GULF STREAM and ICW

We left the shallow waters of the Southern Bahamas and arrived at Sunrise Marina in Grand Bahama. It is a nice little Marina located near Freeport. We were only one of 6 boats there. At $30/day plus $7/day for all the water we wanted it was a good deal for us.

We left the marina at dawn on May 6th and crossed the Gulf Stream heading for North Palm Beach, Florida. The Gulf Stream current gave us a push north so we made the trip in under 11 hrs on calm seas. I couldn’t tell we were in the Gulf Stream unless I looked at the speed gauge. This major hurdle in our return home was totally and pleasantly uneventful except as we entered the Lake Worth channel a passing thunderstorm welcomed us back to the States. We took a slip at Old Port Marina where we met with Nordhavn Specialists and picked up marine supplies. There were several other Nordhavns at the marina having work done. It gave us an opportunity to meet other owners and compare notes and stories.

We stopped at Titusville to watch the shuttle Atlantis blast off. It was spectacular to watch.

Palm Beach, FL

On our way north on the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) we stopped in Matanzas (near the condo Summerhouse where we spent many winters), Jacksonville, Ortega on the St John River and at Fernandina Beach the most northern city in Florida. We have chosen to travel in the ICW despite the shallow and narrow spots because of the beautiful scenery and the sightseeing. The ocean route is faster but there is nothing to see. In Fernandina Beach we met a veteran traveler who had a boat similar to ours and said that he was going north on the ICW and the scenery is not to be missed. So we are traveling with Duet at least to Charleston SC. Duet was also the previous name for Phantom when we bought her. During the past two days, we have completed the ICW through Georgia including Cumberland Island, Jekyll Island, Simons Island and Tybee Island, all popular vacationing destinations. We have just passed Savannah and are close to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.


The ICW in Georgia and Sunrise in New Teakettle Creek

ATLANTIS

This is the second post tittled Atlantis. This one is the 32nd and final shuttle launch of Atlantis as seen from Phantom on Friday May 14 at 2:20 pm. Awesome.

EXUMAS to ATLANTIS

Our visit to the Exuma Land and Sea Park continues with visits to Warderick Wells and Shroud Cay. Warderick Wells is the most popular spot in the park for boaters with waiting lists for moorings. We were lucky and got a good spot and stayed several days. Hiking, snorkeling and the scenic beauty are outstanding in this park and will long be remembered.

Our next stop north was Normans Cay, This island won imfamy as the base of Columbian drug runner, Carlos Leder, back in the 1970's. The old airstrip is now used for tourists and his bullet ridden house is in ruins.

We could not go past Nassau without an overnight at Atlantis. This is a massive waterpark and aquarium and casino all in one. The fish were nice but we enjoyed the real thing snorkeling in the BVI better. After a long dip in a nearly empty pool next to our boat slip and a restfull night we are now heading for the Berry Islands.

Don an Dayle