What can I say about the most exciting experience in my life so far, except that it was equally as thrilling as it was scary at times. My comfort level on Adventuress is being tied down to a slip unlike Quetzel who rides the ocean as it was meant to.
My fear began at a little after 12 noon on the 16th of April as we set out on our adventure to the Bahamas, the Atlantic Ocean is rougher than the Bay and it made it's presence known right away. We covered the route we were planning on taking knowing it could change due to winds and current, then on to MOB (man over board) info. . .I made up my mind right then no spontaneous swimming for me! With that said we were off like Christopher Columbus looking for the Bahamas.
Lunch, Captain's hr. and dinner as we continued our first day of sailing, I was going to go below and watch Captain John prepare meals but knowing I get sea sick when I leave the cock pit in rough water I planted the biggest part of me right in the seat and stayed put until night watches were beginning. Papa and I had first watch 8pm -10pm, 2 hr watches between 3 couples and the Captain. The time came when I had no choice but to go below to prep for a night of sailing, bad move on my part. . I grabbed what I could harness, jacket, tether and boat shoes as quickly as possible to no avail. the meals of the day were trelling me they did not want to go on this passage with me but would wait to exit once watch was over and they did. First watch was uneventful, nothing on the water as far as boats went so I played with my tether to see how far I could go and where in the cock pit, that ttok us to the end of our first watch. I did learn to plot a course which is important to know incase your GPS goes out. A little sleep then before our next watch from 4am -6am, that watch had a little company on the water along with the moon and gorgeous stars. Our destination was a marina in Lucaya, when we started our 2nd watch we could see Freeport on the left or as sailors refer to it as Port side.
Our visit to Lucaya included a non head visit, a little shopping, lunch at a rest. with Captain John, Deb,George , Papa and myself. Next plan of attack was the beach, a little sunbathing then back to the boat for Captain's hr., which I might add has never been missed on Quetzel no matter where she travels and we did not break the tradition either. Dinner again cooked by the captain was delicious, a little wine then off to bed for an early departure in the am. I slept in the Starboard cabin just as I do on Adventuress so I felt quite at home.
Day 3 took us around the northern Bahama's, Hoffman Cay. Perfect winds for sailing day 2 & 3, we anchored then went for a swim off the back of the boat. Since we were on the hook we dingied in to the beach, swam had Captain's hr and went back to the boat for dinner. Hoffman Cay has a Spring with a cliff for jumping into what they call the Blue Hole, Captain John, Rick and Papa jumped, George did a back flip from a lower ledge. . .very impressive. Deb and I went to the lowest ledge and swam for a bit then it was time to return to the boat for another incredible dinner.
Day 4 found us departing early again to make it to the Berry Islands in a leisurly fashion but catching wind also. We passed Big and Little Stirrup then came to Frazier,Hog and Chub Cay. . .The Berry Islands. . .combined population of 60 people. This stop we Moored which was another good lesson, Captain John and Rick dingied in to the Berry Island Club which consisted of a shower house and a quaint building which was a bar and rest. A minor mishap with the out board motor in the dingy due to bad gas purchased in Lucaya, details will be held forever in our memories as not to incriminate involved parties. We made our plans for dinner in the rest. to find out the 4 employees that work there were going to a seminar in the morning and were closing early so no dinner there. Captain John did find a driver who was willing to take us to Chub Cay by personal vehicle for dinner. After a quick beer at the bar , a non head stop and quick rinse off it was time to dingy back to the boat for Captain's hr and prep for dinner out on the island. With 7 people it took 2 dingy trips, going in was a little rough but not bad. We loaded into the driver's Excursion, 5 inside 2 in the bed for a 6 mile drive that took 45 min. due to the road and the wrong tires for the roads. Back up was called, his brother who came in a white ford pick up with Texas tags. Our driver graduated from Oklahoma University with a basketball scholarship then back to the Berry's to live where his father was the Controller of the Island. Dinner was a treat for all from Janie and Rick. . Thank You Rick and Janie. I sat quietly through dinner knowing the ride back to the boat in a dingy was not going to easy with the winds and the current and my apprehension did not let me down. I was in the first load, the motor kept cutting out as we were being tossed like a Martini, finally the motor kicked in after many feeble attempts, we literally zoomed back making a crash docking on the side of the boat. I can tell you I have never boarded a boat as fast as I did and thanked God and King Triton( as they do at award shows) for my safe return. A good wife would have stayed topside to make sure her husband also made it back safely in the 2nd group. . . Nope. . .All men for themself ! A shot of whiskey and bed.
Our final day of sailing came and went without any mishaps and right on course, another night sail was facing us so I slept off and on during the day sail. Dinner and an early bed time since we had second watch. The first night watches ran 2 hrs per couple this watch was 3 hr. stints. The Gulf was throwing us quite a bit so sleeping was hard to come by as we were tossed by the water and wind continuing on at 7 knotts. For this watch I needed light foul weather gear as well as harness and tethers. We faithfully did our chart plots and watched for ships, I watched the huge waves that were carrying us through the Gulf to the Atlantic Ocean, just waiting for one to come crashing over the side. Again our watch was uneventful and beautiful, we saw every constellation and watched the moon come up a little past midnight. Believe this or not but I found out I have no sense of direction( I knew this but usually do not share this info).
We pulled into Ft. Lauderdale by 9am, proceeded to secure the boat, take showers , clean the boat for Captain John as a surprise then off to explore Ft. Lauderdale. Getting your land leggs back is a tricky thing and does not happen quickly. Early night for an early departure in the am.
What I got out of this amazing adventure is priceless, the feeling of the wind in the sheets( not the wind in the sheets land lubbers refer to) is breathtaking, the speed and beauty will last with me until we start these quests our selves. I am so proud of Papa and all of his sailing abilities. I got behind the helm a couple of times but had a hard time fighting the current. When we take Adventuress out I will be behind the helm when the Auto Pilot is on.
Thank You Captain John for sharing your experience, knowledge and for your extream patience. To Rick, Janie, Deb and George for friendships and memories that will bring smiles to all of our faces in tough times. . .
Fair Winds to All
