Pipe Dream’s
February 2008 Newsletter
Or
This cruising life can be dangerous!

Yes, we are back again with a Pipe Dream whacky newsletter. Things finally settled down after the holidays and we got some rest. In the last newsletter we had sailed to Georgetown, Bahamas, for Christmas and New Years Eve. A great time was had by all. We’ve decided to spend another cruising season in the Bahamas. This place is hard to leave!
Duey and Nan, our good friends and past cruisers from Hollister, California, joined us on Pipe Dream for about three weeks. We provisioned the “tuna schooner” with food and rum and we were off for Long Island and the Jumentos. The Jumentos Island Group lies south of the Exuma Islands and south of the Tropic of Cancer. These islands are virtually uninhabited. There is little protection from the wind blowing from the west or north. Naturally, two days into our trip the wind turned north and we were blown out of the islands. Back to Georgetown to re-provision. Two days later we were off to the Jumentos once again. This time we had a wonderful stay, snorkeling, fishing, swimming, hiking, and kayaking. While diving for “bugs” (lobster) a black tip shark came in also looking for an easy meal. A few days later we fished at Water Cay. We had a tough time getting the fish into the boat. The sharks were grabbing them off of our line faster than we could reel them in. Needless to say, we cancelled the swimming that afternoon. I guess, we cheated death one more time. After a week we pulled up the anchor and headed for Long Island and a little civilization.
Jutta and I are constantly being asked if we are ever worried about pirates in all our
travels. Our answer, up to now, has always been “no”. On our return to Long Island we encountered a situation which could have really gotten out of hand and got me into a lot of trouble. A new beach bar “Parrots of the Caribbean” had opened up in Thompson Bay with three dollar beers, great rum drinks, and good food. Our friend Duey and several other cruisers brought their guitars and we had a wonderful jam session. Of course, somebody had to support the new business enterprise and it was my job to man a bar stool for the afternoon. It’s a rough job but someone has to do it!
Duey and Nan had to go back to reality. We sure enjoyed their visit. Jutta and I are back to doing yogert (yoga) on the beach three time a week and we play volleyball almost daily. With beach walks, snorkeling for lobster, cocktail gatherings, dances under the stars, and socializing we hardly have time for anything. And I wonder why I am always so tired. Next on the agenda will be the week-long Cruisers’ Regatta with lots of activities. Some day, when I retire, I will take it easy!!!!
Looks like this newsletter is going to be a short one. This is what happens when we don’t do much for a while. Don’t forget to keep sending those dollars to the “Help Ferdy Cruising Fund”. “Parrots of the Caribbean” won’t take my IOU’s any more and I gave up on getting drinks on my good looks???.

From the Decks of Pipe Dream

Ferdy and Jutta