2010 VOYAGES UPDATES

UPDATE#07 03/01 thru 03/05

Howdy Everybody,

The adventures of 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and thru 02/28/2010 have been published on the website. We continue with the latest edition.

UPDATE 2010 #07 03/01/10 thru 03/05/10

At last update, we were at Boat Harbour in beautiful Marsh Harbour, Abacos. Welcome back to the Bahamas…

03/01/10 MONDAY MARSH HARBOUR, ABACOS, BAHAMAS

Saltwater is a natural electrolyte. When numerous boats are in close proximity to each other and hooked up to shore-side electrical power, there is always the chance for stray current to be transmitted into the water. The phenomenon, called "electrolysis", causes very fine molecules of metals to be carried away along with the electrical current. To prevent damage to essential metal parts, boats are equipped with zinc pieces that act as sacrificial anodes. Since the zinc metal transmits more easily, the replaceable pieces are the first to erode. Good maintenance requires that these parts be replaced occasionally. Doug (HAPPY CLAMZ) was diving to replace his pieces while taking advantage of the clear water and relatively comfortable water temperatures. Being the good guy that he is, he took a look at AMARSE and reported that all was well and no action was required.

03/02/10 TUESDAY MARSH HARBOUR, ABACOS, BAHAMAS

Above-And-Below Abaco is a company that normally provides snorkeling and sport scuba diving experiences to the vacationing community. When the weather is not conducive to the underwater exploration, Kay, the owner, offers alternative activities on land. A favorite is her itinerary to visit the famous Blue Holes of the Abacos. Recently, some of these same places were covered in a PBS television special. Today, Kay would be guiding four gals from the RMHYC group. From left to right: Kathy (FANTASY), Peggy (MORE ATTITUDE), Judy (AMARSE), Kay (ABOVE AND BELOW ABACO), and Rita (MAGNUM OPUS).

With many years of local experience and knowledge, Kay knows all the interesting sights. Her trusty 4-wheeled drive vehicle provides access to places otherwise hidden.

The tour visited numerous Blue Hole sites. Blue holes formed during the previous ice ages, when the general sea level was as much as 330–390 ft lower than the present day. Back in those times, these caverous formations were affected by the same chemical weathering conditions common to limestone-rich terrains. As the ice age ended and water tables rose, the caves became submerged and remain filled with water.

Out on the seas, the wind was howling and the waters rough. Within the protected confines of the land, the blue holes were totally placid.

Access to these remote places is often difficult. A makeshift walkway seems to work, as precarious as it may be.

Adventurers, Peggy (MORE ATTITUDE) and Rita (MAGNUM OPUS)…

This recently installed stairway has improved access to another area.

Kay and Rita wade in the crystal clear water at the edge of a deep blue hole.

Some of the gals have been designing and making decorative baskets. The main material is from the special Abaco Pine needles.

Today’s trip was the perfect opportunity to bag up an ample supply. Kay helps Kathy (FANTASY) fill the sacks to overflowing.

The tour included a lunch stop at Nancy’s Restaurant to the south of Marsh Harbour. She is famous for generous servings of lobster, chicken, and other local seafood. After lunch, they included several beach locations for shelling and sea glass hunting.

The threatening skies teased but the rain held off for the gals.

Judy was told that these pods hold “sea pearls”.

The gals had a wonderful time and they raved praises for Kay. Her services are highly recommended, both above and below Abaco. Well done, Kay…

03/03/10 WEDNESDAY MARSH HARBOUR, ABACOS, BAHAMAS

It was very, very windy overnight and into today with meters registering 45 knots plus. Fortunately, the resort has numerous protected areas that are great for other activities. The Men’s Bocce Ball teams were active and the guys were having lots of fun testing their competitive skills.

This is the second pool area at the Abaco Beach Resort.

Many of the gals found a table in the lea to use their creative talents for basket making sessions. Everyone has a different style and their personalities and individuality shines though. The group calls themselves, “The Basket Cases”; kinda' cute, ain’t it…

This is the main hotel complex at the Abaco Beach Resort.

The soft, white sand beach is nicely groomed…

The resort grounds are nicely kept and offer spectacular views of the Sea of Abaco.

View of the marina facilities from the beach area…

We were invited to SEA ISLAND GIRL to be the dinner guests of Robert and Carolyn Wilson. Carolyn prepared a fabulous “Stew-oup” (thinner than stew, yet thicker than soup) made with chicken, vegetables, and pasta. It was absolutely delicious and one of my all-time favorites. Mary Lou (SEA SMOKE) came by to say goodbye. She will be leaving for the US tomorrow. We will certainly miss her.

03/04/10 THURSDAY BOAT HARBOUR to GUANA CAY

A good-sized contingent of boaters has been planning this trip for weeks. Unfortunately, windy and cool conditions have plagued the islands for several days and the forecast was no better. Numerous folks decided to forego the trip today and cancelled their reservations for marina dockage. Several of us decided to give it a chance and headed out early this morning. Some were headed for the full-service Orchid Bay Marina, while we set out for Guana Hideaway’s dockage facility. The Sea of Abaco was a bit frothy and the winds brought a dousing of salty spray. The westerly winds gave us a rocking horse pitch motion, however, there was very little roll. Side by side, HAPPY CLAMZ, M/V TALLY HO, and AMARSE were soon tied securely in the narrow slips. A little bit of a swell action remained in the harbor. ADAMAS DE MARIS arrived later in the afternoon.

One of the Moorings Charter company rental boats arrived with a rather strange sight. They were towing their dinghy upside down.

It was quite unusual to see the propeller and hull exposed, while the outboard motor was completely submerged. Saltwater is no friend of an engine.

The renters told us that the dinghy had parted from the davits while underway and the wind and the waves flipped it like a pancake.

We met up with several other boaters from the Orchid Bay group to have lunch at Grabber’s.

Their location looks out westerly over Sunset Beach and Fishers Bay on the Sea of Abaco side of the cay.

L to R: Ed (M/V TALLY HO), Art, Bonnie, Roger, Mary (TEAMWORK), Leslie (HAPPY CLAMZ), Shirley (TALLY HO), and Judy (AMARSE)… The tent sheltered us from most of the wind but the temperatures were quite cool.

Very strong winds yesterday made Fishers Bay extremely rough and uncomfortable, especially for this sailboat that was swamped and sank. This was not a pleasant sight.

Judy, Shirley, Ed, Leslie, and Doug…

We walked passed the docks and up the sandy road to the world famous Nipper’s Beach Bar. Tomorrow’s big event, the underlying reason for us being here, will feature everyone’s favorite island singer, the Barefoot Man with Sea-N’B. We are all excited.

The Atlantic Ocean side was somewhat in the lea of the westerly winds, but the chilly conditions warranted a warm jacket.

After resting back at the boats, we returned to Nipper’s for the evening of cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.

Ed, Doug, Leslie, and Roger sipped on frozen Nippers drinks and Kalik beer.

This afternoon, we wondered what celebrities the two helicopters that circled overhead were bringing in. It turns out that one of the wealthier islanders had ordered a load of fresh oysters to be flown over for everyone’s enjoyment. Doug demonstrated the fine art of oyster shucking to Shirley.

Shirley thought she was in oyster heaven as she slurped the tasty mollusks straight from the shells.

The sound system blared a great mix of music and we danced, danced, danced…

03/05/10 FRIDAY GREAT GUANA CAY, ABACOS, BAHAMAS

Fred (AMARSE), standing by a stairway to nowhere. Seems that a hurricane blew away the rest of the building. I decided to get decked out in my “fancy pants” that I got in Guatemala this summer. I think they are pretty neat and festive. Much of the panel work is hand-woven and embroidered.

Just up the sandy road, the colorful Nipper’s Beach Bar faces the Atlantic Ocean.

Around noontime, Johnnie (owner of Nipper’s) introduced the band to a cheering crowd.

The Barefoot Man (George), Barrie (percussion), Chuck (keyboard), and a new addition this year, a drummer...

The crew of ADAMAS DE MARIS (Joe, Joe Jr, Melody, and Tim) got here early enough to secure a prime table situated between the bar and the bandstand.

The upper gazebo deck was filled with RMHYC party people. Most had opted to come over for the day, from Marsh Harbour, on the special ferryboat that George (TIME OUT) had arranged.

The setting is perfect and the weather is cooperating nicely.

Tom and Pat (LISA MARIE)…

The Barefoot Man writes all his own songs and is a master of cleverly contrived lyrics that are very interesting and very funny.

“Up on the Roof”, the tossing of strings of beads followed a familiar tradition.

Steve (Indemnity) found a choice location up on the roof of the gazebo from which to catch and throw beads. The elevated vantage provided an viewing location too.

Down on the main deck, eager revelers vied competitively for those glittering strands of party beads

Jane and George (TIME OUT)…

As the music and the drinking intensified, the cheering and dancing escalated…

Linda (LINDA G) had on her favorite Barefoot Man T-Shirt that boasts his personalized autographs from numerous past years.

Joe (ADAMAS DE MARIS) enjoys a fine Cuban cigar…

Like father, like son… Joe, Jr. and his wife, Melody...

Their friend, Tim (from Sugarland, Texas)…

Kathy and Milt (LO KEE) enjoyed lunch and a frozen Nipper…

Doug and Leslie (HAPPY CLAMZ)…

The party girls were out in force…

Everyone loves to join in the boisterous outbursts to the song refrain of “ALICE”…

Now, if that won’t get you a string of coveted beads, then I can’t imagine what would…

The menu features an endless variety of delicious choices ranging from burgers to cracked conch.

Could this be a “rose between two thorns” or a “beauty between two studs”? Tom (LISA MARIE), Judy (AMARSE), Steve (INDEMNITY)…

Judy and Jane (KARAYA) party it up with dancing on the tables…

Judy (AMARSE) with Robert and Carolyn (SEA ISLAND GIRL)…

The weather was warm but I’d bet the pool water was still chilly…

For this special event, the islanders join in enthusiastically. Several golf carts were decorated in the theme of special Barefoot Man songs…

Barrie and friend gave a rendition of another favorite island song…

The party continued to escalate “Up on the Roof”…

...and “Up on the Tables”…

...and under the gazebo… Ed must have been a professional pole dancer in another life…

Fred (SHEARWATER) and Judy (AMARSE)…

After the first set that lasted three hours, Judy and I took a walk on the Atlantic beach…

It’s hard to imagine a more beautiful spot…

...or a more lovely “beach bunny”…

Fred (AMARSE)… (Livin’ in the Land of the “Sun, Sand, and Sea”…)

We came back for the Barefoot Man’s second set. Nipper’s, where the party never stops… Most of the RMHYC group had to leave on the 3:30pm ferryboat headed back to Marsh Harbour. The island party group just kept going like the Energizer bunny…

By very late afternoon, the concert was in the history books. We headed over to Grabber’s for some more musical entertainment. All of the island establishments were thriving on this special concert weekend.

The sun was rapidly setting into the calming Sea of Abaco at Fishers Bay…

The final, Albury’s ferryboat of the day approached the dock in Settlement Harbour to return the last passengers back to the main island.

Several more RMHYC boats had come in this morning. Bob (NO TACT) brought about 15 RMHYC folks over this morning and dragged them back in the afternoon. Staying overnight with Judy and Gene (LO QUE SE A), Carl and Lois (PUFFIN) co-hosted a supper plan that featured Hot Dogs, Polish Sausage, Chili, and all the fixin's served aboard their Great Harbour 37 Trawler.

Looks like Ed and Carl are happy to be here. These two could qualify for the campaign, “Poster Kids for Rum”…

RMHYC boats in the Guana Hideaways dockage tonight were HAPPY CLAMZ, TALLY HO, AMARSE, ADAMAS DE MARIS, LO QUE SE A, TE AMOR, and MERGANSER. Including TEAMWORK, NJORD, SHEARWATER, and TOURELOU, several others remained over at Orchid Bay Marina. The conditions were still a little rocking due to the little swells coming from the westerly breeze. Aboard AMARSE, Judy and I were quite comfortable and slept well. Please join us back on Guana Cay in the next update.

CONTINUING UPDATES ARE IN PROGRESS…

WATCH FOR THEM, COMING SOON…

Don’t forget to look at the NEWS2010 section…

POST SCRIPT:

We sincerely hope that you will review the previous years of compilations to give context to the current editions. Please let us know if you have any special suggestions and thoughts.

REMEMBER: The website is now fully active and you can visit it at any time. You can also review any of the previous logs from the years 2006, 2007, or 2008 and learn more about the crew and their many adventures. Enjoy.

ATTENTION: SPECIAL NOTE:

You may contact us via email anytime.

Thanks for allowing us to share our life and adventures with you.

Lotsa Luv,

Fred Reed and Judy Law

AMARSE

MT40

"AMARSE" is pronounced "AM-ARE-SAY".

Our website is: www.amarse.net .