Swim the cat....

Day 85 -  (Mon , Feb 6 , 2012):  Seaplanes & Pipe Creek, a saltwater creek (not like Tanner’s Creek at all)

By Guest Author Patrick the Great

Dobbie got me up early as usual…  5:15am on the dot. How does he do that? We made coffee with some Frangelico and cream and had it in my Drangonfly cup up on the deck. We watched the stars and saw a few satellites and shooting stars. The “witching hour” is Dobbie’s favorite time of the day. Lisa is sleeping like a baby. She did not wake even though our stealth was not perfect.

We reviewed the charts. My eyes zeroed in on a complex area.  Pipe Creek is a nebulous center of a cluster of many Cays. It is called a Saltwater Creek.  When I grew up in Lawrenceburg, Indiana there was Tanner’s Creek where my brother Jerry, my dog, and I used to take our canoe for adventures. It was brown and polluted.  Pipe Creek is on the far other side of the spectrum.  The area is the most Pristine, transparent water, sparkling with golden rays of sunlight, every drop full of life, spectacular corals, sponges, octopus, seahorses, fishes of all types…!!!  Times 10

I made breakfast.  Bacon and Eggs were delivered to Lisa while she worked on her blog. She liked the idea of Pipe Creek.

First we took Dobbie to an island that looked like mostly sand from this far distance, however, when we finally drove out over 3.8 nautical miles to it we found that the center was tropical scrub. This was pretty far to go out in the unprotected seas. We regretted that upon the return trip into the waves and wind.  Our dinghy is very seaworthy. The Kraken takes rough seas and wind very well, but this was right at the limit of comfortability. We really wanted Dobbie to have a better experience.  Dobbie explored the island and found that it was mostly a giant sand box.  He used that feature.  Then we practiced swimming again. He swims well.   He can jump up into the dinghy from the water well.  We wanted him to know how to do this for emergencies.

Lisa and I gave Dobbie a nice water fresh water RO shower upon return to Gaia. The shower bag is stored flat on the deck with the black side up to warm, then suspended via the Halyard to use.  If he had any more fleas they would be dead now.  We want to let him swim many days in a row so he enjoys it and is eager to do so.

Lisa handed me stuff for our expedition while I loaded the Kraken. The dive camera, land camera, water, VHF radio,  &  The Garmin Oregon 400C handheld that would allow us to navigate the complex area.  We approached a lighthouse. My brother, Jerry, will appreciate that photo for his collection. They do not put lighthouses in benign safe areas. There is a reason they put them where they do…but we went right up to it with the Kraken. I raised the engine and stealthily slithered into the breaking waves and razor sharp rocks.  We found an acceptable path and came inside to the Pipe Creek center.   We landed in the large dry sand area. It is partially wet at high tide.  Lisa strolled about and I got some photos of her.  We read the water and saw some coral reefs strings and coral heads…so she put her mask on the put her face in the water to see if it was worthy.  It was!  Wow!  We threw out the anchor and I handed Lisa her dive gear and camera.  The spine tingles with the beauty! This ocean planet should be cherished more.

We saw several different species of Sea Anemone and one cluster had an interesting shape,a texture near it. Something looked different than normal on an old conch shell.  It was an octopus. He pulled the conch shell with him into a hole and sealed the door with it.   I gently tried to pull him out, but stopped. I put my finger a few inches inside and the octopus wrapped a tentacle around my finger to explore me.  I had to go to the surface for new air.  When I returned, he was looking out at me with his eyes.

We explored several other coral head areas and some small reefs and then came home via the easy path past Thomas Cay and Overyonder Cay.  The owner of the private island? Or a very wealthy movie star or corporate exec? Or X?  has a beautiful home up on the hill. He has three very large wind turbines and a cluster of solar panels in the middle.  I wanted to tie up to his dock and knock on the door to chat but Lisa thought it too bold.  They want privacy she said.  But I have found people like that are very friendly if you complement their power supplies.

We arrived home to Gaia and rinsed off the salt with some fresh RO.  A plane was buzzing very low. He made an approach right next to us towards the dock.  Then he came around and landed in the water only 10s of feet away.  Very exciting to say the least.  There were several other boats around us too. The seaplane just thru caution to the wind and landed at 100 knots or more and slowed down very quickly toward the dock.  A dinghy came out from the private house and they loaded something heavy. Then the seaplane taxied around on the water and began the takeoff.  Very exciting again.  The pilot must be very experienced or very foolish.

Lisa made a wonderful Shepard’s Pie for supper and we had a sunset ceremony as usual with conch blowing and wine.  I finally talked Lisa into watching “Forbidden Planet” a 1950s science fiction classic instead of the usual Harry Potter or some chick flick, but she whimped out and fell asleep while Dobbie and I watched.  

That is the end of another day in Paradise.

Just A "Boat Load of Days in Paradise"

Day 82 - 84 (Fri,  Feb  3 – Sun , Feb 5 , 2012): OK, up early and listened to Chris. Wind is going to blow today. Outside may be rough… Well, Maria and Bert radioed and they were getting ready to head out. They too, thought outside as the best option. We told them we were going to head out soon too. Bert headed out. Then, about the time we untied from the mooring, he radioed that it was too rough on the outside and his alternate route was going to be to retrace his breadcrumbs and go back the way we came in. We decided to do the same. “Threading the Needle” is so exciting. Oh boy! Well, no issues and Patrick and Gaia performed perfectly. We headed out to Sampson. The hop was very short and the wind was again directly on our nose so we did not put a sail up. Patrick wanted too but I would have to stow it as soon as we got started so, I talked him out of it. Besides, we were catching up to Bert and Maria and giving them some room was the right thing to do.

We made it to Sampson around noon. Dropped the anchor. I dove on it and perfection. Did I mention I love our Rocna? This is, I think, my favorite spot. Just something about Sampson Cay. I love it. We headed into the marina and resort to walk around. Very nice. We decided to have lunch in the restaurant and get a Kalik. Ran into the folks from “Happy Ours,” the power boat that was moored next to us in Warderick Wells. Very nice people. They recommended the veggie pizza. Omg… they were so right. Or, was it just that we had not had civilized food in some time. Obviously, a second pizza tomorrow would determine this little quandary.  Back to Gaia and a nap.

Beautiful sunset with the small showers that had been around. Clouds bounce the rays around. Partially cloudy days definitely seem to make the best sunsets. No snorkeling today but tomorrow, we will hit the water again.

Saturday was uneventful. Just another day in paradise. We did laundry. Were invited to have coffee on “Happy Ours.” Great day. Steve and Noreen showed us a small wooden boat they had found on a beach. It was an urn. There was some writing on the back but difficult to determine what the finder was supposed to do with it. It contained ashes of a young man in his 20s. They were going to call a number found on a piece of paper inside to determine what they should do with the tiny boat. It was beautifully crafted. Teak and so well made and polished. Absolute care had gone into the creation. The rudder had fallen off (The only thing missing. Obviously from being tossed around on some rocks. Steve was going to repair it once they had talked to the family and possibly relaunch it).

Monday decided to do some fridge cleaning and organizing before restocking at the marina grocery. I pulled everything out of the freezer and repositioned. OK, for those of you that want to hear the juicy, behind the scenes part. This was more for Patrick… he is determined to eat everything in the freezer and then use it as dry storage… OK, not really but he seriously needs to relax about eating perishables. I would love to get rid of some of the cans of Spaghetti and Meatballs and Ravioli O’s he brought on board. All good and we got groceries. On Tues we should get our case of Kalik (when the supply boat comes in). Oh, and I forgot. We saw the "pigs" today. Swimming Pigs...Also went to Fowl Cay and met Maria from South Africa. She was great. What a job she has. She is the main contact in the office at Fowl Cay. The bungalows are georgeous. They go for about $25k per week. Pricy but if you have the bucks... what a beautiful place. And, it is all inclusive including boat use, etc.

Back to the boat for lunch and to pick up Dobbie for his afternoon beach excursion. We headed out in the Craken with Dobbie. His first dingy ride with motor running. He did quite well. Some rather "loud mouthing" at first but he settled into it. We went slow so the motor sound would be less of a scary thing. Our little sandy beach was not too far. We got to the beach and Dobbie and I went ashore. I kept him between my legs and did a bit of walking around. We sniffed around on the sand and looked at some hermit crabs. Dobbie did want to make his way to the rocky part but we kept him very close. Then, Patrick took him to the dingy to help him understand how to get in and out. He navigated jumping into and out of the dingy quite well. Next step… swimming. Patrick took him out into a foot of shallow water and slowly lowered him. He did not like it but he wadded back to shore. We did ample praise then, Patrick took him out a bit further. Still wadeable. He did it again. Then, deep enough to swim. He kept his hands on Dobbie and lowered him. Still only about 16 inches of water. Dobbie swam splendidly back to shore. Yea!!!!!  He also seemed to like it. He relaxed and was not meowing. Just simply fiddling around in the waves as they lapped at the shore. So one more swim. Patrick took him a bit further still. But only about 16 inches of water. This time, Dobbie swam to the dingy and pulled himself up using the rubber rub rail. Patrick was there to help and to protect the dingy (sharp little claws). Wow, what a successful outing.

Once back to the boat, Dobbie got a warm shower with fresh water and we headed out to snorkel. Coming back from snorkeling we met the folks on Coyote. They have the hard top that I have been admiring. Seems they are from the Upper Chesapeake too (Haver De Grace). They had all of the work done in Annapolis. I really do like their set up.

Dinner and a nice evening. Showers came through last night but the fresh water is appreciated as it nicely washed off Gaia. Tomorrow more snorkeling.