07/31/2008, San Juan
Christopher B snapped this gem just the other day during another very busy day poolside. You can check out Wandering Dolphins blog, it's linked under Favorites. As you can see they have a whole truck....ahh.....boatload full of kids.
Having access to the pool at the marina/hotel is wonderful. To say that the water is refreshing is an understatement. During the afternoon it gets so friggin hot you either seek AC in the Cruisers Galley or you retire to the shade poolside. Oh that's right I could also simply jump over the side of boat. But, in the afternoon I just love to hang out at the pool and read the newspaper, on my Kindle of course. During Puerto Rican holidays, normally one a week, the pool becomes crammed. You see latin people have a different sense of personal space. What us gringos may view as a little close, they view as a normal. Now coupled with the amount of noise that is generated from mouths, speakers, mufflers, TV's, stray dogs, yowling cats, jetski's and unruly kids and you'll find an opportunity to work on your patience or lack there of. Now I am not complaining, what do I have to complain about? No shoes no shirt no problems.
I up in San Juan for a few days visiting my friend Kim, making a visit to West Marine and visiting some other Coast Guard friends I have from my past. In fact today I'm heading to the Coast Guard Station to take a ride on the new Coast Guard 33 foot Safe boat with 3 250 horse outboards. Should be a hoot! I'll tell you what's a hoot. I was stopped by security on the Coast Guard Base yesterday and was asked for my ID. I guess I look like a holligan with my long hair and needed to be challenged! No worries. I then headed to the gym.
Capt Chris
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Comments [4]
-snowflake from nyc-
Take Care
Janina
07/28/2008, Salinas Puerto Rico
Here it is Kathleen! My dear friend, the former Kathleen Walsh, perhaps the largest Rolling Stones fan ever asked that I pay attention to the smaller details of my good fortune here in the Caribbean. So while having dinner in the cockpit this evening I snapped this sunset picture looking northwest toward the interior of Puerto Rico. It is a very nice part of the day as the trade winds die down and just prior to the Latin beats start thumping on shore.
So I have officially vacated my slip at the marina and am now out in the anchorage until I leave for points east and south. I like being at anchor much better. The wind blows through the boat more efficiently, helping to cool things down. More privacy to. The downside is that I have to shut down the frig and freezer. They simply use to much electricity. My wind generator puts out alot of juice to top up the batteries, but with the heat the refrigerator compressor runs constantly. So what I will do is buy things that need cooling every now and ago and then run the refrigerator for a day or two until I consumed the perishables. So that is it.....more later!
Capt Chris
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07/26/2008, Salinas Puerto Rico
Book recommendation. I am on my second reading of this magnificent personal reflection by Louis L' Amour. The education portion resides in his extensive reading he did during his wandering years, plus the life's lesson he learned while knocking about during the Great Depression. His reading lists contained within the memoir are a gem and quiet extensive.
Louis quiet school at age 15 and left South Dakota to try and manage to stay alive and feed himself. He is the epitome of adventuring. He was a sailor, longshoreman, Hobo, worked in silver mines and also was a tough boxer. He traveled in all modes and all the while he had tons of reading material with him. He was a true lover of books as I think anyone who becomes such a success must be. What a great read!
Capt Chris
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07/25/2008, Salinas Puerto Rico
Within the sailing community the movie Capn Ron really is the best film every put out by Hollywood. Capn Ron is a true God. In fact when I was at Blue Water Charts and Books in Fort Lauderdale in December they pulled up the sale's data on the movie. Turns out Captn Ron out sells just about all there products.
So not so long ago a gaggle of sailors were at the Cruiser's Galley eating some vittals and watching Captn Ron. Now we had all heard the rumors that the movie was filmed here in Puerto Rico with the bulk of it done right here on the south coast. So wouldn't you know it, were watching a scene where Kurt Russel destroys Martin Shorts video camera and then says, "Hey swab get me another brewski." As I glanced outside of the Cruisers Galley and across the street, I realize the scene were watching was filmed a smooth hundred yards away. Beautiful. I leaped out of my chair.
Not only that the "Cuban" scenes were all filmed here in Salinas. Jazzed? You bet.
So for you Captn Ron fans pay attention the next time you watch the film and you will notice the backdrop looks pretty much like the above picture. I took it from the spot where the scene was filled.
Capt Chris
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07/22/2008, Salinas Puerto Rico
Here is a shot of Tropical Storm Dolly that likely will reach Cat 1 status today. Dolly's genesis was from "94L" which I showed in my 9/13/08 post. Everyday the forecasters mentioned the high potential for cyclone developement and the tropical wave moved WNW everyday. On July 13th I was bit concerned about, but as time passed its track was far south of Puerto Rico and in any event it never developed.....until just the other day. Although we did get a doozy of a thunderstorm with a great deluge when the tropical wave passed. You just never know what the tipping point will be for a low to develop further. It has been a pretty active month for July. However the water off the east coast of Africa where the tropical waves meet the ocean for the first time is a tad cooler than average. This may be the element that protects the Christa this year. Hope all hands in south Texas are hunkered down!
Capt Chris
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