February 20-23 Marsh Harbour

As we left Duck Key some time ago, one of my batteries on the boat was going bad. I have two batteries that are both starting batteries and batteries to supply the electronic, lights, refrigerator, etc. I had hoped to replace it before we made the crossing but time did not permit that. It is a size 8D which is about 3 times the size of a normal car battery and weighs about 140 lbs. Out came the foldie and a tour of the town was in order. Town is but a short ride away. There is a True Value & NAPA store (all in one), an Ace store, + a Standard Hardware (affiliation unknown) and the best of the lot. Nice grocery store and lots of touristy stores --also a store that just sells batteries. I made arrangements for them to deliver the battery I needed and then take the old battery off of my hands. Pat from Salty Dawg volunteered to help me manhandle the old battery out of the engine room and lift it on the dock (low tide). After the exchange of old for new, Scott from Mascot helped me get the new one in place. Touched the starter button & the Yanmar purred away.

We came just in time for Junkanoo everybody said. Whats that? Hard to explain but just come to the parade on Thursday night they said. Supposed to start at 6:30 but this is the Bahamas and we have learned that a clock isn't too important here. We went with Milt & Jimmie (Milts wife) from our neighbor boat Our Way. Took a taxi although the walk was certainly doable. Junkanoo parade didn't start until a little before eight. First division was the kids. They all dressed in fancy costumes and represented a certain school. Some schools came on boats from other islands. Most were accompanied by their own music and always lots of goat skin drums. A lot of dancing & music. It was akin to the "Mardi Gras" parade of the Abacos. The adult division was to follow. We wanted to see that, but when we left at 11pm the kids were still going strong. Very colorful and very entertaining. They tell us Junkanoo lasted until 2:30 am. Interesting, when we first arrived for the parade, most of the onlookers were tourists like us, but as the evening went on, the locals came out and then more came out. By the time we left, all 5,000 of the townspeople must have been there. All very well behaved.

Also got to see the eclipse of the moon. The clouds parted for the occasion and a very spectacular view. Saturday Judy & I, and John & Gail went to the nearby beach. Very nice white sand. I took my snorkel gear and practiced in the shallow water. Saw a few fish but the water is very clear. On Friday, John had rented a car so we went to the Grocery with them after we dropped their friends Mike & Janice off at the airport. Grocery was very nice. Most things, Judy tells me, were only moderately more expensive than in the states, but the selection was very good.