Well I am back from the big adventure inland with my friend Kim. The picture was taken not so far from the Hacienda Junita, which is the hotel we stayed in. The beauty of the interior is some of the best geography I have ever seen. Lush and tropical. Our hotel had been a coffee plantation back in the day. It is situated along a ridge that had panoramic views of several valley's below. Puerto Rico is known to attract bird watchers and for obvious reasons as we viewed all kinds of cool and friendly birds. They would just fly right up to the dinner table and land on the chair and check things out.

I would say one of the highlights was the restaurant. It sat on the open deck with all the great views and great food. We met a very unique couple from outside Boston who were full of energy and good cheer. We ended up dining with them and another couple. So the next day, after a great sleep among the sounds of the jungle we had coffee and breakfast and then lit out for a hike to the waterfall that you see in the picture. Now Kim is no slouch in the adventure department. Among other things she was a river guide along the Colorado River that sweeps into Grand Canyon and she just finished up a marathon a week or two ago. So laziness was not on the agenda. Although she did snap this picture of me when I was contemplating being lazy, but never attaining full slug status. We had such a great time and I am grateful to Kim for showing me around some of the island. We ended the day with a three hour drive through the winding mountain roads back to Boqeron. Had some dinner in town before Kim started another three hour drive back to San Juan. She has to be back to work. Work. Yikes!

So the weather pattern looks to be easing and myself, Snark and Iresea plan on departing late tonight or early tomorrow morning. Ottis and Jenny from Independence rolled early this morning. I spoke with them on the VHF while they rounded Cabo Rojo. They reported some long swells but light winds. I hope to encounter the same conditions when I roll. I will strive for Salinas, about half way down the south coast, but may stop elsewhere if the going gets tough or I get to tired. Gotta jam! More later.

Capt Chris