A sad trip back to George Town.

We left our anchorage by southern Long Island to retrace the course we had just completed having received somber news Monday evening about Linda's nearly 97 year-old father. With the news about Linda's father we reviewed our options given where we were in the islands and where we were in our overall schedule. We had reservations for a slip in Jamaica beginning the 1st of April and still have our slip at RAM Marina in Guatemala beginning the end of May. We also had a replacement light being flown into the airport at Great Inagua, insurance issues, lack of flight options and a myriad of constraints had to be considered.

There was not really anyplace in Long Island or Great Inagua where we could feel comfortable leaving the boat unattended for any length of time. It would take too long to get to Jamaica and fly to Chicago and we didn't even have our clearance from the Bahamas to get into Jamaica. One option was that I could stay with the boat and have Linda fly back. We decided that we would take the boat to George Town and both fly to Chicago, I would fly back after a period to move the boat to Jamaica where Linda would join me. About mid-morning as we headed back toward the Comer Channel Linda received a text that her father had further deteriorated so she called and got the news that he passed away. With that news the uncertainties were removed and we made definite plans to travel back to the US and return to the boat together but we had to get to George Town.

Heading back under the spinnaker.

Because of the circuitous route it would take us 2 days to get back to George Town and meant that we would have to retrace the route again when we resume our trip to Jamaica. We explored the possibility of going through Hog Cay Cut but reports we had it would have to be exactly at high tide so the time it would waste if we got there and couldn't get through was not worth the risk so we just went back to Thompson Bay for the night where we got to talk with some of our friends again. On the trip from Thompson Bay to Emerald Bay we were able to sail part of it with the spinnaker, motor part and have a beam reach for part of it until the wind died.

We got back to Emerald Bay in the early afternoon and finalized our travel arrangements. We cleaned and secured the boat in anticipation of our leaving.

Thursday we got a cab to the airport and flew to Chicago.

Friday was the funeral and Shiva.

Linda with her Dad and Dan Harrington who sponsored Al for honors at the Blackhawk Game on 18 October 2016.

Al on the ice with other veterans being honored by the Chicago Blackhawks for their service.

Al Lee, May 12, 1920 - March 21, 2017.


Saturday night was a family dinner. From here for the rest of the week will be restocking and meeting with family and friends. Next update when we get back to the boat and are ready to head to Jamiaca.