The day dawned with a rapidly rising sun, no clouds and little breeze in Chub Cay. I checked the windy app and Sirius which both predicted 1 to 2 foot seas and little wind out of the North. Blah! Blah! Blah!...this lasted for less than a mile out of the marina. At first it was just a chop with some mild beam sea that I thought would settle down as we headed west and the wind was supposed to settle in at 10 knots......IT DIDN'T!
Lucky One called and confirmed that it was pretty lumpy even a mile closer to the shore, so I decided maybe the rolling would improve if we ran on top and increased the speed to 16 knots. It worked for a short time but the rolls coming in from the north still struck us on the front port quarter and we rolled and bucked and rolled to the point that Beth had to make a hole with the couch cushions and keep her hand on top of Sophie so she wouldn't bounce out! Spencer sat next to me in the helm chair glaring at me until he got sea sick and tried to get down to go back with Beth.
"Ralph, can't you do something about this! The TV is going to break off of the wall!" yelled Beth.
"The only thing I can do is slow down. No matter which direction I head there is no better ride. If I slow down we will just be longer in this mess and we are only half way across! Huckins says this boat will take a hell of a lot more than we can." I hollered back We were about to test their confidence. Beth bungy corded the TV to the rail as we flew forward.
Three hours later we pushed well into Nassau Harbor to finally get out of the unforgiving waves. Exhausted we stopped at the fuel dock and with a lot of help from Kevin, the dock master at Harbor Central Marina, got locked in to our slip.
Waiting patiently, we thought Lucky One may not make it or maybe turned around but within an hour of landing the radio cracked to life with Linda requesting the dock master to allow them to go directly to their slip. Whew! Relief!
With the mechanical issues they have developed ,they just keep rising above the challenge and push through. Damn, that Huen is resilient and a master at coming up with solutions. I believe I will nick name him McGyver!
Beth insisted I put on my best clothes to have dinner on Lucky One. We were dining there prior to our planned visit to the famous Atlantis Casino. Huen had prepared a pot roast, whipped mash potatoes with gravy and peas. The aroma had us salivating before we got settled into the seats. A tall glass of wine did me in! No I can drink more than a glass of wine but reaching for a second helping of peas (otherwise poor Lucky, the dog has to eat them), I tipped the wine glass and according to Beth "ruined my clothes!"
"Settle down. Nobody died!" I responded.
A quick change into more comfortable clothes and we were off. Casinos are not our thing but it was fun watching Huen win money on Black Jack and Linda winning money on computerized Roulette.
For Beth the highlight of the evening was the parade by the Junkadoo band. A colorful display of traditional Bahamian music using goat skinned oil barrels, cow bells, whistles and horns (tuba/trumpet/and trombones). Fast paced with wildly costumed dancers leading the pack, Beth laughed, clapped, and danced right along with them.
We finished up with some Ben and Jerry's ice cream then a viewing of the aquarium with its huge Manta Rays. This is the first time I have seen one of these magnificent Rays. We got lucky as well. Clapping caused Beth to lose one of the charms from her bracelet and even with all the people tramping around Beth found it undamaged!
Atlantis, Paradise Island
Huen is persistent and is continuing on "Even if I have to go on one motor!" he insisted.
We are waiting for the next weather window while Huen cleans his engine room once again.
Fantastic. Happy for you guys. Coming up here later on?
ReplyDeleteI love your blog! Sounds like you guys are certainly making memories and having fun. All is well here. Safe travels!
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