Amekaya's Blog: If we're in the Bahamas it must be Thanksgiving

Several months ago we began laying out a timeline that would get us to the Bahamas earlier this year than in the past. Several reasons for that. The first is the weather. It is more probable to get better weather for a crossing in November or early December than when lots of people want to cross in January and February. Second, we wanted to be able to move farther south early in the winter to enjoy the Bahamas and be in a position to get to the Caribbean early in the spring to enjoy more time there before heading for hurricane shelter. Finally, we needed a place to leave the boat while we traveled for the Thanksgiving holiday.

The day before we left Marsh Harbor we went for a walk. The first image was just across the road from the marina and made a very perfect view with the color contrasts and artsy view. The lower image is a Papaya tree loaded with fruit.

So doing a little backward planning yielded the idea to be in Marsh Harbor for the holidays at the Jib Room where they had a really reasonable rate for 2 months and we could get back to the US for Thanksgiving and march south whenever we wanted. Having accomplished that we cleaned the boat in preparation for our trip deferring the bigger projects until after we returned as we planned to bring back many things with us that we either forgot or didn't realize we needed. Most things are available in Marsh Harbor for a price so we endeavored to bring back what we could. With no specific missions to accomplish we packed and relaxed to prepare for our trip back to cold country.

The contrast of where we left to where we went.

Here we are enjoying 80 degree sunshine and packing to go to below freezing temperatures. We had to dig out gloves, hats, sweats, sweaters, coats and every bit of cold weather clothes we had on board. Hard to think of what you need for cold weather when you're in a t-shirt and bathing suit. But we pulled it all together and got some extra bags to bring back the stuff on our list. The good thing was that the Chicago area where we were going was fairly warm but was getting colder so it wouldn't be too bad when we got there.

With everything ready we left our home in a foreign country, again, to travel back to where the sun isn't shining.The flight from Marsh Harbor to Miami was short, on time and pleasant. Clearing in through Miami with Global Entry is really a piece of cake. This time unlike the last it was very quick getting back through Security but still no TSA Precheck lanes.

Bundled up to deal with the cold.

We got to Chicago as the sun was setting and the cold northwest wind was beginning to drop the temps. When we landed and got to the gate it was in the 50's. By the time we got to where we were going it was in the 30's. Not too bad except when you're in shorts and flip-flops. Getting inside at my sister-in-law's house where we were staying I thought I was running into a bunker during an artillery barrage to get out of the cold. So our time in cold country began.

Originally we planned to leave Chicago the week after Thanksgiving but with all the things we had to do it became obvious we needed more time so when calling the airline we were able to get a flight back the Thursday after Thanksgiving instead of the day after Thanksgiving as planned. So for the first time in months we had time to relax, visit, socialize and shop as necessary. But most importantly it gave Linda the chance to spend more time with her 96 year-old father before we moved to more remote locations.

Over the next 2 weeks we visited with several family and old friends almost daily. Our days were spent shopping and visiting Linda's Dad. We had the opportunity to meet a college acquaintance and fellow sailor Jeff and Sandy Melim on the way back from Champaign, IL after visiting Linda's son, Seth on the day after Thanksgiving.

After dinner with Jeff and Sandy Melim. Great visit catching up.

We had a small family turkey dinner on the Wednesday afternoon before Thanksgiving but Thanksgiving Day we got several family members together and hosted Linda's Dad for a Thanksgiving dinner at a restaurant close to his home so we could all have a very nice meal together. I think it was even snow flurrying to keep in the spirit of the season. As much as the concept of snow felt alien to us.

Linda's 96 yo Dad at Thanksgiving.

Linda's Niece Sheri and her husband Rick VanOverloop at Thanksgiving.

The family gathered at Thanksgiving.

On one of the final days that we were in Chicago we drove down to the Loop to visit one of the few West Marine stores in Chicagoland, walk around Michigan Avenue but more importantly to enjoy a classic deep dish pizza at Pizzeria Due. We used to go there frequently in the past but haven't been there in years so it was a nice gesture to enjoy the veggie pizza sitting among all the classic Chicago sports memorabilia. But time came to get out of town before traffic built so we were gone back to the burbs for a final day.

Linda enjoying lunch at Pizzeria Due.

Chicago's famous Water Tower.

Strolling down Michigan Avenue.

Our return flight left Chicago O'Hare at 0500 so we could connect in Miami to the once a day flight to Marsh Harbor. So the last night there we went to bed about 8 and got up at 0130 to prepare and get to the airport. The trip was uneventful and by noon that day we were once again enjoying 80 degree sunshine.

Chicago O'Hare at 0400.

Back home again at the Jib Room.

To celebrate our return to the sun and reconnect we decided to go for a sail the weekend after we got back. Friday we did some shopping and got a new SIM card from BATELCO, Bahamas Telephone. Saturday with a nice wind we sailed down through the islands and dropped the hook by Tiloo Cay which is a National Park. With nice warm temps and plenty of sunshine it was a beautiful day for a sail. Once firmly anchored I swam out to check the anchor and then later snorkeled the rock ledge for about a half-mile in front of us. After a very pleasant night watching movies and then our usual Sunday morning breakfast we picked up the anchor and had a great sail with 10-15 kts of wind on the beam and bright sunshine.