12-17-12

We love to stop in Lake Worth/West Palm Beach area.  Our friend Bob lives in the north end of Lake Worth on his sailboat – lively discussions about sailing and life, meals together.  He’s the one who introduced us to the anchorage at the south end of Lake Worth where we met up again with Jerry and Donna on Bluejacket. 

Jerry, Donna and Karen listen to the band at City Place.

Donna, Karen, Jerry on the balcony at City Place.

Donna looks like she just hopped out of her Lamborghini for a night on the town.

Free trolley rides around the hopping city of West Palm Beach where everyone is in style and on their way someplace.  The one section of the city, called City Place, is full of shops, restaurants, and Christmas cheer.

 They have to do something to make it seem like Christmas!  There was a skating rink (with plastic ice), lights throughout, music, and a huge Christmas tree. 

We were reminded of home at 6, 7 & 8 pm for 10 minutes when the snow machines (connected to the top of the palm trees) spewed fake snow.  It really seemed like a blizzard; except it was 75 degrees and the tiny specks of snow were bubbles.  After enjoying a fancy dinner at City Place overlooking the courtyard from the balcony we strolled through the city back to the dinghy dock.  The energy of the city evident as we walk along brightly lit streets, past the groups of people eating and drinking at sidewalk establishments.   

Walking the streets with two sailors with the name of Jerry, a Sailor Jerry banner catches our attention and we find a 1975 Airstream camper decked out with Sailor Jerry Rum graphics all over the exterior, bumper stickers and coozies inside with the chance to buy a shot of Sailor Jerry rum.  We toured the camper, had our picture taken (maybe the picture is on Sailor Jerry Rum’s facebook page), and with full stomachs declined on the shots of rum. 

Sailor Jerry's 1975 Airstream Camper - like the one I lived in once (minus the rum ads)

This really is Sailor Jerry

Time just seems to slip away – one minute we’re in  West Palm and the next in the Bahamas!  Southeast winds at 20 provided the power for our fast crossing to Great Sale Cay with Bluejacket.  From 4:30 am to 10:00 pm.   Then the next 2 days were perfect sailing conditions as we sailed in the turquoise blue 10-12 foot water of the Bahama banks to Marsh Harbour.  When it seemed that the winds were going to be too much on the nose when we had to turn, the winds would shift in our favor.  No need to start the motor. 

Persephone & Bluejacket anchored in Marsh Harbour

It’s nice to be able to go to shore and stretching our legs after clearing in at customs.

We wonder about progress when we go to anchor at one of our favorite spots in the Abacos and hike across the island to the beach.  Someone built a house where we land the dinghy.  A dock with NO TRESPASSING clearly stated on many signs.  Oh well, down to our next favorite spot at Lynyard Cay.  A cero hops on Jerry's hook just before we anchor before lunch.  Cero for lunch and dinner.  I try to remember to take a picture of the cero on the plate for lunch or dinner but it's already gone by the time I remember.

Jerry ponders the sand and sea at Lynyard Cay, Abaco, Bahamas.

After spending some time on the beach and the night at Lynyard we headed to Little Harbour.  We have another 50 mile sail sometime this week as we make our way south towards Georgetown in the Exumas.  

Cero #5 before

Cero #5 after filleting/before cooking.

The weather is warm, the sun is out, the sand sparkles and the palm trees sway - wishing you the best for the holidays!  You can send news about home to us at the kpakk25 e-mail address.

PS  Looking for a good book?  Try this one - Merle's Door by Ted Kerasote.  We both loved this book.