2023-01-08 Finally some snorkeling - Meeting Adventure man Dan

Went for a nice kayak trip to explore the anchorage and look for snorkeling, but did not see much so took a short beach walk.

Charm nicely framed in rocks

Our nice private beach

Sailed down south to next spot of Fernandez Bay.  Nice small bay, with a small resort.   We were the only boat there for a couple of hours, then 3 more came in - guess that is the end of our isolation.

Next morning took the dingy about 1/2  mile north to the government basin and dock to get groceries. 

Not one of the nicer places to land the dink.

Sometimes you get a nice dock, sometimes a beach, and sometimes - not so nice.  At least it is calm.

Nice size grocery store, and the supply ship just came in so good selection - but most of the fresh items have no prices - so it is always a surprise when you check out to see what the charge is.

Our store purchase - butter,  bag of apples, romaine lettuce, two sodas,4  onions, 1 cucumber, 3 tomatoes, 2 potatoes.

Our receipt - what $2 for one cucumber - messed up there.

Got our groceries back to boat, and shortly afterwards a young man we had talked to briefly in the store stopped by in his dink.  Dan is a avid free diver, and had been in the area for a while, so asked him about good snorkeling, and he recommend a site.   

Next day we headed out, and did find some good snorkeling.  Not as many fish as we hoped, but good interest.

Nice brain coral

Cool tunnel you could snorkel through

After our snorkel trip we were entertained by our own little air show,  Two planes doing some low flying around the anchorage and short take off and landings on the beach.  One even flew low over the water and had the wheels touch the water and send up a nice spray.

Low flying

Buzzing the anchorage

Getting ready to land

The weather told us it was time to move again, as next morning a swell came into the anchorage, so moved about 7 miles south to Joe Sound Creek area.   

Went for a nice 2 mile beach walk.

Nice beach

Saw a few washed up sea stars

Later in the day, our friend Dan sailed down, and came over for a visit.  Got to know him better over some of Deans homemade cinnamon rolls.

As you can see, we feasted pretty good between the three of us.  They were delicious as usual.

Dan is a adventure seeker, and has done a lot in his short 30 some years.  Travel, kite boarding, spear fishing, and now single hand sailing doing more.  We found him fascinating.   He was fascinated how Dean and I have equitable roles on board, with both of us doing an equal share of "pink and blue" boat jobs.   He asked if he could do a you tube episode on us, and we agreed.

Next morning he was over early - before we had showered or cleaned the boat up - so the you tube episode will be extra realistic :).  He is very skilled with a drone so some great video there.

You can check out Dan on facebook "Adventureman Dan", or see his you tube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Adventureman_Dan

It will be a while before our episode is on.

Here is a couple of sneak peek snaps of the video

Dan and Dean on the boat tour

Great drone footage

Dan also invited us over for a delicious dinner of Cubera Snapper and Yellow Jack on his boat.  He is a talented cook and both were delicious.  

Next day went for a kayak trip up Joe Sound Creek mangrove.  Not many fish, rays or turtles on this trip.  

Juvenile Nurse Shark hiding under some rocks

White Heron perched atop a mangrove

Weather told us once again time to move, as a NE wind came in overnight, and made the anchorage lumpy and a lee shore, so early in the morning we headed out, and had a great 60 mile sail averaging around 7.5  knots the whole way.  Now anchored in Thompson Bay on Long Island where we will hang for a couple of days.  We will get fuel, and do a major stocking of fresh items, as our next stop will be the Ragged Islands where there is no store to speak of.