Life Raft Details!

We have been borrowing a small life raft to take with us in the airplane.  Since we're probably going to be flying over water more often over the next few years, we decided it was time to buy our own raft.

This is the raft - the bag is about 2' long and weighs about 30 lbs.

We could send the raft out to a vendor for inspection/certification (at great expense), but we are not required by the FAA to do so for our private flights.  Actually, we're only required to have a life vest for each passenger.....but we're happier with a life raft as well.....

Ever wonder what goodies are inside a life raft?

Well - you're gonna find out now!

This is a 6-man life raft.

It has an auto-inflation CO2 cartridge.  You pull the cord and it instantly inflates the raft.

And lots of survival items. Even some bags of fresh water.  There is a sponge to get water out of the raft if it splashes in and the ever-important Swiss-Army knife!!

There's an emergency locator beacon and basic tent-poles that support a nylon "hood" over the entire raft to keep the sun off.

Lot's of medical supplies too. Everything is in waterproof sacks and is tethered to the raft so it doesn't float away.

And there it is - all blown up (using air from the leaf blower).   We're leaving it blown up for 24 hrs just to verify it doesn't leak.  Interesting to see that there is a pair of scissors in a pocket on the tube of the raft and a sea-anchor that's like a small parachute you let out on a line to stabilize the raft.   Really glad we looked it all over - it's good to know in advance what you have!

Happy New Year!!

We rang-in the New Year at Dick and Lindy's house as usual these past couple of years. After a nice meal, we adjourned to the deck to watch some nice fireworks.

And then after glancing at the "crowd shot" above on my camera.....I decided that some of us might look better from the front!!!  Happy New Year!

Hawk's Nest, Cat Island Bahamas Fly-out!

Off to the Bahamas again!! We left on Christmas Day because of the big winter storm approaching from the west. Since it was Christmas Day, we had no restaurant nearby for lunch....so we planned ahead and had a "picnic" under the wing at Ft. Pierce where we stopped for fuel. A good start and already the temps were climbing!

Leaving Ft. Pierce with life vests on, life raft in the cockpit and our Epirbs (emergency beacons) ready in case of a water landing!

Land ahoy!  Grand Bahama Island....

Because it was Christmas Day, we had to land at an airport where customs would be open.  This is the Freeport airport on Grand Bahama Island.  After a quick customs inspection and a top-off of fuel, we were on our way to Cat Island about 250 miles away.

Beautiful waters below!

Cat Island / Hawk's Nest Resort in sight!

A quick 100 foot walk from the aircraft tiedown spot and we were in the resort.   Here is the main bar/lounge.  First day we just relaxed and enjoyed the warmth!

We went snorkeling while we waited for the others in our group to arrive a day later.  I won't comment on the photos....just enjoy the fish!

Beautiful shallow bay...

Some of the culprits!

Lindy and I relaxing one night.

Dinner at the resort was always a treat.  This is pretty much our entire group - the couple at the front of the table are the owners of Hawk's Nest - Jerry and Jane Clayton.  Extremely nice folks!

The next day was our SCUBA dive day!  Cecil rode along for fun but he's not a diver.

I'm in the water here waiting on the other divers to get geared up and ready.

My underwater shots:

Duane -

A airplane propeller....hmm....wonder how that got there???

A lionfish that our guide had speared - they are an invasive species brought from Asia and are hurting our reefs because they have poisonous barbs and have no natural predators here.  The divemasters often try to kill any they see to try to control the population.  Probably a loosing battle.

Amazing fish!!

Our guide speared a amber-jack.  He said it would be his dinner that night!

The next day we went on a long bike ride - about 1 1/2 hours.  My tush was feeling it!!!

Beautiful shoreline - Cat Island is sparsely populated.

Back at the resort for more relaxing!  Jane and Jerry were around often for interesting conversation about the drug-running history of the Bahamas.

A long walk around the "point" of the island.

Just can't get over how beautiful it is here!

The honor bar, fully stocked but no bartender - you just get what you want and write down what you took for payment when you check out.

Our good buddy, John Shearer entertained the crowd one night with his beefy baritone!!

Enjoy a short clip!

Then there was some Rummy played, of course!!!

Simple dinner one night - but it all started with a wonderful conch chowder, those mashed potatoes were fabulous and it was finished with delicious home-made rum ice cream....then Jerry brought over a bottle of Bailey's and spiked the late-evening coffee....let's not even think about the calories!!!

While we were there a nice Falcon jet came in with a family on board...

Here's a photo of some of the Wahoo that we had for dinner that night!  This was some of the other folks staying at Hawk's Nest that had gone fishing that day.  I'm not sure but I think the MahiMahi sandwich I had the next day was hanging up there too! Yummy!

More relaxing....

John and his girl Sarah posed for a quick shot!

And more relaxing....

And too soon, it was time to go home.  Unfortunately, a cloudy flight home - had to shoot an actual approach into Ft. Pierce.   Customs was a breeze and we had to get the coats out!!  A great time!