The road to Bimini and beyond,,,,

Here we sit in Bimini and I cannot help but think that time moves so quickly!! We were just here starting our journey through the Bahama Islands and now, we are leaving….. Today, Ray and I rented a golf cart and spent the day zipping around the island from the southern tip all the way up to the Bimini World Resort….(not impressed)!!

We stopped at every local store and bought bread, cake, shirts, bags, drinks and food. Along the way we smiled and waved at the passing people who were in no hurry and always had a friendly greeting for us. I look out at the homes and though there is so much poverty here, I long to call it my home too! The sea surrounds the island bringing glorious breezes that wander down the narrow streets and swirl around my hair with the taste of salt and ocean currents and I long to stop and never leave. The colors of the water never cease to amaze me and the clarity beckons to be explored. This is the first and last stop on our summer sail, so with the island comes a mixture of excitement and closure. I know that our sailboat, Nu Trix needs to point her bow towards the United States and take us back to the reality of jobs and home, bills and responsibilities, but for tonight, we sit on her bow and watch the stars and pretend that we are just starting. This summer I have snorkeled reefs, swam in crystal clear water, explored caves and walked through the past of Loyalist ruins and all with my best friend.

The wonders of the Bahamas are made so much spectacular because I get to enjoy them with my partner…….my salty pirate…..the love of my life!!!
No matter where I want to go, what I want to do, I can always depend on Ray to be right there with me, helping me adjust my mask, pulling the tender behind us if I get nervous about the openness of the reefs, letting me take the helm in heavy seas even though I am not too experienced, pulling me back into the tender when I am tired from swimming and cannot hoist myself one more time…… Ray is my champion, my defender, my biggest fan……..my captain!!! He believes in me when I have given up on myself!! He knows that I can sail Nu Trix, he knows that I feel the ocean’s waves on our boats hull and I need not be afraid.

Ray knows what I am afraid to say…… He knows that I am a sailor!!! I love the ocean, but I respect her at the same time. I once thought that was fear, but I understand now that knowing what the big ocean can do and what my sailboat can handle, makes me less afraid and more willing to go…… go explore, go see, go feel, go be!!!!!  Tomorrow, Ray and I will head back home, but the pull of the ocean will not cease. She will call and call until we can stand it no longer!! Soon, Nu Trix will be back into the dark waters of the Gulf Stream and the current and tropical breezes will take us where they will…… Soon, the land will no longer hold our hearts or imaginations and the sea will win!

Until that time, we will work and plan and scheme…… we will live and we will dream. The greatest realization of all though….. is that we will do it all together!!! My wildest imaginations could not have prepared me for what life has given to me and so with each breath, I breathe thanks and with each day, I dream of what will be…. Life is so good and I cannot wait to see each day and find the new treasures that the world gives!!