April 29,2005 Hollywood, FL

Dear Gang,

We thought we'd be sailing north about now, but.........

While getting ready to leave The Bahamas a couple of weeks ago, Ken wrenched his left hand/arm once again and lost the use of it - at least temporarily. While waiting through another cold front and realizing if we got into a difficult situation, I'd probably have to call a nearby boat for assistance, a long, tiring northern passage did not look like a smart move. Ken, in typical macho male fashion, said he could make it to RI and then get it checked out. I, in typical Jane fashion, imagined Conquest bouncing around, Ken grabbing for a lifeline and not being able to hold on - or any of several other scenarios. I've been after him for several months to get this checked out, but he's always too busy. Now we have an appointment with an orthopedic doctor on May 9.

We arrived back in Hollywood last Mon., drove to Marathon to pick up the car, which we had put in storage for 9 months, and yesterday reserved a slip at Marina Bay where Ken stayed two summers ago. He really didn't want to spend another hurricane season here, however!!!

We left for The Bahamas from the slip in Hollywood about 3:30am on Mar 15, with Dawn and Spencer Howe making the trip with us. On the 2-3 mile trip to Port Everglades inlet, while getting bridges to open, calling to have my cell phone turned off, and getting all necessities ready so I wouldn't have to go below any more than necessary during our 10-12 hour crossing, I couldn't find my prescription sunglasses. I finally realized they were in my pocketbook which I must have left in the back seat of my cousin's car on a quick trip to the store the night before. I know, it's hard to believe I could do something so dumb!! It's a good thing mothers love to be needed and that Spencer had his cell phone working. We couldn't turn around and miss our weather window for crossing, so as we're sailing away from the coast I woke up my mother, asked her to call my cousin's husband who was in Fl for a few days and ask him to get my pocketbook and take it back to RI. Then she was to send it to Ken's daughter, Amy, who was coming to Man-o-War Cay in a couple of weeks. So I only spent a couple of weeks without sunglasses, credit card and (being a kept woman) , of course I had Ken's debit card - for groceries and such. Fortunately, high north winds died down on Sat. for our Sunday crossing. Unfortunately, they died to nothing and we ended up motoring for the first three days. Then 25 knots on the nose, which we motor-sailed into to get to the protection of Green Turtle Cay for a 3 day blow. The Howes caught a ferry to the airport at Treasure Cay; we enjoyed their company on the trip over and were sorry not to have better "cruising" conditions.

Then off to Man-o-War Cay where Amy and family had rented a great place fronting both the harbor where we had a mooring for the week and The Sea of Abaco. They had rented a 20+ ft boat and spent their days fishing, swimming, snorkeling and diving. Many evenings we joined them for dinners of conch and the various fish caught that day. On Easter, we all went in the power boat to Great Guana Cay and Nippers for the snorkeling Easter egg hunt on the reefs and their famous pig roast. Another day we all sailed to Hope Town and a climb up their famous lighthouse. It was a great week and Amy planned on reserving it for next year as soon as they got home. The rest of our time was spent meeting and partying with friends, new and old; exploring new areas, dragging anchors, looking for deep enough water, seeking refuge from numerous cold fronts, sitting up thru thunder, lightning, torrential downpours and 50 knot winds. Just your typical trip to The Abacos.

We had another easy crossing back to West Palm and Lake Worth where we got together with more old time sailing friends. Pam and Jeff Nelson are living and working in West Palm on their Valiant 40, Foggy Mountain. They used to live on Ken's dock in RI until 4-5 years ago when they took off for a year in the Caribbean. Now they're saving and planning for their next trip to the South Pacific in a couple of years. John and June Downs spent several winters in The Bahamas on their Mercer 44, Winsome, and summers in Ct. This fall they put Winsome up for sale and bought a place in Stuart, FL. June is working while John spends his days on the golf course. Is there something wrong with this picture?

SO, we'll drive north sometime in June and Ken will head back to Ft Laud where he already has numerous projects to keep him busy. " Even as we speak, something else is breaking down." Think summer, it's already in the 80's here every day.

- Jane and Ken