Millennial Invasion — Cupcake Afloat

The Millennials have arrived. Hosting two big 20 year old galoots on board is not too different from having a pair of Labrador retrievers around: fun, cuddly, hungry, messy. Simon and cousin Zachary arrived yesterday.

We had time for a swim in the pool and then left the marina for a night at anchor just off cute little Fort Montague. The night started out smooth as glass, but by morning the wind was ruffling up a little chop from the east. Planning a breakfast underway, we raised anchor and made our way across the Yellow Banks, the shallow 30+ mile stretch of Bahamian plateau separating Nassau from the Exuma chain of islands.

We were able to sail about a third of the way before the wind both shifted and dropped, forcing us to motor the remainder of the trip. Now we are docked at Highbourne Cay because we are sheltering from what is predicted to be the fiercest norther of the season to date.

The wind is supposed to clock from the east all the way around to the north over the next few days, blowing well into the 20 knot range with gusts that may hit the 40s. No thank you.

But today the weather was spectacular. As soon as we arrived and were securely tied to the dock we launched Mr. Flowerpot and took a ride to a beach for swimming and playing in the sand. There was a little reef and I suddenly remembered how exciting the hunt for lobsters can be. From now on, we take the pole spear with us, just in case.

In the days before the boys arrived, the skeleton crew (Jonathan, Ellen, Moss) walked to the heart of touristy Nassau. Checked out the Straw Market where trinkets of every type are sold. We needed nothing and were informed by Ellen not to even think of bringing anything actually made of straw aboard. Dock Monsters, you understand, live in straw hats.

Ate some delicious gelato (there’s really no other kind) and got a tour of The Balcony House, the oldest house in town. It was built in the 1700s. Our tour guide was well-informed and gave us a good glimpse into how the well-off lived in Nassau hundreds of years ago.

Ellen and I just walked the docks here at the Highbourne Cay Marina to check out the nondescript 100’+ powerboat and the lovely 160’ sailboat docked at the big-boy dock. We also eyeballed the nine nurse sharks lounging in the water at the end of the dock where the sport fishers clean their catch and throw the guts into the water.

Earlier today Ellen met our dock neighbors and was astonished when the woman chided the sharks for being “welfare queens” who don’t even go out and work for their living. “I earned everything I got.” Wow. That’s a world view for you.

We have a lot of questions about this place.

Saw this interesting lineup at a funeral home. What’s that car on the left?

Nassau bridges. This place is no better at removing derelict boats than Florida.

These guys hang out at the end of the dock. Not one was less than 5’ long. Shark infested.

The Labradors are doing their push-ups on deck.

And nutty Ellen. See the food on her shirt. They are nuts. Nutty Ellen. Get it?