Back in Staniel

Back in Staniel Cay, which is now a George Town satellite. What a difference from our first visit here – last night we were at the lovely Yacht Club clubhouse and just about everyone who walked in was someone we already knew. This included a huge surprise for us as we were amazed to see Bill and Caroline walk in – our friends from Oriental, NC! We had been wondering if they had ever made it south on Worthless Wench and indeed they did. They had their own horror stories of leaving only to encounter major boat/engine/systems problems and having to return to their departure point almost immediately. After an extensive amount of time and money, they left again. This time they put the hammer down and did a five-day open water crossing to Spanish Wells! They have been at Staniel for over a month, and are really enjoying the laid-back atmosphere and beautiful reefs and beaches.

As for ourselves, we seem to be hooked on the lifestyle despite the challenges and have decided to put Cassiopeia on the market. Yes, we are sick, sick, sick and hoping to buy a bigger boat so that we can have guests! We intend to take Cassie to Indiantown where we hope someone who wants to get into cruising will take advantage of her being in Florida already, dispensing with the need to torture oneself down the ICW. She’s a great boat, mighty sailor (we even passed people on the big Exuma sound coming up from Georgetown to the Cave Cay cut), and has no systems to fail. Our mighty diesel has been performing like a champ every time, and the icebox only requires the addition of ice to keep stuff cold. The only reason we need a larger boat is so that mom and kids and friends can come and share this incredible experience with us. She’s the perfect “starter” boat for a cruising couple, her kinks already having been worked out by this past year.

Speaking of incredible experiences, yesterday we got to dive on the Thunderball cave. Glorious, riotous schools of brightly-colored tropical fish swim within inches of your nose and surround you while piercing shafts of sunlight illuminate the swirling sea life. I had an old waterproof instamatic that must have been Sarah’s from Presbytery Point, and took a few photos I guess. I guess because you can’t really see what the heck you are doing through the mask, etc and I was clearly on the move while doing this. It would be fun if they turn out, but I’m not holding my breath. Today we have more chores ahead and less fun – we need to prepare for the next Norther which will come through tonight or early tomorrow morning including moving the boat to a more protected anchorage. With all the friends in the anchorage and the lovely locals in Staniel, I can hardly think of a better place to be.