Not sure how I did it but I am on line through a marina at Chub Cay. We moved 80 miles or so today, a big day. The Grand Bahama Bank was much more pleasant, The seas were quiet and we did good! Left about 6:45 this morning and made camp about 6 pm this evening at Chub Cay. It is a stopping off spot and not much else. Got in 45 minutes before sundown and timing was good. 4 boats in this anchorage and not room for a lot more. Tomorrow will move on to New Providence Island and West Bay is the plan. There is a park there with a free dinghy dock, we can get the bikes out, maybe get some fresh supplies and it is only 35-40 miles, so if we get going at daybreak will be there by noon. Then on to the exumas, another 45 miles on Wednesday. Coming across the bank went well, it started out a bit blustery, but went flat over mid day and then when we exited the bank and back into the deep water, the swells were there but not much for waves. Watching the bottom fall out of the depth finder was amazing. The bank is 6-16 feet for 65 miles, like a huge mesa, the depth never varies, then we came off it and over several hundred yards it is 2000 feet deep. Boat ran great. After our trial run 2 days ago that didn't go so well, Cindy is happy. Took some pictures but I can't upload them right now, without access with the phone, so look tomorrow or the next day. I took some pictures of the bottom as we were moving at 7.5 knots and it is just gin clear. But we went 10 hours with no sight of land, getting used to that.
Engine hours 4876.0
Genset hours 5498.7

Pics not publishe initially:

Crossing the bank, listening to 60's music off XM radio

Crossing the bank, no land for 10 hours

Depth here is about 10 feet and that is our anchor chain on the bottom this morning at 6:30

Sunrise this morniing at Chub Cay

No pictures today, but we moved a coiuploe of miles to a different anchorage. The Cat Cay spot got pretty rolly so we moved behind, on the east side of Gun Cay. This is actually the windward side and there was a little chop, but no swell, so much more comfortable. We didn't take pictures because we swam to the beach rather than use the dinghy. Saw a bunch of barracuda, and then walked the beach north and south. It is all limestone and coral aggegate. Really rough sharp jagged walking substrate. But got a hike in and on the north side, the shallows were loaded with sting rays. We walked out among them and Cindy petted them, they are pretty social, or looking for a handout? Found a perfectly good Hanson Diveskin on the beach that had washed up. Kind of like the Bahamas thriftstore. Al'so saw some birds which have been a little scant since leaving Florida. Plovers, a cormorant and a night heron we had not seen before. Today we are going to attempt again to cross the bank. The weather looks favorable but not perfect. After our experience the other day, we are a little anxious, but know that we can always turn back agian if we have to. One thing that I haven't mentioned is the temp. it has been delightful. Not hot as I expected but upper 70's-80, and nights lower 70's. We have not used the AC once.

Today marks a week in the same place due to weather, but it is changing. Today is calmer, but we have decided to wait until tomorrow to move on when it is supposed to be calmer yet, for the next 3-4 days. We noticed a distinct increase in the roll of the boat overnight, so we will likely move to a spot a lttle flatter if we can find one, then go real early tomorrow and finally get across the bank. Yesterday was a good day though. Got some work done on the boat, a little fiberglassing and some waxing, a good snorkle, saw a 8 foot nurse shark camped out under the boat, swam with turtles and a bunch of fish. In the afternoon, I fished of the swim platform and caught snapper at will off the stern. They like bait, but hit plastic as well. We have a cast net that Eric gave us, which lets us get an ongoing supply of silvery minnows 4-8 inches long, hook them on a jig and it is instant action. Last night though, we were shining a light off the stern to attract the bait fish, and for fun, I dropped a jig with some plastic on it down into the lighted water. Instantaneous action! A 6-8# Crevalle jack hit it and took a half hour to land on light tackle. So tomorrow will likely be on the road for 2-3 days.

Fishing for snapper

Small Mouthed Snapper

Landed a Crevalle Jack in the dark while grilling chicken

Well, yesterday was interesting. I made two decisions, one good, one not so good, and learned a ton. We pulled out of our nice safe anchorage west side of Cat Cay, rounded the corner on the entrance to the bank a mile north and things looked pretty do-able. Some waves on the bow, a couple of feet. All looked good and decided to go ahead - bad decision. It was shallow, 6-8 feet. We proceeded for 8 miles or so, depth increased to 12-16 feet, and with the increase in depth, the waves doubled in size, the boat was doing well, but the passengers came to the conclusion that this wasn't really much fun, pretty rough ride. Decided to turn back 13 miles into the crossing. Good decision. I also learned the ride in bigger waves is pretty tolerable in this boat going with them, but bucking them head on, not so nice. Anyway, we spent 6 hours out and back and trolled a line, got broke off by something I never saw. Once back in the lee of Cat Cay, we looked at different anchorages, all of them pretty rolly, so came back the the original spot which was flat and comfortable. Right now it looks like we can try again tomorrow. It is supposed to lay down with winds ESE at 10-13 rather than 18+ and all of next week looks flat. Boy would that be a switch.

The light house at the Cat Cay entrance to the Great Bahama Bank

The past 5 days we have been at anchor in a little bay on the west side of Cat Cay. The wind has continued to howl out of the east precluding our anticipated transit across the Great Bahama Bank. We did boat chores, change the oil in the generator, snorkeled, walked the beach until Wednesday afternoon, when we were informed it was a private beach. I worked yesterday from the boat and it went beaautifully. Ain't technology grand! We are pulling out this morning and at least stick our toe into the Bank and seeif we can make that crossing, or at least a piece of it. it is a big flat 70 miles across that is 0-15 feet deep, but need some visability to identify the shallows. One way or another, we are going to move today. I am tired of looking at the same shoreline, but it has been a pleasant anchorage. All else is going well. Still have some wahoo in the freezer, but have enough room I can try and get another fish. For the next several days, internet may be spotty, depending on the location of the towers and where we are.
Engine Hours 4856.3
Genset Hours 5490.7

A passing shower gave us a rainbow the other day

The nice beach we got kicked off of

Yesterday Cindy and I got a good morning hike in on North Bimini. Walked through Alicetown, Baileytown and one more town. All in all it was only 3-4 miles but thelowing island is only 7 miles long so we saw a piece of it. We left the marina mid morning, but it turned out to be a pretty good stop. We filled up with water again, to keep things topped off and even with no refills, we should be good for 3 weeks. Weather is great for playing but not so good for making more miles right now. Wind is blowing pretty big out of the east at 20 or so and forecast is for 30 mph for the next couple of days with 3-4 foot waves on the Great Bahama Bank which we have to cross, so we found a bay on Cat Key 15 miles south of Bimini to hole up until weather allows further traveling. It is so named because it is shaped like a catamaran. Today we got a good snorkel in. hiked up the beach a mile and swam back. Saw a couple of lobster and fish and the turtles surrounded the boat this afternoon. This is a private island, Nixon stayed here at one time. Lots of private homes, but nothing really extravagant that I can see from the beach. We are anchored only a hundred yards from the beach in 8-10 feet of water. We dove on the anchor. It's interesting to see how it sets. This afternoon I changed the generator oil at 99 hours since last change. We will hole up here or nearby until the wind lays down a bit.
Engine Hours 4856.3
Genset Hours 5475.0

A mountain of conch shells at the Stuart Conch Salad Bar

Close up of the conch pile. It looked like a breakwater it was so big

Stuart Conch Salad Stand

One of the local cemeteries

Amazing water 

Local clinic. Essentia could learn some simplicity from them.

We made the crossing today to Bimini without any issues. It was close to 75 nautical miles and took 9 hours. The first hour we watched the sun rise, then it got a little bumpy for a couple of hours but by mid morning, it was clear that things were settling down and the rest of the way was pretty benign. We had some excitement enroute. As soon as we got into the gulf stream, I put out a line and within an hour had a 20# or more wahoo. Landing him was interesting in that the boat was moving and rocking big time. Got him up to the boat and gave the rod to Cindy. She had to back into the cabin, keeping the line tight so I could open the door to the swim platform and gaff him without falling overboard. Cleaned him up and we have a ton of fish to eat the next few days. The problem is, no more fishing until he's gone, because the fridge is full from all our provisioning. We came into a marina for the night. Pretty much had to so we could clear customs and immigration. Got that done late this afternoon, then got a sim chip for my phone for internet access and phone. The number to reach us until we re enter the US is 242-473-2799. Not sure where we will go next, the weather is supposed to blow pretty hard for a few days. may have to sit tight. Anyway, I feel like a seagull after eating too much fish tonight, but it was sure good.

Dawn this AM and we are underway

Nav screen this AM at dawn. The one on the letft is Cindy's IPad running Navionics, a crowd sourced data base that is outstanding. 

Not a lot of horizon, but I understand "navy blue", the colors were amazing.

Need Barry to identify this rig that flew over us yesterday

These crab pots are everywhere in the near shore and intracoastal waterway. We past a sailboat hung up on one.The remind me of a Wiley Coyote cartoon

The Wahoo we caught this morning.

Current location

We will be setting off this morning at dawn, as soon as I can see, from Rodriguez Key near Key Largo for the Bahamas. Will have to get around the other boats anchored here and then through thePennekamp Reefs to reach the deep water about 3 miles off shore. Then the trolling rods come out. I anticipate 10 hours for the crossing and the weather still looks extremely favorable with seas 1-2 feet and ESE winds at 10 or so. Yesterday we left the Jewfish basin anchorage and came up to our current location. I talked to Ted C and this trajectory across the gulf stream looks good, hopefully we will get a ride. Many others have left from this spot as well. We may need a day or so to get internet access but will post pictures when we do. We will need to go to the BTC (Bahamas Telecom) and get a sim chip for one of our phones. While we are in the Bahamas, I suspect I will have a new cell number and will post it here.

It's been a few days since the last posting. We've been busy, but here's an update. Lasttime we had anchored behind Johnston key ad were dealing with east winds in the 25 knot range. They really never let up until this morning. From Johnston Key, we continued up the inside, gulf side and came in and anchored at Crawl Key, 15 miles or so from Marathon. Had pretty good protection for a night, no big adventures, then on to Marathon for provisioning for the Bahamas. We wanted to pick up a mooring ball there, there are 226 of them, all full with a waiting list of 16 boats. So, we anchored outside and rolled uncomfortably that night. Pulled stakes the next morning and went into the harbor and down Sister Creek. It is narrow but we could anchor there with a line to the mangroves on shore. It worked well, but the stern was only 20 feet from the shore. Flat water and good sleep for a couple of nights and got our groceries and water for the jump to the Bahamas. 7 other boats did the same thing. Marathon was pretty much ground zero for the hurricane last September and it shows. Crap s all over the place and they are working on sidewalk repairs, still re stringing power lines, etc. Most of the stores were open. The guy at the dinghy dock checkin was a jerk though. I rode my bike to get supplies and came to their open area, where there were at least a dozen other bikes parked, just to give hime back his key cards for the gates. I no more than walked in to the garage walking my bike and he jumped all over me that if I wasn't part of the bike program, I couldn't bring it in. How the hell would he know if I was or wasn't. I just wanted to spend some money in their town and support it, but he didn't make it pleasant or easy. In the creek we anchored in there are a row of microwave towers, 4 of them lined up and we had to be careful. If you line up with the towers, their signal sends out 100,000 watts of energy and other boaters have found that that microwave energy fried their electronics. We had coffee on Tuesday with a bunch of other Krogen owners at a local restaurant for breakfast. That was a real treat,  bunch of nice folks and good sources of information. They had all been to the Bahamas in the last year, so I picked their brains a bit. We left Marathon yesterday morning on the Atlantic side for 25 miles to Jew Fisf Hole anchorage where we are now for a couple of days while I work today. 5 foot seas made it a bumpy ride, but the boat liked it just fine. Today I work, and finally got the last of the forms from Wells Fargo, so taxes are done, will get them mailed today, pull out for the Key Largo area tomorrow and it looks promising weather wise to cross to the Bahamas Saturday. I will upload pics for the past couple of days when I get a chance. This blog program doesn't want them this morning for some reason.
Engine Hours 4839.1
Genset Hours 5462.4

Our Valentine's bar last evening

destruction at Marathon

Sun setting on the main drag though Marathon

At a brew pub in Marathon. They are so right!

Sun setting after our beer last night

More dock destruction

Killer microwave towers

Southern span of 7 mile bridge south of Marathon. The railroad bridge is dismantled here.

Yesterday we left Key West on the gulf side and headed east north east, back towards Marathon. Went about 30 miles or so in Florida Bay, technically the Gulf of Mexico. The wind has been blowing and there was a small craft advisory in the Straits of Florida on the Atlantic side, with stiff east winds, so our plan worked out well. Even so, there was a fair head sea. The weather for the next 5 days looks about the same, with east winds, highs of 80-82 and lows 72-74. Camped last night at Johnston Key in the lee a bit and minimal wave action. Got out the cast net to try and get some bait, but couldn't find any. I'm going to try again today. I think when we gt to the Bahamas, fishing will solve itself. We are going to putt up the kys another 25-30 miles today and then probably go to Marathon tomorrow.
We are going to be out of eggs and sour cream for our omelets.
Engine Hours 4826.5
Genset Hours 5444.0

Cruise ship on leaving Key West

This is the screen on the flybridge. It is mobile, so I can takeit down to the pilothouse also, although there is a bigger touchscreen charttplotter built in there.

The view from the bridge yesterday

A shrimper we passed. His boat was inundated with birds.

We went to the Hemingway House and Museum yesterday. Interesting but the tour guide we had was not the greatest. The entrance suggested to allow 4 hours for the tour and an hour and a half was plenty. It's not that big a place. Best part was Hemingway's study where he did his writing. His typewriter was there and desk, chair etc. All the furnishings were very cool. I started sneezing half way through the tour and runny nose. Then the tour guide talked about the 50 plus 6 toed cats on the complex. I hate cats! Had lunch and a very good IPA at Sloppy Joe's, a bar owned by one of Hemingway's fishing buddies, as I understand it. Then a bike ride to the grocery store, and back to the boat for afternoon chores. Today is a work day, so I won't get much else done, then in the morning will exit Key West, I think on the gulf side for 50 miles or so, slowly looking at the inside keys where I hope there will be some snorkeling and fish.
Engine Hours 4820.9
Genset Hours 5437.5

A houseboat trashed by Irma

dinghy ride back to the boat with bikes and groceries

Allergy inducing 6 toed cat

Hemingway's house

A great IPA

Unique houseboat/geodesic dome

We had a short day yesterday, 25 miles or so and tied up to a mooring ball at Key West, $18/night is a pretty good deal here considering marinas are in the $3-4/foot range, for our boat $120-150. Our morning was delightful with a moderate swell of 2-3 feet but when we turned the corner at Key West the wind kicked up pretty good. The mooring balls here are not the greatest, no tether to pick up like in the Virgin Islands, so it took a few minutes. Cindy didn't mke a big deal out of it, just figured it out. We spent the afternoon wandering round Key West looking at the touristy stuff and found a couple of scoops of ice cream, then later a good IPA and some conch fritters. I finished by biking over to the NAPA store to get the supply of engine filters I need for the generator before heading out next week I hope. Because of work tomorrow, and the unknown internet connection heading back up the keys on the inside route, I think we will stay here until Friday. Going to Ernest Hemingway's museum today and some other thing to see. The local people here are all kind of hippies and I've never seen so many tatoos in my life. The tourists are easy to spot, they are all old and off the cruise ships. Key West looks like it has recovered successfully from Irma. The trees here look ok for the most part and we haven't seen a ton of structural damage.
Engine Hours 4820.9
Genset Hours 5434.5

These roosters are everywhere

Part of the history here. This was built by Truman, Ike and JFK. It is where JFK met with Macmillan during the Bay of Pigs crisis

One of several cruise ships docked here

Key West art museum

There are house boats like this parked all over the bay, soe of them lashed together.

Had a long day yesterday but a great day. Put on 70 miles but the ocean was basically flat, clear and the temp 80 and neither of us got sunburned. Currently at New Harbor channel at an anchorage and will pull out and head for Key West, only 25-30 miles away. This spot was pretty much ground zero for Hurricane Irma and it shows. The thing it reminds me of is a forest fire. The mangroves are all leafless and stubby. We are out a bit so it's tough to see evidence of structural damage, but the docks that we can see are trashed. Coming into anchor yesterday we saw a new and fairly rare bird, a long tailed jaeger. Didn't get a picture but the identification was clear. The trip down the keys was in water about 12-25 feet deep. The shelf is about 4 miles wide to the drop off and the entire trip down, we could see fishing boats out right on the edge fishing the drop off. Weather permitting, the ride back up we may troll that edge.
Engine hours 4816.1
Genset hours 5432.8

Views of a flat sea

Sunrise off Rodriguez Key

Sunset at New Harbor

Hurricane ravaged island we are anchored behind