A Mommy Outing (7.24.12)

Jen, Mandy, Christie, and I managed to leave all others (including Madoc, whom Christie affectionately refered to as her appendage) behind and were able to catch both a water and land taxi into Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda.  Our driver was Silvery.   His sister was Vitalis. We enjoyed an excellent island tour, and ended up at the Beach Grill at Little Dix Bay.  Walking on the beach and hitting the gift shop without anyone needing, wanting, or calling for our help are such mommy things to do.

Sailing School (7.24.12)

Sailing School at BEYC was free on Tuesday mornings, which was convenient considering that's when we were there.  All the kids plus the dads (and Uncle Andy) learned how to tie knots, the important parts of the mailsail, halyard, and gaff rig; others learned how to steer the tiller, how to tack, how to jibe.  According to Harrison, this is not like real school;  it was too interesting to fall asleep!

Night Vision (7.23.12)

Because we left the Baths so late in the day, it seemed a bit risky to try to make it to Bitter End.  Nevertheless with confidence Merve led us through the shortcut (between Mosquito island and the north end of Virigin Gorda) even though the GPS stated "Dangerous passage.  Do not attempt without deep local knowledge."  He may have proven that he knew the channel, but, that was the only thing deep about it. The water was so shallow that at one point we only had 6 inches beneath the keel.  We watched the sun set and with flashlights were guided onto a mooring ball.





"When I was a boy, I could pick up mooring balls with only one engine in the dark." 

The Baths (7.23.12)

No one can accuse Mervin of letting grass grow under his feet.  He convinced us to move on up to the Baths.  Starboard engine still nonfunctional, we limped up to the south side of Virgin Gorda and took our friends in for a quick snorkel and hike.  Merve kept us to a tight schedule....only 1 hour to spend where most could stay all day.

Grayson took her first rock climbing lesson from Madison. 

Grayson's Animals (7.23.12)

Grayson is a magnet for puppies.  She reunited with a set of cuties that she had met the week prior (at Soggy Dollar).  Although the rest of us thought we were in paradise, she was definitely in heaven.

Cooper Island Beach Club (7.23.12)

Did I mention that we had engine trouble?  Having to wait for the Moorings to come out and deliver a replacement filter was all the excuse we needed to go ashore.  We left Lloyd up to his elbows in algea-filled diesel fuel. Grayson and I had to initiate an underwater search-and-rescue for a mask that fell overboard on the dinghy ride in.   Other than that, though, no excitement.  After the morning we had had, we were ready to stay here for a while.

Cistern Point (7.23.12)

Merve must have sensed that we couldn't handle much more.  He tucked us in off the western point of Cooper Island, at Cistern Point. The snorkeling was rough, but, there was no complaint out of anyone as most of us were happy to get off the boat (not to mention the elation of skipping The Rhone for a third time).  We saw a small barracuda, turtle, and a large tarpon (which Andy had first thought was a shark).  Lloyd offered him a tranquilizer.

The Scenic Route (7.23.12)

Although the Finks would have already spent time at the Rhone three times in the past two days, Captain Mervin insisted on taking the Michaels back to the site of the wreck.  Everything was okay, except that in order to get there, he took the Atlantic route and insisted we follow close behind.  Now granted, none of us had ever seen the beauty of that side of Peter Island before, but, none of us had seen Andy and Ari throw up either.  Lloyd had never imagined taking a 46 foot catamaran over a breaking reef to get there but followed as instructed.  The waves were as high as we had seen.  Kids were air-born more often than not.  Poor Christie.  She thought this was normal.  

Dueling Ukes (7.23.12)

Harrison and Ari provided us with mood music for breakfast.

http://youtu.be/u4I5L26MVyM

Coolest Place You've Ever Been (7.23.12)

The next morning, with a perfect rainbow overhead, my brother Andy asked 11 year old Matt Michael if this was the coolest place he had ever been.  Matt thought for a moment and replied, ''Yeah, maybe this...or Nepal.''  Tough crowd.  

Flotilla (7.22.12)

There was still no sight of our lost friends, but, fortunately Christie and I had established a contingency plan.  If all else failed, and we were separated, we were to meet at Peter Island.  That was, until, we discovered that all of the mooring balls at Peter Island were taken.  Disheartened and discouraged, we turned south for The Bight as darkness rapidly approached.  When rounding the mouth of Great Harbor, we were thrilled to avoid a near collision as our wayward friends barreled northward looking for us as well!  We shouted a reunion and convinced them to follow us to safe harbor at Norman Island.  This would be our first exercise on this trip of picking up a mooring ball in inky blackness, but not our last as we would soon discover.  Once settled, GB gathered everyone aboard the Halcyon III for yet another demonstration of his incredible design talent.  In addition, Andy and Mandy shared some very special news with the kids...  our flotilla included 16 (and one on the way).  

Smelling Salt (7.22.12)

After leaving the Rhone, we set out in search of our missing guests. We were very close to Cooper Island, and we carefully checked every boat in the harbor for them to no avail.  We then headed south, but thought the kids could benefit from a short history lesson.  Salt Island, now abandoned, was once a major source of you guessed it.... salt to the British empire.  You know what happens when you leave your flowers in the vase too long and the water turns that slimy brown?  You know that puff of rotten air when you pour the water the sink that makes you wrinkle your face and turn in disgust?  Thrown in a container load of mosquitos, a treacherous anchorage, and a group of wild goats tending to homicidal hermit crabs and voila!   You've just toured Salt Island.

Separation Anxiety (7.22.12)

The Michaels were chartering out of Sunsail, and were provided a captain for the week.  Mervin was a truly delightful, nattily dressed sort of chap who's former career was piloting Navy F14 Tomcats.  We decided immediately he was perfect for the job.  Our expectations of military precision, however, proved somewhat short of reality when Mervin and the Michael family failed to appear at the pre-arranaged location and time for our first outing together.  We ended up at the Rhone with no sign of the second boat.   Might as well dive while we were waiting.

The Gang's All Here (7.22.12)

There was a moment of time when both the Sandersons AND our new guests from week 2 were present at The Moorings together.  It didn't last long enough, though, as the other moms (plus Mandy...who is mom to be) and I had to quickly leave to go to the local grocery to provision for our second week.  Without maternal influence, the dads left the kids partially unattended at the pool.  What else could they do but order fruity drinks for everyone?

Old Friends Depart, New Pals Arrive (7.22.12)

The Sanderson's frowns were clearly opposite to the smiles seen on the faces of The Campbell, Willhite, and Michael families when they arrived at the Moorings Sunday morning.  Saying goodbye is never easy.  Even Vincent came to tell Leigh Anne goodbye before they left. Can't we all just stay down here forever?

Starry Night (7.21.12)

On our last night together, while lying out on the trampoline, we sang songs (Never Alone by Lady Antebellum) and watched for shooting stars.  The sky was filled with wishes.

Crew Shots (7.21.12)

As with any trip, there comes the time (which Lloyd dreads the most) where we must document the crew.  And, what a crew we were!