Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas to Jacksonville, FL June 2 - 4

     After a few days at Atlantis, the Houston crowd had to return home, and Kay and I must return to the States.  Our plan had been to travel about half a day up to the Berry Islands on the day the kids/grandkids depart, then travel up to Grand Bahama Island the following day, and then do an overnight (2 days, one night) trip straight to Jacksonville, where the boat will hang out for most of the summer.  However, weather forecasters were calling for deteriorating conditions, and urging any who planned to travel this area to arrive at their destination no later than mid-day June 5, and preferably on June 4.  After some study and consultation, we decided to just travel non-stop from Nassau to Jacksonville, a 3-day, 2-night trip.  With just two of us aboard to stand watches, we try to generally travel only one overnight in each voyage, but sometimes the usual just needs to be adjusted.
     We put the kids and their luggage on the dock around 0900, and backed out of the slip.  They were going back to enjoy the water park again before departing for the airport mid-afternoon.  We cleared the Nassau Harbor, and headed for the north end of the Berry Islands, turning northwest toward West End, Grand  Bahama, about 1530.  By about 0330, after threading our way past many tankers and cargo ships in and around Freeport, we were exiting the Northwest Providence Channel and entering the ocean between the Bahamas and Florida.  After flying on Texas Ranger for 2 months, the Bahamas courtesy flag must come down.  After about 30 more miles of steering northwest, very definite northward drift from the current of the Gulf Stream was appreciated, and I turned more northward to maximize speed.  I had about 3.5 knots of current, and was sustained over 11 knots for many hours until it was finally necessary to again angle more northwest and exit the Gulf Stream.  On both nights the sky was mostly clear, with innumerable bright stars--a stunning sight.  There was some lightning visible both nights, but always over the horizon, with nothing close by. 
     At about 1000 June 4 we reached the entrance to the St. John River, which leads 25-30 miles upstream to Jacksonville.  We unfortunately were bucking some current, and various issues typical of Jacksonville (railroad bridge, river closure for a boat race, etc.) slowed our progress somewhat.  En route upriver, I cleared in with customs and immigration by telephone, having filed the requisite float plan and information before departing our last foreign port.  We arrived at our marina--Ortega Landing--just south of downtown Jacksonville and docked about 1500.  The trip, dock to dock, took about 54 hours, and we traveled about 438 nautical miles.  We will now retrieve our car from Fort Pierce, clean up the boat, batten down the hatches and ride out the anticipated tropical storm Colin, and thereafter return to Texas.  After four months aboard, I wonder how long it will take for the ground beneath our feet to stop moving?

Bahamas Courtesy Flag

Ortega Landing Marina, Jacksonville, FL

Family Aboard May 26 - June 2

Concentration?

Ready for the Water Park

Atlantis

Atlantis, Nassau, Bahamas

Atlantis

     After spending one night aboard at Palm Cay, we headed out from New Providence Island for the Exumas to show the "kids & grandkids" the Bahamas.  We spent several days anchored at Norman's Cay, with trips to nearby islands and beaches, shelling, building sand structures, snorkeling, and just watching the scenery.  The little ones were in high gear until the crash point, then up and ready to go again the next day.  We were even treated to a fireworks display our last night at anchor.  It was staged by a large charter yacht that was anchored nearby, and which obviously staged it for their guests.
     All too soon it was time to move back toward civilization, so we traveled back to Nassau, this time docking at the marina at Atlantis.  Included in the dockage fee is admission to the water park and Atlantis facilities for all aboard...that in itself more than justified the rather expensive dockage rates.  All had a wonderful time exploring the many maritime exhibits, aquariums, water slides, water rapids to tube, and many other attractions.  One could certainly spend more time than we had available at this resort.

Palm Cay Marina, Nassau, New Providence May 23 - 26

     After several days at Spanish Wells, we returned back to Nassau to prepare for the arrival of daughter Kim and her family.  On the recommendation of several friends, we stayed at Palm Cay Marina on the southeast corner of New Providence Island.  This turned out to be a delightful spot, with employees who were attentive and polite, a courtesy car available for short runs to the grocery store, etc.  In contrast to many of the downtown Nassau marinas, it was quite secure.  It was a very protected harbor in the middle of a large condominium development with a gated (and manned) entrance.  In addition, each evening a gate was raised across the water entrance, preventing thieves from entering by boat.  This approach is evidently a common one downtown.  Of course, it would also prevent those who had not paid their marina bill from sneaking out in the middle of the night!
     On the day of Kim's arrival we rented a car, which allowed us to fully provision at a larger and slightly more distant grocery store than the one accessible in the loaner car.  In addition, we met the travelers at the airport, and the daily rental was only slightly more expensive than their cab ride would have been.  On the morning of departure I bought a little fuel and sequestered it in its own side tank, just as "insurance" that I had enough to return to Florida after their visit without worrying about running too low.

Security Gate, Palm Cay Marina, Nassau