The severe weather didn't hit us as forecast. It actually was pretty mild compared to the predicted 40 knot winds - yaaay! However, the forecast for the rest of the week was now for wind mostly out of the west and in the 10 to 20 knot range. That meant we might as well continue our trip to the Cape.
After breakfast, we left the safety of Hatchet Bay and headed north. The seas weren't too uncomfortable but not great, either. Based on the forecast wind, we hoped to anchor at what we had heard was a lovely anchorage at Alabaster Bay, near an old abandoned US base. Alas, though the anchorage there was sheltered from the wind, there were uncomfortable swells coming in so we decided to continue on to Rock Sound, a large bay with lots of protection from this week's winds. the total trip was around 35 miles.
This is typical of the seas all day today. Just kind of grumpy.
This is looking at the nearby shoreline in Rock Sound from our anchorage. Notice how much calmer the water was in here.
Off in the distance behind the boat was the settlement at Rock Sound. We planned to visit it the next morning.
Carol made us some pizza for dinner. She's amazing with her scratch pizza crust & roasted red peppers. Yum.
Monday morning, we upped the anchor and moved across the harbour to the Rock Sound settlement. The wind was blowing pretty hard so the short ride to the dilapidated dock was wet. Once tied, the dinghy was bouncing up and down at the dock like a bucking bronco!
We hiked up the road a couple of miles to check out the boiling lake. Today, there wasn't much boil. However, it still was very pretty.
On the way back to town, we could see Samba safely at anchor. Phew.
There is a 600 foot deep "blue hole" near the middle of town. It's actually quite amazing!
On the other side of town, we checked out their grocery and were pleasantly surprised at all of the great produce. Quite unusual for most of the Bahamas!
Because of the forecast wind for the rest of the week, we left Rock Sound and headed about 15 miles to Cape Eleuthera where we plan to leave the boat while we return home for Thanksgiving. More about the Cape tomorrow.!
