AND SO IT BEGINS...

AND SO IT BEGINS...

Where to start?  Perhaps the most recent events in our lives will be a good place to begin…

April 17, tax day in the US, finds us at Spanish Cay in the Bahamas on our new boat, JAMBO.  Jambo is a 70’ power boat built by Outer Reef Yachts in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.  We actually took possession on March 22, 2012 – but more about that later.

We left Ft. Lauderdale on April 12 and headed across the Gulf Stream to Old Bahama Bay Marina in West End, Grand Bahama.  The crossing was very reasonable – not too rough even though the winds were howling 30-35 mph.  Our two furry companions – Gus and Pepper – did great.  Gus is the seasoned boating dog and Pepper our 11-month-old pup.  Pepper had her anxious moments, but settled in okay.

Fred successfully docked Jambo at the marina.  No dings and docking has been very calm for the crew so far.  Oh!  I have not mentioned that we do have help for all these new experiences.  A young man named Kevin Bell who is a tremendous help!  He is really organizing the boat from the tools to the electronics.  Fred and I thought we could manage this boat ourselves, and we could probably operate the boat from place to place, but Kevin’s help is invaluable with learning the systems and doing all the heavy stuff.  There is no way we could do all of this ourselves…
 
Jambo at the dock at West End  

FINALLY!  A sunset away from Ft. Lauderdale!

Saturday we left he dock and headed for Great Sale Cay (remember, it is pronounced "Key" -- don't ask my why!) and dropped anchor for the night.  The winds were still howling at 30+ mph which made launching the dingy dangerous.  The three of us decided it was a chance we did not want to take, so Gus and Pepper were forced to learn to use the grass Fred placed on the foredeck to do their business.  We all laughed at him…having a “putting green” (aka “poop deck”) on the bow of the boat does look rather strange….but this night it came in quite handy.

 



 








 Gus and Pepper checking out the "poop deck"


Pepper took to it right away.  Gus, however, seemed to think we had lost our minds.  He did finally pee, but neither dog used it to poop.

 Finally!  She gets the idea!












We left early Sunday morning so we could get to a marina for the dogs to get off to dry land.  After about five hours we arrive at Spanish Cay.  A lovely little island on the way to Marsh Harbour.  After another successful docking (way to go, Capt’n Fred!) and taking the dogs ashore for some relief, we head up to the office to check in.  The first thing I notice is a Texas flag flying from the mast!!!  

 As it turns out, Don Davis from Dallas owns the island!  We do not know him personally, but know of his TV ads for his auto dealerships.  He also owns some restaurants all over the south.  It really is a small world!

Another greeting – this time for the dogs – from the resident dog, Hurricane.  He is a lovely 8-month-old pup who was rescued from Hurricane Irene last year.  We saw photos of him just after he was scooped up out of the water in Marsh Harbour and brought over to Spanish Cay to be fostered.  Well, of course, the foster family immediately fell in love with him.  Turns out he is a great companion for Pepper and Gus.  We walked across the island to the beach.  Fred, me and the three dogs running and jumping all over the place.  Gus and Pepper are thrilled to be stretching their legs and free to poop where they want.

After the dogs are thoroughly tired so we take them back to the boat.  I finally get out my snorkeling gear and take the plunge.  It feels great to be swimming and watching the reef fish.  Water is not too clear out here near the breakwater for the marina, but the scenery is just fine for a first snorkel in a couple of years. 

On Monday we continue with the beach for the dogs and then return to find that another Outer Reef Yacht, Risky Business, has arrived.  Barry and Alice are also on their way to Marsh Harour for the Rendezvous.

Now we are back to April 17.  We head out of Spanish Cay after the dogs got one last chance to run a bit with Hurricane.  Next stop:  Boat Harbour just around the corner from Marsh Harbour.  This will be the location of the upcoming Outer Reef Yachts Rendezvous.

Two of the Outer Reef owners were waiting on the dock to greet us.  Talk about pressure!  Fred would have really been embarrassed if he made of mess of this docking!  Capt’n Fred looked like a real pro!  Did just great handling this heavy boat into our slip!  In fact, the dockmaster commented to Fred later that he must have been boating for a long time because he came in so calmly!  (Little did he know that this was only about his fourth time to dock Jambo!)

Six o’clock found us at a small gathering on the dock of the Outer Reef group who are already here for the Rendezvous.  It was Ray Cope’s (of “Copeing”) birthday celebration.  We invited all who wanted to come see Jambo since she is the newest of the bunch.  It was fun hearing the comments about which little storage or decorating ideas came from the build process of the other boats.  Things like the pocket door for the master head and the washer/dryer area and the configuration of the master TV and countertop area all came from other boats.  Perhaps some of our ideas will become a features of future Outer Reefs.

Must get this post out so I can finally say we have started our blog.  Lots more to come!