Preparing OPA for the trip North

I remember when we purchased OPA 20 years ago. It was during the zero-tolerance drug policy and the boat was owned by an elderly couple. They were boarded by the U.S. Coast Guard as a suspected drug vessel. They took them to a hotel and when they returned in the morning they found the boat completely destroyed. It was then purchased by two young men and gutted, but they quickly lost interest in the project. When we got her, she was pretty much a hull with a 48 hp Westerbeke diesel, which Danny promptly replaced with an 85 hp perkins. Danny made the trip from Miami with two of his buddies. It was a trip that none of them will ever forget. We had a goal of five years to restore her and depart. It was almost five years to the day that we started our first cruising trip. We cruised for 5 years and then returned to the states and work. We lived on board for several more years and then moved ashore. OPA had pretty much been neglected as we resumed our former lives. After our house burned down, we decided it was time to start cruising again. We left in February, 2009, and by September, we had to fly back to the states because Danny started passing blood. And the poor old  boat sat again.

When we returned Danny had to address every single system on the boat, starting starting with an overheating problem. He ended up replacing every single part in the cooling system. Next came the electrical system. We had to replace all 3 8D batteries upon our return. A lot of the wiring had corroded and had to be replaced, which took me back to my Fortune Bank days of running cable (thanks Greg, those skills did come in handy), but,  fortunately when Danny originally ran the wiring, he used plastic conduit complete with pull strings. We replaced  the 12 Volt lights in the main salon. We had to rerun the cable for the depth sounder and install a new transducer, and that is one piece of electronics that you can’t be without here, because Bahamas, translated, means shallow water. It has been said that if you haven't put  your boat on the ground, you don’t use your boat.

We had to deal with a lot of mold, because a few small leaks soon turned the inside of the boat into an incubator for microorganisms. We pulled every cushion, towel, sheet and article of clothing, brought  it ashore, drove it to the laundromat and back, and then returned by dingy it back to OPA. Every glass, container, pan and dish had to be washed again and again. 

Our refrigeration system has failed, so we will have to use an old fashioned icebox until we can sort it out in the states. It’s been a long time since I have done any cooking on board, so I will have to readjust to my tiny galley.  I have a coffee pot, microwave, toaster oven, propane stove, and bbg grill at my disposal. I am excited about the challenge of once again providing tasty meals aboard our traveling home. Although I felt bad for all those who lost their jobs, we were fortunate enough to be able to stock the boat for our return trip at 75% off when Emerald Isles (grocery store nears Sandals resort) closed their doors. That was a bonus for us and I’m so glad we were here for that windfall. We are on a fixed income and the food here is outrageously expensive. Food costs are 2 1/2 to 3 times more expensive here and I depleted my boat inventory some time ago. 

Once all the systems had been repaired and tested, we started working on the exterior. We painted the deck and applied 2 coats of Seatol to all the bright work. Then we moved below and painted every surface that could be painted or varnished. We used approximately 10 cans of acetone or mineral spirits (at $12.00 a quart) and about 30 disposable brushes and came home each day covered with dust, paint and varnish. It was well worth the effort and then we had the unenviable task of removing all that dust from every nook and cranny on the boat.

When we went for fuel, we discovered that Exuma Yacht Club is  not open for dock fuel sales on Sundays.  In 1996, when we first started cruising, it cost us $189.00 for 100 gallons, today it is $590.00. Danny calls it expensive camping.  After we fueled on Monday morning, we moved OPA back behind the house. It was to our delight that we were greeted by the dolphin Nicky and one of her pups as we came back in to Hooper's Bay. This was a blessing and a very good sign for me.  We are staged just off Conch Cay cut so that we will be ready for an early departure Thursday morning.  

Gazing at this turquoise harbor, I suddenly feel a bit  of sadness. Our boat sways gently on her anchor, as a 21 foot Sea Pearl, built in Tarpon Springs, Florida, sails by. The sun sets as the children next door (visitors from PA and MD) are out in kayaks on a harbor that is a sheet of glass. Hooper's Bay is a wonderful community with some delightful neighbors and located only 3 miles from Georgetown. We are walking distance from Smitty's grocery store, CNK liqour store, Darville's hardware store and Garden Creations (find them on Facebook), where we get the freshest produce on the island at the most reasonable prices. Our neighbors across the street at Hoopersbayvillas.com are also our neighbors in the states. They live about 20 minutes from us in Clermont, Florida. Talk about a small world!

I will definitely leave this house with a lot of wonderful memories. Thanks again to our friend, Lorraine, for giving us this most incredible opportunity. Thanks to all of you who came and shared our bit of paradise and many more thanks for all the treats that came with you. It was remarkable. I will have these moments for life. 

Georgetown, Exuma, Bahamas-Our second home

Just borrowed a friends camera to take a few shots of Georgetown before we depart. Even though I know we will be back, it is going to be very difficult to leave here. It is such a beautiful island and I am so blessed to have had this opportunity. Hope you enjoy these photos that we took today. We took the loop around Lake Victoria right in the heart of Georgetown, Exuma, Bahamas. 

OPA is anchored in this harbor which is referred to as Kidd Cove. Those of you who are familiar with the boat just may be able to locate her.  Good Luck...I have a hard time spotting her and I know where she is!

Regatta Point

Government Dock - Kidd Cove

Entering Lake Victoria from the harbor.

These photos were taken from Exuma Yacht Club's upper deck, recently acquired by Eddie Irvine, famous Indy race car drive (pictured above, pumping fuel). He has been steadily making improvements and the fuel dock (both auto and marine) are once again open for business. He has recently added a volley-ball court and  Friday nights rock at the bar/restaurant where he has awesome drink specials and the music of a featured artist (ABBA was my personal favorite!).  Thanks Eddie for bringing a whole new look and feel to Sam Gray's Marina. Good Luck and much success! You haven't seen the last of Picasso.

Eddie's Edgewater - During the second World War, this was the only establishment serving liquor to the boys from the Navy base. It is still family owned and operated. Miss our departed friends, Eddie Minnis, Victor (Rap) Brown, Andrea Brown and Kevin Brown, may they rest in peace. This is the home of  Rake and Scrape and the best conch burger in all of the Bahamas (you can write that down).

This is the ferry that carried us from Nassau to Georgetown on April 22nd of 2011. One way from Nassau overnight $75.00.

The Anglican church in the background and our reconditioned dinghy after repairing the damage from Hurricane Irene in the foreground.

Two Turtles Inn - approaching from Lake Victoria

The straw market--part of the local shopping district.

The local library staffed by volunteers and open Monday -- Saturday from 10:00am until 1:00pm. 

Hair braiding and fresh produce are also available at the straw market!

Danny and I have been coming to Georgetown since 1995 when we made our first trip to the Bahamas aboard OPA (our 41' Morgan Out Island). The people of this island have been calling us back ever since then. We have cruised here 8 of the last 17 years and returned by air for 6 more of those. We have had the honor of knowing four generations of family's from the island, but with that honor comes the pain of loosing them. Georgetown and her people will always be close to our hearts and we will continue to answer her call. We plan to return here for the summer. We like it better here in the summer when we have the full attention of all the local establishments!! We survived a direct hit from Hurricane Irene and feel that this is the safest place we can be if we have to feel the wrath of another Category 3 hurricane.

Penquin and Vulture, Hooper's Bay, Georgetown, Exuma

Seashell with Thunder aka Rocky or Potcake...because he only knows us when he needs us!

It is hard to believe we have been in this house for a year and the next phase of our journey is upon us. Last February, we had an offer from our friend in England to stay at her house, located 3 miles from Georgetown, while Danny was convalescing from surgery, radiation and chemotherapy for colo-rectal cancer. Having had to leave the boat here for quite sometime, we had a lot of repairs and TLC before she would be ready to sail. The offer was a blessing, and although the work that was required to keep up a five-bedroom, three bath house was at first undaunting, it  quickly became the very healing and spiritual environment that we both needed. It has been a lot of hard work, but the rewards have been many. 

Approaching Penquin & Vulture from the Queen's Hwy

Approaching from Hooper's Bay

View from our balcony

From the back patio we watch boats enter and depart the notorious Conch Cay Cut. We watched fourteen boats depart the harbor this morning and another 5 come in this evening.

Hooper's Bay -- The best beach on Exuma!

The beach at Hooper's Bay that has been our gymnasium.What a year we had here!

Our first visitor was only here for a few days, but she arrived from Atlanta only two short days after our arrival and just in time for the Georgetown Family Island Regatta 2011.

Class B racing sloop built by Captain Leslie (Buzzy) Rolle

We spent the next six weeks preparing the house for the arrival of our seven cousins from Pennsylvania for ten days in June. We had the most outrageous time here swimming, sunning, sailing and slamming back a lot of Kalik's, the official beer of the Bahamas, and the drink to choose when you choose not to drink... as proclaimed on Danny's favorite t-shirt from the Same Ole Place in Barratarre (as modeled below).

Seashell and Danny

We were able to cross the harbor and climb the monument on Stocking Island, spend a lovely day at Chat n Chill swimming with the stingrays and swimming in Hooper's Bay with some dolphin's who at first were unfortunately mistaken  for sharks.

One of these dolphins has been in these waters for the 16 years we have been coming here. She is called Nicki because of the nicks on her fins. She now travels with her mate and two pups.

 The highlight of their stay was definitely when 13-year-old Tyler landed a 42 inch barracuda weighing approximately 30 pounds. He is still the reigning champ aboard OPA, but I'm positioning myself to take over that title somewhere on our journey to the U.S.A.

AWESOME CATCH, TY with your proud PAPA!

The climb to the monument. This was once a marker for the U.S. Naval base.

Our next guests arrived from Tampa for a week in July and at that time, both the sailboat engine and dingy motor were out of commission. Fortunately, we had a car and were able to take them to some very beautiful beaches on the island of Exuma. (still waiting on these photos, Jon)

We were here for hurricane Irene in late August which was one of the most exciting things we have been through thus far. OPA, our 41 ft. Morgan Out Island and our home once again,  faired extremely well, although she did have her two anchors ripped out when the eye passed over and switched directions. The wind generator was ripped from the location where it was welded to the mast in the 130 mph winds that we experienced. We were fortunate, as she ended up only a few feet away from the huge window panes of Kevalli house, a beautiful home within the hurricane hole on Stocking Island. The owner called and jokingly informed us that we were double parked. With the exception of some roof damage to the house and mountains of debris to be disposed of, Penquin and Vulture remained pretty much unscathed. The dinghy was pretty brutalized and ended up a few houses down the beach. We did some serious manuevering to get the dinghy far enough up the beach until our return from the states when Danny would rebuild it.

Videos from Hurricane Irene August 24, 2011

This was about 6 hours before the eye passed and nowhere near the 130 we ultimately experienced after that brief period of silence and then the wrath. We were without power for 5 days which was probably the worst thing we had to endure. 

Only half of it's fury...

 We spent the next two months in Tampa, Florida, with our dear friend Debbie, two foreign exchange students, one horse, 3 cats, 2 birds, up to 4 dogs, a short visit with her Aunt and our last days at the ranch with her very sweet mom. We celebrated my birthday and Thanksgiving among friends and family and my baby sister got married. Congrats, Billie Jo and Rob.

We all lived in splendid harmony.

Play from Thailand and Karol from Czech Republic

We returned to Georgetown with Danny's brother Chris.

Having a cold one with the boys.

 We had three wonderful weeks with him and during his stay,  the brother's bonded while rebuilding the dinghy. We were able to find a really sensational deal on a used 8 hp motor which continues to start first time, everytime...a true blessing, as it will virtually become our car.

Our favorite little visitor!

We got the exciting news in February that Lorraine, the owner of the house, would be visiting us for two weeks. She came with her daughter and 2 year old grand-daughter. It was quite the social event as a lot of our friends have remained the same over the last 16 years and we had plenty of themed-dinner parties in a variety of wonderful settings.

Trinnity Brown and Lily 

Seashell, Lorraine and Danny at our favorite spot..."Tino's at the Fish Fry"

New Friends

They have since departed and we are now focusing on giving OPA the TLC that she most certainly deserves. It will definitely be with sadness that we leave this beautiful home that has been the source of many happy memories since we first met Bert and Lorraine back in 1995. It's been a wonderful year, but in the words of Captain Ron...it's time to kick some tires and  light some fires!!!!