002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieb5Ss9008afnFWOLmeNkPKhu9e9xXtXFQZFKFp55Aj7jjw2B74nkI2QNRM43vuABAL_h24eDlMRQBMbm2eQxZR9thuAHNvIrnkCH88qrJ-ZnuJjK6CstYjLH8Lg8rgmHU5URiDBNTbZs/s1600/P5030002.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let me see if I have this straight? It is $2.00 a foot for the opportunity to buy
power from them at an outrageous rate, or you can run your generator and pay
$1.00 a foot. In <i>Motivators </i>case I think I can run a generator when I need to,
cheaper than $49 per day. But, that is
just one of Emerald Bay’s unique features.
Surge is the other issue.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB38HfuFSxYdsggjJyQaYh3srKkN28VRskHPE3MJi2-2y0pVoRZqWy5yvpoMVqoQSTlPw3O36l-TJsdsAJEPBxgm7cP1xpu6el2ygB-0z7dbAWGDJn6xwNY6S_MF2YjmQrt1Lo9lFA9TE/s1600/P5030005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB38HfuFSxYdsggjJyQaYh3srKkN28VRskHPE3MJi2-2y0pVoRZqWy5yvpoMVqoQSTlPw3O36l-TJsdsAJEPBxgm7cP1xpu6el2ygB-0z7dbAWGDJn6xwNY6S_MF2YjmQrt1Lo9lFA9TE/s1600/P5030005.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Seawall at Emerald
Bay<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Frank Lloyd Wright once said that an architect’s greatest
tools are sometimes an eraser and a sledge hammer. In Emerald Bay’s case it might take a few
sticks of dynamite. To facilitate all of
the condos planned for around the marina, the developer poured concrete
seawalls encapsulating the bay. Swell from
the northeast or east enters the bay and has no place to go but to bounce off
the seawalls. A natural beach would be a
wonderful improvement. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvKOWs6U1IUBELUhnqXukbGfdL5T5c-MN6Xjb8_3mWBY3VOymMdZkY3KuNvqR4-K0FGb9whDDIhGP1h0l3d7nfiCQBQOy3sMVK8cnAKTI3D2Rm4u9lKX8hwjpL-wq4w2usj4gIWNpHLgE/s1600/P5140048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvKOWs6U1IUBELUhnqXukbGfdL5T5c-MN6Xjb8_3mWBY3VOymMdZkY3KuNvqR4-K0FGb9whDDIhGP1h0l3d7nfiCQBQOy3sMVK8cnAKTI3D2Rm4u9lKX8hwjpL-wq4w2usj4gIWNpHLgE/s1600/P5140048.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Port Zante Marina,
St. Kitts (Reasonable at $.75 per foot)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We really do wish the marinas of the Caribbean and the
Bahamas well. While we are very
comfortable anchoring out, it is nice to be able to pop into a marina occasionally
for repairs or provisioning without worrying about spending the retirement
savings in one spot.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04921442390538388294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2120558888864233641.post-70165205251324055952014-04-30T11:15:00.000-04:002014-04-30T11:33:01.756-04:00The Family Islands Regatta<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgBh5XRIligddizfDizSRWCacATVrKR6oKKvByLBhF0xaqZYyj7LbDwZGTov9jmoVgYWR9xGFGGXCgGvWvaPm-4VvMXmynuz5ivxPWTL07f5lvW5hVrhR6bjLaegMuiTFpVe5-uvw4FxM/s1600/DSC03170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgBh5XRIligddizfDizSRWCacATVrKR6oKKvByLBhF0xaqZYyj7LbDwZGTov9jmoVgYWR9xGFGGXCgGvWvaPm-4VvMXmynuz5ivxPWTL07f5lvW5hVrhR6bjLaegMuiTFpVe5-uvw4FxM/s1600/DSC03170.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Coconut Harvest Event
(March 2011)<o:p></o:p></div>
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March brings the mayhem of <i>The Cruising Regatta </i>to Elizabeth Harbour and Stocking Island in
the Exumas. After many of the 500 or so cruising
boats anchored in Elizabeth Harbour disperse to other parts of the Bahamas, it
is time for <i>The Family Islands Regatta. </i>Proceeds raised from <i>The Cruising Regatta </i>helps George Town put on <i>The Family Islands Regatta</i> each April. <i><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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After the abolishment of slavery, many of the then failing
plantations were deeded to the freed slaves who often took the surnames of their
previous owners. These “families” took
on administering their own islands. “The
Local Government Act” of 1996 formalized the process. Today there are 38 districts or <i>Family Island Administrations.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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For the Bahamas, <i>The
Family Islands Regatta</i> is the <i>World Series</i>,
<i>Super Bowl, </i>and <i>World Cup</i> all rolled into one.
It began in the 1950’s as powered boats were replacing the Bahamian
working sail craft and many wanted to save the traditional boats. In 1954 nearly 70 Bahamian sloops, schooners
and dinghies gathered in Elizabeth Harbour for sailing and “related”
activities.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The early contestant’s boats were working vessels, but as
rivalries and prize money increased newer boats designed solely for racing began
to appear. Today, Bahamian sloop racing
rules are clear. The boats must be
designed, built, owned, skippered, and primarily crewed by Bahamians. The length (LOA) must not be more than 28’3”,
sails must be canvass, the hull made of wood, and the single wooden mast must
not be bent. No bowsprits, spreaders,
winches, or any sort of a wind instrument including tell-tales are allowed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHeOFpV5uQNQnodZ-P4Oa04QzIAsU7G5tqWfAZStd1pxfxwc9XcaNWEkKi_C0YSqmwSGyT8Q5t0j00hCUGSMo2CZ67Gtha1rOVc4_2cJJ-NX_RlEoolwxAG3n-76TLnXsmT-oicNodeE/s1600/DSCN1599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHeOFpV5uQNQnodZ-P4Oa04QzIAsU7G5tqWfAZStd1pxfxwc9XcaNWEkKi_C0YSqmwSGyT8Q5t0j00hCUGSMo2CZ67Gtha1rOVc4_2cJJ-NX_RlEoolwxAG3n-76TLnXsmT-oicNodeE/s1600/DSCN1599.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Because these boats were initially designed as working boats
for the shallow Bahamian waters, they do not have the deep keels or ballast. Instead they rely on <i>prys, </i>wooden planks that crew members extend out on the windward
side and then climb onto. Tacking can be
a real challenge on the triangular race course and sometimes crew members are
lost overboard. However, any boat that
does not stop for a MOB is disqualified.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Spectators are
allowed to follow the action in dinghies and other boats. Sometimes there appears to be more spectator
boats than racing sloops. We watched
from the safety of the back deck of our boat because I do not think they are required to pickup spectator MOBs.</span></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6VqnNM7CUDQmYU-QRrR0Q6zlZtkycXYxp-HNMmXAbbZXGO4gEH0O9YhU8uCP-fqSF9kHXQrvLSYUN57TFAX8NrAELf1M0D4kdfeCOGUDUqw_far_y3eOjSB0iotXPYItIDiDjFnI6olM/s1600/DSCN1652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6VqnNM7CUDQmYU-QRrR0Q6zlZtkycXYxp-HNMmXAbbZXGO4gEH0O9YhU8uCP-fqSF9kHXQrvLSYUN57TFAX8NrAELf1M0D4kdfeCOGUDUqw_far_y3eOjSB0iotXPYItIDiDjFnI6olM/s1600/DSCN1652.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Picture ceremony on one
of the wining boats, <i>Tida Wave<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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Cruising friends advised us that the music from the
Government Dock lasted until 4:00 AM on the Friday night before the end of the
regatta. Celebrations were much more
subdued on the last night of regatta.
<i>Chat n’ Chill</i> was hopping, but that is normal.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilXjW7-l9hcuM_rNTu_UHzTBu2ZpAQNphRR3ul5URukFHPBIdJ2Xmdo9iADzMGa4ZAyWLb4MZLf2nqxs5NE4Oxs2thwoSm-3Iwt251u4ZKTTKmejn-87udN_DvSbJc2eR5beQ8ysi1W0I/s1600/DSCN1628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilXjW7-l9hcuM_rNTu_UHzTBu2ZpAQNphRR3ul5URukFHPBIdJ2Xmdo9iADzMGa4ZAyWLb4MZLf2nqxs5NE4Oxs2thwoSm-3Iwt251u4ZKTTKmejn-87udN_DvSbJc2eR5beQ8ysi1W0I/s1600/DSCN1628.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Then on Sunday the regatta was over and everyone headed home
to prepare for next year.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04921442390538388294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2120558888864233641.post-40603560910622272632014-04-29T07:33:00.000-04:002014-04-29T07:33:26.060-04:00Bahamian Island Hopping <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWb8_dPocIdabC67snIHRNOIeT5sukmBKt7e09YLsn96VU6naPA-zBCpJpP561k0iMRpIiQyuQCGjAPWa5F6nKB3nL8AlzLet4M6FIkfSupHru2LFWwuFMh-RVYsnecvO71uVuqcOBN-A/s1600/DSCN1409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWb8_dPocIdabC67snIHRNOIeT5sukmBKt7e09YLsn96VU6naPA-zBCpJpP561k0iMRpIiQyuQCGjAPWa5F6nKB3nL8AlzLet4M6FIkfSupHru2LFWwuFMh-RVYsnecvO71uVuqcOBN-A/s1600/DSCN1409.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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After spending a relaxing, but expensive few days in
Providenciales, (“Just say Provo, mon, don’t hurt your tongue.”) Turks &
Caicos Islands (TCI), it was time to move on.
TCI has evidently ran up some debt that they are attempting to pay off
through taxation. As one observer noted,
they only seem to have two industries in the islands, religion and
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwJAaAyiJesIL14PzaQcQ9DuQOJk5_V9SN_rv1zfhCylP-3gNAg-crnAqfAmuI9zWZnGCZn2UtYyvF8-eAxzxE1q3MwS_YsFwQR6HNZojPqN4PO9ty8osHubklVF27M0AGbiMdhQ1zCA/s1600/DSCN1414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwJAaAyiJesIL14PzaQcQ9DuQOJk5_V9SN_rv1zfhCylP-3gNAg-crnAqfAmuI9zWZnGCZn2UtYyvF8-eAxzxE1q3MwS_YsFwQR6HNZojPqN4PO9ty8osHubklVF27M0AGbiMdhQ1zCA/s1600/DSCN1414.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<o:p></o:p><i style="text-align: center;">Solo Tu</i><span style="text-align: center;"> passing us</span></div>
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We had met some of the crew of <i>Solo Tu</i> a 101’ private yacht also headed for the Bahamas in Turtle
Cove Marina in TCI. Although they
departed behind us, they soon passed by.<o:p></o:p></div>
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With no wind and very little swell the 56 NM to our first
Bahamian island, Mayaguana, was very pleasant and uneventful. As far as we could see, Mayaguana’s highest
and best use today is the reef protected anchorage at Abraham’s Bay for boats
arriving or departing the Bahamas. It
does have a government office where cruisers can check in next to a Bahamas
Telecommunication Corporation (BTC) office with SIM cards for your phone.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin4Oom5LvqNeZSnMroVCAa8B2Y7ehonTPHdgGKHvoRvRetB5xcKVJgqSU8LzYfSZfhnaLWdcPEyVsw01RZwNkzvheuw_aPeBSG4usM4AxNQcAOpZjCodLM6y5_pP9TbhttwaIEJaRG8MQ/s1600/Southern+Bahamas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin4Oom5LvqNeZSnMroVCAa8B2Y7ehonTPHdgGKHvoRvRetB5xcKVJgqSU8LzYfSZfhnaLWdcPEyVsw01RZwNkzvheuw_aPeBSG4usM4AxNQcAOpZjCodLM6y5_pP9TbhttwaIEJaRG8MQ/s1600/Southern+Bahamas.jpg" height="212" width="400" /></a></div>
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After the long night crossings required between Turks &
Caicos Islands, Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico, it is nice to get back to
island hopping. <i>Motivator’s </i>crew prefers 50 to 60 mile legs with a nice anchorage
to enjoy a sundowner at the end of the day.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_2MzRXgXs9w84vmenATJoqdslNNhLzCGqx0Jw2cUu8xGzNQ0mYXWkvwrUme3GOKW8-UWfjbW2zAFxkzhHpchYX-9b2vxXBIlGqH9Rl0WL32WMG5AeGDvj31qmt3U6x5STSClaV9Ysnc8/s1600/DSCN1443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_2MzRXgXs9w84vmenATJoqdslNNhLzCGqx0Jw2cUu8xGzNQ0mYXWkvwrUme3GOKW8-UWfjbW2zAFxkzhHpchYX-9b2vxXBIlGqH9Rl0WL32WMG5AeGDvj31qmt3U6x5STSClaV9Ysnc8/s1600/DSCN1443.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Umbrella Rock marking
the entrance to Attwood Harbour<o:p></o:p></div>
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One such anchorage is Attwood Harbour in the Crooked Island
District. The sailing vessel <i>Sea Gem </i>arrived soon after us. We had briefly met her crew in TCI, so we
enjoyed conversation and sundowners with them.
We were the only boats in the anchorage.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Rigging the anchor
bridle in Attwood Harbour<o:p></o:p></div>
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One of our guide books say that Attwood Harbour is a
“deathtrap in a norther,” and that is probably true. However, both times we have anchored there we
found it to be a quite pleasant.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Sea Gem </i>at sunset<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p>
</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The next morning we beat <i>Sea
Gem’s </i>crew out of the anchorage. We
did watch them on the AIS as they also headed for Little Harbour on Long
Island.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilgXqic4Ap91_MLnAxDfEh885z9CCDRTW99jeQyFXZ82671OtBE5J2YeWUuJ9swS45nduSwrm_gC_iAfZ8Or1mCy7cczHUpZMbR5WfYTCqyDzh34iniDTG0PGE7sOhhVYAc6BEqxjWRLw/s1600/DSCN1477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilgXqic4Ap91_MLnAxDfEh885z9CCDRTW99jeQyFXZ82671OtBE5J2YeWUuJ9swS45nduSwrm_gC_iAfZ8Or1mCy7cczHUpZMbR5WfYTCqyDzh34iniDTG0PGE7sOhhVYAc6BEqxjWRLw/s1600/DSCN1477.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
AIS target on <i>Motivator’s </i>chart plotter<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Other targets on the AIS were watched more closely.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheGiSuDEmoAHf7jKL9AzWmp-T2FjMopnC032SvfCqVJVZhOvslPiet-na5vsUNuNEqJGc9ClMrMhdUn2CpypEkOdAXGczpVxOEWjdnH2xJ96HcHufHtbfsuMLL9wLkLtf6eyCIU4j0AMk/s1600/DSCN1473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheGiSuDEmoAHf7jKL9AzWmp-T2FjMopnC032SvfCqVJVZhOvslPiet-na5vsUNuNEqJGc9ClMrMhdUn2CpypEkOdAXGczpVxOEWjdnH2xJ96HcHufHtbfsuMLL9wLkLtf6eyCIU4j0AMk/s1600/DSCN1473.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>Genco Thunder</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Using the AIS presentation we were able to determine that a
slight port turn would allow us to pass a mile behind the tanker instead of
three tenths of a mile. Pollie says, New Rule, we miss these guys by at least a mile.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtsJjDsJMJdeG0uoMbkuw9KCMYtzmUUFtzU36vdj6p9xpK6WNmWEOiPANjjdkBtqXSxDEi2uyg1Xz4IiG4Em6-vUev03FrQlpeMSJJYsyrFtyDTW0sP-OswfEVST_993OBpv436LvYBgs/s1600/DSCN1453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtsJjDsJMJdeG0uoMbkuw9KCMYtzmUUFtzU36vdj6p9xpK6WNmWEOiPANjjdkBtqXSxDEi2uyg1Xz4IiG4Em6-vUev03FrQlpeMSJJYsyrFtyDTW0sP-OswfEVST_993OBpv436LvYBgs/s1600/DSCN1453.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Typical Bahamian
Beach<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Unlike the volcanic islands in the Caribbean we spent two
years with, the Bahamas are mostly low lying lumps of limestone. While the land masses are not as dramatic as in
the Caribbean, the water is spectacular.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p>
</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIwtHJllJwiHCxgBr-SPhL1noSSfix4YyzwwJqPyCVaPd6zG5iWzoqtCRjjsZiGhZS3bc6VhrQQhNSZlUdP11KBeMPMb2tEHQApQ2kxdpaNjK7UzPWeMGyaAfXDlMsK5NnW0YpK3urim0/s1600/DSCN1470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIwtHJllJwiHCxgBr-SPhL1noSSfix4YyzwwJqPyCVaPd6zG5iWzoqtCRjjsZiGhZS3bc6VhrQQhNSZlUdP11KBeMPMb2tEHQApQ2kxdpaNjK7UzPWeMGyaAfXDlMsK5NnW0YpK3urim0/s1600/DSCN1470.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
The sometimes working
lighthouse on Bird Rock<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p>
</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On the northeast tip of the Crooked Islands is a 112’
limestone lighthouse that is probably the highest point in the southern
Bahamas. I once asked a professional
captain about the feasibility of moving at night in the Bahamas. He said, “There are two types that move at
night, fools and drug runners.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgnmSpYw_lw8pi2RHCInChbRQ9Noyfwz4cbCAJRAk7vHqDDIJzAEa5BRlAZKsCb29ruX9TqnV97f16nAXyGwHBNWWnfec7vuuJnYNnRd3Fvigf0tbNldMJSgMXbRWlpcflhvVBca1V-1w/s1600/DSCN1487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgnmSpYw_lw8pi2RHCInChbRQ9Noyfwz4cbCAJRAk7vHqDDIJzAEa5BRlAZKsCb29ruX9TqnV97f16nAXyGwHBNWWnfec7vuuJnYNnRd3Fvigf0tbNldMJSgMXbRWlpcflhvVBca1V-1w/s1600/DSCN1487.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Sandy Cay at low tide<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After spending a pleasant night at Little Harbour with three
other boats, we went around the southern point of Long Island and into Dollar
Harbour. Dollar Harbour is not your
typical harbor. At low tide there is
sand around you.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLuTusA5DGWCrTvIikdFgfXacmB4MzVjm8gxcWmwCJOaCq0_jGu7ovzRigRlpZTkp9rb4D1TBa5e6J95-Vg9wkcmVBf5O3o_C9ipMObECdzpNE6Y0wD4wQvzGH_20rRnk1JBH_aByyB8/s1600/DSCN1494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLuTusA5DGWCrTvIikdFgfXacmB4MzVjm8gxcWmwCJOaCq0_jGu7ovzRigRlpZTkp9rb4D1TBa5e6J95-Vg9wkcmVBf5O3o_C9ipMObECdzpNE6Y0wD4wQvzGH_20rRnk1JBH_aByyB8/s1600/DSCN1494.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Sandy Cay at high
tide<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The “landscape” changes somewhat at high tide. Although you know that you are in shallow
water, it feels like you are anchored in open water.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2IUaglXWbqkWcGmvknpGSBBcMAZZsmZfOkaZcZV8cWh4z0KKbdemNObRzxZT3mNoPiSvoMd1HABbH1YBe4Pm84QdzQpV1I9SaDBl49GX7UT2g7kfpD2QGscxDJ9peBxLCDbNWKg5s8LY/s1600/DSCN1483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2IUaglXWbqkWcGmvknpGSBBcMAZZsmZfOkaZcZV8cWh4z0KKbdemNObRzxZT3mNoPiSvoMd1HABbH1YBe4Pm84QdzQpV1I9SaDBl49GX7UT2g7kfpD2QGscxDJ9peBxLCDbNWKg5s8LY/s1600/DSCN1483.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Evidently the bone
fishing is good. These day trippers
seemed to be enjoying themselves.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjseg19Ov5HLZGFkyHxv82_EA1vmMPIGykwUT-nrYguPSWfaVAisJkxgKTVt66GHuPvkHrym82xtNMun8qB_d4mXRoXllZu3x6vFicK4gLj2hxAQXlDXrNVOJrIuoLWRy7jWhFf5VspD7k/s1600/DSCN1493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjseg19Ov5HLZGFkyHxv82_EA1vmMPIGykwUT-nrYguPSWfaVAisJkxgKTVt66GHuPvkHrym82xtNMun8qB_d4mXRoXllZu3x6vFicK4gLj2hxAQXlDXrNVOJrIuoLWRy7jWhFf5VspD7k/s1600/DSCN1493.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>S/V Fussel</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Again the neighborhood was not crowded. There was only one other vessel anchored in
Dollar Harbour.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUXWmFQvSrhdl6HmbEflX_tXbY8EoO5eKUyY9TPwoYW3WuCfYS__kSHi3y-l1J0-AfROQnm8aX2gVzDvfDiFZvlfjRx2kvb5EsdLQOgxu8cE3Q5s408-cmCzKIJrxV7BQGysvJwzGqO6k/s1600/DSCN1519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUXWmFQvSrhdl6HmbEflX_tXbY8EoO5eKUyY9TPwoYW3WuCfYS__kSHi3y-l1J0-AfROQnm8aX2gVzDvfDiFZvlfjRx2kvb5EsdLQOgxu8cE3Q5s408-cmCzKIJrxV7BQGysvJwzGqO6k/s1600/DSCN1519.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The next day we spent crossing the bank between Long Island
and Great Exuma. Most of the day we had
6’ or less under our keel.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-OIbrvzE1YLMT0lpPdaXG7IMBnHqhkmwEffvQVnhr2P2KfGjQDXS2zDn6wn19rTIofRs2b379NyMvk-l44VPkNTN_znSL2otYSh4kh7NCgrpMMn87MayimzvGlj73VgHr_SVbU_sgHI/s1600/DSCN1557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-OIbrvzE1YLMT0lpPdaXG7IMBnHqhkmwEffvQVnhr2P2KfGjQDXS2zDn6wn19rTIofRs2b379NyMvk-l44VPkNTN_znSL2otYSh4kh7NCgrpMMn87MayimzvGlj73VgHr_SVbU_sgHI/s1600/DSCN1557.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>Motivator’s </i>course<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We decided to cross the bank instead of going around the
north side of Long Island for two reasons.
It is actually shorter even though you have to zigzag around White Cay
Bank, and after six days without weather information it seem more prudent than
open water. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZys44Fn-FGDEXy5yY6I5hHPgyLGmUiHXQP_-HkzMEuL7hQkblJW4q_xXHI34e5ORNjxT7IyWDF6etmO4o7-wztuNN_q0vxAUsKsJbWnhb-VTscv50oBUxYDoatFMWOFo5JN8fYUdRGew/s1600/DSCN1536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZys44Fn-FGDEXy5yY6I5hHPgyLGmUiHXQP_-HkzMEuL7hQkblJW4q_xXHI34e5ORNjxT7IyWDF6etmO4o7-wztuNN_q0vxAUsKsJbWnhb-VTscv50oBUxYDoatFMWOFo5JN8fYUdRGew/s1600/DSCN1536.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is two types of weather. The forecasted weather and the weather you
see from the fly bridge.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDNYfNYXGzrb-y_DVyYZpZuLy74Zvlfgv60zI7aKbqiklrT7smOCvq6BipxFreDBXQkxkQunSsjn0cqKvWbaIm8wFsKj0GgOJX1_5_GV3AiKEmTMP_SBSYZydpzS91FJwbcrf19slY0w/s1600/DSCN1534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDNYfNYXGzrb-y_DVyYZpZuLy74Zvlfgv60zI7aKbqiklrT7smOCvq6BipxFreDBXQkxkQunSsjn0cqKvWbaIm8wFsKj0GgOJX1_5_GV3AiKEmTMP_SBSYZydpzS91FJwbcrf19slY0w/s1600/DSCN1534.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yep, that is a water spout.
I do not think that was on anybody’s forecast. Luckily that squall passed behind us. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqjDQa4rtCYMqjuiw8XfPjzdqm5j_5U5dHKq8BtlpCaK4VSpN2nCM1q7Xa3sktmMNwvKfo_-DKFDIrBDpvb4_8xKfTAC_B5_J02f93d2i5E4zPUJAhvAn0vRu4PP6Y7g-COfCJHkcWRco/s1600/DSCN1561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqjDQa4rtCYMqjuiw8XfPjzdqm5j_5U5dHKq8BtlpCaK4VSpN2nCM1q7Xa3sktmMNwvKfo_-DKFDIrBDpvb4_8xKfTAC_B5_J02f93d2i5E4zPUJAhvAn0vRu4PP6Y7g-COfCJHkcWRco/s1600/DSCN1561.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We were not so lucky with the next squall. But, all we got out of it was a free boat
wash.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHjZlhU4ujuUNc9HvQdJDWhG-9SaO0NRUVCVfKOJaW8_AzQKLSF_21vSWGkaNoHkW7OpN0MQjABTGlnpq2J6smh4aMVmSLPJG7sSv9PkuwLFJDQbsOIWQlavvzUmrUrHPsahPgvaFM8U/s1600/DSCN1609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHjZlhU4ujuUNc9HvQdJDWhG-9SaO0NRUVCVfKOJaW8_AzQKLSF_21vSWGkaNoHkW7OpN0MQjABTGlnpq2J6smh4aMVmSLPJG7sSv9PkuwLFJDQbsOIWQlavvzUmrUrHPsahPgvaFM8U/s1600/DSCN1609.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Gaviota Bay<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Welcome to G’town! No
more secluded anchorages. Timing is
everything, we made it for the last day of the Family Regatta. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
More to follow.<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04921442390538388294noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2120558888864233641.post-46401088703084193552014-04-21T11:15:00.000-04:002014-04-21T11:15:43.010-04:00How do dolphins sleep?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzt0ZsF_iO3x7aqMPZKMcnn17K3C0DfSSETgYIT8yum4I4H5V1RYE1wY7Wd_wDKqfuRFfXfPwx17MiGC8iqb_AVI9nUVsTHLG4X2mm0ugZpnlSce5zrh_a_eoRo9mATI08ozjVmj6NA94/s1600/DSCN1322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzt0ZsF_iO3x7aqMPZKMcnn17K3C0DfSSETgYIT8yum4I4H5V1RYE1wY7Wd_wDKqfuRFfXfPwx17MiGC8iqb_AVI9nUVsTHLG4X2mm0ugZpnlSce5zrh_a_eoRo9mATI08ozjVmj6NA94/s1600/DSCN1322.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nothing gets your attention on a night crossing like a big
splash off the bow of the boat! When it
recently happened to me, I was able to see in the moon light the streak of a
dolphin playing in our bow wake.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdjmuwX0hAERNVy7_qKWDlIFM_W5rctpU2SONZe0vH5942VNmdNLHjZubBP9zk3v6M0TbAGPNbUPl9b8uLpC6Zvr9jvj8i4EcIY4gTdsclEqGAaFWc2zEor2fb-HH5lBlIMgzc1AfabR4/s1600/Screenshot+2014-02-12+09.33.17.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdjmuwX0hAERNVy7_qKWDlIFM_W5rctpU2SONZe0vH5942VNmdNLHjZubBP9zk3v6M0TbAGPNbUPl9b8uLpC6Zvr9jvj8i4EcIY4gTdsclEqGAaFWc2zEor2fb-HH5lBlIMgzc1AfabR4/s1600/Screenshot+2014-02-12+09.33.17.png" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Motivator’s</i> speed
and bow wake must be what dolphins like because we seem to have plenty of
visits.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLOah54PnY2JXCeEr2iS1PQBrPvP0HgPk4ScrGXfW4c2xJstaQNTdMhtm-gRFENExKiW625QUk8NM8-A78GriuxG8XON3pN39H4NAgHEvcY3_mkiHNHzFg1HPSb9i0YELqm977ZiXW5Ws/s1600/Screenshot+2014-02-12+10.32.44.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLOah54PnY2JXCeEr2iS1PQBrPvP0HgPk4ScrGXfW4c2xJstaQNTdMhtm-gRFENExKiW625QUk8NM8-A78GriuxG8XON3pN39H4NAgHEvcY3_mkiHNHzFg1HPSb9i0YELqm977ZiXW5Ws/s1600/Screenshot+2014-02-12+10.32.44.png" height="250" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The night visits raised our curiosity. If they are busy scaring us at night, when
and how do they sleep? Google it!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPc0DDnqhTqT0020XY1aSFAhBfpx-3PrW03NZGZ-JDm2aelPRYbTE1G12IkqO1gH7t1oC286Ay_98p6n06XIdbLGSmSA_R1Bu1WqIEg9Wj1mSxKMXefOcifY00lNYkGWLQhuzDW9tnWyw/s1600/Screenshot+2014-02-12+12.49.36.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPc0DDnqhTqT0020XY1aSFAhBfpx-3PrW03NZGZ-JDm2aelPRYbTE1G12IkqO1gH7t1oC286Ay_98p6n06XIdbLGSmSA_R1Bu1WqIEg9Wj1mSxKMXefOcifY00lNYkGWLQhuzDW9tnWyw/s1600/Screenshot+2014-02-12+12.49.36.png" height="400" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Scientists think that dolphins sleep by shutting down half
their brain. For approximately 4 hours
one side of their brain is asleep, then the other side for another 4
hours. The awake half is controlling
breathing (they are mammals, so they have to surface for air) and keeping one
eye open for predators (the eye on the opposite side of the half asleep). In captivity, dolphins have been observed
drifting to the bottom of the pool then slowly rising to the surface for a
breath. We must have experienced the
party animals. <o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04921442390538388294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2120558888864233641.post-65827387339451143602014-04-18T09:01:00.000-04:002014-04-18T09:01:02.855-04:00DR to TCI<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFG3M_eSLIgczOmhRf9L8R4qFYCyroouiCCNAUDkKImvqq2cHwSf_d9J3k50stZVB6gAUuvJ9-yjeYOfkLmCSsGzSTDOHUbGlYARuKyLd8BzjIeF2egPRVjnOMQAezICmJPi2qA31IY40/s1600/DSCN1282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFG3M_eSLIgczOmhRf9L8R4qFYCyroouiCCNAUDkKImvqq2cHwSf_d9J3k50stZVB6gAUuvJ9-yjeYOfkLmCSsGzSTDOHUbGlYARuKyLd8BzjIeF2egPRVjnOMQAezICmJPi2qA31IY40/s1600/DSCN1282.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
After roughing it for five nights at Ocean World Marina in
the Dominican Republic it was time to move on.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8kv2YqxAKTXvWTCa4rDclLux2B5q5-Tdw_mdGkTwvwKjCN7NP3XMWVuk5OMW_5Syuy9ar5ENTdnKdvGE_JS_yaz7f14TJWTzL0B-e9mIzXzSTPABpzcsQHMeDRF7YTUqKczeEp62RKm8/s1600/Map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8kv2YqxAKTXvWTCa4rDclLux2B5q5-Tdw_mdGkTwvwKjCN7NP3XMWVuk5OMW_5Syuy9ar5ENTdnKdvGE_JS_yaz7f14TJWTzL0B-e9mIzXzSTPABpzcsQHMeDRF7YTUqKczeEp62RKm8/s1600/Map.jpg" height="375" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The passage from the DR to Turks and Caicos is one of the
longest on the “Thorny Path” down island into the Caribbean. One hundred and seventy-five miles is 24
hours in <i>Motivator </i>time. Actually, we had to pull back on the
throttles about 4 hours out because we were going to arrive before the marina
was open.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinn8mwdb-1vmRLsjZnF9YVzkByn6RSQsZUgis9iwN2hdlVKZ3rlXUGNizlAVL1FH09Kq4wMGw4lSyWVAwolrTE7yo8VmHRCpM8sPcPIrVmTZyLLdqxsD5Ijwscj_svrQbl6dPpkeGX3AU/s1600/French+Cay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinn8mwdb-1vmRLsjZnF9YVzkByn6RSQsZUgis9iwN2hdlVKZ3rlXUGNizlAVL1FH09Kq4wMGw4lSyWVAwolrTE7yo8VmHRCpM8sPcPIrVmTZyLLdqxsD5Ijwscj_svrQbl6dPpkeGX3AU/s1600/French+Cay.jpg" height="275" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A popular option to doing such a long passage is to stop at
French Cay, an unpopulated island that is more of a high spot on the Caicos
Bank rather than an island. Due to
weather and timing constraints, we opted for the longer passage.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD1AKIrUQe29R_t_zKULyi70UVuJXgjRtN_GZPojRNoUQxTmz1lURe1YjeKdFkATJkkAzG3_SiXBWUOCa9P8LvyQE8OE8_gCLG3lpInseCh6eacNTDX_HJdZ2pS0j3xadump5MDl0z6_M/s1600/DSCN1324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD1AKIrUQe29R_t_zKULyi70UVuJXgjRtN_GZPojRNoUQxTmz1lURe1YjeKdFkATJkkAzG3_SiXBWUOCa9P8LvyQE8OE8_gCLG3lpInseCh6eacNTDX_HJdZ2pS0j3xadump5MDl0z6_M/s1600/DSCN1324.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sometimes during the 24 hours of looking at ocean you get
some spectacular views.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPdQ50a8ubqYr7z6VH-Hfw9_n82ExVKEus-loZUuaH2MF9p05nIxX8Eyd8kLe9ad99DRwVGoJ8HxvoWaWMM5nKRt184JCWYpaUihJBfYUEk4G_aVJUE-0iy3ocN_MPlz5L4ob5g6Cdygs/s1600/P4150055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPdQ50a8ubqYr7z6VH-Hfw9_n82ExVKEus-loZUuaH2MF9p05nIxX8Eyd8kLe9ad99DRwVGoJ8HxvoWaWMM5nKRt184JCWYpaUihJBfYUEk4G_aVJUE-0iy3ocN_MPlz5L4ob5g6Cdygs/s1600/P4150055.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But, most of the time it is just ocean interrupted by the
occasional flying fish. Luckily for us
it was a rather benign ocean on this passage.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9szP3OpruaygA927UYwW8NUf-euc2tK-AuzSDWAOy8YmA9snD3eQcDRL2ui0E4QXOPbDngUWeYAfHs82zLpWVRjqeQNXqwbUv8hhiYmP_0pq3SFmBJNgdYQ4ZqkFBdSw-jWcJps9_BZQ/s1600/P4150053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9szP3OpruaygA927UYwW8NUf-euc2tK-AuzSDWAOy8YmA9snD3eQcDRL2ui0E4QXOPbDngUWeYAfHs82zLpWVRjqeQNXqwbUv8hhiYmP_0pq3SFmBJNgdYQ4ZqkFBdSw-jWcJps9_BZQ/s1600/P4150053.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Pollie off watch<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We usually keep to a rather loose two hours on and two hours
off watch schedule on long passages.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-t1l7oQiBPz4yaCdqhSf-eRdWUYXCqDgOo3Lr4W5gorlzj0zspoOw2MYx4oyaq_B1_y0tJtSYKgtMEFd8EFphmSRQdXEe8T0lDL99QV2uHvxfjtFUtJL0nF_ou2SrNNq5Ff-Nm50liM/s1600/DSCN1330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-t1l7oQiBPz4yaCdqhSf-eRdWUYXCqDgOo3Lr4W5gorlzj0zspoOw2MYx4oyaq_B1_y0tJtSYKgtMEFd8EFphmSRQdXEe8T0lDL99QV2uHvxfjtFUtJL0nF_ou2SrNNq5Ff-Nm50liM/s1600/DSCN1330.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Pollie on watch<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The off watch sleep quality is not that great, so a long nap
is usually in order when we get to our destination.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p>
</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPpFr1LIQQ7jJ5gcXq5S4U5y-jJLowRxhqlAJPrFwMgzkWkDOmXvDXMDAreSsmKdNb-0hLDbDQf-rzTDaksS4hd4B0UTohRIvBOtbmrBi-l67L-4cagbG-MJRdZtmDMFOQDgTZioyJ-1k/s1600/DSC05600+(800x600).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPpFr1LIQQ7jJ5gcXq5S4U5y-jJLowRxhqlAJPrFwMgzkWkDOmXvDXMDAreSsmKdNb-0hLDbDQf-rzTDaksS4hd4B0UTohRIvBOtbmrBi-l67L-4cagbG-MJRdZtmDMFOQDgTZioyJ-1k/s1600/DSC05600+(800x600).jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Caicos Bank<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p>
</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On our previous stop in TCI (Turks & Caicos Islands) we stayed
at the South Side Marina. Getting to
South Side requires crossing the Caicos Bank’s very shallow water while dodging
coral heads. That is something you do
not want to attempt at night. Additionally,
<i>Motivator</i> dredged the channel entering
South Side Marina.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSlZcPdyTnt5HMr47M4sD7GMIf31eZuOhGjnzmh1owiVZ2dt-fKbJNN7aPZw15jonQ3_2RLJMhGUo3kmJWyd4FJw0zTii2jG1_Fk_1mAX8-6pMOCzFiXSH_6K_BpFNX5JVY_lavaq7Rak/s1600/DSCN1337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSlZcPdyTnt5HMr47M4sD7GMIf31eZuOhGjnzmh1owiVZ2dt-fKbJNN7aPZw15jonQ3_2RLJMhGUo3kmJWyd4FJw0zTii2jG1_Fk_1mAX8-6pMOCzFiXSH_6K_BpFNX5JVY_lavaq7Rak/s1600/DSCN1337.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Outbound yacht with
pilot boat<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This time we opted for Turtle Cove Marina on the northern
shore. The north shore and marina is
well protected by a reef system. Self-navigating
through the reef system is not recommended.
We had to hold off shore while a pilot boat was dispatched to lead us
in.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgDnmQ4dfLn3vgMFNdjKRykCzA8FDIyNKf8S7Y2wlYmSMPNsuHdGIcdNnEtgXHOit8-4oNPnjQJax7MTwoDNlghtDclhyphenhyphen5YEX9muC1IRw0IkTQV-1mOLpgSgSvevcmcjaGo8A8cuYStxI/s1600/DSCN1339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgDnmQ4dfLn3vgMFNdjKRykCzA8FDIyNKf8S7Y2wlYmSMPNsuHdGIcdNnEtgXHOit8-4oNPnjQJax7MTwoDNlghtDclhyphenhyphen5YEX9muC1IRw0IkTQV-1mOLpgSgSvevcmcjaGo8A8cuYStxI/s1600/DSCN1339.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Kyle and the pilot
boat<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After leading another yacht out, Kyle said that it was our
turn and that we should stay lined up on his stern.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p>
</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxo-Lzar0FhlqOi1nxUy1UtGPPH8aIfsXwL430CHf7UdLKvln1Iu_EZ-DEc3zGUgBPVuY6xjyuzQhZHFkg96o8l8gwymE_6iZyIqOZ3-oWbCxERVio-TM1hM5ULTdeAwkp3dY5akG42V4/s1600/DSCN1343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxo-Lzar0FhlqOi1nxUy1UtGPPH8aIfsXwL430CHf7UdLKvln1Iu_EZ-DEc3zGUgBPVuY6xjyuzQhZHFkg96o8l8gwymE_6iZyIqOZ3-oWbCxERVio-TM1hM5ULTdeAwkp3dY5akG42V4/s1600/DSCN1343.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At this point Kyle advised us to stay dead center between
the markers. Even though the channel is
well marked, I can see why they recommend the pilot boat. It is too easy to miss one of the markers and
take a “short cut.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZy1D2FdH0yhgRACJB-Zb3Eq6s9_l1cHOHtF8SL9cNAc0SOfXp9K4N0KlWRdkXDG-oU-bgnceRs_qpngaktkG3SFJje0I_LIjAMUDZ8a8pWvZ5GCsb05gKc8whDG1wE6lMlDuuMgLjp8/s1600/DSCN1363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZy1D2FdH0yhgRACJB-Zb3Eq6s9_l1cHOHtF8SL9cNAc0SOfXp9K4N0KlWRdkXDG-oU-bgnceRs_qpngaktkG3SFJje0I_LIjAMUDZ8a8pWvZ5GCsb05gKc8whDG1wE6lMlDuuMgLjp8/s1600/DSCN1363.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>Motivator </i>peeking over the dock at Turtle Cove Marina<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Looks like we made a good choice. Last time we were in TCI we rented a car to
get to the restaurants and shopping that is now in bicycling distance. It looks like we will have to tough it out
here in the “gin clear water” a little less than a week before we have good
weather for entering the Bahamas.<o:p></o:p></div>
<o:p></o:p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04921442390538388294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2120558888864233641.post-57463570431180552512014-04-16T16:24:00.001-04:002014-04-16T16:26:58.154-04:00Dominican Republic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6bjrmbOcguiSUM5ejYsYRvEw-2jGV6-lNcu742qnllRfuy14npK5BErviLZx2lSevYBNzQW8EolYDkmrGUrumfGP0Hn6lC8EPTyPzxFcFXiJyQaVjiaatOshISBPs02k4y0qGL_zEddY/s1600/Map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6bjrmbOcguiSUM5ejYsYRvEw-2jGV6-lNcu742qnllRfuy14npK5BErviLZx2lSevYBNzQW8EolYDkmrGUrumfGP0Hn6lC8EPTyPzxFcFXiJyQaVjiaatOshISBPs02k4y0qGL_zEddY/s1600/Map.jpg" height="400" width="375" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Hispaniola </i>is a
big island. Just the Dominican Republic
portion is big compared to the other islands in the Caribbean. Our last hop was a 115 NMs, or 16 – 17 hours
in <i>Motivator </i>time. All we did was go from Samana around the
corner to Puerto Plata, Ocean World Marina.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0rbAYsnf3PWTm2pCuOnuVisIDbWM0_sGidVLVn_1hoH96x-sjmfdGyjziScJnYMCJh9XFGerGFViSiLwbU4IxnlTyQertca2CbIqfxyyEJKrYb4Oibs1ILD6-pleQMEIEb-wdvNhLgKI/s1600/P4130058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0rbAYsnf3PWTm2pCuOnuVisIDbWM0_sGidVLVn_1hoH96x-sjmfdGyjziScJnYMCJh9XFGerGFViSiLwbU4IxnlTyQertca2CbIqfxyyEJKrYb4Oibs1ILD6-pleQMEIEb-wdvNhLgKI/s1600/P4130058.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Entrance to Ocean
World Marina</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Because we have a standing rule to never enter a harbor in
the dark and to avoid departures during darkness, we have to time our passages. For this trip we departed at 5 PM and arrived
the next morning at around 10 AM. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_Gt5xHnSA5f6QSrEbupLOGINoXrdReN2GQrYERKd3RmPGhJwpfRDf2gyKPMjd7dPOihcVHXN-ECXlk28qu3gwX1aJgjFN6Q_bvTzJrTGboONtFHLZEX8BMPCSUVsi-iukCIhit-dewY/s1600/P4130062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_Gt5xHnSA5f6QSrEbupLOGINoXrdReN2GQrYERKd3RmPGhJwpfRDf2gyKPMjd7dPOihcVHXN-ECXlk28qu3gwX1aJgjFN6Q_bvTzJrTGboONtFHLZEX8BMPCSUVsi-iukCIhit-dewY/s1600/P4130062.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Fuel dock<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Again, we had to check in with Customs, Immigration, DR Navy
and Drug Enforcement, but no fees were extracted. They do, however have a new requirement that
all boats must go to the fuel dock for check in.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_6rMqVMR92XoAYyOwj-Spz5Xh6Nkop-y9sQo4HifUShAekJekKusKwT1LGHHEU8gR7GQq90NPYXqQ1YU8SnxaTKpXPezHIUYz0NESJoRLyGSJDa3zLCngRfXXsirKcoVY6LE-ouquPvY/s1600/P4130054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_6rMqVMR92XoAYyOwj-Spz5Xh6Nkop-y9sQo4HifUShAekJekKusKwT1LGHHEU8gR7GQq90NPYXqQ1YU8SnxaTKpXPezHIUYz0NESJoRLyGSJDa3zLCngRfXXsirKcoVY6LE-ouquPvY/s1600/P4130054.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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We also prefer to dock without strong trade winds (in the
morning, not in the afternoon). It makes
the Captain’s skills look so much better.</div>
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<o:p></o:p>Ocean Word Marina will be our home while we wait for a
weather window for the crossing to Turks & Caicos. Having visited once before (see archived
posting, <i>Turks & Caicos to Dominican
Republic,</i> dated April 5, 2012), we will probably not be taking the tour that visits all of the tour guide's cousins businesses. </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<o:p></o:p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04921442390538388294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2120558888864233641.post-76999987629157292012014-04-08T11:30:00.000-04:002014-04-08T11:30:11.611-04:00Bahia de San Lorenzo (cond.)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTTBHqKWGu5egKCD8HmJUAHLVmsFVxNEmM9er9llo8fjMwdpvb1qCYW7kOOy7dVALswAnRbv2_gIWXKTIexFkdHxLT_CvUMbN54vp0a14a7-9a5B57V9DeqR0tbhVbMpKHfC-QH3tbGps/s1600/DSCN1052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTTBHqKWGu5egKCD8HmJUAHLVmsFVxNEmM9er9llo8fjMwdpvb1qCYW7kOOy7dVALswAnRbv2_gIWXKTIexFkdHxLT_CvUMbN54vp0a14a7-9a5B57V9DeqR0tbhVbMpKHfC-QH3tbGps/s1600/DSCN1052.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">On day two, having
survived our trip to <i>Paraiso Cano Hondo, </i>we
were ready to explore more of San Lorenzo Bay and <i>Los Haitises</i> National Park.
Evidently, the cruise ships had departed Samana because fighting
excursion boats for dock space was much easier.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
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We only had one hiccup.
The domino playing park wardens wanted $100 pesos ($2.50 USD) each for
entry and we could only scrounge up $100 pesos plus pocket shrapnel between
us. One of the domino players pointed at
<i>Motivator</i> and then shook his head at
the fact we had no money.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Finally they relented and let us go explore the caves with
the promise we would return later with $60 pesos ($1.50 USD). The caves were large and relatively
clean. For the protection of the cruise
ship passenger clientele steps and wooden walkways have been built.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6nkYCFcZl7d-Oat02pzG0CU5vDRSj6TJJ-ku31GLWjsXXcOia-kKlzZygjKF0QqAR1Uud0J_rHtLwSVDCmmaEFRTQz9rpEhisc91AEQcNsD40dDRJqNaOY7qkUUfPfF040VtBCTSVw7E/s1600/DSCN1062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6nkYCFcZl7d-Oat02pzG0CU5vDRSj6TJJ-ku31GLWjsXXcOia-kKlzZygjKF0QqAR1Uud0J_rHtLwSVDCmmaEFRTQz9rpEhisc91AEQcNsD40dDRJqNaOY7qkUUfPfF040VtBCTSVw7E/s1600/DSCN1062.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Certain areas were blocked off to ensure they did not lose
any curious tourists.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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Many of the rock formations were quite interesting, but the
experience was rather tame compared to some of the other nature visits we have survived
in the Bahamas and the Caribbean.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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About the time we had absorbed all the rock formations fully,
an excursion boat full of tourists arrived and we headed for the exit.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Other cruisers back in Puerto Bahia had told us that there
was a second dinghy dock with a cave that the “normal” tourists do not see. Our only directions were to look for a wide spot between the cliffs somewhere west of the main dock and follow the stream until you see a dinghy dock.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUDFX2nVB8G_0VeVU0PtI7SJGj4EdOVSVa2zupPhiXgTCpGPCacuquF8FBiLqQJXxF67NswtmKuI7BpblkzT1mrDQgK2k18nvf4Ua6ogfVYyTlB_IIMiHDPlI5SnvDr5_Owv_5dEPqO68/s1600/DSCN1092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUDFX2nVB8G_0VeVU0PtI7SJGj4EdOVSVa2zupPhiXgTCpGPCacuquF8FBiLqQJXxF67NswtmKuI7BpblkzT1mrDQgK2k18nvf4Ua6ogfVYyTlB_IIMiHDPlI5SnvDr5_Owv_5dEPqO68/s1600/DSCN1092.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<o:p></o:p>As you venture back in among the cliffs and mangroves it
begins feeling like a medieval forest. At any point you expect to see a pterodactyl
fly by. I had Pollie watching for Nile
crocodiles</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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(Don’t laugh, one has recently been spotted in the Florida
Everglades). The depths were good (4 to
5’ range), so we keep going.</div>
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Finally around the last shallow bend, the dock! From a distance it did not look like much,
but on closer examination it was a nice, sturdy concrete dinghy dock.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj40rHU2EXo7amkV90QO2t3gOwU4BHdEUjNqqF7yw7Yay-jCZ0rnhFNvJD2sYwVDKtSXtVy-gf3zKRz6AVzdzJkl0dvuL6GJwn3o2QRxlRcvYAhQyYf7Oqzd5cFSiusGx8QNbpxzrHM3kw/s1600/DSCN1100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj40rHU2EXo7amkV90QO2t3gOwU4BHdEUjNqqF7yw7Yay-jCZ0rnhFNvJD2sYwVDKtSXtVy-gf3zKRz6AVzdzJkl0dvuL6GJwn3o2QRxlRcvYAhQyYf7Oqzd5cFSiusGx8QNbpxzrHM3kw/s1600/DSCN1100.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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We have utilized much worse.
With our previous boat, <i>Serenity,</i>
we tied to a dock only to find a sign that said the dock was condemned.</div>
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</div>
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For an unmaintained jungle trail, this one was not bad.</div>
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The foliage was incredible.
Seeds that slowly open seem to be a staple of the Caribbean.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Some trees were larger than others.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk-8JiKlRTtmPbZeH-QdFBRKdnPLOLSl-v9PvvVvZUDvci5ML3xLa6sTeGrjukUjd6qIPdnbthzNbqcqTPwjl25Von4AExbSi3PpJszS3RNHAWvJthXZjIxcIf4_h1s05CBqzZfuFjCho/s1600/DSCN1119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk-8JiKlRTtmPbZeH-QdFBRKdnPLOLSl-v9PvvVvZUDvci5ML3xLa6sTeGrjukUjd6qIPdnbthzNbqcqTPwjl25Von4AExbSi3PpJszS3RNHAWvJthXZjIxcIf4_h1s05CBqzZfuFjCho/s1600/DSCN1119.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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We first saw a tree like this in Grenada. They called it a “monkey tree.” Evidently, even monkeys do not like climbing
this tree with spikes at the end of the nodules.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Then we found the crevice between the rocks. Too bad the cruise ship people do not get to
see this.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The rock formations were incredible. Pollie says this is called a “drapery.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Maybe it’s a good thing the tour guides do not take the “normal”
tourists to this cave. The exit is a
little tight.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br />
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Outside we discovered that we had just visited <i>Grey Owl Cave</i>. Pollie told me that the owl was asleep, that
is why we did not see him.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Our dinghy was still
at the dock when we returned.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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The next day we returned to the lodge for breakfast and an
opportunity to change dollars into pesos so we could pay the domino players.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<o:p></o:p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04921442390538388294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2120558888864233641.post-64579611308212707382014-04-06T17:31:00.000-04:002014-04-06T17:31:24.428-04:00Bahia de San Lorenzo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6a2Nvi4mg8uUUC7heOaW7e4K5rG5SPd7mYvGuMQiXxcPhJOUluntlpSBFL7dP7rDLOWVMr5uTr6BgXYXAUX0WEEU_XydeV6mVdpHPpP4r8cNXCgXzJp4A5Z9MT_bO1CREYRMLoZFFEY/s1600/Untitled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6a2Nvi4mg8uUUC7heOaW7e4K5rG5SPd7mYvGuMQiXxcPhJOUluntlpSBFL7dP7rDLOWVMr5uTr6BgXYXAUX0WEEU_XydeV6mVdpHPpP4r8cNXCgXzJp4A5Z9MT_bO1CREYRMLoZFFEY/s1600/Untitled.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>Motivator </i>is the white speck in the bay<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Frank Virgintino in <i>A
Cruising Guide to the Dominican Republic, </i>say the anchorage in San Lorenzo
Bay “…rates with the best in the Caribbean, if not the world.” I would have to agree. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbYwKRMMP-Wni_jma0218yM-_NrMdCjEdrcnEHPf_hDOj-hhnKZqDFJC3S4rTIH1_Ii12ibiYZXZo7QT1YqnZ_Gi6i1Tg8k4cTwtimyb8vTWPsyha1qspmS1RahEVjii4Pf2wydGmh5PU/s1600/Bahia+de+San+Lorenzo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbYwKRMMP-Wni_jma0218yM-_NrMdCjEdrcnEHPf_hDOj-hhnKZqDFJC3S4rTIH1_Ii12ibiYZXZo7QT1YqnZ_Gi6i1Tg8k4cTwtimyb8vTWPsyha1qspmS1RahEVjii4Pf2wydGmh5PU/s1600/Bahia+de+San+Lorenzo.jpg" height="261" width="400" /></a></div>
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San Lorenzo is a well-protected bay within the protected
waters of Samana Bay, Dominican Republic.
The sticky mud in the bay provides great holding for your anchor. The charting seems to be accurate, so finding
your way in is easy. So why is <i>Motivator</i> the only boat in the
anchorage?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifY6559o8PvAIHNcxzGdIacFMZZehWWjWXmYmNKzAv-SECLgMZ3Ox_ikYzv95zqVDuAreOH5cwbDleEYDT4oyiuh7jpDrREt4za5FOChLX6wCX33GJpXONbXFQgYuxmLEoAmXhEvUr0Y4/s1600/Spot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifY6559o8PvAIHNcxzGdIacFMZZehWWjWXmYmNKzAv-SECLgMZ3Ox_ikYzv95zqVDuAreOH5cwbDleEYDT4oyiuh7jpDrREt4za5FOChLX6wCX33GJpXONbXFQgYuxmLEoAmXhEvUr0Y4/s1600/Spot.jpg" height="312" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Motivator’s </i>route between Puerto Bahia Marina and San Lorenzo Bay<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The government of Dominican Republic does not make it easy
for cruisers to visit any of the island’s beautiful anchorages. You are required to check in with Customs,
Immigration, DR Navy, and Drug Enforcement at every stop, and only stop at
places where officials are present. For
San Lorenzo, the officials at Puerto Bahia Marina make an exception. After checking in at Puerto Bahia, you may
ask permission to visit San Lorenzo for a few nights, but you must return to
Puerto Bahia for departure papers.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMtd6bQ8XgIyxgeGJLEe1nEHkCl2A3RvB_PB-xIsLVznCWNcITbJbKnG7FDEO_d0vROQEBN_0k3awwtvaW4O6RW8qWCgOhqHxFvGa4uVvvTEg3VWVDfKyoMZe_4VRAE4vsd6SOu9wxPs/s1600/DSCN1173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMtd6bQ8XgIyxgeGJLEe1nEHkCl2A3RvB_PB-xIsLVznCWNcITbJbKnG7FDEO_d0vROQEBN_0k3awwtvaW4O6RW8qWCgOhqHxFvGa4uVvvTEg3VWVDfKyoMZe_4VRAE4vsd6SOu9wxPs/s1600/DSCN1173.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Visiting Los Haitises National Park and Paraiso Cano Hondo
is worth the effort, even if you are the only private boat in the anchorage for
three nights. <i>Motivator’s </i>crew is not normally comfortable being that isolated,
but we saw no security concerns. In the
evening there was an occasional small fishing boat and we did see a bonfire on
the beach, but no one approached us.
Besides, the officials at Puerto Bahia were expecting us back so they
can collect $20 for the <i>despacho.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXLwxeaPOSHV0Fg_8rwCmKmVgerXdXC3dphEFqotd43YobPuzjgN7gKFjhdS1Nom-nlFHjj6uhg9h1Jqx3g6Zc_50iEpnoNtAwvmEdRdN5QuaOWA8IUx4GbS17rtC7xsPf72OPstQzPos/s1600/DSCN1044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXLwxeaPOSHV0Fg_8rwCmKmVgerXdXC3dphEFqotd43YobPuzjgN7gKFjhdS1Nom-nlFHjj6uhg9h1Jqx3g6Zc_50iEpnoNtAwvmEdRdN5QuaOWA8IUx4GbS17rtC7xsPf72OPstQzPos/s1600/DSCN1044.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Dinghy and excursion
boat dock to the far right <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Our first stop was at the park “headquarters,” a colorful
building with several gentlemen playing dominoes on the porch. Before they could collect our $3 entry fee,
the excursion boats forced us to abandon the dock and move on, however one
captain gave us directions to the “lodge.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Cano Chiquito<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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To get to the <i>Paraiso
Cano Hondo</i>, a restaurant and hotel in the middle of nowhere, you first find
the small opening in the mangroves at the southwest corner of the bay.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPysUAelB_VpcBNbPsDcGKn24lkqS_cdsWU_9bZicCdtHiarPGenlgX0WQyZuk_lgNRkdSSMz90lSb1bZ0buj8hIvGJtQQOFmruSBHVc-Pk8v-piaeaWvApHQfk0QeP-hPgZkFYOUt3KI/s1600/DSCN1000.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPysUAelB_VpcBNbPsDcGKn24lkqS_cdsWU_9bZicCdtHiarPGenlgX0WQyZuk_lgNRkdSSMz90lSb1bZ0buj8hIvGJtQQOFmruSBHVc-Pk8v-piaeaWvApHQfk0QeP-hPgZkFYOUt3KI/s1600/DSCN1000.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then you take the smaller channel to the right about 100
yards after leaving the bay.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisUMrU1jzO0ZHzbNyBMfkTh3Rcan-Gqer3QxkHURzA6IypEVIwBkxteE1Z7mxaEBn4qPRRQsJ68gGeMaB-xFT8n5m1qeYXkHrdZmpPPzNyXVrVA2Z0424mhhyqpbZLRtX0-QafdjEUEI4/s1600/DSCN1013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisUMrU1jzO0ZHzbNyBMfkTh3Rcan-Gqer3QxkHURzA6IypEVIwBkxteE1Z7mxaEBn4qPRRQsJ68gGeMaB-xFT8n5m1qeYXkHrdZmpPPzNyXVrVA2Z0424mhhyqpbZLRtX0-QafdjEUEI4/s1600/DSCN1013.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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After you think you are totally lost in the mangroves, you
keep on going. We were lucky, just about
the time we thought we should turn around, we met a large boat coming down the “river.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Eventually, you will come to a small “marina” where you can
tie your dinghy. Watch out for the sharp
metal protrusions from the concrete.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDniPmOz-T7hu5tyCHVTsgDBPgqAAoe2aimDdIMPbdpdxYt_sblRg9LpiiJjbVLoIOVuKgN3NDzNN90G53ZAX8xI8shBYyLxIDsn_U3tqFwzsw3-TiqtlAJjG_VsTDXYngpTzlBa5gpoQ/s1600/DSCN1242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDniPmOz-T7hu5tyCHVTsgDBPgqAAoe2aimDdIMPbdpdxYt_sblRg9LpiiJjbVLoIOVuKgN3NDzNN90G53ZAX8xI8shBYyLxIDsn_U3tqFwzsw3-TiqtlAJjG_VsTDXYngpTzlBa5gpoQ/s1600/DSCN1242.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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We were prepared to walk, but a young man on this motorcycle
insisted on giving us both a ride to the lodge.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYRB2hFYGug-N7wPSg4QSy81g5MLWm9QVC9zTA05w78o1wMp5CjSEefJ7DJ8rB3NMy5V4CECEqYmtzpDkPLHB3cEmlomqRxfWnZ7LwaCW4D2o_L9GludhtaFHZYTjMnLyizRvWtPWhIk/s1600/DSCN0994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYRB2hFYGug-N7wPSg4QSy81g5MLWm9QVC9zTA05w78o1wMp5CjSEefJ7DJ8rB3NMy5V4CECEqYmtzpDkPLHB3cEmlomqRxfWnZ7LwaCW4D2o_L9GludhtaFHZYTjMnLyizRvWtPWhIk/s1600/DSCN0994.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">For the return trip
we chose to walk. It was only a little
over a mile, but it seemed much longer with three to a motorcycle and a
teenager driving.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCSqgeUizWjHbqaRS3UFsblGeaazIA7diS9RuFZVHIG8m3xo5LHhkFvK56pWNlkXYJL98EtkBLGpi26gRIkMXF5s7Jg88LSbPWud4ExsC-gjgfnf9o2MrCWkqLXfzLetsmTQnj_ZF_XEk/s1600/DSCN1230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCSqgeUizWjHbqaRS3UFsblGeaazIA7diS9RuFZVHIG8m3xo5LHhkFvK56pWNlkXYJL98EtkBLGpi26gRIkMXF5s7Jg88LSbPWud4ExsC-gjgfnf9o2MrCWkqLXfzLetsmTQnj_ZF_XEk/s1600/DSCN1230.JPG" height="262" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Besides, by walking
we were able to make friends along the way.
The “marina” definitely seemed to be part of <i>Paraiso Cono Hondo</i> as well as the farm in between. There were cattle, horses, and a variety of
chickens.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq-zx7PwcyC8-5b2-HxrsNZocycs5w79SYqQq7NAjVyDLo93bVOaeoVaC6l2eYHAxH67H_nG-uPftiUacBlrOnSHINPSiTVE_4tOUoYNOhL97lDDWUvJYjgKDfmZZwVeRjMG7UoMeWbuk/s1600/DSCN0999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq-zx7PwcyC8-5b2-HxrsNZocycs5w79SYqQq7NAjVyDLo93bVOaeoVaC6l2eYHAxH67H_nG-uPftiUacBlrOnSHINPSiTVE_4tOUoYNOhL97lDDWUvJYjgKDfmZZwVeRjMG7UoMeWbuk/s1600/DSCN0999.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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In one field it appeared to us non-biologists that they were
starting a vineyard.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzWDrfx_nVr_uhwp5DBv6oGAGruCoQrX5ihJLRyPt8IEMyfDcd33cdGKou35S0WYCwIG5YUt6AmvQ9kata8JJRCVmwZYWPMkTJRa04Zws3NXD2twjPUvsmOWXk7hZJyipxjIXkzsIsHMg/s1600/DSCN0971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzWDrfx_nVr_uhwp5DBv6oGAGruCoQrX5ihJLRyPt8IEMyfDcd33cdGKou35S0WYCwIG5YUt6AmvQ9kata8JJRCVmwZYWPMkTJRa04Zws3NXD2twjPUvsmOWXk7hZJyipxjIXkzsIsHMg/s1600/DSCN0971.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Construction on the main lodge began in 1996. It features two large dining rooms with
bathrooms and changing areas below.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFP_CQCG0Y37i4p-z2msjsviWFDb_vXQogogR0j0wEsdy1ouPucpkepBDapZscfnaROHWjALDgxjVY_KTT9imINV-eoFD7B7hJjL6MXI7y7XOXAIIHZZeXRVuq73S7FIF10FOxg5-_z4/s1600/DSCN0983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFP_CQCG0Y37i4p-z2msjsviWFDb_vXQogogR0j0wEsdy1ouPucpkepBDapZscfnaROHWjALDgxjVY_KTT9imINV-eoFD7B7hJjL6MXI7y7XOXAIIHZZeXRVuq73S7FIF10FOxg5-_z4/s1600/DSCN0983.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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It appeared they were setup to handle large tour groups as
well as their own guests.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicRP1HSyMfj8WPhkqAUm2JGGcXvHE4ze81BRiWLZUm7W0-S8B5UMmYLHthGwIjTEMSYmkOmGXdIahxhGwdEcLW6tpZnX70vKOU_4k5wDwPGgKSNIF_dyaSM2m_yI3utwP1dUDGAc33pHc/s1600/DSCN0989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicRP1HSyMfj8WPhkqAUm2JGGcXvHE4ze81BRiWLZUm7W0-S8B5UMmYLHthGwIjTEMSYmkOmGXdIahxhGwdEcLW6tpZnX70vKOU_4k5wDwPGgKSNIF_dyaSM2m_yI3utwP1dUDGAc33pHc/s1600/DSCN0989.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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A couple dropping in from what must have seemed like outer space
for lunch or breakfast was not their normal business model. Twice lodge personnel attempted to sell us a
boat ride to see the caves in the park.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIePdTAvZ3-xCMvYk3wu2cWWUGVq_dCtHpAu8DWEWS7nuTyhV2tKTzbbdoB9-L_99v3V-wEN8Ci-ndDpzGpgG741yezRJGL2I767FhvGC0pP8z3ly-0SwfK5r-RpZz0gbHWil8T5ym08w/s1600/DSCN0963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIePdTAvZ3-xCMvYk3wu2cWWUGVq_dCtHpAu8DWEWS7nuTyhV2tKTzbbdoB9-L_99v3V-wEN8Ci-ndDpzGpgG741yezRJGL2I767FhvGC0pP8z3ly-0SwfK5r-RpZz0gbHWil8T5ym08w/s1600/DSCN0963.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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By diverting the stream that runs through the property they
were able to create several swimming pools that we were welcome to use. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXyyvLDle_Fs_-hZ9s5b048SfqThjY3l91mr9apS7X5lqEaEcYsgORc8cv7DOr2kYyootcTCQx0iKxRg6xSJYGjR78Aipk3kV75hhB8Su60GqLJErvfpWFvHf_donXsakh8-SZDtEqaKU/s1600/DSCN1180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXyyvLDle_Fs_-hZ9s5b048SfqThjY3l91mr9apS7X5lqEaEcYsgORc8cv7DOr2kYyootcTCQx0iKxRg6xSJYGjR78Aipk3kV75hhB8Su60GqLJErvfpWFvHf_donXsakh8-SZDtEqaKU/s1600/DSCN1180.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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We were told the bottom pool was the warmest and the upper
pools were very “refreshing.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwkz1Cxj2XC3bEq65QZCU1hGnT-mUt_NTitqvSWCMTWlYAKg16uw9ulHSefHMeCRFKcAhnWAxK5ZFTD3EXjJNtQUVCfGx-9fLt5pZlabme-pQrTeKW4tLHoMybRis2-flD12xsW6fLeVU/s1600/DSCN1192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwkz1Cxj2XC3bEq65QZCU1hGnT-mUt_NTitqvSWCMTWlYAKg16uw9ulHSefHMeCRFKcAhnWAxK5ZFTD3EXjJNtQUVCfGx-9fLt5pZlabme-pQrTeKW4tLHoMybRis2-flD12xsW6fLeVU/s1600/DSCN1192.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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With very little use of glass or doors there is a very
pleasing flow from exterior to interior space.
The flow of water elements throughout the interior emphasis this easy
transition.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg22U0zDdYL0ezlSS7uO8-XvRcvx-NYZlh-E7DHUNROQguoC6eBGt2vi1QMAJWCa5YkHWdkkz6MJusqVyRb2QlJgOwf2CR-CTBFiKeroZIgtmziRdfL6bPFgglb7CRl62ZFvV6dHvpeaIE/s1600/DSCN1191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg22U0zDdYL0ezlSS7uO8-XvRcvx-NYZlh-E7DHUNROQguoC6eBGt2vi1QMAJWCa5YkHWdkkz6MJusqVyRb2QlJgOwf2CR-CTBFiKeroZIgtmziRdfL6bPFgglb7CRl62ZFvV6dHvpeaIE/s1600/DSCN1191.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Concrete, local stone, and various local hardwoods were used
for most of the construction.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWuwe7viE7WpYyPKFjoBviHUeBUJou3yIAJXKBvFwiwBIXflJg_wWL3SrgEbuX7WBjet_VuZtsOYM74OAFS_0tB0G3KAoY-LJIONnnMn539L7sZLA4Frvw1Nd5Bvg3Xvl3M9PBKfIjU0/s1600/DSCN1207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWuwe7viE7WpYyPKFjoBviHUeBUJou3yIAJXKBvFwiwBIXflJg_wWL3SrgEbuX7WBjet_VuZtsOYM74OAFS_0tB0G3KAoY-LJIONnnMn539L7sZLA4Frvw1Nd5Bvg3Xvl3M9PBKfIjU0/s1600/DSCN1207.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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Even the light fixtures are made from local materials. This one is made from a calabash gourd with hanging
sea beans has twine wrapped around the wire.
I am sure it is UL approved.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYBSyjSAC6xOxDQOgZv7Tp3cdJ8dDVRUtEzpGRojZgKkcsoGx4C05YgAYYQA24TP3hjsYuvnKgy-0MmsWFfkDAaesXV8LC1qHhoa97B1OBIK-eKOHabGqN1lclXG77-Bhg1GoK3Qhoz70/s1600/DSCN1185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYBSyjSAC6xOxDQOgZv7Tp3cdJ8dDVRUtEzpGRojZgKkcsoGx4C05YgAYYQA24TP3hjsYuvnKgy-0MmsWFfkDAaesXV8LC1qHhoa97B1OBIK-eKOHabGqN1lclXG77-Bhg1GoK3Qhoz70/s1600/DSCN1185.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Exterior lighting included terra cotta fixtures.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDqkk6bQlinpVJYJE6nF64vSqyRYlIBmJJvBzH85I7WHo2pRoAinphEzor5w8fpgR51zIocmHopT9pW4cVlyYs7h-LXuxclBEAmPfWIMQxj9pnKiMy_lE7fEWmVahyphenhyphenvMvzIa3gLnc_NTk/s1600/DSCN1199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDqkk6bQlinpVJYJE6nF64vSqyRYlIBmJJvBzH85I7WHo2pRoAinphEzor5w8fpgR51zIocmHopT9pW4cVlyYs7h-LXuxclBEAmPfWIMQxj9pnKiMy_lE7fEWmVahyphenhyphenvMvzIa3gLnc_NTk/s1600/DSCN1199.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">And others made from
recycled bottles. I told Pollie I would
start working on bottle procurement.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Everywhere you look
there are small details. This floor had
leaves pressed into the concrete and stained.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Behind the lodge are
numerous small seating areas dispersed among water elements. There were also the original hotel rooms
built with the lodge.</span></div>
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In 2007 the structures above the lodge were completed adding
substantially more guest rooms and the office and owner’s home to the left.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYv1SW_HyNRccyhIiRlAYJM3yD0ubSAXQ_rYD4Ml11GHtzucX94UtnRWaSSUfZMrx-vVu_AZyDV-rkNlhHaknDhGsy856GXy3yU-zR5Docpix9tCh_zzAfWSeBZzCM5CT7yNBjYFUMtkI/s1600/DSCN1206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYv1SW_HyNRccyhIiRlAYJM3yD0ubSAXQ_rYD4Ml11GHtzucX94UtnRWaSSUfZMrx-vVu_AZyDV-rkNlhHaknDhGsy856GXy3yU-zR5Docpix9tCh_zzAfWSeBZzCM5CT7yNBjYFUMtkI/s1600/DSCN1206.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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While in keeping with the original lodge, you can see a
certain refinement in the newer structure.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVMg5Qv-khoXnZho6aKBcKweRumnDWQaCZH_qNGo-tyYx7twmkmpeJW_gyLwm8JiErw-cw9GcTVcKJ96IEbaYuRcbrWRffyABpoD2t75LlFp01r26WC1cPcsiMISniPzepy0ShvtOyJSQ/s1600/DSCN1208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVMg5Qv-khoXnZho6aKBcKweRumnDWQaCZH_qNGo-tyYx7twmkmpeJW_gyLwm8JiErw-cw9GcTVcKJ96IEbaYuRcbrWRffyABpoD2t75LlFp01r26WC1cPcsiMISniPzepy0ShvtOyJSQ/s1600/DSCN1208.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Like the original lodge, the guest house invites you to
relax and enjoy nature.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Pollie has requested we stay at <i>Paraiso Cano Hondo </i>for her 70<sup>th</sup> birthday.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><i>To be continued…</i> <i><o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<o:p></o:p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04921442390538388294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2120558888864233641.post-38017664686027435432014-04-04T16:35:00.000-04:002014-04-04T16:44:00.784-04:00Puerto Rico & The Mona<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY9wlkTXEpZf59K4ouZ6bzOrJCP1TCet7UitbzxVMdMTuZ4q5yx7wFjI4NPwe4uHknlE13T7JK132d6hMWIOmoTkL3LEFGADHIGKQSXaEQAvg7uHUGE3Xs0PxAwOFEMkFyE44DevrUC28/s1600/PR+Chart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY9wlkTXEpZf59K4ouZ6bzOrJCP1TCet7UitbzxVMdMTuZ4q5yx7wFjI4NPwe4uHknlE13T7JK132d6hMWIOmoTkL3LEFGADHIGKQSXaEQAvg7uHUGE3Xs0PxAwOFEMkFyE44DevrUC28/s1600/PR+Chart.jpg" height="172" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">After spending a “boat
unit” (BOAT is an acronym for Break Out Another Thousand) we had our dinghy davit repaired and were ready to move on. Our first leg from Puerto del Rey Marina was
55 NM to Salinas. The next day we did
the 61 NM to Boqueron.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkEjTcax8NudpwLpZSPySptUsQLOC6H1wb0GBLl1DaRIGLEWDdrXtUgdBqLB5fr7K96jf-hcOH9tndksP6ceZdx7ayYzBOqGZsMfMgRysQjBPtPZ5hE8hBIN8ZRsNLiKPA57DRm3RC4Oo/s1600/DSCN0818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkEjTcax8NudpwLpZSPySptUsQLOC6H1wb0GBLl1DaRIGLEWDdrXtUgdBqLB5fr7K96jf-hcOH9tndksP6ceZdx7ayYzBOqGZsMfMgRysQjBPtPZ5hE8hBIN8ZRsNLiKPA57DRm3RC4Oo/s1600/DSCN0818.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Light house on southwest
point of Puerto Rico<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
On our way down island in 2012 we had spent time at both
Boqueron and Salinas (see archived article, Puerto Rico dated April 28,
2012). This time we just anchored overnight.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJd1IBl-35qkXYrbUKxgdGzwKQq4diBsXBEi9dqyfmajwRi7BcPaJJ30TL6b7llz1bmGi0ukAuU89j1gLfrwHf9MOYJILUk6UzqdkC_JHrNzxjT_2Cbkon6CiTIIAzPGU4ib94EhYKNg/s1600/ac17_35.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJd1IBl-35qkXYrbUKxgdGzwKQq4diBsXBEi9dqyfmajwRi7BcPaJJ30TL6b7llz1bmGi0ukAuU89j1gLfrwHf9MOYJILUk6UzqdkC_JHrNzxjT_2Cbkon6CiTIIAzPGU4ib94EhYKNg/s1600/ac17_35.JPG" height="400" width="255" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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We enjoy Puerto Rico, but we had enough. Puerto Ricans are consistently rated as some
of the happiest people in the world.
They have great weather, strong family ties and really seem to enjoy
life, especially on weekends! If Puerto
Rico ever becomes a state, I question their true assimilation. They will always be Puerto Ricans first.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqfquK50SEFjKnZbJ2x2NJUjwmw9wJMEAWgxdiFZi-EDVMdp6Up3_zxWoKxgY9edAqJ-PV_Otr_UodluGfDEBsytr_xCuBuF1bwNjlbApBDeJyT456pke9v-oU06fQfO-2imJiPgsgFW4/s1600/mona-passage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqfquK50SEFjKnZbJ2x2NJUjwmw9wJMEAWgxdiFZi-EDVMdp6Up3_zxWoKxgY9edAqJ-PV_Otr_UodluGfDEBsytr_xCuBuF1bwNjlbApBDeJyT456pke9v-oU06fQfO-2imJiPgsgFW4/s1600/mona-passage.jpg" height="255" width="400" /></a></div>
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Our next hop was the 145 NM through the Mona Passage (see
archived posting, Mona, dated April 16, 2012).
The Puerto Rican trench north of the Mona is some of the deepest water
in the world. In the middle of the Mona
is the Hourglass Shoal. Water flowing
from the trench and hitting the shoal can get quite confused. Additionally, the Mona is the gateway to the
Caribbean and thus has considerable large ship traffic.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisw_uqt64iOz7K3GE6INneoet4ZfokWwcM-sA_jA71oR29-msX6c1LwJ-njxLpIxoz7AoNv9Metawf0RQ8vXkcaLDbfM38GMantVWjy4m2KWRwaLG-RdQQ049BKWwA0o6HDJbt-ti_44M/s1600/DSCN0835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisw_uqt64iOz7K3GE6INneoet4ZfokWwcM-sA_jA71oR29-msX6c1LwJ-njxLpIxoz7AoNv9Metawf0RQ8vXkcaLDbfM38GMantVWjy4m2KWRwaLG-RdQQ049BKWwA0o6HDJbt-ti_44M/s1600/DSCN0835.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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It takes <i>Motivator</i>
about 20 hours to do the 145 NM, so we have to make the passage at night to
avoid departing or arriving in darkness. We had a great passage! We departed Boqueron at 2:00 PM and got to
watch a whale breaching. During the
night our AIS picked up several ships including one that was 1083 feet long,
but they all passed with plenty of sea room.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh00BOyjB15xborTazWyEKxnerpp__PckA3DNC59I502GgJyk5tgF2OfrQuigAn5D7zkpXuRvKVs2qT6or6hGiNCumdKxmBbfZl8ht-f29fIq55uCxCdrHRhdbUkWK94arVbuEpto7aX1E/s1600/DSCN0864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh00BOyjB15xborTazWyEKxnerpp__PckA3DNC59I502GgJyk5tgF2OfrQuigAn5D7zkpXuRvKVs2qT6or6hGiNCumdKxmBbfZl8ht-f29fIq55uCxCdrHRhdbUkWK94arVbuEpto7aX1E/s1600/DSCN0864.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Puerto Bahia Marina<o:p></o:p></div>
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We arrived safely at Puerto Bahia Marina, Samana at about 10
AM. Now it is time to enjoy the resort
life (see archived posting, Samana, dated April 14, 2012). <o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04921442390538388294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2120558888864233641.post-23753346124203848782014-03-30T14:31:00.000-04:002014-03-30T14:44:14.245-04:00A Tale of Woe <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpm2FnhHInA2suANLSL9SV-Zm_6MGQJUJATU7foxK8ooDTgLOyABcQyyPXiluWY2UVAjU2jH9_Fj1hTD4YCXW5gQ5SHBtLKOd575yjXrWV4ESB2zX5aXDxBhFr3OBXY3lT-v2weag-yME/s1600/P6270685+(800x600).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpm2FnhHInA2suANLSL9SV-Zm_6MGQJUJATU7foxK8ooDTgLOyABcQyyPXiluWY2UVAjU2jH9_Fj1hTD4YCXW5gQ5SHBtLKOd575yjXrWV4ESB2zX5aXDxBhFr3OBXY3lT-v2weag-yME/s1600/P6270685+(800x600).jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Motivator’s</i> Dinghy Davit<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Motivator</i> is equipped
with a UMT International Econ 1000 dinghy davit. It is a metal crane with an arm that extends,
raises, and rotates manually to position. The lifting cable is attached to an
electric winch hidden within the housing.
Not finding any documentation associated with the davit in the mountain
of manuals that came with the boat<i>, </i>I
contacted UMT to find out if it was rated for the dinghy we were considering.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVAVs0F6HY0p5bnPOmuMmkk_U8BLXv5uGuBfai2zL5HNWe5V2gBIXr8M5r7eRnV1xYGCF2Y1OL6MM3n62WhyAspnuAQDhYzEtQa-ecNQ_7SGrbi5CJTaIwMyHFGpthwdTW8K6wlTeX3SY/s1600/P9141479+%2528800x600%2529+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVAVs0F6HY0p5bnPOmuMmkk_U8BLXv5uGuBfai2zL5HNWe5V2gBIXr8M5r7eRnV1xYGCF2Y1OL6MM3n62WhyAspnuAQDhYzEtQa-ecNQ_7SGrbi5CJTaIwMyHFGpthwdTW8K6wlTeX3SY/s1600/P9141479+%2528800x600%2529+%25282%2529.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">UMT’s facility is
located in the Fort Lauderdale area, so they dispatched a company
representative to meet with me. He
assured me that the crane was rated for 1000 pounds and somewhat over
engineered. The 850 pound dinghy we were
considering would not be a problem. But, if I wanted to upgrade, he was my man!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifjEe-HwhAGdR5yhQR6QZnzKCAkYkwOiy9Fto38mcSZngY7Bd7BRRT1fly-w15_llIFYd4IACh6NXBCxbdbcOKycC464e5ez4W6IYTySGprdnwIUWIppLW2geL8b9WKdIGvYCT5IH82qU/s1600/P3300052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifjEe-HwhAGdR5yhQR6QZnzKCAkYkwOiy9Fto38mcSZngY7Bd7BRRT1fly-w15_llIFYd4IACh6NXBCxbdbcOKycC464e5ez4W6IYTySGprdnwIUWIppLW2geL8b9WKdIGvYCT5IH82qU/s1600/P3300052.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Emergency Crank
Handle<o:p></o:p></div>
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(Moves the cable ½ inch
for every 20 revolutions)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">After examining the crane, the representative proclaimed
it to be in excellent condition, and gave me an emergency crank handle for
free. When I asked about documentation
such as an owner’s manual detailing maintenance he said that all they had was
on their web site. All I needed to do,
according to him, was occasionally lightly oil the cable. Note: their web site is very lacking on
specifics.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicX63BRK2yiFDyD7q2Ov5WW_CGnI964PvTjRLPeGl_RnAL8EckeQUaI6PAPtorQB-1hinK3fI0iQGkXOW1wgBo-Kgc_gSaa9ac2UP712joK8JBYdBrIoUQZwmZ70411QQ1jIH8B19hTis/s1600/P7010784+(640x480)+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicX63BRK2yiFDyD7q2Ov5WW_CGnI964PvTjRLPeGl_RnAL8EckeQUaI6PAPtorQB-1hinK3fI0iQGkXOW1wgBo-Kgc_gSaa9ac2UP712joK8JBYdBrIoUQZwmZ70411QQ1jIH8B19hTis/s1600/P7010784+(640x480)+(2).jpg" height="327" width="400" /></a></div>
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Down island we noticed that rotating the dinghy once it was
lifted was problematic. Again I contacted UMT asking for an exploded diagram of
the davit so that I could understand its configuration better. Again I was put off. After fellow cruisers pointed out that our
method dragging the dinghy into position above the cradle with Pollie hanging
off the side of the raised deck was dangerous, we devised a system using a
block and tackle to easily rotate the dinghy into place.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihaLk74BdtgwsI3OaqsrpRR8W7PUMkyb0tOaXRs0jTGRq3aOxK_jPJ33pjo-rLlr4wxzNWQ3wRLIVvo6SMlrnX0gItQo-QhejN4d4BlM7RxR6HD2jnrF6ACkTcnyMdWNjJniAMx-_sq6s/s1600/480025_4512469618061_981376859_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihaLk74BdtgwsI3OaqsrpRR8W7PUMkyb0tOaXRs0jTGRq3aOxK_jPJ33pjo-rLlr4wxzNWQ3wRLIVvo6SMlrnX0gItQo-QhejN4d4BlM7RxR6HD2jnrF6ACkTcnyMdWNjJniAMx-_sq6s/s1600/480025_4512469618061_981376859_n.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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Pollie cleaning the
dinghy’s bottom<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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</div>
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Like other boaters, we were in the habit of leaving the
dinghy davit in the up position after deploying the dinghy, and only lowering
to the stored position when we were preparing to get underway. A practice we no longer employee due to water
intrusion.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjq8oTAWXsCrKz-Hb9NaySV1yjgej60p4j-abBKb_eCzlf3T7wICWggeCYf8pdhFBFdYE6jii-8JCcEQ8Xf1YHihXK7UUbhD0RyCKI3LbZgnVp0U8AFlkhi4-X8OAuJ0x9Etth4cA53-w/s1600/P3290050+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjq8oTAWXsCrKz-Hb9NaySV1yjgej60p4j-abBKb_eCzlf3T7wICWggeCYf8pdhFBFdYE6jii-8JCcEQ8Xf1YHihXK7UUbhD0RyCKI3LbZgnVp0U8AFlkhi4-X8OAuJ0x9Etth4cA53-w/s1600/P3290050+(2).JPG" height="400" width="325" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Hand Held Control:
$195 + Shipping from UMT<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
$86 + Shipping from
Dutton-Lainson <o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After a particularly rainy period, I retrieved the hand held
control from its storage place in the davit and noticed that it was suffering
from severe water intrusion. Several contacts
had corroded badly. I was able to give
it a temporary MacGyver while a new control was ordered from UMT. At that time, I told the UMT representative
that the winch seemed to be making more noise and that the dinghy seemed to be
descending more rapidly than before. The
UMT representative assured me, “They all do that.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhksE01YwEjsE1Y4-eas8WY1uJbWhhedMwzwLxbfvETZn2gA6dcoaqVYhVq-kNwAqKk-LXCK8aSOm_LjptIIWjguPf7grYcFw_aEa8_RtOW1dOTIgWZRx2ugp90BJCSQBuj9wyEN2fH5_Y/s1600/P1160059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhksE01YwEjsE1Y4-eas8WY1uJbWhhedMwzwLxbfvETZn2gA6dcoaqVYhVq-kNwAqKk-LXCK8aSOm_LjptIIWjguPf7grYcFw_aEa8_RtOW1dOTIgWZRx2ugp90BJCSQBuj9wyEN2fH5_Y/s1600/P1160059.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Blown contacts<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">We waited in St. Kitts while UMT accessed a hand
held control unit from their supplier (evidently they do not stock the item)
and shipped it to us. The first time we
tried it under load, two of the contacts in one of the new switches in the hand
held unit blew apart (in my hand!).
Again, I contacted UMT and was told that is not supposed to happen, but
they had little more to offer. After doing
yet another MacGyver on the switches, we got the dinghy lowered one more time
before the motor in the winch gave up the ghost completely.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTSVhxS3VTDHt3uCAC_morYuVZVy0jH94qcyZHwwuIUdByu1HCIH6l8ZY1t-1URHnjK5mUdC-wgcwo7HOrPYwHQvgd6V3OApb7fFurfwUVRj_r0fXpAsKD76VegGPjrFsHK5Y4tlEEqo/s1600/DSCN0650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTSVhxS3VTDHt3uCAC_morYuVZVy0jH94qcyZHwwuIUdByu1HCIH6l8ZY1t-1URHnjK5mUdC-wgcwo7HOrPYwHQvgd6V3OApb7fFurfwUVRj_r0fXpAsKD76VegGPjrFsHK5Y4tlEEqo/s1600/DSCN0650.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Towing the dinghy, we
headed for Puerto del Rey Marina in Puerto Rico where Martinez Marine Services
is located. Jose Luis Martinez installs
and services a variety of dinghy davits including UMT units. By this time I was somewhat disillusioned by
UMT’s support, so it was time for an end-run around UMT. I started researching the unit further.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdwryNefB9vp4NHLpMxmYDxrKiFA46iJa1nouNr5Fm81Im2d3tJG0WUQ_0_MDrFvIhS8TVa7e5AxIHQJpQb9_lwA2EaCQkr_RKRMzTykvAfx4TKSzDMQh4dVPaaMDhSX6qNZN2gdjzZxk/s1600/P2120010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdwryNefB9vp4NHLpMxmYDxrKiFA46iJa1nouNr5Fm81Im2d3tJG0WUQ_0_MDrFvIhS8TVa7e5AxIHQJpQb9_lwA2EaCQkr_RKRMzTykvAfx4TKSzDMQh4dVPaaMDhSX6qNZN2gdjzZxk/s1600/P2120010.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Dutton-Lainson tag on
burnt out motor<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
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I was soon able to deduce that UMT builds the metal
structure of the crane and then stuffs in a Dutton-Lainson StrongArm electric
winch sans cover. Added is a stainless
steel cable and weighted carabineer. The
fine people at Dutton-Lainson were very knowledgeable about the winch and were
able to inform me that the winch requires periodic maintenance (more than simply
oiling the cable). They also informed
that the use of the winch with worn braking would burn out the motor. Snap!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiukGJu1PW9qN8YWPHcmRluLvtMEP9lYwe2qqYiZDJP23Tt9AHZjdLNsQuAatRa_pQzGsDwzt0uPx21pKtQaOez7oBmpWPflGg0SGfzA0k-z-fnNETAV6UeHjQSlPb-uiWdcrNr3-fNZdg/s1600/P3180037+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiukGJu1PW9qN8YWPHcmRluLvtMEP9lYwe2qqYiZDJP23Tt9AHZjdLNsQuAatRa_pQzGsDwzt0uPx21pKtQaOez7oBmpWPflGg0SGfzA0k-z-fnNETAV6UeHjQSlPb-uiWdcrNr3-fNZdg/s1600/P3180037+(2).JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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New brake springs<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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</div>
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A completely new replacement winch was ordered from
Dutton-Lainson (and unfortunately shipped by slow boat to Puerto Rico).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhapjke1i-xP6pqJHR8Sa63sFcdk-8XzrLJTz5CzzgI-sah9Xn9vyLyG_KmaKYuwPrx5BzTgXVM2rjpggbR4FMwTRwOKlvZJZ_NjoqCDf0INgTq7Y1IWWMK0h7RiUTjtIxN0qhxiBe9ZF8/s1600/P3190038+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhapjke1i-xP6pqJHR8Sa63sFcdk-8XzrLJTz5CzzgI-sah9Xn9vyLyG_KmaKYuwPrx5BzTgXVM2rjpggbR4FMwTRwOKlvZJZ_NjoqCDf0INgTq7Y1IWWMK0h7RiUTjtIxN0qhxiBe9ZF8/s1600/P3190038+(2).JPG" height="234" width="320" /></a></div>
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"CAUTION: Continuously
running in excess of 3 minutes will damage winch motor."<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
(Good to know!)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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The cover and cable supplied were removed. Martinez Marine did the reassembly and new
stainless steel cable installation. In
the process they discovered that the reason the arm was so hard to rotate was
that the original installers (presumably UMT International) had managed to get
the supply wire crushed into where the crane arm and post meet.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6A92TzOaMDSgkQVVt4jIlKrq0a3E5ugs3WhphowcDJGYcsxFt27AmoFZPBXLK57SkY2FiiuxrvmTFzmdQiiOHYlvWmdot0deJ2WFFg81MEeQfMvbuHhwBViOcbZw0d65NmCu-cWpQC1s/s1600/P3290047+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6A92TzOaMDSgkQVVt4jIlKrq0a3E5ugs3WhphowcDJGYcsxFt27AmoFZPBXLK57SkY2FiiuxrvmTFzmdQiiOHYlvWmdot0deJ2WFFg81MEeQfMvbuHhwBViOcbZw0d65NmCu-cWpQC1s/s1600/P3290047+(2).JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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Martinez Marine
supplied spare brake disk and springs<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Once a year or more depending on use, the winch
should be removed from the crane, gears greased, bearings oiled, and brakes
inspected. So, bottom line, with proper aftermarket
support, less than $50 for parts, and a couple of hours labor we would have
saved several months of angsts and over $1000 in expenses.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLxE3o6QH44VNM5FzMwgunISe6BBekd-pBe9aibchwhQTzy3viWcvMA9Lk5jPBS6rrKpIkf-Yaizh4GCK-8cWdNbQitaF3cENBQdwJ-TXa7f9jJAeuVh_YIIU-kHTFfn0-1_aFaFaUNkM/s1600/P3290051+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLxE3o6QH44VNM5FzMwgunISe6BBekd-pBe9aibchwhQTzy3viWcvMA9Lk5jPBS6rrKpIkf-Yaizh4GCK-8cWdNbQitaF3cENBQdwJ-TXa7f9jJAeuVh_YIIU-kHTFfn0-1_aFaFaUNkM/s1600/P3290051+(2).JPG" height="227" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I now have an owner’s
manual for the winch, but not for the crane. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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In my humble opinion, marine suppliers must provide aftermarket
support or they do not belong in the business.
I understand they must markup replacement parts, but over 100% on an
item you are not even stocking - seriously.
Other marine suppliers are not like UMT International. For example Raritan Engineering’s technical
support is stellar and when given the option I replace components with their
products. Teleflex once sent me two new
seals for a steering pump free of charge.
So some companies understand the value of brand loyalty while other do
not. <o:p></o:p></div>
<o:p></o:p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04921442390538388294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2120558888864233641.post-91506071104163330812014-03-20T17:48:00.000-04:002014-03-20T19:00:49.430-04:00Department of Homeland Security<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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</div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8H8W2HsMO5CcWT5tKPyCdyMyZMc0bppfKuAvRnjuGCLovzB7JNGWlzX7bhZWyHOYn4pYvdWee_OFEptci5bYGnQiRUd6dyQRRQi8N04MDU7XjKnbjZyGGsrXEvy6f-MjhaM4uFm1ta5Y/s1600/PR+&+VI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8H8W2HsMO5CcWT5tKPyCdyMyZMc0bppfKuAvRnjuGCLovzB7JNGWlzX7bhZWyHOYn4pYvdWee_OFEptci5bYGnQiRUd6dyQRRQi8N04MDU7XjKnbjZyGGsrXEvy6f-MjhaM4uFm1ta5Y/s1600/PR+&+VI.jpg" height="163" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
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Previously, I wrote a posting describing the check in
checkout procedures for the different island nations in the Caribbean (see
archived posting, “Your Papers, Please’ dated July 9, 2012). In that article I noted that US cruisers have
little to complain about when one considers the onerous procedures for non-US
citizens in US waters. Even if you are a
US citizen, there are plenty of hoops to jump through.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz20uPkwU9M2GLfuzc045XnaKlc-jJ8RYWjtX6jCgaeR99wWCUTvk28b7TfMu5E7BgD38IxUoUHCo3BI71ydJ6Hdyj2fd62lNoyacSg3gUbVeh2W06GlY2X_1KYm0-tY_Ys-dldmoaO1I/s1600/DTOPS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz20uPkwU9M2GLfuzc045XnaKlc-jJ8RYWjtX6jCgaeR99wWCUTvk28b7TfMu5E7BgD38IxUoUHCo3BI71ydJ6Hdyj2fd62lNoyacSg3gUbVeh2W06GlY2X_1KYm0-tY_Ys-dldmoaO1I/s1600/DTOPS.jpg" height="235" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://dtops.cbp.dhs.gov/">https://dtops.cbp.dhs.gov/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Your first stop is the web page to apply for a decal with the Decal and Transponder Online </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Procurement System</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"> (DTOPS). It will cost you $23 per
year plus shipping if you need it FedEx’ed to your location. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2PI2dPZdn9FPwA1-lUlRNgHFg38urYs_vhYpNxNIi_BDs6p_Kn0SccW7UHxOanxfzjLxwrljWy61LDCMXpDE_E0HrnQmliDOoqiYiEFEf4j-734GpGviLBnJ8hIDgC-Zq2t_lv98K2KA/s1600/P3200042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2PI2dPZdn9FPwA1-lUlRNgHFg38urYs_vhYpNxNIi_BDs6p_Kn0SccW7UHxOanxfzjLxwrljWy61LDCMXpDE_E0HrnQmliDOoqiYiEFEf4j-734GpGviLBnJ8hIDgC-Zq2t_lv98K2KA/s1600/P3200042.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Motivator </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">now has a current decal in place, but not
before arriving Puerto de Rey Marina where we were having our mail forwarded to. For our check in in USVI and Culebra all I
had was the number. I am not sure about
the relevance of a physical decal as I have not had an official look at it in
the last four years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKXejCge7JPwiQqEXLQdeJlyHr_67ss5tpSzUUUGF0PkSAHvsDnoZtVWPM8bGU3OIzRWtOtHSAh1IEQLoUC_HtfNSv_UPcxnW08vSMtIF7lPHYJuPtc7p0FEl2DkGwi4BbPy4bSpMtgM/s1600/Welcome+to+SVR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKXejCge7JPwiQqEXLQdeJlyHr_67ss5tpSzUUUGF0PkSAHvsDnoZtVWPM8bGU3OIzRWtOtHSAh1IEQLoUC_HtfNSv_UPcxnW08vSMtIF7lPHYJuPtc7p0FEl2DkGwi4BbPy4bSpMtgM/s1600/Welcome+to+SVR.jpg" height="336" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://svrs.cbp.dhs.gov/">https://svrs.cbp.dhs.gov/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Your next stop is the Small Vessel Reporting System (SVRS)
or Local Boater Option (LBO) as it was previously referred to. Note that I highlighted that the program was
in flux in 2010 – 2011 as we were entering the cruising lifestyle.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghWHcC8ac9yZSfHU5kKhwhAC8UZPTGXVxHn7ghNW7g-Ls7is-iV0cqbtppAxS1M86tT_xjKnx4_fUIApkEDmzVRXCFrej0WSSF7iyFhuY4rgJBMU6W_IfrfTDmCK20SxXvyklvJt1ReFQ/s1600/Appointment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghWHcC8ac9yZSfHU5kKhwhAC8UZPTGXVxHn7ghNW7g-Ls7is-iV0cqbtppAxS1M86tT_xjKnx4_fUIApkEDmzVRXCFrej0WSSF7iyFhuY4rgJBMU6W_IfrfTDmCK20SxXvyklvJt1ReFQ/s1600/Appointment.jpg" height="310" width="400" /></a></div>
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Interview Appointment<o:p></o:p></div>
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After completing a lengthy application, you are then
required to make an interview appointment at a US Customs and Border Protection
(CBP) station. Don’t forget, like I did,
to make an appointment for your spouse or she will be turned away. The interview consists of showing your
passport and driver’s license and explaining how at the time we had Washington,
DC licenses and a Florida mailing address.
I guess gray haired drug runners try to pull that scam a lot.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDNZ9Gs4unNHN8A14wxMfWPZBkZ-4SQ4mrAGThWqiCmsa2KtrlNB-qIjIylEyjuCYThVpSpr0U0bmXsrzHKe8-N1QwcgmMkd9wlDITNUHDJ5b_CH0ynT4h865EHbY4EQuEEik41_1ysY/s1600/P3200044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDNZ9Gs4unNHN8A14wxMfWPZBkZ-4SQ4mrAGThWqiCmsa2KtrlNB-qIjIylEyjuCYThVpSpr0U0bmXsrzHKe8-N1QwcgmMkd9wlDITNUHDJ5b_CH0ynT4h865EHbY4EQuEEik41_1ysY/s1600/P3200044.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<o:p></o:p><span style="text-align: center;">Original “Lifetime”
LBO Cards</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Armed with our “lifetime” LBO cards and our DTOPS sticker we
were set, and it worked well southbound through Puerto Rico and St. Croix in
early 2011. We simply called the numbers
provided, gave the LBO and DTOPS numbers, and were given authorization. Northbound in 2012 it did not work so well. Both in St John, USVI and Culebra, Puerto
Rico we were ordered to report to the nearest CBP office. There was a new program in the islands, and we failed to get
the memo.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_LysAOYxoVDexcnu9bVaapQU6ii_IB4dVFyFPZzlloI0nNerZy1C8wiVhutSoQihI-VOg-cD7WjJyoJc6X-UI27JYKzktv-PAWrR-7fkm8XJizmIKGUrl0JbFKa3TjaDAa51Lt2784FI/s1600/NEW+LBOs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_LysAOYxoVDexcnu9bVaapQU6ii_IB4dVFyFPZzlloI0nNerZy1C8wiVhutSoQihI-VOg-cD7WjJyoJc6X-UI27JYKzktv-PAWrR-7fkm8XJizmIKGUrl0JbFKa3TjaDAa51Lt2784FI/s1600/NEW+LBOs.jpg" height="400" width="340" /></a></div>
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New “lifetime” LBO
Cards<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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As the nice CBP agent in Culebra issued us new LBO numbers,
he explained we might have been lost in the system as it was changed to now
include the Small Vessel Reporting System (SVRS).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2_45zxQyX_jPWshMmA-WLO6LnLWmkKur9AlE7VA9XAC3ZvmFagisM6APtsCYGpkVD4aU5rhMm5OrjRyCgul5wHXfYxnFt1LRjq4QvYza_vgp40UdxicaJ1dRmuSyOLN0I8FzQ8M_t4M/s1600/Login.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2_45zxQyX_jPWshMmA-WLO6LnLWmkKur9AlE7VA9XAC3ZvmFagisM6APtsCYGpkVD4aU5rhMm5OrjRyCgul5wHXfYxnFt1LRjq4QvYza_vgp40UdxicaJ1dRmuSyOLN0I8FzQ8M_t4M/s1600/Login.jpg" height="172" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">SVRS erroneously
begins with the assumption that all cruisers have access to Internet and
filling a float plan will be as easy as if you were at home in your living
room. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-537A9Oi6U742ZA1xbuUb1uj85QrbX1cmohRzVgKLLNM9Zo61lam2_B9hKK8AAFAMtwnbyT2L7DIwCpCqiKZBFUEcPQf_6TUE1Oh22pJAzZYLbN9rmvlPnIAuFtjaOzxWwoAcKOQoBUE/s1600/Select+Vessel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-537A9Oi6U742ZA1xbuUb1uj85QrbX1cmohRzVgKLLNM9Zo61lam2_B9hKK8AAFAMtwnbyT2L7DIwCpCqiKZBFUEcPQf_6TUE1Oh22pJAzZYLbN9rmvlPnIAuFtjaOzxWwoAcKOQoBUE/s1600/Select+Vessel.jpg" height="177" width="400" /></a></div>
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There is some initial setup and then the system easily found
<i>Motivator </i>via the DTOPS number.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp7HxbW31_K0Fv9mmxNJza9ASrTXDRBhRUO9m0YahxWp27QHI_efFsAAb9gMVgEWyUkT7YRH6bdkCt2VTnC_21aNAqs8dkiYZHiTw7kZrRxCjXjT_EY6lfeIERO4ElolN06LU-V7H6fsY/s1600/Found+Pollie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp7HxbW31_K0Fv9mmxNJza9ASrTXDRBhRUO9m0YahxWp27QHI_efFsAAb9gMVgEWyUkT7YRH6bdkCt2VTnC_21aNAqs8dkiYZHiTw7kZrRxCjXjT_EY6lfeIERO4ElolN06LU-V7H6fsY/s1600/Found+Pollie.jpg" height="228" width="400" /></a></div>
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With Pollie’s LBO number the system easily found her
information. There is even a page to add
passengers without LBO cards.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMLTbSJTR1OTS4h1s24YP7icXQCXAg43s8FcpnyYMGW3Hpoujmc8b8KUHSasU76HQt2J1bIhIOZHBo9gibwC_JfyNlII26gmwcLmyIhV-tIvvzMaWmmQHbwlVY12C68iMcKUlewTiO20M/s1600/Location.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMLTbSJTR1OTS4h1s24YP7icXQCXAg43s8FcpnyYMGW3Hpoujmc8b8KUHSasU76HQt2J1bIhIOZHBo9gibwC_JfyNlII26gmwcLmyIhV-tIvvzMaWmmQHbwlVY12C68iMcKUlewTiO20M/s1600/Location.jpg" height="312" width="400" /></a></div>
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The real fun starts with trying to do the itinerary. Whoever designed this web site was not a
boater and has little knowledge of the cruising lifestyle. A latitude/longitude might be more reflective
of one’s departure point.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipQhT_MJzngF028cJB-_afpGoPJvkTayyogB6TVv1ykctl_iU30VnMayZ5DXd0Ud0jLmy6v_GYpDcDXwBVHrKMwaa3qgAVCpu9pvmxzgMO5Gp4Lat36VfbQkHgChCh7PWiGJ4CoYplBMo/s1600/P1170080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipQhT_MJzngF028cJB-_afpGoPJvkTayyogB6TVv1ykctl_iU30VnMayZ5DXd0Ud0jLmy6v_GYpDcDXwBVHrKMwaa3qgAVCpu9pvmxzgMO5Gp4Lat36VfbQkHgChCh7PWiGJ4CoYplBMo/s1600/P1170080.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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We were departing the BVIs from the West End. Not finding a “Location Type” for “quiet
anchorage,” I checked “Marina” and for a street address put “Mooring Ball #7.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdrh60pesgPY-0Hegen1a8USxcxgruFNVyath4Kk8QGDBJTGFzWCBaBF_1GuZXTMLAjIrN3-Vl-3J2GJiGQlSvZLiA-ysaPbAjti3vLpn5vI1ydOE7_IS3WGSsYxVQa3MMA3ZCKsJyI0/s1600/DSCN0469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdrh60pesgPY-0Hegen1a8USxcxgruFNVyath4Kk8QGDBJTGFzWCBaBF_1GuZXTMLAjIrN3-Vl-3J2GJiGQlSvZLiA-ysaPbAjti3vLpn5vI1ydOE7_IS3WGSsYxVQa3MMA3ZCKsJyI0/s1600/DSCN0469.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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For our arrival point in the USVIs I checked “Public Boat
Launch” and used the street address for Skinny Legs Bar and Grill.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPSdff0dyQJiQvqOhN1IyT0Z_0DB0fCvQbCBmEWydVQUkYXT6XUF3t970syKQs9MduYQauM1puP8MDfYluN6zUEhdG5e_SKG2nng18Acv_CN1Egs1xyrXrX8CXmFjqGhfPmkaELLsa1Q/s1600/Puerto+Rico+Country.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPSdff0dyQJiQvqOhN1IyT0Z_0DB0fCvQbCBmEWydVQUkYXT6XUF3t970syKQs9MduYQauM1puP8MDfYluN6zUEhdG5e_SKG2nng18Acv_CN1Egs1xyrXrX8CXmFjqGhfPmkaELLsa1Q/s1600/Puerto+Rico+Country.jpg" height="241" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: small;">Thinking that I was
on a roll, I then moved on to Puerto Rico. I found Puerto Rico in the drop box and made some
creative entries for “Street Address/Location.”
All was good, until I tried to close out and was informed that my last
destination had to be in the US. I guess a US </span>Territory is not good enough. <span style="font-size: small;"> Not to be thwarted, I entered an address for a US marina in the June time-frame.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXpHJuSBEJrM3fzg309jtg-fOVb4b7gy04SQO0GEWwLdlFExhJeBKBIxh7lXfekJTTSiaZPwpKQdAha7IsdCamuWYxO7T86DqktHjb_Da6D94X9zmwX8RcIHLmNp56Hxg9AIKatyfF6FU/s1600/Puerto+Rico+State.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXpHJuSBEJrM3fzg309jtg-fOVb4b7gy04SQO0GEWwLdlFExhJeBKBIxh7lXfekJTTSiaZPwpKQdAha7IsdCamuWYxO7T86DqktHjb_Da6D94X9zmwX8RcIHLmNp56Hxg9AIKatyfF6FU/s1600/Puerto+Rico+State.jpg" height="375" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">My SVR worked great
in USVI. I called the number and talked
to a recorder. In Culebra it was a
different story. The CBP agent kept me
on the phone for 20 minutes and 8 seconds (noted on Skype) as he straightened
out my float plan. The creative
addresses were not a problem, it was that I should have left “United States”
checked for a country and then checked “Puerto Rico” as one of the 50 states. Sometimes it does not pay to know geography.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">For more information on statehood for Puerto Rico click <a href="http://screen.yahoo.com/weekend-emily-litella-puerto-rico-000000809.html">here</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04921442390538388294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2120558888864233641.post-4591393317759048162014-03-14T13:59:00.000-04:002014-03-14T13:59:56.427-04:00Spanish Virgin Islands<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ5Dwcz9ZCgiLaiVhCJLMkUEApv5mrU6bi_GUFFsxWe6QO8_MQddhY0sGspXbKY_SUhcmG3McQP_E3EO27ek-9mryHOwKVBeLFXQ4t-LDXATCHzucJ2i6VR80Oxy2NUkwunWxJYQLhyphenhyphen_Y/s1600/Chart+-+Spanish+Virgins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ5Dwcz9ZCgiLaiVhCJLMkUEApv5mrU6bi_GUFFsxWe6QO8_MQddhY0sGspXbKY_SUhcmG3McQP_E3EO27ek-9mryHOwKVBeLFXQ4t-LDXATCHzucJ2i6VR80Oxy2NUkwunWxJYQLhyphenhyphen_Y/s1600/Chart+-+Spanish+Virgins.jpg" height="132" width="400" /></a></div>
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After spending some time in Charlotte Amalie, we motored
west to Culebra which along with the island of Puerto Rico, Vieques and Mona
make up the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Culebra is one of the must stop islands in the Caribbean. <i>Motivator
</i>has now made three stops in Culebra always anchoring in <i>Ensenada Honda </i>(see archived posting,
Culebra, dated April 20, 2013).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNKsCwrzqEUyFfj97x5LY9MSF-RQk2zOXHEZZigl5OrNMx8t34CNJN0-3pwa8BIKlCtk6MJ83AdH563Mw-9VbVA-552qZ7W3HPG9qbCjsOrWgMQYWpJxdrm0MIs3eR3AEd5vo9DEwATeE/s1600/DSCN0654+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNKsCwrzqEUyFfj97x5LY9MSF-RQk2zOXHEZZigl5OrNMx8t34CNJN0-3pwa8BIKlCtk6MJ83AdH563Mw-9VbVA-552qZ7W3HPG9qbCjsOrWgMQYWpJxdrm0MIs3eR3AEd5vo9DEwATeE/s1600/DSCN0654+(2).JPG" height="297" width="400" /></a></div>
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In the <i>Virgin Passage</i> we met a couple of cruise ships headed for Charlotte Amalie. Our AIS was indicating that the first one was turning which was not apparent visually. A call to the ship verified that both would be turning and that if we held our course and speed we would be clear.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit6hjYg7Yx4O7J58NvvCSZAu_wj9EmzNkEKYI_OIUp5C9XSOWoLAzfTDBmjca2bjvDS_NDOlzv5xAeAk8HBFozdjXRjoEXzOL_6MtfCszR56AB5RwJC8msGWud_2WcHNe5jqBtun_D5Y8/s1600/DSCN0650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit6hjYg7Yx4O7J58NvvCSZAu_wj9EmzNkEKYI_OIUp5C9XSOWoLAzfTDBmjca2bjvDS_NDOlzv5xAeAk8HBFozdjXRjoEXzOL_6MtfCszR56AB5RwJC8msGWud_2WcHNe5jqBtun_D5Y8/s1600/DSCN0650.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Both passed with plenty of water to spare.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOYlKpzar_N8A9PibDe2ESGwiLRSDeLUfxIG_LDKxPhAU_NGyvz4DT2c8czd_e1iAvM3_wWKYjnPLG6fQXPp7EPyI9iHJf5p541jYTIXC-Mb0qTsgh4heN13pZftRfDU2eNPanRAULWuE/s1600/Puerto+del+Rey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOYlKpzar_N8A9PibDe2ESGwiLRSDeLUfxIG_LDKxPhAU_NGyvz4DT2c8czd_e1iAvM3_wWKYjnPLG6fQXPp7EPyI9iHJf5p541jYTIXC-Mb0qTsgh4heN13pZftRfDU2eNPanRAULWuE/s1600/Puerto+del+Rey.jpg" height="177" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">After a couple of peaceful days in Culebra, it
was time to move on to Puerto Rico and Puerto del Rey Marina near Fajardo. Puerto del Rey is one of the largest marinas
we have visited. They offer 24 hour golf
cart service to and from your boat, but we prefer to get a little exercise and
have been using our bicycles.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWFueV3kthV6huo4Fg6NBk9YUKr7wD9BUi8tUw9Vyp53dmcjlRY-BJsJPusa39tC5tryz6fjmNbwL3SduDR_UdOaUJePe7YRYh4lcJN3S09cKvZmReIKyaxqq4Ytwc6pyVgAVpCXVq0xI/s1600/P3140034+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWFueV3kthV6huo4Fg6NBk9YUKr7wD9BUi8tUw9Vyp53dmcjlRY-BJsJPusa39tC5tryz6fjmNbwL3SduDR_UdOaUJePe7YRYh4lcJN3S09cKvZmReIKyaxqq4Ytwc6pyVgAVpCXVq0xI/s1600/P3140034+(2).JPG" height="262" width="400" /></a></div>
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Strongarm Electric
Winch<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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As you might have notice in one of the previous photos we
were towing our dinghy rather than lifting it to its cradle on the sundeck. That is because the electric winch in the
lifting crane gave up lifting our dinghy (now called <i>El Gordito</i>)<i>,</i> but more on
that in a subsequent posting.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglDXL9F7jiJd0Nz4XctC0jbSyZnz1yEMb9EKQK_LwFx9kESO6kpHYyFpBXmMhA-YTdgAcw6lM0f49fmfl_fdQYPBBqnkZ9paqkO9l95t05942GzGKFX9WPHHraV3PJV6Yv36W7eosWpjE/s1600/DSCN0671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglDXL9F7jiJd0Nz4XctC0jbSyZnz1yEMb9EKQK_LwFx9kESO6kpHYyFpBXmMhA-YTdgAcw6lM0f49fmfl_fdQYPBBqnkZ9paqkO9l95t05942GzGKFX9WPHHraV3PJV6Yv36W7eosWpjE/s1600/DSCN0671.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Old San Juan<o:p></o:p></div>
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Due to a shipping snafu, the new electric winch is coming by
slow boat from Nebraska. So we will do some
sightseeing and other boat projects while we wait.<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04921442390538388294noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2120558888864233641.post-55200839069119145242014-02-26T16:48:00.000-04:002014-02-27T17:59:55.183-04:00USVI<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisSBTJDdiTD0DBpkSUPpFK-o1E02qyY8kxBqLfV582p-fkEz2GjwryUde1cCwTlAGRXsCxJWhT8pzuMaeN6yn1Vr0LkyT7gYjfnODLxCEE9uDElC931xiPEf5jIcmq4BTjtT83swCMtvI/s1600/USVI+Chart+(800x288).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisSBTJDdiTD0DBpkSUPpFK-o1E02qyY8kxBqLfV582p-fkEz2GjwryUde1cCwTlAGRXsCxJWhT8pzuMaeN6yn1Vr0LkyT7gYjfnODLxCEE9uDElC931xiPEf5jIcmq4BTjtT83swCMtvI/s1600/USVI+Chart+(800x288).jpg" height="142" width="400" /></a></div>
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After checking out of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) at
the west end of Tortola, Motivator made the short hop (9 NM) over to Coral
Harbor on the east end of St. John.
There is no US Customs station in Coral Bay, but we were able to check
in using the Small Vessel Reporting system (SVR). I will go into deeper detail about the US’s
SVR system in a subsequent posting.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPTl4EaRD8g6JyNdASXMdzEtLMQEp_00Aidz-eekeScRDfUd3oNRjpfmY1LsZJy2auMBlNpOzJEfxs3povIe6sADEHH6iFTjBlbtZKdDxoDTIMyOXrs2t-xHm2fAzI1w3rOn0lE1TS5o/s1600/DSCN0470+(800x597).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPTl4EaRD8g6JyNdASXMdzEtLMQEp_00Aidz-eekeScRDfUd3oNRjpfmY1LsZJy2auMBlNpOzJEfxs3povIe6sADEHH6iFTjBlbtZKdDxoDTIMyOXrs2t-xHm2fAzI1w3rOn0lE1TS5o/s1600/DSCN0470+(800x597).jpg" height="297" width="400" /></a></div>
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Of course, our first stop after ensuring our anchor was
secure was <i>Skinny Legs Bar & Grill</i>. After the “vacation” pricing in the BVIs,
Skinny Legs was a welcome change. Two-thirds
of St. John is National Park and the remaining third seems to have become the home
of US citizens seeking an alternate lifestyle.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpSvOiYHtU40UBxFmE4GvAc6-00wmqDhVaxGu8jpOH6-gKLIVcvlKPklcrKeWKN52sz2nGYkV1K9dk5JbVpPAvsR-sxUYAJyLE63mFSZ62-XrmMC_Ey2S-4gXg5viKhN4BGvHtP3kAwQo/s1600/DSCN0480+(800x600).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpSvOiYHtU40UBxFmE4GvAc6-00wmqDhVaxGu8jpOH6-gKLIVcvlKPklcrKeWKN52sz2nGYkV1K9dk5JbVpPAvsR-sxUYAJyLE63mFSZ62-XrmMC_Ey2S-4gXg5viKhN4BGvHtP3kAwQo/s1600/DSCN0480+(800x600).jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Although I am usually the only guy over fifty without a
ponytail, we enjoy the laissez-faire atmosphere of the small enclave. Unfortunately, that attitude extends into the
anchorage which is cluttered with derelict boats and squatters attached to “private”
moorings that leave little room for the occasional transit boat.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg81MbsTJ5AjPpmwFFAm3mqY_nxzMUKJ7SzzlRyStAI1TcrjdiYgQ2mo4I4lfRMb4HE0XKofaRd5FpJFqy83QRis63RTiaRSnpOKW1wLnJkbBI_d9mT7JrWL_70FOEiR7sBQJXYDfqJfBs/s1600/DSCN0484+(800x600).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg81MbsTJ5AjPpmwFFAm3mqY_nxzMUKJ7SzzlRyStAI1TcrjdiYgQ2mo4I4lfRMb4HE0XKofaRd5FpJFqy83QRis63RTiaRSnpOKW1wLnJkbBI_d9mT7JrWL_70FOEiR7sBQJXYDfqJfBs/s1600/DSCN0484+(800x600).jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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After lunch we returned to find that the small fenders we
had anchored a good distance behind was actually the “private” mooring for a
rather large and dilapidated excursion boat.
Although the captain was courteous, he wanted us to move as much as we
wanted out of there. He started his
engine and moved aside on the “private” mooring so that we could pull <i>Motivator’s</i> anchor up. </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRJwWFeBtC1xDgx53JTyRd5zFceY97eTWlsn7cyqly1drpzp2YMsk3C4nFQr_RMT5xWQ7hHjF9l98NyBRVTjmqE3pYJ2HVj1X0mnvHC03XGZ2yRFSziR64x3q67WxxS9DeJg9CGnnhz_A/s1600/St.+John+(800x445).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRJwWFeBtC1xDgx53JTyRd5zFceY97eTWlsn7cyqly1drpzp2YMsk3C4nFQr_RMT5xWQ7hHjF9l98NyBRVTjmqE3pYJ2HVj1X0mnvHC03XGZ2yRFSziR64x3q67WxxS9DeJg9CGnnhz_A/s1600/St.+John+(800x445).jpg" height="222" width="400" /></a></div>
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Our initial plan after being evicted from Coral Harbor was
to scoot over to the west side of the island and into Cruz Bay where we had
been before. However, as we rounded Rams
Head on the southeast corner of the island, we spotted an available mooring in
Salt Pond Bay. A quick check of our
guidebook ensured it was a National Park Service mooring (see; archived
posting, Golden Age Card, March 11, 2013), so we grabbed it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxL0NdF2UuFtWHrKqdv1dmWKBRYRlWqxpkk4sJmZN_1TFy2gfCt4eS4A_GutMuSw2awB7wneg7bQuP1Pzj9zPnw3thAgLewbCxZ6alJvr78SibwRYuWdZEpenJy8jKpDo2sTIKsH7D8M/s1600/DSCN0494+(800x600).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxL0NdF2UuFtWHrKqdv1dmWKBRYRlWqxpkk4sJmZN_1TFy2gfCt4eS4A_GutMuSw2awB7wneg7bQuP1Pzj9zPnw3thAgLewbCxZ6alJvr78SibwRYuWdZEpenJy8jKpDo2sTIKsH7D8M/s1600/DSCN0494+(800x600).jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Sunset from Salt Pond
Bay</div>
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<br /></div>
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We found Salt Pond to be lovely. The well protected little cove with deep
water was very quiet. So, we splurged
and stayed two nights paying the park service $7.50 per night for the mooring.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrJ6_7Q0h7X_mdWRQqU9b-jPN2PTF7vlWfza79g4wT7BA-zMCWSh8qWEoB94jwKHkkBipurIR2etXcuc_cZeSqS4R_pGlV6PDCFRQDih_m-oPGvQLr-Xn0AbYtFi44FrPlhjigDcm0Vtc/s1600/DSCN0486+(800x599).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrJ6_7Q0h7X_mdWRQqU9b-jPN2PTF7vlWfza79g4wT7BA-zMCWSh8qWEoB94jwKHkkBipurIR2etXcuc_cZeSqS4R_pGlV6PDCFRQDih_m-oPGvQLr-Xn0AbYtFi44FrPlhjigDcm0Vtc/s1600/DSCN0486+(800x599).jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
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Small visitor behind <i>Motivator<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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The shore was too rocky for our dinghy, so we swam from the
back of <i>Motivator</i> to shore to do a
little hiking. The rocks pictured above
would rattle as the surf receded. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQibk7c6wmxUqay5nwguHzbwFF9-hMB2PXOFalDegQwpZmWCvGjgNouNs_zA8wvS9NWluRCCSeibfw0-f4vx5IHzl241GA32Zr8nAd-CuiTdXW35qcybTKbOKFC1AkCxJalqFzm9J8z0o/s1600/DSCN0560+(800x600).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQibk7c6wmxUqay5nwguHzbwFF9-hMB2PXOFalDegQwpZmWCvGjgNouNs_zA8wvS9NWluRCCSeibfw0-f4vx5IHzl241GA32Zr8nAd-CuiTdXW35qcybTKbOKFC1AkCxJalqFzm9J8z0o/s1600/DSCN0560+(800x600).jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Cruise ship pulling
into Charlotte Amalie ahead of <i>Motivator<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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After enough communing with nature, we left St. John for St.
Thomas and the port at Charlotte Amalie.
It is definitely a cruise ship town, but it still retains a certain
charm that manages to escape all of the jewelry stores and T-shirt shops.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDtF1wVD7dKcd2COxDiOD-fZ8noXP80IBUSZf8JXdqPnU9oONBTyki_j3JJyoVYwOYAiZlGA2lOP4M0fuMzCrT1y6JicxM0flnJSVgml19RfhxuIxnGVkJYVQGx_8q7edpHXCMsObrFlw/s1600/DSCN0607+(800x600).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDtF1wVD7dKcd2COxDiOD-fZ8noXP80IBUSZf8JXdqPnU9oONBTyki_j3JJyoVYwOYAiZlGA2lOP4M0fuMzCrT1y6JicxM0flnJSVgml19RfhxuIxnGVkJYVQGx_8q7edpHXCMsObrFlw/s1600/DSCN0607+(800x600).jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Amber Waterfall</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Pollie had been waiting all year to visit the amber museum once again, and
was very disappointed to find out that it had closed and the collection had
been shipped to Germany. Oh well, she
did manage to find a couple of pieces in one of the many gift shops. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgC737JxSAxW73oyV6b9BCPC9lm3ds_w2Fw5amFXTg4mF87-3XApViPKwOVYXZ7JE8r8IyI5RSAtojwFN5qyTkdPtG71L5wC4p70odQb9SXj3CNiSWXIZAKET47eba0PpMi54cpR0f5vU/s1600/DSCN0630+(800x600).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgC737JxSAxW73oyV6b9BCPC9lm3ds_w2Fw5amFXTg4mF87-3XApViPKwOVYXZ7JE8r8IyI5RSAtojwFN5qyTkdPtG71L5wC4p70odQb9SXj3CNiSWXIZAKET47eba0PpMi54cpR0f5vU/s1600/DSCN0630+(800x600).jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Pirates make good
neighbors</div>
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When we visit Charlotte Amalie, we like to anchor near the
pirate ships’ moorings. We find that
after a hard day of pirating and taking the cruise ship passengers on
adventures, the pirates return to shore and the pirate boats are then quiet
neighbors.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiXwNGeFa6AIQC5iF6LS1kXuiNXpEQHdlhAMI3HnecLRMX1mrk10bvtXZJuh5jd1CfFjFnjLq2Usaj6rN3IRkc8M_peEc-EhhYyfWJyPSkMpdUO0LD90MMk8RFvCzlGYCxImSunvQD_EU/s1600/DSCN0612+(800x592).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiXwNGeFa6AIQC5iF6LS1kXuiNXpEQHdlhAMI3HnecLRMX1mrk10bvtXZJuh5jd1CfFjFnjLq2Usaj6rN3IRkc8M_peEc-EhhYyfWJyPSkMpdUO0LD90MMk8RFvCzlGYCxImSunvQD_EU/s1600/DSCN0612+(800x592).jpg" height="295" width="400" /></a></div>
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During the day, after some hurried preparation, the pirates
rush off to indoctrinate another load of sun burnt want-a-be pirates.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtqMA91LcZMinWiCRnbq24tiVzCnxJ23mJjuw0j3jGZdFzwkAX_YW8ZJwRJHiFPHRaS8xyRhsUyYcGf4QTecgrRJ5jVCjX4gMUs2zei8nazde8msDDfxh0PSrlvYBMlQz9NUWhJqOb1hI/s1600/DSCN0634+(800x600).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtqMA91LcZMinWiCRnbq24tiVzCnxJ23mJjuw0j3jGZdFzwkAX_YW8ZJwRJHiFPHRaS8xyRhsUyYcGf4QTecgrRJ5jVCjX4gMUs2zei8nazde8msDDfxh0PSrlvYBMlQz9NUWhJqOb1hI/s1600/DSCN0634+(800x600).jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Our entertainment was more sedate. We went to the local supermarket for provisions
and to Hooters for Internet access.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUH8Y07xywcAQC_qA5EFMdQZMOnqufsfaTWf4ya05Soxa-aT0dn-yx-s6x0SjM03MfBwCIbhYEgTQIteVA0FT5V-vCzU99IpLkFtSOPWOwaJyJdHbo-Hum6mMCN9je8ZN0ucB3oZQ2IC8/s1600/DSCN0635+(800x600).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUH8Y07xywcAQC_qA5EFMdQZMOnqufsfaTWf4ya05Soxa-aT0dn-yx-s6x0SjM03MfBwCIbhYEgTQIteVA0FT5V-vCzU99IpLkFtSOPWOwaJyJdHbo-Hum6mMCN9je8ZN0ucB3oZQ2IC8/s1600/DSCN0635+(800x600).jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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View from a “dollar safari”
at another “dollar safari”</div>
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Like many of the islands, St. Thomas has a network of
independent busses. Here they use ¾ ton
trucks with five rows of seats mounted where the bed should be. Driving on the left with left hand drive
vehicles allows the curb side to be open for easy ingress/egress and the driver
is on the correct side to collect your dollar.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqouxnB9kH-7u1w2T9oiV73OD5W6Wn7ZrouBA0uZ-8xQfqSAm_FT-7Yw3EcTINL-nCoEPkYQcDZwMkACFA-EJZQiZAdG-HUm-sjbfquPSaFmpXc4JZUUhhQlek_P9thj6_MnYgyA5MYIc/s1600/DSCN0638+(800x600).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqouxnB9kH-7u1w2T9oiV73OD5W6Wn7ZrouBA0uZ-8xQfqSAm_FT-7Yw3EcTINL-nCoEPkYQcDZwMkACFA-EJZQiZAdG-HUm-sjbfquPSaFmpXc4JZUUhhQlek_P9thj6_MnYgyA5MYIc/s1600/DSCN0638+(800x600).jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Bus selfie </div>
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Evidently there is an official bus system, but like any many
places the public system is not reliable.
The “dollar safari” seems to have taken over. Washington, DC, please take note.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij8uYFftJ8_gW3Ts5BK768grUaWpPGt4-aq1Oys_fwSjQbxJUfKfyX8BUQt9_WXE3UvBoRy9lNuKrazA-MUYzuWQeU06SmBkpGv_8aPTYRQS4spbBBUqi-j3uRFDX9TGbB-CJ_m8QT5qU/s1600/DSCN0621+(800x599).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij8uYFftJ8_gW3Ts5BK768grUaWpPGt4-aq1Oys_fwSjQbxJUfKfyX8BUQt9_WXE3UvBoRy9lNuKrazA-MUYzuWQeU06SmBkpGv_8aPTYRQS4spbBBUqi-j3uRFDX9TGbB-CJ_m8QT5qU/s1600/DSCN0621+(800x599).jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
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American Yacht Harbor</div>
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We rode the “dollar safari” out to Red Hook at the east end
of the island. Approximately 16 years
previously we had sat in the same booth using walkie-talkies to direct the
cleaning of the charter boat by our son and his cousin. They had been less than congenial crew mates
on our charter so we had them clean the Island Packet sailboat upon return. We laughed as they could not figure out where
we were watching from.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKzBu4LMyipNrLHBj_w607EXyfurDlp7CSTdJKP5nZ1dcc3K_4288vVhjQ-vflLJfWHD8Q1rVkE14MOB83zb0E4JsJKyHZiHGQaoK_cQfb9NvfL2YKxXWP2g1bLbV1-fd5OVntz1RimN4/s1600/1619589_10151876190017041_1732798555_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKzBu4LMyipNrLHBj_w607EXyfurDlp7CSTdJKP5nZ1dcc3K_4288vVhjQ-vflLJfWHD8Q1rVkE14MOB83zb0E4JsJKyHZiHGQaoK_cQfb9NvfL2YKxXWP2g1bLbV1-fd5OVntz1RimN4/s1600/1619589_10151876190017041_1732798555_n.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Unfortunately in Charlotte Amalie we had to say goodbye to our friends
Jeff and Izzy on our sister ship the <i>Izzy
R.</i> They have been our friends and
sometimes travel companions for almost three years. As we head north back to the states, they
have elected to continue cruising the Caribbean. Fair seas and cheap diesel.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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