The most common scene around Bumfuzzle.
High-school sweethearts.
Securing food is a constant battle in the Bahamas. Finding out when the supply ship is coming in, and then making sure you are there right when the store opens again is the only way to get some fruits and vegetables. This little pile here is $165 worth, gathered from the three stores on Staniel Cay. I went back the next morning to get some more, but the shelves were bare again. Abundance lasts less than one day, then it’s at least six with nothing. It’s difficult to get over the food issue—cost and availability—when you are here. The gorgeous water and protected anchorages only go so far. Eventually, even the most dedicated travelers give in to complaining amongst themselves. We’re no better. But at the end of the day we can be thankful for the piles of tortillas, without which, we on Bumfuzzle would shrivel up and die.
Sometimes I look around the boat and realize that even though we’re floating at anchor, there is very little difference between our life on a boat, and our life on land. Ali and I tend to think of it differently—there are a lot more challenges on the water—but for the kids, a home is a home is a home.
The beauty of anchoring in the Bahamas. That bar is the very top of our Mantas, buried deep in just five feet of pulling.
Finding our way around Black Point.
29 Comments on “Black Point”
Your photography continues to amaze me. It isn’t some much the subjects, which are great to look at, but your composition and framing. Well done!
Thanks, Will.
Reading about your hunt for fruit and veggies reminded me of some of your posts from that first sailing-around-the-world trip. I think you mostly ate candy and chips! Having kids makes you up your food game, doesn’t it?
Next time family comes down to visit, ask them to bring you some sprouting seeds (alfalfa, radish, etc.) and make sprouts. That’s what we used to do back in the day when we chartered boats and went sailing. After a couple of weeks out, all we wanted was ice in our beverages and something green and crunchy. Nothing we could do about the ice, but the sprouts were great.
Yes we definitely bought more snack foods before kids, now it is all about FRESH stuff available. Thankfully they eat just about anything. Will have to check out the sprouts idea. Thanks.
Hi looks like your family is having a great time. I found your blog a few days ago and have been reading some of your back story ?.I have a plan ahead suggestion, when food supplies are endless buy a freeze dryer and freeze dry raw meat ,fruit ,vegetables and prepared meals. That way you have supplies. I have question? We’re thinking of buying a bout. If we buy a little older boat and want to resale it years from now is there a market for the boat that is even older?
Good idea about the freeze drying–space could be an issue also for the prepared meals. No idea about resale of boats, we’ve bought and used what we liked, and then sold them when done. If it is a good boat to begin with, it should resale fine.
Black Point! My favorite! I got all worked up when I saw this post and wanted to tell you to make sure you get to the beach so the kids could look for sand dollars (I think I found 13). I should’ve known better. Our pit bull, Wilbur, towed us ashore so many times there that our friends named it ‘Wilbur Beach’. We’ll probably never go back but I’ll never forget the experience.
The kids and I were at the low-tide beach every day for hours finding treasures. We could have had hundreds of sand dollars but only kept the really special ones as we had too many at home. The live ones were incredible – brown, purple and pink. And star fish! A great beach name!
BTW – White point a little further down offers a nice beach and no people.
We loved Black Point while there. The best homemade bread ever by Loraine’s Mom. We had to stay there for 8 days while the winds howled at 30+ knots from the NE. Great place to sit and wait with excellent holding in the sandy bottom.
Glad you enjoyed it too.
Mark and Cindy
Amazing how some places stand out from others. A neat place to enjoy for sure. Although there was a huge messy swell making us rock and roll for days. We even moved in more, and had a back anchor.
hey there! High School Sweethearts….its a beautiful thing!! it is very rare, friends of mine …she used to catch a ride on his handle bars around the neighborhood. to this day they are very polite to one another (honestly, it is a jewel to watch)…in their south La. vernacular “Love if you have time would you…?” and with that request either of them is ON IT. Genuine grace and kindness in their voices and demeanor. keep up the good works!
blessings to you and yours.
scott
I wouldn’t say ours is quite like that but will try harder now! My parents lived right next to each other growing up, my older sister married her high school sweetheart, and my younger sister married a neighbor from her school. And we actually have quite a few in our class that married each other – must be a MN thing!
I was just thinking about when I first read your blog and you had been in the VW Bus for about three months. So the list of vehicles you’ve lived in (in order) , have been the catamaran, VW bus, spindrift , travco, airstream and Grand Banks. I think I got them all. What could be next?
Yes you got them all, what a great list of homes we’ve had over the last 14-years! I hope we enjoy our latest one for a few more years before our next one…
Think this is the best one you have had for the kids. What a great home. Think I said that once before. Really like the GB.
I just wanted to say I have been following a long time, Thank you for continuing to share and bring us along with you all. I know I have learned a lot, as well as added places to my own list and plans. The kids are getting an amazing education, Great job guys!
Well thank you for that.
Hi, I’m a long time follower of your blog but first time poster…if you ever happen to stop by Eleuthera (Governor’s Harbour), a short drive out of GH is Island Farms, a great local source for fresh produce at good prices http://islandfarmeleuthera.com/ (no connection with IF, just a happy patron)
Welcome and thanks for commenting. Unfortunately we are very far south from Eleuthera and the fresh produce you speak of. But will make sure to give it a try if we are ever in the area again. Thanks.
Hey guys !! Don’t want to give up the best spot in the exumas , But Sampson cay is is just north of u and one of our favorites ! If u get a chance to check it out , there is the best kid beach we have been to with great protection from all sides !!! Have fun !
Thanks Matt and Shirley, unfortunately we had to get south with a transmission problem to fix. We will see how long it takes and if we will head north again this season or not. Appreciate it.
You and your family always amaze me. What you are doing is wonderful.
Thanks, Terry.
Oh, I do remember the shortages of food and how people would hoard it. The person who gets there just ahead of you will buy 4 heads of romaine and leave you non. It really was frustrating. It is the fresh food that you begin to miss. It has been over 10 years since we have been there – too bad the food problem remains.
Hi Suzie, I’m not sure it is a hoarding issue – everyone has to get it when they can. We’ve found that if you need it grab it, and an extra, as there might not be more for awhile. We are fine on everything but the fresh stuff. Plus we are missing all the fruit available throughout Mexico, stands and stands of fresh fruit daily. Plus mangoes on a stick!
Black Point was my favorite because the people were so friendly. It’s been 9 years and I’m sure it’s changed but how changed can it get! We chased a supply boat from Staniel to Blackpoint – watched them unload from our anchorage and zipped to shore to Aderlys to get our provisions – celery from Oviedo, Fl (15 miles from where we lived) and frozen lettuce heads along with huge chunks of frozen chicken. Rockside Laundry was a great place to meet up with everyone and head over to Lorraine’s for conch fritters or DeShaMons for pizza. Are they still there?
Ha! they probably thought you were nuts! Or banditos! Adderley’s hadn’t got his order in so got nothing from the supply boat for the week! We were excited to get pizza at Deshamons (claimed as the best in the Bahamas) but they weren’t serving them up until 7p.m., so walked over to Lorraine’s Cafe and had a really bad dinner instead. And Rockside Laundry is still the place to chat. I don’t think much has changed in the 9 years since your visit. 🙂
I live in Manhattan and still had to wince at how much produce $165 buys there. How much is a glass of wine?
Maybe you could look into setting up a small hydroponics grow bed on-board, if you have a few extra square feet of space? I teach high school science and have been using various low-budget DIY systems with my kids and we’ve had a lot of luck, even during winter with a north-facing classroom. Leafy greens like merlot lettuce grow quickly and herbs like cilantro and basil even faster, depending on the temperature there. You could also use the opportunity to teach your kids about plant anatomy and physiology, nutrient requirements, etc.
Bon voyage!
Great photos. Thanks so much for posting all these years. A constant confirmation of humanity and great parenting. God Bless.