Jim Jackson's Blog – February 2009 Archive (3)

After waiting 10 days for a weather window we set off for Nassau and the Berry Islands at the end of February. Sail Flow promised 10 to 12 knot winds with calming seas. What we got was 18 to 25 knot winds with 7 to 9 ft. seas! It was dark by the time we reached Mackie shoals and the thought of dropping the hook in the dark with big waves pounding our boat did not have any appeal. We decided to press on towards the Northwest Channel. Turning south meant we started taking the sea on our beam. If… Continue

Just spent a great morning at the Shark Lab here on South Bimini Island. They are studying Lemon Sharks and the effect that habitat destruction is having on the population. Kristine Stump took time from her busy schedule to explain the process and the work that they are doing. It was fascinating and very informative. We went out to the beach and waded out to a shark pen where we got to meet a young nurse shark and a lemon shark up close and personal. Did you know that if you hold a shark in… Continue

Finally, after many months in Florida getting Blue Heaven ready for extended cruising, we made our way down the ICW to Port Everglades and then went outside to Miami. Came in through Government Cut to Miami (what a trip) then down Biscayne Bay to Rickenbacker Marina. Spent a night there and then on to No Name Harbor on the south end of Key Biscayne. The next morning we looked for someone to go to Bimini with but everyone had left that morning or the day before. Even though it was late in the… Continue