The adventures in Guadeloupe continue with the arrival of Sue and Gary. They are good friends that spend their summers in summit county where we hike, sail, spend happy hours together, trade dog sitting and Sue and I bike on a regular basis. This is their third trip on Mile High Dream and the first time they are flying in and out of one place. No long crossings on this trip.
The weather is acting up so we make plans to sail to Dominica to spend the windy days in a safe protected anchorage.
We make a stop in Iles Des saints and drop the anchor. Sue has her fishing pole out as soon as the anchor hits the sand.
"I got one," she soon yells out.
She gets it up to the boat.
"Where are my glasses? I can hardly see it. Are you sure that just isn't your bait?" I ask.
"Ok, its a little small but at least I caught one."
She throws it back in. I search on the internet to see what kind of fish it is and if it is good to eat.
"You can catch some more of those a little bigger so we can have them for dinner," I tell her.
Soon she has another fish on the line and this one is totally different that the first one and big enough for dinner. With all of the different variety of fish in the Caribbean, I try to check out and see if they are safe to eat. Some of the species are not. This is another good eating one .
As Sue catches yet another one, Gary is feeling left out so he throws a line out and soon catches one. Not to be outdone I drop some bait in the water and soon I have a fish. Sue is definitely the angler of the day catching five fish and Gary and I with one each. Gary's and mine were bigger. No competition here.
The next day we set sail and arrive in Dominica where we spend four nights due to strong winds. Gary and Sue take an island tour and we just spend some time exploring the island. We meet our friends from Holland that I had met the week before. They have just sailed back from Guadeloupe and are planning to leave their boat in Dominica for two months while they travel back home. It is very fun to reconnect with them.
After four days of wind, the weather report says the winds and seas will be mild so we take off for Maria Galant. Those weather forecasters, you just cant trust them. The winds are fifteen knots more than they predicted. The waves are higher and it is a very rough ride.
"How much wind do you like to sail in," Sue asks?
"20 knots is what I really like and not much more than 25," is my reply.
"How strong are they now?'
"About 35."
"Do you think we should turn back? We are only five miles out."
"I would except tomorrow is suppose to be worse."
We hunker down for a wet wild ride and four hours later we are safely at anchor. A little wet and tired, but all is good.
The next morning we rent a car and start exploring the island. A few rum factories are in order and then ending the afternoon on a beautiful white sand beach. A good day all around with the exception of not catching any fish.
A beautiful 20 mile sail back to the marina and are greeted by a pod of 6 dolphins escorting us into the marina. A fitting ending to a wonderful two weeks.