We Are Here: Stuck on Bimini

When we took our weather window from Florida to Bimini on January 2, we knew there was the possibility that we might not be able to leave Bimini for some time. Being relatively optimistic (or at least of the mindset, "If we want it to happen enough, we can make it happen!"), we figured that we would take our weather window, make it to the Bahamas and then make it to Nassau sometime during this week in order to meet our friends who are flying into Nassau on January 8.

The deal is that it's not possible to get to much land beyond Bimini without doing at least a full day and night of sailing (or a day of sailing, a night at anchor and another day of sailing) across part of what is called the Great Bahama Bank. It's a long distance traveling through potentially boat-crunching shallow waters. One needs good conditions that last long enough to cross with some extra time in case of mishap. We need another solid, favorable weather window.

Unfortunately, weather windows slam shut, and optimism and proactivity are of no use when there is a polar vortex wanting to head south for the winter too. Polar what?!! Yeah, that's what everyone is exclaiming this week. We are super sad and stressed at stranding our friends on Nassau, but feeling even worse for those that are in the north being affected by the severe temperatures and extreme disruptions that this monster cold front has created.

Jamey and I keep looking at the weather forecast hoping for a change. After he and I mull things over, he and the other male sailors at the marina then hash and rehash the weather a zillion more times. It's a male thing.

And in the end, we realize we are not going anywhere for awhile.

Some boats left today. It won't be fun sailing upwind on Sunday. Sailing conservatively means we won't even consider crossing towards Nassau this weekend because there isn't enough time to get into safe harbor if something breaks on the boat before Tuesday's
big winds hit.