The trip started from the Sunsail Base at Maya Cove. Kasey and Mike arrived shortly before noon, and were told that our boat was not yet ready, but to check back by 3 PM. Bon, Jordan and I arrived shortly thereafter, and asked whether we could get on the boat. We were told to check back at 2 PM. Mike and Heidi arrived from St. Thomas at about 1:30, while the rest of us were eating lunch, and our entire crew had assembled. All we needed now was a boat. We had been assigned Wind Whisper, an Oceanis 461. The contracted time for boarding was 6 PM, but Sunsail did their best to turn the boats around quickly, so we were able to get on board at about 3:30.
They set up a chart briefing at 6 PM, so we could not leave on Saturday evening, but the accommodations were fine. Nothing new at the briefing, except for the fact that there are moorings almost everywhere now.
On Sunday morning we received our Boat Briefing, but since we had been out last year on the same type of boat, it didn't take long. We were underway before 10:00 AM headed for Norman Island and the Bight. Kasey was sporting a new, temporary look. She, Heidi and Mike enjoyed the sail. We snorkeled and enjoyed the rest of the day, but there is a beach bar known as Billy Bones that started playing some loud music that lasted into the late night. It wasn't too bad, though. Mike and Heidi prepared a nice Pasta meal, and we all retired for the night.
On Monday morning, we got underway early so that Kasey, Fireguy Mike and I could meet up with Blue Water Divers to dive the wreck of the Rhone. Bon, Jordan, Mike, and Heidi stayed behind, enjoying the tranquil anchorage at Little Harbor on Peter Island. The wreck was a great dive, with a good divemaster who really took us on a nice tour.
When we got back on the boat, it was about 2 PM and we decided that we could make Fat Hog Bay before the sun set. The fact that there was a bank with an ATM made the decision easier. When we arrived, it was decided that Mike and Kasey would cook their meal. There was a fish market easily accessible. The only problem is that when they got back to the boat, they told us that all the fish was frozen. The immediate decision was that I should cook. I was planning to make Paella. Not a quick meal, to say the least. Bon helped enormously in the preparation, and, despite a poor performing oven, the meal was not too bad.
The next morning (Tuesday), Mike was in charge of the sail as we headed for The Baths. Jordan didn't want to let his feet (even with shoes) touch the sand. It was comical, but at the end of the trip, he was walking (carefully) on the beach.
Mike and Mike made a great crew. When we left The Baths, we sailed to The Bitter End. One of the challenges we set for ourselves was to sail as much as possible. We managed to pick up most of the moorings under sail. This was made even more difficult by the fact that the boat hook detached from its handle on our first attempt at the Bight, sinking to the bottom in 55 ft of water. Only Miko's long arms allowed us to pick up most of the later moorings.
We all dressed up had a very nice dinner at Saba Rock Resort, which is on a small island in the channel near the Bitter End Yacht Club. The dinner was a buffet, with a great Conch Stew, Prime Rib, and a wonderful salad bar. They had a steel drum band, which fascinated Jordan. Kasey and Mike seemed to have a good time, although Mike spent more time with Jordan than with Kasey The owner was quite nice. He even took the time to get us back to our boat, so that we didn't have to make two trips in the dinghy.
We had been told at the briefing that there would be a captain from Anagada at the bar on Tuesday evening, and that he would be taking a group of boats to Anagada on Wednesday morning. We had not found him on Tuesday, but a guy came around to each of the Sunsail boats in the morning and asked if we wanted to go as part of the group. Mike and Heidi wanted to spend the day at The Bitter End, while Kasey wanted to make the sail to Anagada. Mike decided that he and Heidi would stay at the resort overnight, while the rest of the crew took to sail. Everyone ended up quite happy. The sail to Anagada was one of the best of the trip, with a beam reach and steady winds. We showed a speed of 9 knots for short bursts, with 8 1/2 knots most of the way. Anagada was interesting, with a VERY shallow anchorage (6 ft.) Mike and Kasey prepared a fish dinner on the grill and we had what turned out to be one of the most beautiful sunsets of the trip.
On Thursday, we started the morning with a hard rain that lasted about 15 minutes, but it was an indication that the day was not going to be quite as nice as the previous one. We ended up on a close reach with gusting winds and a few showers for the trip back to the Bitter End. When we got back, though, the weather was beautiful, and Mike and Heidi joined us for the afternoon. Bon fixed a wonderful stir fry for lunch, and it ended up (with a few new ingredients) as our dinner as well. The evening yielded another beautiful sunset, although not quite up to the previous night.
On Friday morning, we set sail for Cane Garden Bay. It has built up a bit since our last visit, but still as beautiful as ever, and some of the places are just the same. The sunset over Jost van Dyke was almost a disappointment after the previous 2 nights. Mike and Heidi treated us to dinner at the Big Banana Paradise Club, and it was excellent.
Along the trip, Jordan was watching carefully and getting his sea legs. While he was not too keen on getting the water initially,, Mike got him closer, and eventually, into the Caribbean. He tried his hand at the wheel, and figured out how the winch worked.
Heidi managed to find herself a perfect seat for parts of the trip, and seemed to thoroughly enjoy the sailing. She and Jordan shared their experiences.
We had decided to spend our last night at Trellis Bay, so we could make an easy trip back to the Sunsail Base on Sunday morning. While we were on the way there, Fireguy Mike was reading the Cruising Guide, and noticed an advertisement for Marina Key, which is run by Pusser's. As we made the turn toward Trellis, Mike and Mike pointed us toward a small island across the channel from Trellis. There were only a few boats on moorings, so we had our pick. Marina Key turned out to be one of the most pleasant surprises of the trip. The restaurant was modestly priced, but the food was excellent. It was a great way to spend our last evening together.
Sunday we started early on our return to the docks. It all ended too quickly. Jordan had been really good for most of the trip, everyone thoroughly enjoyed the sailing, dinners, swimming, and the family in general. It looks like we will have to do it again. We looked at a 43 foot catamaran (which accomodates 10) and thought that Big Bill and Nana would fit in quite well if we tried that the next time. Big open decks, no stairs between the cockpit and the salon, and plenty of room. If only they didn't spend so much time travelling.
