We are on the move again after a summer and fall in Montana.
Phil went to Savannah early to get the boat ready for the trip south. He spent a few weeks doing "stuff" and then was join by Judy for a few days and later Pete Sauer joined Phil for a trip to the Bahamas. Weather didn't allow a crossing of the gulf stream while Pete was on board - didn't make it to the Bahamas.
John and Don joined Take Two while in Ft Lauderdale for the trip to George Town. After waiting another 4 days we made the trip to Nassau. Had a great sail to the Exuma Sea Park, next day on to Staniel Cay, and then on to George Town ahead of a blow where we spent a few days exploring.
Take Two is in Georg Town for the holidays while Phil returned to Montana for the holidys with stops on the way home to visit brother Jim in Atlanta and father Dale in Indiana.
Phil and Judy plan to return to the boat on Jan 9,2007.
Phil did'nt take the camera so no new pictures - More later.

We are now in Savannah - actually Thunderbolt, where we will put the boat up for the season and return to Montana. Before we go home we will make a short stop to Greenville, NC to see Phil's Dad (Dale)and celebrate his 85 birthday. There is a small family gathering at the home of Rich and Emily who will celebrate their twin son's first birthday (Dale's great grandsons). We will then fly home from Raleigh, NC on or about the May 17.

As we got closer to Savannah we a much different setting - the marsh county of Georgia.
A sunset over the Georgia marsh.
As we traveled north to Savannah, our friends on Alexus, Dave and Sandy, had to make a few changes at the top of the mast so they could get under the bridges on the Intercoastal waterway.
Before we left George Town we had a gathering of friends so we could say "goodby" for the season. Here are George, Jill, and Craig of the St Francis Resort and Marina - the perfect hosts for a great party.

Long Island, March, 2006

Judy and Mary at Stella Maris, Long Island
Sunset, Calabash Bay, Long Island

Homebound

Pirates of the Karaoke Beach Party, Pirates Phil, Judy, Sandy and Dave
An Elvis "Sighting", Monument Beach, George Town





We've been having difficulty updating our site. Thanks for hanging in there with us and for your continued interest in our travels.

We returned to George Town the first of February and have been basing out of there ever since. We've enjoyed good company and good times in this place. We are leaving many friends behind and are taking a treasure trove of wonderful memories with us.

My sister, Mary, joined us for a couple of weeks as did our good friends, Dave and Joan Sexton, from Portland. We swam with hawksbill sea turtles in the Jumentos, combed countless miles of gorgeous beaches, ate more than our share of conch and fresh fish and were thrilled by sighting gorgeous tropicbirds at Conception Island, an out island of George Town. We have continually delighted in these stunning waters and skies and have enjoyed a lot of good sailing to boot. We're fortunate to have been blessed by safe passages.

We were in G'Town during the Cruiser's Regatta Week and raced 'Take Two' around the island placing 4th. We also participated in 'Pirates of the Karaoke' in which Phil made an appearence as Elvis. Don't know if there's any living with him after his brush with fame!

We are finally homebound, heading 'north'. We are traveling with some fantastic spear fishers so have been feasting on fresh lobster and fish. It doesn't get any better! Will pick up friends in Nassau on Monday. They'll travel with us for a couple of weeks through the Abaco. Then we will begin our final legs to Savannah. Our current plan is to return home by early May.

I feel somewhat like a barn-sour mare at this juncture however am soaking in as much of this place as I can before saying "good-bye". This place and time have provided much-needed respite and healing balm for our hearts.

Hope all is well with you and yours. Look forward to seeing many of you soon. We're unable to post all of the pictures we want to share with you so keep posted. They'll be showing up soon.

Blessings,
Judy and Phil
S/V Take Two

Monday, February 20, 2006

We’ve traveled many, many miles on many, many levels since our last entry and our Junkanoo photos. We received word of my mother’s death on January 25th as we were about two hours out of George Town, Exuma. As we all know, death changes reality and focus in a heartbeat and by the next day we were on our way back to Montana. Mom’s services were held in Dakota on January 31st and our entire family gathered once again to say good-bye to a Precious One. Losing both Mom and Dad in two month’s time has been a challenge and has altered our reality considerably.

After returning to Helena, we closed Mom and Dad’s apartment at the Waterford, took a quick trip to the lake house to do taxes and check on things there, and traveled back to “Take Two” on February 10th.

We were fortunate to be offered a place at the St. Francis Marina for our boat while we were gone. The folks who own it are representatives for our boat and are from South Africa. They’ve been helpful to us beyond our expectations. We’re staying here until Mary arrives from Montana on Wednesday, February 22nd. Then will head out island for a week or so. We’re really looking for time with her on board! She’ll be with us for two weeks.

We are sending a photo of our “home away from home” at the St. Francis Marina. Also one of Phil’s maiden voyage on his new kayak. His has a clear bottom so he can enjoy chasing manta rays and watching starfish as he travels. The kayaks have been a great addition to the toy arsenal on our boat this year.

George Town is a busy, social place. We’re going to race “Take Two” in the local regatta on March 4th. We have our sights set on the “Mirth and Merriment” award. We’re importing some ringers for that one!! I’ve enjoyed yoga on the beach and Phil has been involved in a local “Habitat for Humanity” effort spearheaded by the boaters here.

Hope you are all staying warm wherever you may be. Sending you sun, sea, sand, and ocean breezes!

Judy and Phil
S/V Take Two

Montana Sailors: Junkanoo in Nassau

Montana Sailors: Junkanoo in Nassau

Junkanoo in Nassau

Happy New Year from "Take Two"! These are a few pictures of the great Junkanoo Party in Nassua on New Year's Day. Junkanoo is celebrated on Boxing Day and New Year's. (www.junkanoo.com) The parade begins at midnight and continues into the morning. We arrived back at the boat around 6:30 a.m.! The longest, latest New Year's Eve either of us have ever spent! The competition is between two "families" or communities here in Nassau. The Valley Boys (www.valleyboys.com) have enjoyed the bragging rights winning the competition brings for some time now. The Saxons are their major competitors. Of course I/Judy love the fact that competition happens around things like "presentation", "music", "costumes" and "banners" rather than first downs and touchdowns!! Quite civilized, don't you think? Everyone, young, old, hard-bodied, and middle-aged participates! The floats are propelled by one person and some of the costumes weigh over 60 lbs. The parade goes around the "course" twice so the participants are moving, dancing, playing literally for 7-8 hrs. A triathalon/marathon/iron man competition for sure!

We've been in Nassau for close to a week now. Weather may keep us here a bit longer. Our gulf stream crossing was uneventful except for the pod of dolphins who formed our welcoming committee! Will head down island as soon as we can with our next goal being Georgetown, Exuma. We're in familiar waters and that feels good!

Peace and love to you in 2006!