Umbrella Drink Tour - 2009 / Breath
Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 12:43 pm
Wednesday, November 11
For some reason, Don and I flip our sleeping habits on vacation. Normally, he’s the first to bed and the first up in the morning; however, on St. John, I was the first to bed and the first up in the morning – go figure,
I was up extra early this morning and caught the sun just about as it had risen. I had a front row seat as Coral Bay work up for the day.
But, as the saying goes “Red sky in morning, sailors take warning”; and today was our sail with Breath.
We met the crew at Skinny’s dinghy dock at 9am. If you’re not familiar with Coral Bay, Skinny’s is almost at the foot of Seagrape Hill. Sputniks and Donkey Diner are just up the street. Island Blues, Shipwreck Landing, and Aqua Bistro are just around the corner. Super convenient location.
There were six of us sailing on Breath today; along with Captain Colin and mate Josh. These guys were very laid back and just loved boats and sailing.
Josh met us at the dinghy dock; loaded us and our stuff and we went to meet Breath.
Colin and Josh gave us some of Breath’s history and passed around a photo album. It’s amazing when you think how this boat was built and traveled the oceans with a small family.
The cooler was stocked the sails went up and off we went. Josh worked hard that day; no electronic sails on this vessels.
Despite the “warning” it looked like a beautiful day. Sit back and enjoy as we sail along St. John’s southern coast.
Our first snorkel stop was Newfound Bay. Josh dinghied us out to the reef and the plan was for us to just float along with the current and he would pick us up and dinghy us back. Sounded like a great plan!
The water was crystal clear and the coral was some of the best I’ve seen in a while; however, the fish remained in hiding.
After awhile, I looked up and saw some of the others making their way over and into the dinghy, so Don and I headed in that direction. We got there no problem, getting back into the dinghy was another thing. OMG – it was so hard. I think I tried 10 times and just couldn’t get myself up. The guys in the dinghy were trying to pull me, push me, twist me to no avail. I was giving up – I’ll swim back – just don’t leave without me. The other 2 women insisted I could do it – “we did it – you can do it!”. OK – one more try – One….Two……..Threeeeeeeeeeee- up, down, kick, lift and finally – PLOP on the floor of the dinghy!
OK – so that ends the “Let’s rent a dinghy” discussion.
Safely back on Breath, we had lunch.
A short motor and we were at our next snorkel spot – Flanagan’s island.
As we got closer, the clouds started moving in and then it started to sprinkle and then it RAINED – HARD!
The wind picked up and the temperature dropped about 10 degrees. Then a lightning strike and a clap of thunder and another and another; this was close. I’m not embarrassed to admit, but I am afraid of thunder and lightning; it’s in my DNA. My grandmother would always hide in a closet. No closet on Breath, so I went down below to wait it out.
Eventually, the lightning disappeared and the rumbles were in the distance. Still, no way in hell, was I getting back in the water. I hung out on the boat while the others snorkeled.
Don doesn’t share my phobias
Once the storm passed, the sun came back, but the wind left. Breath was becalmed off Flanagan’s island. After about a half hour of little progress, the sails came down and the motor came on.
We got back into harbor and dinghied back to Skinny’s. Despite the storm, it was a wonderful day on the water.
It was happy hour at Skinny’s, so we stopped in for a beer. I poked around the shops (I was on a mission) to see what I might find.
Then it was back to Anchorage Aweigh to shower and change for dinner.
I challenge you try to take a quick shower with this view!
Not only beautiful out “there”, but in “here”, as well.
It was Shipwreck Landing for dinner tonight. We had a seared scallops in a tomato basil sauce appetizer; Don had Southwestern Wahoo; I had steak and grilled shrimp; we shared Key Lime cheesecake for dessert. Everything was delicious and the service was impeccable.
Another winner in paradise.
I think I was asleep halfway down the staircase.
Tomorrow - Raindrops keep falling on my head!
For some reason, Don and I flip our sleeping habits on vacation. Normally, he’s the first to bed and the first up in the morning; however, on St. John, I was the first to bed and the first up in the morning – go figure,
I was up extra early this morning and caught the sun just about as it had risen. I had a front row seat as Coral Bay work up for the day.
But, as the saying goes “Red sky in morning, sailors take warning”; and today was our sail with Breath.
We met the crew at Skinny’s dinghy dock at 9am. If you’re not familiar with Coral Bay, Skinny’s is almost at the foot of Seagrape Hill. Sputniks and Donkey Diner are just up the street. Island Blues, Shipwreck Landing, and Aqua Bistro are just around the corner. Super convenient location.
There were six of us sailing on Breath today; along with Captain Colin and mate Josh. These guys were very laid back and just loved boats and sailing.
Josh met us at the dinghy dock; loaded us and our stuff and we went to meet Breath.
Colin and Josh gave us some of Breath’s history and passed around a photo album. It’s amazing when you think how this boat was built and traveled the oceans with a small family.
The cooler was stocked the sails went up and off we went. Josh worked hard that day; no electronic sails on this vessels.
Despite the “warning” it looked like a beautiful day. Sit back and enjoy as we sail along St. John’s southern coast.
Our first snorkel stop was Newfound Bay. Josh dinghied us out to the reef and the plan was for us to just float along with the current and he would pick us up and dinghy us back. Sounded like a great plan!
The water was crystal clear and the coral was some of the best I’ve seen in a while; however, the fish remained in hiding.
After awhile, I looked up and saw some of the others making their way over and into the dinghy, so Don and I headed in that direction. We got there no problem, getting back into the dinghy was another thing. OMG – it was so hard. I think I tried 10 times and just couldn’t get myself up. The guys in the dinghy were trying to pull me, push me, twist me to no avail. I was giving up – I’ll swim back – just don’t leave without me. The other 2 women insisted I could do it – “we did it – you can do it!”. OK – one more try – One….Two……..Threeeeeeeeeeee- up, down, kick, lift and finally – PLOP on the floor of the dinghy!
OK – so that ends the “Let’s rent a dinghy” discussion.
Safely back on Breath, we had lunch.
A short motor and we were at our next snorkel spot – Flanagan’s island.
As we got closer, the clouds started moving in and then it started to sprinkle and then it RAINED – HARD!
The wind picked up and the temperature dropped about 10 degrees. Then a lightning strike and a clap of thunder and another and another; this was close. I’m not embarrassed to admit, but I am afraid of thunder and lightning; it’s in my DNA. My grandmother would always hide in a closet. No closet on Breath, so I went down below to wait it out.
Eventually, the lightning disappeared and the rumbles were in the distance. Still, no way in hell, was I getting back in the water. I hung out on the boat while the others snorkeled.
Don doesn’t share my phobias
Once the storm passed, the sun came back, but the wind left. Breath was becalmed off Flanagan’s island. After about a half hour of little progress, the sails came down and the motor came on.
We got back into harbor and dinghied back to Skinny’s. Despite the storm, it was a wonderful day on the water.
It was happy hour at Skinny’s, so we stopped in for a beer. I poked around the shops (I was on a mission) to see what I might find.
Then it was back to Anchorage Aweigh to shower and change for dinner.
I challenge you try to take a quick shower with this view!
Not only beautiful out “there”, but in “here”, as well.
It was Shipwreck Landing for dinner tonight. We had a seared scallops in a tomato basil sauce appetizer; Don had Southwestern Wahoo; I had steak and grilled shrimp; we shared Key Lime cheesecake for dessert. Everything was delicious and the service was impeccable.
Another winner in paradise.
I think I was asleep halfway down the staircase.
Tomorrow - Raindrops keep falling on my head!
