Today is a day to remain in our slip at Spanish Cay Marina. Clear skies in the early morning give way to high clouds at noon. By early afternoon, clouds thicken and a dark squall line is bearing down on the marina. Pre-frontal winds of 30 knots from the south are displaced by showers, followed by a sudden wind shift to the northwest. The temperature and humidity drop instantly. Since Cutter Loose is docked on the south side of the Cay, it is as if someone turned off the switch to the wind machine. The marina becomes calm, blanketed in the lee of land and vegetation. Just a few steps away on the north (Atlantic Ocean) side of the Cay, wind speeds of 30 knots from the northwest create a foaming sea filled with breaking waves. It is incredible to witness the drama of a powerful winter cold front, preferably from the vantage point of safe and secure surroundings.
After the passage of the front, we gather together with our fellow cruisers for late afternoon entertainment...darts and table shuffleboard in the game room. Not to be outdone by previous visitors to Spanish Cay, each of us signs and dates the front of an Island Packet t shirt...a permanent record of our visit.
[caption id="attachment_3169" align="aligncenter" width="284" caption="Island Packet wall art...a leave-behind at Spanish Cay"]
[/caption]The kitchen and dining room are short-staffed. We are politely asked to continue gaming while the chef prepares meals for seated guests. The fact that this does not bother us in the least is a sure signal that we are successfully adjusting to Bahama time.
[caption id="attachment_3168" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Gradual clearing after the passage of a cold front at Spanish Cay"]
[/caption]
No comments:
Post a Comment