To all who venture beyond…this is Marley’s first post. I’m just the access. She’s the muscle.
Chapter 1: Manjack Cay
I found something cool at Manjack Cay. Manjack Cay is one of the stops that my family and I made on our way through the Abacos. This island has a story to go with it. This is the story of a message in a bottle.
Chapter 2: Hike to the Beach
The day we were at Manjack Cay we took a little hike to a beach recommended as a must-see by a boat friend. At this beach, I was playing in a fallen tree when I discovered something…
Chapter 3: Finding the Bottle
…a bottle! As I looked closer, I found that it had a message in it. I dislodged it from its hiding place under the base of the tree. As we finished our walk back to the boat, I was intent on opening the bottle and finding out what the message read.
Chapter 4: Wine Openers, Skewers, and Tweezers
Just before we were about to take our long dinghy ride back to MarVyn, we decided to take the bottle back to our recently-met friends. They own the island, or at least part of it. To open the bottle, we started with a wine opener, and pulled the cork out. The cork split into two pieces so we had to try twice, but we finally got it out! The next issue was that the note was not skinny enough to fit through the neck of the bottle. Our friends went into their house to get two skewers. We stuck the skewers up the neck of the bottle and twisted the paper between them so that it rolled up into a tight enough cylinder to exit the neck of the bottle. We couldn’t get it all the way out so we pulled it out with tweezers.
Chapter 5: The Message
The message read:
27 April 2016
42 deg 22′ North
010 deg 06′ West
Cheers from The Captain
C. E. Hampton
The note was written on a pad with the stamp of the USS Donald Cook (DDG 75). We searched for him on the internet. Apparently, he was the commander of this 505 foot Arleigh-Burke Class Destroyer. This ship was home-based in Spain. He was the 13th commander and served from October 17, 2014 to January 1, 2016. We figured that the bottle had been through a couple of hurricanes because of how long it had been in the water. The paper was only a little damp!
Chapter 6: Writing Back
I decided to write him back. I found his address on the internet. The address was quite complex. I told him who I am, that I found his bottle, and where I found it. In the process of mailing it we had some difficulties. First, we had trouble figuring out which return address to use. After all, we live on a boat that is moving! Our next difficulty was the post office in Marsh Harbour had moved from its listed spot on the map and it was at the complete other side of the island. We couldn’t get there by foot! The post office in Hope Town was closed because we arrived on a Sunday. We finally were able to mail it the next day. Surely this has been an amazing adventure! Now we wait…
MarVyn 
What an awesome find!! I hope you hear back from the captain. Keep us posted!!
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Hi Sonia! Thanks for looking. She is so proud of this post! Hope you’re well!
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Btw, were you able to see in Marley’s letter that she asked the commander if he knows Stacey Yopp? Can’t wait to find out!
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Wow this is so amazing!! Yes the captain is alive, he is my brother! My 3 rd grade class in Texas became pen pals with the USS Donald Cook. We loved following their adventures and learning about their jobs on the ship. Again this is so cool! I hope you all have many more amazing adventures!
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Oh my I am so involved and intrigued with your posts.Have Fun and be safe!
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Thanks, Lytle! We’ll keep the fun coming! Much love to you!
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That’s an awesome story!!! I am looking forward to reading more about your adventures.
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Thanks, Madeline! Marley has had such fun with this. We’llbe Sure to let you know ifand when she gets a response. (Btw, congrats on your incredible life change. You rock!)
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this is so neat!! sounds like you guys are having fun!!
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Hi Hope and fam! We are loving life! Miss all of you!
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Love the amazing adventure. I am enjoying your blog and thanks Marley for sharing your find with us. How awesome that you found a message in a bottle. Can’t wait to hear the next discovery!
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Thanks, Barbara! We’re having a ball! Merry Christmas to you and yours!
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I just love Marley’s post! What an exciting adventure. When I talked to her on the phone this morning she would’t divulge the tale. I had to wait for her post! It was worth waiting for. This has been a day full of grandchildren for me. I watched Astrid perform in The Nutcracker today too. Also good quality time with Key and a great conversation with Evyn. They’re counting the days til they meet up with you for Christmas vacation. Can’t wait to hear the stories that come from that trip! Love,hugs and kisses❤️⭕️❌🎄⛵️👣🧜🏿♀️🦀🐟🐠🐬🌊🍍🥥🍾🏝
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I loved reading Marley’s post! She did a great job! I to am intrigued as to when and how the captain will respond! Keep us posted!
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Thanks for following! We’ll keep you up to date on any follow up!
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wait is he still alive? that is really cool. keep finding stuff marley. also, catch some fish soon!
love you,
key
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Aw thats so sweat!
– Astrid
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I had no idea that the guy was still alive! thats super cooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool!
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Yes, he is still alive and we caught 2 barracuda and a huge mahi that took our lure.
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A mahi. Sigh. Key is going to jump out of his hat.
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ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh
im ready to catch some mahi when we get on the boat!!
you should use that heavier duty rod that i was using at marleys bday party on the boat so you dont lose the next one you get.
you really want those for dinner!!!!!!
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Hi!
Marly that story that you wrote was amazing! I am doing great how are you? I am also so exited to be at the Bahamas with you guys in a few weeks only! Have you been seeing and catching a bunch of new fish? I know Key would love to hear about that! I am so exited to see you in one week and one day! I am counting the days until I see you next
Love, Astrid
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marly and Evyn that picture of you two on your swan looks so fun! I hope I get to do that when I am there!
I love you guys, Astrid
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hi astid i know I spelled your name wrong. It’s because you spelled mine wrong! We have a performance ready that you and Key have a very important role in so be ready. And I’m sorry we got rid of the swan. It was decapitated in our pool. How was The Nutcracker?
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sorrrrrrrry I speeled your name wronge Marley!
Love U, Astrid
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Love you too! Sorrrrrrrry I speeled your name wronge too.
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Either of you can speel my name wronge whenever you want.
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I love your messages back and forth. You guys are gonna have soooo much fun! I just can’t wait to read the blogs while you’re all together. There will be a new adventure every day! The countdown is on….
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Wow! What an amazing find! We are a family hoping to be sailing next year. I had thought of my boys sending messages in bottles but thought they’d never be found. Wrong!! Fantastic blog post. Keep it up and let us know what happens. Xxx
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Thanks for reading! We’ve had so much fun with this. We’ll be sure to update you here!
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Thanks for sharing a great story! Was also impressed with your research. Hope you all have a Merry Christmas! Dave
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Thank so for reading, Dave! We’ll let you know if we receive any follow up from the commander. We wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas!
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