March 21, 2009
Still haven't gotten the last update to the web site uploaded.
I'll do it soon.
Of course I have already done it or you wouldn't be reading this.
Not much new here.
I did take a week off and go to the Spanish Virgin Islands with tow of the volunteers, Pete and Laura.
We ended up motor sailing most of the trip since the winds were to strong for the big Genoa and I haven't gotten the heavier Genoa repaired yet.
We went to Culabrita first.
I have always heard that it is not a good place to stay when there is a swell from the north and I found out why on this trip.
The anchorage is open to the north and the swell comes right in and makes for a VERY rough anchorage.
It was pretty obvious why we were the only boat there that night.
But we still enjoyed the hike to the lighthouse and swimming at the Jacuzzis.
The lighthouse is deteriorating quickly and there is not much iron left at the top.
The bricks and other walls are also going downhill fast.
It's sad to see it falling apart but it does create some beautiful textures as the mortar erodes.
On the way out of the harbor the next morning we were hit with the largest wave I've hit broadside.
I was standing in the cockpit and was looking up at the top of it as it approached.
It was a 12-15 foot wave that was breaking so the front was vertical.
It knocked up down at least 60 degrees and Pete was at the mast getting ready to hoist sails.
We came right back up and there was no damage but it was not a fun experience.
After that we motored into Dewey on Culebra with a lunch stop at Bahia de Almodovar.
Dewey is the only town on Culebra and is a quaint little town.
There is one grocery, a few restaurants and bars and not a lot more.
It has grown noticeably since I was there two years ago and I'm sure it will lose it quaintness before long.
We spent a night in the harbor at Dewey and left the next morning for Vieques.
The wind had dropped and we ended up motorsailing to Isle Chiva.
I've been in there several times and always enjoyed it.
There are no facilities within sight and it is always a quiet spot although there was one other boat there that night.
After snorkeling and walking the beach we relaxed in the cockpit and watched the stars and occasional satellite go by.
Nice night with only a few lights off in the distance.
The next morning we left to go back to Culebra but after listening to the forecast, which called for high winds and seas for the next day, we decided to forego Culebra and head back to St Thomas.
We spent the night in Brewers Bay and the next day exploring the Univ of the Virgin Islands campus including finding the latest NY Times at the library.
The next day we went over to Lindberg Bay to pick up a couple of Pete and Laura's friends at the airport and give a ride back to St John.
It was nice to get away for a while and relax without thinking about the work waiting in camp.
There is one big construction project still in progress, sort of.
The kitchen and dining room was gutted last October and a local contractor is replacing the floor.
It's obviously being done on island time and is still a long way from completion.
The walls have been removed with the roof structure up on posts and jacks.
A new floor is going to be poured, this Tues maybe, using the old floor as the bottom of the form.
A form has been built around the building and support posts have been poured.
16 yards of concrete will be poured to form short walls and a new floor.
I have never seen this done before and admit that I have some doubt that the old floor is going to hold several tons of concrete while it sets.
I have always heard that it is not a good place to stay when there is a swell from the north and I found out why on this trip.
The anchorage is open to the north and the swell comes right in and makes for a VERY rough anchorage.
It was pretty obvious why we were the only boat there that night.
But we still enjoyed the hike to the lighthouse and swimming at the Jacuzzis.
The lighthouse is deteriorating quickly and there is not much iron left at the top.
The bricks and other walls are also going downhill fast.
It's sad to see it falling apart but it does create some beautiful textures as the mortar erodes.
