Sailing Encore

This adventure brought the whole family -Vernon, me, Steve (13 years) and Kaylyn (8 years) down to the Caribbean for a trip to remember. We sailed on Passion, a Santa Cruz 50, throughout the islands. Once again, I kept a journal about the trip. I will share it with you in posts marked with this picture:

2-11-1998

Hard to believe our adventure is finally beginning. We have all worked hard toward this. Vernon sailed the boat from Corpus Christ to Key West with the first few days of gulf crossing going smoothly ‘south with a norther’. Then it died out and 30mph winds on the nose and 20 -30 foot seas at some points, created by the wind against the strong gulf stream, was a harrowing experience for the crew. They all celebrated that they survived that one. Then Key West Race week. Then very little wind for the delivery from Key West to St John with the frig breaking part way there. I have been readying the house and finishing up my job. It was a big relief to know that the staff at the Heart Hospital will be just fine with the new department. The kids have been great, helping me pack up and getting a lot of home schooling done while we were at home. But then, they know that this is all for them too, for Us, as a family. Vernon’s phone call from St. John made it all finally real. He left us a note before he left and we had it on the cupboard at home and in the car for our long drive from CC to Key West. We couldn’t wait to hand it to him when we met him at the Puerto Rico airport! And the water is blue and the air is warm and soft. We spent the night in Fajardo and took the ferry to Culebra where Vernon sailed Passion to pick us up. We sailed the boat to Charlotte Amalie Bay, St. Thomas where we have been spending the last few days cleaning and storing.

We have to get some supplies- mixing bowls and a few new pots to replace some that were destroyed with the crossing. BUT the boat will be in nice shape for cruising.
The kids are being super about all the work and me, I am determined to NOT “cry in my Pizza”.

2-13-1998

This morning we awoke in Frances Bay, St. John. We left Yacht Haven marina at 1pm yesterday to beat up here. Winds 19-20 mph. The kids and I got kinda sick in the swells. I really worry about the power and size of this boat. We (Steve, Kaylyn and I) mean well and try hard, but being a race boat, there is so much to tweak and pull and it takes a lot of strength. Steve is very enthusiastic to help and Kaylyn wants to but doesn’t have a clue or power. And Me- sometimes I want to be at home with my appliances, long bed, and Jacuzzi! But at dinner last night we talked it out. We all want it to happen so we are willing to take the good with the not so good. The kids understand about sailing and the need to work together and that yelling isn’t at them but instructing on the need for something to happen urgently- pulling a line, turning the wheel, etc., so that the boat performs and we do not endanger ourselves. They get it. But it is rough.

I provisioned well at Pueblo in St. Thomas- but what a cost! ($340). Now I hope the refrigerator compressor (put in at Yacht Haven) continues to work. It powers off of the engine. Never did get to AT &T office to try laptop AOL. Wonder if we will. Called my mom to ask her to bring stuff when they come to meet us for their visit and now I can think of ten more things I wanted. Also wanted to warn them the boat is primitive. It is not laid out down below for cruising but for racing. Hard to imagine them climbing up the back from swimming…

This afternoon we beat our way up the coast of St. John through heavy seas again to get to Lameshur Bay. Before we left Frances Bay, the kids and I put scopolamine patches behind our ears and did pretty good. We made it to Lameshur by 2:15 and the kids excitedly rowed the dinghy to snorkel the beach, while Vernon and I excitedly stayed behind on the boat.

We had spaghetti dinner together in the cockpit as the sun set over the bay. Love it!