First of all, Robert made it to Orlando for his JetBlue training as scheduled. It was so nice having his company and capable assistance with Quest and the tender. Missing you, Robert!
Since we had a couple of days before Dan had to make his flight to Florida for work, we opted to spend them anchored off Maho Bay on St. John. Well, another very good reason for choosing Maho was that Hugh and Bud would be arriving there tomorrow to stay in the Maho Bay Echo-resort with their tent cottages, environmentally sensitive walkways and recycling awareness.
Donning our snorkel gear, Dan and I spent a bit of time giving Quest a good bottom scrub, trying to remove some of the accumulated sludge that had attached to her. We rewarded ourselves by spending the afternoon snorkeling the reef and enjoying the beautiful huge Ray that had taken up temporary residence in the bay. We also found numerous small rays skimming along the shallow shore line, live conch moving at their snail’s pace along the bottom and two $20.00 bills on the seas’ bed. Not a bad day!
TUESDAY 2/28: MOORED AT MAHO BAY IN ST JOHN
Today we took the little con-Quest out of the US Territorial waters and into the foreign port of Soper’s Hole in West End on Tortola. Everything is so close here that you can easily do this. Not quite so easy though. Once we pulled into the bay we had to “check in” to this British island so that meant a visit to their customs and immigration. $15.00 later we had all the necessary paperwork and were checked both in and out for our departure later that afternoon. We had a lovely lunch and visit with Richard and Helga of M/Y Helga’s Car then made our way back to St. John in the USVI. That’s right, since we had been in a foreign country we had to check back into the US through Customs and Immigration. We have to get enrolled in the “Local Boaters” so that most of these island hopping ventures will involve only a phone call, at least while it is only Dan and I on the Quest.
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| JUDY AND HELGA AFTER A PUSSER'S RUM PAINKILLER |
By now Hugh and Bud had arrived at Mayo Bay and we met up with them on the beach and toted them out to meet the Quest before heading to the resort for dinner. I have to tell you, it was soooo cool! There a gazillion wooden steps and elevated walkways that take you up the hill from the blissful beach to the charming cottages and dining area. It was like my dream of a summer camp but geared for adults and families. Totally loved it!
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| HUGH, BUD AND DAN TELLING TALL TALES |
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| HUGH AND BUD'S BUNGALOW |
WEDNESDAY 2/29: DOCKED CROWN BAY MARINA IN ST THOMAS TRAVELED 17 NM
After Hugh and Bud swam out to the Quest for breakfast (and swam back after) we dropped the mooring line and made our way back to St. Thomas and the Crown Bay Marina. This will be my home for the next week while Dan is working in Florida. With the wind gusting and without Robert’s help we were kind of the show today. (Remember---“Sometimes you’re lucky enough to be the audience and sometimes you are the show”) With Dan’s persistence and competence, along with a little help from the shore, we finally were secure to the dock.
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| BUD AND HUGH HAD TO SWIM FOR THEIR SUPPER (MAKE THAT BREAKFAST) |
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| QUEST AT HOME IN CROWN BAY MARINA ON ST. THOMAS |
Now, I am truly wondering who is left back home in cold Vermont. Nance just arrived to spend some time with her Aunt Margaret and they dropped in for a brief “Hello” while out and about. Hugh and Bud are here, the Hansons and Feingolds are in St. Marten, the Porters are in CA, Nan may just be back from her visit to Santa Domiingo and the Morgans will be arriving at Maho next week. Guess it is all up to you Eddie, keep those home fires burning!! Anyway, I was glad to see Nance and hope that she and Aunt Margaret will grace me with their company during my week alone here.
THURSDAY 3/1: DOCKED CROWN BAY MARINA IN ST THOMAS
Dan made all his JetBlue connections and arrived in Orlando as planned. The job itself won’t start until early Saturday morning but he will be doing some site inspections and pre-work planning on Friday.
One of my major projects for today to get online and update the Blog. Ah, the best made plans just don’t always come to fruition. After spending hours fiddling with the blasted thing, all the while thinking I was doing something improperly, I finally called the provider. Well, it appears that Beacon WI-FI was down at the marina and I was just out of luck. They had no idea when it might be back up again either.
I did a little walking around, began the chore of oiling the interior wood and was most happy to have Nance join me for cocktails and dinner at Tickles, the marina’s local pub and restaurant. We both relaxed and just generally enjoyed our visit.
FRIDAY 3/2: DOCKED CROWN BAY MARINA IN ST THOMAS
It was back to oiling the inside wood this morning but the Wi-Fi was up and going by noon. I did a little bank work then took off towards Charlotte Amalie, the main town in St. Thomas. It was a lovely walk with much right along the waterfront. I found all the typical shops, managed to enjoy myself while wasting a bit of time and got a good walk in to boot. Not a bad day!
SATURDAY 3/3: DOCKED CROWN BAY MARINA IN ST THOMAS
This evening Nance and I went way up the hill to a restaurant where Margaret’s friend, Huley, was making some good music with his band. What a great time we had! Unfortunately, Margaret is a bit under the weather and has not been up to joining in our outings but I know she is benefiting from Nance’s great care and company.
SUNDAY: DOCKED CROWN BAY MARINA IN ST THOMAS
Nance and I really stepped outside the box today. We took the ferry from Red Hook on the east end of St. Thomas to St. John then grabbed the Maho Bay taxi and met up with Hugh and Bud. What a grand time we had visiting and snorkeling in the lovely bay. I do have to tell you that Little Maho didn’t appear to have any of those “$20.00 bill fish” like Great Maho did.
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| NANCE ALL SET FOR THE FERRY RIDE TO ST JOHN |
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| HUGH AND BUD ON THEIR DECK AT MAHO BAY |
There was a little bit of excitement in our morning. While waiting on the ferry for departure we observed this sailboat in distress. We assumed his motor was not functioning as five dingys sort of rounded him up, nosed into the boat’s s side and moved it out of the channel. I almost expected someone to lasso the “gal-durn” thing and give out a “yahoo” whoop! We never did find out just what the issues were but it sure kept us busy watching for a while.
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| IT WAS LIKE A DINGY RODEO |
Dan finished up the job in Florida then had to drive to South Carolina to look at another prospective job. Think the poor boy is whipped and will be glad to return home to the Quest on Tuesday. I know I’ll be glad to see him.
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