So I left Boqueron early in the morning and was goin to head around the south side hopefully all the way to Ponce. I love sailing away from anchor at dawn and creeping through the anchorage. It is especially nice when your new friends are popping their heads out of their hatches to wave goodbye. I had a nice sail for the first couple of hours and then as expected the tradewinds picked up and with it the seas built. I was not far offshore and it was not that bad but I decided to pull into Gilligans island early that afternoon and break the south coast up into smaller easier trips. There are great little anchorages every 20 miles or so and to be honest I am done beating myself up on the long runs right now. So a quick night at the nice anchorage of Gilligans island and then an easy 4 hour motorsail got me into Ponce by lunch. Ponce is Puerto Rico's second largest city and I was excited to explore. Everyone had been telling me that the downtown was much too far to walk from the anchorage. Well actually nowhere is TOO far to walk if you have enough time. And I have time. So my stubborn self took Leah on a nice long walk this morning and just wandered around Ponce. The walk was so long I put on socks and sneakers for the first time in 6 months It was great. I found a vet and got Leah's health cert she needs for her flight in four days! FOUR DAYS! I will be alone... Then I fly out a few days after that. I cannot wait to see my family and friends. OK back to Ponce.
It was really great to walk around a city. I love just wandering around and getting a feel fro everything. The people were all very friendly and the city had a great Spanish feel. A couple large Plazas were the center of activity. I got some italian ice and a beer and Leah drank a barrel or two of water. I really liked Ponce.
On the long walk back to the boat I stopped for more ice cream then when I got back to the boat another beer. I just snuck into the shower here at a near by marina and Leah is passed out on Seneca. So I may head to Salinas in a day or two to find Seneca a nice home while I come back to the states. Life is good.
JOE