Now, 6 days in St. Thomas I have been humbled several times.
The latest experience occurred today as I looked about at all the vessels at dock. I think to myself....where do these people get this kind of money to own vessels like these?
Then, this afternoon a sailing yacht pulled in and docked at the end of C-dock (the dock at which we are slipped) and I had to go out and take a look at what appeared to be "Darth Vader". All dark navy, 130' long, a single huge dark navy mast, digital readouts attached to the mast illustrating lat and lon positions, winds, etc. Then, curved, stainless "gates" that pointed to the entrance down below. I've never seen anything so sleek! You can check it out at: http://www.superyachttimes.com/yachts/details/276. Her name is Angels Share. She has been in the Caribbean and is here to be loaded onto a transport vessel to take her to Spain. I talked briefly to the Captain as he was spraying her down....he is from Norway.
I walked back to board Great Mates II....how humbling!
Then on to a bit of a different humbling experience. We have befriended this taxi driver, "Yogi". He's a very nice man who has been here in the VI for four years. He is Palestinian, born in Jerusalem. As he has taken us from place to place, we have chatted and come to know a bit about one another. Yesterday, he took us on a brief tour of the island, showing us various high (literally, high on a mountain), points where we stopped to take photos. Then, he took us on to Megans Bay Beach where we just hung out for a few hours, amazed by the clear turquoise waters. As he was dropping us off, I asked him...."when will you be able to come back to get us?" To which he replied, "anytime you wish, except between 1 and 2:00. This is Friday and I will be in prayer at the Mosc."
Yes....he is a devout Muslim. And while, since 9-11 we have all formed our opinions about Muslims, I'm here to say I was humbled by a man so devout that he couldn't work for an hour on Friday because he had to go and pray.
Once more humbling experience. Last evening while having dinner at a great little spot owned and operated by fellow Hoosiers, from Danville IN, (www.islandviewguesthouse.com), our waitress, Rebecca told us her story. A beautiful mature blond with a Marilyn Monroe look, she and her husband live with their 5 children (the oldest is away at school) on a 42' sailboat. He is a boat delivery Captain and she a waitress. They home school (boat school) their children. Also, they have a bit of a community out there in the mooring field. Different parents take turns taking the children to points of interest or on activities. They are from Washington state and are preparing to go home on Tuesday. This will be the first time they've been home in five years!
I cannot imagine living on a 42 sailboat with a family of 6....and educating them...and having to dinghy in to work or play or shower or do laundry and grocery shop. And to not be home to see family for five years???? WOW! Am I spoiled!
To close here's a funny line shared with us last evening about the boating life....."its the only time you will pay 5X for 3rd class travel!" Fellow boaters; you know what this means!
God's peace and understanding,
Lisa
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
April 28th, 2011 ~ St. Thomas VI
Well we are starting to get settled in. Ed has made many repairs which were necessary due to very rough weather we endured for about 4 days during our crossing. He still has a list of projects which he is determined to get completed if at all possible before Emma arrives on May 10th.
I have been cleaning, cleaning, cleaning now that we are in a slip and have adequate water and little movement.
We've met some very nice people here - Ruth and Koni aboard SV "Bora Bora". They hail from Switzerland and have made three cross Atlantic sails. They are retired, middle 60's and have 2 children and 5 grandchildren. On the other side of us is a Captain, Michael Tetelbaum who takes care of SV "Papa Goose". The owner is not here.
The gal who works in the marina office, Brianne used to work at the Tiki Hut at Marina Jacks and knows Sam and all the crew there. She and her husband live on a sailboat here and have for about 7 years.
There's a very nice market here at the Marina but it's very expensive. A NY Times newspaper cost $15.00! I wouldn't buy it anyway but geewhiz!
We had an interesting conversations with Ruth and Koni about life on boats as well as the joys of grandparenting as well as politics. They asked us if we liked our President - to which we quickly replied, NEGATIVE! They don't like him either. They said they don't trust him.
Then our taxi driver, Yogi is from Jerusalum. He says he would like to go home but he cannot. He sadly talks of the unrest in the Middle East and how "one man can sit on his fat ass and take so much from the hard working people and make life miserable". He says he's very happy to be in America and thinks we have a great country but has hopes that Obama doesn't screw it up like what has happened in the Middle East.
The people who work on boats here seem very responsible, unlike what I've heard of the "island time workers". A tall dutchman, Herman van der Heide has worked on our electronics and is very bright and decisive. Then, Byron came to estimate making some hanging screens to shield the bright sun/heat from coming in the salon windows but he says he just is too busy and can't get to us in our timeframe; as we depart around May 12.
We met a gal, Summer who works on a large sailing charter vessel with her boyfriend, Ash. They are both from Austrailia. She's a delight and is grateful for our DVD library from which she can borrow movies to watch until such time they leave to take the boat to New York where the owner and his family lives.
We are the "odd duck" here as we are the only Trawler. The rest of the boats are either single hull or dual hull sail boats.
This morning during breakfast we watched a big transport vessel pull out. It was loaded with a large ferry boat, "Tatoo" and a few 100' + yachts and severl sail boats. I don't know where they were being taken. Our friends, Ruth and Koni are having their sailboat transported to the south of France where they have a summer home. They said it will cost them about 17 euros which is about $30,000 US.
I have many great pictures that I've taken during our crossing and while here but I need to figure out how to get them posted so our followers can view them. Maybe Herman can tell me next time he comes by.
Oh, just today, the largest sailing vessel in the world just pulled in. She is nearly 300 feet. So beautiful. The mast is right around 200 feet. I hope my pictures do it justice.
All for now. God's blessings and peace,
Lisa
I have been cleaning, cleaning, cleaning now that we are in a slip and have adequate water and little movement.
We've met some very nice people here - Ruth and Koni aboard SV "Bora Bora". They hail from Switzerland and have made three cross Atlantic sails. They are retired, middle 60's and have 2 children and 5 grandchildren. On the other side of us is a Captain, Michael Tetelbaum who takes care of SV "Papa Goose". The owner is not here.
The gal who works in the marina office, Brianne used to work at the Tiki Hut at Marina Jacks and knows Sam and all the crew there. She and her husband live on a sailboat here and have for about 7 years.
There's a very nice market here at the Marina but it's very expensive. A NY Times newspaper cost $15.00! I wouldn't buy it anyway but geewhiz!
We had an interesting conversations with Ruth and Koni about life on boats as well as the joys of grandparenting as well as politics. They asked us if we liked our President - to which we quickly replied, NEGATIVE! They don't like him either. They said they don't trust him.
Then our taxi driver, Yogi is from Jerusalum. He says he would like to go home but he cannot. He sadly talks of the unrest in the Middle East and how "one man can sit on his fat ass and take so much from the hard working people and make life miserable". He says he's very happy to be in America and thinks we have a great country but has hopes that Obama doesn't screw it up like what has happened in the Middle East.
The people who work on boats here seem very responsible, unlike what I've heard of the "island time workers". A tall dutchman, Herman van der Heide has worked on our electronics and is very bright and decisive. Then, Byron came to estimate making some hanging screens to shield the bright sun/heat from coming in the salon windows but he says he just is too busy and can't get to us in our timeframe; as we depart around May 12.
We met a gal, Summer who works on a large sailing charter vessel with her boyfriend, Ash. They are both from Austrailia. She's a delight and is grateful for our DVD library from which she can borrow movies to watch until such time they leave to take the boat to New York where the owner and his family lives.
We are the "odd duck" here as we are the only Trawler. The rest of the boats are either single hull or dual hull sail boats.
This morning during breakfast we watched a big transport vessel pull out. It was loaded with a large ferry boat, "Tatoo" and a few 100' + yachts and severl sail boats. I don't know where they were being taken. Our friends, Ruth and Koni are having their sailboat transported to the south of France where they have a summer home. They said it will cost them about 17 euros which is about $30,000 US.
I have many great pictures that I've taken during our crossing and while here but I need to figure out how to get them posted so our followers can view them. Maybe Herman can tell me next time he comes by.
Oh, just today, the largest sailing vessel in the world just pulled in. She is nearly 300 feet. So beautiful. The mast is right around 200 feet. I hope my pictures do it justice.
All for now. God's blessings and peace,
Lisa
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Easter Sunday 2011
Sorry about that..........this IS 2011 NOT 2001.
AND, by the way, we have traveled 1200 NM without stopping.....Whewhoo!
Peace, Lisa
AND, by the way, we have traveled 1200 NM without stopping.....Whewhoo!
Peace, Lisa
Easter Sunday 2001
We have arrived at St. Thomas, Crown Bay Marina.
For those believers, like me, Happy Easter in the truest sense!
It's been a very long journey and there were moments (hours, actually) that both Ed and I thought.....we're not cut out for this OCEAN CRUISING. So be it! We have discovered together that we do not wish to cross oceans; rather, coastel cruise and be "dock-sqatters".
Once, not long ago, Ed and I drove with family through Kansas on our way to Moab Utah. At the moment we were both dreading just more ocean cruising, Ed said, "if anyone asks me what is it like, I will reply.....it's like going across Kansas, except Kansas is HOURS....this is days." Rarely would we see another ship, or an island or anything besides flying fish and an occasional group of dolphins. All being said, we had excellent weather and with exception to days 3,4,and 5, we had pretty smooth seas. So we are grateful.
One day, Curt, (our 1st Mate par excellance) alerted us that the dingy cables had broken - the dingy was barely hanging on. So Curt and Ed climbed out on the ladders and resecured the dingy while bobbing around in the waves off the coast of Cuba. Nerve-racking for me to watch. But "Matey" is ok.
So now that we have accomplished this leg of our journey we will enjoy this place until time to go again.....this time with daughter Emma who will join us mid May to crew with us to the BVI's and on to Trinidad.
I will publish photos soon.
Happy Easter and Gods blessings to all....
Lisa
For those believers, like me, Happy Easter in the truest sense!
It's been a very long journey and there were moments (hours, actually) that both Ed and I thought.....we're not cut out for this OCEAN CRUISING. So be it! We have discovered together that we do not wish to cross oceans; rather, coastel cruise and be "dock-sqatters".
Once, not long ago, Ed and I drove with family through Kansas on our way to Moab Utah. At the moment we were both dreading just more ocean cruising, Ed said, "if anyone asks me what is it like, I will reply.....it's like going across Kansas, except Kansas is HOURS....this is days." Rarely would we see another ship, or an island or anything besides flying fish and an occasional group of dolphins. All being said, we had excellent weather and with exception to days 3,4,and 5, we had pretty smooth seas. So we are grateful.
One day, Curt, (our 1st Mate par excellance) alerted us that the dingy cables had broken - the dingy was barely hanging on. So Curt and Ed climbed out on the ladders and resecured the dingy while bobbing around in the waves off the coast of Cuba. Nerve-racking for me to watch. But "Matey" is ok.
So now that we have accomplished this leg of our journey we will enjoy this place until time to go again.....this time with daughter Emma who will join us mid May to crew with us to the BVI's and on to Trinidad.
I will publish photos soon.
Happy Easter and Gods blessings to all....
Lisa
Sunday, April 17, 2011
One night crossing down....six to go.
Short entry....
We departed my beloved Sarasota/Marina Jacks yesterday right around 11:30 a.m.
We set our course for Key West and about 1:00 p.m. Sunday, April 17th (my sister Jans birthday), we passed by, toasting to all the good times we've had in KW. The most important of which was the marriage of our son, Lucas to Stacey in November of '09.
Ed and I nor Curt (our Mate) can hardly believe these calm clear waters. Just amazing and something that Ed and I have never experienced before. What a joy? And, what a difference cruising makes.
Now we are headed across the Atlantic from Key West to the Old Bahama Channel. We should arrive about 3:20 a.m. as it is about 85 miles to travel.
The old Cummins is doing it's job at continuous duty and since we had that new shaft put on with new packing, etc. during the summer of 2010, the ride is much smoother.
So hear we are; amazed by the beauty of Gods creation. My "watch" is from 4-8 (both a.m. and p.m.) this trip. So this morning, I got to see the full moon and its glow on the ocean and then watch the sun come up on our port side. How blessed am I!!!!
So, to Captain Larry who taught us much about "Chartwell", now "Great Mates II" and to all the other who have schooled us about living aboard and now, to Capt. Chapman who is traveling with us this time....thank you.
Most of all, thanks to Ed Prosser who taught me how to dream and dream and live that dream.
Hugs and Gods peace, Lisa
We departed my beloved Sarasota/Marina Jacks yesterday right around 11:30 a.m.
We set our course for Key West and about 1:00 p.m. Sunday, April 17th (my sister Jans birthday), we passed by, toasting to all the good times we've had in KW. The most important of which was the marriage of our son, Lucas to Stacey in November of '09.
Ed and I nor Curt (our Mate) can hardly believe these calm clear waters. Just amazing and something that Ed and I have never experienced before. What a joy? And, what a difference cruising makes.
Now we are headed across the Atlantic from Key West to the Old Bahama Channel. We should arrive about 3:20 a.m. as it is about 85 miles to travel.
The old Cummins is doing it's job at continuous duty and since we had that new shaft put on with new packing, etc. during the summer of 2010, the ride is much smoother.
So hear we are; amazed by the beauty of Gods creation. My "watch" is from 4-8 (both a.m. and p.m.) this trip. So this morning, I got to see the full moon and its glow on the ocean and then watch the sun come up on our port side. How blessed am I!!!!
So, to Captain Larry who taught us much about "Chartwell", now "Great Mates II" and to all the other who have schooled us about living aboard and now, to Capt. Chapman who is traveling with us this time....thank you.
Most of all, thanks to Ed Prosser who taught me how to dream and dream and live that dream.
Hugs and Gods peace, Lisa
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Counting down...
Yesterday, April 13th we got back on board Great Mates II in Sarasota after visiting family and friends back home in Indiana for a few weeks.
Fellow grandparents will understand the heart-wrenching "Good-bye" that we barely survived when hugging the sweetest, smartest, most handsome 4 year-old little boy in the universe, Dominic Gerald Scott. We can't wait until he's old enough to come and stay with "GG and Papaw" on "the big boat".
Okay, just one Dominic story....
While we were home in Mooresville, during a beautiful spring evening, Dominic and I took an evening walk. We were talking about the flowers blooming and I was telling him their names and we were smelling them and I was telling him which ones were my favorites. He then said, "GG, my favorite flower is a dandelion". I said, "Why is that"? He replied, "Well, because they're cool, GG! They are a beautiful yellow color and THEN, when they're done being yellow, they turn to a puff ball on a stick and I get to blow them to make them fly away!" Only in the eyes of a child.....
Back to boating.....we've (I've) made list after list after list trying to make sure everything is taken care of before departing. The Mate we've hired to go with us from Sarasota to St. Thomas is Curt Chapman. He's been excellent to provide resources to help us prepare.
Following is one of those resources from NOAA which displays our weather forecast from Saturday to Monday.
SATURDAY
SOUTH WINDS 13 TO 18 KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO 3 FEET.
INTRACOASTAL WATERS A LIGHT CHOP. SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS.
SATURDAY NIGHT
NEAR SHORE...SOUTH SOUTHWEST WINDS 13 TO 16 KNOTS
BECOMING WEST SOUTHWEST 7 TO 10 KNOTS. WELL OFFSHORE...SOUTH WINDS
16 TO 19 KNOTS BECOMING SOUTHWEST 12 TO 15 KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO 3 FEET.
INTRACOASTAL WATERS A LIGHT CHOP. SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS.
SUNDAY
WEST SOUTHWEST WINDS 6 TO 9 KNOTS BECOMING SOUTH SOUTHEAST
5 TO 8 KNOTS IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS 2 FEET. INTRACOASTAL WATERS A
LIGHT CHOP. SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS.
SUNDAY NIGHT
EAST SOUTHEAST WINDS 8 TO 11 KNOTS. SEAS 2 FEET.
INTRACOASTAL WATERS A LIGHT CHOP.
MONDAY
EAST SOUTHEAST WINDS 9 TO 12 KNOTS. SEAS 2 FEET.
INTRACOASTAL WATERS A LIGHT CHOP. SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS.
This is an excellent forecast and will give us a nice smooth ride which is something we've not been blessed with in the past.
Bill Bishop our electronic dude has been good to help get us ready as well.
Then our good neighbor, Captain Blair Cook (from Bradenton) has been great to watch our boat along with dockmates, Paddy and Steph Savage (from Ontario), and Steve and Lynn Kluz (from St. Paul).
Blair called us Tuesday morning with some bad news....our port side salon BIG window behind the sofa was shattered. Still in place due to the safety glass component but none the less, shattered. (kinda pretty). So, he spent two hours calling around to find someone to come to take measurements and manufacturer a new piece of glass which will be installed on Friday.
Someone once told me, "the best people in the world are those who live on boats". The story of Blair proves that is correct.
Marty the bottom cleaner has made sure the barnacles are cleaned off and the zincs are in good shape.
Ron and his team will come to wash down the boat good, clean the decks, etc. so we'll be all pretty as we're heading down towards Key West.
Capt Curt tells us our anticipated route will be:
I think it will be as follows:
From Key West we will cruise south east down the "Old Bahama Channel" to Great Igagua. From there we have a choice depending on the wind an seas. We will either continue to the Mona Passage and South of Puerto Rico go on to the Virgins or we will take the East past the Caicos Islands out to 64 degrees before turning south to the Virgins.
He says if we average 7-8 knots we will get there in 7 days or so.
He will leave us in St. Thomas to go back home and Emma will arrive in St. Thomas on May 10th to meet us and make sure those decks are swabbed.
More later as the count down continues.
Gods blessings and peace, Lisa
Fellow grandparents will understand the heart-wrenching "Good-bye" that we barely survived when hugging the sweetest, smartest, most handsome 4 year-old little boy in the universe, Dominic Gerald Scott. We can't wait until he's old enough to come and stay with "GG and Papaw" on "the big boat".
Okay, just one Dominic story....
While we were home in Mooresville, during a beautiful spring evening, Dominic and I took an evening walk. We were talking about the flowers blooming and I was telling him their names and we were smelling them and I was telling him which ones were my favorites. He then said, "GG, my favorite flower is a dandelion". I said, "Why is that"? He replied, "Well, because they're cool, GG! They are a beautiful yellow color and THEN, when they're done being yellow, they turn to a puff ball on a stick and I get to blow them to make them fly away!" Only in the eyes of a child.....
Back to boating.....we've (I've) made list after list after list trying to make sure everything is taken care of before departing. The Mate we've hired to go with us from Sarasota to St. Thomas is Curt Chapman. He's been excellent to provide resources to help us prepare.
Following is one of those resources from NOAA which displays our weather forecast from Saturday to Monday.
SATURDAY
SOUTH WINDS 13 TO 18 KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO 3 FEET.
INTRACOASTAL WATERS A LIGHT CHOP. SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS.
SATURDAY NIGHT
NEAR SHORE...SOUTH SOUTHWEST WINDS 13 TO 16 KNOTS
BECOMING WEST SOUTHWEST 7 TO 10 KNOTS. WELL OFFSHORE...SOUTH WINDS
16 TO 19 KNOTS BECOMING SOUTHWEST 12 TO 15 KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO 3 FEET.
INTRACOASTAL WATERS A LIGHT CHOP. SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS.
SUNDAY
WEST SOUTHWEST WINDS 6 TO 9 KNOTS BECOMING SOUTH SOUTHEAST
5 TO 8 KNOTS IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS 2 FEET. INTRACOASTAL WATERS A
LIGHT CHOP. SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS.
SUNDAY NIGHT
EAST SOUTHEAST WINDS 8 TO 11 KNOTS. SEAS 2 FEET.
INTRACOASTAL WATERS A LIGHT CHOP.
MONDAY
EAST SOUTHEAST WINDS 9 TO 12 KNOTS. SEAS 2 FEET.
INTRACOASTAL WATERS A LIGHT CHOP. SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS.
This is an excellent forecast and will give us a nice smooth ride which is something we've not been blessed with in the past.
Bill Bishop our electronic dude has been good to help get us ready as well.
Then our good neighbor, Captain Blair Cook (from Bradenton) has been great to watch our boat along with dockmates, Paddy and Steph Savage (from Ontario), and Steve and Lynn Kluz (from St. Paul).
Blair called us Tuesday morning with some bad news....our port side salon BIG window behind the sofa was shattered. Still in place due to the safety glass component but none the less, shattered. (kinda pretty). So, he spent two hours calling around to find someone to come to take measurements and manufacturer a new piece of glass which will be installed on Friday.
Someone once told me, "the best people in the world are those who live on boats". The story of Blair proves that is correct.
Marty the bottom cleaner has made sure the barnacles are cleaned off and the zincs are in good shape.
Ron and his team will come to wash down the boat good, clean the decks, etc. so we'll be all pretty as we're heading down towards Key West.
Capt Curt tells us our anticipated route will be:
I think it will be as follows:
From Key West we will cruise south east down the "Old Bahama Channel" to Great Igagua. From there we have a choice depending on the wind an seas. We will either continue to the Mona Passage and South of Puerto Rico go on to the Virgins or we will take the East past the Caicos Islands out to 64 degrees before turning south to the Virgins.
He says if we average 7-8 knots we will get there in 7 days or so.
He will leave us in St. Thomas to go back home and Emma will arrive in St. Thomas on May 10th to meet us and make sure those decks are swabbed.
More later as the count down continues.
Gods blessings and peace, Lisa
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)