FINDING ALKEMI
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"And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it."
​Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

Alkemi Ship's Log: Details of the Lahue Family Adventure  

Caribbean Loop & Lahue Family Sailing Adventure Completed!
7591 Nautical Miles
639 Days Living Aboard (1 year and 9 months) 
60+ Islands  
8     US States and Territories 
24 + International Countries and Territories


** Caribbean Loop Completed! We were the proud owners of S/V Alkemi from May 2016 to April 30, 2018. After moving aboard the ship in July 2016, we sailed down the East Coast of the U.S.A. departing for the Bahamas in November 2016. We had the opportunity to travel to over two dozen international countries and territories as we lived aboard for almost two years. On this journey, we met many new friends, spoke different languages and celebrated 10 birthdays, each in unique ports of call. Our final port prior to returning to the U.S.A. March 2018 was Isla Mujeres, Mexico. See detail below for our path and ports.**

May 2016 Southampton, England, UK to Baltimore, Maryland, USA 

Alkemi, our Malo 45 sailboat was shipped from Southampton, Hampshire Country, England to Locust Point, Baltimore, USA. We took a long weekend to receive her and sail her to Bert Jabin's Yacht Yard in Annapolis, Maryland. After our successful first sail on Alkemi, we returned to New Jersey highly motivated to complete the school year, sell our home and dramatically reduce our possessions!
     
June & July 2016 Annapolis, Maryland, USA 

In June, Alkemi was put on dry land at Bert Jabin's Yacht Yard for a total refit. Her total make-over included: new Quantum sails, new rigging from Annapolis Rigging, a conversion from butane to propane (LPG) for the stove, total overhaul of engine and generator (all major elements replaced), new gas/carbon monoxide and smoke detector safety systems, replacement fire extinguishers, new through hulls, completely new electronics top to bottom. She was returned to the water on July 30 and made ready for sail trials.
     
July & August 2016 Moving Aboard, Day Trips & Shakedowns

As the final touches and test runs were completed for Alkemi's new systems, the Lahue family of 5 moved aboard. After a full cleaning of all cabinets and spaces, we began organizing our galley, cabins and determining where to fit homeschooling books and materials. Everything fit! Day trips and long weekend shake down cruises in the Chesapeake commenced. The first day of Alkemi School started on August 22, 2016.
     
September 2016 US East Cruising: Maryland to North Carolina 

We left our Annapolis dock slip for the last time with a friendly send off by our marina neighbors on 5 Sept 2016. Here is a quick run down of the stops.
       
  • 7 Sept 2016      Wye Island to St. Michael, MD
  • 8 Sept 2016       St. Michael to Oxford, MD
  • 10 Sept 2016      Oxford to Solomon Island, MD
  • 11 Sept 2016      Solomon Island to Cornfield Harbor, MD
  • 12 Sept 2016      Cornfield, MD to Deltaville, VA         
  • 17 Sept 2016      Deltaville, VA to Hampton, VA
  • 23-24 Sept 2016 Hampton, VA to Wilmington, NC (272 miles!)
     
October 2016 Carolinas and Georgia Cruising

We spend a few weeks visiting family in Wilmington, North Carolina and Hurricane Matthew forced us to move from a less sheltered marina up the Cape Fear River to brace for the storm. Here is a run down of our travels through Halloween.
         
  • 4 Oct 2016          Masonboro Marina to Port City, Wilmington, NC
  • 17 Oct 2016         Wilmington to Bald Head Island, NC
  • 19 Oct 2016          Bald Head Island, NC to Georgetown, SC 
  • 20 Oct 2016         Georgetown to Charleston, SC
  • 26-27 Oct 2016    Charleston to St. Simon's Island, GA (142 miles)
  • 29 Oct 2016         St. Simon's Island to Cumberland Island, GA
  • 31 Oct 2016         Cumberland Island, GA to St. Augustine, FL
     
November 2016 Florida to The Commonwealth of The Bahamas 

After a relaxing time in St. Augustine, we set off again with the goal of crossing the Gulf Stream to Bahamas when the weather permitted. We got there just after our first Thanksgiving on Alkemi.
       
  • 14-15 Nov 2016    St. Augustine to West Palm Beach, FL (210 miles)
  • 24 Nov 2016        West Palm to Key Biscayne, FL
  • 26 Nov 2016        Key Biscayne, FL to South Cat Cay, Bahamas
  • 28 Nov 2016        South Cat Cay to South Bimini anchorage, Bahamas
  • 30 Nov 2016        South Bimini to Great Harbour, Berry Islands, Bahamas

​December 2016 Yuletide in the Bahamas 

With literally hundreds of islands to explore, the Bahamas kept us moving to new idyllic cays and harbors all of December. A highlight was a pristine state park in Exumas where we spend Christmas along with a dozen or so cruising families. A special treat was spending the holiday with a cruising “family” – friends like Don from First Light who started his adventure with us in Maryland and several families that we’d met along the way (on Counting Stars, Perla, Thalasso, and Dessert First).

  •  4 Dec 2016     Great Harbor to Bullocks Harbour, Bahamas
  •  4 Dec 2016     Bullocks Harbor to Soldier Cay, Bahamas
  •  6 Dec 2016     Soldier Cay to White Cay, Bahamas
  •  7 Dec 2016     White Cay to Little Harbour, Bahamas
  •  8 Dec 2016     Little Harbour to Nassau, Bahamas
  •  15 Dec 2016   Nassau to Kravitz Beach, Eluthera, Bahamas
  •  16 Dec 2016   Kravitz to Pittman Cove, Gregorytown, Eluthera, Bahamas
  •  17 Dec 2016   Pittman Cove to Alabaster Bay, Bahamas
  • 19 Dec 2016    Alabaster Bay to Cape Eluethra, Bahamas
  • 20 Dec 2016    Lobster Cay to Norman Cay, Bahamas
  • 21 Dec 2016    Norman Cay to Shroud Cay, Bahamas [Bobby turns 40]
  • 22 Dec 2016    Shroud Cay to Warderick Wells, Land Sea Park, Bahamas 
  • 26 Dec 2016    Land and Sea Park to North Compass Cay
  • 27 Dec 2016    N. Compass, Pipe Cay to Big Major, Staniel Cay, Bahamas
  • 30 Dec 2016    Staniel Cay to Black Point Cay, Bahamas
 
January 2017 New Year, Bahamas to Puerto Rico 

We’ve been exploring Bahamas since late November and there is still more to explore! But this month will take us on our longest sail to date and into the real Caribbean sea.

  • 1 Jan 2017       Little Farmers to Big Farmers Cay, Bahamas
  • 2 Jan 2017       Big Farmers Cay to Staniel Cay
  • 7 Jan 2017      Staniel Cay to Stocking Island, Georgetown, Bahamas (Grandma Wilson Visit)
  • 16 Jan 2017     Georgetown to Fowl Cay, Exumas, Bahamas
  • 17 Jan 2017     Fowl Cay to Calabash Bay, Long Island, Bahamas
  • 18-19 Jan ‘17    Long Island, Bahamas to Blue Haven, Turks & Caicos 
  • 19–22 Jan ‘17  Turks and Caicos, UK to Puerto Real, Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, USA (643 Miles)
  • 28 Jan 2017     Day Sail near Playa Buye (Nana and Papa Justason Visit)
  • 30 Jan 2017     Puerto Real to Bio Bay, La Paguera, P.R.
  • 31 Jan 2017      La Paguera to Caja Muertes, P.R.

February 2017 Puerto Rico to Virgin Islands 

February gave us a taste of the charter boat experience. In the Virgin Islands, we could do easy day trip sails between gorgeous anchorages. Often taking a mooring in a calm bay, we could experience many caves, snorkeling and hikes.

  • 1 Feb 2017      Caja Muertes to Salinas, P.R.
  • 3 Feb 2017      Salinas, P.R. to Vieques, P.R. (Green Beach)
  • 4 Feb 2017      Vieques to Fajardo, P.R.
  • 7 Feb 2017      Fajardo to Rosario, Culebra, P.R.
  • 8 Feb 2017      Rosario to Flemenco Beach, Culebra, P.R.
  • 9 Feb 2017      Flamenco to Culebrita to Magen’s Bay, St. Thomas, USVI
  • 12 Feb 2017    Magen’s Bay to Big Lameshur Bay, St. John, USVI
  • 13 Feb 2017    Big Lameshur to Salt Bay, St. John, USVI
  • 14 Feb 2017    Salt Bay to Round Bay, St. John, USVI
  • 15 Feb 2017    Round Bay to Leinster, Cruz and Francis Bay, St. John, USVI
  • 16 Feb 2017    Francis Bay, St. John to Christmas Cove, St. Thomas, USVI
  • 17 Feb 2017    Christmas Cove to Charlotte-Amalie, St. Thomas, USVI
  • 21 Feb 2017    Day Trip for Snorkeling (Keeney Family Visit)
  • 22 Feb 2017    Charlotte-Amalie, St. Thomas to Leinster Bay, St. John 
  • 23 Feb 2017    St. John, USVI to Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands
  • 24 Feb 2017    Jost Van Dyke to Sopers Hole, East End, Tortola, BVI
  • 26 Feb 2017    Tortola to Norman Island, The Bight, BVI
  • 27 Feb 2017    The Bight to Peter Island, BVI (Stop for Cave Exploration)
  • 28 Feb 2017    Peter Island to Beef Island to Great ​Camanoe, BVI
 
March 2017 More UK, Netherlands, French & Other Island Countries

March continued our exploration of the Virgin Islands and the beginning of the Leeward (away from the wind) Islands of the Caribbean.
     
  • 2 Mar 2017     Lee Bay, Great Camanoe to Marina Cay, BVI
  • 3 Mar 2017     Marina Cay to The Baths to Leverick Bay, Virgin Gorda, BVI
  • 4 Mar 2017     Virgin Gorda to Anegada, BVI
  • 5 Mar 2017     Anegada, BVI to Simpson Bay, Sint Maarten 
  • 17 Mar 2017   Sint Maarten to Saba, Netherlands Antilles
  • 20 Mar 2017   Saba to Sint Eustatia (Statia), Netherlands Antilles
  • 22 Mar 2017   Statia, N.A. to Anguilla, United Kingdom
  • 24 Mar 2017   Anguilla, UK to Sint Maarten, Netherlands 
  • 28 Mar 2017    Sint Maarten, Netherlands to St. Barthelemy (St. Barths), France
  • 30 Mar 2017   St. Barths, France to St. Kitts, St. Kitts and Nevis
  • 31 Mar  2017  St. Kitts to Nevis, St. Kitts and Nevis

April 2017 Leeward to Windward Islands

We learned that the British coined the terms "Leeward" and "Windward" denoting the direction of the wind between their island colonies. Others called them Greater and Lesser Antilles. Regardless of what the islands are called, they were all gorgeous!
​
  • 2 April 2017   Nevis to Jolly Harbor, Antigua
  • 4 April 2017  Five Islands, Antigua to English Harbor, Antigua
  • 6 April 2017  Antigua to Monserrat, UK
  • 7 April 2017   Monserrat, UK to Guadeloupe, France
  • 8 April 2017   Deshaies, Guadeloupe to Pigeon Island, Guadeloupe, France
  • 9 April 2017   Guadeloupe to Les Saintes, France
  • 12 April 2017   Les Saintes to Portsmouth, Dominica
  • 15 April 2017   Dominica to St. Pierre, Martinique, France
  • 17 April 2017   St. Pierre to Fort de France, Martinique, France
  • 18 April 2017   FDF to Les Anses D'Arlet, Martinique, France
  • 20 April 2017  Anse D'Arlet to St. Anne, Martinique, France
  • 21 April 2017   St. Anne, Martinique, France to St. Lucia

May 2017 From One Happy Island and Destinations South America

Feeling hot, hot, hot as we drop in latitude!

  • 1-4 May 2017  St. Lucia to Aruba ("One Happy Island")
  • 11-13 May 2017 Aruba to Santa Marta, Colombia
  • Land Excursions to Medellin and Bogota, Colombia

June 2017 South America to  Central America

  • 12-15 June 2017  Santa Marta, Colombia to Shelter Bay Marina, near Colon, Panama

July 2017 Panamanian River, Various Comarcas and Archipelago Excursions

  • 4 July 2017  Colon, Panama to Chagres River, Panama
  • 7 July 2017  Charges River to Portobello, Panama
  • 9 July 2017  Portobello to Playa Blanca, Panama
  • 11 July 2017   Playa Blanca to Linton, Panama
  • 13 July 2017   Linton to Isla Grande, Panama
  • 15-31 July 2017   Isla Grande to Guna Yala (San Blas), Panama (various islands and cays such as Holandes, Lemmon Cays, Banedup, Chichime, Carti)
August 2017 Continuing Panama Comarcas and Archipelago Excursions and Back to Marinas for Boat Repair Parts

  • 1-13 August 2017   Guna Yala (San Blas), Panama islands and cays (including Isla Gunboat, Wester Hollandes, Coco Banderas, Rio Diablo, Central Hollandes)
  • 14 August 2017 Lemon Cay to Playa Chiquita, Panama to Turtle Cay Marina, Panama
  • 16 August 2017 Turtle Cay to Portobello, Panama
  • 17 August 2017 Portobello to Playa Blanca, Panama
  • 18 August 2017 Playa Blanca to Shelter Bay Marina, Colon, Panama
  • 24 August 2017 Colon to Euero, Panama
  • 25 August 2017 Euro to Escuedo, Panama
  • 27 August 2017 Escuedo to Bluefields, Panama
  • 29 August 2017 Laguna Bluefields to Bocas del Toro, Panama

September & October 2017 School & Travel Hacks, Re-supply in Bocas del Toro, Panama
Alkemi School recommences with some new exotic field trips and extracurriculars and then return to our favorite deserted island paradise spot in Panama.

  • 2 September 2017 South Anchorage to Red Frog Anchorage, Bocas del Toro, Panama
  • 3 September 2017 Red Frog Anchorage to Bocas Marina, Bocas del Toro, Panama
  • LAND EXCURSION: 14 -22 September 2017 Costa Rica Camper Van Trip, Atlantic and Pacific Surfing Destinations, Volcanoes and Thermal Springs
  • 4 October 2017 Bocas Marina to South Bocas Anchorage, Bocas del Toro, Panama
  • 7 October 2017 S. Bocas to N. Bocas Anchorage, Bocas del Toro, Panama
  • 8 October 2017 N. Bocas to Playa Estrella, Boca del Drago, Panama
  • 9 October 2017 Boca del Drago to Playa Azul, Panama
  • 10-11 October 2017 Play Azul to Portobello, Panama
  • 14 October 2017 Portobello to E. Hollandes, Guna Yala, Panama
  • 22 October 2017 E. Hollandes to Coco Bandero, Guna Yala, Panama
  • 24 October 2017 Coco Bandero to Hollandes, Guna Yala, Panama
  • 27 October 2017  Hollandes to Lemmon Cays, Guna Yala, Panama
  • 29 October 2017 Lemmon Cays to Linton to Portobello, Panama

November 2017 Halloween at Sea, Colombia, Jamaica, Cayman Islands
  • 31 Oct to 1 Nov 2017 Portobello, Panama to San Andreas, Colombia
  • 5 Nov 2017 San Andreas to Providencia, Colombia
  • 9-11 Nov 2017 Providencia, Colombia to Negril, Jamaica
  • 13 Nov 2017 Negril to Montego Bay Yacht Club, Montego Bay, Jamaica
  • 16 Nov 2017 Montego Bay to St. Ann’s Parish, Jamaica
  • 17 Nov 2017 St. Ann’s to Port Antonio, Jamaica
  • 23 Nov 2017 Port Antonia to Oracabessa, Jamaica
  • 3 December 2017 Oracabessa to Ocho Rios, Jamaica
  • 4-6 December 2017 Ocho Rios, Jamaica to Georgetown, Cayman Islands, UK
  • 9 December 2017 Georgetown to Governor’s Harbor, Cayman Islands, UK
*** Visits from Grandma Wilson; Nana and Papa Justason ***
  • 14 December 2017 Governor’s Harbor to Barcadere Marina, CI, UK
  • 30 December 2017 Barcadere Marina to Georgetown, CI, UK

January 2018 Cayman Islands, Mexico and Cuba

  • 2 January 2018 Georgetown to Governor’s Harbor, Cayman Islands, UK
  • 4 January 2018 Governor’s Harbor to Kaibo, Cayman Islands, UK
  • 9 January 2018 Kaibo to Governor’s Harbor, Cayman Islands, UK
  • 11 January 2018 Governor’s Harbor to Georgetown, Cayman Islands, UK
  • 13 January 2018 Georgetown to Spotts Bay, Cayman Islands, UK
  • 16 January 2018 Spotts Bay to Georgetown, Cayman Islands, UK
  • 21-23 January 2018 Cayman Islands, UK to Puerto Isla Mujeres Marina, Mexico
** Alkemi hauled for bottom paint **
** Land Excursions to Mexico City, Mexico; Havana & Vinales, Cuba **
 
September & October 2017 School & Travel Hacks, Re-supply in Bocas del Toro, Panama
We get back into Alkemi school with some new exotic field trips and extracurriculars and then return to our favorite deserted island paradise spot in Panama.

  • 2 September 2017 South Anchorage to Red Frog Anchorage, Bocas del Toro, Panama
  • 3 September 2017 Red Frog Anchorage to Bocas Marina, Bocas del Toro, Panama
  • LAND EXCURSION: 14 -22 September 2017 Costa Rica Camper Van Trip, Atlantic and Pacific Surfing Destinations, Volcanoes and Thermal Springs
  • 4 October 2017 Bocas Marina to South Bocas Anchorage, Bocas del Toro, Panama
  • 7 October 2017 S. Bocas to N. Bocas Anchorage, Bocas del Toro, Panama
  • 8 October 2017 N. Bocas to Playa Estrella, Boca del Drago, Panama
  • 9 October 2017 Boca del Drago to Playa Azul, Panama
  • 10-11 October 2017 Play Azul to Portobello, Panama
  • 14 October 2017 Portobello to E. Hollandes, Guna Yala, Panama
  • 22 October 2017 E. Hollandes to Coco Bandero, Guna Yala, Panama
  • 24 October 2017 Coco Bandero to Hollandes, Guna Yala, Panama
  • 27 October 2017  Hollandes to Lemmon Cays, Guna Yala, Panama
  • 29 October 2017 Lemmon Cays to Linton to Portobello, Panama


November 2017 Halloween at Sea, Colombia, Jamaica, Cayman Islands

  • 31 Oct to 1 Nov 2017 Portobello, Panama to San Andreas, Colombia
  • 5 Nov 2017 San Andreas to Providencia, Colombia
  • 9-11 Nov 2017 Providencia, Colombia to Negril, Jamaica
  • 13 Nov 2017 Negril to Montego Bay Yacht Club, Montego Bay, Jamaica
  • 16 Nov 2017 Montego Bay to St. Ann’s Parish, Jamaica
  • 17 Nov 2017 St. Ann’s to Port Antonio, Jamaica
  • 23 Nov 2017 Port Antonia to Oracabessa, Jamaica
  • 3 December 2017 Oracabessa to Ocho Rios, Jamaica
  • 4-6 December 2017 Ocho Rios, Jamaica to Georgetown, Cayman Islands, UK
  • 9 December 2017 Georgetown to Governor’s Harbor, Cayman Islands, UK
*** Visits from Grandma Wilson and Nana and Papa Justason ***
  • 14 December 2017 Governor’s Harbor to Barcadere Marina, CI, UK
  • 30 December 2017 Barcadere Marina to Georgetown, CI, UK

January 2018 Cayman Islands, UK

  • 2 January 2018 Georgetown to Governor’s Harbor, Cayman Islands, UK
  • 4 January 2018 Governor’s Harbor to Kaibo, Cayman Islands, UK
  • 9 January 2018 Kaibo to Governor’s Harbor, Cayman Islands, UK
  • 11 January 2018 Governor’s Harbor to Georgetown, Cayman Islands, UK
  • 13 January 2018 Georgetown to Spotts Bay, Cayman Islands, UK
  • 16 January 2018 Spotts Bay to Georgetown, Cayman Islands, UK
  • 21-23 January 2018 Cayman Islands, UK to Puerto Isla Mujeres Marina, Mexico
** Alkemi hauled for bottom job **
 
February & March 2018 Hola Mexico & Cuba! Final Passages and Return to U.S.A.
 
** Land Excursions to Mexico City, Mexico; Havana & Vinales, Cuba **
  • 16 February 2018 Puerto Isla Mujeres Marina to Isla Mujeres Anchorage
  • 10-12 March 2018 Isla Mujeres to Fort Jefferson National Park, Dry Tortugas, Florida, USA
  • 17 March 2018 Dry Tortugas to Boca Grande, Florida U.S.A.
  • 18 March 2018 Boca Grande to Man-O-War Harbor, Key West, Florida, U.S.A.
 
April 2018 Selling Alkemi and Saying Goodbye - Key West, FL, U.S.A.

  • 10 April 2018 Man-O-War Harbor to Stock Island Marina Village, Key West, FL U.S.A.
  • 18 April 2018 Alkemi moves to Robbie's boatyard for a quick haul out to complete marine survey & back to Marina
  • 29 April 2018 Packing and Moving Day, Lahue family spends last day and night aboard Alkemi
  • 30 April 2018 Alkemi is sold to a new adventurer!

** Caribbean Loop Completed! We were the proud owners of S/V Alkemi from May 2016 to April 30, 2018. After moving aboard the ship in July 2016, we sailed down the East Coast of the U.S.A. departing for the Bahamas in November 2016. Our final port prior to returning to the U.S.A. in March 2018 was Isla Mujeres, Mexico. Our final days on Alkemi were spent in Key West, FL.**
 

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