I'm finally here, Abacos!

I arrived early yesterday to blue skies and warm air - w0w, sure beats the snow and ice that was headed for VA! First Lady was at the airport to meet me and promptly whisked me away to Union Jack's Pier where my sweet Gary was waiting with open arms to greet me! Dropped off luggage on the boat and headed to Mango's for a grouper sandwich and an ice cold Kalik - it doesn't get any better, does it?! I loved hearing all about the voyage down here with Page, Stuart, Carrie, Joe, and Will - fun times for sure!!!  Back on the boat, Gary was ready to leave the harbour after 5 days anchored...so we headed over to Great Guana Cay. Sun warmed me up nicely - I actually got hot on the way - what a nice change! Found a nice anchorage in Fishers Bay and dinghied ashore to Nippers' dinghy dock. Walked thru Settlement Town to find the famous Nippers (which is on the ocean side) and found a small crowd at the bar. There seemed to be 2 couples with their teenage daughters - and since Gary was wearing his Geronimo Lacrosse t-shirt, the girls asked if he was a lacrosse player!!! And of course he said he just coached it!!  It was a bit breezy, but I enjoyed a Nippers on the Rocks (aka Rum Punch) and it warmed me up nicely! Internet connection was great and fast there and they also offered free calls to the US and Canada!! We'll be back, for sure - in fact, the Barefoot Man plays there on Mar. 6 & 7, so I'm certain we'll be there!! We saw him on our honeymoon in the Cayman Islands 27 years ago and he apparently plays here every March - can't wait - Will and Todd will be here on the 7th, so they will have to grin and bear it with us!! Back to the boat and grilled out for dinner - early to bed since I had been up since 3 AM the night before (couldn't sleep) - a bit of a rocky night, but a gorgeous and relaxing morning. I just have to insert this now... listening to Jimmy sing "Mexico" right now as I'm writing this...don't you wish I could call you and sing it to you, Mikey?!?!  Late morning today (Tuesday), we sailed over to Man O War Cay - beautiful, calm, quiet, clean, quaint, and dry! Went for a walk into town, then along a great stretch of beach...back to the boat for a nap, then grilled fish (salmon and Bill's rockfish - yum!)...now under the stars and a sliver of a moon, listening to one of my favorite golden oldies CDs (just heard Janice now!)  Wish all of you were here!

xoxo Alison  (First Mate)