Capt Chris, night time
08/13/2008, Salinas PR

I never did have to duck for cover in the Jobo mangrove system due to the low pressure system labeled "Invest 92." This sat photo was taken at 8pm tonight. You can see the massive blob of convective activity mostly to the north and east of the actual low. This system should brush the British and maybe the American Virgin Islands Thurs and Friday. It is possible that it could develop further in the next 24 or 48 hours and effect me on the south coast of Puerto Rico. Not likely though. You see this is the rub. When a full on storm has developed and been named the course of action is clear....run for the mangroves! But when a low pressure system like this one is tettering day after day it becomes confusing. First off I'm grateful that it has not developed and its track has thankfully moved NNW instead of its initial projection. But on the other hand low pressure systems can and have gone from zero to hurricane in 24 hours. It is especially concerning now that were getting into the high season.....water temps are a balmy 85 degrees! So over the passed days I log on and check the National Hurricane Center's website at 8am, 2pm and 8pm....I even arose at 2am to check the updated forecast one night. I also spend a great deal of time on a website called Wunderground.com.

So I know you folks up in the north country may not be so stoked to read about these far off systems. If I were you I'd be a bit bored with them myself. But I am finding that in the off season I could talk a good game in terms of tucking into the mangroves and riding out a storm. But now that I'm four square in the hurricane belt during the high season I've found I'm a little more paranoid than most. What can I say I have zero desire to test the mangrove plan. But so far so good. I've been through other tough times and this situation is no different. I'll be able to handle whatever is thrown at me! So keep an eye on this system. Just as my tension is easying the folks in the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos and Florida should be bowing up.

So all else is just delightful. I'm making preps for Janina to come for a visit next week and been doing some varnishing and other assorted boat projects.

Capt Chris

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Capt Chris, night time
08/10/2008, Salinas PR

Only about 10 percent of the normal hurricane season activity takes place prior to mid August. So between now and early October is when 90 percent all the tropical cyclone activity takes place.

So right on schedule 3 tropical waves have exited the African coast and are now making tracks toward the Caribbean. If you are interested you can check in at National Hurricane Centers website and see each distinct are of thunderstorms riding along each wave. The NWS rates each area with percentages of potential tropical development. One area has a high potential for to become a hurricane. This area now is designated Invest 92 and you can see the forecast tracks. It is still early but most weather folk are in agreement that any storm if it were to develope would be in my neighborhood. May have to head to the mangroves to hunker down.

I take comfort in the fact that in about 3 months I'll be making tracks toward the Virgin Islands for another season of sailing! Can't wait.

More later

Capt Chris

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Capt Chris
08/07/2008, Salinas Puerto Rico

A couple of days ago aboard Christa, I attempted to bake my own bread for the first time. It did not go swimmingly. In fact, we had no rise, yeast was not activated and it came out in the shape of and weight of an anvil. I needed an intervention and training.

Notice I how jazzed I am in the pic as my second loaf had risen twice and was ready for some BTU's. Thanks to Rebecca from Wandering Dolphin who makes bread weekly for cruisers, she took me under her wing and taught me the criticalities of bread making.

Getting bread can really be a problem for cruisers on the move all the time. So I hope to bake my own bread from here on out. This really begins a new push to improve my onboard cooking and eating habits. It can become so easy to just head out to a restaurant. After this bread success I really have a sense of accomplishment.

Capt Chris

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Capt Chris
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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Capt Chris
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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