Since we are now on our timing countdown, we’re hopping from one island to the next to get as much in in these last few precious days.
From Marsh Harbour we headed to Man of War, where we sat on a gracious friends’ dock for two nights as home base for our explorations (mainly in search of the ice cream shop) and activities. Though packed with boats, Man of War’s wee south harbor is crystal clear and was a great source of entertainment in the form of snorkeling, swimming, paddling, kayaking, and simply sitting on the dock or the rail of their deck to watch the sea life. Always something to stare at, but the turtles, rays, snappers and sergeant majors were certainly cozy there.
We met up with new friends (complete with kids!) as well, and overall enjoyed our MOW time immensely and had a hard time peeling ourselves away. Meals gathered, snorkels taken, a yoga class overlooking the Sea of Abaco, laundry washed and snapped dry on a sunny line (what a treat that was!), beach time, walks, the calm of space for some decent work brain to accomplish some things, and of course, daily doses of ice cream.
From Man of War we went to Hope Town, where we scored a mooring in the inner harbor, though I must admit I’m partial to anchoring outside in the clearer water. Andy adores the mooring field for its harbor activity viewing, and for the nostalgic purposes of remembering his time on a boat there eighteen years ago. He was alone, and the social framework of the cruisers of Hope Town swept him up in a tight hug for which he was immensely grateful. The gratitude flows, since I’m now getting to reap the benefits of those relationships now shared. It’s always good to give the place a ‘Howdy-do!’.
After a short morning walk ashore, we left Hope Town and made our way to Guana, where we spent the day watching the girls play on the paddle board and kayak off of a beach with a restaurant and a fresh-water pool. The latter was the biggest treat of the day- two years ago it would have been filed in my as-of-now handwritten ‘Public Access Pools of the Bahamas’ reference guide as salty, and therefore would not count as a shower for the girls. But alas! New pool, new system, fresh water! It’s the little things. (And, don’t read this Mom, their hair is… totally clean.)
We met new friends while desalinating in aforementioned pool, and walked to see MDI friends here as well. You don’t seem to have to go far in the Abacos to find good people to spend time with!
Tomorrow, we’ll cross the Whale Passage and pull into Black Sound for our last sailing trip of the year. Since we’re trying to organize ourselves for the work flurry that is to come, and it consists of a number of overwhelming lists, we’ll take solace in our last sail. Until then!
