Tap Tap Tap......

Tap Tap Tap is the sound of my fingers tapping away the boredom waiting on our return to Fat Bottom Girl.  We are scheduled to head back to Ft. Pierce next week to take her to Trawlerfest in Ft. Lauderdale.   We have attended these types of boat shows before, but this will be the first as a Kadey Krogen Trawler owner.   My understanding is they have something called a Trawler Crawl, this is where boats that arrive by water have an Open House for other owners to see how you have decorated or equipped your boat.   It sounds kind of fun; since we own hull number one, the first ever Krogen 58 built, I would like for others to see the quality and and workmanship that go into a KK and how well they hold up.  Our boat literally looks like a new boat, even though the prior owners used her extensively.  She was even a participant in the Nordhavn Atlantic Rally in 2004.  If you click on the link below, you can see pictures and watch a video of the rally.   It's very apparent this girl can take a lickin and keep on tickin....

Nordhavn Atlantic Rally

Our initial plan when purchasing our boat was to cruise intermittently over the next few years, then begin our retirement.    I don't know if either one of us can wait that long!   The boat is so comfortable and the livability is everything we dreamt it would be; the draw of our boat and the longing to cruise is killing us.  We've actually been fortunate enough to spend 10 days per month for the past 5 months, so I can't complain too much.  Oh well, only one week & two days to go.......

Hayleigh Grace Kettering

We would like to introduce you to our newest granddaughter, Hayleigh Grace Kettering, born to our son Jared and his wife Tiffany on Friday 01/14/2011.  Hayleigh was 6lbs 12oz & 20" long.   She is their second daughter and we are so excited she has finally arrived safetly.  We've been anxiously awaiting her arrival for weeks as it has been touch and go with false alarms.  Both mom and baby are doing great and resting at home.  Big sister Anna is elated and looking forward to helping take care of their new baby girl.

Hayleigh Grace Kettering

Jared, Anna and Hayleigh



Pappy, Nonnie, Anna & Hayleigh



Whahoos and Marlins - Whoo Hoo

We pulled out of West End at 6:00AM trying our first solo navigation in the dark; I think we should stick to daylight for a while until we get the night vision binochulars.  Everything went perfectly fine, but boy oh boy is it dark in the open ocean, it's a little errie. 

I know I'm wearing this line out, but it was another beautiful day.   I don't think you can get much better seas than what we had for our return, it was smooth sailing for sure.

Ryan's luck picked up and he hooked a nice wahoo, tossed him back and then the fun began.   Just click on the links below and watch the videos,  please excuse any foul language, we were a little excited.....

Mimi hooks a big one

                        

Ryan hauls in Mimi's big one

Now I'm no fisherman, but that was a big fish.   In my defense it was very colorful so that's why I thought it was a Mahi.  I think we called it everything but what it actually was.

I think it's safe to summize that we all had a wonderful trip that's going to be hard to top for a long time.   There's only one thing that would have made this trip better and that's if my Lisa would have been here with us....

Back to West End - New Years Day

 We departed Lucaya about 1:30PM for a short 32 mile trip back to West End.  It was another beautiful day, only today was tee shirt weather even while sitting on deck. 

Departing Bell Channel



Cap'n Jack



During the return trip, David and I ate the last two bananas, tossed out the peels and within 5 minutes Ryan caught the first fish of the trip.  A king mackerel, which we decided to have for dinner.  I guess there really is something about the "Curse of the Bananas"   Since we had never cooked a mackerel before, David looked up a recipe that was quick, easy and we had all the ingredients for.  It was really good!  Fresh fish just tastes so much better than store bought or frozen.  Mimi doesn't typically eat fish, but even she liked it.






Ryans Catch

Mimi & Ryan - West End Bahams

 



 As soon as we arrived the guys cleaned the fish while Mimi and I prepared the remainder of the meal and got the table set.  At this point we were all getting VERY tired,  the week was catching up with us.  They say that 9:00PM is the cruisers midnight and we were quickly discovering that to be true.....

Happy New Year

We arrived in Port Lucaya Bahamas yesterday afternoon, the entrance into Bell Channel and the meandering ride to the marina was beautiful.  When we arrived we were held at the fuel dock until the dockmaster could determine our slip.  The marina was packed for the holiday and it was like putting puzzle pieces together getting all the boats squeezed in.   I have to say, I was quite impressed with David's skills; they put us in the worst possible slip with the tightest squeeze.  David managed  to get into our space without damaging Fat Bottom Girl or any other neighboring boats.   Let's just say we used our "assets" AKA thrusters......and slid in perfectly.

Entrance to Bell Channel to Port Lucaya Marina

The Ghost Ship

When we were safetly in our slilp,  David was concerned something may be tangled in the aft thruster.   The only way to check it is to dive in and swim to the thruster tube to check.  That doesnt sound like such a big deal, but there has been a cold front in the Bahamas and therefore colder than normal water temperatures.  Even the locals didnt want to do it, and they'll do pretty much anything for a buck.  He made the plunge and fortunately the thruster tube was clear of any obstructions.  Work is done, time to enjoy Lucaya.

Brrrr

After David warmed up and dried off we walked to Count Basie Square, it's full of little souvenir shops, bars and eatery's.  They have the whole square decorated for a big New Years Eve party.   While walking through town, David decided to get into the New Year spirit and had his beard adorned with a few braids and beads.  His new nickname is "Captain Dingles".   I thought he was going through a mid-life-crisis, but was informed by our friend Chris that he did the same thing a few years ago for the 4th of July.   I was getting a little worried about my husbands state of mind.

Captain Dingles

Check out this picture of Mr. and Mrs. Smithwick,  read the sign above their head.  Too funny!

The Smithwick's

We were slipped next to the biggest yacht in the marina, a 4 story monster that looks to be about 200' long. 



Hubert AKA Chucky and Melvin the Crab Man

Melvin the crab-man brought us 15/lbs of stone crab cleaned and ready to steam.   OMG they were absolutely fantastic!  We met Pat & Nicole (not a couple) who stopped by our boat and joined in the crab feast and helped us bring in the New Year.  That's one of the nice thing I'm discovering about cruising, you never seem to meet a stranger.



Yum!



Pat & Nicole

As the midnight hour approached, we all left the dock and went to the square which was only about 300' away (not far to stumble home) to ring in the New Year.  The rest is history......

Happy New Year



Ryan that's a big chew you got there



David & Mimi