New Places, New Friends

Sunday, Feb. 10

Wow, the Super Bowl was only a week ago. We've been several places before
and after the big game, nut actually made a point of being at a marina to watch
the game. It  always makes me feel American and I enjoy the commercials. The
game actually ended up being exciting too.

On our way down to Little Harbor we anchored at Tahita Beach for a couple of
days but couldn't go to Cracker P's because they aren't open the first half of the
week. Cracker P's has a reputation as laid-back island pub on the "must visit"
list so we'll try to catch it later. We also had hoped to snorkel at Sandy Cay,
part of Pelican Cays National Park but the weather didn't cooperate. It was
windy and rough both days we passed through that area and although it looked
beautiful we had to pass by. Lynyard Cay had a beautiful area to anchor in the
lee of the island just off a sandy beach and we spent a pleasant afternoon and
night, enjoying the star-filled sky.

Little Harbor is a small protected harbor at the southernmost part of the Abaco
Sea and is the jumping off point for cruisers heading south to Eleuthra and the
Exumas. It has room for 15-20 boats on mooring balls and anchors and has a
very unpretentious and "feet in the sand" atmosphere. Here there are more full time/
cruisers passing through and swapping stories, hanging out at the only
establishment, Pete's Pub which has a "temporary appearing" permanent structure
which lends to the ambiance. There is a heavy use of scavanged materials and
tarps, giving it a rustic appearance. It is a fun place and full of characters as you
might guess. We spent four days there due to the high wind enjoying ourselves,
and wanting to stay for Pete's Annual Birthday Bash.
Pete is the son of parents who came to Little Harbor in the 1950's and established
an artists colony. Randolph Johnston became a world renowned bronze sculptor
working with the "lost wax" process of casting and has created commisioned
 pieces  on display all over the world. Pete, his son, carries on the foundry and
there is a nice galleryhere. They do pours every couple of weeks and we enjoyed
getting a private tour from Richard, his French foundry manager/artist.
Here we met a young couple who spend a short summer season working in
Prince William Sound, Alaska on a 50 foot salmon fishing boat earning enough
to spend the rest of the year cruising on a sailboat. They are about 30 years old
and very personable. She has spent her whole life on a sailboat and is the cutest
Alaskan salmon fisherman I've ever seen.
Another couple we met here is Max and Tracy from Australia. We spent the next
week or so in the same anchorages with them and enjoyed finding out about the
Australian culture and getting to know them. As a whole we have found cruisers
to be people who enjoy life and new adventures and interesting people to talk with.

Mike and Chris Link on "Missing Link" pulled into Marsh Harbour Friday and it
was nice to reconnect with them. They were a huge help to us as we planned our
trip down here and have lent us charts, guides, and the benefit of their experience.
Some of you know them from Geneva Marina and the fact they grew up in Madison.

I'll send some pictures soon but I'm about to lose my internet connection so I better
sign off for now.