Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Saturday, February 16, 2013
More pictures from West Palm Beach.
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| Persephone at anchor - closest municipal dock to right |
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| Nice dock - available for day use with your boat or dinghy |
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| 2 More municipal docks looking north with Farmers Market tents to the right. |
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| The flower aisle of the Farmers Market |
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| Produce with yachts in the background |
Thursday, February 14, 2013
2/14/13 Ah, Valentines Day, time to look back on the sweet life with my sweetheart!
For those of you who have been looking for some pictures from our travels up to January 13th - here they are! The beginning of January - First we stopped in at Black Point to do some laundry and to walk on the beaches. Yes, we found some sea glass here.
Then we went a mile or two around the point to Doug and Jean's house appropriately named "Sandcastle".
It's hard to describe the process of building your own home here in the Bahamas. It took more than 1 ship to bring all of the supplies needed to build this concrete structure. The planning involved! You have to bring in all of the supplies - there's no Home Depot. There's not even a store nearby to sell nails or a shovel. The home is incredible. Doug and Jean were wonderful hosts with plenty of stories to tell.
While we were here visiting we offered to help with Jean's gardening project. After years of trying to plant gardens in various ways, Jean has collected a number of tubs in order to grow her garden here. The tubs are enclosed in the tin left from the garage project - a 7 or 8 foot tall round enclosure. She needed steps to be able to access the garden without having to drag ladders around. So, Jerry, Jerry, Donna, and Karen came in to help.
Since Doug and Jean had cinder blocks that is what we used to build the steps on the outside of the enclosure and steps on the inside of the enclosure. Doug, with the help of a backloader he happened to have sitting around, was able to lift the blocks in the air where we unloaded them. He also went to his beach and scooped up sand that we filled the blocks with. What a project! Doug and Jean treated us to dinner in town. We loaded chairs into the back of their pickup and held on as we went out the dirt/coral bumpy roads to get to Scorpios in town for fish and burgers.
From Doug and Jean's we headed south, out onto the sound to catch some fish and head for Georgetown. We got the fish!
But we didn't make it to Georgetown. We were pounding into the wind and having an uncomfortable ride. Persephone and Bluejacket decided to stop and headed in at Rudder Cut Cay to anchor between Darby and Little Darby Islands. For dinner Jerry marinades the mahi.
We had never anchored here between the Darbys before. As expected in the Bahamas, it was a beautiful anchorage, though isolated. No towns or services nearby.
Bluejacket is anchored just behind us. We spend the week playing games, meeting the other sailors on their boats in the anchorage, snorkeling, and dining together.
In the 1930s a castle was built on Darby Island. Along with a coconut plantation, fences of coral stone to contain farm animals, and other structures. Today, the castle is in poor shape. You can read more about it here: http://www.darbyislands.com/location_history.html
The views are incredible......
The snake we found at the beginning of our hike to the castle....(don't tell Donna, we told her there weren't any snakes on the island)
We also found the cave the owners used for their livestock. A nature made sheltered barn. Today, it is inhabited by bats and an owl. We only heard about the owl and saw evidence of its meals. We did see the bats though.
The Darby Island Research Station is located here. Various marine research projects are beginning to develop from this small lab. Erich, the director, came to ask for help ashore and we all pitched in. Pam and Jack from the University of Miami and Barb of Nassau were on shore. They operate the Bahamas Marine EcoCenter. Look here: http://www.tropicbirds.org/TB2012/?q=research
And, the coconuts. Where there was a coconut plantation, there are still coconuts.
Jack showed us how to process a coconut.
First husking using a metal stake with a sharp angled top.......
The next step is cracking the coconut and draining the water or what's referred to as the milk.
Then, using the tool Jack had mounted on a board, we scraped the meat out of the coconut. You actually sit on the board. The next day Jerry came over from Bluejacket and they talked about making one of these tools. Jerry from Persephone likes action. It wasn't long before we rummaged through Persephone's metal and wood scraps on board and brought out all of the power tools for the Jerrys to get to work. I don't have a picture but we have a beautiful stainless steel coconut scraper mounted on a board. I left it with Bluejacket in the hopes they'll find some more coconuts!
So, that's kind of where the story ends. You've heard about the events from the 13th on previous posts.
Here's a picture we took for Sailor Jerry as we toast our arrival with a sip of Sailor Jerry rum in Lake Worth, FL. Nassau, Bahamas to Lake Worth, FL. I think it took us 34 hours.
West Palm is the perfect place to hang out and wait for Jerry to arrive. The dinghy dock is convenient, the library is a couple of blocks away, there's a great farmer's market on Saturdays, and the city of West Palm is full of life. I've spent a lot of time sitting in the cockpit healing a sore hip/back. I guess my muscles weren't ready for the anchoring but now I'm good to go.
Jerry and I talk on the phone every day. He is so thankful to have a place to call home back in Syracuse with Brian and Deb. They have taken very good care of him. He has also enjoyed the attention from family and friends in the area he usually doesn't have a chance to see in the winter!
Jerry will be back on board next Tuesday to recuperate onboard where he won't have to worry about whether it's too cold or snowy to walk.
Happy Valentines Day!
For those of you who have been looking for some pictures from our travels up to January 13th - here they are! The beginning of January - First we stopped in at Black Point to do some laundry and to walk on the beaches. Yes, we found some sea glass here.
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| Jerry at the beach at Blackpoint |
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| Blackpoint Beach |
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| Sandcastle |
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| Isn't it fantastic! |
While we were here visiting we offered to help with Jean's gardening project. After years of trying to plant gardens in various ways, Jean has collected a number of tubs in order to grow her garden here. The tubs are enclosed in the tin left from the garage project - a 7 or 8 foot tall round enclosure. She needed steps to be able to access the garden without having to drag ladders around. So, Jerry, Jerry, Donna, and Karen came in to help.
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| From top clockwise: Jerry, Karen, Donna, Jean |
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| Looks like Donna's doing all the work! |
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| Go Donna! |
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| Jean's tubs for lettuce, tomatoes, herbs, etc. |
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| Jean - the happy gardener |
Since Doug and Jean had cinder blocks that is what we used to build the steps on the outside of the enclosure and steps on the inside of the enclosure. Doug, with the help of a backloader he happened to have sitting around, was able to lift the blocks in the air where we unloaded them. He also went to his beach and scooped up sand that we filled the blocks with. What a project! Doug and Jean treated us to dinner in town. We loaded chairs into the back of their pickup and held on as we went out the dirt/coral bumpy roads to get to Scorpios in town for fish and burgers.
From Doug and Jean's we headed south, out onto the sound to catch some fish and head for Georgetown. We got the fish!
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| mahi (also known as dorado) |
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| A marinade involving honey and soy sauce |
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| Persephone anchored behind "Mist" |
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| Jerry & Jerry with something in the bucket |
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| Spiny lobster |
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| Looking up in a hole with bats |
The Darby Island Research Station is located here. Various marine research projects are beginning to develop from this small lab. Erich, the director, came to ask for help ashore and we all pitched in. Pam and Jack from the University of Miami and Barb of Nassau were on shore. They operate the Bahamas Marine EcoCenter. Look here: http://www.tropicbirds.org/TB2012/?q=research
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| The Darby Island Research Center |
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| The scientists bunk house |
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| Martha and Karen paint a dresser |
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| Jerry and Dave of "Mist" take down old solar panels |
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| Looking at the anchorage from Darby Island Research Center |
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| Erich taking Pam, Jack & Barb to catch a plane home |
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| Erich organizes a music night and wows us with his accomplished instrumentals. |
The next step is cracking the coconut and draining the water or what's referred to as the milk.
Then, using the tool Jack had mounted on a board, we scraped the meat out of the coconut. You actually sit on the board. The next day Jerry came over from Bluejacket and they talked about making one of these tools. Jerry from Persephone likes action. It wasn't long before we rummaged through Persephone's metal and wood scraps on board and brought out all of the power tools for the Jerrys to get to work. I don't have a picture but we have a beautiful stainless steel coconut scraper mounted on a board. I left it with Bluejacket in the hopes they'll find some more coconuts!
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| One of the tools used to scrape the white meat out of the coconut |
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| Jack behind us, Karen and Jerry scraping out coconuts. |
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| Karen and Jerry scraping coconuts. |
Here's a picture we took for Sailor Jerry as we toast our arrival with a sip of Sailor Jerry rum in Lake Worth, FL. Nassau, Bahamas to Lake Worth, FL. I think it took us 34 hours.
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| The municipal docks at West Palm, FL |
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| Looking north from the anchorage at West Palm. |
Jerry and I talk on the phone every day. He is so thankful to have a place to call home back in Syracuse with Brian and Deb. They have taken very good care of him. He has also enjoyed the attention from family and friends in the area he usually doesn't have a chance to see in the winter!
Jerry will be back on board next Tuesday to recuperate onboard where he won't have to worry about whether it's too cold or snowy to walk.
Happy Valentines Day!
Monday, February 11, 2013
Monday, January 28, 2013
1/27/13
It is incredible how everything has worked out in this emergency situation - all thanks to the help of friends, family, acquaintances and the kindness of strangers.
Without Donna & Jerry on Bluejacket there at the beginning of this, I hate to think of how it may have turned out.
Jerry spent 10 days in the hospital in Nassau, Bahamas before being released. He had 12 bottles of pills that kept his heart stabilized for a return flight to Syracuse, NY. Our friend Ryan in VA took care of EVERYTHING - Jerry's flight to Syracuse, Kari's flight to Nassau, all documents needed for me to take over the boat and Kari to sign on as crew, advice/support, coordinating and relaying information to family and friends. Jerry spent one night aboard Persephone at anchor in Nassau before departing. When he arrived in Syracuse, NY Jerry's friend Greg had already talked to his own heart doctor and arranged for that doctor at St. Joseph's Heart Care Unit to see Jerry. Jerry went right from the plane to the hospital on Wednesday. On Thursday he had surgery. He had a stent put in. On Friday he was released from the hospital. Brian and Deb brought him home. On Saturday morning Deb and Jerry went to the mall and walked for an hour and a half. Incredible! I just shake my head in wonder to think how well this has all turned out - thanks to the help of so many generous, thoughtful, and capable people.
Kari and I left aboard Persephone from Nassau on Friday morning. Do you know the old sailing superstition that says never leave on a Friday? How about the one advising no women aboard - bad luck? Well, we proved them both wrong. Taking turns on watch for the 34 hours, Kari and I had a pleasant passage. When we left Nassau - too much wind and choppy seas. Then no wind. When we were about 50 miles from the FL coast the wind picked up again. The gulf stream tossed us around a bit but not too bad. We arrived at Lake Worth Saturday at 5 pm.
I now have the luxury of being able to pick up the phone and call someone as our phone works only in the states. I talked to Jerry and he sounds good. He has a doctor's appointment in 2 weeks. I will wait here in Lake Worth aboard Persephone for the results and then we'll decide what to do next. Jerry's hoping he will be able to return to Persephone and finish recuperating here in FL. We'll see what the doctor says. For now, I now he is in good hands with Deb and Brian taking care of him, surrounded by friends and family coming to visit. I will provide an update when I hear.
Thanks for your thoughts and prayers throughout. I know you're there for me.
Karen
1/19/13
I am writing with news that has changed our sailing plans for this winter. Persephone is in Nassau, Bahamas while Jerry rests in the Princess Margaret Hospital after suffering a heart attack last Sunday. Dr. Frances, the heart specialist here, has Jerry on medications and will be stabilized for a flight back to Syracuse for further treatment. He's had ekg's, a cat scan, ultrasound, x-rays and plenty of attention to his needs. The angiogram is the next step and the doctor wants him back in the states for that test and any surgery that may follow. As usual, living on a boat out of the states complicates our situation for communicating with family and friends back home. I will try to keep you up to date as best I can though doing so requires going to an internet cafe here on shore.
As soon as Jerry is released and on his way home I will be sailing the boat back to FL. Our friends Ryan and Kari plan on flying to Nassau and coming aboard so I won't have to do this on my own. We'd like to take the boat to Oriental, NC.
The help and support we've received during this emergency has been thorough and compassionate to say the least.
Here's a synopsis of what happened:
We were anchored at Darby Island in the Exumas, which is the middle of nowhere. We were waiting for a good weather window to continue south but the strong southeasterly wind kept us at anchor for the week. Darby Island has a house on the top of the island and a marine research station near the anchorage. We met Erich Muehler, the director of the Darby Island Research Center, when he was looking for volunteers with a few projects on shore. We were having a wonderful time exploring, learning about harvesting coconuts, helping with projects on shore, getting together at the research station for music. On Sunday morning Jerry experienced severe chest pain again. He had mentioned a first episode the day before while he was out snorkeling on his own. He said he must have pulled a muscle in his shoulder and attributed the pains to that. (He now confesses that he probably was in denial but knew something was seriously wrong.) We went over to Donna and Jerry's boat to look through their Merck manual. I had a page of notes indicating symptoms, at what times, etc. Jerry took some aspirin and we went back to Persephone. Within minutes Donna came back to tell Jerry he was having a heart attack and we were going to seek help. Luckily, Erich on shore has a biomedical background and was able to come over, confirm what Donna and Jerry diagnosed, talk with Jerry, and bring oxygen. He had offered to take us to the nearest town (45 min away) in his boat though the likelihood that there was even a doctor around was slim. That's when Erich met with David, one of the owners of the island who was staying at the house on the hill. David offered to fly us to Nassau in his plane where there is a hospital. Within 45 min. we were at the hospital and Jerry had been admitted. He stayed in the ICU for a few days and is now in the "male ward" building strength and having medicine adjusted to be fit for travel, hopefully this week.
I found a hotel to stay here in Nassua the first night but started walking the docks the next day. I found a couple we had met years before in the Bahamas, Stuart and Marilyn aboard Union Jack. I told them what was going on and they found me a boat to stay on for the next two nights. At that point I knew I'd need to fly back to Darby Island and bring Persephone the 95 miles back to Nassau. Erich drove his boat with Donna & Jerry, and another sailor to the airport on Farmer's Cay to meet me. Jerry and Donna insisted that Jerry Luh would sail back to Nassau with me. And that's what we did - about 20 hours from Darby Island overnight to Nassau. I had to say goodbye to Jerry this morning as he headed back to the airport and back to Bluejacket and Donna. It was so nice to have him here to help out, talk to, give advice. Jerry and Donna are truly lifesavers who have done everything they possibly could to help us through this difficult time. Donna is the one who told Jerry he was going to the hospital, no questions about it. He got tired of arguing with her and gave up. Good thing.
For those of you who want to help in some way you can make a donation to The Darby Island Research Center. Contact Erich at evmresearch@gmail.com. Erich went above and beyond his call of duty to help out during and after the crisis. This morning he's the one going to pick up Jerry Luh at the airport. Internet service is not the same at Darby as it is in the US so he may need time to respond if you write.
I will stop typing and send this on before heading to the hospital for visiting hours.
Karen
It is incredible how everything has worked out in this emergency situation - all thanks to the help of friends, family, acquaintances and the kindness of strangers.
Without Donna & Jerry on Bluejacket there at the beginning of this, I hate to think of how it may have turned out.
Jerry spent 10 days in the hospital in Nassau, Bahamas before being released. He had 12 bottles of pills that kept his heart stabilized for a return flight to Syracuse, NY. Our friend Ryan in VA took care of EVERYTHING - Jerry's flight to Syracuse, Kari's flight to Nassau, all documents needed for me to take over the boat and Kari to sign on as crew, advice/support, coordinating and relaying information to family and friends. Jerry spent one night aboard Persephone at anchor in Nassau before departing. When he arrived in Syracuse, NY Jerry's friend Greg had already talked to his own heart doctor and arranged for that doctor at St. Joseph's Heart Care Unit to see Jerry. Jerry went right from the plane to the hospital on Wednesday. On Thursday he had surgery. He had a stent put in. On Friday he was released from the hospital. Brian and Deb brought him home. On Saturday morning Deb and Jerry went to the mall and walked for an hour and a half. Incredible! I just shake my head in wonder to think how well this has all turned out - thanks to the help of so many generous, thoughtful, and capable people.
Kari and I left aboard Persephone from Nassau on Friday morning. Do you know the old sailing superstition that says never leave on a Friday? How about the one advising no women aboard - bad luck? Well, we proved them both wrong. Taking turns on watch for the 34 hours, Kari and I had a pleasant passage. When we left Nassau - too much wind and choppy seas. Then no wind. When we were about 50 miles from the FL coast the wind picked up again. The gulf stream tossed us around a bit but not too bad. We arrived at Lake Worth Saturday at 5 pm.
I now have the luxury of being able to pick up the phone and call someone as our phone works only in the states. I talked to Jerry and he sounds good. He has a doctor's appointment in 2 weeks. I will wait here in Lake Worth aboard Persephone for the results and then we'll decide what to do next. Jerry's hoping he will be able to return to Persephone and finish recuperating here in FL. We'll see what the doctor says. For now, I now he is in good hands with Deb and Brian taking care of him, surrounded by friends and family coming to visit. I will provide an update when I hear.
Thanks for your thoughts and prayers throughout. I know you're there for me.
Karen
1/19/13
I am writing with news that has changed our sailing plans for this winter. Persephone is in Nassau, Bahamas while Jerry rests in the Princess Margaret Hospital after suffering a heart attack last Sunday. Dr. Frances, the heart specialist here, has Jerry on medications and will be stabilized for a flight back to Syracuse for further treatment. He's had ekg's, a cat scan, ultrasound, x-rays and plenty of attention to his needs. The angiogram is the next step and the doctor wants him back in the states for that test and any surgery that may follow. As usual, living on a boat out of the states complicates our situation for communicating with family and friends back home. I will try to keep you up to date as best I can though doing so requires going to an internet cafe here on shore.
As soon as Jerry is released and on his way home I will be sailing the boat back to FL. Our friends Ryan and Kari plan on flying to Nassau and coming aboard so I won't have to do this on my own. We'd like to take the boat to Oriental, NC.
The help and support we've received during this emergency has been thorough and compassionate to say the least.
Here's a synopsis of what happened:
We were anchored at Darby Island in the Exumas, which is the middle of nowhere. We were waiting for a good weather window to continue south but the strong southeasterly wind kept us at anchor for the week. Darby Island has a house on the top of the island and a marine research station near the anchorage. We met Erich Muehler, the director of the Darby Island Research Center, when he was looking for volunteers with a few projects on shore. We were having a wonderful time exploring, learning about harvesting coconuts, helping with projects on shore, getting together at the research station for music. On Sunday morning Jerry experienced severe chest pain again. He had mentioned a first episode the day before while he was out snorkeling on his own. He said he must have pulled a muscle in his shoulder and attributed the pains to that. (He now confesses that he probably was in denial but knew something was seriously wrong.) We went over to Donna and Jerry's boat to look through their Merck manual. I had a page of notes indicating symptoms, at what times, etc. Jerry took some aspirin and we went back to Persephone. Within minutes Donna came back to tell Jerry he was having a heart attack and we were going to seek help. Luckily, Erich on shore has a biomedical background and was able to come over, confirm what Donna and Jerry diagnosed, talk with Jerry, and bring oxygen. He had offered to take us to the nearest town (45 min away) in his boat though the likelihood that there was even a doctor around was slim. That's when Erich met with David, one of the owners of the island who was staying at the house on the hill. David offered to fly us to Nassau in his plane where there is a hospital. Within 45 min. we were at the hospital and Jerry had been admitted. He stayed in the ICU for a few days and is now in the "male ward" building strength and having medicine adjusted to be fit for travel, hopefully this week.
I found a hotel to stay here in Nassua the first night but started walking the docks the next day. I found a couple we had met years before in the Bahamas, Stuart and Marilyn aboard Union Jack. I told them what was going on and they found me a boat to stay on for the next two nights. At that point I knew I'd need to fly back to Darby Island and bring Persephone the 95 miles back to Nassau. Erich drove his boat with Donna & Jerry, and another sailor to the airport on Farmer's Cay to meet me. Jerry and Donna insisted that Jerry Luh would sail back to Nassau with me. And that's what we did - about 20 hours from Darby Island overnight to Nassau. I had to say goodbye to Jerry this morning as he headed back to the airport and back to Bluejacket and Donna. It was so nice to have him here to help out, talk to, give advice. Jerry and Donna are truly lifesavers who have done everything they possibly could to help us through this difficult time. Donna is the one who told Jerry he was going to the hospital, no questions about it. He got tired of arguing with her and gave up. Good thing.
For those of you who want to help in some way you can make a donation to The Darby Island Research Center. Contact Erich at evmresearch@gmail.com. Erich went above and beyond his call of duty to help out during and after the crisis. This morning he's the one going to pick up Jerry Luh at the airport. Internet service is not the same at Darby as it is in the US so he may need time to respond if you write.
I will stop typing and send this on before heading to the hospital for visiting hours.
Karen
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
1-2-13 Happy 2013!!!
Just wanted to write a quick
note to let you know we’re keeping busy here in the Bahamas.
Our last day in the Abacos included a walk on the beach,
complete with a “rental dog” who saw we were headed to the beach and being a
freethinking dog, decided to join us.
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| Jerry and "the rental dog" in Little Harbour, Abacos |
Here I am on the beach at Pipe Creek in the Exumas looking
for sea glass and other beach treasures.
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| Looking for elusive blue sea glass in Pipe Creek. |
The treasures included a new pair of beach shoes for Jerry.
Another view of the beach at Pipe Creek (sorry about the
tilt – if you live on a boat you learn that most of your life is a little off
kilter)
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| Jerry on the beach at Pipe Creek. |
Jerry from Bluejacket, Jerry, and I went snorkeling. I had a wonderful time looking at the
life. Jerry and Jerry had a blast with
lobsters. Dinner, lunch, dinner,
lunch….lobster again?
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| Jerry & Jerry go hunting. |
Christmas dinner aboard Bluejacket with Donna and
Jerry. We sure do miss our families back
home….it’s nice to have an adopted family to cruise with.
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| A colorful Christmas dinner aboard Bluejacket with Jerry & Donna |
I did remember to take more pictures of the fish Jerry has
been catching.
Before…
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| Cero filets |
After…..
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| A cero filet after |
Our sailing ventures have taken us from the Abacos to the
Exumas.
We spent a number of days in Pipe Creek where we spent
Christmas and then on to Staniel Cay for New Years.
From the seclusion of Pipe Creek to the thriving development
at Staniel Cay where the locals were holding a regatta of sorts. (Thriving in the Bahamas= more than 20 locals
who live on the island year round.)
The traditional Bahamian sailing craft is a shallow draft
boat with little keel, lots of sail and pry boards for the sailors to sit upon
depending on the heel of the boat to keep it from tipping over. Our friend Jerry was aboard “Tida Wave” for a
sail.
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| Tida Wave of Staniel Cay |
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| Tida Wave under sail with the pry boards to starboard. |
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| Mary & Michelle with Jerry in the background on Tida Wave. |
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| Tida Wave crew. |
We are currently in Black Point in the Exumas heading next
to Georgetown.
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