North to the Abacos—Cat Island

We left George Town on the Feb. 24^th having enjoyed spending time with a former computer fellow who enriched us greatly not only with his brilliance, but with lots of sailing computer programs and movies and receiving a much-treasured conch shell from another friend for use as a horn. It’s tradition in the Bahama anchorages to blow the conch horn at sunset. Every evening those who have them blow a deep resonant sound that takes a little practice to master. Mike’s getting pretty good by now.

We spent the next two days in a fancy new marina as the weather was predicted to be bad yet we still wanted to get a little north since we need to be in Marsh Harbor—some 160
miles away—by March 16. Although that sounds like a lot of time, with weather being a little iffy, one never knows that one can sail. We enjoyed the company of some new friends from Punta Gorda in Emerald Bay Marina. We also visited the Grand Isles Resort, included in the marina fee, for swimming in a luxurious setting. Although it was too windy to sail, the day at the pool was fabulous.

On Monday, February 26, we left for Cat Island, 30 miles across the Exuma Sound, very deep water. The sailing was wonderful, but we really enjoyed catching a huge, 50”, 30 pound, dorado (mahi-mahi). Mike worked for 1 ¾ hours landing that fish. At the very last moment, the rod and reel broke; Mike was able to pull the fish up into the boat flopping its heart out. But, alas! Not for long. We got 8 good sized fillets and some wonderful sashimi out of that fish. He was a beauty!! A bit of costly catch as well, since we now will have to get a new rod and reel.

We anchored at New Bight, a small town famous for The Hermitage, a miniature replica of a European Franciscan monastery built by hand by Father Jerome, known for the churches damaged by hurricanes he was sent to restore in the Bahamas. It is situated on the highest peak—207’ above sea level—in the Bahamas, Mount Alvernia. Father Jerome used hurricane-proof stonework with thick walls and barrel-vaulted roofs. Leading up to the Hermitage he also constructed the Stations of the Cross. We were very impressed at the hard work that must have gone into this building.