The beautiful pink sand beach at Harbour Island, where we spent New Year’s. This kind of beauty draws us back to the Bahamas, this time under our own steam.
We’re looking at Monday to “sail away from our safe harbour” in Florida and cross the mighty Gulf Stream to cruise to the Bahamas on Windsong II, our Hunter 356 sailboat.
We’ve been preparing for this for what seems like a very long time!
Last year we weren’t able to leave the marina at all because our little Westie Angus was not well enough. This year we were delayed for a few months because we needed a new mast to replace one that had been damaged.
So we’ve been patiently waiting for the right time. There has been much to do to get ready, though, and a long list to work through in recent days. Now most of it has been done.
The fact that this is actually happening is exciting and definitely even a little scary. But it’s finally time to “throw off those bowlines” as Mark Twain exhorted and “explore, dream, discover.” (That quote is a bit overused, but still apt, I think.)
We’ve been watching the weather carefully as it’s vital to choose the best possible conditions to make what is usually a 10-hour trip covering 55 nautical miles. Monday and Tuesday are looking good. We’re planning to leave Lake Worth at West Palm Beach and then clear customs at West End in the Bahamas after a Gulf Stream crossing. After that, we’ll make our way to Marsh Harbour in the Abacos on the Bahamas Banks.
My plan is to be back here when I can to post some favorite images, but if you’re interested in the day-to-day details of the voyage, come on over to Our sailing blog where you can see what we’re all up to. Hopefully we will have enough Internet access to keep it up.
I wrote a guest post on the blog Focusing on Life with a bit of background on our life afloat. Have a look if you’re so inclined.
I’ll look forward to catching up with you and all your wonderful blogs once I have reliable communications. In the meantime, take care and enjoy your lives and all the goodness in them!
Sherrygaley.com 
Hope you’ve been having a great time. Just back after a brilliant trip to Abaco – hope your weather was as good as we had! RH
Hope you are having safe travels Sherry! Have a wonderful time! Can’t wait to see some pics!
Hi Sherry and Bob, Safe journey. We look forward to hearing about your adventure and seeing pictures. Take good care, Love Deb & Bob Date: Sat, 8 Mar 2014 14:03:41 +0000 To: d_sladden@hotmail.com
Enjoy! What an adventure. Safe journey. I know the pics will be amazing!
Such a beautiful image of those pink sands. What a beautiful place to be! Enjoy your new horizons and the journey.
Bon voyage! Such an adventure! Wow. Charles will have a ball, I’m sure. You two are just ‘tagging along’. Be well … and have fun. {That beach is calling my name!}
Such an exciting adventure! Looking forward to your sailing blog.
what a beautiful photo Sherry. And wishing you safe sailing! You two have done a lot of preparing and a lot of waiting — enjoy the journey!
Well good for you guys…you will have a wonderful trip and lots of stories, I am sure. Can’t wait to see the photo’s and read your blog about the adventures on the Big Blue Sea..
Have fun, stay safe…and Traveling Mercies…my Friend.
That crossing takes even longer than the big one we’ve done several times: from Queen Charlotte Strait north, into Queen Charlotte Sound and around Cape Caution, to (finally) safe harbour in Smith Sound on the Central Coast. Depending on the specific route and weather conditions, it can take 6 to 8 hours. It’s daunting and often dangerous, though we’ve also had it in lovely conditions. I hope your crossing is safe and peaceful, with just the right amount and direction of winds to get you to the Bahamas in good time. Enjoy!
Have a safe and wonderful journey, Sherry.
I look forward to seeing your photographs.
Have a great weekend!
How do I subscribe to the sailing blog?
I am so happy for you and wish you safe sailing. I look forward to seeing some great photos.
Oh this sounds so exciting, and should be a relatively easy sail! And beautiful. We have been to all of the islands that you mentioned, and know you will really enjoy their beauty. hope to hear posts from you from all of your travels! Have a wonderful time!!!!
How exciting for you all, I wish you only the best in your travels and can’t wait to hear how it go and of course to see the images.
Save sailing to you all love to hear how it goes.