From Grand Bahama to the Berries to Eleuthera

Left Grand Bahama and made it to Hoffman Cay in the Berry Islands. Found the Blue Hole but neither one of us jumped in. After we made it back to the entrance we saw a cute sea turtle who was very curious about us. We made it back to our anchorage and stayed only one night at Hoffman Cay, Left at daybreak on our way to Eleuthera and saw a wonderful sunrise.

Eleuthera Governors Harbor – found a great conch supply and picked one to bring home. The fish market host showed us how to filet a grouper.

Check in at the West End – Grand Bahama

West End Grand Bahama Customs office

Our overnight passage from West Palm to West End Grand Bahama was uneventful – luckily! Leaving around 2:00 am, we had a full moon, calm seas and an easy sail to the Bahamas. Check in was also painless and we found a nice anchorage closeby.

Bahama Bound – Beginning of our 2025 Trip

We left Topping, Virginia from the Region Point Marina. Set sail early December on the ICW. Stopped in Oriental North Carolina, one of our favorite marinas.

One of our next stops on the ICW was St. Augustine. Enjoying the beautiful sunset at the Bridge of Lions.

Then on to Vero Beach where we stayed for about three weeks. Often referred to as Velcro Beach, this is where many sailors get ready for the crossing the Gulf Stream to the Bahamas.

Rita’s First Trip South

Here’s a video montage of our trip from Topping Virginia, to Palm Beach Florida on the ICW. Navigating the ICW for the first time, we both learned so much along the way. We stopped in Oriental, NC (great town), Tybee Island, GA, Jeckyll Island, GA, Cumberland Island (we did see wild horses!), St Augustine, FL, Titusville, FL, Ft Pierce, FL, and turned around in West Palm Beach, FL. What a wild ride!

Warmer weather ahead – Your Boat Captain awaits!

All signs are leading to the Lake of the Ozarks. The weather is getting a bit milder, the fish are jumping just a tad bit higher and the water is simply waiting for boaters. Time to get your plans together for a lake weekend. If you’re looking for fun on the water, you can hire a boat captain to take you and your family on a fun easy going lake adventure. As a boat captain, I take pleasure in making sure you and your guests have a great – and safe – time while enjoying the scenery of the lovely Missouri Lake of the Ozarks.

lake of the ozarks
All signs are leading to the Lake

Whether you’re looking for a spring fling weekday or a longer summer weekend, let’s get planning! Soon the Lake of the Ozarks will be hopping with activity. I’m ready to take reservations for your family or group get together to help get your plans started. With years of experience (been a lake goer since the 60’s!), I can give you and your family some ideas for beautiful sunset spots, fine dining restaurants (JB Hooks for one) and great coves for hanging out.

hire a boat captain
Ready to hire a captain? I’m ready to get your group out on the water!

Call or email me to get started with your planning for fun and sun on the lake!

Ice creeps into the Lake of the Ozarks

It’s a February Deep Freeze! This winter brought us snow, ice and sub-zero temperatures that we haven’t seen at the Lake of the Ozarks for several years. Our local station is warning about wind chill advisories, record lows and more snow on the way. “It’s dangerous to go outside!” they say. Good advice – but of course we had to get out to take a few photos!

ice at the Lake of the Ozarks

To capture these photos, we had to bundle up with winter gear and a sense of adventure. The ice and snow formations definitely make for some interesting designs! Below you can see a few different views of ice formations in the water and across the lake.

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Winter drifts softly onto the lake

A fog in the morning, soft falling snow in the afternoon and an icy chill in the evening air. Winter is here – It’s waiting season.