We planned to leave earlier in the week, but then heard about Anguilla Day and decided to stay for the Regatta and the festivities. Sailing is the national sport. The entire island tracks the island circumnavigation regatta either by following by boat or driving around the island in a car and viewing it from land.
Or they hop on a barge with a band, bar and port-a-potties to follow the race boats.
On June 1st we sailed to St. Croix and it was great to be sailing with the wind for a change. It was idyllic. The sun was shining. There was not a cloud in the sky. The waves were almost non existent and the wind was moderate which translates to "a perfect day for sailing". We were even able to use all four sails which pushed us along at 8mph. When we arrived we were almost out of water, beer, wine and rum! Ahh! So we decided to treat ourselves to time at a dock...meaning unlimited showers, laundry, electricity, and air conditioning! As well as, close proximity to re provisioning! I, being the only woman on board, am sooo thrilled. Luxury at last!
On the sail here the boys caught two huge wahoo and two big eyed tuna (sushi!).
Our freezer is stocked. We have learned to cook fish in many ways...fried fish, broiled fish, fish gumbo, fish scampi, steamed fish, fish chowder... mama always said, "life is like a box of chocolates..." Anyways, everyone's happy!
We are so happy, in fact, that we are turning around and heading south again! We decided that hurricane season was approaching too fast to make it out of the box and that we just aren't done with our adventure. So, we are awaiting the arrival of Phillip's best friend, Ben Dunn Jansen, "his brother from another mother", who will be spending the summer with us. Then we will head south to Montserrat to see the live volcano.
St. Croix once again is great as our cell phones work and we have Internet connection. It is good to be in touch with everyone, but the sound of the phones ringing is not one that pleases the ear.
We have been able to go to a grocery store, hardware store, and the many shops in Christiansted. Mike even applied for a job here, but the firm will be hiring in 2 years! Oh well ,maybe on the way back! Most importantly, we visited the brew pub, and yes mom, the rum punches are the best in the Caribbean so far!
I will also be flying back to the US to deal with our house. The renters decided to leave early so I have to take care of re renting... Also, we have 2 cats that we need to find homes for. Fatty has been with Damon and Melanie and they love her but a year is a long time. Blackie Chan has been living in our house with the renters so now he needs a home, too. The logistics of cruising can be overwhelming at times, however, it usually works out somehow.
In August, both Andrew and Doug will leave us. Andrew will return to UF, Go Gators! Doug will go to live with my wonderful mother and Daddy Eddie where he can attend high school. Phillip will get his wish to be an only child for a time.
While here we have spent time with Bruce, a friend of ours from Ozona, who runs St. Croix Marine. He has been awesome and lent us his car and even his laundry machines! We went out to a nice restaurant for dinner the other night and then he took the guys fishing this morning. We were invited to a fish fry/party tonight and are looking forward to meeting some more people here. Other than that we have been doing a lot of repairs on the boat and she is looking good!
All in all, it's just another beautiful day in paradise! Cheers!
