Finding what you look for 3/3

Not just an ordinary day, or was it?  I swear everyday something happens here that reminds us it really is "a small world after all".  Either that or the Universe really does align with our thoughts... or something like that.  Here's what I mean:
I wasn't successful trying to talk with, or email a family like ours: ( "The Three Little Birds" I discovered on the internet) setting out 6 months prior to us.  "The Three Little Birds are on the wifi list here!" Mikai declared as we motored to our slip in Rodney Bay. ---- What are the chances?  The kids played everyday after "school" and Mandi and I made great neighbors, sharing Mommy stories and ideas.


Then the other day our dog got what looked like an aggressive flesh eating disorder, so I asked on the "morning VHF radio talk" here in the marina if anyone could recommend a local vet.  Vet Tom came on and we dinghyed Jack out to see the Dr. and his wife in the bay.  After a shot of cortisone, a bottle of antibiotics, $20 and some dog talk, we found out that our advisors have lived this way a long time and had much more to share than information about Solar Eczema. They came by today to check in....wow!  A $20 house call.  Now that's something you don't get on an ordinary day.


Then today a boater and his wife yell, "hey Double Down".  I step out into the bright midday light to a chipper couple asking all about our boat.  Turns out they know Double Down well, having raced against her several years ago.  They ALSO have the exact model Cat, equipment, engines etc.  This means we get an expert briefing, and many new questions answered.  Does she hold 75 or is it 150 gallons of Water afterall?  Oh and we should tighten the trampoline?  Right!

Then the crazy thing is we aren't certain where to stay in the north, Nevis? St Kitts? Antigua?  (Chances are we'll need another safe harbor when Dan flies again back to CA for work. ) So guess who just happens to live in Antigua with info about everywhere and everything around?  Yep Ty and Judith, the couple on the boat that stopped by.
And one last thing.  Ty was born and raised in San Carlos of course, just down the street.

Gosh I guess all that talk and angst about safety, strange diseases, pirates, big storms, needs for sailing certifications and big sun hats was just that.  Talk and angst.  Instead we have found what we were looking for: Great, helpful, present, interested, helpful, inspiring, and generous people wanting to share their love of whatever they love.  Looks like it's really true that what you look for is what you find.

The Value of Rig Checks - Also Known As "Where in the Heck Did That Nut Come From?"

Stooping down to examine a nut lying on the deck, I muttered, "Huh, wonder where this nut came from?"  We were at the beginning of one of our first 4+ hour crossings as a family, and I was getting ready to set the mainsail.  Or so I thought.  The seas out from the island we departed from were 8-10', and winds were a steady 25 knots.  That 29 mph for you landlubbers.  So it was going to be a fast diesel-less day to the next island.  Or so I thought.

So I hoist the mainsail.  That thing looks funny.  "Huh, one sail batten is no longer attached to the slider in the mast".  Let the sail down, instruct Mikai to hover lest we get into shallows, run to get a bolt and LOCK NUT, oops got one too big, ok back to get the right one, hoist away again.  All's great, we're still dead into the wind for sail-hoisting thanks to Ninja Driver Mikai, and I move into place to adjust the mainsheet and traveler.

It's at this point I stoop down and grasp for the nut lying on the deck.  Butterfingers, and it flies into the drink.  I guess that was a sign of what was to happen next.  No one really saw it, but about ten seconds later, a black shadow shot into the drink too.  Then the main was magically loose or at least looser (not sure I wanted that yet).  "WHAT WAS THAT?"  At first nothing seemed wrong, the boat was fine, I was fine, the crew was fine, nothing was falling, nothing broken.  Or was it?  The mainsheet, the line (NOT ROPE you LANDLUBBER) that holds thousands of pounds of wind on the mainsail had only one block (pulley in landlubberese) holding it.  Now if you remember your physics or anything about levers, you'll know that losing that one block changes it from 4:1 to 2:1.  One lonely block left to hold all that weight.  I guess we could have sailed on one, but if that one fell off, we'd have a boom BOOMING all over the places as nothing else holds the sail and boom except the mainsheet.

So, about two nanoseconds later (nanosecond one was considering jumping in after the block), down came the mainsail, and motoring it was to the next island.

That's the kind of stuff that happens on a typical day.  It's not the boat really--this happens to new and well-worn boats, although a LOCK NUT might have helped.  Anything that does happen is my fault.  Yeah it really is.  Did I do a rig check?  No, not that day.  Would I have caught it if I had?  Maybe.  I'm always keeping a keen eye for anything amiss.  The nut on the deck (no I'm not referring to me or any of the family) was a sign, a 10-second sign til the damage was done.

So we motor off to the next island, and I think, well, I'll just go to the chandlery (hardware store for boats) and pick up a new one.  Except no one has that particular block.  Four local stores later, then 10 in California, no one has that block.  So I call the block maker.  They ask to send a picture, sounds like a custom block.  So at 9pm in the middle of pouring rain (not my choice or directive), a few shots are taken, and I get them the next day, and find out there are 14 left in existence, and have it shipped overnight.

I didn't realize this would be 24X7 adventure, on and off the boat.

I also am happily reminded since nothing truly bad happened, that a 5 minute gaze at everything topside on the boat is paramount.  And I'm sure something unexpected will happen next time, stay tuned here for more.

First days 2/15

Sorry it’s taken so long to update! We have been having SOOOO much fun, while enjoying no intentional organization what-so-ever, that we haven’t realized the days passing so quickly! Well the girls have been just a little tired too actually.

The latest news is that while the boys traveled the rough 18 foot tall waves with up to 30 knot winds with only a double reefed sail from the Grenadines to Saint Lucia, the girls dozed through their flight. After we were all reunited we motored to Soufrière where we are sitting out a very big rain storm (for this time of year) until tomorrow when we’ll make our attempt to trek a bit in the rainforest before setting off to Castries (the capitol) and Rodney Bay.

Sure are lots of banana trees and schools of fish here.  And as for temps: it’s a pleasant 75 or so.....not too hot at all.

Today Mom took a swim shower with the dog before everyone woke, Annika and Nikolas played on the beach in the down pouring rain and Shawna, Mikai and Karina went to town and bought groceries and ice.  Right now Mikai is insisting that we update our blog but I think the carrots may be getting mushy.

Tonight for dinner we’re having fresh Tuna, carrots and egg drop soup....In case anyone was wondering.  And no, we haven’t met any pirates, gotten heat rash, seen a shark or been sun burned yet!  Oh.... but the lucky few who were awake saw a very big turtle.  It’s been wonderful as we expected so far.  The hardest part has been organizing our insanely extensive quantities of stuff.  Each of us brought 1.5 medium suitcases for the year and it’s still way to much!!!

Arrived! 2/9

Well here we are!! Finally after 24 hours of traveling we are here:

After 24 hours of this:

...we have arrived! We landed in St Lucia, where we took a put-put plane to St. Vincent. We are now on Double Down in St Vincent. Steve is here, showing us how to handle his boat for a year. Maintenance, cleaning, and all that good stuff. It is something like 80ºF here with roughly 150% humidity. There is not one minute of the day that I am not sweating. Yesterday I drank 1.5 liters of water during lunch because it was just THAT HOT. Other than that, all is well. We are all happy now that we have had a a chance to sleep. The only thing that's missing is the other half of the family (Karina, Annika, and Shawna). We will see you all back in St Lucia on Monday!

Warm Rain and Sunshine... 8/13

Hi it’s Karina. 

I am saying what to put in our blog this time.

Today I woke up with a nice bowl of chicken noodle soup for breakfast. Yuuum.  Mom never lets me have that for breakfast at home. So far we got to see scrub island to Guana island, back to Tortola and all the way over to Jost where we are now.  I think the moon is really bright tonight especially because it’s so full. Mikai and I took a nap for two and a half hours today.  We missed two of the islands.  The private island and the island where the other’s watched a glass blower.

Hi it’s Annika now.  

Today I woke up at about 8 o’clock and we left the harbor to a beautiful bay and Nikolas my mom and my Dad went snorkeling but I was too scared to try because I was afraid I’d see the scary big fish Ive been feeding from the boat.  They look like little sharks.  So far my favorite part of the trip was snorkeling from the beach at the Baths because there we no big scary fish and it seemed like a protected bay. I loved stopping to walk in the rain.  I’ve never walked in the rain before for so long without an umbrella!

Mom’s turn - sitting all together on the bow listening to millions of super noisy beatles in the trees.

Though we travelled further today than we have until now it’s been a relatively uneventful day in search of less visited spots.  The highlight was without a doubt walking on the pristine deserted beach of Guana Island.  We’ll never forget the perfect flat white sand and the pelting warm rain. 

Been thinking about how Peace Corps has given us so much confidence to explore the real world sans tour guide, convenience stores, hot water, soap, espresso, maps or even knowing what we’re doing tomorrow.  I think I read we’re in for a BIG storm tomorrow on our way to the real “Treasure Island”.  Should be good.

ONWARD!! 8/12

After 2 nights in Anegada and days searching on dirt backroads for the flamingos and ridiculously pristine deserted beaches, we arrived at the Bitter End in time for some powerful downpours.  Misty magical rainbows appearing out of nowhere were our only clues to seek cover or get soaked fast.  We learned that lesson in the dinghy somewhere about 300 yards away from the boat.  Gogogogogogo-go-go-go-Mikai faster!!!

We thoroughly enjoyed that harbor as well before setting off again early in the morning for the Dogs as they’re known. Little reefs and islands of spooky deep caverns and underwater caves.  The girls weren’t so interested in braving the beachless snorkeling but the boys took to the thrill with ease.  Our favorite sightings were the lavender fan corals and the sparkly blue fish. 

We ended up mooring at Marina Cay, adjacent to Scrub Island resort and what a resort it is!  Naturally we had to stay for dinner and and the following day (today) for a high end swim in the pools and making friends (Jason and Kelly).  Ahhh luxury.  I love luxury!

(Late) Update 8/9

Sorry we havent been able to post anything, there hasn't been any WiFis (Internet connection) until now. This is being posted today (8/11), but was written 8/9.

Amazing turquoise blue water. So almost neon blue that the blue clear sky appears dirty gray in comparison. There can't be much more magical than sitting on the front of our catamaran looking over the dark black water towards the Mellon yellow shore lights; except sitting together with my family revisiting our exceptional day. Funny the questions. "Papa where do the meteors go? "

The breeze, oh I wish I had the words to describe this breeze after a hot day of snorkeling at the Baths on Virgin Gorda and a perfectly long 2 hour crossing to Amagada, the furthest North East island of all the Caribbean islands.

All in all it's been a trip. Too hot, just right, too fast, too slow, perfect. Everything exactly as it should be. Another affirming experience in favor of our ultimate plan, no longer a dream.

We arrived in St Thomas after a long but easy flight through Miami, in the evening. Ended up learning the hard way that the taxi's here are impossibly expensive and the service impossibly cheap. Good thing we don't require too many services! Shopped and swam and ferried to Road Town, Tortola, BVI where we slept with a beautiful view of the marina at Village Cay fro two nights before boarding Smoke and Roses. She's a 47' Leopard Catamaran perfectly sized for a family of six.

After Gerome, our local Captain with the heavy Caribbean accent, started us out to our first stop Virgin Gorda, Dan recognized his confidence to take us the rest of the way solo. Yeah for Dan, because we would never even get close to this if not for him.

Today we snorkeled at the famous Baths and travelled here, Anegada to see the flamingos and one of the largest barrier reefs in the world! So looking forward to tomorrow's magic. Bliss.