Well I spent the passed four days on the west coast of PR buying a car. More on that later. But the surf conditions were just wonderful. The first day, the sets were clearly to big for my skill level, most sets came in around 10 feet or more. But by day three the swell had subsided to 6 o 8 with an occasional larger set blasting in. So I didn't catch that many rides, three to be exact, but what a rush. Let me explain for the non surfing crowd what one is up against when paddling out.

Since I haven't surfed in so long and really am not much of a surfer yet, positioning within the surf zone is critical. You really have several zones within the actual surf zone that must be identified by observation. The smaller surf normally develops on the "inside" so on a big day and being a novice surfer this is really where you'll catch the most rides. But there is a catch. Now on a big day the larger sets build and build and then break on the "outside." Now if your on the "inside" when a larger set is setting up to break, man you better be paddling like death is imminent, because you need to "push out" beyond the surf zone before those 3 or 4 larger waves start to break. If you get caught and the waves breaks either on you or in front of you, you better hold on and hold your breath! Now your caught in "the pitt" which is the zone between the "outside" and "inside" or another name for it is the "impact zone." Once the wave releases you and you come up for air your going to rapidly get whacked again and again. By the time the set comes through your pretty exhausted, but you still need to paddle and paddle hard to get on the "outside" to rest just in case another larger set rears up. These are the rigors.

After the above happened to me twice, once while first getting in the water and once while lollygagging on the "inside" I decided to get to the outside. As mentioned before by being on the outside you can avoid the impact zone but now you have to ride the big ones. I rode the largest wave to date. Wave was clearly overhead, beautiful and clean. It jacked up and rapidly shot me forward, I popped up on the board and cut right before I hit the bottom of the wave. Next thing I knew I had my right hand stuck in the wave as I raced along and the curl right over my right shoulder. What a rush. No way really to explain the feeling, only other surfers would truly understand.

The exercise involved with surfing is top notch. It is not a sport meant for folks out of shape. After the hour and half secession I was exhausted. My shoulders were aching from all the paddling, but I was deeply satisfied with the experience. The picture is not so good because it is so far away. You can just make out a surfer on the edge of the curl. Hopefully you can see how clean and lean the break is as it peels left and right before closing out.


Capt Chris

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Meet the Martin GBPC Steel-String Backpackers Travel Acoustic Guitar with gig bag and strap. This baby only weights a mere 2.5LBS! It has a wonderful sound to it, almost Mandolin like. The strings are steel and have been a bit rough on my finger tips. But this particular guitar is not mine, it is Kim's. When I picked it up for the first time and played I knew I had to have one. So I have ordered one and should be delivered to Mom and Dad's just in time for my arrival the first of the month. Up until 3 days ago I had no clue in the world that something like this Martin existed. Perfect timing as the thought of parting with my Yamaha for two months with no practice was very unappealing.

So what have I been up to over the passed two weeks or so? Well alot and then really nothing at all. I've been splitting my time between Salinas on the south coast and San Juan. I think the best way to explain what I'm doing is just to say that I'm adjusting to me new lifestyle. I've done just about nothing in terms of boat projects. No big deal as I have nothing breathing down my neck, but am actively putting the boat into "project status" come this July. This means that I'm laying the ground work to get some things done prior to next season's sailing in the windwards and leewards. I also have been doing alot of thinking and research about a rental properly I have in California and what its future is and how it applies to my future.

I can say with certainty that I am a flourishing individual. My days have been filled with 8 hours of fitful sleep, plenty of reading and studying to keep the brain healthy and engaged. I've been limiting my intake of news without abrogating my responsibility to be an informed citizen. I've managed to get back on track with running 3 or 4 times a week and of course playing guitar. And in my last blog entry I indicated some more heavy thinking may be in my immediate future. I really have concluded that to plan accordingly to get out of the "rat race" and to limit exposure to stressful commutes and self inflicted daily frustration is worth the frustration. Each individual has different circumstances for sure but I can say for sure that my current situation is tough to beat. Case in point, I spent hours over the passed two days sitting under the palm grove reading, relaxing and strumming. Could get boring.....not anytime soon though.

Capt Chris

Comments [3]

So what does a cruiser who is staying put for a period do? Well I am working on an agenda to fill the vacuum of copious amounts of time I seem to have on my hands. Granted I am not complaining about this self inflicted turn of events.

Most folks join the service with grandiose visions of utilizing the extremely generous GI Bill that the American taxpayer funds. I am no different. But while I was in the service the government starting funding Tuition Assistance which morphed into a full on free ride while on Active Duty. One never needed to tap into the GI Bill account. I am embarrassed to say that it took me a full 16 years before I got my act together and started using Tuition Assistance or TA for short. Once I got a degree program, applied to a school and figured out the bureaucratic ins and outs of how to tap these resources I took off to the races. For almost 4 years I was able to manage, via distance learning from Troy State U five to seven classes per year. It was a strain most of the time especially while spending 6 months at sea. But my last 8 or 9 months before retirement, it just got to be to much. I stopped taking classes with 92 credits completed.

But, now I have time. So I contacted my academic advisor at Troy and can pretty much pick up where I left off. Now the difference being I need to tap into the GI Bill now vice the TA program which is only available to Active Duty. I have $50,000 in benefits available that need to be used within ten years. So I'm in. I am striving for a BS in Political Science. An area I've always been interested in. Although I will never mention, debate or entertain politics on this blog. That would be the quickest way to a blog meltdown. So the next term starts in May and last until July when the next term starts and ends in October. So I am jazzed to use my knoggin to delve into the workings of our Republic.

So again I wanted to mention that I recognize that this started as a sailing blog and shall remain generally as such. But if I'm not sailing, it would be tough to write a pure sailing blog. Plus, I am engaged in a lazy, multi-year circumnavigation that will encompass the gammet. I have many many other interests that have nothing to do with sailing. While I'm not sailing these interest will surely ooze to the surface and be splashed upon the blog pages. So for a new blog reader the continuity is just not present which could lead to a furrowed brow.

Capt Chris

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Check out Christa's new home for the next 8 months. You can get a better idea of what Marina de Salinas encompasses by surfing on over to www.marinadesalinas.com. In the picture, the wooden building in the background is a two story restaurant and bar. There are actually three bars on the compound, along with a pool, a hotel and full on laundry facilities. So my picture is kind of lame as you really can't see what's going on. The price per month for Christa is $321 including the dreaded tax. Like I said before, it is cheaper than the places I was scoping out in Venezuela.

The weather over the passed days has been tough. The wind the wind! Word around the campfire is this season's trades have been the most vigorous in 27 years. Good gouge for all you statistically oriented. Over the passed few days, the winds in the harbor have failed to die completely at night which is abnormal. The above picture was taken this morning just after sunrise. We had about 15 minutes of near calm. Yesterday I was not quite as lucky.

I was up early getting ready to haul the anchor. Jack from Bora Bound volunteered to give me a hand so I picked him up in the dink around 7 am. We hauled the anchor in about 10 knots of wind and headed for my new slip just a scant few hundred yards away. All hands were on deck in the marina as everyone knows that pulling into the slip can be quite the challenge. As you can see I was pulling into a slip with pilings which is a real pain, especially with a cross wind which we had. In the end we made it in without any damage just in the nick of time. The wind turned on like a light switch moments later and blew all day at 20 knots plus.

Needless to say I am quite pleased with my current situation. I am still putting together a plan and outlining some goals I have in mind to accomplish over the next months. Two things come to mind immediately. First I really want to concentrate on my guitar playing. I really enjoy the instrument and I think I can make great strides if I have a more disciplined practice routine, instead of just picking up the guitar and strumming mindlessly. Second, last week Kim and I went for a 3 mile run. I haven't run since the Falmouth Road Race last August and I totally miss the buzz. So I'll make running part of my routine. Yesterday, I spent a good portion of my day reading for the pure pleasure of it. I'll continue to do lots of that. I should get to it, my breakfast is here.

Capt Chris

Comments [2]

The past two days were another adventure in the annals of my life. As you may recall, the nice wonderful folks from SV Independence, Jenny, Otis, Big Ben and Little Sammy loaned me their spare 45 LBS CQR while in Boqeron or as I call the place "the Boq". Since that time you all know that my plans changed radically. Now, team Indie had to stride ahead of Christa and company to make the Island of Viequeze in the Spanish Virgin Island to receive guests. The intent was for me to get a new anchor and return Indies anchor down island somewhere. Down island being a Caribbean term.

So with my now staying in Salinas this put the return of the anchor difficult at best. A spare anchor is one of those things that may sit in a compartment for years and never see the light of day, but when needed it now becomes the most important piece of gear on the face of the planet. Anchors are not easy to come by and they are pricey to say the least. Independences spare anchor is designated to be used during a hurricane and I certainly did not want to leave Jenny and Otis in a lurch. They were gracious enough to loan it to me in the first place. Max effort was initiated.

So I got a call from Oats yesterday saying they were now in Culebra, one of the Spanish Virgin Islands 20 miles west of St. Thomas. We had to do some fast shuffling. Kim to the rescue. She loaned me her car (again) yesterday and I made the 92-mile trek from San Juan to Salinas. Back aboard Christa, I fired 51 horses of Yanmar (no clicking thank you!) and heaved in Indenpences CQR that was attached to my new chain. I deployed and set my spare anchor, the 33LBS Bruce in the deep mud bottom of Salinas. I spent the night aboard Christa, promptly overslept (it happens with retired guys) and made the 2 hour dash to the east coast port of Farjardo where the ferry leaves for Culebra. It's kind of funny that 45 pounds is not much weight, but when that weight is in the shape of an anchor, it becomes the most difficult object to transport. But......

I just barely made it to the ferry terminal in time. The trip from Salinas to Farjardo was just breath taking at points. The highway snakes along the coast as you pass through little beach communities and palm lined beaches. Anyway, I stepped aboard the ferry amongst strange glances as I had this big ole anchor slung over my shoulder. It was an hour and half ferry ride to Culebra. The trip was a rough one. Many many people were puking their guts out. Another large 14 foot north swell is upon the northern Caribbean with 20 knots plus of easterly trades. The opposing forces create inconsistent and chaotic seas. Of course I was prepared for any eventuality, I had an anchor. But soon enough we made it to Dewey, the little town on Culebra and waiting at the pier was Otis. It was so great to see them again, we had such a good time together back in Santo Domingo, Luperon and in the Boq. We had a quick lunch together before I departed on the 1pm ferry where I am writing this blog entry.

Once again I had to say goodbye to great people with no clue if I will ever see them again. It is a difficult aspect of the cruising life. Now team Independence is no couch potatoes. They plan on rolling to Venezuela and putting Indie on the hard, buying a car and then traveling inland all through South America for four months. Sounds awesome. I think you all should check out Indies website. www.sailingindependence.com and see for yourself what the gang is up to.

So as I mentioned before I'm on the ferry amongst all the seasick tourist heading back to mainland Puerto Rico. I'll recover kim's car and head back to San Juan. Tonight our good friend Rebecca P. Vinlove, also a Coastie, is flying in for a few days of RR. I'll pick her up at the airport 11:30 pm. Awfully late for a retired guy, good thing I don't have to work tomorrow or the next day and the day after that and so on and so on......

Capt Chris

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