Cruising activities

Cruising activities

Now we know many of you wonder what we do all day and how so many days can slip by without our noticing.  Besides those daily chores of boat living (dusting, vacuuming cat hair, washing windows, removing salt scum, checking oils, repairing what happens to have broken most recently, etc.) we manage to keep busy with hikes, snorkels, fishing, and exotic excursions. 

One fun excursions was our trip up to Rachel’s  Bubbles.  This is a cut that is just south of the Exuma Land and Sea Park where on windy days and at high tide, the water crashes over the rocks into a protected pool giving the same bubbles as the jets in a typical hot tub. Unlike a normal hot tub, however, the bubbles are not steady and surge with the wave cycles.  The occasional big wave can knock the unsuspecting into the deep.  While the water wasn’t HOT, it was refreshing and an easy place to relax for a while.

Helping each other is another major pastime.  We have been the recipient of much help on this trip.  Rebecca – the maven of brightwork – turned us on to her bible of brightwork repair and has generously demonstrated the work she has been doing on her boat. Our friend, Jeff, recently spent a few hours helping us sort out IT issues.  Earlier, Bill and Steve spent hours mapping and adjusting the logical arrangement of our batteries.  And remember that was after all those hours fixing our hydo-lock issue back in Shroud. 

Just about everyone has been helping Steve trouble shoot our wonky Inverter – the magic box that makes our batteries run those essential 120 devices like this computer.  Thanks also to the kind vendors who call us back to save our BeTelCo minutes as they work on our problem.  Fortunately the problem seems to be in the remote panel not the inverter so replacement can be deferred until we return stateside.  It is nice to know boaters help each other so freely and we try to reciprocate when possible.  Everyone seems to have a few skills or spare parts to add to the mix.

In places like George Town there is a net in the morning where boaters connect, exchange info and generally get questions answered. Also, all the ongoing activities are announced from restaurant events like pig roasts, water aerobics exercise classes on the beach, Mexican train dominos, and Texas Hold ‘um Poker. It is hard to find time to enjoy it all!

On the fun side, we also hike when opportunities to get ashore are possible. (Some of the islands in the Exumas are private and visitors are not always welcome.)  Beach combing is usually possible since as in the states, up to the high tide line is public land. Some of the trails are sandy but most involve the coral rock that form these islands.  Good shoes are a must as are bug spray, hats, and sunscreen. Interesting rock formations, dramatic shorelines and sweeping views have been the reward for our efforts.

Some days even the dinghy ride to shore can be an adventure.  In the recent 20 knot winds breakers refreshed us as we returned from town. Soaked to the sink we realized too late that swimsuits would have been the better choice of attire for the day. Then there are the ultra-calm days when the water is so clear we can see fish or our anchor like looking through glass. A snorkel is not even necessary.

Then of course there are those evening social hours – gathering on the back deck of a boat at sunset.  Tonight there is a mini Krogen Rendezvous with 6 KKs in Monument Bay.  Wish you were here to enjoy the fun with us. (Thanks to Jeff Hall for the group photos!)