[/caption]After 60 hours at anchor waiting out gusty easterlies at Great Sale Cay, we are finally underway. Today the wind has subsided to 20 knots and has clocked around to the southeast, placing Cutter Loose on a broad reach across Little Bahama Bank towards West End, a journey of 45 miles. It is a relaxing downwind doorstep-to-doorstep sail, past Mangrove Cay and Barracuda Shoal and into Indian Cay Channel.
[caption id="attachment_3486" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Toasting six great weeks of cruising in the Bahamas"]
[/caption]Cutter Loose is docked at Old Bahama Bay Marina in West End, Grand Bahama Island. This is a strategic pause to check weather and make final preparations for our Gulf Stream crossing to Fort Pierce, FL. People here refer to Florida as “that great shopping center to the west”. The weather appears favorable for a crossing on Tuesday, April 17th. All systems on Cutter Loose are “go” for an early morning departure on Tuesday.
[caption id="attachment_3488" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="The sun sets on our Bahamian cruising adventure"]
[/caption]Cruising in the Bahamas has been the highlight of our winter cruise. Our departure is bittersweet. We are sad to be leaving this country of pristine aquamarine waters, gorgeous white sand beaches and friendly people. On the other hand, hurricane season takes no prisoners here. Returning Cutter Loose to the relative safety of the Chesapeake Bay is the prudent course of action at this juncture. We are already looking forward to our next voyage to the Bahamas, whenever that may be.
No comments:
Post a Comment