Good Eats!

While in the Bahamas, it is good to have some easy appetizer recipes to follow to take to any of the numerous small gatherings that spontaneously occur.  It is not all that difficult to find fresh foods on the islands, but these items are much more expensive than one might find at home.  

I found this recipe for Black Eyed Pea Dip in Southern Living All Time Favorites.  I had all of the ingredients on hand on the boat and in my pantry at home.

Ingredients

1/4 cup butter (I omitted this ingredient)

2 -15.8 ounce cans of black eyed peas undrained (I drained mine--I didn't want it too runny)

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella

2 TBS blackened seasoning

3 green onions, chopped

1/4 cup chopped green pepper

3/4 cup chopped cooked ham (optional)

Directions

Stir peas, cheeses, seasoning, and green pepper in microwave safe bowl.  Microwave for 5 or 6 minutes until cheese is melted.  Add chopped ham if you choose.  Serve with tortilla chips!

Almost Home Sweet Home

Coming into the Doboy Sound late in the afternoon on Thursday,  we were welcomed by the Sapelo Island Light House.  It feels good to  be almost home!

 We left home on Thursday, March 28.  We left he United States on Sunday, March 31.    Steve has been away from home for 58 days.  I went home for 7 days in early May, then returned with Caroline. Caroline's friends joined us for a few days, then Lainey flew over on Mother's Day.  We have had a fabulous time, but the words to that song by Ray Charles keep running through my mind...

Georgia, Georgia
The whole day through (the whole day through)
Just an old sweet song
Keeps Georgia on my mind (Georgia on my mind)

I'm say Georgia, Georgia
A song of you (a song of you)
Comes as sweet and clear
As moonlight through the pines

Other arms reach out to me
Other eyes smile tenderly
Still in peaceful dreams I see
The road leads back to you

I said Georgia, oh Georgia
No peace I find (peace I find)
Just an old sweet song
Keeps Georgia on my mind (Georgia on my mind)

Other arms reach out to me
Other eyes smile tenderly
Still in peaceful dreams I see
The road leads back to you

Woah, Georgia, Georgia
No peace, no peace I find
Just an old, sweet song
Keeps Georgia on my mind (Georgia on my mind)

I said just an old sweet song
Keeps Georgia on my mind

joy

Jacksonville Beach to Sapelo Island May 23

Beach Marine in Jacksonville Beach is one of the best marinas we have visited for ease of entry and exit.  We left this morning headed for the Atlantic at the Mayport Naval station.  We must have seen 50 dolphins around the inlet.  As a container ship came in making a substantial wake, there was a dolphin jumping at least 6 feet in the air at the bow of the ship.  It  was putting on a fabulous show for us.

After a long day at sea--no sights--but making good time, we headed into the Doboy Sound at Sapelo Island.  We scooted  into the Duplin river for our anchorage another day closer to home.  

Daytona Beach to Jacksonville Beach

Before 7 a.m. we left our anchorage at Sea Breeze Blvd. to head toward Jacksonville hoping to meet friends from Georgia who are celebrating a family graduation for a week at Jacksonville Beach.  

Coming through St. Augustine...

We have passed this "home" on the water once before.  I got a clearer picture this time around.  It became clear this is a home that is sheltered from view by its neighbors by trees along the road.  

We arrived in Jacksonville Beach around 4 pm.  It was a special treat to get together with the Vorherr family from home.  While we were catching up on the fly bridge we saw this crew team come by.  They were getting ready for a breast cancer awareness fundraising event.  Dinner with the Vorherr clan at the marina restaurant was great!  So fun to see friends.  Looking forward to getting back to Georgia to see friends and family we have missed during this adventure.  

Fort Pierce to Cocoa Village to Daytona Beach

From Fort Pierce, we traveled to anchor outside of Cocoa Village.  We encountered a storm with winds Sunday night about 4 a.m.  We got up to make sure everything was good.  The anchor held through the storm.  After the sun came up, we headed out again to anchor at the Sea Breeze Blvd Bridge.  We saw these new toys--personal water craft for land and sea.  The driver told us these will get up to 45mph on land and water.  

The channel feels very narrow when we have to share with these big barges.  We moved far to our starboard side to avoid this big guy!

Coming into Fort Pierce

Just before entering Fort Pierce, Lainey cut down the Bahamian courtesy flag.

Fort Pierce is busy busy on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.

May 19

We left Great Sale Cay at a little before 4:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 19 to head back to the United States. 

After a completely uneventfuly day, we arrived at Fort Pierce, Florida and headed toward the Harbourtown Marina.   After refueling and washing the salt from the boat, we headed to the restaurant for dinner.  Glad to be back in the states enjoying iced tea!

Last Sunset on Great Sale Cay in Bahamas

May 18, 2013

Last  Sunset in the Bahama's

After getting Caroline on the Green Turtle Ferry to Treasure Cay, we left the Green Turtle Marina and headed toward Great Sale Cay.  I was a little uneasy just thinking about anchoring at Great Sale Cay.  It is in the middle of no where.  I was pleasantly surprised to find 8 boats anchored at this protected stopping point for people heading to the Bahamas and those like us who returning.  We saw Rhapsody & Believe It Or Not, two boats we frequently spotted during our time here. 

We heard a cry from a stranded boat about 15 miles away called Monterey over the VHF  We were happy to hear a speed boat was able to rescue them and tow them into Rosie's Place, a marina where they might be able to get some repairs. 

The sunset on our last night here was spectacular.  Shortly after the sun set, we headed off to bed to get as much sleep as possible for our early morning departure--4:00 a.m. at the latest.

Caroline waiting for Green Turtle Ferry

Caroline waiting for ferry

More Green Turtle Pictures

More Green Turtle Pictures

It is rare to see police or police vehicles in the Bahamas

Spent some time here after wandering around

Turtle theme everywhere

Green Turtle Jail

In the Pink Clink

Steve opened the door and found the remains of prisoners.