Greetings from Sampson Cay
We are anchored here after a day of exploring in the big
boat. We pulled anchor and headed North this morning looking for potential
spots to ride out the predicted west wind later in the week. 79 degrees and a
SE wind at 10-12 kts made us feel sorry for the folks back in NC having to deal
with ice.
boat. We pulled anchor and headed North this morning looking for potential
spots to ride out the predicted west wind later in the week. 79 degrees and a
SE wind at 10-12 kts made us feel sorry for the folks back in NC having to deal
with ice.
Our first goal was Bell Cay. Upon arriving, it
appeared that the island has been developed with modern concrete and glass flat
roof buildings. We hoped to anchor here and go North by dinghy to snorkel in
“the aquarium” at the South end of the Land and Sea Park. The
anchorage was small and had a swim float moored right where the anchor symbol
was on the chart. Looks like they don’t want cruisers anchoring near their
resort.
appeared that the island has been developed with modern concrete and glass flat
roof buildings. We hoped to anchor here and go North by dinghy to snorkel in
“the aquarium” at the South end of the Land and Sea Park. The
anchorage was small and had a swim float moored right where the anchor symbol
was on the chart. Looks like they don’t want cruisers anchoring near their
resort.
Change of plans, we decided to go to the abandoned
Navy Decca station on Pipe Cay. Going south into the wind we were bouncing
around more than usual. Noah had been down below all morning listening to the
first Harry Potter book on CD. He called up on the radio intercom and said he
felt sick. Beth urged him to come up in the cockpit and he lost his Apple Jack
cereal over the side. I’m amazed that this is the first time he has been
seasick considering his preference for staying down below and reading or
working on the computer while underway. No one else was around the West side of
Pipe Cay and we discovered why when we anchored for lunch and found it a bit
too choppy and unprotected from the SE. Noah recovered quickly and chowed down
at lunch time, explaining that he didn’t really have breakfast any more. We
thought we might explore some narrow channels by dinghy to see if we could get
in with the big boat. We attempted to launch the dinghy, but reconsidered after
it was lurching around behind the boat. Didn’t want to do any
damage when putting the motor on.
Navy Decca station on Pipe Cay. Going south into the wind we were bouncing
around more than usual. Noah had been down below all morning listening to the
first Harry Potter book on CD. He called up on the radio intercom and said he
felt sick. Beth urged him to come up in the cockpit and he lost his Apple Jack
cereal over the side. I’m amazed that this is the first time he has been
seasick considering his preference for staying down below and reading or
working on the computer while underway. No one else was around the West side of
Pipe Cay and we discovered why when we anchored for lunch and found it a bit
too choppy and unprotected from the SE. Noah recovered quickly and chowed down
at lunch time, explaining that he didn’t really have breakfast any more. We
thought we might explore some narrow channels by dinghy to see if we could get
in with the big boat. We attempted to launch the dinghy, but reconsidered after
it was lurching around behind the boat. Didn’t want to do any
damage when putting the motor on.
Cruisers say that plans are made in jello and that was
born out today. We decided to motor back into the wind and try the anchorage
near Sampson Cay. It that didn’t work out then we could go into the marina.
Arrived around 1500 and dropped the hook with plenty of space in 8 ft of water.
There are only seven other boats here, a bit different then the 48 down at Big
Major Spot. The marina looks nice, with stone buildings on a hill overlooking
the banks, but we are saving $2.25/ft and have the same view. If we get bad
weather, the marina looks like it has great all around protection, so we will
keep it in mind for later.
born out today. We decided to motor back into the wind and try the anchorage
near Sampson Cay. It that didn’t work out then we could go into the marina.
Arrived around 1500 and dropped the hook with plenty of space in 8 ft of water.
There are only seven other boats here, a bit different then the 48 down at Big
Major Spot. The marina looks nice, with stone buildings on a hill overlooking
the banks, but we are saving $2.25/ft and have the same view. If we get bad
weather, the marina looks like it has great all around protection, so we will
keep it in mind for later.
Cooked up the last six fillets from the Glass Eyed
Snappers from Saturday’s spear fishing expedition. Marinated them in Balsamic
Vinegar Dressing and cooked them on the grill – delicious!
Snappers from Saturday’s spear fishing expedition. Marinated them in Balsamic
Vinegar Dressing and cooked them on the grill – delicious!
The sunset was great, but nobody here played a conch
salute. We need to find a shell so we can join in the tradition. Clear skies
made for a good evening to watch the stars come out. With the few lights around
the milky way is clearly visible.
salute. We need to find a shell so we can join in the tradition. Clear skies
made for a good evening to watch the stars come out. With the few lights around
the milky way is clearly visible.
Listened in to the local marine SSB net on 4006 USB at
1900 for the first time tonight. Ten or so boats chatted about conditions from
Pipe Cay to Black Point. Will try to establish voice contact with Earl in North
Carolina again on the SSB in the morning. Haven’t been successful yet, but we
keep on trying.
1900 for the first time tonight. Ten or so boats chatted about conditions from
Pipe Cay to Black Point. Will try to establish voice contact with Earl in North
Carolina again on the SSB in the morning. Haven’t been successful yet, but we
keep on trying.