Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Monday, February 4, 2013
Distances
We have now uploaded our GPS records for the trip into each day's blog entry. We sailed a total of 174nm with the following distances each day:
Friday 48km 26.53nm Roadtown to Leverick Bay
Saturday 43km 23.77nm Leverick Bay to Cane Garden Bay
Sunday 38km 21.01nm Cane Garden Bay to Norman Island
Monday 49km 27.09nm Norman Island to Marina Cay
Tuesday 40km 22.11nm Marina Cay to Anegada
Wednesday 51km 28.19nm Anegada to Cooper Island
Thursday 45km 24.88nm Cooper Island to Road town - via some snorkeling stops
It was a blast. Cant wait for the next trip
Friday 48km 26.53nm Roadtown to Leverick Bay
Saturday 43km 23.77nm Leverick Bay to Cane Garden Bay
Sunday 38km 21.01nm Cane Garden Bay to Norman Island
Monday 49km 27.09nm Norman Island to Marina Cay
Tuesday 40km 22.11nm Marina Cay to Anegada
Wednesday 51km 28.19nm Anegada to Cooper Island
Thursday 45km 24.88nm Cooper Island to Road town - via some snorkeling stops
It was a blast. Cant wait for the next trip
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Bacardi for the crew of Up Next
We decided to purchase a bottle of Bacardi Rum for the crew of Up Next. This reserve bottle is only sold in Puerto Rico and in limited US outlets. We had "GIBE 2013" etched on the bottle in honor of the conference we were attending - Glial Interactions and Brain Experiments 2013.
Its in our condo and we await the crew to visit to sample some of the bottle's contents. Come and visit!
Its in our condo and we await the crew to visit to sample some of the bottle's contents. Come and visit!
Saturday and Sunday in San Juan
We spent two days in San Juan to enjoy the local atmosphere and get our land legs back before heading home. On Saturday we went to a long walk and enjoyed one of the Fort’s of San Juan that acted to guard the Caribbean. It was a great visit that was followed by a wonderful lunch. Here are some images of the fort and San Juan. Saturday also was a sad day since four of the six of us headed back to home.
Prior to departing on Sunday evening we took a trip over to what is called the Cathedral of Rum – The Bacardi distillery. It was a great tour that was augmented by free rum at the completion.
We purchased a special treat for the crew – stay tuned, it will be the topic of the next entry
Prior to departing on Sunday evening we took a trip over to what is called the Cathedral of Rum – The Bacardi distillery. It was a great tour that was augmented by free rum at the completion.
We purchased a special treat for the crew – stay tuned, it will be the topic of the next entry
Returning to San Juan
The day came to return to San Juan where we had to attend a symposium and get back to working. We were collected at 8:30am and headed off to Beef Island airport. We checked in at A
ir Sunshine and headed for some breakfast. Just as we were finishing the staff were looking for us (~9:30am) telling us we were leaving early. Our departure was scheduled for 10:30am.
We paid our exit fees, passed through security and off to the airplane. The captain asked whether anyone had told us that there would be an additional stop in Virgin Gorda to pick up some extra passengers. They hadn’t, but it was fine. Flying a short hop over there was fun, especially the landing on what looked like a dirt track runway. To head into the runway one flies at an angle around a mountain and at the last moment the plane flattens out to land. What a blast.
As we picked up more passengers, one of our group was asked to sit in the co-pilot’s seat and firmly instructed not to touch anything. He obeyed orders and we had a good flight over to San Juan where we arrived early.
ir Sunshine and headed for some breakfast. Just as we were finishing the staff were looking for us (~9:30am) telling us we were leaving early. Our departure was scheduled for 10:30am.
We paid our exit fees, passed through security and off to the airplane. The captain asked whether anyone had told us that there would be an additional stop in Virgin Gorda to pick up some extra passengers. They hadn’t, but it was fine. Flying a short hop over there was fun, especially the landing on what looked like a dirt track runway. To head into the runway one flies at an angle around a mountain and at the last moment the plane flattens out to land. What a blast.
As we picked up more passengers, one of our group was asked to sit in the co-pilot’s seat and firmly instructed not to touch anything. He obeyed orders and we had a good flight over to San Juan where we arrived early.
The Rhone and the Indians
Today was out last day on board “Up Next” so we decided to maximize our activities. We set off early to the wreck of the Rhone that is on the southern tip of Lee Bay, Salt Island.
But first – Salt Island. Although this year we did not hike on the island it is worth noting that Salt Island contains three evaporation ponds. For a period of time these ponds were an important source of salt for Her Majesty’s Navy. Although the property of the crown, the locals operated the salt ponds. Each year the Governor accepted as annual rent a bag of salt. In 1845 a bag of salt was quoted at a shilling.
We tied up to the national park mooring ball and swam over to the wreck. As we got close it was clear why the Rhone went down. You can see her stern in 30 feet of clear water. It’s not necessary to scuba dive, snorkeling in the surface works well.
The Royal Mail Steamer Rhone sank on October 29th 1867 when an unexpected hurricane hit. She was anchored outside Great Harbor, Peter Island when the hurricane arrived. When there was a lull in the storm she weighed anchor to try to get to a northern anchorage in Roadtown, Tortola. As she headed over the hurricane hit again and the Rhone lost her masts and funnel. It was impossible to anchor and she headed out the channel between Salt and Peter islands to get some sea room. She had negotiated most of the rocky area and was at the last point to navigate when the wind blew her onto the rocks at Salt Island where she sank instantly.
After snorkeling at the Rhone we headed out through the channel, safely navigating around Peter Island where we saw a pair of dolphins and a turtle. We then sailed on a broad reach between Peter and Norman Islands and headed to the Indians for our final snorkeling location.
After good snorkeling and lunch we around Flanagan Island, and back up the Sir Francis Drake Channel to Roadtown and the Moorings marina. After securing the boat and taking care of cleaning, everyone headed to the showers where we took an extremely enjoyable afternoon shower. In the evening we used the dinghy to get across to Village Cay marina for dinner and drinks.
But first – Salt Island. Although this year we did not hike on the island it is worth noting that Salt Island contains three evaporation ponds. For a period of time these ponds were an important source of salt for Her Majesty’s Navy. Although the property of the crown, the locals operated the salt ponds. Each year the Governor accepted as annual rent a bag of salt. In 1845 a bag of salt was quoted at a shilling.
We tied up to the national park mooring ball and swam over to the wreck. As we got close it was clear why the Rhone went down. You can see her stern in 30 feet of clear water. It’s not necessary to scuba dive, snorkeling in the surface works well.
The Royal Mail Steamer Rhone sank on October 29th 1867 when an unexpected hurricane hit. She was anchored outside Great Harbor, Peter Island when the hurricane arrived. When there was a lull in the storm she weighed anchor to try to get to a northern anchorage in Roadtown, Tortola. As she headed over the hurricane hit again and the Rhone lost her masts and funnel. It was impossible to anchor and she headed out the channel between Salt and Peter islands to get some sea room. She had negotiated most of the rocky area and was at the last point to navigate when the wind blew her onto the rocks at Salt Island where she sank instantly.
After snorkeling at the Rhone we headed out through the channel, safely navigating around Peter Island where we saw a pair of dolphins and a turtle. We then sailed on a broad reach between Peter and Norman Islands and headed to the Indians for our final snorkeling location.
After good snorkeling and lunch we around Flanagan Island, and back up the Sir Francis Drake Channel to Roadtown and the Moorings marina. After securing the boat and taking care of cleaning, everyone headed to the showers where we took an extremely enjoyable afternoon shower. In the evening we used the dinghy to get across to Village Cay marina for dinner and drinks.
Friday, February 1, 2013
Anegada to Cooper Island via Guana Island – January 23rd
We woke early so that we could pack a lot in to the day as well as get to our destination in time for a birthday celebration. We headed out of Anegada at about 6:45am and had a beautiful sail down to Guana Island. We headed through the channel between Guana Island and Great Camanoe then turned to the west and came around Monkey point and tied up on mooring balls for some excellent snorkeling.
We knew that there would be lots of marine activity because we were watching pelicans diving into the water in the area of the reefs. In anticipation we quickly put on our snorkeling equipment and swam over to the reefs.
In addition to seeing schools of thousands, millions, of small fish we saw a variety of species. At one point I turned my head to the left and there were three enormous fish. I must say, it was a little scary to see them out of the corner of my eye only a few feet away. But at the same time it was impressive.
After snorkeling we had a good lunch, which undoubtedly included salami, and then asked our birthday crew member where they would like to head for the rest of the day. The decision was made – Cooper island. We had had a great time there last year so we set sail. We headed east between Beef island and Little Camanoe then turned SSE and on to Cooper island. As we were heading across Sir Francis Drake Channel a brief storm hit. Torrential rain for 5 minutes followed by sunshine.
We were having a pattern of activity on the boat. I decided some days ago that I needed to wash my socks – not that I was really wearing socks much of the time. So socks were put in a bucket of sea water on the stern of the boat so that they could gently agitate in our “washing machine” while we were sailing. After cleaning, they were hung out to dry on the lifelines. Just as they were about to become dry, a storm would hit and they would be put through another freshwater rinse cycle. Alas, again my socks were rinsed and again had to wait another day for a dry pair. Just so long as I had one clean pair for our journey home.
After arriving at Cooper Island we headed into shore where we were to pay our mooring fee. At this location one has to go to the bar to make payment. So while we were there we had to try their version of the painkiller. After dinner we returned to our boat and had an evening of relaxation. At one point three of us decided that an evening swim would be refreshing so we jumped off the stern in the darkness.
We knew that there would be lots of marine activity because we were watching pelicans diving into the water in the area of the reefs. In anticipation we quickly put on our snorkeling equipment and swam over to the reefs.
In addition to seeing schools of thousands, millions, of small fish we saw a variety of species. At one point I turned my head to the left and there were three enormous fish. I must say, it was a little scary to see them out of the corner of my eye only a few feet away. But at the same time it was impressive.
After snorkeling we had a good lunch, which undoubtedly included salami, and then asked our birthday crew member where they would like to head for the rest of the day. The decision was made – Cooper island. We had had a great time there last year so we set sail. We headed east between Beef island and Little Camanoe then turned SSE and on to Cooper island. As we were heading across Sir Francis Drake Channel a brief storm hit. Torrential rain for 5 minutes followed by sunshine.
We were having a pattern of activity on the boat. I decided some days ago that I needed to wash my socks – not that I was really wearing socks much of the time. So socks were put in a bucket of sea water on the stern of the boat so that they could gently agitate in our “washing machine” while we were sailing. After cleaning, they were hung out to dry on the lifelines. Just as they were about to become dry, a storm would hit and they would be put through another freshwater rinse cycle. Alas, again my socks were rinsed and again had to wait another day for a dry pair. Just so long as I had one clean pair for our journey home.
After arriving at Cooper Island we headed into shore where we were to pay our mooring fee. At this location one has to go to the bar to make payment. So while we were there we had to try their version of the painkiller. After dinner we returned to our boat and had an evening of relaxation. At one point three of us decided that an evening swim would be refreshing so we jumped off the stern in the darkness.
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