March 13-16, 2021 And now we go

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Our one must do Saturday was to get Covid tests.  These tests start the Bahamas entry visa process.  We took the dinghy ashore at a nearby marina, then walked to a not so far away CVS pharmacy.  The pharmacy does the tests only at the drive through window.  After an initial denial, with a little discussion the pharmacy allowed us to walk through the drive through window.  So there we were standing in line at the drive through, cars ahead and cars behind, waiting our turn, getting some puzzled looks from the drivers.  Getting the Covid tests is day 0 in a five day countdown for Bahamas entry.

With covid testing done uneventfully, we strolled the quiet back road returning to the marina, then dinghyed to Second Star for a relaxing afternoon.  We used the time to get caught up on the blog.

Sunday was a boat project day.  There are always a few small things to work on.  This is day 1 of the count down.  

Monday Mar 15th

41 years ago today I married my adventuring partner. Together we've raised 4 kids, been around the world, on 4 continents, lived in 8 US states- some multiple times. We've learned to be content where ever we are. Life together is never dull.  Happy anniversary, Brent.

I'm having a crisis of confidence at this moment.  Brent got his covid test results at 7:06AM. It's now 10AM and I have heard nothing.  My logic brain says some lab tech is working as fast as they can, but my insecure inner self is running in circles.  What if my test is positive?  Did I put the test tube in the wrong receiving box?  Did it get lost? Do I unknowingly have beubonic plague and they're waiting to break it to me gently?  The subconcious mind can be really stupid!

Since it's Monday the water traffic is very much reduced. We're still getting big wakes, just less often. We have plans to leave early in the morning to take advantage of favorable crossing weather.

1PM Still no word on my test.

6PM  Nothing. Without my results, it looks like we won't be leaving in the morning.  Our weather window only lasts a couple days,  and the immigration rules say our covid tests are only good for a visa application for 5 days after Saturday's test regardless of when we receive the results.  To say our frustration level is high would almost be an understatement. 

9:47PM  Ding!  Test results: negative.  

In the meantime while fretting about covid tests, friends Kathy & Jim sent us an updated weather report  from their source. (the weather apps we use update at 3AM & 3PM.)  There is a storm with quite high winds that will descend on the entire East Coast including Florida & the Bahamas later in the week lasting several days.  On the color coded wind charts, the best sailing wind for us is represented by blue, green, yellow or light orange.  This storm could threaten dark red, with gusts into the gray zone. 
 So instead of readying to sail, we start searching for a marina to dock in for a week. Sigh. When will we catch a break?!

Two marinas reply we are too wide to fit.  A third never replies.  So now Brent is looking hard for a more secure anchorage to stuff the boat into, but there are few choices.  So we start mentally preparing to ride out a severe blow right here.  Not pretty or comfy, but we are certainly capable of doing it.

Tuesday morning's weather update is miraculously a little better, and the 3pm update better again.  All the models are now suggesting 50 knot winds and 25 foot seas, but that will be off the coast of North Carolina, and won't extend this far south.  The forecast now shows relatively good weather in the Bahamas.  There is plenty of time & good weather to make the crossing Wednesday.  We adapt to the new forecast  by changing our destination from the Abacos to the Berrys.  Brent made reservations in a nice marina to shelter us from the edge of the storm that could impact the Berrys over the weekend.  So with a lot of micro-analyzing we have a new plan.  We applied for our visas, got them within 30 minutes (!) and we will leave in the early hours.

We will update the blog as often and when we can.  We'll be giving up our good internet signal and unlimited data plan while we're out of the country, so we're not sure when the next report will be.  But we'll be thinking of all of you.  Wish you were here!

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