Feb. 20, 2011

God knew that I needed a good internet connection when we received word that my Dad was near the end.  Within 24 hrs., I was on my way home to spend time with him & my family.  We siblings took turns staying with Dad through the night.  He slept peacefully without pain during the night of my turn, but at one point he appeared to want to reposition himself and couldn’t.  I got up and put my arm around him to help shift him a bit.  When I did, he gave me one last hug that I will always remember. Dad passed away the next day. I have since passed that hug on to my family. 

Rock-A-Bye Babies III Cruise

Feb. 9-18, 2011
 

Maya insisted she was ready to snorkel.

 
 

How can we adequately describe our sailing adventure with our daughter Becky’s family?  In one word, it was FABULOUS!  We pushed off from a dock on the eastern coast of Puerto Rico and cruised the Spanish Virgins (Vieques, Culebra, Isla Culebrita, and Cayo de Luis Pena). Three yr. old Maya kept asking why some boats sink after she overheard Capt. Dan telling Papa Jeff about the new charting program he recently installed on our laptop.  I suppose that seeing the holes in the cabin sole (that give easy access to the bilge) helped to confuse Maya, but we think she finally was at ease that our boat wouldn’t sink. Both Genna & Maya sailed well, but Maya seemed to prefer staying on the boat or dinghy.  When the boat stopped rocking, they would rock whomever was holding them. 



Both girls were ready to take the wheel.



Resting at the waterfall after a hike in the rainforest

Lazy Days

Feb. 1-7, 2011 (HAPPY 4th BIRTHDAY, MINO!)

    This week we dropped our hook in the crystal clear water of Honeymoon Bay on Water Island, USVI.  It’s just across the channel from St. Thomas, but a world apart in many ways.    The census lists 500 residents, yet the locals we met at the beach bar (Where else?) swear that tally has one too many zeroes.  Ninety-nine percent of the work force on Water Island commute by dinghy or ferry to St. Thomas, as do the children to attend school.  Most residents drive a golf cart instead of a car.  The islanders are a pleasant close knit group and surprisingly very welcoming to cruisers from large and small vessels.  They have weekly community events on the beach that are open to visitors, such as: Sunday evening potlucks, Monday night movies, Wednesday night Bingo, Friday night pizza, and Saturday evening musical entertainment.

    Could Honeymoon Bay be our CHEERS spot?

Note the posted business hours at upper left.

   

A long uphill hike is rewarded with this view.



We love it when a shower rinses the salt off the boat and produces a double rainbow!