Also, our hearts go out to the poor, and long-suffering Haitians, who now are having to endure this most recent natural tragedy. We had a brief time of alertness for a possible tsunami watch, which was quickly dismissed, but decided we would be safest in our boats, but not in a harbor if that really came to pass. Do we begin to sense that this natural planet is having a hard time balancing in a more subtle way the trauma that has been persistently inflicted by human progress? This is perhaps a topic too wide to broach here, so I will leave it there for now.
We continue to count our blessings for every day, every moment which allows us to enjoy the beauty around us, as well as the tragedy.
Before all these pressing thoughts, the following is how our days have progressed! :
Monday, January 11, 2010
Georgetown, Grand Exuma
There are days that begin, no plan, quiet and easy, with the standard procedure – turn on the single side-band radio for the morning weather report, start up the generator, and boil water for coffee or tea.
This morning started out thus, the wind was still steady & strong from the passage of last night's cold front. (Which, incidentally, has also clearly reinforced the reason we call it a COLD front. I know, I know, most of you who are further north are thinking, "you have no idea—you want to talk cold???" yeah, I know- but when the warmest thing you have on board is a thin fleece, and a foul weather jacket, the chill in the persistent wind is hard to combat).
Anyway, hot tea in hand, fried eggs and fresh bread on my plate, the day stretched out ahead luxuriously empty of commitment. Perhaps a walk along the beach at low tide, to search out some more emerald nerites (fabulous, tiny, emerald-green snail shells). Or maybe a little baking, or perhaps simply sitting on the bridge, protected by the enclosure and reading my book.
As those thoughts were percolating in my brain, the radio cackled with the chatter of the "kiter dudes"—Wayne and Charlie, who are arranging a trip down to Man of War Cay, the perfect place for this northeast wind to kite board today. "Paul, are you in?"
Understand, that Paul took some lessons last year, and over the summer invested in some equipment which he had yet to use, plus a new second kite, which he recently purchased. (you need different sizes for different wind conditions). Still at the beginner stage, he needed practice, and some support folks to go out with—like now.
I decided to go along for the adventure, packing extra warm clothes in a dry bag, & a small cooler with lunch.
To get there, (a 4-mile dinghy ride,) we loaded up 2 dinghies with 6 kites, 3 boards, rigging paraphernalia, dry bags, lunches and 5 people bundled up in wet gear and foul-weather jackets. We splashed our way down-wind, being pushed not only by the wind, but the fetch of 2-3 ft. waves rolling down the length of the harbor. Phew!
"There" turned out to be a huge rolling stretch of white sand bay bottom, totally exposed now, at dead-low tide, the patterns in the sand creating ripple-like wave effects, and numerous small, gray starfish lying scattered under a thin coating of sand. This giant sand-bar would eventually be covered by water, as the day wore on, and the tide seeped in. Down wind, of this perch the water is all shallow, and great for boarding, as you can step (or fall) off your board, and be standing less than knee-deep in water. Makes for an easier start, apparently.
The wind was unrelenting, which is great for the kites, but this was so cold, even the "tough-boys" were freezing. Everyone got out for some good runs, though Paul is just learning to get on the board, & was trying out the brand new kite.
Fortunately for some of us, we begged a ride back (against the wind & waves) in a larger, go-fast dinghy from a new friend, while Wayne & Paul struck out on their own in the other 2 dinghies.
Everyone returned to their boats, safe, happy, tired and cold! Hot showers, yay! We rinsed off the gear & hung it around the boat to dry, then, finally, Paul & I settled in to a nice spaghetti & wahoo meatball sauce dinner with fresh green salad. A glass of red wine, and a movie (for Paul), while I type up this e-mail. I guarantee, when our heads hit the pillow, there will be about 30 seconds, and then Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
The next day.
Yes, it was a sound sleep, and we woke up to… easing winds, calm seas, and sunny skies. (Still chilly, but as the clouds dissipated, the sun was very warming)
Paul started the day today with a long walk along the Stocking Island beach with Wayne and the mini-dog, Callie. I did yoga on the beach with the girls.
After preparing a fish salad, from the left over Dorado we caught several days ago, we packed that into the dinghy, and headed to Top of the World, which is Paul & Melanie's paradise piece of Elizabeth Island (the next one down from our anchorage).
They had arranged a beautiful luncheon with our mutual friends- Susa and Peter (from Montauk); and Suzanne & Steve. Yup, that would be 3 "Sue's" and 2 "Paul's". We sat out on their deck and devoured a nice chicken chili/stew and a loaf of delicious, crusty bread (Melanie's 48-hour bread, or some such thing) that accounted for 80% of the lunch time conversation. Laughs and good times….
Later we took a walk on some of their trails, up to the gazebo at the high point (Top of the World), with a view of Georgetown and the entire harbor, and down to one of the pocket beaches, before winding our way back to the boathouse.
By the time we finally rousted ourselves to dinghy back to Independence, it was almost time to prepare dinner, which I did, after admiring a beautiful sunset from our bridge with Paul and Charlie, whose wife Liz flew home for a week of work. We then enjoyed a simple vegetable stir-fry, chocolate biscotti, more good conversation, and a late (9 pm!) good night to another amazing day.
Love to all of you,
Sue and Paul
