Adventures in Marsh Harbor: Grocery Shopping and Setting Sail

Welcome aboard as we navigate the beautiful waters of Marsh Harbor! Today, we’ll take you through our grocery shopping experience at a local supermarket and our journey back to the open seas. Buckle up for some unique insights on island life, grocery prices, and sailing adventures.

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Provisioning in Marsh Harbor

We find ourselves in Marsh Harbor, ready to tackle the grocery store. The supermarket is expected to be quite different from what we’re used to in the States, especially with island prices. I hold my breath, hoping not to spend $400 for just two bags of groceries!

Upon arrival, we make our way to the dinghy dock. It’s a bit of a trek, but the public dock is conveniently located. The atmosphere is lively, with sounds of drones in the background hinting at parties or clubs nearby. We navigate our way through a path that seems like a bustling highway for boats. It’s one of the biggest grocery stores in the area, and we’re excited to see what it has to offer.

Finding the Supermarket

As we enter the grocery store, we realize it doesn’t even have the name “Maxwell” on it, which leaves us a bit puzzled. My wife describes it as a superstore with home decor, akin to a Walmart but with a focus on groceries. The store is larger than we expected, and we’re eager to see the selection.

We quickly head to the snack aisle. Prices are a bit shocking; for instance, a box of saltines costs around $9! We decide to switch to lime juice, which is much cheaper—about $2 or $3. The veggie section offers some decent options, and we’re pleased with what we find.

The Shopping Haul

After wrapping up our grocery shopping, we tally our haul. Surprisingly, we only spent about $400, which isn’t bad considering the prices. We compare some items to what we buy back in the States. For example, a certain item we usually get for $21 was available here for about $15 or $16. Some canned goods, however, are still quite pricey, so we opt to purchase only a few.

Eggs were $4 for a dozen, and fortunately, none broke during our trip. We also scored a 10-pound bag of cornmeal, a rarity in the US. The chicken wings were reasonably priced at $3.10, and we noted the quality—cage-free and antibiotic-free. It’s a stark contrast to the oversized chicken legs we often see back home.

Setting Sail from Marsh Harbor

With our groceries loaded, we prepare to leave Marsh Harbor. The winds are a bit higher than we’d prefer, but nothing like what we faced on our way in. As we maneuver the boat out of the harbor, we nearly have a mishap due to the swinging boats around us. Thankfully, we manage to avoid any close calls.

As we head out, we offer some tips on preparing for sailing in windy conditions. We check our navigation and adjust our course to avoid any obstacles. The wind is kicking up, and it’s a bit of a bumpy ride, but we’re used to it by now.

On the Open Water

As we settle into our journey, we discuss our speed and the waves we’re encountering. The boat is taking a beating from the 24-knot winds, and we’re only managing about 3.6 knots due to the rough seas. My wife and I share our thoughts on the waves, with her noting how rough it feels, but we’re both enjoying the ride.

We spot some beautiful beaches in the distance, but we’re cautious about the conditions. It’s a wild ride, with swells reaching up to 8 feet at times. My partner’s been a trooper, even doing dishes during the rough patches!

Navigating to Our Next Destination

After a long journey, we finally make it to Little Harbor Cut, where we need to watch out for the waves. The tide appears to be low, but we’re hopeful that conditions will improve. As we navigate through the cut, we’re reminded of the importance of following chart markers to avoid any mishaps.

As we approach our anchorage, we’re relieved to see calmer waters ahead. It’s been quite a journey, with a total travel time of over nine hours. The sun is setting, and we’re ready to unwind after a long day of sailing and shopping.

Final Thoughts

Our day in Marsh Harbor has been filled with adventures, from grocery shopping to navigating the open waters. The island life is unique, and while prices may be high, the experience is priceless. We look forward to exploring more beautiful islands in the coming months and sharing our journey with you!