Raining inside and out: Spanish Wells

We spent several days working our way up the inside, shallow waters of Southern Eleuthera, called the Bite.  There wasn't a whole lot to see or do, which was okay and it was a nice way to get to Spanish Wells without having to do another overnight sail.  Needless to say, it was time to go through the Cut at Current Island and sail farther north.  Just north of the tip of Eluethera is a small uninhabited island known as Current.  It comes by its name naturally when the tide comes in or goes out, the forces of nature push millions and millions of gallons through the narrow channel in jig time.  It was critical to time our passage perfectly through the cut at slack tide.  Our charts warned that a motoring sailboat may not make it through if it was going against the current.

Leaving the shallow waters of the Bite of Eluethera

A ferry waits for passengers on the Eluethera side of the cut

Spanish Wells Island is a small, oblong island only about 2000 feet by 9000 feet.  Adjacent to Spanish Wells is an even smaller, Russell Island.  Entering Spanish Wells Harbor was like driving down a narrow, two lane highway.

Colorful homes line the water

We were very impressed with the condition of all the fishing boats tied to the docks.  It was apparent that they took pride in their work.  These fishing boats bring in the majority of fish for the entire Bahamas.

Seaside takeout:  Conch fritters to go please.  We have to settle for cracked conch because she ran out of conch fritters.  

Erica teaches Kate about reflexology and meditation.  So good for the soul!

Liv and Porter spinning quarters

Browsing the local gift shop set up in someones garage

3 guesses for what this picture represents.  Well, maybe 1 guess.  It's pretty obvious, don't ya think?

I must preface this story with a rule we have on the boat, which is "NEVER open your back port window!" We have had this discussion with the girls before, many times.  The back port windows are strategically in a bad position on the boat.  It is right below the run off point for the entire top deck of the boat.  Further more, dirt gets trapped and can cause a leaky seal.  Sooo, to prevent a watery catastrophe, we keep those back windows closed at all times (we have one in our cabin as well).

It all started one morning, when Kate opened her back port window and didn't close it all the way.  In her defense (sort of), she 'closed' it but evidently didn't lock it down tight.  We left the boat for most of the day to explore the town of Spanish Wells.  While we were out, we were slammed with a huge thunderstorm that brought torrential rains.  We were feeling good about the fact that we had closed all hatches and windows.  That's the number one rule when leaving the boat - even on a clear and sunny day - you just never know.  We got back to the boat at the end of the day and Kate says, 'mom, my bed is a little wet'.  I say, innocently and understanding, ' well, the back window probably leaked some because it rained to so much'.  She then went on to explain that maybe it was a little more than a little wet.  I marched down there to find a bed that would have floated away if it could.  Their bed was SOAKED!  Everything was soaked.  All the books, pillows, stuffed animals, blankets, sheets, memory foam, mattress and even the engine compartment that resides under their bed, was SOAKED!  It was unbelievable.  Kate came clean and admitted that perhaps she forgot to lock her window closed.  YOU THINK??

It wouldn't have been so bad if the sun had come out and dry everything out.  But no, it continued to rain for days.  It was very difficult to get anything to dry out.

Kate and Porter, walking buddies through Spanish Wells

Visiting the local radio station as part of Porter's cub scouts requirements

Spanish Wells typical cottage.  We met the family renting this house.  They are fellow cruisers, with kids, working on getting their boat ship shape.

Rainy day games

Rain, rain, go away....notice the amount of water accumulating in the dinghy!  There was so much water that the fuel tanks were submerged.  Then imagine a window open on the boat.  Nuff said!