We did get a slip at Mangoes. Much to our surprise quite a few folks that we met last year were there, which was great fun.
I made it to my meeting in Kelowna, although I'd rather not repeat that trip anytime soon. Marsh Harbour to Nassau, Toronto, Vancouver and Kelowna are too many flights for one day!
Alyssa and I met in Nassau and she carried on to meet Karen for the week in Marsh Harbour. They walked Marsh Harbour, took the ferry to Hope Town for the day and snorkeled with some other marina guests.
 |
| Karen and Alyssa on Elbow Cay |
 |
| Karen and Alyssa snorkeling |
When I got back we had a good weather window and took Alyssa through the "Whale", seeing a water spout on the way.
 |
| Waterspout |
After a few days based in Green Turtle Cay we put Alyssa on the ferry back to Treasure Cay and high tailed it for Spanish, then Great Sale Cay and then an overnight sail across the bank and Gulf Stream to Fort Pierce.
 |
| Hugh Alyssa and Karen at Bluff House |
Unfortunately the wind ran out around 0400 so we weren't able to sail all the way from Great Sale.
 |
| Beautiful full moon that lit our way across the Gulf Stream |
In Fort Pierce we put the boat away, deciding to leave everything aboard this year. We drove to Lake Placid FL and met Bob, Sheila, Bill and Michael for lunch and enjoyed swapping stories.
 |
| Hugh Michael Karen Sheila Bob and Bill |
Then we hopped in Karen's trusty Subaru Outback and headed home.
 |
| Trekker put away for the summer |
For those that haven't heard, Trekker is for sale. What ... ??!! There are a number of reasons, listed not in any particular order of importance.
After two winters in the Bahamas, we decided that as much as we like them, there are too many other places to see to spend every winter in the Bahamas.
We feel like we experienced climate change first hand, hiding from a big blow, it seemed, every week. Maybe that's the new normal ....
As anyone who owns a boat (Bring Out Another Thousand) knows, it's not cheap to own and maintain a boat, especially in Florida. We think we could take some nice winter vacations with just the amount we spend on summer storage.
While you can't beat crystal clear blue Bahamian water, nothing is better than diving into the fresh water of Georgian Bay! We're excited at the thought of getting a slightly smaller boat that we can keep at Midland Bay Sailing Club, and cruising the Great Lakes.
Since arriving home at the end of April we have been focused on two things; selling our Kitchener condo (check) and building our new house in Midland (well under way)! With any luck we'll be moving mid September.
 |
| Loughborough's new Midland house |
In the meantime we're looking forward to welcoming Bob and Sheila (Her Diamond) to Kitchener and showing them Waterloo Region and Midland and to taking a tour of the southern Thirty Thousand Islands on the Miss Midland tour boat.
Then it's off to PEI to spend a week with Karen's sister Janette and her husband Rob at a cottage in Cavendish. After that we will spend a couple of weeks in Newfoundland including a meeting in St. John's.
When we get back we have two weeks to pack for our move! Can't wait to experience life in Midland, one day at a time!
