Stephanie taking down the quarantine flag

Stephanie making it official putting on the Bahamian flag

Doug and Colleen taking off the quarantine flag and putting up the Bahamian flag

The official raising and salute

This says it all

Stephanie says, "I'll try one of those Run Punches" and they were so good she had another, and well, maybe another? Herby, our host, Dock Master and Owner mixes a mean Rum Punch. They will punch your lights out.

Herby, the brew master

Doug and Tammy talking to the local fisherman

Conch fritters, YUM

Doug in the kitchen, helping!

The group with rum punch in hand, and it had a punch!

In the Bahamas at last

Thanks to our new 5 mile wi-fi antenna I can give you an update. We left at 05:00 Tuesday to a fairly calm crossing, arrived at South Riding Rock by around 13:30, then started our trek across the Bahama Banks. It takes a good six hours to cross the Bahama Banks (look it up on the Internet) so we stopped about 3 hours into it and anchored for the night. The weather was calm as we watched our first Bahamas, sunset while dangling our feet off the swim platform in the gin clear water. Later that night a big blow came through and we had 2 to 4 foot seas in the area we anchored. (not fun) We were going to leave at 0600 but because of the wind and waves we decided that it would be best to wait for first light to venture out on the front deck to raise the anchor. The seas calmed a little by the time we left and it wasn't too bad until we got to the Tongue of the Ocean. The tongue is 3 miles deep and can be very rough in windy conditions. We entered the Tongue and found ourselves in 6 to 8 foot seas. Our plan was to go to Nassau but because of the sea conditions we decided to only go one and one half hours to Chub Cay (pronounced key) and anchor for the night and try to go to Nassau tomorrow. The anchorage is a beautiful spot with white sand beaches and palm trees and CALM WATER. Tonight we had fresh dolphin, (not the flipper type) Stephanie is such a great cook, for dinner that Dan and Carol on Lucky Stars caught while we were crossing. Dan delivered it by way of swim fins and cooler as we don't have any tenders in the water and we are officially quarantined (flying the yellow flag) until we check in at Nassau with customs, then we fly the Bahamas flag. Thanks Dan and Carol. Life's2Short caught tuna and Gypsies in the Palace caught Spanish mackerel and barracuda. (I got skunked) It's a beautiful place and other than the wind today we are having a great time.

September Song (Don't like 6 to 8) out
Bob


The blue waters of the Bahamas

South Riding Rock

Gypsies in the Palace at sunset on the Bahama Banks

Our first Bahamas sunset

Staged and ready

The four boats Bahamas bound are neatly tucked into the anchorage and ready for an 05:00 departure.

The four of us, September Song, Gypsies in the Palace, Life's2Short, and Lucky Stars are ready to start their twilight zone existence in the paradise they call the Bahamas. The destination is always great, but the journey is just as wonderful. The magic of cruising and being at sea I guess is like being a junkie, always needing that next fix. While we are there we will be on Island time, non-existent, not important, not even relevant, passing quickly, one day fading into the next. If I am dreaming, please! "do not disturb"

September Song (pinch me) out

Bob

Islamorada and new friends

Sunday we left Marathon Marina at first light, stopped at the fuel dock to top off the tanks, and then started our trek to Islamorada. The trip started out good for the first hour, then we were in 4 to 8 foot seas. Stabilizers are great but in those kind of seas it is still not fun. Godiva takes it all in stride but Cassie was very unhappy. About 3/4's of the way I decided to go in at Channel 5 and do the skinny dance (1 to 2 feet under the keel) and go into Jack and Susan's from the back side. With directions from Todd we found the canal with a dock we were able to use that Jack and Susan arranged for us. After rinsing all the salt spray off our poor baby and cleaning up, we headed over to Jack and Susan's for a beautiful evening on the dock on the canal in front of their home. Cassie and Godiva were greeted by a new friend also. Dakota, a black lab that looked just like Cassie. Dakota's Mom and Dad are Jack and Susan and Dakota is just under two. They all had a great time getting to know each other, (lots of butt smelling) chasing the ball and begging for hand outs. Cassie said it was great to be on solid ground after the trip in rough seas. That evening we were treated to pizza and what else, lets dream about our trip. Jack and Susan have been there, done that, and are going to join us there because they need to get the t-shirt.
Thanks for everything Jack and Susan, we will see you in the Bahamas.
Today, Monday, we are going to go out to Rodriguez Key along with Life's2Short, Gypsies in the Palace and Lucky Stars, who are headed this way from Marathon, and anchor out tonight, then leave tomorrow, Tuesday, for our first leg to the Bahamas.

September Song (looks like a go) out
Bob


Todd, Brenda, Jack and Susan waiting to catch our lines

Enjoying the evening on Jack and Susan's dock

Cassie and Godiva meet a new friend

It's a pizza party!

Gumbo comes to September Song

Saturday Todd and Brenda, on Life's2Short, drove down to Marathon with the world famous gumbo that Stephanie and I have been waiting for since last fall. It was worth the wait. Gypsies in the Palace also came over in their tender with its fancy new 20hp Honda motor (now they can plane and run with the big dogs) for the afternoon to share the gumbo and meet Todd and Brenda. It seems like when ever we get together the conversation is about the Bahamas trip. Todd and Brenda were there last year and it was great to hear their stories. If you would like to see some great pictures of the area we are going to be in, look on the right side of our blog and find favorite web sites and blogs, then click on Life's2Short, then look on the left of their blog and click on May 2008 for a tour of the Exumas, it's great.

September Song (gumbo happy) out
Bob


Brenda, Todd, and Doug enjoying a brew in the salon

Colleen always brings great snacks

Great afternoon on the fly bridge

Time for the world famous, GUMBO!

Still waiting

We are still here at Marathon Marina waiting for that elusive weather window to cross to the Bahamas. It looks like Monday or Tuesday is a go. Yesterday afternoon the Bahamas bound group got together on our fly bridge for cocktails and a last compare-notes party. (any excuse works) We are all soooo excited and soooo ready for the trip.
Today is a special day in my life because it is a special day in my love's life. IT'S STEPHANIE'S BIRTHDAY! The group went to Frosty's, the restaurant here at the marina, and had a bon voyage party (excuses, excuses) and birthday party for Stephanie. When in the Keys you don't have cake for a birthday, you have Key lime pie. Yum! Happy Birthday Steph, I Love You SOOO MUCH!
If things work out, we will be leaving this weekend for an anchorage at Rodriguez Key, about 50 miles north of Marathon Marina, where we will leave from early Monday or Tuesday to cross to the Bahamas. Our first leg will be across the Gulf Stream to South Riding Rock, then another 3 to 4 hours to the middle of the Bahama Banks which is out in the middle of nowhere in 15 ft. of swimming pool clear water and drop the hook for the night. If I get lucky and catch fish trolling while we cross, we will have fresh (tuna or mahi) on the barby. The next day we will finish crossing the banks and go through customs in Nassau, spend a few day exploring Nassau, then South to the Exumas. After we cross we will have no cell phone and limited Internet connection. I installed a 5 mile wi-fi antenna so we should have a better connection than the average bear. We will be able to call with our skype (computer phone) when we have an Internet connection but the best way to get in touch with us is to e-mail us at bobvandegejuchte@gmail.com I will be bloging and send them when we are connected. (lot's of pictures)
Wish us luck and safe travel and we will see you in the Bahamas. Well, maybe an update before.

September Song (let's go to the Bahamas) out
Bob


The Bahama bound group getting together on the fly bridge of September Song

Cute tattoo Tammy

Bon voyage party at Frosty's

It's my loves birthday (March 27th 19??)

Godiva's favorite spot to greet people as they walk down the dock. people give her treats from time to time as they pass. (our little beggar)

Southernmost rendezvous

It was not only a rendezvous for cruisers, but for their best friends and ship mates. Godiva got to meet Godiva and the only way we could tell them apart was their collars. All four dogs, Cassie, Godiva, Godiva, (no, I didn't stutter) and their little buddy Salty got to meet each other ( a lot of butt smelling) and after the formalities (more butt smelling) they had a great time together. Cassie and Godiva wanted to know if they could have a sleep over butt but we said maybe another day. We also had a great time (no butt smelling!) with old friends and new ones. Old friends Gypsies in the Palace, Sea Pearl, Lucky Stars, Adventures, and new cruising friends Blessings and Algonquin were there. The food was great, and the company was even better. Thanks Robin for putting it together.
Tonight we are all going to get together at the Dockside Bar and Restaurant for dinner and the Sunday night jam session which is always a hoot.

September Song (enjoying waiting for a weather window) out
Bob


That's not Godiva, that's Godiva

The two Godivas playing at the beach

Three dogs in waiting. Through the ball dad!

Cassie, Godiva, Godiva, and Salty

Another party?

Yes, another party!

Waiting in Marathon

We left St. James City anchorage at first light Tuesday morning to a beautiful flat calm day on the Gulf. We traveled South to West Pass (Tiger Key) in the Ten Thousand Islands area where we anchored in a beautiful remote spot that is not listed on any of the guides. This is a place we are going to make a note of and come back when we have time to explore the Islands and huge white sand beaches. (we promise, Cassie and Godiva) Wednesday we traveled to the Little Shark River, the area we explored in mid February with Tide Hiker and Rickshaw, and anchored for the night. Thursday we left at first light and made our way through Florida Bay and tons of crab pots to Marathon Marina. When we arrived, our slip assignment was next to Sea Pearl, Joe and Salty, Cassie and Godiva's friend, and were met by Jim and Robin on Adventures who are also in the marina, to catch our lines. After we were tied off many of our friends from when we stayed here for a month and a half came by to welcome us back. We didn't have much time to settle in before we were informed that we were invited to Gypsies in the Palace, along with Adventures, Sea Pearl, and Lucky Stars, who are all waiting for a weather window to cross to the Bahamas, for cocktails and then dinner at Dockside. (where two or more are gathered!) Today we are going to run some errands, clean up September Song and chill for the day. Saturday we are going to join 16+ of our fellow Defever cruisers who are in the area, at Sombrero Beach for the day, then Sunday evening go back to Dockside for the crazy goings on that happen there on Sundays and another, what else? party.

September Song (where two or more are gathered) out
Bob


Thunder storms building over the Atlantic as we came into Marathon.

View of the 7 mile bridge coming from Florida bay into Marathon.

Traveling on the ICW

Along the ICW from Sarasota to the Venice inlet. Thought you might like to see what we see as we traveled South. Lots of wild life.

Dolphins

On the move

Yesterday we left Sarasota at first light and put the pointy end South. Because the tide was low we had to travel the ICW for the first half of the day as the inlet at Sarasota is to shallow for us at low tide. After five bridges and a few hours of the ICW we exited the Venice inlet. (is it still an inlet if you are going out?)
We got a call from Diane and Steve on Aurora and said they would be anchored off St. James City and would like to have us over for dinner. (where two or more are gathered) Come to find out, Chuck and Pat Berry, on Got The Fever, were also anchored there and it was Pat's birthday. Let the party begin. As usual, Diane and Steve were great hosts and the dinner was wonderful, especially the stone crab claws before dinner and steak on the barby that Steve prepared perfectly. Thanks Aurora!
Today, Tuesday, we left again at first light and are currently in the Gulf of Mexico with Stephanie at the helm while I blog. I wanted to get this in before we are out of range in our next anchorage in the Ten Thousand Islands south of Marco Island.

September Song (pointy end South) out
Bob


Spring is in the air. Ospreys setting up house.

Stroke, Stroke, Stroke

September Song at anchor at sunset

Where two or more are gathered