June 19 , 2004

Hello everyone from the top of the Bahamas!

I am on the home stretch northward before heading back to land sometime in July for hurricane season. My visiting friend was able to catch a quick glimpse of the seafaring life and I'm pleased to say is now thinking of going to the next boat show in her area! My personal triumph is that my friend was the first person to read my screenplay and her reaction was favorable! When I get back on land I will focus on getting my screenplay sold.

As far as an update on the adventure side of the trip, Eleuthera will be etched in my memory, not only for the harrowing experience (losing power while entering a narrow passage between two cliffs) but also for its varied scenery, wonderful people, and my extended time there.

I am the self-proclaimed empress of Royal Island, where the abandoned and decaying remains of a grand estate captured my imagination. The island is on the northern edge of Eleuthera and offers a well-protected harbor to await the passage for crossing into the North Atlantic en route to the northern Bahamas.

I was struck with how many people have a fascination for the boating life as a boat load of "Windjammer" tourists were off-loaded on the quiet little island beach anchorage we had found. Many of the folks floated over to ask questions and share their own dreams of "sailing away someday". I told them that such dreams can come true if they simply make it so. You can have anything you want, it depends on what you are willing to do to get it (like quit your job, sell everything you own, buy a boat and take off!)

I'll be spending a little more time exploring the Abacos before heading back to civilization. Hopefully, I'll have a more complete report later from here and also more general info including a full provision list, recipes, itinerary suggestions, and other resources for those of you who share my dream of sailing away.