Pardin any typos
The adventures of Ghost Rider III
Mooring 3800
BVI October 19-31, 2007
The first crew member headed to the sunny BVI is Jake, "deck swabbie". He was due to leave SFO for STT early on Oct 19th but AA called that morning to advise the SFO flight was cancel. He got a reschedule from Oakland and made it in the nick of time to Oakland for the flight. Got stuck having to connect in DFW and SJU, instead of the one change in MIA. Only arrived STT 1 hour later than the original flight. Jake's first trip to the Caribbean (he has enjoyed Hawaii more than once). And his first sailing trip.
The 3 other crew, Captain Bob, Carole "first mate pirate auntie" and Sue "bow look and suntan expert" had the nonstop from JFK to STT on October 20th. On time arrival in STT, where Jake met us at the airport. Grabbed our sample rum punch. Then to the ferry with just enough time to grab a full-sized rum punch at Petite Pump Bar, to toast the first of many rum drinks. A very windy ferry ride but the sun was out and we were on our way to the BVI.
Our mighty 3800 was a bit more beat up than past Mooring's boats we've chartered. In fact, we were having lunch after arriving the Moorings base. We saw Ghost Rider III being moved to the dock in front of us. The person at the helm didn't quite make the turn and hit the dock, ouch. At the time we didn't know this would be our home for the next 8 days. The wind directional at the helm did not work (and I think the wind speed was off too), one of the batteries was weak and a broken impeller in the starboard engine. Luckily the latter happened when heading to Cooper Island. It was an easy trip for the mechanic to make for repairs.
Sunday we were on our way. Had planned Cooper Island for the first night but we had a perfect beam reach straight to Norman Island. "All in favorite of the Bight, say Aye!" Lunch along the way. Arrived for happy hour at Pirates and the Willy-T. Back to Pirates after dinner to watch the Red Sox. Where we met the crew (and fellow Red Sox fans) of the Sognare . We celebrated with Captain Larry and gang after the Sox win. Barkeeps Ace and Sarah kept the drinks flowing.
Cooper Island today for sure. A good sail with a couple tacks until the wind died down. Started the engine to make way. Did the quick check to make sure the water was flowing. A bit later did an engine recheck and no water from the Starboard engine. Quickly shut it down. Hence the broken impeller incident. Thankfully two engines on a Cat. Called the Moorings to let them know our problem. They will meet us at Cooper. A relaxed afternoon of swimming & drinking. Back to the bar to watch the sunset.
An early rise to motor to Baths. Breakfast on arrival. It's such a beautiful spot. Since Jake was new to the BVI it was a must stop. He loved it. It's a great place even for us repeaters. We cautiously dinghy ashore with our stuff. Capt. Bob takes the dinghy to the mooring line and swims in. We do some snorkeling. Next venture, Mad Dogs for a painkiller. Up the shaded trail to the awesome views above. It was a glorious day. After our two painkillers each (Capt Bob opted for Caribs). A quick swing into the shops then back down the trail. Sue and Bob decided to skip the Devil's Trail. They offer to bring the dinghy around to meet Jake and I. Always lots of neat pictures to be had among the boulders. After we reach Devil's Bay and meet up with Sue and Bob. We all take a swim before we go back to Ghost Rider III for a quick motor to the Yacht Harbor to pick up some provisions. Then we make a run for North Sound. Had a great sail up the coast with Jake at the helm loving it. Drinks and dinner ashore at Saba Rock. Glad to see Josie was still bartending there.
The big day, off to Anegada. Got our free water and ice from Saba. Then on our way by 800a. Had a really great sail to Anegada. I hogged the helm most of the way. As we got close to channel, 3 other boats were right behind us. One was extremely aggressive to get into the anchorage. Even tried passing us on the right, as we passed one of the red markers. We did not have kinds words to say about them. Soon forgotten, we grabbed a mooring and enjoyed lunch overlooking our favorite BVI island. Afternoon spent at Cow Wreck Beach relaxing and drinking. Lots of clouds but never got rained on while at Cow Wreck. Saw an awesome rainbow. We did get rain at about 500p for about 1 1/2 hrs. Let up just in time to go ashore for dinner at Anegada Reef. No Lobster but the shrimp and fish were good. Off to Potter's for the baseball game. Where we bumped into Larry and the crew again. Had a fun time drinking and watching the game. Liston Potter was so great, even gave everyone a drink on the house to celebrate the Sox win. We planned to meet up with Larry and crew on Jost.
Winds were a bit funky today. We mainly motored sailed. Seas were choppy as well. Noel was on his way. Swung into Marina Cay. It's so pretty there. A huge resort is being built on the island across from Marina Cay. Went to the Pusser's store and the bar for cocktails. Surprised to see quite a few people having lunch and on the beach. Never encountered that many people before at Marina Cay in October. It has always been pretty quiet there that time of year. We motor to Monkey Point to snorkel. The seas were rough on the trip there. We hoped Monkey Point might be protected from the swells. But no such luck. It was really too rough to snorkel comfortably. Onto Trellis Bay for the night. Saw 5 dolphins along the way, very cool. Trellis is not the nicest anchorage but De Loose Mongoose has a TV for the game and Aragon's Studios is really the best place for local arts & crafts. And we can pick up provisions as well. Bob and I do the provisions. Jake and Sue head to the airport to use the ATM. Bob and I dinghy back to Ghost Rider to drop off the food and beer. Then realize we forgot ice. We were heading back ashore anyway to go to Aragon's and De Loose Mongoose but Bob now needs to go back to the boat again to bring the ice. Bob will meet us at Aragon's. Sue and Jake arrive back from the airport as Bob heads to the boat with the ice. A deluge of rain falls from the sky. Sue, Jake and I hang at the grocery but poor Bob gets wet doing the ice run. We'll buy Bob happy hour drinks to make up for it. Aragon's is such a great shop. So many neat things. I wish my budget and suitcase were bigger. We all bought something. Now time for happy hour at the Mongoose. Painkillers and Caribs all around. Jake, Bob and I are back to the Mongoose for the game that night. The owners entrusted us to lock up the TV after the game. They were tired and wanted to go home before the game ended. Sox win again!!
The next morning we had some rain. The winds were behind us so another day of motor sailing. We cruised along the coast in choppy water. Plan A, anchor in Great Harbor but keeping in mind the weather was getting ready to change for the worse. The Great Harbour was fairly empty. Not what you would expect for the weekend of Foxy's Halloween festivities. We picked a spot and dropped the hook. Not quite holding and a squall is heading straight for us. We pull up the hook and go for Plan B. Motor to Soper's and grab a ball for the night. Torrential rains as we motor out of the Great Harbour, yuck. We all try to stay dry. The rains let up. Jake heads to one of the bow seats to enjoy the carnival ride. Reaching Soper's, not a lot of balls to choose from. First pick, no pendant. The next one, same story but we give it a go anyway. Jake holds the ball long enough so Sue and I can get our lines through the ring, success!. It's was about 3pm and we hadn't eaten lunch. Definitely time for some food. Then to shore for a beer run, shopping and rum drinks at Pusser's. We were hoping to make the Jolly Roger stop number two for happy hour. But Noel says NO. As we ready to leave Pusser's to dinghy to the Jolly Roger. Another huge squall blows in. Go away Noel. " All in favor of another round at Pusser's, say Aye". The rains lasted for at least an hour. We almost stayed for dinner. After dinner on the boat, Jake and I make a run to the Jolly Roger. We are happily at the upstairs bar and the biggest squall yet hits. Ok, Noel we've had enough. I was glad Bob and Sue were on the boat to make sure Ghost Rider stayed securely on the mooring. Rained off and on all night.
The next morning wake up to steady rain and wind, oh goody. We have breakfast and hang out. Finally rains lighten up. So we make a run for Jost. Again attempt to anchor in Great Harbour. Another squall rolls in! Pull up the anchor and motor to White Bay. Grab a ball in front of Ivan's for the afternoon. Not long after we arrive Larry and the crew of Sognare arrive. They grab the ball behind. We eventually meet up at the Soggy Dollar for a chat. We get painkillers and hit the gift shop. I take a stroll down the beach past One Love to stretch the legs and take some pictures. We hike over to Ivan's. Great views from the top of the steps. We pretty much have the place to ourselves. I play bartender and mix up the painkillers. Keeping our tab in the book and paying our money on the way out. We got lots of fun photos at Ivan's. The rains thankfully stay away all afternoon. However, the sun did not show itself. We looked on the brightside. The clouds kept the crowds away from White Bay. We thought about staying the night in White Bay but Larry and crew tell us to head to Little Harbor for the night. There is a TV at Sydney's for the game. We decide we will do happy hour at Foxy's and dinner at Sydney's. Dinner was great at Sydney's. All us Sox fans around the TV enjoying game. Then the worst happens, about the 2nd inning the cable goes out. Oh My!!!. We all hang tough in hopes the cable will be back. Our wish comes true. The cable returns and we are happy again. Extra happy when the Sox win again. Sydney entrusts us all to lock up the TV when the game is over. All the times Bob and I have been to the BVI we have never stayed in Little Harbor. It's a neat place. Sydney's is a great place with really good food.
Day break arrives. We see a break in the cloud and some blue sky for about 20 minutes only. Little did we know the worst of Noel was yet to come.
We will spend our last night in the Bight. Of course the wind was coming from the direction we were we were heading. We had a good sail with numerous tacks to reach the cut through to Sir Francis Drake. We decide to swing into Soper's pick up something for dinner. Saw a few people heading out for their charters at the Voyage base. After about an hour at Soper's we head out for our run to Norman Island. A couple Voyage boats are behind us. We put the main up and leave the motor on since there was a big squall in the distance. It looked like it would pass to the south of us. Not so lucky, we are all engulfed in this huge, never ending deluge of rain and wind. The rains down poured and the winds were a constant 20 knots with gust into the 20s The seas were 8 to 10. Visibility was poor to say the least. But we could still make out St John and Tortola. We decide to drop the main. Jake and I go to the mast and release the sail. A little freaky in the gusty winds and very wet too. Captain Bob at the helm. Jake and I take turns in the cockpit to keep Capt Bob company. Finally, we can make out Norman Island, yeah!!. Gradually the wind and rain begin to decrease. But a really wet ride the whole way to the Bight. Thank the lord the rains let up long enough for us to grab a ball. Then it rained all afternoon. The Ghost Rider III crew relaxed and napped for a couple hours. Well deserved after our trip. In spite of the lousy weather people were out and about swimming , kayaking and having fun. I imagine for some it was their first day on their boat being it was a Sunday. Sometimes you just have to just make do with what you got. The rains did not water down the rum or fun. Tonight was the big 4th game of the World Series. With the Red Sox up 3 to 0. We go to Pirates for the game. The Sox win the series. It was a nice way to end our crazy day!
The sun finally comes out as we are going back to the Moorings base. Sunny and hot when we were unloading our gear and linens. Where's the clouds when you need them? Now sweaty and hot, a couple of us decide to take showers at the Moorings base. Aaah, a real shower! We have a few hours before the ferry. We do lunch at Pusser's and shopping in Roadtown. Sunny Caribbee is always a must. FYI, don't let the guys at the ferry dock in Roadtown hustle you to their ferry if you want to take someone else's ferry. I called ahead and was told there was a 230p departure. Perfect for us, gave us time for lunch and shopping. One guy swarmed us as we arrived the dock telling us to take the 200pm ferry. We knew there was a 230p and promptly went to that ticket window for our tickets. Sorry , Dude we want the 230p ferry. The seas were still rough from Noel. 3 of us sit inside to avoid getting wet from the spray. St Thomas was cloudy when we arrived. Noel was still lingering about. We stayed in St Thomas at Bolongo Bay for a couple nights. Except Jake, who would be heading to SFO early the next morning. By the time we get to the hotel it's late afternoon. We're all relaxing by the pool, l with cocktails of course. When who should show up but Capt Larry and his girlfriend. What a hoot. It was nice to see them again. Bolongo has a fun and very causal beach bar/restaurant, Iggie's. We do dinner there. A night cap and then to bed. Jake's flight was at 830a. He was out the door early. We wished him a good flight and sorry to see him go. We never went back to sleep. We enjoyed the sun rise. It was good one. We had to make the most of our last day. After breakfast at the hotel. We head to Paradise Point for views of Charlotte Amalia. Took the ferry to St John for lunch. Dinner at Iggie's for all you can eat king crab legs. Early flight the next day. A very bumpy flight from STT to Miami, Noel again. Smoother to NYC. And sadly the trip is over. Lots of fun and interesting memoires.
