March 11, 2000

    The cruisers net continues with commercial announcements, welcoming new boats to the
area, bidding goodbye to folks leaving, passing on E-mail messages, and open mike.  Anyone
with any question or problem can air it and usually someone will come up with an answer or
solution.  Helping each other out is what it is all about.  It is what community life
should be like.  I think it's just wonderful.

     By this time it's about 9:00 and time to plan our day.  If it is raining or blowing
over 20 knots we have a "boat day", which means we hunker down below decks and read, play
tunes, snooze or work on various boat projects.  There is always something to repair,
clean, or build on a boat.  One experienced cruiser told me that if you don't fix three
things a day you fall behind.  We had quite a few boat days in January, but they are few
and far between now; we sometimes have to designate a boat day in fair weather to catch up,
or rest up.
     If the weather is fair we have several choices.  If it is time to move on to a new
port and the wind permits, we check the charts and set sail.  Once in the Abacos there is a
wide choice of harbors within 20 miles, which means 4 hours sail or less.  If we have
recently arrived in a new spot we go ashore to explore.  We keep our eyes open for grocery
stores, laundry, showers, restaurants.  Carol loves to check out food stores, whether we
need provisions or not.  Stores are abundant and though prices are high and not well
stocked, there is no need to stock up for weeks ahead.  Periodically we need to get gas,
water and ice, all of which you can get dock side at the many marinas.
     If the winds are calm and weather warm, it is a good beach or diving day. Our shallow
draft allows us to bring TIME ENOUGH out to the reef and snorkle right off the boat.
Swimming and a sun shower after helps a lot with our personal hygene.  And spearing a fish
for dinner means also cleaning and cooking it.
     One of the main things we do is talk and visit with other cruisers.  At every stop you
have a new set of neighbors who wave a friendly welcome and by and by dingy over for a
chat.  When in town it is easy to spot cruisers on the street-they are the ones in shorts
and sandles with daypacks on their backs asking each other directions.  A casual meeting by
a pay phone can easily turn into a two hour "gam" as we swap stories and information.
Eventually someone will look at their watch (if anyone is wearing one) and realize half the
day is gone.  Then we grin at each oher and say "And they ask us what we do all day!"

          Bob and Carol
          TIME ENOUGH