tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58543810138857852322024-03-05T11:23:14.215-05:00Steadfast AhoyLife onboard Steadfast in the Caribbean and back home with a wry sense of whimsy.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06121172465022137270noreply@blogger.comBlogger392125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5854381013885785232.post-77820822672635246012015-07-22T10:43:00.001-04:002015-07-22T10:43:54.613-04:00Through the Fog and Mist...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Groaning, I rolled over to see the clock. It was 6:30 in the morning.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>-Why did you wake me up??????</i></b></span></div>
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<i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;">-It wasn't me, </i><span style="font-family: inherit;">replied my husband, </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>someone knocked on our door.</i></b></span></div>
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Okay then, let's see what's going on. I staggered to the balcony window. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>-Yikes! Get up!!!! We're in the gorges. Where's my camera?</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I liked that opening. It kind of grabs your attention, right? But before I show you those photos, we need to back up one day and talk about the </span>Yangtze River dam, The Three Gorges Dam.</div>
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Credit goes to Mao for setting this project in motion over 40 years ago. He created the political will, but didn't have the financial means to carry it off.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">web photo</span></div>
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Today, the Three Gorges Dam is the largest engineering project ever undertaken, anywhere on earth. Opened in 2008, it's 34 generators produce the electricity 25 million tons of crude oil, or 50 million tons of coal can. Electric production is eight times that of the Hoover Dam in the USA. That's the good news. <br />
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The Bad News outweighs it all!<br />
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It cost $28 billion to build. <br />
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The project displaced millions of people.<br />
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Those displaced were relocated to new land (half of what they had been promised) and given a monetary compensation equivalent to $7.00 a month. They are not happy campers. <br />
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Thousands of significant architectural and archaeological sites were destroyed. <br />
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Reports are streaming in of environmental and ecological ramifications that are making Mao roll over in his glass coffin. <br />
(Only at night though, when no one is looking, of course.) <br />
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Purported to eliminate flooding downstream, which has been disastrous for centuries, it is now causing the opposite problem upstream: drought, low water levels, famine and disease.<br />
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Built to withstand earthquakes of Seven on the Richter Scale, scientists are warning the Three Gorges Dam has the capacity to CAUSE earthquakes, endangering 31 million people of Changqing right next door. It is built on, not one, but two geologic fault lines! <br />
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The seasonal rising and lowering of the water levels in the 405 square mile reservoir undermines the soil at the base of cliffs, causing landslides of major proportions, resulting in more relocations and many more unhappy people.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>-Where did you learn all that</i></b></span>, you ask?<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>-The Scientific American news link.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Oh, by the way, did I mention that Google, Face Book and Twitter are blocked in China? Just saying....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This group of speakers and guides, are from the Miao people group displaced by the Dam. They portrayed their grief and dissatisfaction in song and in private discussions with those of us who engaged them in conversation. They were our hosts on the Three Gorges Excursion.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTk_lDC3qkmcvF6zO4WpR04-pkZp_XandUZuUh4NHaPlINADvg0HAAjAn0-88X5E9OJSUyzLxMp2egOpQpHfm-exZ2ukphh9VhyphenhyphenbqcjGpLZ5XNS9r7F96GNMu1hdZABp1-QI2A3MlbhOI/s1600/P1040821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTk_lDC3qkmcvF6zO4WpR04-pkZp_XandUZuUh4NHaPlINADvg0HAAjAn0-88X5E9OJSUyzLxMp2egOpQpHfm-exZ2ukphh9VhyphenhyphenbqcjGpLZ5XNS9r7F96GNMu1hdZABp1-QI2A3MlbhOI/s320/P1040821.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Because of fog and delays on the river, our excursion to the viewing platform of the Dam and Locks was cancelled. The discrete knock on our door in the early morning alerted us to the upcoming excitement. Captain B grabbed a coffee and I found something to wear outside and we were ready to document our three hour trip through the five locks.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My photos are on my phone and </span>inaccessible, groan!<br />
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Suffice it to say, we were wedged together in the locks so closely, we could have reached out and shaken hands with the crews next to us. Certainly there were conversations, photo ops and smiles all round. One lock fed directly into the next, for a total of five, lifting us over 600 feet to the reservoir.<br />
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On the other side, the most dramatic scenery bewitched us, calling us deeper and deeper into the fjords of green waters, towering cliffs and verdant peaks. <br />
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During our excursion, we saw three "Hanging Coffins", relics from centuries past. When an important official died, his body was buried for three years, while he was revered and honoured. Once the body had decayed, the bones were exhumed and placed in these wooden coffins, high above ground. Many thousands of these have been lost due to the flooding.<br />
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Peter pointed this hat out to me and we shared a smile. Just HAD to post it.</div>
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Steadfast and Loyal.</div>
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Dressed for another delicious meal aboard and ready to enjoy the company of friendly, happy travellers. The Viking Emerald carries 256 guests and 168 crew. Large enough to have fun, small enough to meet and get to know new friends.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Next up, farming in China. Stay tuned.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06121172465022137270noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5854381013885785232.post-15212338526439737662015-07-20T09:42:00.000-04:002015-07-20T09:42:04.123-04:00Down A Not So Lazy River, or, The Slow Boat in China<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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We woke to our fourth day in China as the Viking Emerald cruised up the Yangtze River. The third longest river in the world (after #1 the Nile and #2 the Amazon ), this river sources in Tibet and then extends 3915 miles across the whole country of China, heading east to finish near Shanghai.<br />
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We left the glitz and sophistication of the big cities behind us. Now we were getting a look at life on the river. Captains and crew live aboard most of the boats we saw, eking out a tough life.<br />
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I wondered about the ecological impact of the intense dredging. We passed countless dredgers and off loaders for days. The construction of high-rise apartment buildings in every city makes the demand for sand into concrete unending.</div>
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This unfortunately dark and dismal photo shows the best example of the preservation attempts to protect what could be saved after the dam caused huge areas of flooding. This embankment represents the height of the water during monsoon season. </div>
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We never saw a single recreational or personal water craft; no live aboard cruising tourists, like Steadfast is in the Bahamas or on the Inter-Coastal-Waterway in the USA. This river is a working thoroughfare, channeling goods back and forth across the country. No lolly gagging here!</div>
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The one exception: the River Tour Cruises, like the Viking Emerald.</div>
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The crew of the Emerald went all out to make our stay a memorable one.<br />
This came compliments of our room stuart.</div>
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Each stateroom had its own personal balcony, albeit a tiny one.</div>
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My sister and brother-in-law had the cabin next door to ours. We were able to keep tabs on each other and share photo ops along the way. hee hee.</div>
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It took a couple of days before we moved completely away from the cities and began to see rural scenery. The weather was rather dismal--we wondered if we'd ever see the "good stuff" thru the fog. In the meantime, we had fun and some silliness to keep us occupied aboard. Did I mention the fresh flowers in every public space onboard? This regal display of Birds Of Paradise and Stargazer Lilies was magnificent. It just kept getting better and better as time passed and more buds opened.</div>
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We learned how to play Majong, move thru some Tia Chi, write Chinese script, listened to some history of the river, and more. Of course there were the tea ceremonies...</div>
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After dinner offerings were the floor shows put on by crew members. The wait staff in the restaurant doubled as dancers extordinaire. The costumes were so colourful and intricate, representing ancient Chinese dress, mostly of the noble classes.</div>
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Check out these shoes: a precursor to high heels???</div>
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This is Li Ting Ting (Alice) who was our favourite waitress. Captain B and I wanted to adopt her and bring her home.</div>
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Views of rural China were more what I had expected to see when we had planned our trip.</div>
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It rained part of every day that we were on the river, and the fog was so dense at times, I wondered if we would be able to see anything. In fact, our excursion for day seven was cancelled as "Dungeon Thick'o fog" socked us in, bringing all river traffic to a complete halt for six hours. Today's excursion was also cancelled due to heavy rain, but Viking brought the fun to us. Viking sponsors three different schools along the rural areas of the river. They brought the children to us for a floor show and a chance to talk with them afterwards.</div>
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This link will let you hear the children singing and see some of what their schools are like.</div>
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https://youtu.be/KUBqVxoWkXk</div>
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Heather was impressed with the food presentation. She had surprises ahead, when we were offered fried chicken feet, pigs tails, and such!!!</div>
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Ambling back to our room at the end of a busy day, our heads full of new lessons in cultural exchange, we were greeted by another gift from Stephen, our attentive room stuart.</div>
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Stay tuned for accounts of Xian and the Terra Cotta Warriors, The Great Wall and the Forbidden City. What a trip! I am reliving the fun by sharing these posts with you a little at a time. Questions? Comments? Feel free to let me know if you are interested.</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/324/8266ABB98FEC4171CCA2ED55A6DECA6C.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06121172465022137270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5854381013885785232.post-16856562307806138152015-07-14T20:42:00.000-04:002015-07-14T20:42:25.732-04:00Ahoy Flotilla!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
In 1780, Marquis de Lafayette captained L'Hermione across the Atlantic from France to America. "She sails like a bird" he exclaimed. Between 1780 and 1783, the Hermione was directly involved with America as she fought against the British in the Revolutionary War.<br />
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At 185 feet tall, 153 feet long, with a beam of 36' 11.2" and a 16 foot draft, the Hermione today is an exact replica of her namesake of 1780. She boasts three masts, a 26 gun deck and rigging that is equivalent to 15 miles long. <br />
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235 years after her first visit to this region, L'Hermione sailed into the active harbour of Castine. In 1780, she was testing the waters, so to speak, checking the power and presence of the British in Fort George, where present day Castine has ruled since pre-colonial days. <br />
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The Crew and guests of Steadfast, now the crew and guests of Pescatora (our summer run about), joined the flotilla to welcome L'Hermione to the Penobscot Bay and into the harbour at Castine. We had made arrangements to join up at 1 pm. in front of the garage on shore. At noon, the fog was so thick in Weir Cove, I thought for sure it would be a non-event. By 12:45, the sun had broken through and it was a go! In high spirits we set out. <br />
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At the head of the Cape, dozens of boats had already gathered, with no big ship in sight. Well...let's go see some seals on the Green Ledges, other side of Western Island. Ooooh, Ahhhh. Lots of seals. Fun. </div>
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Back to the head of the Cape. Now the fog was back and it was an issue. Hmmmm.</div>
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In Parade Dress, this sailboat almost got lost in the fog.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVf4K1igCSr2ynwyg-m0-gtz57Ok7GMbsdeC7CSakrm66HSl7kP5ETH-DSgHD5CFXYSd80SrJG0NdHrxIZAKM2K9iWtiEDHGAIG_J9MmLHxSFxA4w0G25Ob5lO_4-RzuMI6hTWrcDoq7o/s1600/waiting+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVf4K1igCSr2ynwyg-m0-gtz57Ok7GMbsdeC7CSakrm66HSl7kP5ETH-DSgHD5CFXYSd80SrJG0NdHrxIZAKM2K9iWtiEDHGAIG_J9MmLHxSFxA4w0G25Ob5lO_4-RzuMI6hTWrcDoq7o/s320/waiting+2.jpg" width="290" /></a></div>
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We monitored channel 72 for the local chatter. No sightings yet. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>What was that? A cannon? </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Yes! </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Boom!!! </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Well, THAT was a cannon, and close by! </i></b></span></div>
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We inched forward in the fog. A ghost emerged from the mist.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>There She Is!!!</i></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk1DNt6Cw576NHiEH3R4ZzR_PEoti5e5CmMlKd3GjzTvdrp8B_Z8OlIvmE28JYPlTMuJNIrhr6Hq1x0vD2UhlpDql8OTWDFPuNbdHxnYfN5T7Oq00KPKECm0392L9BpRzF02Oq3AgNoXo/s1600/there+she+is%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk1DNt6Cw576NHiEH3R4ZzR_PEoti5e5CmMlKd3GjzTvdrp8B_Z8OlIvmE28JYPlTMuJNIrhr6Hq1x0vD2UhlpDql8OTWDFPuNbdHxnYfN5T7Oq00KPKECm0392L9BpRzF02Oq3AgNoXo/s320/there+she+is%2521.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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She had sailed right passed us in the fog.</div>
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Now everyone converged to get a close up view. Things got a little dicey as wake crashed into wake, sailing vessels encroached on smaller boats, power boats swerved into and out of the way of other boats...close quarters for sure.</div>
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The fog began to lift. We got a clearer view of the majestic tall ship. She towered over everything else on the water.</div>
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We could see crew climbing the rigging, doing something with the cannons, and generally looking very authentic in period dress.</div>
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See the man in red on the cross beam in the lower left of this photo? Doesn't that give you sense of perspective?</div>
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Here a man is at the full 180 feet mast, unfurling a pennant that had fouled in the rigging.</div>
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The crow's nest....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigMx2D1NWOvARevOUgd_g_zq5HSCwQy4WHtdg42e-t923yTO3yQ1KxjeVE0rCw1MHPGrEYqeb2ddcocl5Cj2mrLxJVnozJq4ZgkNYnZmVtuW-Y1uj0SMm3dTDdpREAiJCxt5ync1Rsxco/s1600/way+up+there.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigMx2D1NWOvARevOUgd_g_zq5HSCwQy4WHtdg42e-t923yTO3yQ1KxjeVE0rCw1MHPGrEYqeb2ddcocl5Cj2mrLxJVnozJq4ZgkNYnZmVtuW-Y1uj0SMm3dTDdpREAiJCxt5ync1Rsxco/s320/way+up+there.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4bO04kFhk0UfzPrlbKdA6p14U4jxg14F_21Cq3DYf2qakSY91Ii3n5Vdl2iwq7yMMND3Rp9nLN8I_4Fm48A4FPFJiUiUApjSTS1DRtgcexM74_DR31RWLn7d_WUEAZK9WuPJ_Tfkk2jA/s1600/canon+maintenence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4bO04kFhk0UfzPrlbKdA6p14U4jxg14F_21Cq3DYf2qakSY91Ii3n5Vdl2iwq7yMMND3Rp9nLN8I_4Fm48A4FPFJiUiUApjSTS1DRtgcexM74_DR31RWLn7d_WUEAZK9WuPJ_Tfkk2jA/s320/canon+maintenence.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Do you see the man in orange pants hanging over a cannon?????</div>
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Schooners, Windjammers, day sailors, open motor boats, lobster boats, inflatable dinghies and every conceivable water vessel came out to welcome the Hermione. </div>
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Janice brought fresh baked treats which we devoured hungrily, as we drifted a while and enjoyed the view.</div>
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It was fun to be part of it all.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFo13FX6P9tag2i1mtCk2H3zH3sFjjT6q2l26gWyE6E-Jfl6GzC242LIdYuGtsaVnAUMycmcN5ffY6ceGETqFTtZIKIVvdUyceVUh4w0GIC70ks5dArNlQH-nT3um5KntSdgqNNW0Xl0/s1600/schooner+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFo13FX6P9tag2i1mtCk2H3zH3sFjjT6q2l26gWyE6E-Jfl6GzC242LIdYuGtsaVnAUMycmcN5ffY6ceGETqFTtZIKIVvdUyceVUh4w0GIC70ks5dArNlQH-nT3um5KntSdgqNNW0Xl0/s320/schooner+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixoeMD6IeCR-kS5iKkDANt59v5tLrHz5LH0Q0_A1I-Dokymp_4iBAK1XwtVHVAp-u2NnGkBj9wKXOtUx_jhMw9KHWeI8fdwSyMkNRtvsuAL_khl3jCrY7l89MowhK8sJIKhTXm0LnkgI8/s1600/schooners.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixoeMD6IeCR-kS5iKkDANt59v5tLrHz5LH0Q0_A1I-Dokymp_4iBAK1XwtVHVAp-u2NnGkBj9wKXOtUx_jhMw9KHWeI8fdwSyMkNRtvsuAL_khl3jCrY7l89MowhK8sJIKhTXm0LnkgI8/s320/schooners.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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If you click on this picture to enlarge it, you will see the name FOURNIER TRACTOR. This is a tugboat out of Belfast, probably on hand to maneuver L'Hermione into a birth in Castine. Fournier was my Mother's maiden name.</div>
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What an adventure we had! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5zvZC4YiQO-Micp4bEFjcmh8K4EQdnv_bTza3Gx27QChy1NNJgysnRIyGMtclqumfFbznEY2jKWdpMGVopbkDERkdkC3Yr5Aw56i0v-EnO8fCK3k0neywP4Lzxdd7u9BQv0kb4fDLmc/s1600/way+back+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5zvZC4YiQO-Micp4bEFjcmh8K4EQdnv_bTza3Gx27QChy1NNJgysnRIyGMtclqumfFbznEY2jKWdpMGVopbkDERkdkC3Yr5Aw56i0v-EnO8fCK3k0neywP4Lzxdd7u9BQv0kb4fDLmc/s320/way+back+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Another great day in Down East Maine. </div>
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Stay tuned for more in the series on China. The tour of the Three Gorges coming up next.</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/324/8266ABB98FEC4171CCA2ED55A6DECA6C.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06121172465022137270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5854381013885785232.post-31283132139319035442015-06-21T17:08:00.003-04:002015-06-21T17:08:59.983-04:00Wet and Weary in Wuhan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Goodbye</span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;"> Shanghai,</i> hello <i><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wuhan</span></b></i>.</div>
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Our third day in China found us at the peak of exhaustion from travel weariness and jet lag. Captain B was also still fighting the good fight against a vicious chest infection. He had insisted he wouldn't miss this trip for anything, even though his doctor strongly advised doing so! Needless to say, another three bus trips and an air plane ride were not high on our list of things to do in China, or anywhere else that day. </div>
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If either one of us had been given a vote, we would have nixed the whole idea of a museum tour at 5 pm. after the day of travel. Our tour guide insisted there was no option. Well...we had travelled to the opposite side of the earth to see the cultural highlights of China, and whether we wanted to or not at that exact moment, it was going to happen. As it turned out, it was very well worth the time and energy spent. I wouldn't have missed it for anything, now that I know what I would have missed.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ZDH4F2caWZD0ymuv1g1Z9fyp3Ao1G3M2ZE3banonQjLmSKzxJ3LbdcM4ol_8xasNOuI8kJg5SsDXvc9T5-omk12D8q4oWgbZq_iKCYXQCnvqyUFRkb1_m-EmHgimO3HkCr82XFfiuIY/s1600/building.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ZDH4F2caWZD0ymuv1g1Z9fyp3Ao1G3M2ZE3banonQjLmSKzxJ3LbdcM4ol_8xasNOuI8kJg5SsDXvc9T5-omk12D8q4oWgbZq_iKCYXQCnvqyUFRkb1_m-EmHgimO3HkCr82XFfiuIY/s320/building.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We were so late arriving, the museum had closed to the public. They allowed our group in under special permission. I am impressed with Viking Tours powers of persuasion!</div>
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The <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Hubei Provincial Museum </i></b></span>is a large place, with imposing entrance and beautiful gardens. It houses an impressive collection of artifacts from the Warring States period (500-400 BC).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXGdxWWCT_iy41YZYbnlNsLsJt2b7a6UC_4gwu_fDP1nQrmZtppLujK7yBWjYj87emyRNoOJQZMBgd94yE3cBoi-c-eqyivkozdTUB_yDq0T7C-zAJuFRrP2Ao9grzTUbH4JHZHrIc-4Q/s1600/gardens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXGdxWWCT_iy41YZYbnlNsLsJt2b7a6UC_4gwu_fDP1nQrmZtppLujK7yBWjYj87emyRNoOJQZMBgd94yE3cBoi-c-eqyivkozdTUB_yDq0T7C-zAJuFRrP2Ao9grzTUbH4JHZHrIc-4Q/s320/gardens.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The primary attraction of this museum is an astonishing set of 65 gold-inlaid bronze bells.</div>
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Engravings have determined these bells were a gift to Marquis Yi of Zeng by his king Chu, in 433 BC. Such an extravagant gift shows the length to which various kings went, to ensure the loyalty of even minor Vassels. Every tiny fiefdom was at war with its neighbours, during that time, trying to hold power over as much territory as possible. Kings needed all the support they could get.</div>
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The bells and many artifacts were discovered when the tomb of Marquis Yi was unearthed. This collection is highly valued and considered a major prize of antiquity. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfjX1sSkBy4PEzto-dpj1Iw_GekpOQ0WySl_lwn8XSb0XjI_3t4rhQ3q2zn2c8UPLOc1EYnDqYyeBB3yb7IPH4TAFAaaVbWPeJ2FqUros6Zvs_5g-GMsaHuFkiFMJcNADelGGoyKuqbGI/s1600/bells+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfjX1sSkBy4PEzto-dpj1Iw_GekpOQ0WySl_lwn8XSb0XjI_3t4rhQ3q2zn2c8UPLOc1EYnDqYyeBB3yb7IPH4TAFAaaVbWPeJ2FqUros6Zvs_5g-GMsaHuFkiFMJcNADelGGoyKuqbGI/s320/bells+1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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The set of bells cover 5 octaves and range in size from 8 inches (weighing 5 pounds) to 5 feet (weighing 448 pounds).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFMkhQKqDy4xUd1vcS75o_poMWi6nuOI-s5T3H7cMJBIyE92NfvY-9YVCgcf_5W0RlgfETMAfSmsm9ND_ZDC0k5oEMTWDb5_I1tAaTUqukmQ4WG0u2PvSwBVZR3YVc_tZZijoHLIVvtV0/s1600/bells+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFMkhQKqDy4xUd1vcS75o_poMWi6nuOI-s5T3H7cMJBIyE92NfvY-9YVCgcf_5W0RlgfETMAfSmsm9ND_ZDC0k5oEMTWDb5_I1tAaTUqukmQ4WG0u2PvSwBVZR3YVc_tZZijoHLIVvtV0/s320/bells+4.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVzOBC0AtHeAfFt4HB8oqUPyDMpG-IcKBfyb0PaGwpM2XuI78hmRxnHtD0-L87i_E9ns_aotBvXJL6WQVPZ55V40mAchk8ZlVJgoaioSc4LlwpEPATmteCOjgig3W9JJxr06N6UiSejv0/s1600/bells+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVzOBC0AtHeAfFt4HB8oqUPyDMpG-IcKBfyb0PaGwpM2XuI78hmRxnHtD0-L87i_E9ns_aotBvXJL6WQVPZ55V40mAchk8ZlVJgoaioSc4LlwpEPATmteCOjgig3W9JJxr06N6UiSejv0/s320/bells+3.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFG3WefKVwxL5JPFK0TNfK-TJem3BQnzKyDJG8dG7eW8iINuya7AkQewIEuEFkhICKxEeEyL3c34NOt3zfFSZxE4Qm37nqgZLnpJcMJFowVFn9KO9MnPTTz4lloxGqGCATWYSaLnjJKN0/s1600/bells+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFG3WefKVwxL5JPFK0TNfK-TJem3BQnzKyDJG8dG7eW8iINuya7AkQewIEuEFkhICKxEeEyL3c34NOt3zfFSZxE4Qm37nqgZLnpJcMJFowVFn9KO9MnPTTz4lloxGqGCATWYSaLnjJKN0/s320/bells+5.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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To listen to a short sample of what these bells sound like, check out this link:</div>
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lov9kvphqfM</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJcl6PgvmUdkPBS96DfluPgbCwVzAl71DZ2HScN_7R0iaVF-zUF79B8mMlvYSQU53NLSet-3k5YT-T2f0heXa2gZFWEoDLcVX6Ibnng54uUfFEreGyLOvlRJCFpPtLjb3clrP0Q60tzbU/s1600/drums.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJcl6PgvmUdkPBS96DfluPgbCwVzAl71DZ2HScN_7R0iaVF-zUF79B8mMlvYSQU53NLSet-3k5YT-T2f0heXa2gZFWEoDLcVX6Ibnng54uUfFEreGyLOvlRJCFpPtLjb3clrP0Q60tzbU/s320/drums.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Notice the ancient stringed instrument at the front of the stage. It has 24 individual bridges. Can you imagine tuning that???</div>
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This photo shows the "tiles" also used in the musical performance.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS_0bbKrDUgFTOmIkqq5yiQgVFmEDPbJMHjlpghlgFTnniaKSJIR3FTm4ChYXW-JVUmRPHpf1uCoTTJOoDJHnFBepgIewFOc9TkgXZNFns9qfuhwVK17BEMVPfahErNY6XGuMHFl_xXcg/s1600/musicians.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS_0bbKrDUgFTOmIkqq5yiQgVFmEDPbJMHjlpghlgFTnniaKSJIR3FTm4ChYXW-JVUmRPHpf1uCoTTJOoDJHnFBepgIewFOc9TkgXZNFns9qfuhwVK17BEMVPfahErNY6XGuMHFl_xXcg/s320/musicians.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Among the many artifacts in the museum, we marvelled at the lacquer coffin of Marquis Yi. Lacquer coffins were highly valued for their preservative and decorative qualities. Again, one wonders at the ability of a lowly Vassel to afford such an outrageously expensive coffin: King Chu was still coddling the Yi family and heirs.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidn2Zxb5ilbCslBcySXfphQhtRhtkaCR1tLRT9rK0rHt_5HWOqaijMZjuc5gBn1f6T4nizLan3Rss_OvcfJz8zrQjQlkNHqdl0DC1BMOfZTQDllJX2CmJqSI-Kbu6La2OYGJfNvlWUu70/s1600/coffin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidn2Zxb5ilbCslBcySXfphQhtRhtkaCR1tLRT9rK0rHt_5HWOqaijMZjuc5gBn1f6T4nizLan3Rss_OvcfJz8zrQjQlkNHqdl0DC1BMOfZTQDllJX2CmJqSI-Kbu6La2OYGJfNvlWUu70/s320/coffin.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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As the Egyptians, so the Chinese, and probably many other ancient cultures...they buried their dead with everything thought needed for the after-life. Marquis Yi's burial chambers contained food and wine vessels, furniture, weapons, the bells of course, and the bodies of his favourite concubines! </div>
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A small sample of photos....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8chyphenhyphen7F1Uu_ai2hBoh8S9wHLCghVUXf4xmEcbxgc0noPqmdF2vl0ANqeex9mQKp9dqMiPXxsHvfHKB2_VYpp4lxGYfnPmZlYMZgNGoP3cdRWaMBZ-df_XCtD_OpMcQgBJ-XX9C66tA5k8/s1600/box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8chyphenhyphen7F1Uu_ai2hBoh8S9wHLCghVUXf4xmEcbxgc0noPqmdF2vl0ANqeex9mQKp9dqMiPXxsHvfHKB2_VYpp4lxGYfnPmZlYMZgNGoP3cdRWaMBZ-df_XCtD_OpMcQgBJ-XX9C66tA5k8/s320/box.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc5uw8RX_HmuBDMSsX9o6WlbIUziGg2zegq1tVW2VLj9ugVBmjrWeLOH-VCFFVvbCyNqFfnIaiCt6aNY66pQ5KeigodQtYqlsSC8zStIs7J37kga6dNoiijnOr9DENPMbc1IGmcWqTG50/s1600/bronze+snakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc5uw8RX_HmuBDMSsX9o6WlbIUziGg2zegq1tVW2VLj9ugVBmjrWeLOH-VCFFVvbCyNqFfnIaiCt6aNY66pQ5KeigodQtYqlsSC8zStIs7J37kga6dNoiijnOr9DENPMbc1IGmcWqTG50/s320/bronze+snakes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJGqfkNpx1eOFU6NYoZCm2Y7sZ31QxsvHA67oClUpkUK0WY-Ny8BYRmZnNdiSLIekV3BQi-YxpKWUNNwd9ajCbMYB54yDYVpbiZJqjn7uSVBh59IwZJbCnubs63dc3z1zTiWS6sGcNaY/s1600/bronze.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJGqfkNpx1eOFU6NYoZCm2Y7sZ31QxsvHA67oClUpkUK0WY-Ny8BYRmZnNdiSLIekV3BQi-YxpKWUNNwd9ajCbMYB54yDYVpbiZJqjn7uSVBh59IwZJbCnubs63dc3z1zTiWS6sGcNaY/s320/bronze.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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By the time our visit to the museum was complete, the sun was setting, rain was falling, and we were ready to find a place to veg out, preferably in a horizontal position. Our loyal bus driver and local guide kept us awake and informed as we made our hour more drive to the boat--our home for the next five days.</div>
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The Yangtze river at last. I never found out what this was, illuminated next to our ship, but it appeared to be a ROUND boat!</div>
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A dancing DRAGON and deafening drums heralded us as we boarded our ship, The Emerald Viking: colour, noise and confusion as we staggered aboard, carrying what hadn't been portered for us. We left all our cares behind us as we were royally greeted and ushered to our cabins. There, a bottle of champagne and a bouquet of fresh flowers awaited us. </div>
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Oh boy! This was going to be fun. </div>
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And it was!</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/324/8266ABB98FEC4171CCA2ED55A6DECA6C.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06121172465022137270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5854381013885785232.post-13513480951593773852015-06-13T15:07:00.003-04:002015-06-13T15:27:34.623-04:00Saturday In Shanghai<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Our first day in China began in the enormity of Shanghai. I say that big cities are the same everywhere...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiRqOrkzsF0HYQrKnH90cm9J_CFlvTwGKtiEyNC6DgBRnL5G2Q8RjEhZnYBjhMO3QUxNxbFv54a2D_aQ4UACNLDwKR9PD7X9x_cmHEzCQcQzUxyycWft608ZBR3pUP4q15XkdvpFwcIRA/s1600/walmart+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiRqOrkzsF0HYQrKnH90cm9J_CFlvTwGKtiEyNC6DgBRnL5G2Q8RjEhZnYBjhMO3QUxNxbFv54a2D_aQ4UACNLDwKR9PD7X9x_cmHEzCQcQzUxyycWft608ZBR3pUP4q15XkdvpFwcIRA/s320/walmart+sign.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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but then.... This place really had something others do not: the heart of the city hosts a stunning collection of high rise buildings, each one an architectural masterpiece. </div>
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A stroll along the Bund, the elegant riverside promenade, is a tourist must. A floral bedecked, elevated boardwalk, swarming with those wanting to see and be seen!</div>
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"Old Shanghai" (newly renovated and updated, as in paved streets, painted and refurbished shops) was our first morning stop. </div>
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an original, ancient tea house.</div>
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Chinese tourists, and our small group of 35, clogged the pedestrian lanes, crowded the tiny shops and devoured edible offerings from the street-side cafes. </div>
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(click to enlarge photos)</div>
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The things with straws in the middle of them are dumplings full of soup.</div>
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Although I was careful to follow our tour guide's warnings not to eat the street food, I still ended up with Travellers' Complaint. Immodium forever my friend.</div>
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Tour agents advise modest, plain clothing, not too colourful, plain even. Don't listen to them. Even on the cruise, which advertised casual dress, the women turned out dressed to impress.<br />
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Haggling for purchases was the way of it--fun. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>-How much did you pay for your silk scarf/copy watch/chopsticks/fan? </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>-I got mine for half that!</i></b></span></div>
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I loved the ancient, enclosed garden we spent time in. A young, aspiring government official, back in the day, made building this garden his life's work. He had failed his parents, embarrassing them by not making it in "officialdom", so he tried to make amends by dedicating the garden and it's many buildings to their memory.</div>
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Being a country of billions, every effort is made to keep things clean. Litter is non-existent! Street sweepers are everywhere, constantly, busily making sure there is not a scrap of paper, piece of string or cigaret butt to be found, and they do it with rag mops, twig brooms and dust bins, all by hand.<br />
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Who is watching who?<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>-This one looks like a tasty morsel.</i></b></span></div>
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We had barely 1.5 hours (not nearly enough time by half) to tour the Shanghai Museum. We ooo'ed and ahhh'ed over exhibits of ancient Chinese art, ceramics of the Ming Dynasty, jade carvings, silk screens, country dress from day one and onward, scrolls of ancient script (read right to left) complete with red chops (the official stamp, unique to the author, a practice still in use today when gentlemen sign official documents or write letters of import.)<br />
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Where we had lunch, there was a silk factory, complete with a display area and a shop. Who would have guessed??? See it, learn about it, buy it. At least that was their plan for us tourist types.</div>
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I learned that the silk worm builds his cocoon by spinning one continuous strand of ultra thin silk filament around and around himself and then goes into metamorphosis mode. Before he is ready to eat his way out of his cocoon, thereby breaking the single strand of silk, the cocoons are steamed in boiling water to kill the wee beasty. Then, people with nimble fingers unwind the cocoon very, very carefully.</div>
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Numerous strands are spun together to be used for silk embroidery, cloth, or in this case, carpets. The fine grade silk carpets are over-the-top luxurious, wonderfully beautiful and fantastically expensive. No, the Steadfast Crew did not buy anything.</div>
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After supper, we were treated to the Shanghai Acrobatic Corps performance.</div>
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The highlight, grand finale, was a breathtaking, daredevil act: 8, count them, eight full-size motorcycles spinning, at full speed, INSIDE A ROUND, ORB CAGE!!!!</div>
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Ah...the satisfying end to a busy day. Our five star Westin Hotel was a welcome sight for jet-lagged travellers. The fun was just beginning.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06121172465022137270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5854381013885785232.post-83443798129115769312015-06-07T19:02:00.001-04:002015-06-07T19:10:28.126-04:00First Impressions of China<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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They said it would be the trip of my life. I guess you could say, yes, it was that. From the time I first discovered China thru the eyes of Pearl S. Buck ("The Good Earth", "Pavillon of Women", "Letters from Peking") and after meeting Gladys Aylward (a British evangelical Christian missionary to China) I dreamed of going to China to see it for myself. I envisioned the rice paddies, the rickshaws, the Forbidden City, the rural lifestyle.... It all seemed glamorous and romantic in my mind's eye. I had a rather rude awakening when I woke up in Shanghai!!!</div>
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Our direct flight from Toronto International Airport to Shanghai was 14 hours and 15 minutes. We chased the sun the whole way...there was no night. Time Travel!! We landed a day and a half in the future.</div>
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Our bus ride from the Pudong/Shanghai airport to the heart of Shanghai took one and a half hours. The number of people in China today was what hit me first. The population of the city of Shanghai is 24 million living souls! The population of ChongQuin mega city is 30 Million. The country has a population of 1.35 BILLION. (Compare that with 316.5 million in the USA and 35.16 million in Canada. ) It will be 2030 before the population stops growing in China, due to the one child policy. By then, the population of China will be 1.45 Billion. </div>
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As our bus made its way from the outskirts, to the centre of the city, we passed row upon row, after row, after row, ad infinitum of apartment buildings, those already standing, and thousands more under construction for mile after mile, after mile, after mile.</div>
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In each city we visited, the horizon was punctured with cranes. Building is ongoing everywhere.</div>
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The next thing to make a big impression on me was the traffic. My eyes popped out of my head when I saw four traffic lanes clearly marked on the road and eight streams of cars, trucks, taxis, bicycles, mopeds and buses surging ahead! Our tour guide told us that in America, traffic lights are the law. In other countries, traffic lights are a suggestion. He said that in China, traffic lights are a decoration.</div>
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To make an attempt at traffic control, the country has made it very difficult to get a license for a car. There is now a lottery for the limited license plates issued every year. The going rate to "buy" a licence plate is $15,000.00 (on top of the cost of buying the car). Then, depending on the number on the plate, there are two days a week that your car is not allowed on the road. That being said, there are other means of transport available...bicycles (mopeds that will sneak up on you and run you down in an instant,)"illegal" taxis and public subways.</div>
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I photographed this shot from a brochure in our hotel room. My attempts from a moving bus couldn't come close to capturing these interchanges. It seems China as a whole has chosen one template for every bridge, every city, every highway, every interchange. We saw the same things over and over again.</div>
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I guess everyone has heard of the air pollution in China. Yes, it's real. We NEVER saw a blue sky the whole time we were there, even when the sun was shining. And they say it gets WORSE in the winter. People go to great lengths to ameliorate the effects...masks for instance. Umbrellas and gloves protect from the sun.</div>
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In the city of Xian, population 8 million ( a small city by Chinese standards ) there are four coal power stations alone. Add that to the national habit of smoking cigarets, and you have the leading cause of death in China: lung cancer!!!!! A pack of cigarets costs about 1 US dollar.</div>
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So much for the negatives. Why did I start with them? These are the things that first assaulted me and the things that come immediately to mind when I think back on my trip. There are tons of wonderful things to tell you about, and I will, in subsequent posts. To give you a foretaste....</div>
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Ni hao (hello) is pronounced in Mandarin like this: Knee How. We were told to think: how is your knee, to remember this greeting used uniformly across the country. If you know me, you know I love to learn at least enough local lingo to interact with people. I had such fun using my limited phrases and eliciting smiles.</div>
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Have you been to China? Do your memories marry with mine? </div>
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I am back in America now, and doing the Maine thing. Stay tuned for memories of China and fun in the sun in the USA.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06121172465022137270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5854381013885785232.post-3012475850022799302015-05-03T20:32:00.001-04:002015-05-03T20:32:05.586-04:00Spring Has Sprung<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Over night, under the full moon, spring crept in and exploded in my neighbourhood! </div>
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Warmth, colour, joyous excitement...summer is coming at last.</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Gone are the dismal, dreary days of winter: brown, grey, white (a lovely pallet in their own right, but after a while...it gets OLD).</span></div>
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Don't you just love SPRING????? </div>
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The invigorating promise of more. </div>
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The sweet smell of newness, rebirth. </div>
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Light, unencumbered frolic in the open air. </div>
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Ahhh...delicious greens, pinks and yellows. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06121172465022137270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5854381013885785232.post-19133801167467532512015-04-29T12:54:00.003-04:002015-04-29T12:54:36.768-04:00Cauliflower Pizza, or How to Fumigate the House<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I live with men who pale at the thought of a vegetarian supper (read: ashen and gasping for breath). No way would they even entertain the thought of a cauliflower crust pizza. It happened that I was home alone on a Sunday evening and thought it would be the perfect opportunity to try out the new recipe.<br />
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Back in the day, TV recipes almost always produced an embarrassing occasion. Never, ever would we be caught serving and untried TV recipe to company on the Sunday evening! These days, it's when I find a recipe on Facebook that I get in trouble. </div>
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The first hurdle I had to clear, was the fact that I have no working food processor. Is this chopped finely enough?<br />
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After chopping the cauliflower by hand, to minuscule, tiny pieces, it had to steam for 15 minutes. My entire house <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>reeked</i></b></span> of cooking cauliflower. As it turns out, this was the <i><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">MAJOR</span></b></i> drawback of the whole exercise. My second problem is, my house is not equipped with gas masks.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7E4nC50dzhZ8gBIJYzaWAScF5dKd61kAXa7dCA6H5sgcFVIysQAFJ38AMQaTwQ88nFW3_Y5Z1rJXEPlItOSLChSCmYWd_w2AuTyWcGuwXD1FeehIUndYzsfIyuCZENKTwA-0M15TIqdc/s1600/pesto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7E4nC50dzhZ8gBIJYzaWAScF5dKd61kAXa7dCA6H5sgcFVIysQAFJ38AMQaTwQ88nFW3_Y5Z1rJXEPlItOSLChSCmYWd_w2AuTyWcGuwXD1FeehIUndYzsfIyuCZENKTwA-0M15TIqdc/s1600/pesto.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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The smell dissipated some, or I became innurured to it. Cheese and basil pesto now wafted through the air. How bad could it be? Pizza is pizza, right? Have a glass of wine and.... You know, I cook with wine. From time to time, I even added to the food.</div>
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The moment of truth. I was starving. I couldn't wait until it cooled to became "a foldable pizza crust". Initial reactions were: I need a fork, this is a veggie medley with cheese, it's certainly edible, nothing like pizza! Good thing the guys weren't here. I won't make this one again.<br />
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Let's have another glass of wine.<br />
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When I woke up burping cauliflower gas at 3am, I decided: <i><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I definitely will not be making this again!</span></b></i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06121172465022137270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5854381013885785232.post-45055047784341834202015-04-26T14:12:00.001-04:002015-04-26T14:12:45.494-04:00Off Grid Beauty<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
In my last post, I alluded to a cabin with no water or electricity. Today I want to tell you about it. It's not mine--I was privileged to spend a weekend there and I was blown away.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdSj6T758-_pLW6rFXnNVHIzZT3-azJJODTf70A9UyTdw-TVMshgkRkebIKlR2MPk3AuFzbiZeIVLuA6uNuePiLk7iLxoGidF3IolsjUeNa-kDEYuvFLVWTcaOOId35iwyRM0ObrOdbUA/s1600/cabin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdSj6T758-_pLW6rFXnNVHIzZT3-azJJODTf70A9UyTdw-TVMshgkRkebIKlR2MPk3AuFzbiZeIVLuA6uNuePiLk7iLxoGidF3IolsjUeNa-kDEYuvFLVWTcaOOId35iwyRM0ObrOdbUA/s1600/cabin.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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High on the side of a mountain, open to grazing cattle, deer and bears, this snug, log cabin is a refuge from city life. A place to practice a simpler life. An oasis of quiet, communing with nature and a challenge to living off-grid.<br />
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Water and energy conservation rise to a higher level here: "If it's yellow, let it mellow..." goes even further. Want a shower? Need a bath? Let's make the 20 minute drive to Radium Hot Springs and take a dip. <br />
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A new, deep well is in the plans. Check out this professional Water Witcher. He claims to be quite accurate in locating underground water.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9a9WOGyjUkROJpZimFRr5dVz7NDcu6dP9BNLENjKKVmByl7-6d-s4Hl9eohOPRakvucFy87OV2Hk-qP1r202vjcuqROJcauH8uQhunm7mbLUyNHFEut9QjohwduLHwj7z9DEr0_O-gVo/s1600/looking+for+water+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9a9WOGyjUkROJpZimFRr5dVz7NDcu6dP9BNLENjKKVmByl7-6d-s4Hl9eohOPRakvucFy87OV2Hk-qP1r202vjcuqROJcauH8uQhunm7mbLUyNHFEut9QjohwduLHwj7z9DEr0_O-gVo/s1600/looking+for+water+2.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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As far as electricity, a hard working generator comes into play during the breakfast and supper hours. No TV, no stereos, no electric toothbrushes. Thank goodness for the wood stove and polar down slippers. People resort to old-fashioned play and get creative when 21st century options are out of the question.</div>
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Outdoor play leans towards clearing rocks, chopping and stacking wood, hiking, collecting water and archery...not the usual urban pursuits.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrGGZAswKDzOgnBb_u20VnxqMwAUF-kf13C3vxv8j8dgaF4iNtDf9czp8ZkAFmis8qlsna9XWt8QEZsUwJlUOJNLuEWqeLUm6F727tiQsxwAbIrsINoCWVLQ6R74hYhyDTKhCYrr4idwc/s1600/hiking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrGGZAswKDzOgnBb_u20VnxqMwAUF-kf13C3vxv8j8dgaF4iNtDf9czp8ZkAFmis8qlsna9XWt8QEZsUwJlUOJNLuEWqeLUm6F727tiQsxwAbIrsINoCWVLQ6R74hYhyDTKhCYrr4idwc/s1600/hiking.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Tree forts anyone?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1wRMQfAnQNdAGnyoUeWior1RpDkaTk1gEjP4Ybm9YyiaiGkArsvMle2Jr1-OvQeE6Nqoki6ECh1a_s36SOZln1nUhGLWavjqK8Ok8yxN_WxLS5e56N-HHQIa_IgQYAFOJfPYT_q2sAJ4/s1600/tree+house+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1wRMQfAnQNdAGnyoUeWior1RpDkaTk1gEjP4Ybm9YyiaiGkArsvMle2Jr1-OvQeE6Nqoki6ECh1a_s36SOZln1nUhGLWavjqK8Ok8yxN_WxLS5e56N-HHQIa_IgQYAFOJfPYT_q2sAJ4/s1600/tree+house+1.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Careful, extensive planning is in the works for a solar installation that would allow for modern appliances, like a working fridge, a microwave and a deep freezer for food storage. Until then, there is an abundance of free firewood.</div>
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Adjacent to the property, active logging operations are ongoing. Once the desirable trees are logged out, what remains is gathered into enormous piles and eventually burned.</div>
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I was told, this IS NOT clear cutting. What do I know????</div>
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Down the mountain and below the logging areas, is the Columbia River. This 150 km. long, continuous wetlands is the longest in North America. All the migratory birds of the Rockies are regular visitors here.</div>
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The logging haul is used, practically onsite, to produce plywood, which is stockpiled next to the railroad for shipment, all against the glorious backdrop of mountain vistas.</div>
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We went hiking. April, mountains, snow. Wonderful sunshine and four-wheel drive trucks made for a pleasant trip.</div>
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We found some scat...is it from a dog relative, like a wolf maybe?</div>
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The views are breathtaking!</div>
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We met a truck descending the mountain as we made our way up.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>-You going up to the mud????</i></b></span></div>
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<i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;">-We thought we'd go to the top,</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> our driver said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>-You won't make it. I had all four wheels spinning. It was hopeless.</i></b></span></div>
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<i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;">-What'cha doing up this way</i><span style="font-family: inherit;">, asked our guide?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>-Well, I won the draw this year, at last! I'm hunting Grizzlies. I'm after a particular big, bad guy. If I don't get HIM, then I don't want any at all.</i></b></span></div>
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We ventured on, passed the Grizzly Hunter's tracks, but didn't make it all the way to the top. We didn't see any Grizzlies either, thank goodness.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Mountain Men, my collection:</span></div>
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Snack time around the fire...</div>
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which led to silly pursuits: Pile on Grandpa!</div>
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It was deliciously warm in the sun, by the fire. Some people even thought they should hide in the shade.</div>
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The exciting weekend was over too soon. We headed down the mountain and back to civilization (although, I would say, life in this cottage is pretty civilized.)</div>
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What about you?</div>
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Could you go off-grid?</div>
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Would you live in the wilderness with the wildlife on your doorstep?</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06121172465022137270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5854381013885785232.post-84984224727290017752015-04-19T08:27:00.001-04:002015-04-19T16:19:40.486-04:00Banff Springs Hotel<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Oh, the mountains! Given a choice between living in the mountains or the sea side, I'd be hard pressed to decide. When I'm there, the Rockies are an imposing force in the landscape. They take my breath away. I love it! But.... I think I am really an ocean, seaside kind of girl at heart. That being said, I had a spectacular visit out west recently and I just had to share the beauty with you all.<br />
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After the hustle and bustle of the boating drama (selling our boat of 15 years and saying goodbye to the cruising lifestyle), we were ripe for the luxurious pampering the Banff Springs Hotel offered us. The staff were unfailingly courteous and kind, helpful and knowledgable. At one point, I was surprised to rise my head from putting the dog in his den in the backseat of the rental car, to find a sweet young man holding the front door of the car open for me to get in. Chivalry is not dead! This resort/hotel is ranked #1 out of 31 hotels in Banff.<br />
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The <a href="http://www.fairmont.com/banff-springs/" target="_blank">Banff Springs Resort</a> is part of the worldwide <a href="http://www.fairmont.com/" target="_blank">Fairmont Chain</a>. We gladly signed up for the President's rewards program. Who knows...maybe our bucket list could have all the Fairmonts in the world on it. Wouldn't that be nice.</div>
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Of course our room had a view. Where isn't there a view in the Rockies????</div>
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The buffet breakfasts spoil one for choice. For a person who really doesn't LIKE breakfast, it was a special treat.</div>
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The hotel was opened June 1888 when the Canadian Pacific Railroad had made it West. Renovations and additions started in 1911 and seem to be ongoing. The original portions of the edifice resemble a castle in the mountains.</div>
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There are stories of ghosts, particularly a bride who fell on the stairs and broke her neck on her wedding night, but we missed her this trip.</div>
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The views from every window are breathtaking! Even the windows themselves have a certain charm.</div>
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The aura of bygone years peeks out at every turn.</div>
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With nearly two dozen restaurants and lounges on site, one is hard pressed to choose just one. </div>
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The dress code is resort casual, but being from fashion-forward Ontario, I just HAD TO have dresses for my two evenings out. Hubby sort of sprung this treat on me on our way from the airport. All I had were mountain cabin things. You know, the mountain cabin with no water or electricity, kind of clothes???? </div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>-How about two days in the Banff Springs Hotel? Do you think they have pet-friendly rooms?</i></b></span></div>
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<i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;">-Not likely</i><span style="font-family: inherit;">, I thought. But...one phone call later,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>-Why yes, all our rooms are pet-friendly!</i></b></span></div>
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We made reservations at the <a href="http://www.fairmont.com/banff-springs/dining/waldhausrestaurant/" target="_blank">Waldhaus Alpine Restaurant</a> for our first night.</div>
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I also snaffued a nice shirt and tie for my man.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hubby loved his meal, but unfortunately, I turned mine back. The </span>Weiner<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span>schnitzel was pounded so thin, it resembled a potato chip!!! The white wine was delicious, and as we had devoured hors d'heurves in our room before hand, I didn't go hungry. (Apologies for the spelling. Even the computer doesn't know how to spell it.)</div>
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The next morning dawned in a brilliant display of pinks and golds. Nelson was up for a hike and we were happy to oblige him. The Bow River Falls trailhead started a short walk from the hotel. </div>
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The wild life know no bounds in Banff. Elk and long horned sheep are everywhere. I could hardly resist reaching out to feel the soft velvet of this Buck's new antlers. I remained on my side of the fence, but later, people told me how easily he could have jumped over and attacked me if he had felt threatened. Thank goodness for zoom lenses.</div>
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My heart thrilled to see our Canadian Flag, vibrant against the backdrop of the snowy mountains.</div>
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My second new dress from the delightful <a href="http://www.4dangerousdolls.ca/" target="_blank">Four Dangerous Dolls </a>dress shop. It can be worn either forward or backward. The uneven hemline is jazzy. A great, draping fabric that will travel well and is sooooo fun to wear. The shoes on the other hand, a cheapie deal from the consignment store in Canmore, nearly killed me! The price we pay for glamour.</div>
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We were fortunate to get reservations at <a href="http://www.banffcentre.ca/dining/threeravens.asp" target="_blank">Three Ravens Restaurant</a> in the <a href="http://www.banffcentre.ca/" target="_blank">Banff Centre</a> on our second night. My meal was INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!! Their world-class chef outdid himself. I was in gourmet heaven.</div>
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Well, Ladies and Gentlemen, life post-boat goes on. The pictures, the stories continue. While there is life, there is hope. Life's challenges (believe it or not, I don't tell you everything) never fail to give us grief, but remaining Steadfast in faith, love and adventure, we will greet each new day with anticipation and joy. Do leave comments to let me know you are reading and hopefully enjoying the blog. I enjoy recounting the fun.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06121172465022137270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5854381013885785232.post-15097399378930332182015-04-16T18:45:00.003-04:002015-04-16T18:45:58.436-04:00Sugaring Off<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The Grands were coming for Easter Week! What to do? A visit to the Butterfly Exhibit? No, that wouldn't work because some people are "afraid" of butterflies. We made the mandatory visit to Niagara Falls on their last trip. Hmmmm......<br />
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We ended up at <a href="http://www.theniagaralocal.com/review/agape-valley-sugar-bush/" target="_blank">Agape Valley Sugar Bush</a>. As we wondered if the sap was even running yet, it turned out that we were in time for the very last day of operation. The season had started the beginning of March and was about done.<br />
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The hay wagon, pulled by an old tractor, took us down the hill to the "bush".<br />
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The first big draw for the little ones was the teepee. Only Grandpa would let me take his photo there.</div>
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All of Agape is run by family and an army of volunteers. Here, number one son is giving us the tour and explaining that 41 buckets of tree sap will yield one bucket of true Maple Syrup.</div>
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These buckets with the blue "taps" demonstrate the traditional method of collecting sap. Back in the day, Farmer Brown would hitch up a team of horses to a sledge and spend a day slogging thru the woods, collecting up to three buckets on 150 trees. There were accidents, including spills and frostbite. Today, plastic piping connects the taps to tubes on all the trees and gravity pulls sap from the whole forest down to the Sugar Shack.</div>
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Grand #4 was enthralled.</div>
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The slightly yellowed fluid has 1 - 3 % sugar, together with leaves, dirt, and squirrel droppings. Hence the need for more work.</div>
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We were told a fanciful story of how the Native Americans found the sap: Mister Indian Brave, out hunting, flung his tomahawk into a maple tree in frustration at not having caught anything for dinner. He was thirsty and so collected and drank down the sap that began running down the trunk of the tree. Sweet. Hmmm... He took some home (in a canteen, a water bottle????) to his Squaw. She added it into the stew and as it cooked, (boiled off the water) everything became sweeter.</div>
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Eventually, the Natives actively collected and boiled off the sap. </div>
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Syrup poured on snow makes a toffee-like treat, even just before lunch: pancakes drenched in the real stuff, maple baked beans, and eggs poached in maple syrup!!!</div>
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Today, sap is boiled down in "evaporators" like this one. We were told that all Maple Syrup is 66% sugar, waaaaaay up from 1 to 3 percent in the Sap.</div>
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Good thing there was a fence. Grand #3 was very eager to get a closer look.</div>
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Every annual visit includes a trip to <a href="http://www.youngheadz.ca/" target="_blank">Young Headz</a><a href="http://www.youngheadz.ca/" target="_blank">,</a> the salon for kiddos.</div>
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Grand #4 looks handsome in his new coif, as does his Mum in her's.</div>
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Then, before you know it, the visit was over. The flight home was relatively painless. Cabin crew were unbelievably impressed with the official-looking NASA astronaut outfits, and invited the tykes into the cockpit of our Boeing 737 for an inspection. (note the 1/8th size violin on #3's back).</div>
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How was your Easter? Did you celebrate the Easter Bunny or the Sacrificial Lamb? Either way, I hope you were with family and friends, enjoying peace and love. Blessings on you, my readers, for a new season of living.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06121172465022137270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5854381013885785232.post-90348282285955834682015-04-08T14:09:00.000-04:002015-04-08T14:09:12.964-04:00Thanks for the Memories<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Crossing the Bank and Heading Home,</span></i></b> Steadfast rushes ahead, doing 16 knots over a flat sea. The autopilot keeps a course of 297 degrees, unwavering. I sit at the helm, "keeping-an-eye-out", unneeded for the boat to continue. The thought comes that the vessel is a mindless machine on a programmed course, pressing on for as long as there is fuel to feed the engines. Other boats pass at a distance, and then there is nothing at all on the horizon for hours. Birds are fishing. The sky is entirely clear. We left the hustle and bustle of Chubb Cay at 8 am, heading for Bimini. Although a stopover in Alice Town is always a treat, we won't be stopping this time. This is THE MOST PERFECT day to cross the 40 mile Gulf Stream to Fort Lauderdale.<br />
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Captain B's suntanned legs stick out the forward locker door, under the helm station. He is using this time warp to clean up and paint the propane locker. Paint fumes and overspray billow out around his ankles and I wonder at the possibility of his asphixication in that small space. The boat motors on.<br />
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I'm trying not to focus on the pizza waiting in the galley for lunch time. Knowing it would be a long day at sea, while I was cleaning up breakfast, I crafted a homemade treat for later in the day. The delicious aromas teased us for the first hour underway. It will be cold but yummy when the time comes. What will we have for supper? Perhaps a take-out stateside, or a dock'n dine at our marina when we get there..... My mind wanders.<br />
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****</div>
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Our last time underway aboard Steadfast was bitter sweet. We'd saved the smoothest, easiest crossing for the very last. No, we won't miss the boat chores, maintenance and expenses. However, the lifestyle afforded by having our very own home-away-from-home wherever we ended up on any excursion will be missed grieviously! I will cherish memories of:<br />
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- spotting a Manta Ray off our stern while we did some night fishing in Georgetown,<br />
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- rocking to sleep in our aft cabin as the boat moved with the tides,<br />
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- the jumping, splashing, fishing rays while I lounged in my hammock on the aft deckhouse in Normans Cay,<br />
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- our grown kids playing like tykes, jumping off the swim platform and frolicking in the sea in any given anchorage,<br />
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- the sea turtles that came to see us off in Red Shanks that one time....,<br />
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- the dolphin named Nicki, who showed us the way thru the shallows in Georgetown,<br />
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- the many delightful cocktail and dinner parties hosted in our salon over the years,<br />
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- crossing the Delaware against the tide, in 7 foot seas (not a happy memory, but one seared into my brain nonetheless),<br />
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- and the fishing!!!! Yup, the ocean fed us bountifully. We got good at reeling them in, catching, not just fishing. <br />
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*****</div>
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We have accepted an offer. A respectable offer. It's time to say goodbye to our lovely boat.<br />
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Steadfast, we will miss you and your quirky ways. We will treasure all you've taught us and apply it for the rest of our lives, perhaps even in another boat. You've made us fuller people for having known you.<br />
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Thank you for the memories.</span></i></b></div>
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ps. This is not the end of my blog. It will be different in many ways, but still the same in others. Stay tuned for tales of adventure aboard our go-fast Pescatora in Maine, exploits with our Grands in the mountains, trips around the world and the odd story crafted from strange experiences. We'll chat again soon. RN<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06121172465022137270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5854381013885785232.post-18335293708615133672015-03-27T21:33:00.000-04:002015-03-27T21:33:02.272-04:00A Rose By Any Other Name...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I love playing with words and naming boats is a good game. <br />
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For a boat name to really work well, it should be easily pronounced and understood over VHF radio, to hail and identify the vessel, especially in emergency situations. With that in mind, the sky's the limit on choice. There is a theory that unless a thing is named, it doesn't exist. Certainly a name gives personality to an otherwise inanimate object.<br />
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The romantic languages (French, Spanish, Italian, Latin) assign gender identification to all nouns, giving English speakers headaches trying to remember which article (le, la, les) goes with a specific noun. In English, all nouns are "it", not "he" or "she". That being said, boats have carried over their female gender even in English. Captain B says it's because captains always love their boats. A fair majority of vessels carry the names of the captain's wife, mistress, mother or daughter.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Stephanie M</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Lady Maria</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Miss Margaret</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Principessa</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Boat names reveal a lot about the people who named them. Traditionalists take names from famous, ancient warships, or classic literature, or Greek mythology.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Endeavour</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Nautilus</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Excalibur</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Victorious</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Steadfast</i></b></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Vita Da Veritas. </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">One feels sorry for the owners of </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><b><i>Isis</i></b></span><span style="text-align: left;">, named for the Greek goddess of light. The lovely motor vessel now carries the taint of the world's most hated and feared sect of Islam, enemy number one. Things change....</span></div>
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Party Animals choose more shallow, less lofty monickers:<br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Wet Dreams</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Big Johnson</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Sun Buns</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Living Large</i></b></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><i>Marty Time.</i></b><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><br /></span>
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One envisions the Freedom 55 Group with names like:</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;">Time for Us</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Our Time</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Noagenda</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Last Chance</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Rambler.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Crafting an appellation incorporating family names is original, with one-of-a-kind results, making it easy to remember both the boat name and the people on </span>board<span style="font-family: inherit;">:</span></div>
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<i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;">Jubilee </i><span style="font-family: inherit;">(Judy and Bill)</span></div>
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<i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;">Letts Go </i><span style="font-family: inherit;">(Nancy and Jeff Letts)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Final-Lee</i></b></span></div>
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<i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;">Gadabout </i><span style="font-family: inherit;">(Gail and Dennis Baut)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">Can you guess who owns </span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">Rhubarb</i><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">? (Ruth and Barbara).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Sailsmanship</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Off Duty</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Pescatora</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Reel Deal</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">give you an idea of what people did before they lived on boats, or what they do now. </span><span style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;">Outta Thin Air </i><span style="font-family: inherit;">was named by a cowboy who lives at 1100 feet above sea level during off-boating seasons.</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My favourite name category is the play-on-words:</span></span><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i></i></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>H<span style="font-size: x-small;">2</span>OME</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Comocean</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Never 2 Nauti</i></b></span></div>
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<i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;">A-Salt-Weapon </i><span style="font-family: inherit;">(a 70 ft. sport fisher)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">I walked past this stern in Jupiter Yacht Club for two days before the play registered with me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
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Naming a boat is like naming a child, a pet, a homestead, or anything that has been invited into one's life. It takes thought and committment. Once a decision has been made, the decal secured to the transom, you to live with it forever. Naming your vessel makes her your own. She lives because you love her.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06121172465022137270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5854381013885785232.post-66796711253816176712015-03-19T21:42:00.000-04:002015-03-19T21:42:38.831-04:00Moving to the Music<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have documented the annual New Year's celebration of the Bahamas on previous visits to Nassau. You read all about the noise, the hilarity, the wild, joyous abandon--Junkanoo! On this trip, I witnessed two different events that helped me realize this genre of Bahamian "music" fits any and every occasion: an Anglican Church parade and a private birthday party. <br />
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The horns, whistles, cow bells and drums produce an irresistible cacophony that demands a physical response. The overwhelming onslaught of sound penetrates to the cellular level, causing each molecule of one's body to vibrate in rhythm with the pulse of the invasion. Arms and legs begin to move of their own volition. No need for headdress, mask, wire and papier mache cage bodies depicting dragons, butterflies, giant birds or mythological imaginings covered in mosaics of mirrors, feathers, glitter and beads.<br />
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Bodily gyrations say it all: <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>I be in da Bahamas, Mon!</i></b></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06121172465022137270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5854381013885785232.post-18979832463167284322015-02-28T12:35:00.000-05:002015-02-28T12:35:18.108-05:00Fish Tales<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It’s so hot out there, I’ve decided to sit in the air
conditioning and play on my laptop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Mad Dogs (Nelson) and Englishmen (Captian B and the kids) have gone hiking, leaving me in peace and quiet.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Since we last caught up, Steadfast has had the usual
adventures with Cruisers’ Regatta in George Town harbor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Captain B and I did the Poker Run, our first time, and learned more about the bar scene of Grand Exuma Island than
we ever have wanted to know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was a ton of fun, racing around in our dinghies, getting a card from each of 5 locations and then "playing" our best hand at the end. Of course there was a lot of eating and drinking involved...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were required to
dress for the occasion, reflecting the Margarita Ville theme.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Steadfast rode safely at anchor off Sand Dollar Beach for
two weeks, thru several strong blows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
assisted two boats near us reposition after they dragged, encroaching on our
swing area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Captain B is meticulous in
setting the anchor, checking and rechecking that it has truly “dug in”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The seven to one (and 15 to one for storm
conditions) ratio of depth to length of anchor rode is religiously followed on
this boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not all boaters are as
experienced or as knowledgeable as my handsome skipper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As wind shifts and tides change, the boat
swings the full radius of the length of the rode.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>-Excuse me, we have 125 feet of rode out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think you are setting up too close.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>-Do you think so????<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Well…we’ll watch it.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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About sunset, I deploy every fender available on the side of
our boat facing the offending sail boat, to give an obvious hint that collision
is a foregone conclusion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No reaction.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>-Yes, Rosemary, I did specifically tell them about the
forecast front coming late this evening, and yes, I did tell them we have 125
feet out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They said they’d watch it.</i></b></span>
(You know, it’s the privilege of crew to sometimes question the Captain and not
have it called nagging.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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We waken at 10:30pm as the boat is rocking to a new and
bouncy rhythm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Captain B goes outside to
try and raise our now extremely-close neighbours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He calls a gentle “hello” and flicks his
flashlight on and off at their port holes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The people who said they’d “watch it” are sound asleep, below decks.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>-HEY YOU!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>WAKE
UP!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>WAKE UP!! </i></b></span>I scream.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>-Okay, okay.</i></b></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without
another word, the sail boat comes to life, pulls in their 50 to 70 feet of rode
and moves off in the dark and stormy sea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One can only hope they learned something……<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s been a great fishing season so far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lots of fresh fish for suppers and
lunches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fish fingers for cocktails
too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yummy!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbh1e4vOE7brTk2vMx5e5QV_sm_G70_RYTBdX3-l6dZGtJkiaPfl5RCiAZLg_AYn0kYZE7JoF6LxVTWIStc1XFkUSHJ9T7DNABETsHxIoBJ8KeUqo1mtyLXDQmLPKr6s4eXg_HJGpJAGg/s1600/fish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbh1e4vOE7brTk2vMx5e5QV_sm_G70_RYTBdX3-l6dZGtJkiaPfl5RCiAZLg_AYn0kYZE7JoF6LxVTWIStc1XFkUSHJ9T7DNABETsHxIoBJ8KeUqo1mtyLXDQmLPKr6s4eXg_HJGpJAGg/s1600/fish.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I declined the offer to accompany the gang on their hike,
because I’d just spent the last hour on deck, sweltering, trading fish stories
with Tucker, Jamal and Deno.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was hot,
but thrilling conversation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was
reminiscence of unimaginably large schools of Grouper just off shore, close to
Compass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were tales of diving and
close calls with 15-20 foot sharks.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tucker told us about the giant squid pulled in some months
ago by local fishermen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had a big
shark bite out of its side, dead and measured 20 feet long and 8 feet wide!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had to bring it in, or people wouldn’t
have believed their story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone took
photographs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jamal’s story topped them all:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>six years ago, two men, went fishing out of
Nassau.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The weather turned bad and they
were reported missing, presumed drowned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Five days later, Humphry’s fishing boat pulled in a 14 foot Tiger Shark
off Green Cay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As they were trying to
disengage, the shark regurgitated a human head!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Imagine!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had the presence
of mind to shoot and kill the shark and take it in for authorities at the Royal
Bahamian Defense Force, back in Nassau.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When they hung it up and sliced it open, a fully intact, human, male
body fell out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man was identified as
one of the missing fishermen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shiver me
timbers!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I'll be having nightmares from that one.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Well, the extremely hot and tired hikers are back. The peaceful interlude has come to an end and so I will say adieu for today. Play safe everyone, until next time....</span></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/324/8266ABB98FEC4171CCA2ED55A6DECA6C.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06121172465022137270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5854381013885785232.post-65992400561220776612015-02-10T12:15:00.000-05:002015-02-10T12:15:37.074-05:00Winds, Waves, Squalls<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
As those at home are shoveling out AGAIN, snowfall after
snowfall, we on boats are dodging weather fronts, one after another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Windows for crossings, long hauls or just
moving down island have been short and rare this season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve been waiting on friends to make an
appearance in the Exumas, but they have been holed up in Spanish Wells for
almost two months. Their case is an older, slower boat, towing a skiff (which
makes it even slower).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They need wide
windows of opportunity to relocate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Looked like they were going to move on Monday, but squalls were
predicted along their intended course about midway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are staying put, enjoying the
hospitality of one of the prettiest spots in the Caribbean.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Those friends owe us money for supplies we dropped off for
them on Compass Cay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A boat here owes
them money for parts they delivered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
owe $20 for a mooring stay, which still another boat paid for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we all pay it forward, to the boats
closest to us, the debts will eventually cancel themselves out, do ya think?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After a couple of attempts, where we gave up fighting the
swells and breaking waves and took shelter in Big Majors Spot, we took a 6 hour
window and made it to Emerald Bay Marina on Great Exuma Island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was our first time here and yes, we can
now attest to the truth of the rumoured surge inside the marina basin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wind picked up and blew steadily from 30
to 55 knots for three days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Steadfast
deployed every one of our lines and all of our fenders to keep us from slamming
into the docks.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This 50 foot Lagoon Catamaran wasn’t so lucky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The force and weight of his vessel pulled a
cleat right out of the dock at the height of the storm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a bouncy three days at the dock,
inside a sheltered marina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lesson
Learned: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>don’t go to Emerald Bay Marina
if a NE wind/storm is predicted.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cat: Photos not available due to low wifi strength. Welcome to the out islands!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleat: It's quite a dramatic photo. Wish you could see it too.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another rumour has been proven true:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>there is no pool, no restaurant, no supplies
at Emerald Bay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To visit the Sandles
Resort next door, marina guest must pay $85/pp to use the facilities and dine
in their restaurant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>$85.00 gives you a
7 hour pass and free access to the buffet lunch,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>only if their occupancy rate is low.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you want to take a tour and consider
buying a time-share condo at Grand Isle Resort and Spa, marina guests can visit
their poolside restaurant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beach and
pool facilities are for resort guests only.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fishx3: You know I like to show off my catch, brag a bit and tell my fish stories.....sorry about no photos.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yesterday, the wind changed direction and the seas laid
down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We cruised at 6 knots over the
drop, making our way to Georgetown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
caught three fish in quick succession:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>two Wahoo and one small Mahi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Once we were anchored off Sand Dollar Beach, Captain B took the Admiral
Lord Nelson ashore and I cleaned fish off the swim platform—a messy, sweaty
job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I considered a swim when I was
done, but sighting a reef shark circling, I changed my mind.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fun Things to see:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Golf 4, 5, 1<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Orange boat: with four orange outboard motors, painted to match the hull of the Go-Fast Boat.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Under Tow: Crashing waves, don't let Nelson chase his ball into the surf!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wooden Boat:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Wooden Sailing boat "</span>Gabriel" out of MA...a classic.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are thinking of you at home and sending you as much warm
sunshine as this post can convey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Remember us in your prayers for safety and sanity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter the weather, we can say:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>this too will pass.</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/324/8266ABB98FEC4171CCA2ED55A6DECA6C.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06121172465022137270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5854381013885785232.post-30625786988009582922015-02-10T12:07:00.000-05:002015-02-10T14:50:21.986-05:00More Wind, More Drama<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The wind picked up around 5 am today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s been blowing 25 - 35 knots ever
since.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Two foot b</span>reaking waves in the harbor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The radio chatter in this crowded anchorage
of 150 boats is, for the most part, calm and polite.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Dingy flipped, people in the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need help!<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Where is the flipped dingy?<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Where are the people in the water?<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->This is “SeaCast”, we’re on our way.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->“Intrepid” here, we coming.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Three boats on site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People all okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dingy needs help.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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And then there are the more strident voices:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Cement ship is dragging, I repeat, DRAGGING!<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->How do we reach that dragging ship?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s coming down on us!<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Call the Harbour Master!</i></b></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Captain B monitored the cruiser in front of us from seven to
nine am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The boat was obviously
dragging, the captain asleep on board with his radio off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we began to consider evasive maneuvers,
the captain of the upwind boat finally came above decks and assessed the
situation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Steadfast, are you dragging?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Some people say that boats DO drag upwind in
this anchorage, but no.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have our
anchor alarm set and we haven’t moved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Please reset your anchor.</b></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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As we munched our late lunch, our ears picked up chatter
that concerned us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Big drama off Sand
Dollar Beach.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>“Shunpiker”, the trawler off Sand Dollar, you
have a white rope trailing off your bow.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;">
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->That’s my anchor line dragging!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Give me a break, I’m single handed and doing
my best.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m underway and dragging IT
now.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;">
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->“Duchess” you’re dragging.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;">
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->“Duchess” has picked up the anchor rode of “More
to Life”!<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;">
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->This is “More to Life”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have broken loose as well.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;">
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->This is “Duchess”:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we have no power, repeat, NO ENGINE!!!<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;">
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</span>“Duchess” is now completely tangled and caught up in the bow pulpit of
“More to Life” and we need immediate assistance!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are dragging together.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;">
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->This is m/v “Sea Quest”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will call for the emergency tow vessel
from port.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;">
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Thank you, “Sea Quest”, have him expedite his
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<br /></div>
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Captain and Crew aboard Steadfast began making ship shape
and forging our plan of action for all eventualities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two dragging boats were upwind of our
position and bearing down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Shunpiker” was
off our port side and seemingly getting himself sorted out.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Because there are so many boats in this one area and because
boaters tend to rally to the call, 15 men in their dinghies flocked to the
emergency.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From the fly bridge of
Steadfast, it looked like orchestrated chaos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Duchess” (a 43 ft. catamaran) and “More to Life” (a 65 ft. trawler)
were fast together, stem to stern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
flotilla of dinghies lined up like tug boats along the hull of the cat, pushing
her off the trawler.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Others began
cutting lines holding the two ships together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;">
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</i></b></span></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>They’re free.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Duchess” is free from “More to Life”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She’s still drifting!<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;">
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Can anybody give her another anchor?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A second anchor, anyone?<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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The dinghy flotilla shepherded “Duchess” to shallow water
and got her back to rights with a new anchor.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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In the chop and swell of the two foot seas, both boats
sustained non-mortal wounds:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>scrapes
along hulls, broken/bent davits, air scoops, solar panels, anchor rodes and
snub lines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There will be an exchange of
insurance papers and information in the next couple of days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For now, everyone is happy no body got
hurt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The anchorage is relieved that no
other boats were involved and THAT crisis is resolved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Now for that dragging boat off Hamburger Beach…..<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>-<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hello All Stations,
hello all stations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a general
announcement:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in light of the sea state
and wind conditions, due to persist thru this evening, our Poker Night on shore
has been postponed til Friday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would be
imprudent for people to leave their boats tonight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/324/8266ABB98FEC4171CCA2ED55A6DECA6C.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06121172465022137270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5854381013885785232.post-3683911466337955592015-02-03T12:01:00.002-05:002015-02-03T12:01:28.905-05:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We’ve been aboard a month now, give or take a few days. The full moon tells me that’s about
right. A natural rhythm has taken hold
of our days and nights and our muscle memory has kicked in. Raising and lowering the dingy from the aft
cabin deck to the water and back is once more a smooth operation. Throwing lines to dock hands without letting
them hit the water, lassoing pilings for a bow tie, inflating the dingy while
standing in it and the waves are trying to throw me over…all good. Making my own yogurt, sprouting my own greens
and making my own bread…we’re back in the swing of things.<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My garden. Winifred, this year's tomato plant is upstairs on the flybridge:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQoRFCV3_Y_Q6okRjP5Ih7FAjRZ34h4LArvZ5TfJSLoKuLmtehwfW8yIuQsuPm6IRdc6WGJQXW-NSID5rPfwihm03W0BRQngtar97oPhUa97LUvFlW_tEa3DT16Qbo-Eza4phGEzPQtA/s1600/garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQoRFCV3_Y_Q6okRjP5Ih7FAjRZ34h4LArvZ5TfJSLoKuLmtehwfW8yIuQsuPm6IRdc6WGJQXW-NSID5rPfwihm03W0BRQngtar97oPhUa97LUvFlW_tEa3DT16Qbo-Eza4phGEzPQtA/s1600/garden.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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We are once again visiting our favourite haunts in the
central Exuma chain of islands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
sitting for a week in Highbourne Cay, reveling in the delights of their 3 mile
white sand beach, their restaurant with the to-die-for view and the daily
gatherings for sundowners in the dock pagodas, we ventured forth to anchor in
Shroud Cay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nelson liked his short stay
there, playing fetch on the small beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>By 4 o’clock in the afternoon however, we were all so seasick from the
beam sea rocking us relentlessly, we weighed anchor and headed to Emerald Rock,
where the consensus was things were much calmer.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Nelson on the beach:</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuE8elw-tWe_mvKYgo4l3NMCp1enMk9y1NrR-oOvLdI7-PrtlZ8jgK6UfGGuld6L-o5u_rVM5VmhTwh7TcrlQ12KT1lbXGvy1rQIUsKuEjdeO-qd5OX-4hNaIAC3MCRHCFekJOub-fvkY/s1600/nelson+digs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuE8elw-tWe_mvKYgo4l3NMCp1enMk9y1NrR-oOvLdI7-PrtlZ8jgK6UfGGuld6L-o5u_rVM5VmhTwh7TcrlQ12KT1lbXGvy1rQIUsKuEjdeO-qd5OX-4hNaIAC3MCRHCFekJOub-fvkY/s1600/nelson+digs.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
We took a mooring off Emerald Rock in the Wardrick Wells
Land and Sea Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks to “Stephanie
M” for the lovely cocktail hour on your spacious and hospitable aft deck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A gentle sea swell rocked us to sleep in our
boat cradle.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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Mooring ball:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNYB0M8AXkEzVHZUc0p_00-FwY-3-CO0tRDzSqhK1ULnFGjhnC8yq3U8gizONRsvt_8LLe7BY861pMN9xTT5LQ7s1keVuQKb-oFzDgdodJh0IA5bEvV_6ZoDhwc-uR3rxDqsO0PqiS0Xo/s1600/mooring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNYB0M8AXkEzVHZUc0p_00-FwY-3-CO0tRDzSqhK1ULnFGjhnC8yq3U8gizONRsvt_8LLe7BY861pMN9xTT5LQ7s1keVuQKb-oFzDgdodJh0IA5bEvV_6ZoDhwc-uR3rxDqsO0PqiS0Xo/s1600/mooring.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
From Wardrick, we moved south to Big Major Spot, close to
Staniel Cay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We passed M/V Vivacious
Curiosity as we motored the bank.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every
year, more and more of these super charter boats are sharing the waters that
once were the domain of daring, single-handed sailing vessels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even in the past fourteen years that
Steadfast has been wintering here, we have seen enormous changes in the
culture, the geo-political climate and the amenities available in the Bahamas.
Many changes are for the better, but many more are not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Vivacious Curiosity:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJhnb4IOCL1gMkirrxfSjDFFtsZ3L0idfm59Xx86o8HnPrz64dhfm9fuXMbF1hX8yon3rN_hY68_lr6NzdKEhsnyXPbRpgX3sIp_2kYcPmXSdeSuEZ9OaqVpVo0mDURV1Vok-drNjxR8/s1600/helicopter+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJhnb4IOCL1gMkirrxfSjDFFtsZ3L0idfm59Xx86o8HnPrz64dhfm9fuXMbF1hX8yon3rN_hY68_lr6NzdKEhsnyXPbRpgX3sIp_2kYcPmXSdeSuEZ9OaqVpVo0mDURV1Vok-drNjxR8/s1600/helicopter+1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7lcSHqGFoACVHGIcJbk33f58w7sxUyp1T3Ki5uxTjTxXw8nNE6C3xZOXjmLfMJTj_19QD-1JlWJGgP0UsApTN-NMSTj4QV8qkCJ8zKzcNujRfeuEKDJsWdR7n71TekMoLgEcMkdv2fQ/s1600/helicopter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7lcSHqGFoACVHGIcJbk33f58w7sxUyp1T3Ki5uxTjTxXw8nNE6C3xZOXjmLfMJTj_19QD-1JlWJGgP0UsApTN-NMSTj4QV8qkCJ8zKzcNujRfeuEKDJsWdR7n71TekMoLgEcMkdv2fQ/s1600/helicopter.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The swimming pigs are still an entertaining diversion in Big
Majors, as long as you don’t let them get too close.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfjUDmN-Gor6ZfqppfuzZqOW4QlWi4CwgVAtlK9ZqkyTwg8ooZRnE1JPJlWJ3rbJtm3F7tdA5eauuxRLla3nCdWGsSjIejvNB7m_tjOMGEcGJGK0PZYwCREZLxhhdi5g9Z26FTmIfQm6Y/s1600/pig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfjUDmN-Gor6ZfqppfuzZqOW4QlWi4CwgVAtlK9ZqkyTwg8ooZRnE1JPJlWJ3rbJtm3F7tdA5eauuxRLla3nCdWGsSjIejvNB7m_tjOMGEcGJGK0PZYwCREZLxhhdi5g9Z26FTmIfQm6Y/s1600/pig.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
This surf sailor did aerial acrobatics for over two
hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He must have been young or very
strong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Probably both!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1NUscEIfwSBd8JcGC03L9V2EkDzV1d8fjqU3m8W4U4qARqbxfNXqux6ivxhA8UO0Vv5UOF65hpRdTaBQvHvDVuzI31Ik1T0RwB1DXA4prE7JFujdtveyRPcB4tqSv6M3B-Y8E5U465CA/s1600/Surf+Sailing_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1NUscEIfwSBd8JcGC03L9V2EkDzV1d8fjqU3m8W4U4qARqbxfNXqux6ivxhA8UO0Vv5UOF65hpRdTaBQvHvDVuzI31Ik1T0RwB1DXA4prE7JFujdtveyRPcB4tqSv6M3B-Y8E5U465CA/s1600/Surf+Sailing_edited-1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
We stopped by to check on a previous dock-mate who had sent
out a distress call last week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphenUf4ZBfkA3K4vNkeZnBCoJDIdJmoyZrUiV5Y8L8u7-Kep8erehvLLbhiHTntj1lG1koOfDhCbfURjKy33w4Z5enkUYQ5ldHAn62M_3RTGA1SN6Jb0If_gwh6wG2RLWQVxGgN4hgcufw/s1600/curt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphenUf4ZBfkA3K4vNkeZnBCoJDIdJmoyZrUiV5Y8L8u7-Kep8erehvLLbhiHTntj1lG1koOfDhCbfURjKy33w4Z5enkUYQ5ldHAn62M_3RTGA1SN6Jb0If_gwh6wG2RLWQVxGgN4hgcufw/s1600/curt.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
It was good to see he had survived with no serious
issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After spending a night in the
protection of Norman’s Cay Cut in high winds, he decided to take a run to Guana
Cay, on the outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One mile out, his
single engine overheated and began setting off screaming alarms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He shut everything down, threw out an anchor
and held on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cruising solo is never so
daunting as when things go wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A good
Samaritan motor vessel towed him to the docks in Staniel and he was able to
diagnose a blown impeller.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was virtually
nothing left of it, all the veins are gone!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Impeller:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4iQW8zV98jr3cYizA4gAnkT2Yywac_DwkacMAi-WGEHUmeZd1Kjj3wp_5Ed5r0YIdVmF8D1hZGLcpDuJM7S5RDNvwqD0xQjt60g9vlxcZDrHX23XRrOf3AZlKKRHD0-gdP7u0YyrMusI/s1600/impeller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4iQW8zV98jr3cYizA4gAnkT2Yywac_DwkacMAi-WGEHUmeZd1Kjj3wp_5Ed5r0YIdVmF8D1hZGLcpDuJM7S5RDNvwqD0xQjt60g9vlxcZDrHX23XRrOf3AZlKKRHD0-gdP7u0YyrMusI/s1600/impeller.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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It’s an exciting ride in the dingy to Staniel when the wind
is blowing 17 knots and the waves kick up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We had waited three days for things to calm enough to make the
trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wonderful changes waited to greet
us!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Staniel Cay Yatch Club has
renoed their restaurant, expanded the kitchen, built new, modern bathrooms and
still managed to keep the quaint feel of the old place intact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lunch ashore was a nice respite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did have a serious agenda though….<o:p></o:p></div>
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Buz and Batelco:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcRK8hQXKS-OuxaQdQ6KLPlMItu9JLryS5th8bLy-AFA-HS15BMPsTMnG3ri91QC7fZKurt0VbXAZzuyXFNGobDI33REOLJ40w7FNFj88LT3ne3-vlrE85bTAonhKWALQXpe97DnQ-4lc/s1600/Staniel+Cay+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcRK8hQXKS-OuxaQdQ6KLPlMItu9JLryS5th8bLy-AFA-HS15BMPsTMnG3ri91QC7fZKurt0VbXAZzuyXFNGobDI33REOLJ40w7FNFj88LT3ne3-vlrE85bTAonhKWALQXpe97DnQ-4lc/s1600/Staniel+Cay+.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
We hiked to the Batelco office, with the tower as our
landmark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although the signs said it was
open on Mondays from 9 to 4, when we turned up at 10:30 am, nobody was
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Captain B is looking for a SIM
card for the iPad so we will have some internet capabilities at anchor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The sweet old lady, Mrs. Burke, who ran the Blue Store
forever, has now retired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her daughter
and nieces have taken over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another nice
surprise:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a modern, working cash
register and updated supplies for sale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
will be mildly alarmed when I tell you, that modern cash register tallied my
purchases at $76.87.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here they are,
together with my phone, camera and quart water bottle, all in this one bag.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-hDlgX3GH9YpUscCOKpDJ7X2XbqRurn_B8l_OZghuUY7e6zA6pzl_LHq6L-F9D3SBF8YbYK7OntoryWzb58q8BCrY6ej6zGE5Wz6plscuu1thAOB2WHVydpdIkbXbLIRdEViiYkNd2M/s1600/junk+food_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-hDlgX3GH9YpUscCOKpDJ7X2XbqRurn_B8l_OZghuUY7e6zA6pzl_LHq6L-F9D3SBF8YbYK7OntoryWzb58q8BCrY6ej6zGE5Wz6plscuu1thAOB2WHVydpdIkbXbLIRdEViiYkNd2M/s1600/junk+food_edited-1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Casurina Trees:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxr9WSwF8W70m_rqWDti6hPDNxfrjLWsOD0gA719DG_hP_9lwsbB3nrfitOR8Tv5kJL-JRUQbSv5lUm0QbreJ1-mi8Lr8FzrYx2F1-8Ws-I_N2zYNMV_264qbtTPEzQcJ2r4rWW165e8U/s1600/casurina+trees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxr9WSwF8W70m_rqWDti6hPDNxfrjLWsOD0gA719DG_hP_9lwsbB3nrfitOR8Tv5kJL-JRUQbSv5lUm0QbreJ1-mi8Lr8FzrYx2F1-8Ws-I_N2zYNMV_264qbtTPEzQcJ2r4rWW165e8U/s1600/casurina+trees.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bouganvallia:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEituAfl8D5rZhE3JYUTdUUYJ1YWQTFEhG8keBeyV9vL2CiN5Hpnlf5qEgHh-GAUuyIYwz932B2e5k4KyvxiHito_DrQ34bxgUvuOOfxhOIpu0Sl1ouYoAOXWjARPP1T9XOwR5z6qxMIiRc/s1600/Staniel+Cay+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEituAfl8D5rZhE3JYUTdUUYJ1YWQTFEhG8keBeyV9vL2CiN5Hpnlf5qEgHh-GAUuyIYwz932B2e5k4KyvxiHito_DrQ34bxgUvuOOfxhOIpu0Sl1ouYoAOXWjARPP1T9XOwR5z6qxMIiRc/s1600/Staniel+Cay+3.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
For $70.00 we have 700MB or 7 days of internet use, whichever
comes first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no linking in
FaceBook, no videos, no downloads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just
a quick peak to see that Home is buried in three feet of snow, there is a new
puppy in Alberta, and the Jeep is good fun in the winter too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blessings on you all as you survive
winter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We think of you all every day
and remember you in our prayers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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I’ll leave you with a peaceful sunset.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-JJwa0Vsd5auTzGas0OGSzuO_Uq68cJtbD4D0wxeRHXSIglvIttodLp-YmlGiHh7hVeGKSJU4Ax-nt4Y2jEFMKrtIydcC7TgQvUAgLsDj91Cjazg3IqRzUXLyZscJqR1D94FHAZ7gQyA/s1600/sunset_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-JJwa0Vsd5auTzGas0OGSzuO_Uq68cJtbD4D0wxeRHXSIglvIttodLp-YmlGiHh7hVeGKSJU4Ax-nt4Y2jEFMKrtIydcC7TgQvUAgLsDj91Cjazg3IqRzUXLyZscJqR1D94FHAZ7gQyA/s1600/sunset_edited-1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06121172465022137270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5854381013885785232.post-85513672062609491322015-01-25T19:40:00.001-05:002015-01-25T20:35:42.304-05:00Are We Having Fun Yet???? You Bet!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Here we are, the happy couple, warm and safe on board M/V Steadfast in Highbourne Cay.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRuAQruIhe1rkgMLgb8qDZ9MlDXip3l3lQ499APYJHmBGIudyADxJESt18kD8UnkEQJ8ftNGbW7tFy_wjLfCmYgDQfZQURHdHlxV_jW_JPfp622g8EbueBr_vUWQOpama-o6SI2ifJXAg/s1600/happy+couple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRuAQruIhe1rkgMLgb8qDZ9MlDXip3l3lQ499APYJHmBGIudyADxJESt18kD8UnkEQJ8ftNGbW7tFy_wjLfCmYgDQfZQURHdHlxV_jW_JPfp622g8EbueBr_vUWQOpama-o6SI2ifJXAg/s1600/happy+couple.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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The same old characters are here, for instance, Joe from Cool Runnings.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJczXQU93CwozN7IDL15bKdmfnxX9saOyi-y247Yn3t12g6vP5EbLfmANzLwINArfWVvr5NxVcASKba9t-hxJbSncEpD9hxja89xsvZ5W6-ZYAvFPRHV_RruFirVU8tit9pfWQzPrp1M/s1600/cool+runnings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJczXQU93CwozN7IDL15bKdmfnxX9saOyi-y247Yn3t12g6vP5EbLfmANzLwINArfWVvr5NxVcASKba9t-hxJbSncEpD9hxja89xsvZ5W6-ZYAvFPRHV_RruFirVU8tit9pfWQzPrp1M/s1600/cool+runnings.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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He's still smiling.</div>
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The hat is 15 years old. He doesn't remember where it came from or what the faded, tattered and torn logo means any more. But...it's air conditioned, don't you know, and the visor is terrific! Good for another 15 years. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>-I never get rid of dis hat!</i></b></span></div>
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Well, a storm front is coming. Today the wind and seas were good until after dark, and...the head tanks needed dumping. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>-Let's go fishing! </i></b></span></div>
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We'll have fun and get a chore done to boot. We can get out onto the Sound and back before everything turns snotty.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCjG70mNqzH0sH-q2kmlFW9iqcQWSqAATaMExZtXmpJxoI-xpK9C9qkhri7n-jChQUpmcsv1ilNO8DgBf4Wxdq3CrhOaKakWVunYgd9-6Kj4_biWtaiO3TUGYRozh5RtlJ8GxMSofTtAo/s1600/fish+and+me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCjG70mNqzH0sH-q2kmlFW9iqcQWSqAATaMExZtXmpJxoI-xpK9C9qkhri7n-jChQUpmcsv1ilNO8DgBf4Wxdq3CrhOaKakWVunYgd9-6Kj4_biWtaiO3TUGYRozh5RtlJ8GxMSofTtAo/s1600/fish+and+me.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
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a small black fin tuna...I'm happy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLyqFNstVGnintO9jv2dOSgRr5B-YlhpJkujiEn0qmgeC_gvfNj__TsZWCGsASj_fUxB2aJf3jRZ6N6LOA9EkzzCFle225mMUeJIX0PyPpa1TPIjVgiOA7J-hBwsjkYnIPE9c6cATUDCc/s1600/wahoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLyqFNstVGnintO9jv2dOSgRr5B-YlhpJkujiEn0qmgeC_gvfNj__TsZWCGsASj_fUxB2aJf3jRZ6N6LOA9EkzzCFle225mMUeJIX0PyPpa1TPIjVgiOA7J-hBwsjkYnIPE9c6cATUDCc/s1600/wahoo.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Wahoo! 31 pounds of him.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWU6dcmQRVaft1Vcf0oEaBbjb-Da-XqkIrL9VTRsGZn_xD0ZmCNyifgS0mis71HbG-kgvZfVMb4TsZBnO9YHnF1z-eO3YyrcyjG7ArVpqkGxs3L2Jx2WHlA-TFzQI_RH8ypdYTwWmXb0/s1600/Wahoo+1_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWU6dcmQRVaft1Vcf0oEaBbjb-Da-XqkIrL9VTRsGZn_xD0ZmCNyifgS0mis71HbG-kgvZfVMb4TsZBnO9YHnF1z-eO3YyrcyjG7ArVpqkGxs3L2Jx2WHlA-TFzQI_RH8ypdYTwWmXb0/s1600/Wahoo+1_edited-1.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Our fellow cruiser, Rich, from New Horizons came fishing with us. He worked hard to reel in this behemoth. Super happy!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo9XdMXVRmt2J4t7lqbzaTRwKw4vWDF0QCuZN-1Q-YXP4W8ehsU5znECcB9-V6uFKWusdQ7icGHRx2JUkrR_ZuzTwn0ZaMgeFwqSvEK4gnFWRk73fM5sIcSXiH3OF8N0rWaiBUpqVzKKM/s1600/wahoo+tail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo9XdMXVRmt2J4t7lqbzaTRwKw4vWDF0QCuZN-1Q-YXP4W8ehsU5znECcB9-V6uFKWusdQ7icGHRx2JUkrR_ZuzTwn0ZaMgeFwqSvEK4gnFWRk73fM5sIcSXiH3OF8N0rWaiBUpqVzKKM/s1600/wahoo+tail.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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The reef sharks got to it, but we got the lion's share!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFdSmxwRyeJZCqOyp6I7Zi2YL3v4LTVbDTKz_Ct1ycg-ol6an0KJKA08ImCtI1qmoLD2Z_e46eXD1bjCP2fIQhwbQ0iBHT2TXF06Jp-Gnm4Jhfbp6Ccfoqixjirf1NFJ1gEOOE1bwbd2E/s1600/wahoo+meat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFdSmxwRyeJZCqOyp6I7Zi2YL3v4LTVbDTKz_Ct1ycg-ol6an0KJKA08ImCtI1qmoLD2Z_e46eXD1bjCP2fIQhwbQ0iBHT2TXF06Jp-Gnm4Jhfbp6Ccfoqixjirf1NFJ1gEOOE1bwbd2E/s1600/wahoo+meat.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Look at the meat! We fed everyone on the dock!!! Dock mates happy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFngrV3KQ1BbunYiwQfFlQHLegRooKgx-NCmdif9w72sD-tD0fYBcsl8Y5PbocbhyU2FAnTutMAbMid2FEp7Jp9nIflkCRJUlWVnavgUGl2mwQuZCf5q_i8osJm9I6Y5NNvvKMtXSo7p4/s1600/cleaning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFngrV3KQ1BbunYiwQfFlQHLegRooKgx-NCmdif9w72sD-tD0fYBcsl8Y5PbocbhyU2FAnTutMAbMid2FEp7Jp9nIflkCRJUlWVnavgUGl2mwQuZCf5q_i8osJm9I6Y5NNvvKMtXSo7p4/s1600/cleaning.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Even the sharks at the bottom of the fish cleaning station were happy.</div>
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Everyone's happy. </div>
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It's Better In The Bahamas, Mon!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06121172465022137270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5854381013885785232.post-23390145569770815512015-01-22T17:01:00.000-05:002015-01-22T17:01:08.455-05:00Fish, Sharks and Birds<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Yesterday was a gem of a day! Clear skies, calm seas. Perfect for making the 50 mile or so crossing from Nassau to Highbourne Cay. Here is a representative photo of the peaceful day we had...I was so into it, the camera was crooked!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWe22jF_RdBTuCt_NBx_2gSTN4gl6gDjiQBC9IxFACaShcAwDFlOMaHBhAfA8RrYv1aBqNMmbUVsOsloJ7sbC9ax1UufCWWVFUrkXm0B-pgr9XE3poBzkxvUZ2_k29bZ1xDNBRvp4xSAY/s1600/at+sea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWe22jF_RdBTuCt_NBx_2gSTN4gl6gDjiQBC9IxFACaShcAwDFlOMaHBhAfA8RrYv1aBqNMmbUVsOsloJ7sbC9ax1UufCWWVFUrkXm0B-pgr9XE3poBzkxvUZ2_k29bZ1xDNBRvp4xSAY/s1600/at+sea.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Visibility was exceptional: I spotted a Baracuda, a Nurse Shark, a Dolphin, numerous reef fish and lots of big, red star fish as we were underway.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgelWi91KxHvxPz-UWn0xhv_-uINzwSdTIfTEzdL6TYsnI-JbW5oqSyYB6Xk_yNEZIHqb3nAsE0KoChpRc4bSegTIBgtdQxeVxCwaZVlfFbNg3-Rwv0FzpOPn__b_W6IDzIQ80bNZSkZCw/s1600/bank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgelWi91KxHvxPz-UWn0xhv_-uINzwSdTIfTEzdL6TYsnI-JbW5oqSyYB6Xk_yNEZIHqb3nAsE0KoChpRc4bSegTIBgtdQxeVxCwaZVlfFbNg3-Rwv0FzpOPn__b_W6IDzIQ80bNZSkZCw/s1600/bank.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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All those little markings on the chart plotter indicate a coral head which could be anywhere from 10 feet to just inches below the level of the water. It's always an "all hands on deck" time, everyone keeping their eyes peeled for danger ahead.<br />
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Arrival at Highbourne is always fun. Here you see one set of range markers (aides to navigation) Captain B has to line up to get the correct angle for entering the channel.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVHUNnR1ZbJbISN_x9cwo3RKYgSPAz04HpXLZWdXnIZOnkQZ9CJorOnCd8Ei99N-R-AIQlY48LHpOgmCj8i8cEpqMwJOgDUwymqtE-vhVzZ0B9-DiQglJyNSO2XIGxkzOycn3bRlk8II/s1600/range+markers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVHUNnR1ZbJbISN_x9cwo3RKYgSPAz04HpXLZWdXnIZOnkQZ9CJorOnCd8Ei99N-R-AIQlY48LHpOgmCj8i8cEpqMwJOgDUwymqtE-vhVzZ0B9-DiQglJyNSO2XIGxkzOycn3bRlk8II/s1600/range+markers.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Sharks linger at the end of the fish-cleaning dock night and day. Last year we identified three or four different varieties of them. I'm okay swimming with Nurse sharks, but Bulls and Reefs? No way. We are completely confident that the Marina staff has fully briefed all those cold-blooded fiends on proper conduct regarding the roped off swimming safety zones out front. Not.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMsDYRG0_Ka2sVyWlmCSCcxewnhKUG1AZGMCn4B8LaPR5u0ysM8fJwJl9OaAVOfWz_r1kgAJMUtiIFPKbTdMJx6oUPRSldGxVi4GOtz2Nv5FaI0oeQ1LvdVeLgMkuA_pKEwMaFRcKds9Y/s1600/sharks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMsDYRG0_Ka2sVyWlmCSCcxewnhKUG1AZGMCn4B8LaPR5u0ysM8fJwJl9OaAVOfWz_r1kgAJMUtiIFPKbTdMJx6oUPRSldGxVi4GOtz2Nv5FaI0oeQ1LvdVeLgMkuA_pKEwMaFRcKds9Y/s1600/sharks.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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This morning and then again this afternoon, these little Bananaquit birds came inside for a visit.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1La_0n9MpJDuxRAgdstv7dXvPDfJwv2Vazm0xdAeRrVBU3Oh4cPKP5zNq1PUkR5taSw_NNYQkiY4ydMeeWttYdA1LBEArj4HXUQNOs3MQvYAN4IWZZm88sJTGRYcilIPzDurjfIHlVw/s1600/bananaquit+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1La_0n9MpJDuxRAgdstv7dXvPDfJwv2Vazm0xdAeRrVBU3Oh4cPKP5zNq1PUkR5taSw_NNYQkiY4ydMeeWttYdA1LBEArj4HXUQNOs3MQvYAN4IWZZm88sJTGRYcilIPzDurjfIHlVw/s1600/bananaquit+1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf70hEf9kzTW0gplFHZgJrgexBk4xTA9WjvRK_d_xuFaErXrFJUPkFIvK8mzDusgYVyHzH3dAEAOPuf7gKsJ8ZsQmkUIGjtKTKr5gWGc49hqBiOVuGASUDJUqTWpsqtntQmuVyV8lbpTE/s1600/bananaquit+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf70hEf9kzTW0gplFHZgJrgexBk4xTA9WjvRK_d_xuFaErXrFJUPkFIvK8mzDusgYVyHzH3dAEAOPuf7gKsJ8ZsQmkUIGjtKTKr5gWGc49hqBiOVuGASUDJUqTWpsqtntQmuVyV8lbpTE/s1600/bananaquit+2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
I am very glad they left their bigger, messy Sand Piper friends outside!<br />
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We'll be camping out here for many days. Nelson has free run on the 6 mile beach on the Sound side. There is a fantastic restaurant and small grocery story of sorts, and always other cruisers to meet and greet. Almost time for my evening libation. Cheers, to my family and friends. Until next time, keep the faith, stand firm and don't give up.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06121172465022137270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5854381013885785232.post-82049494564255996862015-01-20T18:40:00.002-05:002015-01-20T18:40:46.701-05:00We've Moved South<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Hello from the sunny islands of the Caribeann Sea. Today we are on Paradise Island, Atlantis Marina. We made way from <a href="http://www.oldbahambay.com/home.aspx" target="_blank">Old Bahama Bay at West End</a> to Chub Cay on Sunday. It was a bit of a rough go at first, with seas at 4 feet. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidRdU2sdgJGOpbPc8mafEaxOVzemybFW431o4gzV0FY4WcHcEGbxCPk3zL-jYdlqU1T35MdVBqhE5hNfuorqlGf7RRsTOLWsvNIYQ1B-jWyqr1U9HFj7tDvXdJgGp9uLUCvlpjSKV6JEU/s1600/nassau+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidRdU2sdgJGOpbPc8mafEaxOVzemybFW431o4gzV0FY4WcHcEGbxCPk3zL-jYdlqU1T35MdVBqhE5hNfuorqlGf7RRsTOLWsvNIYQ1B-jWyqr1U9HFj7tDvXdJgGp9uLUCvlpjSKV6JEU/s1600/nassau+3.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is what my blinds looked like when we made fast in our slip. The boat really bounced around for some time at the beginning of the day.<span style="text-align: left;">Things calmed down as we made our way onto the Bahama Banks. We did try fishing, but got one strike and lost it. No fish for supper that night.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz4yhptBvsNJEb6bx6V8hv0Nta6zCYHZnD_gLYoJ-zFc0rtW14jWjQ97OMhAf_uhj2SduoRXlcvCE6FQkgCVyqUIhfdJ9qbLvYNdYHAaYfrAeJE_txmFepoI35SNGuqeGDxXJvIAcLgOQ/s1600/chub+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz4yhptBvsNJEb6bx6V8hv0Nta6zCYHZnD_gLYoJ-zFc0rtW14jWjQ97OMhAf_uhj2SduoRXlcvCE6FQkgCVyqUIhfdJ9qbLvYNdYHAaYfrAeJE_txmFepoI35SNGuqeGDxXJvIAcLgOQ/s1600/chub+4.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Things are looking up for the <a href="http://www.chubcay.com/" target="_blank">Chub Cay Club Marina.</a> A new buyer (they say he's from Texas) has bought them out of years in receivership. The new buildings are painted, enclosed and under inside construction once more. Yippee! A lovely place to visit.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-wmFJdySJxJqRYszcldOVc8l_CLfnF3NO6WYcpYWucFY8scuWS72D0S17RflOqJNt3VxZW4kdGDzUfiABczfPk0_Hzm-wPHkTU9-QiPiZ0YDJnoMBujI5_iHoBdZCCsADjqDhn6h80Y/s1600/chub+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-wmFJdySJxJqRYszcldOVc8l_CLfnF3NO6WYcpYWucFY8scuWS72D0S17RflOqJNt3VxZW4kdGDzUfiABczfPk0_Hzm-wPHkTU9-QiPiZ0YDJnoMBujI5_iHoBdZCCsADjqDhn6h80Y/s1600/chub+2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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In the event of an emergency, people better have shovels.....</div>
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We stayed one night in Chub and as sea states were rather benign the next day, we made a leisurely crossing to Nassau. This big cruise ship came up behind us as we entered the harbour.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBkBp3qXSzdCM8pl9FUjytpxCREQrsOhpYGVhbbfVjXHaUreAY1GfpIRIsXNiJeAmmtzS2RT1c87trTo-6BYgpVc6OG2C39Du5twwOM9JXZLAdqnwau5yfSUMkCqDyAb2sMC1DZmUL8Do/s1600/at+sea+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBkBp3qXSzdCM8pl9FUjytpxCREQrsOhpYGVhbbfVjXHaUreAY1GfpIRIsXNiJeAmmtzS2RT1c87trTo-6BYgpVc6OG2C39Du5twwOM9JXZLAdqnwau5yfSUMkCqDyAb2sMC1DZmUL8Do/s1600/at+sea+2.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglAC9m9gOty4efm36-xxdp1A-MvmTOLFXVAicF4TF2XLFkh010CUNP6FhMLGzhFxoFUq_0GHiHrze-VOAsKHEJDtXs0mn74__dFLIPaRPRaXWMCrJcaTGgcmU3-cgjTd9FQOfa-vI5kMw/s1600/nassau+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglAC9m9gOty4efm36-xxdp1A-MvmTOLFXVAicF4TF2XLFkh010CUNP6FhMLGzhFxoFUq_0GHiHrze-VOAsKHEJDtXs0mn74__dFLIPaRPRaXWMCrJcaTGgcmU3-cgjTd9FQOfa-vI5kMw/s1600/nassau+1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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On any given day, 3-4000 tourists arrive to this small island. They are all that keep this economy going. All anyone is talking about, in the Taxis, on the buses, on TV or the radio, in parliament, is the newly enacted VAT of 7.5%. Prices have increased, even above the tax increase. Jobs are so scarce, many people only work a maximum of 10 days a month, sharing the jobs between three and four people. </div>
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Last evening, Captain B treated us to dinner ashore in the Atlantis Village. We were early, hungry and impatient. I snuck in to see the 31 wait staff of <a href="http://www.atlantisbahamas.com/dining/finedining/seafiresteakhouse" target="_blank">SeaFire </a>at roll call and then a time of prayer before the restaurant officially opened. As I chatted up the hostess, she said, </div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>-Yes, we are all full time here...but...the restaurant closes four days a week.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Steadfast does our bit: we pay marina fees, we eat in restaurants, shop in the stores and we hire boat cleaners. A pittance in face of the great need </span>here.</div>
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Today I revisited my favourite part of <a href="http://www.nassauparadiseisland.com/where-to-stay/atlantis-paradise-island/" target="_blank">Atlantis</a>, the aquarium.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCw_COY9Gb0XdJc7l4XUhVooVBEeUPwm4g6Gwd8DQ_sLm8XgCTSIuTDl3wVtopaohHo-X-Py_9YXMGYh5cIGDPe_S7vnhQHrggW1nVv2osMpoYM9RJu9T2l_TXSMVNVnbXo74X7YIEF9Q/s1600/atlantis+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCw_COY9Gb0XdJc7l4XUhVooVBEeUPwm4g6Gwd8DQ_sLm8XgCTSIuTDl3wVtopaohHo-X-Py_9YXMGYh5cIGDPe_S7vnhQHrggW1nVv2osMpoYM9RJu9T2l_TXSMVNVnbXo74X7YIEF9Q/s1600/atlantis+2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia75VTVghy39iUUOG0ABJGRt2XbXMjCc2lPZUhIvkW9WWnU3Xpv_qqMhg3MvJPjqhNcx0nvTtidg8I-VhdhW-7xo1RCXddL_aLqBuW1aD-pKybOX8uZRsD-9H8mnisvs8WSdfzn0Brylg/s1600/atlantis+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia75VTVghy39iUUOG0ABJGRt2XbXMjCc2lPZUhIvkW9WWnU3Xpv_qqMhg3MvJPjqhNcx0nvTtidg8I-VhdhW-7xo1RCXddL_aLqBuW1aD-pKybOX8uZRsD-9H8mnisvs8WSdfzn0Brylg/s1600/atlantis+3.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbg84uV5h49ne3puHnQtnjYc5THvoWpajxO2Yc9f7pb1eu-kGRRx6emJ30a0dvKcTkAFdJq9QOE7y60Yf4ewROS5j3hBZQNt9f5KFlgkgsE_Fq7o3gGe77Xv7QmElC0NBND1IUm4F1w58/s1600/atlantis+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbg84uV5h49ne3puHnQtnjYc5THvoWpajxO2Yc9f7pb1eu-kGRRx6emJ30a0dvKcTkAFdJq9QOE7y60Yf4ewROS5j3hBZQNt9f5KFlgkgsE_Fq7o3gGe77Xv7QmElC0NBND1IUm4F1w58/s1600/atlantis+4.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is the new baby Manta Ray. Atlantis studies them, protects them and nourishes them until too big to keep. At the point they become too big for the aquarium (a spectacular 20 feet wingspan) they are airlifted out to sea and followed by satellite for the rest of their lives.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-U9pJbFgVCz126hmS2WrRTR-LGHKbB8j42XdmLxSeACxNdbLpwu2qDdEVSju8hDTdn7_RNL7-jfWBAxn69O-tdA6qmcgKbDlScLwOgvBMyULKj8VFIsjXGXDro-M_diKGA4jFotOicU/s1600/atlantis+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-U9pJbFgVCz126hmS2WrRTR-LGHKbB8j42XdmLxSeACxNdbLpwu2qDdEVSju8hDTdn7_RNL7-jfWBAxn69O-tdA6qmcgKbDlScLwOgvBMyULKj8VFIsjXGXDro-M_diKGA4jFotOicU/s1600/atlantis+5.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Today they were two tiger sharks in residence. They did not swim together though.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigEL5SNn6HHVsHzwpoKecr5zTZApm1kmwGKMEBMOtq7DPPHB3wMJWYsYdtD_a1ZdHVOvqYKhqStbZyIHgY637FlTiMCvI8nnCcu_BwxG5eiuKjz3IGI-ST7-nkZgyomjoE7rvaK8oD2YA/s1600/atlantis+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigEL5SNn6HHVsHzwpoKecr5zTZApm1kmwGKMEBMOtq7DPPHB3wMJWYsYdtD_a1ZdHVOvqYKhqStbZyIHgY637FlTiMCvI8nnCcu_BwxG5eiuKjz3IGI-ST7-nkZgyomjoE7rvaK8oD2YA/s1600/atlantis+6.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6vI4prZvTIXnz6WD4MqELt4HccPaog-2OVuDd2qXxKA_IkK2awZhqGzgXSAYWIsqtRSbIXlg6nRxPIM88aQ6qJ7y9Yv2kYhsJfbGrsyesFEelYrCiPHh6rumyT7_p4tAVn1-29Lle7M/s1600/atlantis+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6vI4prZvTIXnz6WD4MqELt4HccPaog-2OVuDd2qXxKA_IkK2awZhqGzgXSAYWIsqtRSbIXlg6nRxPIM88aQ6qJ7y9Yv2kYhsJfbGrsyesFEelYrCiPHh6rumyT7_p4tAVn1-29Lle7M/s1600/atlantis+7.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Nassau Grouper...the big ones!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEglT7xifzflHsjO9pIHJkhn0EXGjzHxceLiGzL1efQ3GpIKpzupvdDblWhQuuoHavkmC5x228KwcTzF5-bebqKK7v-tuLyEokJNW-8m3-HM4uav5Fg_NL9VqOq7F30_1rWSpiNEuDx0g/s1600/atlantis+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEglT7xifzflHsjO9pIHJkhn0EXGjzHxceLiGzL1efQ3GpIKpzupvdDblWhQuuoHavkmC5x228KwcTzF5-bebqKK7v-tuLyEokJNW-8m3-HM4uav5Fg_NL9VqOq7F30_1rWSpiNEuDx0g/s1600/atlantis+8.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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As a child, I always thought sea horses were big enough for a person to ride on. These guys are only 2.5 inches long!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2HkBfAU0NKDi5wJNXDY3Sx-ZJrXc4v-J2RTLeV9iykpB3Ivz6-4JXEFZXrMVLftxkU8PLlygv1mDB-XkW3ISk9rHJ4nXAt-GUxO6fjQIqy60NWwY406di_uL2rO1ZVO0YZMz_Xz1QVCw/s1600/atlantis+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2HkBfAU0NKDi5wJNXDY3Sx-ZJrXc4v-J2RTLeV9iykpB3Ivz6-4JXEFZXrMVLftxkU8PLlygv1mDB-XkW3ISk9rHJ4nXAt-GUxO6fjQIqy60NWwY406di_uL2rO1ZVO0YZMz_Xz1QVCw/s1600/atlantis+10.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggt8MW_hHmttSIQCZwFj4thZaFv1tlecS9AcQoJEXqQQQOO8_AsmEB0OCsxS1Uj3Ln5UlGXvFFsmNWFOjP5oxrfj8Cy9XIdX69SLXsJFgN75EvnAYxEavLJLCcoFxHQKyXMrHPDiOmlhA/s1600/atlantis+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggt8MW_hHmttSIQCZwFj4thZaFv1tlecS9AcQoJEXqQQQOO8_AsmEB0OCsxS1Uj3Ln5UlGXvFFsmNWFOjP5oxrfj8Cy9XIdX69SLXsJFgN75EvnAYxEavLJLCcoFxHQKyXMrHPDiOmlhA/s1600/atlantis+11.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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We are hoping to meet up with friends here in the morning. Seas and weather are looking good for us to make run for Highborne Cay after lunch. The Exumas, Mon. Heaven on earth.</div>
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How is winter going at home? Are you all still keeping warm? </div>
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That's our news for now.</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/324/8266ABB98FEC4171CCA2ED55A6DECA6C.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06121172465022137270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5854381013885785232.post-19466712501312904362015-01-17T20:17:00.000-05:002015-01-17T20:17:03.834-05:00Old Bahama Bay<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We've been here in <a href="http://www.expedia.com/Freeport-Hotels-Old-Bahama-Bay-Resort-Yacht-Harbour.h796445.Hotel-Information?semcid=13172-1&HotelID=796445&kword=%20Old_%20Bahama_%20Bay_%20Resort_%20Yacht_%20Harbour!m.ZzZz.3430000436751.0.37708654691.+old%20+bahama%20+bay%20+resort%20+yacht%20+harbour.%20old_%20bahama_%20bay_%20resort_%20yacht_%20harbour&gclid=Cj0KEQiAreilBRDzrNfb6uqX4fwBEiQAk-MRY6DVJ2LPR65rmbq-GVQZu7v6QgkTKmCHTBZffsELeVUaAtA78P8HAQ" target="_blank">Old Bahama Bay</a> for six nights. Calm, peaceful, rainy, blowy.... R&R.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDJr2G27lNLyRu9SrNscUZYs5cWOx-5zqbqsIzzW541pEpM8EWGBgOsiY9JAV8_hEwz-R9_LNFqn2h5CpLdP00VS0nqkE2FugpYOGN9KHEbmZzJZlUscO6SF-VEvRrPTiklj-UOVqf4ds/s1600/me+and+nelson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDJr2G27lNLyRu9SrNscUZYs5cWOx-5zqbqsIzzW541pEpM8EWGBgOsiY9JAV8_hEwz-R9_LNFqn2h5CpLdP00VS0nqkE2FugpYOGN9KHEbmZzJZlUscO6SF-VEvRrPTiklj-UOVqf4ds/s1600/me+and+nelson.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Tomorrow, we leave at 8 am. We are shipshape and bristol for the morrow. Our aim is Chubb Cay and then on to Nassau, but you never know. We may bail at Lucaya. Right now, we have wifi, so I thought a little update and a picture or two would be in order. The further "down island" we get, the worse the internet service becomes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQOjXnhyRUVYWgx3ICIMBhNYMo2Z_afBJzyEgZHHEWjwz5g6Xke3Rurl9e6zNo4yiFrACcolA-08sbACzFUn31dAPIGkQV2O3WTqwww0C47ZLwc1Nu8gvA01zhIQem16KVxDBGphuR__0/s1600/sunset+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQOjXnhyRUVYWgx3ICIMBhNYMo2Z_afBJzyEgZHHEWjwz5g6Xke3Rurl9e6zNo4yiFrACcolA-08sbACzFUn31dAPIGkQV2O3WTqwww0C47ZLwc1Nu8gvA01zhIQem16KVxDBGphuR__0/s1600/sunset+1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Thursday night, no filters.</div>
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(click to enlarge and truly enjoy the picture)</div>
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Saturday night, starburst filter. We have front row seats to the Creation Story here!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSUMC38rwPQ0QOKnenDioTTue0KO4LisjiXhv3eVsbUz0HqTuLYymQ1QeqQpDnBKMcE_e-Kb9F-iW84QaUsH9tonBANIT0p8ZUaiAvKcOFPP9VGlVDLpZ2YERWtslykUIBZLlab2kxcqY/s1600/flower+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSUMC38rwPQ0QOKnenDioTTue0KO4LisjiXhv3eVsbUz0HqTuLYymQ1QeqQpDnBKMcE_e-Kb9F-iW84QaUsH9tonBANIT0p8ZUaiAvKcOFPP9VGlVDLpZ2YERWtslykUIBZLlab2kxcqY/s1600/flower+1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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We'll be having breakfast on the fly bridge in the morning as we get underway.</div>
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Wish me luck in the sea sick department. It's early in the season for me and I am susceptible to the worst of it now. Things do get better as the season progresses, but for now, I grow pale at the very thought!</div>
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Good bye and God bless to my friend Nemo, who left this mortal world today. He will be missed, but eternally loved. Strength and peace to those who loved him most.</div>
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Rosemary</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06121172465022137270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5854381013885785232.post-83514154656617188302015-01-14T14:25:00.000-05:002015-01-14T14:25:15.313-05:00We Done Reached!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Yesterday morning, the new ice maker arrived, was installed and summarily began producing ice cubes. Yippee! We were all set to move south to West Palm Beach and the lovely marina there, staging for the next available crossing window. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrCwgf7ZFpuWWaxwZ7xDtDGnC1f4-qyiXWCTcBUfm4t32eSGkMWlU8oh-8kD-OAP_fkieMMafzZgIhr4sOXjLO_RSNfKd-tzQDKcgA4WIABMZ5twhWaJpQlfqiCv0pGNeOcQdPcnTWwMU/s1600/P1030325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrCwgf7ZFpuWWaxwZ7xDtDGnC1f4-qyiXWCTcBUfm4t32eSGkMWlU8oh-8kD-OAP_fkieMMafzZgIhr4sOXjLO_RSNfKd-tzQDKcgA4WIABMZ5twhWaJpQlfqiCv0pGNeOcQdPcnTWwMU/s1600/P1030325.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Underway by 11:30, we had a simple lunch on the fly bridge while we motored down the ICW (InterCoastal Waterway). I got out my quilting books to amuse myself during the two hour trip and Captain B began playing with his instruments...not always a good sign, as you will soon learn. As we approached the intersection of the ICW and the St. Lucie Inlet to the Atlantic, there was some quiet discussion about did we want to "go outside" or stay "inside"? Considering bridges and no-wake zones on the ICW, we opted for leaving the quiet, calm, predictable "inside" and headed out into the chop and slop.<br />
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Four foot waves tossed us around, gave us a few slams and reminded me why I usually take drugs for seas like this. After about an hour, we angled our course to take the waves more forward, hopefully more comfortably. More checking of instruments and calculations on the Captain's part and he announced we'd make West End "easily" before dark. A sharp left turn, and we were making way to the East. Groan! I wasn't ready. There was nothing to do now but hang on. <br />
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The waves became confused and hit us from several angles. The Gulf Stream, flowing opposite to our course, did its best to drag us away from our intentions. Land disappeared and we were at sea, alone and getting ready to barf. Did you know salty popcorn helps settle seasick stomachs once the barfing has finished?<br />
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The good news is, Steadfast rode it well. We arrived safely. <br />
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I love seeing the southern birds: Pelicans, Herons, Egrets, Cranes....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjMMmeKN7j94986HUIAb5bCyhnz03qK6r4QSkwwEzKRwVYUtykjHOv5AgT8RpxFTmlKC5uwS2tp05_FkinhdiKGrbMfco7693Ja4lVWipCm18SXO1oQ0nArmvFnwIymVPL_z0otI4ic2E/s1600/P1030319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjMMmeKN7j94986HUIAb5bCyhnz03qK6r4QSkwwEzKRwVYUtykjHOv5AgT8RpxFTmlKC5uwS2tp05_FkinhdiKGrbMfco7693Ja4lVWipCm18SXO1oQ0nArmvFnwIymVPL_z0otI4ic2E/s1600/P1030319.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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And then...there's the Birds of Paradise</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiv686ZMazHNFyddKsIwggwRIYUpYM5zflsXWeFVUMweYIXJAsSCAHb6qX4A6Ei01RWWA9XiNjkTHDScr-0KPXZIjswfnDugW56YGE6M06Y4awEE2sk08PBMGNHEkvF6Lamrd3K73kdkY/s1600/P1030315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiv686ZMazHNFyddKsIwggwRIYUpYM5zflsXWeFVUMweYIXJAsSCAHb6qX4A6Ei01RWWA9XiNjkTHDScr-0KPXZIjswfnDugW56YGE6M06Y4awEE2sk08PBMGNHEkvF6Lamrd3K73kdkY/s1600/P1030315.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here's a whole flock of them!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYrp-8L24lv1I5G2djC4UF4cf844Z1B1jPEIY_yt2oH8TUZe47GS-kDKLGDuH3P8S9OnzTB02O1GClC424J_CH5grTjzdE-_gpBrH3vL5RpGOC-tUig5Ry3QcabX-uSDkBU9hyphenhyphenxtXY0g/s1600/P1030314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYrp-8L24lv1I5G2djC4UF4cf844Z1B1jPEIY_yt2oH8TUZe47GS-kDKLGDuH3P8S9OnzTB02O1GClC424J_CH5grTjzdE-_gpBrH3vL5RpGOC-tUig5Ry3QcabX-uSDkBU9hyphenhyphenxtXY0g/s1600/P1030314.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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We are now at <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g4290673-d147584-Reviews-Old_Bahama_Bay-West_End_Grand_Bahama_Island_Bahamas.html" target="_blank">Old Bahama Bay Resort and Marina</a>. A delightful little place on the West End of Grand Bahama Island. On the other end of the island, the busy end, is Freeport and Lucaya.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZHMhqzTa-HV8DWTpkEGSd83nQT0AfAxy_RZ-D1P9UzLk3ZJy53_QkKAD00jnlBdClOEFnSHnmFYhxsehEFC1C7aW2pingZNZOaUJckb_2N-XugGZ2AggDH5D3EeJa6fGHWRfAqEoNyuU/s1600/P1030326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZHMhqzTa-HV8DWTpkEGSd83nQT0AfAxy_RZ-D1P9UzLk3ZJy53_QkKAD00jnlBdClOEFnSHnmFYhxsehEFC1C7aW2pingZNZOaUJckb_2N-XugGZ2AggDH5D3EeJa6fGHWRfAqEoNyuU/s1600/P1030326.jpg" height="101" width="320" /></a></div>
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The immediate plans are for some well-deserved R&R. If things look good on Sunday, we will make our next move, probably to Chubb Cay. Maybe some fishing too????? Wish me luck, and stay tuned for what comes next. One never knows when a good story will come to light.<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/324/8266ABB98FEC4171CCA2ED55A6DECA6C.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06121172465022137270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5854381013885785232.post-40736999969511085372015-01-09T12:05:00.000-05:002015-01-09T12:07:32.787-05:00Snow Birds in Someplace Warmer Than Home<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMIJaA6NhV5xJZz5NgrHzB54d9RWedOkViY10FO4ryfZbuHdTArUOdkR473-yTVNQ3b3NfytzXug-dymyv6ipEe9SGonb8KkDhxMwtFwRlK2J21B2_u9xZxItKrQsZngNXN_tdDhQ1-JY/s1600/Dog+Park+in+Stuart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMIJaA6NhV5xJZz5NgrHzB54d9RWedOkViY10FO4ryfZbuHdTArUOdkR473-yTVNQ3b3NfytzXug-dymyv6ipEe9SGonb8KkDhxMwtFwRlK2J21B2_u9xZxItKrQsZngNXN_tdDhQ1-JY/s1600/Dog+Park+in+Stuart.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Yes, that is what they call people like the Captain and I, Snowbirds. We migrate south to escape winter. As I rock gently on board Steadfast, wearing flip flops and summer clothes, my family and friends across Canada report snow drifts higher than they can reach, and temperatures so low they are difficult to read. If you are disgusted with me for taking the easy road, read on to hear the rest of the story, as Paul Harvey says.<br />
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The first two weeks on board are as physically challenging as daily workouts at the gym, with a trainer pushing you to work harder! I complain every year, to no avail. It just isn't right to cram a whole year's amount of physical exercise into two weeks. After two days living aboard, I have pulled and stretched muscles I never remember meeting personally before. It feels like a steam roller flattened me overnight. If I'd seen it coming, I would have dodged it for sure!<br />
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Perhaps it's the three foot gap I need to jump to get between the boat and the dock. Maybe it's the narrow companionways and stairs. It could be handling lines under tension while transversing the locks on the ICW. For sure it's the heavy lifting, hauling three months of supplies from store-to-car-to-boat that has contributed to my noodly-feeling arms and legs. No way has it anything to do with the fact that I am 14 years older than when we first began this lifestyle!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OK-wI7IDlH2KYSyBQaPoywtbiwF2eMSgMVDEcR1d4so_sUyf3gTO-KKV9Y-DpDDx6nPrgkNJyajUAdahPhU8drauadNEirRKSoOoHmyvw7Zfr_8NpZz3EKWuIDwwDDOjwO_e6SvDFxg/s1600/wine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OK-wI7IDlH2KYSyBQaPoywtbiwF2eMSgMVDEcR1d4so_sUyf3gTO-KKV9Y-DpDDx6nPrgkNJyajUAdahPhU8drauadNEirRKSoOoHmyvw7Zfr_8NpZz3EKWuIDwwDDOjwO_e6SvDFxg/s1600/wine.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Shopping at Sam's Club for everything we will need/want for the next three months at one go is a little intimidating. We needed help to get three, over-full carts to the truck. At the Marina, we wore a groove in the cement docks to our boat, back and forthing to unload it all. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaXXvUk2BrMsNSXiyvVoubrAqquGJh5iwbVehrlE1hNjFIj1Q9-yINPE35sLFUwuOA82j-UKtpIl8sty4YL0qEsn5vyfqzedkDgFO3ZPUrCk2L9pQlYhCYeUQNV_Hsby1XKTKO00kfWTI/s1600/provisions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaXXvUk2BrMsNSXiyvVoubrAqquGJh5iwbVehrlE1hNjFIj1Q9-yINPE35sLFUwuOA82j-UKtpIl8sty4YL0qEsn5vyfqzedkDgFO3ZPUrCk2L9pQlYhCYeUQNV_Hsby1XKTKO00kfWTI/s1600/provisions.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMvWDREswpw_Px0J_8OQmWvLAPAFNbg6kS_ISDfDjg_bIiG1PRDRi0CUNgLJrTLFU1CjxnVD4wS69oV4VdRdc54O3uEUAg-GfbC-l1DWRlO2Retm2qbScNWypSE1b32l0XJFlCvAwxl8/s1600/provisions2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMvWDREswpw_Px0J_8OQmWvLAPAFNbg6kS_ISDfDjg_bIiG1PRDRi0CUNgLJrTLFU1CjxnVD4wS69oV4VdRdc54O3uEUAg-GfbC-l1DWRlO2Retm2qbScNWypSE1b32l0XJFlCvAwxl8/s1600/provisions2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Then the real fun began....dividing those economy sized packages into single serving baggies. Life definitely took a turn for the better the day we installed a deep freeze on the fly bridge.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2_a27G0XxP5zthm-AOAG4oakQXjyz277s0YbXPbBUo3ylabjvWSQij6EBQgdKQ0f5FDm-h4jeyK159xhXmeFmAmfEziVYzWCS7T2AUtbq7yHODW2E7SpiXuxADLVQ5ZiN_m_t6zfoB90/s1600/baggies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2_a27G0XxP5zthm-AOAG4oakQXjyz277s0YbXPbBUo3ylabjvWSQij6EBQgdKQ0f5FDm-h4jeyK159xhXmeFmAmfEziVYzWCS7T2AUtbq7yHODW2E7SpiXuxADLVQ5ZiN_m_t6zfoB90/s1600/baggies.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Good news/Bad news/Good news:<br />
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Where there's a will, there's a way. <br />
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The ice maker died and NO ONE can survive a winter in the islands without one, so we need a new boat!<br />
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Captain B and the Marina manager found a new ice maker that will fit where the old one was installed, so if it works, we can put off buying a new boat this year!<br />
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While the Captain was away, I filled the water tanks, put in a load of laundry and took the dog for a walk. I came home to find no water pressure, no toilet flush, no hand washing. Getting ready to refill the water tanks, I was concerned and confused, because that was not normal and this boat is also 14 years older than when we first met.<br />
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Captain B arrived at that very moment and saved the day/the boat/my life! A hose had fallen off the hot water tank, a geyser of water was pumping into the engine room and .... It never dawned on me to go below and check things out. By turning off the water pump and the hot water tank, Captain B stopped the emergency. The bilges are now fresh and clean, and all pumped out once more. Whew! It's time to put my boat-thinking hat on.<br />
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Note to self: Stay committed, life is a challenge on every level. Look for the happy spots in each situation. Rejoice, give thanks, pray without ceasing.<br />
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Yup, the "garden" of basil, cilantro, mint and amaryllis has been planted. The water and fuel tanks are full. The water maker is commissioned. All systems are tested and we are mostly ready to move further south, first to West Palm Beach and then across to Bimini. Yippee! Winter has officially arrived aboard Steadfast!<br />
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Happy New Year, Rosemary<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06121172465022137270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5854381013885785232.post-6490684820110370722014-12-26T16:13:00.000-05:002014-12-26T16:13:20.238-05:00Rocky Mountain Christmas<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Santa sent me out west, as a vanguard, to help with logistics, while he cleaned up on the home front.</div>
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I promised to be good, and he promised to come quickly.</div>
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The first sight of the mountains after landing always gets my blood moving, in an excited, happy way.</div>
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It's over an hour's drive from the Calgary airport to Canmore, in the Bow Valley. <br />
Photo ops all the way!</div>
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There was something new in town this time....a bus that now runs between Banff and Canmore. People were lined up, waiting for the next shuttle; people with skis, snow boards, hockey sticks, back packs...athletic people, mountain people. A new amenity, that makes life easier for those who live and work in the twin towns.</div>
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It snowed overnight, making my first morning in Canmore a pretty one.</div>
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I was immediately in the Christmas spirit. Also, the sight of all that chopped, and ready-to-go wood was somewhat comforting, given that people keep their thermostats low here..... Brrrr.</div>
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When SIL and I took two of the Grands swimming, I got my first experience in the new <a href="https://www.google.ca/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=elevation+place,+canmore&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&gfe_rd=cr&ei=vSKaVNe1BZHt8wehjYK4Bw" target="_blank">Elevation Place</a>. A state-of-the-art aquatics centre, cum climbing training facility, with public library, cafe, steam rooms, weights, aerobics, yoga, you-name-it....</div>
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Completed in 2014, it is a jewel in Canmore's crown.</div>
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My daughter and her family harvested their own Christmas tree. It's a majestic beauty.</div>
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Chrissy is preparing for a solo art show in mid-January, working night and day. There are wet paintings hanging in every room, in neighbour's houses and in an off-site studio, waiting for the opening. Yes, I got wet paint on my new white, down coat (don't tell Captain B!), on my hands, on the bed spread and on my jeans!</div>
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While Mum worked in the studio, I kept kiddos entertained with <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TM1XusYVqNY" target="_blank">The Unexpected Christmas</a> youtube video. They watched it 15 times and begged for more, "AGAIN!!!"</div>
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Watch it for yourself....it's sooooo worth the 7 minutes!</div>
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http://youtu.be/TM1XusYVqNY</div>
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Arriving early, I was fortunate to attend Grand #1's school Christmas pageant. As one of Santa's Reindeer, she made the audience laugh. Good job! Grand #2 was out with the stomach flu ( a foretaste of what was to come ).</div>
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I got to oversee several practice runs and then attend Grand #3's violin recital. Yippee!!!!</div>
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The sweet heart insisted on standing behind the music stand, so we couldn't see him. He did a spectacular job! Well done, Grandson!!!</div>
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Keeping with the music theme, I was very lucky to get tickets to see the <a href="http://www.bowvalleychorus.com/" target="_blank">Bow Valley Chorus </a>in action, two days after my arrival. Their performance of "Appalachian Winter" was nothing short of spectacular!</div>
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My week continued, giving me ample opportunity to really get into Canmore's Spirit of Christmas. The Canadian Pacific Railroad Holiday Train made a short whistle stop after dark on Friday. Bedecked with flashing lights and musical charms, it was a sight to see. My camera battery died in the cold and so I have no photos. :(</div>
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Town merchants sponsored visits with Santa and complimentary hot chocolate and candy canes.</div>
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Some of us were very leery of the Santa figure, refusing to sit on the ample lap.</div>
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The Grands and I made a ginger bread house...</div>
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where more candy made it into stomachs than onto the roof of the house.</div>
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Christmas cookies are no fun unless slathered with icing...</div>
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My sweet friends took me out to Sunday lunch at the <a href="http://www.golfcanadaswest.com/gc_silvertip/" target="_blank">Silver Tip Golf Course</a> dining room.</div>
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The views are spectacular, the food and service excellent and the company superb!</div>
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We took all the Grands (4) to the Banff Hot Springs for a treat on Saturday morning. The sulfur hot water is supposed to have curative powers, but based on my personal experience, the hot water is soothing and nothing else. I'm still sick with a wicked cold!</div>
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After the soak, we hit the Sushi Train for lunch! Electric trains pulling flat cars loaded with food is a hit with all ages. Learning the chopsticks was something else!</div>
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Outdoor exercise helps ensure good nap times, or so they say. When snow fun turned to wacking Grandma Roe with snowballs and chunks of ice, I loaded the rascals into the chariot and took them shopping. Contained. Calm. Quiet. Good. Very good in fact. I got exercise, they got still. Until we got to the shops...then it was a different story. Long story short: I had a greatly needed nap when we got home.</div>
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Canmore floods and polishes their local creek with a zamboni every winter. The best ice rink anywhere!</div>
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The sunrises here about 8:30am, peaking over the Tree Sisters mountains, turning the sky a lovely shade of pink. Yes, Christmas in the Rockies is a special time. Beautiful. Breathtaking. And of course, FAMILY time. The very best.</div>
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May all my blogging buddies have a blessed Yuletide with families and friends and may Jesus' love shine in your hearts all year long.</div>
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Happy New Year!</div>
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