Raccoon doesn’t have that really great sound to it making you think it would be the best place to anchor, but it was one of our favorite places, not just because of the people we met, but the exploration and protection all wrapped up together.  As we arrive we are not alone so this must be the place to be for the winds we are having right now.  We sneak in as close as we dare to the beach.  Journey looks great in that blue blue water.
We can’t wait to hit the beach and explore.  Some great shelling and beautiful tidal pools along this sandy shore.  As the sunset begins to set we gather on the beach and begin to meet some of our neighbors.  Not sure I remember them all but S/V  Voyager and S/V Hold Fast are two.  Voyager had our new dog friends and Hold Fast is Myron who earned the name The Commodore here at Raccoon.  Myron will be hanging around with us for awhile.  Sunset on the beach happens a few night in a row here with the group growing then dwindling down to just Journey, Hold Fast, and Dragonfly.  This is where Inked Mermaid decides to move on ahead of us as we are just not ready to go.

This anchorage has few great snorkeling areas and Dee tries out spearfishing, but no luck today.  Dee continues to make some projects with leftover dyneema.  And I finally get our momento for Hog Cay done with our name, so we will be stopping back by to hang her in the tiki hut!

One of our final nights together, Dee makes a cobbler.  We learned that the dry wood here burns fast and hot.  She was a little burnt around the edges but oh so good on the Inside.  Dragonfly is our Conch blower who announces sunset to the beach.

We watch some crazy storms around and a few that boats leave in these and we wonder why.  We captured this picture of a beautiful rainbow.  The night Before Inked Mermaid headed out some of us gathered on board to say goodbye and have some final laughs and good food together.

Before we headed out, Dee put Chicken hawk up to some pictures of the anchorage and area and the last 3 remaining boats. The three boats gather and watch the sunset one last night at Raccoon we are headed back down between the Raggeds with Myron on Hold Fast and Dragonfly for a few days before back to Hog Cay.  We are getting ready to meet the French Family and a great story unfolds.  Stay tuned.

One of our absolute favorite anchorages was Between the Raggeds.  Located South of Duncan Town, on Ragged Island, and north of Little Ragged Island therefore known as Between the Raggeds anchorage.  The pristine beach and the endless sand dollars just take your breath away.  Our first trip we headed down with Inked Mermaid and were the only two boats in the anchorage.  Just as everything we read told us we were visited by our first shark pretty quickly checking us out.  Bull Shark supposedly are the visitors, but I can’t say I know my sharks that well.  We were all so excited about this spot and the beautiful water and isolation.
We could not wait to explore so we got to it finding a live Queen Conch we found in the shallow waters while out exploring the beaches, lagoons, etc around our anchorage.   I know this because I scored one uninhabited up at Hog Cay.  The anchorage is perfect for watching Sunrise as you have a protected window to the east.   Dee enjoyed a tangle with Mr. Barricuda and of course he lost.  the Barricuda went away with his lure, but it was fun while it lasted.
While on the beach, I was exploring and somehow managed to get driftwood shoved up under my big toe nail.  OUCH!  This put me down a little as I was only able to sit under our tent that Dee fixed up for us all - don’t you love it and drink the rest of the day.  Many thanks to Rick and Christi for food and homemade bread on the beach.  Here are some great pictures beginning with another sunrise that really show why we loved this spot.  No words can describe it or pictures for that matter.  Did you see the mast in the background?
Orion, joined us for a day before heading back to the states and took us out to some great snorkeling spots on the south side of the Little Ragged Island right along the edge of the deep waters if you check it out on Google Maps.  We will miss this crew and their fun.  These boys are amazing to watch in the water.  I forgot to mention the goats found on both sides - both islands that we watched in the mornings and evenings exploring the rocky shorelines.
Our second visit to this anchorage brought Myron with us.  We first met him back at Hog Cay and then again at Raccoon - video coming soon.  We returned with Myron on Hold Fast and Dragonfly, friends of Myron.  We were all anchored and settled in to our spots just in time a spectacular sunset while sitting on the beach telling our stories.  We spotted the military often in this area and here was one such time.
While here Dee and I need some more fuel for LeaAnn, maybe some groceries from Maxine’s or just to stop in and see her, and a cold beer.   Myron tells us where to take the dinghy and leave it so we can walk into town.  It was quite a walk but one I loved just getting to see more of this beautiful spot.  We stop and the dump and leave our trash before crossing the airport runway.  Head up the hill and then back down into town. More goats and great views.  I wish I had a picture of getting fuel out of a man’s backyard thanks to Maxine and finding Lost Key Lodge for a cold beer and actually bought some Rum right off the shelf from them.  Perfect!  Back down the hill to the airport, across the runway and a just a little past LeaAnn to check out the house that is an old airplane!
Some great food on the grill and the Kentucky Derby ended our second stay Between the Raggeds!

Day One: Journey is off the dock, and we are excited!  Dee has been working hard to make this trip super special and knows that I need this time away from the dock to enjoy some nice water.  I do love my blue waters.  We head out behind Ben and Natalie on Nomad at high tide out to Panther Key in the Ten Thousand Islands to anchor for the night and head out at dawn the next morning.  Dee is planning to bottom clean while we are anchored this afternoon.  The problem is that we can’t get anchored.  The windlass is not working.  Dee yells to see if I forgot to turn it on or if it popped off.  I run and check the switch, but it is still nothing.  As I jockey in place, he digs into the front hatch and finds the culprit, which is a broken fuse wire and housing.   Fixed and the anchor is down.  Dee gets back to setting up to clean the bottom of Journey.  About an hour under the boat, he said it wasn’t too bad. Lots of creepy crawls came up with him. He is cleaned up, and supper is ready.  We enjoyed a nice sunset and a few drinks.  It was great to be back at anchor again.  
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While anchored at Hog Cay we found that the cruisers that come here every year had some great trails cut to other side of the island.  So off we went to explore.  The first trail actually went south towards Duncan Town and we got some great shots heading out of our boats in the anchorage.   We arrived at another beach really just around the bend from where we were anchored.  We could see a boat anchored down this way.  It was great to see the views and explore a totally isolated beach.
Another trail led over to the East side of the island which is unprotected from those east winds and you can see the rolling surf on this day.  These beaches are rocky and desolate but the worst part is they are full of trash washing up on the beach daily, but up high the views are spectacular.

One morning we woke to a local arriving at the beach and heading off into the brush with a rifle.  We knew goats were on Hog Cay as we had heard them but caught very few glimpses of them while out hiking. It wasn’t long and we heard the gunshot and he returned with a goat and left.  We had not been into Duncan Town yet so it was time to check this small community out. Duncan Town is the only town in the Raggeds.  We saw the mail boat come in so this would be the best of the best and time to head in.
It took some time to find the channel that leads into the docks at DunCan town and climb the hill from the docks, but the views were great up on the top of this hill where you Duncan Town lies.  We walked around.  Everyone was friendly.  We visited Maxine Store  which is very small but super nice lady and bought a few things from her.  Grabbed a cold beer at the little bar then headed back out the channel to Journey.

The Sun is setting over Hog Cay and we know it is time for a new anchorage.  Headed down Between the Raggeds.

We are ready to explore and learn about Hog Cay which seems to be active with so many boats in the anchorage.  There is so much to say about this stop that I am breaking it into two parts. This first part I will focus on hanging out on the beach and the experiences with had with the people in the anchorage.  Next video we will go hiking and see this Cay.

First we land on the beautiful beach and see the famous hog cay palapa where everyone hangs out!  All day everyday, but especially in the evening for sunset.  Obviously, cruiser’s who visit leave our name hanging in the palapa.  As think back on this time and with Melissa passing so close to Hog Cay, I wonder what is there and what is not anymore.  Our first evening we experienced a great diverse group of people from around the world.  Incredible sailing stories beginning, in the middle, and near the end.  We all became a family helping each other out and ending the day together.
Two very young children were on the island sailing with their parents.  They were both around Lilia’s age so they were special.  First is Chloe, she is on La Passion with her older brothers and sister along with her parents and crew. Yes, it is big catamaran and they are from Great Britain.  Next, is Jack sailing with his two older brothers, Williams and Henry, with his parents, Dylan and Sally on Orion. They are from Great Britain, but the children were born in Hong Kong where they were working and then sold it all to sail.  Right now they are in Canada having returned to land so the kids could go to school and they can save up again to do it all over when the boys are teenagers.  What a plan!  These two little ones were the best entertainment.  One day Jeff who is sailing alone on a catamaran decided to help the children build their own sailing vessel after they found a large piece of styrofoam on the island to use for floatation.  These kids just would not give up ,of course, neither did Jeff.  Love the kids sailboat beached here with all the other dinghies.
A group including Dee and Rick took off to spear fish and gather conch the same day. Upon their return with tons of conch it was time to learn to cut, clean, beat, and cook conch - and make conch salad which is much easier, I learned.  We had one of the best meals on the beach that night.  Fresh fish and lots of fried conch and conch salad.  This was a great experience!  We first met Myron, the Commodore,  here on Hold Fast and he would  become a really close friend during out stay in the Raggeds.
I will close out this video with some sunsets from Hog Cay, Ragged Islands, Bahamas.

Our first stop in the Raggeds was Flamingo Cay one of the northern most islands or Cay that you come to when crossing over into the Ragged Islands from the EXumas.  This was a beautiful uninhabited island and pristine white sand beaches.  Fishing boats hand out here as you can see in the sunset pictures and do bring the sharks into this area.  There is a large sea turtle known in these waters but we are not sure this is him.  The sunset this evening was breathtaking.  The Sunrise did not disappoint either.   
Before we head out the next morning we check out the cave.  We have read about the Flamingo Cay Cave as one you can drive your dinghy into so we wanted to be sure and experience this as we don’t plan to leave the Raggeds this way.   So glad we took the time to have this experience!
The day was gloomy but we hoped for a nice ride down the eastern side of the islands, but as the wind and rain picked up we choose to dip back inside to the western side just north of Buena Vista Cay and head on down toward Hog Cay but not before we have some Dolphin visitors.    
We have read so much about Hog Cay and have decided to begin our exploring there.  The sun finally comes out and we enter and full anchorage which we did not expect in mid April.  We enjoyed our first evening and sunset before exploring Hog Cay.   Just one of the many pristine beaches and islands we will discover in this isolated part of the Bahamas.

EXUMAS

The crossing over to the Exumas was beautiful and we anchored that first night on the Southern tip of Norman’s Cay near the plane crash.  We were able to get Chicken Hawk up for some great pictures of Inked Mermaid and Journey anchored together.  We did not venture over to the plane crash, but the story goes that the old US Army Air Forces Custiss C-46 was filled with cocaine when it landed short of the runway.  Other stories say this is not true, yet this island is known as Pablo Escobar’s island.  One highlight of this anchorage was watching a sea plane land for tourist to see the plane crash and the spectacular sunset our first in the exumas where the water is so pretty and blue!

The Next morning we off for a beautiful ride down to Black Point, one of our favorite places in the  Exumas.  This was a perfect day on the water and we enjoyed the trip anchoring before another beautiful sunset.  We are ready to explore our old haunting grounds here.  

First up is a short hike to Nisimo’s Blow Hole which is over on the eastern side of the islands along the cliffs.  We got some great pictures and saw the Blowhole blow!  We enjoyed exploring the beach area looking for some shells and sea glass.  As well as exploring the rock caves which made for some great photo opts.  The walk back gives us a great look over the anchorage and the sandbar.


We head up to Emerald Sunset View - proof we have been there before is our old boat card on the wall.  We also get a our first Sands pink rattler - my favorite!  When we return to LeaAnn we find her beached.  Opps.  Dee and I are out of practice.  Rick and Christi return us to Journey where we wait out the tide and head back before sunset to retrieve her from the beach, but the good news we have Mama’s Coconut Bread!


Watching the wildlife around the docks is a great past time here especially when doing laundry or watching the unloading of the mailboat.  Quite a Site!  We finish up our time here with a Happy Hour filled with Rum Punch at the Black Point Yacht Club.  We are headed to the Ragged Islands and excited about this new adventure in the Bahamas.  Check out Inked Mermaid heading into the Ragged Waters….

Two days before Easter Sunday we leave the Ten Thousand Islands after anchoring out with Dan and Karen and head south to the Florida Keys and our favorite anchorage near Islamorade, Shell Key.  This is a long 81nm run but get in to enjoy a beautiful sunset.  This does not last long as we are off early the next morning to head up to Pumpkin Key where Scott and Mary and Rick and Christie are staging for our crossing to the Bahamas looks like a Sunday crossing.  The holiday traffic was active, but we arrived around 2:30.

Scott and Mary on Salt Wife come by and get us and we all head over to Inked Mermaid for Happy Hour and Happy Planning as we will leave the next morning at sunrise.  Easter Sunday - Resurrection Day, we pull anchor at 6:45 and we are off to cross the Gulf Stream and head over to the beautiful blue waters of the Bahamas.
Rick and Scott decide to stop on the bank for the night, but we decided to head on to Great Harbour and anchor at dark because the seas were beautiful.  The water was perfect the entire afternoon and evening.  We weren’t alone as the two trawlers at Pumpkin Key were also coming along. One was in front and the other behind us.  Cruise ships were slowing moving or anchored along our path and looked like cities on the water.  Finally we see lights from shore ahead and know we are close.  It is hard to determine where other boats are so we slide in as close as we dare and drop the anchor.  The next morning is beautiful and the water is flat.
We soon learn we need to bring the boat into the marina to check in so we take a slip for a few days.  We also find out they charged us an extra $100 for Easter Monday holiday.  Oh well, what to do we are in another country.
The big excursion here was a dinghy trip up Shark River to the other side of Great Harbor and a beautiful beach and sandbar area.  But the real reason for the trip is the turtles.  When we return our winch fails.  But Rick, Dee, and JB Weld to the rescue, Just so you know it pulled her up the rest of our Bahamas trip.  The next day we meet Mark and Genevieve from Lake Lure, NC who have chartered a boat but the boat is having lots of problems.  We also meet Chocho from Cancun who takes us all up to The Rock for sunset.  Genevieve and I explore a little.
Finally, We enjoy a homemade pizza dinner at the marina and plan our departure with Rick and Christie for the Exumas and as soon as possible the Ragged Islands.  We are so excited.  Leaving the Berry Island was some of the worst seas I can remember. So thankful to round the north side and put the seas behind us.  Still a little rough, but time to fish.  All The Journey crews could bring on board is a Mr. Barry.
Heading in to Nassau area to anchor we passed all the cruise ships now off the dock and heading back to Florida and snuck into our anchorage just past sunset.  A sailing cat arrived during the night and lots of activity woke me up.  It appeared their swim platform had broken and their dinghy was sinking.  They worked hard I believe got the situation under control.  We didn’t see anyone the next morning as we headed out to the Exumas.  Of course, the generator needed an impeller.  Dee begins again working on Journey in exotic places in this case while moving.  We are Exumas bound.

We are back in Florida at the Port of the Islands just in time for sunrise and sunset over the port and boats decorated for Christmas.  Journey looks good in her red and white lights.  And lots of visits from the alligators.  This one was posing for Lilia.  We are excited about Christmas this year and spending Christmas Eve with the whole family.  So, lets break out the Grinch cups and Kick off the Christmas season with Lilia time - Don’t you love that hat!
Lilia loves horses and it is time to get her first ride on Cisco. She is so excited that she and Capi are going to ride.  This day gets both Hannah and Jesse back up on a horse with Lilia.  Smiles all around for this little girl.  This season is full of more Christmas fun like making waffles with Capi, Reading books, and lots of snuggles but lets not forget seeing the Christmas lights and feeding the giraffe! All In Capis favorite hat!  Don’t you love that picture.  Super Sweet.  Christmas Eve is here and watching Lilia and Carson is so much fun!  It was great to have everyone together again for my Mom and Dad.  I am not sure how many more we will have together with them.  The night ended with Christmas gifts at Mom and Dads and really watching the little ones open their presents.  Carson had share that time with Lilia this year. Oh, how I loved watching her with the baby doll and carriage.  Such a little momma, but babies do not get names.  Lots of laughs rounded out this Christmas Eve.
We were able to get a little more Lilia time over the holidays having her at the camper to watch her explore and play in a new environment.
Happy New Year from Solmates Journey!  We return in January to Journey to prepare for the run-up into the Okeechobee River to LaBelle for haul out and a bottom job on Journey.  We leave the marina and anchor out at White Horse with a spectacular sunset.  We had some dolphin visitors before…..We hate being on a schedule, but one we are on.  The morning before we head up while a cold front pushes down on top of us as we race to Fort Myers to get tucked in at Gibson Bight.  The sky, the waves, all looks pretty bad, but we pushed in and got anchored just as it passed.  We recovered and then said why sit here lets move on into the river passing through downtown Fort Myers and still seeing remnants of Ian.  We arrive early Sunday into LaBelle and are ready for a Monday morning haul-out.  This is a different kind of haul out and they all make me nervous, but Dee really liked being pulled out on a trailer.  Check it out.  Two days in the yard. Some great service for a bottom job and we are back in the water and headed back to the Port.  This time we really stop and experience this old Florida look with all the cows down at the river.  We anchor at Panther preparing to go back up the channel to the marina and spot the white pelicans for the first time and as always the hunting Osprey are all around.
Now it is time to catch up with old friends at the port of the islands and enjoy some ten thousand island fun and of course getting to know Grady.  One more visit back home to see Lilia before our three month trip to the Bahamas. This quick trip home brought brewery fun, reading more books by all.  Smores and the Life and Science Museum visit. So much fun with her.  WE will miss her so much over the next three months.
We arrive back prepping for the Bahamas and make our trip to St. Pete for our new dinghy and see our Shelby.  This is a sad high field story better left to tell over a strong cocktail.  We pick up our new LeaAnn.  WE are almost ready to untie the lines and head back to the blue blue water of the Bahamas.