N26 46 67 W77 20 27, Green Turtle, Abacos

I have added some photos of Tom and Nancy as well as Cindy sidling up to the Barefoot Man. We got into Green Turtle Cay today as there is a big front moving through. The same one that is causing all the problems on the East coast. We ran aground coming into the harbor on a falling tide so we got to spend the day talking to the cruisers who came out to provide moral support. We got off about 1400 with the help of a few dinghies and tide. No damage was reported to the boat or crew.

Then in the beginning of April the Ista clan all flew over to Treasure Cay in the Abacos. Here is a photo of the crew on Johesa sporting the new official uniform. On Easter Sunday we all piled onto Rusty Rudder (our friends Dick and Debbie's 47 ft. MacIntosh)for a trip over to Nippers and their Easter celebration. A good time was had by all. After the family left we stayed an extra day at Treasure Cay to let a big storm blow through. Then Johesa, Treasure Island (Jack & Bettyann, 42ft IP) and Rusty Rudder headed out for the Northern Abacos and started looking for a good weather window to head back to Florida. The islands on this side, with the exception of Green Turtle Cay are much less populated. The reefs were the best we saw in the Bahamas and lots of sea life. Johesa picked up an eel over here and he has been with us ever since. He just hangs on the bottom of the boat and tries to hide if I snorkel under the boat.

Cindy celebrated her birthday at the local restaurant at Grand Island with lobster and sporting her birthday tiara while the boys played happy birthday on their conch horns.

So a good weather window is predicted and we will sail overnight for Cape Canaveral, Florida with about six other boats. So we bid a fond farewell to the Bahamas as we sail off into the sunset for Cape Canaveral. We really enjoyed our time in the islands and will definitely make a return trip some day when we can spend more time the the Exumas and explore the islands further South.

We will update you again when we are back in civilization.

Bill & Cindy