Day 7

Like I said….we DID want to head out….but we were comfy in the slip at Leverick – and it’s not like it’s hard spending an extra day with Nick and Monica <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

So…with the grey skies overhead, and the wind still whipping, we decided another day at the dock was not such a bad thing – though the bouncing up and down in the slip could be a bit much <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />

We had a “dinghy extravaganza” in the North Sound. Visited the new Yacht Club Smeralda – amazing. Really really gorgeous – prices not too bad on the food – ambience was just top notch. They were very quiet so welcomed us for drinks and I’m sure we could have hung out at the pool had it been a better day for that…which it wasn’t. My guess is that when they are very busy with lots of Uber-yachts, it might not be the same…and I don’t expect any TTOL specials <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />

Stopped at Fat Virgin for some Cod Fritters (yum) and fries (double yum), then stopped at Bitter End for the yummy PKs they make there. Finished up at Saba Rock – so almost the Dinghy Poker Run in reverse without Prickly Pear and including Smeralda <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />

Back to Leverick and dinner Upstairs for the prime rib night – triple yum!!!

Day 8

Did someone say brisket????

Off to Cane Garden Bay we go to meet Stoney and the love of his life!

Started out down to CGB inside the Dogs, planning to cut in at Marina Cay and stop for a snorkel at Monkey Point. Great idea.

Okay…off we go!! Brian gets wing on wing going on Olive. Great, right? Really, really pretty looking at those sails, right?? So….Bridget decides “ooooh!!! I need a picture!” Climb down to get the ipad…

Brian takes his mind off of the sails for two seconds and is looking at me taking the pic…um….did someone say jibe?

Meanwhile….Evan and Nina have an amazing sail OUTSIDE the Dogs…turns out that would have been the better way to go – oh well, it’s all about living and learning, right?

We sail in and past Marina Cay with the jib alone – very nice! Got to Monkey Point and no balls are available so we piggy back for a few minutes on Long Overdue until one opens and we grab it. Have a bite to eat and a very nice snorkel at Monkey Point. Until….Bridget says “hey! There’s a nurse shark over here!” Evan and Nina head over to where I’m snorkeling. Evan’s head pops up. “That’s NOT a nurse shark.” Off to the dinghy we go. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />
We all motor to Cane Garden Bay and get there in under an hour – it’s about happy hour time when we arrive. We are looking for Stoney (Jim) and the love of his life (Ruth) on their Mooring powercat – turns out they got there right before we did.

Stoney gave us a smoked brisket and Salt Lick spices <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> We all climbed into dinghies and headed in for Myett’s happy hour. Sang with Brian Neale. Amazing. What a nice guy. Asked me if I wanted to join his tour up North. Thought about it for a split second <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />. Decided I still love Brian. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> Back to Disney I go.

We felt like we’d known Jim and Ruth for years. The two of them went out and danced in the water while Brian was playing – got a great picture of that (photo link soon come!).

Done at Myetts, we all head down for the Elmtones. Okay…first time I’ve seen them. We all could have sat there all night. Everybody danced – I have great video (that will soon come too!).

Went over to Long Overdue with the brisket – heated it up and had it with Nina’s AMAZING cold slaw. Another great day ends…

Day 8

JVD.

Left CGB for Great Harbour – got there around 10am and easily grabbed a mooring ball right behind Jim and Ruth. Turns out Jim was having a boat issue and awaiting a visit from Moorings. We waited for them and hung out on the boat – decided to share a cab and watch Ruth’s reaction to the views <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Soggy Dollar Bar was insanely busy but still lots of fun to see Ruth have her first PK there. Followed by a second <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

I remembered snorkeling with Marie there last summer down at the very end past One Love so we brought gear and Brian and I had a great snorkel – you have to get way out there, but there’s lots to see!

We all walked over to Ivan’s and hung out in the hammocks, had fun taking pictures with “the blue chair” and finished up the JVD day with an amazing dinner (as usual) at Corsairs.

Day 9

We were sad to say good-bye to Jim and Ruth in the morning but we needed to head to Norman for our last day on the boat.

Sailed across to the cut – very nice!!! Brought down sail through the cut….got out into the Drake and UGH!!! Into the wind and BIG swell – just gnarly in the little boat.. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Sick.gif" alt="" />

So…there’s a bigger boat in front of us from Great Harbour as well. Watching them tack and tack and tack – they left way ahead of us but looked like there were having a grand time just sailing that boat. Yep. It was Tootsie – the Oceanis 41 that’s new to the BVIYC fleet this year. She looks fun. Guess who we put on hold for the end of May next year? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />

We get to the Bight and head straight to where the Dawg picked up a ball last summer – right near the good snorkeling spot! We get one right after a day trip gets off. Tony and Melody anchor in behind us. We have another great snorkel.

Evan and Nina arrive and we all head in to the new Pirates. Great place! We got some conch fitters and they were pretty good! Drinks were VERY strong and the service was excellent behind the bar. Really nice vibe there – not too fancy but I liked it a lot! We also met the two couples who were chartering Tootsie. They said she sails great, Rita (if you’re reading this <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> ) They sailed to Anegada with the jib alone – the gals were not thrilled with all the heeling <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> (yes, Evan, I am thinking about Marty…) but the guys thought she was fabulous.

We gathered up food and all made dinner on Utopia – what a GREAT night!!

Day 10

Last day on the boat <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Sad.gif" alt="" /> I can’t even count it as “last day on the boat” because in my heart, we’re already off the boat since we have to get her back by noon. I know I’ve talked a lot about how small she was – but she really was a nice little boat for 2 – we had NO issues with her – everything worked perfectly – love the new ipod stations on the newer boats – we could plug the ipod right into the nav station - no cord needed, they have a built in docking station for it – you could adjust volume, selection, etc from the helm. Pretty cool.

Had to circle around a bit at Port Purcell while a water taxi dropped off some people. Brought Olive in and BVIYC came to check out the boat.
Tootsie came in right behind us so we got to go aboard and check her out a bit. Really nice boat. We went into the office to find out her availability for next year. She is booked SOLID until next May, save for a week here and there in September and October (for obvious reasons). We decided not to risk losing her so we held her from 5/16 until 5/25 just to be safe.

Shared a cab with the Tootsie folks to the RT ferry dock – no noon ferry – next one wasn’t until 2:30 from RT. 12:30 leaving WE – we all pile back in the cab and head there. Cab arrives WE and eager ferry people descend on the cab – we all get on the 12:15 to Red Hook. Stop at Cruz Bay – quick check-in (so much easier than CA) and off to Red Hook. Fun cab ride (to avoid carnival traffic) from RH to Best Western Emerald Beach.
Our room is not ready at BWEB so we lounge by the pool for a while – very nice. We’ve decided it’s worth staying there instead of Carib Beach if you can get a reasonable rate (which we did). Evan and Nina were heading over to St. Thomas to get their windlass fixed which broke when we all pulled up anchor from Deadmans Bay last week (forgot that little tidbit) so we all planned on having dinner together at Portobellos at BWEB with their son, Greg, joining us. Another great night with friends….so sad to see our trip drawing to a close.

Day 11

Got up and had nice breakfast and off to STT by 11:30am for the 2pm flight. Zipped through the airport and ran into the Tootsie group at the café – they were on the same flight to Miami.

Flight to Miami left right on time. Stopped for sushi at MIA at gate 29, then headed to the Admirals Club to wait for the flight home.

Flight to LAX left on time – got home around midnight. Back to work the next day (Friday) with a red carpet event to work on Saturday….ugh…nothing like hitting the ground running.

But today is Sunday and I do NOT have to work.

Now….how to get back to the BVI before next May…….. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />