Trapped on board for days... not by virus but wind

As I start to write about the last week the wind picks up and noises of rattling comes from the enclosure, the flapping flag, the wind across the rigging then the boat heels to port, the bow swings rapidly as the wheel spins, stops, then the bow rounds up into the wind goes to starboard and repeats. This is a day on the hook in winds 20 - 30 knots. We’re camping out or held captive cause no one wants to lower the dingy and get splashed all the way to shore. It’s Sunday March 8th and Saturday was like this and Monday and Tuesday are expected to be the same...but I did get to speak with the Gibsons today👍

We arrived to Long Island from Cat as we beat as close into the wind as we could. Sailing most of the way at a 25% heel gets tiring but we’re sailing and this is a good habit to get into if you own a sailboat. On Wednesday March 5th I am trailing two catamarans, Marshelle and Purrfect, and after 7 hours they line up along the southeast shore of Calabash Bay and I follow. (though I told Bob I wouldn’t go here) The color of the water and the warm breezes blowing from a sandy beach means I’m again compelled to swing from the halyard into the blue and swim to shore. Sheri took my towel, glasses, hat and chair in the dinghy and as I was swimming in the group walked down the beach. I was content to just sit back in my chair and enjoy a cold beer in the warm afternoon sun. Soon we were all together talking and laughing about our last passage.

Thursday the 6th and the morning plan to visit the Christopher Columbus statue was under way by 815. The three mile dinghy ride was a bit uncomfortable but the location of the statue was worth it. Around the high cliffs and into a cove where we laid the dinghies on a small beach. The area was nearing the end of a rehab that added new walkways, stairs with beautiful railings, and a new roadway. This may not have been his first stop in the New World but it is definitely a great stop on Long Island.

By 1030 we were underway so we could get a good spot in Thompson Bay, Salt Pond for the predicted front and days of strong winds also the mutton festival. As we traveled south west through the banks I set the auto helm and we glided effortlessly over the beautiful shallow water leaving me time to polish stainless and replace tape. I even tried my hand at trolling which got an initial fish strike but nothing to reel in... thankfully. 

Followed over the shallows by Chris and Allison on  Purrfect 

We motor sailed for the last hour and found a spot in 6-7 ft about a quarter mile from shore. The anchor settled in well and we were all in to shore at the Regatta Park to look about. We stopped at the visitor center and the well stocked marine store before we returned to our boats with info on new boat batteries for David and a Mutton Festival schedule.
Friday we went to the grocery store after dropping off the trash. The store was well stocked and William, who seemed like the proprietor, insisted I take a lemon plum to try. It was lemon color but tasted like a regular plum. Later that day I went off in the dingy for fuel and met svMarshelle at the fuel dock. David was getting fuel and having two new extra large batteries and a new start battery delivered. Even though he negotiated a 10% discount it still cost around a thousand dollars but having enough power while traveling is critical. As I payed my bill the cashier let me see a picture of an employee who recently died. She is so young I said and as I was asking about the details I could see on her saddened face that it was not the time. She assured me that I would hear of it and later that night I did find out that a young relative had raped and murdered this girl and her mom days earlier. In such a small community it touches everyone.

At 430 Friday afternoon we arrived at the festival so we could hear the Rake and Scrape sounds of the Originals and check out the vendors. Over the next 5 hours we met other cruisers, ate mutton souse, tropical conch salad and enjoyed the music, show and games.

One contest in particular was the conch race. The pictures tell the story of a conch shell, mounted on wood and attached to a string that is pulled by rolling the string up on a spool. I was picked for a heat and lost because I did not possess the technique that our traveling companion Shelly had as she won her heat and the final. She not only had fame but also a T-shirt and plastic cup. We were headed back to the dinghies when we were encouraged to stay to watch the fire dancer and a singer who sang a song that involved pushing out his hip and spanking his butt. I could still hear his song going as we motored into the darkness toward the boats.

 

Due to the ease by which sky juice beverages were consumed the prior night Saturday morning started slowly and so began our incarceration. We counted the other boats anchored around us, now 52, and we monitored our position and those around us as the wind tossed us and the anchor rode squeaked as it stretched against the hull. Occasionally the boat would shutter as the wind shook the rigging.  I spent some of my time reviewing the interactive map that the state of Georgia put out that shows which areas are off limits to anchoring. Watching what the states (mostly Fla and Georgia) do keeps us to a travel plan that avoids the newly restricted areas. We are anchored a quarter mile from shore and we have white caps and 1.5 foot waves slapping the hull. Our boat has more than enough supplies, water and electricity to stay put for weeks...and anyone who knows me knows how well I sit still!
Sunday and Monday we sheltered in place and each day we canceled our plans to have people visit for movie, popcorn and pot luck.I worked on the blog and we also restructured the plans for going north as Sheri and I will bring my mother and dog Charlie to Massachusetts.  Sheri and I also spent some time honing our relationship...ok.

The road turns to dirt and stone as it goes by one of two salt ponds that were once actively harvested 

The Atlantic side was rough but the sunset on the boat was nice 

Tuesday the 10th we were able to get off and walk the 1.25 miles to the north side of the island with David and Shelly. Walking on the beach and watching the turbulent sea come ashore was just what was needed and we even met another boat couple out for some exercise. It is nice to have a chance to exchange thoughts with other boaters. There was going to be boaters gathering on the beach at 4 that afternoon so we again postponed our movie and dinner and all headed to the beach with appetizers aplenty. There was 30+ folks enjoying the camaraderie after too many days hold up.

Dinghies line he beach as the crowd builds

The last few revelers enjoy the end of the day 

Trash into art decorates the gathering spot

Wednesday and winds are a little better so I drive the dinghy with Chris to the fuel dock with his 4 cans & my 2 for diesel and David’s 5 gallon gas can. We joke with the staff in the office and it is good to hear them laugh and see the smiles knowing how many sad days they have had with the loss of their coworker. Sheri and I went back to Chris and Allison’s boat for 5 gallons of water and share their company while Sheri got treated to a cappuccino. Once back on Steadfast we had a few hours to organize (and nap) in preparation for our movie night. When everyone arrived we were putting the final butter and salt on the over 2.5 gallons of popcorn. We laughed our way through the movie “Yesterday” and from dinner to dessert till at 845 when the crews gingerly entered their bobbing dinghies and headed in to the night. Tomorrow the 12th we sail to Georgetown Exuma... and we’re ready.