Morgan's Bluff

3-03    We planned on arriving in West Bay tonight but the waves were killing Last Mango. At times our speed would be reduced to 1.9 knots by the waves we were beating into. I would start to think the waves and wind were dropping and then it would startup again. Winds were now consistently above 20 knots on the nose. Karen and I had a short discussion and we made the decision to pull off at Morgans Bluff just off of Andros Island. We contacted Fracas on the radio who was a few miles ahead and they agreed this beating in to the wind and waves was no fun. I’m glad we did as we were able to sail the whole way there on a beam reach with speeds above 6 knots. Then when we arrived we found a very beautiful, protected anchorage from all winds but north. 

Beach just opposite our anchorage

Dinghy's resting in the surf

Morgan’s Bluff got its name during the 1700s, pirates occupied the island of North Andros, Bahamas. Morgan's Bluff and Morgan's Cave on North Andros are named after the famous privateer-pirate, Captain Henry Morgan. Lore makes claims that there is still treasure hidden around the area.

We settled in quickly washing the salt off the boat and readying the dinghy to go ashore with the crew of Fracas. When we arrived on shore we stopped in at Willy T’s (at least that’s what we thinks it’s called). There were 10 to 15 men hanging around drinking, playing pool and listening to good Motown on a mix of old DJ equipment and large speakers. We quickly ordered 3 rum and cokes and I got Sex On The Beach. Yes, I drink like a girl. A little while later we collected our drinks and sat down and enjoyed them and free internet. All 4 of us agreed the drinks were strong especially after not eating all day. I needed food and the small kitchen cooked us up some fries, conch, chicken and shrimp. We devoured them and all went back to our boats for an early night. We were all very tired since the night before we slept behind a reef by the Northwest Pass and needless to say it was a lumpy night. At times I felt I was sleeping on a carnival ride going up and down. Karen was smart and slept in the salon.

Bar Jack #1 caught on the Bahamas Bank

Bar Jack #2. We released them due to possible
ciguatera poisoning

 Look Grant, all my fish are bigger than yours!

Barracuda was quite a handful to land. Karen was quite the
net handler.

The next morning we awoke to a beautiful sunrise and picture perfect anchorage. Water so clear  even in the moonlight you can see the bottom 12 feet below. I woke early to listen to Chris Parker for weather a window to head east to New Providence Island. Looks like late Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Once were in the Exumas we should be able to hop down the chain with plenty of time to greet Hannah in Georgetown for spring break.

Greg and I went for a bike ride into town today. Not sure if you can call it a town, it reminds me of an old Clint Eastwood movie, buildings with nobody around. We would see an occasional person moving about but nothing more. We stopped at the local meat market and convenience store for a cool drink. It appeared well stocked with most things people may need. It is expensive, but goods need to travel quite a distance to get here. We returned and the girls had a picnic on the beach prepared. It was an afternoon filled with beach combing, snorkeling and looking for Greg’s left Croc he lost in Fort Myers Beach. Still not signs of the Croc but we found several other left shoes. I’m still amazed by the beach but other cruisers are telling me the beaches just keep getting nicer and nice as we move south. We’ll see. I’ll listen to Chris Parker again tomorrow morning. Hopefully winds and seas will drop a bit to be able to move east. 

Barracuda lurking along the bottom. It was there 2 days in
a row.

View from the beach

3-5     Today was the day that winds are to die down and it took all day but the winds are below 7 knots and looks as though the seas are dropping also. The day was filled with boat projects and filling up with water. Karen was busy cleaning the salt from all the nooks and crannies. The salt is incredible, Last Mango is crusted with it. I spray down all the stainless when we arrive at port or anchor with a pump can but do not do the whole boat due to water limitations. Any boat here in the anchorage can be wiped with a finger and fill a small salt shaker. I guess that’s what they call “Salt Life”.

Awash on the beach. No so lucky.

Large Sand Dollar resting on the bottom.

Quite a few Urchin lay on the bottom usually tucked
under and around rocks.

Tomorrow morning we leave for New Providence Island (Also known as Nassau) it’s only about 30 miles and should be an easy day. Saturday we’ll be off to Norman’s Cay or thereabout and then the strong trade winds are due to startup again but we should be able to make short island hops the whole way to Georgetown to pickup Hannah. Karen can’t wait to swim with the pigs, she’s already got her vegetables ready to feed them.

Full Moon Tonight.

Mantus Anchor trying to dig in the hard bottom of Morgan's Bluff.
It seems everyones anchor had a hard time digging in.

It’s 8:35 pm, there’s a full moon and I just got done taking a swim off the back of Last Mango. I’m suspended in the water being able to see all the way to the bottom with just moonlight. The water it calm and it seems as I’m being held up floating in the air.  Very cool.