1000 Mile Road Trip to Bimini

[Jet Ski Brian]

My wife and I just got back home last night from a great trip to Bimini Bahamas. We towed our Yamaha FXHO's 1000 miles from our house in Poquoson Virginia to Miami Florida to meet up with a group of PWC enthusiasts for a 50 plus mile trip across the Atlantic to Bimini Island. This was an organized trip put on by Water Top events called The Bimini Road Rally. Tim and his wife did a great job putting all of the details and plans together making it an unforgettable experience. Mother Nature made it an adventure for all.
Our trip across was in light rain and 4-5 foot seas with 15 knot winds out of the SE. There were over a dozen pwcs and four boats that made the crossing. We stopped several times to re-group, taking about 3 1/2 hours to get there.
The weather was overcast most of the time for our three days on the island but we managed to get in all of the planned sights by water and land.
I fished twice while there managing to catch some Amberjack, Mahi and several other fish while bottom fishing. The winds made it difficult to run around a lot.
Unfortunately the GO Pro camera I purchased for the trip proved not to be waterproof as the case had a small crack in it and I watched it fill with water as I was diving. Most of my on the water and fish pictures were taken with it. I am still trying to see if I can recover anything from the SD card but it does not look promising.
The most impressive thing I saw while on Bimini was a residence called "Dolphin House". This house is a creation 20 years in the making by Artist/ historian Ashley Saunders. It has been put together piece by piece from articles he has collected and recycled from beach combing demolished homes, construction sites as well as articles that people have given or sent to him from around the world.
The departure day back to Miami was hectic. The weather had turned for the worse and was only going to get uglier. The seas were 4-6 foot with 8-9 foot swells. Honestly, my wife had no desire to go back in those conditions. Luckily, John who was going to ride one of the boats across volunteered to ride her jet ski across. Several other people that were going to go back by boat also opted to fly back instead. My wife said it was the best $180 dollars she has spent.
Every one made it back safely, the jet skis handled well in trying conditions, the winds being out of SE made the trip doable. We drove back to Virginia in some serious down pours but the sun is shining here in Virginia. I am getting ready to take one of my jet skis out fishing on my last day of my vacation. Back to reality tomorrow!
Here are some pictures of our trip. I will put up some some links to other peoples pictures and videos when they are done.

[Mike Avery]

Great trip and shots Brians. It all sounds like fun except for the actual crossing part.

[FishinMagician_IV]

Nice pics & report as usual, BUMMER on the trip back, I agree with your wife.

[Rock crusher]

awesome thank you for sharing that Brian

[JLaVey]

Awesome! Brought back a LOT of good memories. Looks like you launched out of Haulover? I have made that run as a kid dozens of time and been caught in the same snot on the crossing. Not fun stuff. Its been so long since I have been to Bimini, I did not recognizethe changes to the Big Game or any other shot, but it sure makes me want to go back. Did you fish around Bimini? Isaacs light and hens and chickens was a go to spot for big grouper when I was a kid and fishing for yellowtail at night off Bimini was always productive. Hopefully you can recover some of the pics and post. Is this a one time trip or an annual thing? Oh, and your wife choosing to fly back, she's the smart one of the bunch...LOL.

[Captain Dad]

Nice pictures, snotty weather for you, sorry. We trailered down and crossed in 2009. Glad to see Bimini Big Game open again. This is a trip everyone should make (with proper planning!) A magical place! I would put Dolphin House much farther down the list, though, behind the fantastic Island itself and the famous Bimini Color Change!
My wife was a little nervous with the crossing, but isn't it wild, as you cross the stream, to see the palm filled island slowly rise out of the horizon?
Did you bring back a piece of Earnest Hemmingway's house? If you haven't read Islands In The Stream, please do. You will recognize all the spots he talks about in the novel. In the story, He uses the Lerner's house on the bluff as his house (now a restaurant).
My boys can't wait to go back! My wife, not so much. Not enough shopping, I guess!
Thanks,
Jack

[Ware Fisher]

What an adventure! Glad you made it home safely Brian. Did anyone know the story behind the landing gear?

[meangene757]

You finally made it, glad you had a great time. Back in 2010 we took the ride over, awesome!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwDWc...&feature=g-upl

[kennedy daniels]

Sorry about the go pro. I'm sure that was pretty disappointing. Getting the underwater shots is a great accomplishment but the equipment has to cooperate!

[LittleFloater]

Hey! That's my brother's slip next to yours! 31 Cabo - C-Note along with his flats boat. Trust you had a great time. I recognize your highlights (Sapona, Airplane wreckage, Bimini Bus!).