2001 - 6/4 - 6/8 - Georgetown, Exumas

Monday, 6/4 -   GEORGETOWN    Sunny, hot, & windy. We left Black Point at 8:20...put the flopper stoppers in as we were traveling about 50 miles out on the sound to Georgetown.  Not a bad ride in 4 ft seas. I scrubbed the port side of the dingy while en route… then took a nap…what a life! A large storm loomed before us as we were approaching Conch Cay Cut to enter Elizabeth Harbor. Stopped while Wayne stowed the flopper stoppers. Never fails, the trickier the passage, the worsethe weather (remember Bimini?) – sure keeps us on our toes...but it was worth it. The most gorgeous rainbow I’ve ever seen  We  arrived at 6:00 pm. WOODJA and JOURNEY TO were already anchored and “talked us in”. Elizabeth Harbor has the reputation of a difficult entrance but, fortunately, we didn't have any trouble.Georgetown is the “wintering place” for hundred of cruisers – we were told over 500 vessels anchor here in season! This time of year, maybe only 20 or so boats here. Tuesday, 6/5 - Sunny and hot...just the way I like it.To get to the dinghy dock, you must go under a small bridge that goes into Lake Victoria. However, when the current is opposite the wind, it makes for a wet and wild trip. There's a grocery & liquor store to the left of the bridge. Molly and I wandered around town.  I picked up brochures from the Peace and Plenty and Twin Turtles hotels for my friend,Uri. Stopped in several 'boutiques' then had a drink at the outside bar at Twin Turtles. No luck reaching mom or Frank. Ron and Charma invited us, Pete, Geneva & Fred for happy hour and potluck appetizers aboard JOURNEY TO.  Fred is aboard a 44 DeFever moored in the hurricane hole while waiting for his wife to return from the States. It was a wonderful evening & said good-bye to Ron and Charma who are headed to the Abacos in the morning.

Ron, Wayne, Charma, Geneva, Pete & me on JOURNEY TO

Great sleeping weather – we always needed a sheet and sometimes, a blanket. Wednesday, 6/7 - Same great weather.  Our destination today?  Had none. (I'm lovin this life) We walked around Lake Victoria to check out the town. This beautiful Episcopal Church sits high on a hill in the center of town on Victoria Lake - we wandered inside & out.

Through the window is Elizabeth Harbor & Stocking Island

Monique, the only nurse at the government clinic, gave us a tour. The clinic is open from 9-3 – I love the hours! They have a full time nurse, part time MD and sometimes, a dentist. They are currently looking for a radiology tech for their ‘new’ x-ray machine, which is still in the crate and covered with dust.

Government Clinic

We heard about Rake & Scrape music and were told that Eddie’s Edgewater Bar is “the place” to go. So what the heck is Rake & Scrape music anyway? We were told it’s a local music style using trashcans and washboards. To find out we intended to return to Eddie’s. I shared a Kalik with Wayne. They even have a weekend-long Rake & Scrape festival on Cat Island every year. (Unfortunately, it had just occurred!) We ran into Pete & Geneva as they were walking around the lake the opposite way we were going. Wayne got gas for the dingy while I went shopping. I bought a nice little sun dress for $11 (50% off- I couldn’t resist!) The four of us were supposed to go back to Eddie’s but by the time we finished dinner, we were way too tired from doing nothing. Instead, we watched the moonrise then watched a movie. We never did here the Rape & Scrape music. Thursday, 6/8 - Same weather pattern but warmer.Wayne and Molly went to see someone who was planning to take the southern route back to Key West which would allow us more time in the Far Bahamas & wouldn't have to back-track.We thought it would be wise to travel with another vessel on a route so remote. Turns out he was not going that way so we thought it wise to go back through Nassau and Bimini. I got a present!! Wayne bought me a white pukka necklace to wear with the new dress I bought. He also got a loaf of homemade bread & got a hug, a kiss and a “God bless you” from “mom”. He claims he had the biggest bacon cheeseburger he ever had! I chose to stay on board (but I didn’t know he was going to get a cheeseburger).  I scrubbed my face, applied a mask and worked on the log. I had the radio on trying to hear more news about a trough or front ‘out there’ somewhere. There was talk about the season’s first tropical depression or storm (no one knew for sure) in the Gulf of Mexico near Texas - dropped ten inches of rain. Sure glad it was there and not here. Friday, 6/8  - Hot and balmy. We took BLUE MAX south of town around to Rolle, Crab and Red Shank Cays. On the charts we saw what we thought were caves just south of Master’s Harbor and Isaac Cay but they were not snorkeling caves. We did snorkel a shallow coral reef just north of the main channel in Elizabeth harbor marked by a buoy.  Although it was cloudy, we did get to see a turtle eating from the coral and vegetation and found several live conch.  Returned to Georgetown, dropped the hook, Wayne took a power nap then it was off to Twin Turtles for their ‘’famous’ Friday night BBQ and live music.