Marsh Harbour

We arrived in Marsh Harbour yesterday anticipating a windy week, we wanted to be tucked in the anchorage.  Our anchor did pretty well, we dragged just a bit but in general stayed put for the night.  It was a rough and windy night, sleep was fitfull.  We went for a walk around town yesterday, it was not as nice as some of the smaller villages we have been on.  It is a small city so it has a little more trash etc. and not as safe either, so we are more aware of our situation.  Street smart is the name of the game here, lock you dinghy and boat and keep your eyes open for any minor thief issues.  Today we are going to check out the local grocery store, price center, boatyard, ocean views.  We are looking at things differently because we are debating on keeping our boat here on the off season, so when we come back next season we will be ready to explore the Bahamas on day one instead of day 7-10.  If we keep the boat in St Augustine we will need to travel down here for 5 days and then wait for a weather window to do the Gulf Crossing.  It is a hard decide because there is the Hurricane issue in either place but probably more in the Bahamas but risk verse convience, which is it.  I am leaning towards convience since I don't like the travel part of the cruising life, I prefer to get where we are going to and experience the lifestyle of the Bahamas and it's beautiful water instead of going down the coast of Florida day after day.  Now having said that, we shall see what the Boatyard looks like, it has to be clean and organized.  And I have to feel safe there in order to do this.  If it is in a high crime type area then it will be a no go no matter what.  We don't want to worry about someone breaking into the boat everyother day and stealing all of our stuff.

Either way, next season we are planning to head to the other Bahamas islands, Exuma, Berry Islands etc., maybe even get to the Turks and Caicos where Brad wants to go.  The further south you travel the warmer the weather and the less effects from the US winter storms (NorthEasterners as they say).

So, I had better get dressed and ready for another day of exploration, first to check out another marina and then the beach or the other side of the island.

On another note, my heart is heavy today worrying about our loved ones.  May God watch over them and give them strength to carry on.  To live in this world is sometimes very difficult, God can give us the strength needed to keep on pushing forward.  Nowhere in this world is free of difficulties and stresses, even here in the Bahamas you have storms blowing thru here every week or so.  Just batten down the hatches and hold on tight, for this too shall pass. And remember you are loved...