Venturing Crew 2257 – Overland Park, KS

 

We had this Venturing Crew on board Ciganka 6 years ago to the day. Five of the “original” crew came back for Round #2! We had such a stellar week! They were fast learners and became top notch sailors early in the week. Our conch hunt was successful and so were the delicious conch fritters! Through the week’s snorkeling excursions we saw several sharks, big sting rays, a huge eel, and an abundance of the colorful reef fish! We thank each crew member for the energy, laughter, and kindness they brought to the week. We can only hope that this crew will want to go Round #3 with us in the near future! Our Love to Venturing Crew 2257!

 

We started out first day on an incredible ocean side reef dive at Fowle Cay

 

Crew Chief Deanna jumps right in

 

Off they go to check out the reef

 

Kit, who had never been in the ocean before wasn’t so sure about this whole thing….

 

Dad brushing his daughter’s hair. Ya got to love it!

 

Deanna did a great job at the helm with Ciganka under full sail!

 

Swimming over to Shell Cay

 

They had the whole island to themselves and found some beautiful shells

 

Thanks for the scrumptious breakfast galley crew!

 

There goes Chuck

 

They enjoyed the ocean side beach of Bakers Bay. It is one of those pristine beaches you see in the vacation magazines…..and it was all ours!

 

Our ladder

 

Look how clear the water is. That is our anchor!

 

 

Captain Thomas giving a knot tying lesson

 

Off they go in the stretch limo dinghy

 

Boy did we have a success conch hunt

 

Kit got a conch. If you only knew what great strides in snorkeling she pushed herself through to get this conch. We are all so darn proud of you Kit!.

 

We only took what we were going to eat for our meal. The rest we left.

 

Linda made scrumptious conch fritters

 

Every got a conch shell to take home

 

Look at Alycia’s beautiful shell

 

Are we wearing you guys out??

 

Looks like it!

 

Everyone was sleepy but Alycia!

 

Gorgeous shells

 

What’s so funny??

 

The crew wanted us to kiss but we thought a hand shake was more appropriate….

 

But they kept pestering us…..

 

Are you all happy now??

 

What are you thinking about Maddie?

 

Spanker Crew getting ready to hoist sail

 

Sail up!

 

Amanda is on the spanker peak halyard

 

Alycia and Mark sweating off the spanker throat halyard

 

Maddie is on the spanker sheet. Ya did great!

 

Chuck is on the main sail sheet

 

Main sail up!

 

Dennis and Dan on the main sail throat halyard. Crank it out boys!

 

Molly and Amanda hoisting the main sail peak halyard. Goooooooo Girls!

 

Sweating off the throat halyard. You guys did yourselves proud!

 

Gail and Kit hoisting the staysail halyard! SWEET!

 

Spanker crew backwind to starboard

 

Oh man, you all do such a good job!!

 

Time to coil up our halyard lines. Molly got really good at this! Seriously!

 

There you go Dan – You got it!

 

Getting the jib ready to go up

 

Deanna and Kit raising the jib halyard. Proud of you girls!

 

It is Gail’s turn on the helm

 

Dan learned how to handle the port jib sheet

 

And our happy Molly was on the starboard jib sheet.

 

Kit held a good helm as she pointed Ciganka into the wind

 

What a SHARP looking Crew!!

 

Waking to Miss Lola’s for her world famous cinnamon buns

 

Captain Thomas is explaining something….

 

Man-O-War cemetary

 

We had a nice morning walk on the Man-O-War Cay beach

 

Good morning Kit!

 

Impressive Crew

 

Thanks Chuck!

 

Just a cool picture

 

Father and Son

 

Thanks for the t-shirts!

 

Once again we enjoyed Miss Lola’s cinnamon buns and got a picture with her

 

Thank you Dennis for REALLY cleaning my pan. I will never forget it!

 

Alycia is enjoying her time on the helm!

 

Look at those girls do their “thang”. Awesome!

 

Hanging out with my Dad was the BEST!

 

Hi Mom we miss you!

 

Justin got very comfortable out on the bow sprit. He was our “Point Man”

 

Off to explore Tahiti Beach at low tide

 

The water is so shallow you can walk to the small islands and explore the coastline

 

After a long hike and some snorkeling they chilled out together on da beach

 

I climbed on top of the pilothouse to take this picture. They are all sitting together on the other side of the sand ridge

 

I was able to get them together on the beach as their Crew flag flew proudly on Ciganka

 

It was Gail’s turn on the bow sprit as we were sailing hard under full sail and a stiff wind!

 

What a ride!

 

Awe, now her daughter Deanna joins her…..priceless!

 

Dennis reporting for duty at the helm

 

And away we gooooooooo!

 

Everybody pitched in getting the jib down and wrapped up. So proud!

 

Linda and Amanda has some quality time. I (Linda) miss you already Amanda!

 

And I (LInda) LOVE this picture! Thanks Amanda!!

 

 

Mark did a rescue at sea for Alycia’s Ciganka High Advenuture Sailing ball cap. He da Man!!

 

Off to enjoy Hope Town lighthouse and the historical settlement. Have FUN!

 

Thanks Alycia – what a treasure you are!!

 

Justin was also “Hose Man”. The BEST we have ever had – seriously!

 

What an absolute pleasure to have you on board “Point Man” and “Hose Man” Justin. Please come back!!

 

Happy go lucky Mark was “Squirrel Man” in which he mush accomplish a variety of tasks. He did himself (and us) proud!!

 

“Crew Chief” Deanna did an amazing job. She was so on top of everything in looking ahead as to what her crew members needed to do or be aware of. Then she nicely verbalized it to them and made sure they understand what was expected of them. Awesome leadership

 

Chuck and his daughter Molly – It doesn’t get any better than that! Love ya guys!

 

 

Dennis and Mark – Thank you both for add so much laughter to our week!

 

 

Gail & Deanna – Mother/Daughter – Best Friends – Great Crew! Thank you!!

 

Maddie – You are just so darn cute. Keep doing what you are doing. You are an amazing young woman!

 

There are many accomplishments behind this picture. Kit made it happen!

 

Dan with his two incredible kids – Amanda and Justin. THIS is what family is all about!

 

Thank you Chuck for everything you do for all your “kids” and for us! A heart of gold!

 

The crew presented us with a new Bahamian courtesy flag which we fly on Ciganka while in the Bahamas. So we retired and presented our “old” flag to Alycia to keep!

 

Congratulations to our two recipients of the “Conch Award of Excellence” – Crew Chief Deanna & Alycia. YEAH!

 

Venturing Crew 2257 – Overland Park, KS