We anchored in crystal clear waters, north of the pier in Fredriksted, St. Croix just before 2016's last Sunday of Advent. We missed the annual Boat Parade and a couple of parties, but we still had enough time to prepare for the main event. The grandkids helped us throw up our usual Christmas decorations above and below deck during a sleepover. We began making cookies- this year with a new twist, as Lyla has become quite the little baker. At times, she even creates her own recipes.
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| Lyla, Emma, and Sophia made Zebra Cupcakes (chocolate & vanilla) |
Christmas always includes PIEROGIS, but this year the usual pierogi elves were pulled in many different directions, especially with Bob and Joy getting ready for their trip. Luckily, one of the mission builders on base was happy to help. Joanne and I, with limited assistance from Bob and Lyla, produced less than usual- only four batches of dough that yielded about 120 total (3 types: potato & cheese, fried cabbage, mushroom).
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| Christmas Eve dinner with at YWAM with staff and visiting DTS Teams |
While Bob and Joy were away, Aslan and Lyla spent a few nights on board Exit Strategy that was anchored in Fredriksted. St. Croix's Carnival took place during that time and the parades were in Fredriksted. We made a grand effort to watch the Childrens' Parade whose posted start time was 10 AM. We allowed for ISLAND TIME and claimed a good spectator spot along the route around 10:30 AM and waited... and waited... and waited. We took turns wandering around town to get snacks and window shop. Around 12 NOON we finally saw the first sign of parade activity way up the hill in the distance. It moved at a snails pace- L I T E R A L L Y. By 12:30 PM it was nearly in front of us and we noticed that some of the paraders were about to collapse! We returned to Exit Strategy by 12:45 PM.
A definite plus to our SHORE LEAVE on St. Croix this year was having the opportunity to meet and get acquainted with Bruce and Joanne (Joanne helped make pierogis) who were serving as Mission Builders at YWAM where our son's family live and serve. They lived near and sailed on the Great Salt Lake for many years and were now considering sailing the Caribbean. They are both in their 70's, and I admired their energy and openness to new adventures! We invited them on a day trip to move our vessel from Fredriksted to Christiansted and it morphed into an impromptu 2-day overnight trip to St. Croix's Buck Island. |
| (L to R) Kim, Joy, Lyla, Bob, and Aslan |
We also took a day trip to Buck Island with Bob's Family and Kim, a YWAM Staffer. While there, Bob, Dan, and I went diving at the far northeastern point of the island. The coral formations there are remarkably different. We observed multiple cone-shaped piles of dead coral upon which some live corals were growing. Bob lead the dive and I felt like we were swimming against the current the entire time although I also felt like we were swimming in circles! At one point, I signaled to Dan to check his compass and he motioned that all was OK. Somehow, Bob guided us right back to the dinghy!
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| Lyla insisted on competing even though she was ill. She placed 2nd in her age group! |
Dan and I relish time with all our grandkids and always enjoy attending the sports events in which they partake. Lyla (9) and Aslan (10) have been involved in St. Croix's Kids Tri-Athlon for many years. This month, they raced in a Run-Bike-Run event at Altona Park which was located adjacent to our anchorage in Christiansted.
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| Grandpa passed out water while I tried to take photos. |
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