2/4/19

After leaving Dave and Lesie off at Staniel Cay to fly back to Seattle we headed south to Georgetown.  We made it before another front came through the area.  Here’s a shot Jerry took of the leading edge of the front as it came through.  See – it’s not all sunshine and blue skies.  After the front came through it went all the way down to 72.

The wind picked up and the mail boats did not make their regular stop here in Georgetown.  When we went to the Exuma Market the produce shelves were bare.  Luckily there’s another grocery store where we were able to buy some fresh vegetables for ourselves and also for Donna and Jerry on Bluejacket.  We were headed south to the Jumentos for the annual February festivities at Hog Cay where Donna and Jerry have been since December.  There are no grocery stores in the Jumentos.  The only settlement in the Jumentos, Duncantown, was ravaged by hurricanes last year (see 1/24/18 post for pictures of Duncantown). 

Our two day sail down to the Jumentos included a nice sunset and 3 tuna.

The first night we anchored on the banks south of Great Exuma.  

The forecast should have made a peaceful night in the protection of Great Exuma but the wind never clocked to the north and we had a bouncy night at anchor.

The next morning we were off early across the banks to the deep water along the east side of the Jumento Cays where we caught 1 skipjack and 2 blackfin tuna.

The usual remote area of the Jumentos had a number of boats show up for the potluck party on the beach.  14 cruising boats total!  The locals from Duncantown arrived at Hog Cay for the party bringing tons of food, speakers, music and a generator.  The population of Duncantown is down to about 20 from the pre-hurricane count of about 60.  Duncantown on Ragged Island is their home and they continue to put their lives back together in their isolated location.  Maxine, who still operates a “store” at Duncantown had huge pots of peas n’ rice, curried goat, goat stew, mac n’ cheese, and more.  With the contributions of every boat it was quite a feast.  A nice get together for the boaters and the Duncantown residents.

 

The potluck was held at “Hog Cay Yacht Club” a thatched roof pavilion the government funded and the Ragged Island locals and sailors built a number of years ago.  It survived the hurricanes!  With a little palm frond gathering a couple of the cruisers here put the roof back together.

Another view of the Hog Cay Yacht Club.  The music and speakers are to the left where you can see Donna dancing with the locals.

The dinghies and the local fishing boats are lined up on the beach for the party.

We plan on being here in the Jumentos for February exploring, snorkeling, walking the beaches, visiting…..and watching the weather.  There are no cays in the Jumentos where we can have all around protection.  The anchorages are exposed to the west – great for watching the green flash at sunset but not so good when a cold front comes through with westerly wind. 

And Duncantown being the only settlement with the only cell phone tower provides the signal for us to be online to write to you from Hog Cay.

Jerry's beach find from one of our walks on the east side of Hog Cay.

Billy Bob Voodoo has a spot onboard with Builder Bob and Mickey.