It has been a bit since I posted from my journal on this 1998 adventure with Vernon and Steve and Kaylyn in the Caribbean. I pick up from our down island leg where we are at Guadalupe. We witnessed the total eclipse, scuba dove at Cousteau park, and saw fireworks anchored outside the Basseterre marina (see previous posting from this adventure). Posts from this adventure have the picture above as the featured image.

3-1-1998

On the 27th we snuck back into the marina fuel dock and went aground again. Ended up using the jerry jugs to fill the tanks. Cleared out and were sailing briskly down to Dominica (20 knots wind but just a nice pleasant reach angle) by 9:30am! 051050Once we got lee of the island, we lost wind and what there was came from the west so we motored our way to the anchorage. We are moored at the Anchorage Hotel and got to use their hot showers last night! Yesterday we toured Dominica with Oscar (local cab driver we met). Dominica is very beautiful with rugged mountains and rainforests. We hiked a little and swam into a grotto waterfall in the lava rocks. 053056059060The tour was good but Oscar definitely steered us to his local pricey restaurant buddy for lunch. It was good to see the people and how they live- so very basically. They don’t have much tourism here, few hotels, no marina (but give them 10 years). This morning we got up early and are motor-sailing. We are going to by-pass Martinique and go to St. Lucia063I need to provision and clean the boat and hope to send some postcards. Also need to contact my parents about their trip. I am sitting in the cockpit right now helping Kaylyn with her home-schooling. There is a lot of writing that they can’t do under sail and then when we anchor- they (and I) want to do other things! But we are making headway.

3-2-1998

We arrived yesterday to Rodney Bay Marina on St Lucia. We cleared customs at the dock and had warm showers at marina. We got burgers at a little restaurant then played miniature golf nearby. I won! and got the “wish” of my choice. I picked a cold snickers bar (mostly because I knew it could be granted!). 066Today we cleaned the boat and got groceries at the local market. I got the wash done for $20! Ya!- guess that was a second treat for me. Called my folks -they will arrive on Sunday the 8th to Tobago and I added to the list of things I want them to bring to us.  And another hot shower tonight!

3-3-1998

Darn… We had another horrendous sail today to Bequia. They predicted 16mph from East ~ 108 degrees, but we got 25-29 at 140 degrees. Slogging/ beating with huge freaky ‘tide vs current’ seas with waves splashing down. Only one not sick was Vernon.071070072

 

And the motor is acting spooky. Not always starting up. We finally made Bequia just after sunset and anchored in 25mph winds!!! Took two tries to set anchor. Had make shift dinner at 7:45pm. It is dark and I go up to shut off engine (ran it for refer charge) and we are sliding into another anchored boat. We dragged! Along happens a local ponga boatman and asks us if we want a mooring? YES! We slink over to a big ass mooring for 40 EC- but it could have been $100 US for all I care. So strange to slip anchorage and have someone rescue us in the dark…. hmmm. I hope tomorrow is better. We still have some slogging to do to get to Tobago to meet my folks. This is supposed to be fun- not victory at sea every time we sail.