Getting Beat
28 February 2014 | back in the USVIs
The week started with morning yoga, trip to the doughnut shop, only to find they were out hence no breakfast for Jim, and then a return to the dinghy and NOT being able to find the dinghy key.!? Yes, I was sweating bullets as I retraced my steps through town, asked a few folks , emptied the backpack and still no key. “Okay” I thought, “maybe I accidently left them in the dinghy.” Hoping the dinghy was still at the dock but no key.!? I again searched the backpack pocket I thought I put them in and VIOLA! The pocket had a mess section but a black liner section as well where the key was hiding. Make it back to the boat thankful I do not have to divulge my mishap but I did anyways. Haha
Motor sail over to Isle de Culebrita for some snorkeling and then found a beautiful anchorage for the evening hours.
Tuesday I watched the most amazing sunrise! No, I did not get a picture of it because I was afraid I would miss it if I went below to get the camera. We closed all the hatches, shut the drains, secured the dinghy, paddle board and cabinets….. and set sail back to St Thomas. I was at the helm for a while and feeling pretty good as it was a beat back (wind on the bow, waves crashing over top ). As time went on and the current came into play I began to fall apart with over steering , getting to far off course, to much information on what to do,…..my brain went into overload and I left it to Capt Jim. Baby steps. I went back to pulling lines when we tacked. At one point a line got hooked on the forward wench, I tried to pull it over but somehow my wrist SLAMMED into the bimini pole. Yes, it hurt but nothing broken.
With My Deere back on course we had beautiful weather as we approached St Thomas. While in a large area by the St Thomas airport we tacked and the motor decided to cut off. Turned the switch and it did it again. Remaining calm Jim turned the boat to safe waters, me behind the helm with “Pedro” engaged (autopilot) and went below to check things out. Eveything looked good so we figured it was the tack and would just turn it on when we switched tacks. Back on course. We get out of that area and around a large rock/island heading toward Christmas Cove and we heard something funny. The anchor was hanging from its spot. With all the bouncing it loosened from it spot.!? It left a ding on either side but no puncture.
OKAY, things come in threes so we are feeling pretty good that these last 7 miles (out of 24) should be fine. All we need is one mooring ball since our anchor needs to be unfastened and looked at so can’t anchor. We approach Christmas Cove and there it is – one mooring ball! I have my things together, bend over to pick it up and the line is so short I cannot get a bite, my line is ready for a bite, the hook gets stuck on the line and I had to let go..!? No anchor and now no hook. No worries. Jim comes around, I hang off the back of the boat and scoop up the anchor. I cannot hang on to both so hand Jim the hook and I slide into the water. Yes, entertainment for the surrounding boats. It happens. I climb up-soaking wet-and head back to my station having the line ready for a quick thread. GOT IT!
Okay, so bad things come in 4s.
A beautiful sunset followed by a morning of paddling with Kyl-ton has yesterday a distant memory.
Today we headed over to Caneel Bay – kind of boring adventure. haha