Feb. 2008 Sean & Carlie's Visit; Nurse Carlie to the Rescue

Feb. 2008…Sean and Carlie’s Visit

Happy Valentine's Day

Going to Fajardo on the 0630 ferry, we had a very productive morning after picking up the car. We picked up our garmin chip for the Western Caribbean plus new chiv blocks for the dinghy. We arrived at the airport an hour early....Are we excited??? Yessss !!!!

Carlie and Sean's flight arrived on time so we managed to get the 3pm ferry back to Culebra .

We decided we may as well celebrate their arrival and Valentine's Day by going to dinner at the Dinghy Dock Restaurant. They had a fabulous special menu which included bottles of red wine. Kathy and Kerry joined us.

Sean helped Randy get water by jerry jug. Using the main halyard they lift the jugs onto the deck.

Feb. 16th The weather is not co-operating so we decide to spend the day at Flamenco Beach.

This is the tank that was left on the beach during World War II.

Feb. 18th.

We've decided to go out to Dakkity.

Carlie at the helm. As she writes in our log "01020 hrs. 15 knot winds heading for Dakkity. Woohoo! First time on Lynn and Randy's boat. Running at 1800rpm/2.5knots"

She's certainly getting the hang of it.

We had a great day "vegging"

and playing.

What in the world has Sean found while snorkeling at Tamarindo Beach?

Where is the tail? It certainly would of been a feast.

Sharing duties.

Out one night to hear one of the local singers.

Feb. 21st

Another visit to Flamenco Beach, this time renting body boards to do some wave surfing. What a blast.

Feb. 22nd.

We decided on a day trip to Arecibo, Puerto Rico as the weather has not improved . We did make

one wrong turn and ended way up in the mountains but it was absolutely beautiful and we got to see many small communities.

Feb.24th. THINGS HAPPEN IN THREE'S

First I stub (actually Carlie thinks I have broken) my toe. We decided this afternoon we would go to Culebrita so first we went to shore for a bit of provisioning. At the El Batey dock Randy got a huge sliver in his index finger. Back at the boat having lunch---ohh ohh no water. The water pump needs replacing---it will work if we hammer it each time we need water which is going to be a pain. Randy decides he will try and repair and proceeds to stab himself with a sharp knife in his forearm. NURSE CARLIE TO THE RESCUE. The cut is to the bone. Carlie cleans the

wound and gives Rand stitches with stitch tape. We won’t be going to Culebrita.

Instead we go to Mamacitas for dinner and then back to the boat for a challenge in Mexican Train Dominoes.

Sat. Feb. 25th.

0600hrs I take Randy to the El Batey dock as he will go to Fajardo on the first ferry to get a replacement water pump. The kids and I went to Punta Melones to do a bit of snorkeling.

Randy and Sean replaced the water pump last night and this morning we are on our way to Culebrita. By noon we were on a mooring ball and enjoyed the afternoon swimming and relaxing. Randy and Sean went over and spoke to a man on a large dive boat as we noticed many of the moorings were missing since our last visit. The man said that many of the moorings had to be taken away as there safety was suspect.. He also said their job on Culebrita was to search for unexploded ordinance and reminded us to be very careful and not pick up anything suspicious. Taima arrived shortly after so we had Carmelle and Yvon over for Happy Hour.

Rand checking out the mooring. We put a bridle on to keep up pointing into the swell.

Mon. Feb.27th
Taima left this morning for St. Thomas.

We went on a hike up to the century old lighthouse (built in 1880). What an incredible panoramic view up 305 feet. When we got back to the bay we found we were the only boat….Beautiful, peaceful….all we could hear was the surf.
1630hrs. Randy and Sean have been working on re-wiring our stereo system. Carlie also checked Rand’s arm injury and we’ve decided he should stay out of the water to-day.

Wed. Feb.27th
Back to Dakkity for some swimming before we have to head back into Ensenada Honda for the trip to the airport tomorrow. The two weeks have absolutely flown by.

Thurs. Feb. 28th.

Well, it’s Sean and Carlie’s last day with us. We’re heading to Fajardo on the 0630 ferry, have rented a car and went to Old San Juan. Dropping them off at the airport around 3pm we did some shopping and then went back to Culebra on the 7pm ferry. The ferry was an hour late arriving in Fajardo While we were waiting for its arrive four policia arrived at the terminal and checked everyone disembarking the ferry with a sniff dog. Then they went on board the Culebra II with the dog. Half an hour later we finally were allowed to board with the dog checking each of us.

Kerry was patiently waiting for us at the ferry dock.

Friday, Feb. 29th
We both are tired but managed to do a few tasks. At one point I said to Randy “I sure miss Sean and Carlie” He said “Yes, they’re great kids!!” We love you both and will have you back any time.

February in Culebra, Preparing for Sean and Carlie's Visit.

Feb. 2nd

Celebrating Carmelle’s Birthday.

Carmelle and Kathy

Kerry, me, & Rand

Guilles and Yvon

Out on another hike and we get more rain.

Monday,Feb. 4th

Having an early start to-day. We met Kathy ad Kerry at El Batey dock at 0600hrs. We took the 0630hrs. ferry to Fajardo to do a provisioning run. For two persons, round trip is nine dollars. Kathy had lined up Al and his van for the day. Initially we had an additional 5 people in the van. Al dropped us off to get a cup of coffee while he drove the people to their appointments. Picking us back up we made a run to Costco, Walmart, and Westmarine….Yes Sean and Ash….Walmart. Personally we had about 200 pounds of provisons. We had three suitcases and two knapsacks filled to the brim. Before we knew it, it was 2 pm and we had to make a joint decision as we did not have enough time for our last two stops---the prop shop and sunbrella fabric store would have to wait. Rand’s GILL foul weather bib pants; reg. $229 for $20 was the best buy of the day.

After a long day it was out to the Dinghy Dock for a happy hour drink and then on to Heathers for great pizza.

Wed. Feb. 6th 1600hrs

The winds continue to be more than fresh. The seas this afternoon in the Bay are a minimum of two feet white caps. The last two nights we haven’t had a good nights sleep due to the fetch—the waves slapping the hull make us feel like we are in a washing machine; the wind is howling again. Thank goodness we can go to shore. We have had a busy day getting more of our log onto the blog.

This last number of weeks we tend not to have the VHF on as we are anchored off Dewey. There tends to be so much static and so many calls to the coastguard. We are amazed as we personally have wanted to move on in our travels, yet the weather does not co-operate so we sit. I can’t imagine wanting to be out in minimum 12 foot swells, 35 knot winds (50 miles an hour) on purpose as it sounds like so many boats are doing. Randy reminds me that alot of the boats that have been coming and going are charter boats and have a schedule.

We are very excited to-day. Our new Engel freezer has arrived. Kathy and Kerry helped us pick it up and get it into the boat as Rand’s hernia is acting up.

We picked it up at the UPS office which is at La Piesa restaurant and wheel it to the dinghy (about one mile)

This freezer will run off the 12volt system.

It is no easy feat getting the fridge on board.

Thank you so much Kerry .

Oops; the dinghy decides to go off on a spin by itself. The line on the bow broke free. Good thing Kathy and Kerry were still on board so neither of us needed to go for a swim.

Sat.Feb. 9th.

No go this morning to Culebrita. Instead we went to the dinghy dock restaurant with Kathy and Kerry for breakfast. Heading back to High States we are in 3 foot swells.

Sun. Feb 10th. Very calm night and the calmest its been in a long time this morning. We have decided to go to Culebrita. 0715 hrs the anchor is up, morning java is brewed and we’re on our way.

0830hrs. We’re in the Canal 15 knots of wind, the current is 1 ½ knots and we’ve got 8 foot swells tossing us about. Once we’re around Cabeza de Perro we’ve got lighter winds and smaller swells.
By 0910hrs we are on a mooring in Culebrita. It is absolutely gorgeous. We can hardly wait to get into the water. We worked on the hull and finished the day off with having Kathy and Kerry over for sundowners.

Rand and I went on a short hike to the South side of Culebita. What a sharp contrast to the Northern side where we are on a mooring.

Mon. 1215 hrs. We had a nice morning—hiking, checking out the bathing pools. We are quite amazed that there are so many cactus.

We also have seen a number of turtles.

Unfortunately the anchorage is really rolly so we have decided to go to Bahia de Almodovar. We actually heard Whisper on the VHF so we hailed them and they updated us on their whereabouts. They said St. John was great for snorkeling and that they were heading for Norman Island.

More cactus.

Gorgeous view across Culebrita from our Northern anchorage to the Southern shoreline.

Actually hiking to the bathing pools, probably the nicest Randy checked out was unfortunately full of sea urchins.

This pool that we did go in certainly was refreshing but quite slippery.

The following seas as we leave for Almadovar.

Tues. 0930hrs. Leaving Almodovar to get back to Dewey to complete preparations for Sean and Carlie’s visit. The swells are much smaller today 3 to 5 feet.

Thurs. Feb. 14th HAPPY VALENINE’S DAY and HOLA SEAN AND CARLIE.

We’re up by 0500hrs and on the 0630hrs. ferry to Fajardo. After renting a car we have had a very productive morning. We picked up our Garmin chip for the Western Caribbean, plus new chiv blocks for the dinghy so the lines won’t twist. We made a stop at Walmart and then on to the airport. We arrived an hour early…no we are not tooooo excited!!!!