	Wednesday May 25, 2005 - Spanish Wells Yacht Haven	Spanish Wells Yacht Haven - Spanish Wells - 242 333 4255 – Dockage $0.85 per foot .. Water at $0.15 per gallon .. Electricity at $0.35 per KW .. no WI-FI
	Weather Forecast – Winds from Southwest 10 to 15 KNOTS .. Seas 3 to 5 feet .. near record high temperatures with a chance of showers	.. the colorful and orderly town of Spanish Wells occupies the small Island of St Georges Cay .. just to the West of the Northern tip of Eleuthera .. the main source of the prosperity here is the Lobster Fishing Fleet .. it has limited appeal as a tourist destination being regularly in the path of Hurricanes .. but out of the Hurricane Season it is the quintessential Bahamian destination for cruising boats .. .. the Yacht Club gets their weather information from Nassau .. every other day they get a FAX from Nassau .. we have been able to get weather information over TV .. ie the Weather Channel, West Palm Beach, Miami, etc but no local Bahamas TV .. the WINDS here never let down again all night .. shortly after 08:00 am we were able to check out at the Marina and then we headed just down the Harbour Cut to the Spanish Wells Marine & Hardware for Fuel .. by 09:30 am we had our Fuel Tanks filled again .. we contacted A-1 and they said that they wanted to head out ASAP as they had additional Boats to help out after us .. soooo we fell into line right behind MS DIANNE as they passed thru the Fuel Dock area .. we were like five Ducks in a row ..
		the Devils Backbone
	the Devils Backbone 'click' on Chart to enlarge	'Devils Backbone' .. is the stretch of water between Spanish Wells and Harbour Island is know as the ‘Devils Backbone’ .. many Boater have ended their boating days when they have tried to navigate thru this area .. the narrow Channel or Passage Way is about 10 miles long and it is lined with ROCK and CORAL HEADS .. UFFDA .. there are several very professional Pilots in Spanish Wells that will assist you thru this area .. and it is advisable to use their services when negotiating the 'Devils Backbone' from Spanish Wells to Harbour Island .. we were told that when we were in this area to contact 'Dolphin' or 'Cinnabar' or 'A-1 Broadshad’ or 'Blue Marlin' or 'Little Woody' or 'Bandit' .. they all can be contacted on the VHF Channel 16 ..

		.. the Captain from A-1 led the five of us in his ‘Jon’ Boat thru the Spanish Wells Harbour area then when we were about to enter the Devils Backbone he came up behind MS DIANNE and got aboard MS DIANNE .. once aboard he drove the ‘lead’ Boat thru the Backbone area and the rest of us followed like ‘Ducks in a row’ .. the course thru the Devils Backbone is a narrow stretch of water that runs between Rocks, Coral Heads, Sand Bars, low Shore Lines, a few very weathered Markers, very shallow areas, etc .. as we headed thru the Devils Backbone stretch it was real WINDY from the Southwest but the winds did not affect us until we were at the Marina area .. there the high winds pushed us right into the Docks .. Dee Light was the first Boat that the Harbor Master had enter the Marina so we were tied off by 11:30 am and part of the Dee Light Crew got out their drinks and celebrated their ‘safe passage’ .. once tied off and secure we helped the other Boats get in .. the WINDS made it tough but all of us were in the Marina and tied off by 12:30 pm .. after checking in at the Marina Office we had a great lunch on the Back Deck .. I had set up a course thru the Devils Backbone last night with 27 Waypoints .. as we followed our Pilot / Guide Dan watched the course that I had set up and it was right on all the way .. it is easy to say when we are all tied off safe and sound but we could have most likely made it with our Waypoints if a Pilot was not an option .. Betty and Margie took off to explore the Island by foot and Dan took a well deserved nap .. later we invited the other RPYC Boaters over for Cocktails on Dee Light .. later all of us had dinner at the Marinas Restaurant .. the Thunderstorms that were in the Southeast Florida area did make their way to this part of the Bahamas during the night .. Autumn did not like the STORMS at all .. Autumn and Margie spent part of the night ‘bonding’ .. Travel – Today 13 Miles – Cumulative - Dee Light 740 Miles – Tender 76 Miles

	May 26th thru 28th 2005 - Valentine's Yacht Club	Valentine's Yacht Club - Harbour Island - Website - www.valentinesmarina.com - 242-333-2142 – Dockage $2.00 per foot – also check out .. http://www.myharbourisland.com/
	Weather Forecast – Winds from Northeast 8 to 12 KNOTS .. Seas 2 to 3 feet .. with a chance of showers	.. the Valentine's Yacht Club at Harbour Island is located on the Northeast Coast of the Island of Eleuthera .. it is a quiet place .. only three miles long and half mile wide .. the Marina here is just a short stroll from historic and picturesque Dunmore Town .. the original Capital of the Bahamas .. the Island has beautiful ‘pink Beaches’ and great diving .. as well as fishing .. there are 39 Slips at the Marina .. Boats from all over the World are harbored at the Marina .. the Marina can accomidate Boats with a maximum draft of 10 feet and a maximum width of 50 feet .. Electricity, Fuel, Water & ice, Showers, Satellite TV, are all at the Marina .. as we walked the Docks it was much like walking the Docks of a Boat Show .. .. at the Valentine's Yacht Club every day is Valentine's Day !!! .. and we are so grateful that Hurricane Frances only delivered a glancing blow to Valentine's with no major damage to the facilities .. construction of the Villas and improvements at the Marina were continuing when we were there .. due to all of the construction the Sales Office, Restaurant, Bar and Marina were closed until this past December 15th but when we were there they were just starting to get some of the facilities oped up again .. of course the ‘Sales Office’ was the first to get opened back up .. there is much shopping as artists the world over are drawn to Harbour Island for the special quality of its light as well as for the variety of blossom-framed still lifes of Victorian architecture it offers up as subjects .. some days the streets are thick with watercolorists .. some even painting each other !!! .. Bahamian-born Charles Carey makes this bounty available in his Princess Street Gallery .. Charles fled life as a New York accountant to pursue his love of art and of his grandmother's home in Harbour Island .. Harbour Island's first duty free shop .. the distinguished chain of John Bull offers its fine jewelry, ‘Bling Blings’ and other tantalizing baubles from a new building at the foot of the Dock .. just beyond The Landing .. you can't miss Dilly Dally at the center of town .. its bright green and yellow striped exterior reflect the whimsical and artistic flair of owner Val Albury .. Val is a photographer born in Nassau who does many of the Island's weddings and offers up photographic images of the island both as framed works or cute little refrigerator magnets .. she also has the best selection of Bahamian music .. at the center of town across from Island Real Estate .. there are many GREAT Restaurants within walking distance of Valentine's .. The Landing is a romantic colonial style and has Street side tables for people watching .. the Rock House has elegant dining in a magnificent setting overlooking the Harbor and Bay .. the Harbour Lounge has a friendly Bar and a lovely view of the Sunset .. Travel & Leisure .. the acclaimed travel magazine .. ranked Harbour Island beaches "the best in the world !!!"

		.. all of us spent much time exploring the Island aboard our Golf Carts .. the ‘Pink Sand Beaches are indescribable and most unique .. many of the Restaurants made good use of the water and Harbour views in every direction .. the bar / Restaurant right at the Marina had the best Bands and menu of any of the places that we found .. the shopping consisted mostly of small ‘Boutique’ shops .. we launched the Tender and Dan spent much time exploring the waters in the Marina area .. Dan also set up a Fishing Outing for Bob, Steve and himself .. they were not too successful .. one $600.00 Barracuda .. just walking the Docks is a treat .. as the Crews from the Yachts had all sorts of stories to share .. the owner of the Boat OVERDRAFT ( Fort Myers Florida ) had his 50th birthday celebration just one Slip away from Dee Light .. his Captain had arranged for a JUNKANOO BAND .. they provided an interesting form of Dock entertainment that all of us enjoyed !! .. including the Birthday Boy .. .. one of the most celebrated art forms in the Bahamas is that of Junkanoo .. Junkanoo has evolved to include art, dance, and music .. in the area of art, many contributions have been made by artists like Antonius Roberts, John Beadle, Eddie Minnis, Jackson Burnside, John Cox, and the late Brent Malone just to name a few .. these artists over the years have developed their own way of capture the celebration of Junkanoo .. this art form was and still is widely male dominated and in fact did not include females until Maureen DuV-alier took to Bay Street with her dance troupe shortly after the suspension of The Street Nuisance Prohibition Act which lasted from 1899 to 1954 .. the original music of junkanoo in the Bahamas was played with goombay goatskin drums, cowbells, conch shell horns [later replaced by bicycle horns], and whistles ( Chipman, 2004 ) .. although the music of junkanoo is reflective of a strong drumming tradition, the influence of other European instruments continues to be introduced into the music ..

	Runaway Hill	.. Saturday night was our last time together as a group sooo we set up a ‘Farewell Dinner’ at Runaway Hill .. the Restaurant is located just a few blocks from the Marina and is part of a large Resort .. the ‘Surf and Turf dinner was great .. after dinner Marv gave out our 2005 Bahamas Cruise Awards .. BENEDICTION – Crew - Patty – our ‘Miss Congeniality Award’ MS DIANNE – Crew – Lindsey the organizer - Miss ‘O Award’ MS DIANNE – Crew - Rick – ‘Mr Clean Award’ KYKNOS - Crew Ricky – ‘Mr Chummer Award’ DEE LIGHT - Crew - Dan – ‘The Man of Many Hats Award’ DEE LIGHT - Crew - Marjorie – ‘Party Animal or Miss Bahama Mama Party Girl Award’ BENEDICTION – Debbie - ‘The leader of the Pack of Shoppers Award’ KYKNOS - Robert – ‘KING of Story Tellers Award’ MS DIANNE - Dianne – ‘MS Fashion Coordinated Award’ FENDER BENDER – Bob and Sue – ‘The Keep Cool Award’ KYKNOS – Bonnie - our ‘Mechanical Engineer Award’ BENEDICTION - Steve – ‘Shinny Props Award’ MS DIANNE - Guy Stigall – ‘The Salt Shaker Award’ .. in addition Marv gave Betty a Bouquet of ‘Cut Flowers’ for her roll in putting together the Cruise and Betty gave Marv the ‘Neptune King of the Seas Award’ .. .. to appreciate the ‘Awards’ you just had to be there .. it was a great evening .. Travel – Today 8 Miles – Cumulative - Dee Light 740 Miles – Tender 88 Miles


	Sunday May 29th 2005 - Valentine's Yacht Club	Valentine's Yacht Club - Harbour Island - Website - www.valentinesmarina.com - 242-333-2142 – Dockage $2.00 per foot plus the cost of the electrical used – also check out .. http://www.myharbourisland.com/
	Weather Forecast – Winds from SSE 4 to 8 KNOTS .. Seas 1 to 3 feet .. with a chance of showers	.. we have been so busy doing ‘Cruise stuff’ that we have not had a chance to check out the Island and we have not had a chance to line up Marinas etc for the balance of our trip thru the Abacos .. soooo we decided to stay an extra day at the Valentine's Yacht Club .. the weather looks like it is going to hold for the next few days .. at 08:00 am the Captain from A-1 got on MS DIANNE and the other four Boats headed out for Nassau .. we felt a ‘sadness’ come over us as we watched our Boating Partners disappear on the horizon .. but we knew that we had our own horizons ahead .. looking ahead we have been trying to get Dockage in the general Marsh Harbour area but we have not been able to come up with anything at all .. we would like to spend a few nights at the Sea Spray Resort and Marina but they are BOOKED for the next number of weeks as it is a very popular vacation spot .. we have found that most all the Marinas are booked due to the Holiday Weekend ( Memorial Day – US ), a fishing tournament at the Abaco Beach Resort & Boat Harbour due to a Fishing Tournament, the Bahamas Holiday Weekend that is coming up next week, etc ..Betty and Autumn took the Golf Cart and went to the Beach .. on their way back to Dee Light they stopped at the ‘Church of God’ for their Sunday morning Worship Service .. their message could be heard for many Blocks in all directions .. Betty enjoyed the Spiritual Music with their Brass, Tambourines and Cymbals .. we spent part of the day exploring the Island and found that on Sundays ALL of the Shops are closed .. and that is not all bad .. Dan and Margie were both very tired and took long naps .. all of us had lunch at Sip Sips that overlooks the water to the East .. Dan had a huge piece of Cheese Cake !! and did he love it .. HEADLINES Danica Gives Indy Much-Needed Boost Racing Phenom Shows Her Talent Equals Her Looks Indianapolis IN - Patrick .. after finishing fourth at the Old Brickyard last Fall .. she is the new face of Indy car racing .. good thing .. a punch in the arm for the Indy 500 .. and she's as easy on the eyes as a Christmas bonus .. not only that .. she has a name most of us can pronounce .. no small feat in open-wheel racing .. team co-owner David Letterman was very pleased …. .. the electrical power at the Marina has cut out a number of times when we were there .. at first we thought that it was due to the construction that is going on at the Marina but later concluded that the power system on the Island is very pour .. UGH .. Marv contacted a couple of the Marinas in the Marsh Harbour area but they have not had any cancellations .. so at this time it looks like we will be heading out in the morning without a real final destination .. Travel – Today 0 Miles – Cumulative - Dee Light 740 Miles – Tender 88 Miles