The end of June has arrived, and we are celebrating my 57th birthday on the beautiful beaches of Naples. Having this uninterrupted time together to enjoy the sand, the sunsets, and the Gulf Coast has been such a gift. Even though we have lived here, there are still places waiting to be discovered. Bonita Springs Beach has quickly become a new favorite. We spent an evening at Doc’s Beach House, enjoying a wonderful dinner with a front-row seat to one of those unforgettable Florida sunsets. As the sky changed colors and the sun dipped below the horizon, we walked back onto the beach to soak in the last moments of the day. These are the simple memories that remind us how blessed we are to be living this adventure.
We are savoring this time because July is bringing a big opportunity—and a big job. This will be our first major boat delivery, an opportunity to move another vessel and earn enough to help us prepare Journey for her bottom job in the fall. It feels like another exciting chapter in this boating journey we never could have imagined when we first began.
Carlos, who owns Fat Cat, another Endeavour like our Journey, recently sold his boat. The new owners were having difficulty finding a captain willing to move the boat with the owner on board, so Carlos passed Dee’s name along to Joe and Sandi. Looking back, it is amazing to think about how God connects the dots in our lives. We first spoke with Joe and Sandi the night before our May 2025 post, when we were blessed with the opportunity to save two souls in Jewfish Basin near Key West. At the time, we had no idea where that conversation would lead or what God might have planned ahead.
After talking through the details, we all agreed on the terms, and Dee sent over the contract. Basically, Dee agreed that Sandi could and should go as long as I could go.  Thankfully, they were more than happy with that arrangement.
Sandi will be joining us for the journey, although Joe is still unsure if he will be able to make part of the trip. We are excited for the opportunity to travel up the east coast again and explore waters we have never experienced before, including the Chesapeake Bay. Dee has spent some time on Fat Cat, but not nearly enough to know every detail of her systems and personality. We know she is a strong and capable boat, and she has already proven herself by making the trip to Guatemala and handling some challenging seas. Still, Dee wants to learn as much as possible about her setup, maintenance, and quirks before we leave.
July 5th is quickly approaching—the day Sandi hopes to leave the dock. Our plan is to take approximately 16 days to make our way north to her new marina in the Chesapeake. There is excitement, a little nervous anticipation, and a lot of gratitude as we prepare for another adventure on the water. Once again, we find ourselves trusting the journey, trusting each other, and trusting that God has a plan for the miles ahead.

​We make a few trips over to Fat Cat on Marco Island to gather the last things we need before departure. Our friends Ben and Natalie graciously drop us off the afternoon of July 6th, and we begin what will be our first major journey on a boat that is not our own. The plan for the evening is simple—make our way up to Naples and anchor for the night.
Yes, I am rusty. Can I blame it on being on a new-to-me boat? Maybe. Either way, it takes me three attempts to get us anchored exactly where we need to be. Yikes! It is a humbling reminder that every boat has her own personality, and we all have to learn her ways.   
The weather has already delayed our departure by a day, and with the conditions still not ideal, Naples is as far as we can safely go. Thankfully, we can tuck inside and anchor comfortably for the night. Tomorrow should bring better conditions and allow us to make a good run toward Fort Myers and the Caloosahatchee River, where we will cross Florida to the east coast and begin our journey north.
As we settle in for the evening, we discover our first real challenge. We go to start the generator—and nothing happens. Dee and I both saw it start earlier, but Dee never actually got the opportunity to start it himself that day. Now, when we need it, it refuses to cooperate. We are officially dead in the water… pun intended. Thankfully, it is only the generator, but it is July in Florida, and that makes it a much bigger issue.
Dee tries several times over the next week, but the generator does not even attempt to turn over. Its location makes it difficult to access and troubleshoot, and he begins questioning whether it is even worth repairing. Thankfully, the batteries will carry us through part of the night, but we know the rest of the evening is going to be warm—very warm.
Sandi’s room is especially challenging because the air conditioning that runs off the batteries does not have a vent into her cabin. Despite the heat and the unexpected challenges, she handles it all like a trooper. It is only the beginning of the trip, and already she is learning that boat life requires flexibility, patience, and a good sense of humor.

​Our second night finds us traveling up the Caloosahatchee and tying off to dauphins near Ortona. Sandi gets to experience her next boating lesson—one that every cruising couple eventually learns: the infamous husband-and-wife boat disagreement.
The wind is blowing, and I have never tied to dauphins before. To say it was a bit of a disaster would be an understatement. There was yelling, confusion, and plenty of frustration as we tried to figure out how to safely get secured. In the moment, it felt like a complete shitshow.
After we were safely tied off, we took some time to debrief and explain what had happened. The truth was, a lot of the problem came from my end. When things get tense and the pressure is on, I get incredibly focused on the task in front of me—and communication is not always my strongest skill in those moments. I need to remember that Dee cannot know what I am thinking unless I tell him.
The important thing is that we were safe, we learned from it, and we were settled for the night. Now we just had to hope getting off the dauphins would be easier than getting on.
I am fairly certain Sandi has no desire to tie to dauphins again anytime soon. In fact, she may have permanently renamed them as “the spawn of the Devil.” Welcome to cruising, Sandi—where every day brings a new lesson!

​We are off the dauphins early, and thankfully, getting away from them goes much smoother than getting tied up to them the night before. We make our way through the Ortona Lock and Moore Haven Lock, settling into the rhythm of the journey. Along the shoreline, we spot alligators and otters enjoying their quiet routines, reminders that we are traveling through a very different side of Florida than most people ever see.
Then comes Lake Okeechobee. 
Crossing the lake is a beautiful experience. The wide-open water, the peaceful horizon, and the feeling of being surrounded by Florida’s natural beauty make it a memorable part of the trip. I can’t help but think of John Anderson’s song “Seminole Wind.” Pretty sure Dee played it for us as we crossed, because it just seemed like the perfect soundtrack for the moment.
After crossing the lake, we make our way through the Port Mayaca Lock and continue east, eventually anchoring just before the Port St. Lucie Lock.
Of course, the boat reminds us that every day on the water comes with a challenge. The windlass has been acting up since we left, and tonight is no exception. Dee gets the anchor down and starts troubleshooting, cleaning connections and checking everything he can. It works sporadically, which gives us some hope, but the question remains: could it be the relays?
One more mystery to solve on Fat Cat.

Early the next morning, Dee determines the problem is most likely the solenoid. Of course, that means one thing—he has to finish pulling it up and Sandi gets to work finding a part. This is one of the things I admire about Dee: when something breaks, he doesn’t panic. He digs in, figures it out, and does whatever he can to keep us moving forward.  Another characteristic that makes him a good teacher.  
Sandi gets us into Eau Gallie Marina, where she is expecting an overnight package, solenoid. We are hopeful this repair will solve our anchoring issue. Even better, the marina gives us shore power, which means air conditioning and a much-needed comfortable night of sleep.
While heading up the east coast toward the marina, Sandi gets some valuable training in cleat tying and dock line handling before our first docking. Every day brings a new lesson, and she is jumping right in.
Dee also notices something else concerning—the first signs of an oil leak while the port engine is running. Another item to add to the list.
We arrive at the marina around 6:00 p.m. The boat is secured, the AC is running, and everyone is ready for a little break from boat repairs. We head out to an Irish pub for dinner, enjoying a chance to relax and laugh about the day.
We are hoping that better days—and fewer mechanical surprises—are ahead.

​We wake up waiting for the part to arrive. With Ace Hardware just a short walk away, We all head out to find what we need. We actually make that walk twice! Ace has most of the supplies, but not everything, so we still need to track down a few more items.
Thankfully, Mike, the marina owner, helps us out and gives Sandi and I a ride to Boater’s Warehouse to find the rest of what we need.
The solenoid finally arrives, gets replaced, and the windlass appears to be working again. It is a small victory, but on a boat, small victories feel pretty big.
We celebrate quickly because storms are building, and we need to get moving. We leave the dock at 1:30 p.m., running about 15 knots for eight miles to stay ahead of the weather. Our goal is Titusville, where we will pick up a Sandi's first mooring ball.
The wind picks up to around 10 knots, making it a good opportunity for practice. Of course, because that is how boating works, by the time evening arrives, everything calms down. The storms pass, the water settles.
Another day on the water, another lesson learned.

​We drop the mooring ball just after 6:00 a.m. to a beautiful morning sky. The kind of morning that reminds you why you love being on the water. Unfortunately, the port engine leak that Dee noticed earlier is getting worse, so he makes the difficult decision to shut it down and attempt a repair using JB Weld.
Once again, boat life becomes a scavenger hunt.
Sandi and I work on finding fresh JB Weld and arranging delivery to Daytona Marina and Boatworks. Thanks to a great guy at Ace Hardware in Daytona, who actually drove it over for us, we are able to get what we need. The marina graciously allows us to use the fuel dock while we make the pickup, another reminder of how helpful and generous people in the boating community can be.
Dee restarts the port engine briefly for docking and departure, but only for about 30 minutes. Then it is back to work applying more JB Weld and hoping it will hold.
As we continue north, thunderstorms begin building near St. Augustine. We are so close—only about 10 miles away—but the weather has other plans. We actually turn around for a while and wait for the storms to pass rather than push our luck. Patience is not always easy when you are trying to make miles, but safety always wins.
We finally pick up our mooring ball in St. Augustine around 8:00 p.m. The port engine has to be started one more time for picking up the mooring ball, but Dee still applies additional JB Weld and allow it to cure overnight.
Another long day comes to an end.
Sandi is learning more on this trip than she probably expected—or maybe even wanted—but she is embracing every challenge. She is asking questions, getting involved, and not afraid to get her hands dirty. She is watching, learning, and becoming more confident every day.
This will be our last night in Florida. Six nights to make it through the state by boat. We did lose some time with the marina stop, but overall, everyone is still comfortable with our timeline.
I am not sure Sandi fully realized just how long Florida is when you are traveling by boat. The miles seem different when you are navigating waterways, waiting on weather, and solving problems along the way.

​This morning, Sandi decides she is ready for another challenge—getting us off the mooring ball and navigating through the St. Augustine inlet traffic before turning north onto the ICW.
The port engine is shut down again so Dee can apply another coat of JB Weld. Meanwhile, Sandi continues taking the helm, learning navigation, and gaining confidence as she moves Fat Cat—now affectionately renamed Knot Working—north toward Sister’s Creek near Jacksonville.
We dock at 12:15 p.m. to take on water and dispose of trash, and we are back underway by 12:30. The port engine is still leaking some, but the oil pressure is looking better, so Dee makes the decision to run it for the remainder of the day.
We cross into Georgia, passing the naval facilities at Kingsland, and continue north toward our anchorage near Frederica and St. Simons Island.
The day is not without another reminder that boats have their own personalities. The windlass stops working again while we are putting the anchor down. At this point, we are starting to wonder if the boat is testing us.
Despite all the mechanical challenges, the anchorage is beautiful and peaceful. The water settles, the evening quiets down, and for a moment, we can just enjoy where we are.
The batteries continue to give us trouble as well, refusing to fully top off and reach absorption. That means another night without consistent AC. We get some relief the first part of each night, but with engines runnning each day and heating up the boat, we are reminded just how warm things can get.
Cold showers become part of our routine. We have to be careful with the water temperature because after running the engines, the water can come out much warmer than expected.
It is not exactly luxury cruising, but it is part of the adventure.

The anchor has to come up quickly this morning. We are learning that if you stop using the windlass, it decides it may not want to work again.  Not sure I have figured how to steady the boat appropriately for Dee while the windlass is in constant motion.   
We leave the anchorage on just the starboard engine so Dee can continue working on the port engine oil leak. Thunderbolt Marina confirms they can take us for the night, giving us 78 miles to cover.
The day brings another unexpected challenge: the infamous Georgia flies. They are relentless, and they quickly become another character in this adventure.
After passing Isle of Hope, the port engine has to be shut down again because the leak continues. At this point, Dee is balancing repairs, safety, and the need to keep moving north.
We finally arrive and are secured at the dock by 6:30 p.m. The boat is plugged in, the AC is running, and everyone can finally relax for the night.
After several days of repairs, heat, weather delays, and improvising, a cool evening with shore power feels like a true luxury.
Another day complete. Another challenge overcome. Another reminder that cruising is not just about the destinations—it is about everything that happens along the way.

​Today we leave Savannah behind, putting Georgia in our rearview mirror as we head into South Carolina. Another state crossed, another milestone in the journey.
Sandi takes the helm and drives Knot Working off the dock for the first time, and she does a great job! Every day she is gaining confidence and becoming more comfortable handling the boat.
Around Port Royal Inlet, just north of Hilton Head, Sandi gets her next big lesson. A rainstorm moves in, visibility drops, and suddenly she is faced with the challenge of trusting the navigation charts and instruments when what she sees around her is not much help. She second-guesses the charts, gets herself slightly off course, but she handles it exactly how you hope someone will—she does not panic.
Neither does Dee.
Together, they work through it, and Sandi learns a valuable lesson about visibility, trusting her instruments, and staying calm when conditions are not ideal. These are the moments that build confidence.
We anchor at John’s Island, South Carolina, just past Clark’s Landing, for a peaceful night.
But unfortunately, Knot Working is still… Not Working!
And little do we know, the biggest challenges are still ahead. Thankfully, our fearless captain’s quick thinking is about to prevent what could have been a very expensive problem and will put Dee’s boat-handling skills to the ultimate test over the next several days.

​July 15th begins several days filled with problems, tears, laughter, frustration, and grit from everyone on board. There is no option but to keep moving forward and make the best of each situation.
We are up early at 5:00 a.m. hoping for a quick start, but during his morning engine checks, Dee discovers water in the port engine transmission. Another unexpected issue.
After breaking the news to Sandi, Dee has to hand-pull the anchor because the windlass is still not working. The decision is made to stop anchoring as well.  We leave the anchorage running only on the starboard engine. Our actual departure time is delayed until 6:05 a.m.
I take the helm so Sandi can focus on making calls and contact anyone she can find in the Myrtle Beach area who might be able to help.
Finally, Sandi gets connected with Ross at Sweetgrass Diesel, located out of John’s Island—the same place we anchored the night before. Sometimes the way things line up feels like more than coincidence.  Dee, Sandi, and Ross have a great conversation and seem to know the extent of the issue and what part is needed.  
After researching the issue, Ross believes the problem is likely the transmission cooler. If the part can arrive overnight, and depending on timing, he may even be able to send someone to Myrtle Beach the following day to complete the repair.
With a plan forming, we continue toward Wacca Wache Marina in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, just south of Myrtle Beach.
As we get closer to Georgetown, we start feeling hopeful. The marina is not much farther, and we are almost there.
Then, just before the Georgetown Inlet, we are stopped and boarded by the U.S. Coast Guard, who are traveling with a sheriff’s boat.
Thankfully, the Coast Guard officers are kind and understanding. They quickly complete a safety check, recognizing that we are operating on one engine and that steering capabilities are part of the concern. It is another reminder that safety is always the priority.
The next challenge of this already long day is getting Knot Working safely docked on one engine. We are assigned the fuel dock since we are arriving late, and maneuvering onto the dock takes some patience and teamwork.
But we do it.
We finally get her secured just as Sandi’s family arrives to get their first look at Knot Working. After all the stories and updates, they finally get to see the boat that has been keeping us on our toes.
Dee and I take a walk while they explore the boat, and then they head up to the restaurant at the marina.
Later, Chad and Shara, our POI/Mooresville friends, pick us up and take us out for Mexican food. After days of repairs, heat, uncertainty, and problem-solving, it feels wonderful to step off the boat, sit down, and enjoy some time catching up with friends.
Sometimes the best part of an adventure is the people who show up along the way.

​We are finally able to get fuel this morning, although this marina does not exactly get an early start. Unfortunately, the winds are building, and the marina wants Knot Working moved. Dee is frustrated because the timing is not ideal, but there is nothing to do except make it happen.
Moving a boat with one engine is a whole different challenge.
After several attempts and a few pirouettes while trying to line her up, Dee realizes he just cannot get the steering and speed he needs to bring her onto the dock the normal way. Finally, he backs her out about a quarter mile to get enough room and momentum for one last approach.  We are coming in hot!
Thankfully, the dock is a floating dock, which makes the landing a little more forgiving. With some careful maneuvering, teamwork, and Dee’s determination, Knot Working finally lands where she needs to be.
Sandi and I immediately get to work removing Fat Cat from the boat so she can truly become Knot Working. We spend time cleaning, especially the sugar scoops, sides, and the port engine room, where water and oil have accumulated through all the challenges we have faced.
Around 1:20 p.m., T.J. and Riley from Sweetgrass Diesel arrive. They replace the transmission cooler and flush the port engine five times. It takes about two and a half hours, but by the end, the port engine appears ready to go again.
It feels like a major victory.
We get a rainstorm before heading out for Happy Hour with Sandi at Outriggers at the marina. After everything we have been through, raising a glass and celebrating progress feels pretty good.

​We are up early again after two high-voltage alarms wake us overnight—one just after midnight and another after 5:00 a.m. The lithium batteries continue to be a challenge, and we are still trying to understand exactly what they need or what is wrong.
After engine checks, Dee tightens the starboard alternator belt for the second time and adds some oil to the port engine. We leave the dock at 6:30 a.m.
The good news is that the port engine oil leak is looking much better after getting some rest and time for the repairs to cure. We are cautiously optimistic.
Not long after leaving, we pass Shara’s house, and by 11:30 a.m., we officially cross into North Carolina.
Today gives us some fun moments mixed in with the challenges. We see the Great Loop Jon Boat with Robert Youens onboard—twice! We also spot deer and horses swimming in the ICW, something you do not see every day.
After passing Southport around 3:00 p.m., the winds increase as we cross the Cape Fear River toward Carolina Beach. We arrive at 4:45 p.m. and dock at Carolina Beach Yacht Club on a floating dock that is definitely living up to its name—rocking and rolling.
With strong current and wind, Dee makes another impressive docking maneuver, using neutral to help position Knot Working safely.
Once settled, we can finally relax. We enjoy live music from The Barge, listened to from the comfort of the boat, and watch fireworks in the evening. After the boat traffic settles down, it becomes a peaceful and enjoyable night.
A much-needed reminder of why we do this.

​We leave the dock at 6:45 a.m., continuing our early morning routine to get miles in before the July heat becomes too intense.
We pass Sneads Ferry around noon and then cross Bogue Sound. The winds are still up, making the crossing a little rough, but thankfully the wind is mostly behind us rather than directly against us.
Sandi and Dee continue working on one of her biggest lessons—trusting the autopilot. Sandi loves being at the helm and wants to drive every minute, but learning when to let the boat help is an important part of becoming a confident boater.
We arrive at Town Creek in Beaufort, North Carolina, around 5:00 p.m. The wind is still blowing, but on these hot July nights, the breeze is actually welcome.
Today brings another milestone for Sandi. She makes her first radio call to the marina, another step toward becoming more independent on the boat. She considers docking the boat herself but decides she is not quite ready for that challenge yet.
And honestly, after the days we have had, we are grateful for a mostly uneventful day.
Sometimes the best days on a boat are the ones where nothing breaks, no one gets stressed, and everyone simply enjoys the journey.

​Sandi is busy today, and it is exciting to see how much she has grown since we left Florida.
Ever since the transmission issue with the port engine, she has taken on the responsibility of helping with engine checks each morning. She has always been the one doing our daily navigation planning before we even get out of bed, but now she is expanding her skills. She is checking bridge schedules, learning which bridges we need to call ahead for, and understanding how timing affects our arrival.
This morning brings another milestone. Sandi drives Knot Working off the dock and turns us around to head out of Beaufort. She handles it beautifully. What started as a nervous passenger learning the ropes has quickly become a capable crew member who is actively helping move this boat north.
It is a busy but successful morning for Sandi.
Today is another welcome “uneventful” day, which we have learned is a wonderful thing on a boat. Sandi drives much of the day, plans our arrival, and prepares for docking.
When we arrive at Dowry Creek Marina, we have long finger piers that allow us to go bow-in, which gives Sandi the perfect opportunity to attempt her first docking of Knot Working.
And she does it!
She controls her speed and direction beautifully, even with a little crosswind. There is always a moment when docking where everything has to come together—the wind, the current, the boat, and the captain’s decisions. Today, Sandi proved she was ready.
It is time to celebrate her first docking.
Dowry Creek Marina has a pool, so first up is some well-deserved pool time. Then we head to the restaurant, Salty Crab, to celebrate this milestone. After everything she has learned and experienced, this feels like a big accomplishment.

​Our 5:00 a.m. wake-ups have become our normal routine now. We are getting closer and closer to the Chesapeake, and we want to take advantage of the cooler morning hours.
Sandi completes the port engine check, and Dee follows behind adding oil during his inspection. The starboard engine check is completed, and the alternator belt gets tightened again.
We back out of the slip at 5:50 a.m., with Sandi at the helm, and begin another day north.
Today brings another first for Sandi—running Knot Working up on plane as we approach the Albemarle Sound. She is becoming more comfortable with the boat and learning how she responds in different conditions.
We begin our crossing of the Albemarle Sound at 11:45 a.m. It is definitely a little sporty today, with the wind creating some rolling conditions. Normally, we might consider waiting, but we can see the finish line getting closer, and we make the decision to continue.
Sandi gets another valuable lesson: learning how to handle rougher water and understanding how changing direction can provide some relief from the rolling. A little “tacking” practice gives everyone a more comfortable ride as we work our way across.
We finally make it across around 1:40 p.m. and are back into protected waters.
The rest of the day carries us north toward Coinjock, Virginia. We arrive around 5:04 p.m. and tie up to the Pungo Ferry poles around 5:30.
It is a fairly scenic stop, as we are near a boat ramp and get some entertainment from the activity there, but being inside a no-wake zone keeps the movement down, making it a comfortable place to spend our final night before arriving at Mobjack Marina—Knot Working’s new home.
The end is finally in sight.
After all the repairs, weather delays, long days, hot nights, and lessons learned, we are just one day away from delivering Knot Working to her new marina.
And what a journey it has been.

Today is the final leg of the journey, but it is not without one last set of challenges. We have several bridges ahead with specific opening times, so Sandi and I work together to plan our departure and make sure we hit each one at the right time.
We leave the Ferry Poles at 6:15 a.m. with our first bridge opening scheduled for 7:30. Once we clear that bridge, we slow our pace and cruise toward the next one at 8:30, only to pick up the speed again to make the 9:00 opening.
This final bridge is followed by a lock, which means timing is everything. We have to make sure we arrive at the right moment—not too early and not too late.
Just as we clear the lock, the alarms begin.
Buzzers. Lights. The starboard engine.
WHAT?!
Dee quickly shuts the engine down, and for a few moments, everyone holds their breath. After checking things over, he discovers the problem—the alternator belt has broken.
Of course, Sandi is getting the full boating education on this trip!
Thankfully, Dee is able to replace the belt while we are underway. He ends up with only a few minor burns, and we are all incredibly thankful that this was a manageable problem and not something more serious.
Finally, we continue toward Norfolk.
Norfolk is an incredible experience. The massive ships, naval facilities, and activity surrounding the harbor make us feel very small. Whether the ships are passing close by or sitting in the distance, their size and power are impressive.
Maybe it was the excitement of the day, or maybe it was simply one last navigation lesson, but Sandi gets turned around again. This time, she quickly recognizes it, makes the correction, and confidently gets us headed in the right direction toward the Chesapeake.
That alone shows how far she has come.
The final stretch starts a little rough, but as we continue north, the water settles and the ride becomes smoother. We finally arrive at Mobjack Marina around 3:30 p.m.
After another hour of getting everything settled, Knot Working is safely tucked into her new slip and ready for her next chapter.
We did it.
There is a huge sense of accomplishment knowing we moved Knot Working safely north and delivered her to her new home. When we look back at where we started, it is hard to believe how much changed over those 16 days.
Sandi came aboard as a greenhorn who knew nothing about boating, but she leaves as a salty sailor who has learned navigation, engine checks, docking, radio communication, boat handling, problem-solving, and—most importantly—confidence. She learned the boating community, found her place onboard, and became a true part of the crew.
Dee did an incredible job teaching, encouraging, and building her confidence while also handling every mechanical challenge thrown his way. His patience, knowledge, and calm under pressure carried us through some very difficult moments.
And somewhere along the way, Knot Working became more than just a boat we were delivering. She became part of our story.
We will forever be connected to Joe and Sandi, to Knot Working, and to the adventure that brought us all together.



Knot Working's Journey Numbers
Total Hours: 151
Total Nautical Miles: 1,080
Total Days (including one layover day): 16
Average Daily Nautical Miles: 72
Shortest Day: 33 nautical miles
Longest Day: 92 nautical miles
The numbers tell part of the story, but they do not capture the laughter, the frustration, the lessons, the friendships, and the memories created along the way.
That is the true adventure.

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.