Little Bay to Emerald Bay

We had a great week (except for the stormy days!) enjoying Big Run's company in Little Bay.   They taught us the fine points of beach combing for sea glass and we shared many happy hours, strangely never running out of things to talk about.   We are especially grateful that they spotted us 20 gallons of water.   Very gracious and a life-saver.   What are the chances that we would meet a boat with a name that is the polar opposite of ours (Big Run/Short Walk) and become such good friends!

After a week, we left Little Bay and anchored just a few miles south off of Little Farmer's Cay for one night.   Last year we explored Little Farmer's completely during the Five F festival (First Friday in February at Little Farmer's Cay Festival).  We skipped the festival this year and didn't even go ashore when we anchored.   Too many islands/cays still to explore!   The next morning we rode the tide through the cut into the sound and then down to Lee Stocking Island.   Lee Stocking is the site of the Caribbean Marine Research Center.   We had hoped to get a tour of the site but they really don't start work or tours until March.   Students from various universities spend time there studying the local fisheries, water and reef quality.   They provide several free moorings so we had a secure anchorage for a few nights and spent some time exploring the trails and beaches on the island.

From Lee Stocking, it is a quick trip down to Georgetown on Great Exuma.   Many boats make Georgetown their anchorage for the entire season.   When we pulled in there were about 250-275 boats in the anchorage.   The Cruiser's Regatta (a 2 week program of parties, activities, lectures and races) began this week so the census will probably go up from there.  For our taste, it is a bit crowded but it is an easy spot to reprovision, get free water and catch up with cruising friends.   We finally caught up with Ken on Sail Away just as he was preparing to leave - headed for Cuba - we're jealous!

As predicted, another cold front rolled through last night and the wind, seas and ocean swell are expected to build over the next few days.    We are having friends from home (Donna and Sterling) down for a week staring on Saturday so in anticipation, we headed back north a bit to the marina at Emerald Bay.   We don't stay at marinas (the last one was Charleston in November) while we travel but this one is one of our favorites and well worth the $1 foot (no electric at the dock, water @ $.40/gallon, showers that are North Point clean and free laundry and internet!).   The marina and a nearby resort was originally built by Four Seasons but they declared bankruptcy and in 2010 the facilities were bought by Sandals.   The marina is beautiful and there are a couple beaches to enjoy within walking distance.    The cut coming into the marina is one of the trickiest if there is much of an ocean swell.   Last year we almost broached in the inlet with Ami, Ken and the grandkids.    The grandkids probably thought it was just another cool adventure courtesy of Gram and G-Daddy but the adults were shaken to say the least.   This year, we made sure to enter on a day with negligible ocean swell.   You do learn your lessons quickly sailing out here.   We are enjoying the luxury here for a few more days and then will head out with Donna and Sterling.   As usual, the next destination depends on wind and weather.   Stay tuned.

Emerald Bay Marina-looking back at the cut