Lazy Days

The last couple of days have been pretty uneventful – except for McKenna losing her second tooth!

 She was very worried that the tooth fairy would not be able to find her in Bimini.  Luckily for her the tooth fairy did find her and brought her a glow in the dark puzzle of the ocean life.  We had a great morning putting it together.

 McKenna is turning into quite the Island Girl.  Her daddy and her opened a coconut and she drank the juice.  She loved it!

We had a wonderful dinner at the resort the other night.   It was local’s night and dishes were only $10 a piece and Bud Light was 10 for $5.  We definitely took advantage of that deal.  Right now we are running low on toilet paper and beer on the boat.  Not a situation you want to be in!!

Walked to see the sunken ship, Gailent Lady. 

This morning from the boat, McKenna and Cathy saw a stingray jump completely out of the water.  It was at least 3 feet out of the water.  You could see the entire body and tail!  It was amazing.  Wish I had gotten a picture of that.

Terry went by tender  this afternoon to get our part for the boat.  Hopefully he will be able to fix the hose and we can move further South to Nassau tomorrow.  

More later . . .

Snorkeling the Bimini Road

Had a great day today.  Took the tender out to the North side of the island and went snorkeling.  Cathy and Terry snorkeled around the 3 Sisters rock formation.  McKenna was too scared to try.  Cathy was scared too but did it anyway.  It was amazing!

Small storm came up so we went and beached while the storm passed.  Found some beautiful conchs.

When the sun came back out, we decided to go find the Bimini Road.  GPS took us right over it.  McKenna decided she wanted to try.  She did great.  She did not want to get back into the tender!!

What an amazing day!

Lucky Night

The other night (Monday Nov 29th) we decided to go out for pizza.  Walked to Edith's Pizza in Porgy Town (about 2 miles).  Had a wonderful dinner!!  McKenna was tired so decided to get a taxi.  Edith phoned the taxi but they didn't pick up so she asked her husband Charlie to drive up back to the marina.  Charlie, who is an American and been living on the island for 15 years, just happens to be a Marine mechanic.  He works on Cummins diesel engines!!  He agrees to look at our engine.  When he comes aboard he agrees with Terry that it is just a metal bracket to reattach the hose to the engine.

Terry ordered the part this morning.  It was $50 bucks.  It should be here on Saturday!  How awesome.  Looks like we will be able to get home after all.

Had wonderful day in Bimini

Despite the problems with the engine, we are having a wonderful time.  Saw a beautiful sunrise from the boat.  Walked to the beach and had our own private beach for the entire time.  McKenna and Terry went snorkeling.   We all found beautiful pirate glass, sea shells and so many conchs we could carry them all!!

After a wondeful day at the beach we spent time at the pool and relaxing on the hammocks at the resort. 

We walked to the beach again to watch the most beautiful sunset I think I have ever seen.

Later that evening everyone helped prepare a delicious dinner of fresh caught lobster.  This was the best dinner we have had on the boat - hands down!!

No telling what we will do on Monday!!

No Worry Mon

7:15am cast off lines from Hall of Fame Marina in Ft. Lauderdale

8am leaving Port Everglades Inlet headed East towards Bimini, Bahamas.  Weather beautiful, calm seas, slight wind East Southeast

10:00 am Spot a huge North Atlantic Right Whale off the port side

12:00noon  Land Ho! 8 miles away

12:35pm Starboard engine alarm goes off.

12:35 and 5 seconds Terry bolts down into engine room.  A hose has busted loose and water is coming in the engine room.

12:35 and 10 seconds McKenna and Maureen put on life jackets

12:35 and 45 seconds Terry shuts down starboard engine.  Water stops coming in.

12:40 pm 3 miles from Bimini and Terry realizes that we get even better fuel mileage on only one engine.

12:41pm Cathy and Maureen crack open beers and light up cigarettes

1:30pm entering Alice Town North Bimini Channel. McKenna says  “I’ve never seen water so beautiful in all my life!  I’m never going to miss home!.” 

1:45pm Make it to the docks at Guy Harvey Big Game Club Marina in Alice Town, N. Bimini, Bahamas.  Boat is now quarantined – only Terry can leave the boat until we pass customs.

1:46pm Terry walks to Customs officer and on the way debates whether to stop at a bar and drink a few hours in peace…

2:30pm Clear customs and everyone exits the boat to the bar!

More later tonight . . .

Traditional Thanksgiving

Had a quiet day of watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and just hanging out on the boat.  After listening to the VHF we were glad that we had decided to cross on Saturday morning instead of Thursday.  There were 4 distress calls to the Coast Guard yesterday!!

For our Thanksgiving dinner we went to "Bierbrunnen Beer Garden Sports Bar and Fine Food".  Terry and I had Jager Schnitzel and Weiner Schnitzel and Goulash.  McKenna had Huhn Fingers (translated Chicken Fingers).  This is what the Indians made for the Pilgrims on the first Thanksgiving right?!?  I guess the main thing is that we were all together and thankful for our family as untraditional as we may be!! :-)  After eating, McKenna and mommy played a mean game of billiards.  McKenna did a great job and beat her mommy!

This morning McKenna is singing "Lou Lou Skip to my Lou" for the hundredth time.  I cannot wait to see Grandma this afternoon!!  Maureen flies in today and will cross over with us.  Terry and I will be sooooooo thankful for someone else to help entertain McKenna.

Cheapest Boat Fix Ever

We got our generator fixed and it only cost us $105!  This will go down in the books as the cheapest boat fix ever. 

Just sitting on the boat in 80+ degrees, drinking beer, listening to Alan Jackson and wishing we had a babysitter!!  Thought the boat was a little bigger but when you have an active 5 year old 24/7 the QEII would not be big enough!

Terry swears he heard McKenna cough!  He is insisting on giving her Nyquil. LOL