We're headed to Anagada. We've tried once but the winds were a little too much on the nose and
we would have been tacking all day, making it a 5-7 hour journey.
We've moved further east now (Virgin Gorda) so the heading to Anegada now will now be more of a broad reach.
As we get underway, we run out the jib and sail like that for about a fourth of the 22 miles to the island. Things are going well and we decide to set up a reefed mainsail. The winds are generally 13 to 17 mph, but it will be more comfortable with the reef.
As I've noted, raising the main on this boat takes a major effort. Just about the time we get the sail up, one of our locking cams breaks. Although we eventually are able to bypass the lock, at the time it seemed that the most prudent thing to do is drop the main and continue to motor sail with the jib. We make excellent time and arrive after a 3-hour trip.
Anagada is surrounded by reefs and that makes the entry to the anchorage a little tricky. We find the markers and make it safely to the anchorage.
Anagada only has a population of 300 people, so there really isn't a lot here. The Anagada Beach Club is about 4 miles from the anchorage and the taxi ride is $15 per person. While walking around the few Businesses here, we saw that we could rent a truck with seats in the back for $120 a day, so we decide that the cheapest alternative is to rent the truck (we're planning to stay here 2 days).
Anagada is known for being the best location to get lobster. We had a recommendation from a couple we met last night to try the Anagada Beach Club.
We all pile in the truck and ride to the biggest surprise of this trip. The Anagada Beach Club is a very exclusive resort located on the northern side of the island. The hostess at the resort welcomes us, takes us on a tour, and shares many laughs and stories.
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| Anagada Beach Club |
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| The Expressway around the island was crowded sometimes! |
Overall, by far the best dinner and location of the trip.
Tuesday, April 17
Today is a lay day – we stay here in Anegada.
By having the rental truck we are able to schedule for a relaxing day seeing the entire island. The island is only 12 miles long by about 3 miles wide, so seeing the entire island doesn't take a lot.
First, we head to Bologna Bay. Turns out that there's a nice restaurant and a few rental units, although they don't appear busy. We are the first visitors of the day, so we have the beach to ourselves. We quickly get to the goal of the day, snorkeling.
As we've found in every snorkeling location, the fish are somewhat sparse and small. I don't know if it's true or not, but we've heard that the fish were significantly impacted by the hurricane, perhaps killing or moving the fish.
After snorkeling to our heart's content, we get back in the truck and head for the other beach, Cow Wreck Beach. Here we find smoother water (Bologna Bay is on the East side, therefore being impacted by the East Wind). And the water is beautiful.
From Bologna to Cow Wreck while bouncing around in the bed of the truck, we create a new song. I'm not sure where it came from or why but, to the tune of “Under the Boardwalk” we now have:
“Under the armpit, out of the sun!
Under the armpit, we'll be having some fun!
Under the armpit, Armpit!”
We find that the fish are again sparse and small, but the swimming is absolutely wonderful.
And the water is beautiful.
After swimming and snorkeling as much as we can, we head back home!!!
We drive the 3 miles back to the anchorage, turn in the truck and get ready for a final night in Anagada. Jim and I are the only members of the crew who still want lobster, so while everyone else eats on the boat, he and I go to shore for lobster.
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| I've gone rogue! |
Today is turnaround day.
We've been basically tacking upwind for a week. Now we start the downwind run. This will be easy compared to the upwind run.
We left Anagado early this morning on a course of 180 degrees headed toward North Gorda Sound. The winds were a little South of East, therefore, we had to track about 170 degrees. After a few tacks, we make it to Leverick Bay.
We had some significant problems picking up the mooring. We're still learning! Maybe by the end of the trip, we'll have it figured out.
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| A little leg! |
After an initial walk ashore, we spend the afternoon enjoying the boat.
The interesting thing about Leverick Bay is the lack of visible damage. It looks like and feels like the islands before the storm. I was told by the manager of the dock that the owner of this property is a contractor. It also seems that he must have significant influence to get the materials that are required for reconstruction.
As we leave tomorrow, we'll motor down to The Bitter End facilities on the East end of North Gorda Sound. We've been told that all of the facilities there are gone.
This evening we ate dinner at the restaurant and it seems like nothing ever happened.
Thursday, April 19
One great day of sailing. We're on the downwind leg!
We raised the full jenny (headsail) and sailed a broad reach to Cooper Island/Machioneel Bay, about 12
miles. This is what we've been waiting for. We no longer have to tack upwind.
miles. This is what we've been waiting for. We no longer have to tack upwind.
The afternoon was spent snorkeling and swimming. Part of the crew took the dinghy to the rocks on the
South end of the bay. There is a strong current that runs through the channel and a few of our snorkelers
got into the current. But our intrepid dinghy captain, Butch, had stayed on the dinghy and was able to rescue the errant snorkelers. Meanwhile, I had begun to swim and decided to swim the mile or so up to them.
I arrived in the middle of the “crisis” and was able to provide assistance to help to get in the dinghy
(getting into the dinghy is always an interesting exercise to observe – unfortunately/fortunately
I didn't have a camera to record the event.) to rescue the
South end of the bay. There is a strong current that runs through the channel and a few of our snorkelers
got into the current. But our intrepid dinghy captain, Butch, had stayed on the dinghy and was able to rescue the errant snorkelers. Meanwhile, I had begun to swim and decided to swim the mile or so up to them.
I arrived in the middle of the “crisis” and was able to provide assistance to help to get in the dinghy
(getting into the dinghy is always an interesting exercise to observe – unfortunately/fortunately
I didn't have a camera to record the event.) to rescue the
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| From the hill overlooking Machioneel Bay |
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| The Cooper Island Book Club |
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| There is a new platform and path to the top of the hill on Cooper Island. Most of us hike up for a great view. |
It appears that the shoreside facilities serving boaters (restaurants/shopping) are fully operational.
Friday, April 20
This morning we decided that we needed a couple more gallons of gas for the dinghy. We will probably
be using it a little more for longer distances at our next two anchorages.
be using it a little more for longer distances at our next two anchorages.
We roll out the jib for a pleasant reach across Sir Francis Drake Passage to Nanny Cay, get the gas – and
another bottle of rum, then sail across to The Bight at Norman Island.
another bottle of rum, then sail across to The Bight at Norman Island.
Again, we find that at least some of the shore facilities are in good or new condition, but the main
restaurant is still under construction.
restaurant is still under construction.
The afternoon is spent at The Caves, one of the more spectacular rock formations in the islands. The water was amazingly blue and the visibility underwater is in excess of 75 feet. The fish here are
abundant and varied and we spend a couple hours just drifting among them and watching their antics.
abundant and varied and we spend a couple hours just drifting among them and watching their antics.
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| Steve and Jim get a workout. |
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| Above and below the water in the Caves |
The fish here have grown used to human interaction (and probably feeding). They pay no attention to
us as we swim among them.
us as we swim among them.
We've decided that we'll spend two nights here and snorkel some more tomorrow afternoon. It's that
good!
Another great dinner aboard the boat, a few drinks and we all crash in our cabins.
good!
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| Lynn and Bob link up |
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| Swimming into the Caves |
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| Some very colorful coral |
Saturday, April 21
Today is a snorkelers day.
We tied the dinghy to the mooring we are staying on and took the boat out to the day moorings at the
Caves.
Caves.
We snorkeled the morning away, had lunch and snorkeled until everyone was waterlogged.
The day moorings provided constant challenges because they are placed close to each other. On several occasions, we almost touched other boats near us. We placed fenders in strategic locations
around the ship to help fend off potential collisions.
around the ship to help fend off potential collisions.
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| Deep in the Caves |
After the afternoon snorkel, we motored back to our mooring and settled in for dinner and a rather boisterous evening. Sometime during the evening, “Elvira” was playing on the stereo and these old
folks acted young again. You never know!!
Sunday, April 22
folks acted young again. You never know!!
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| Elvira! |
We head to one of our favorite anchorage, St John and Salt Pond Bay. This is our last stop before
returning to the base.
returning to the base.
We are sailing downwind, and for the first time in several days, we raise the mainsail. It is a monster to
raise and lower, therefore we don't generally use it. But today, we have a nice opportunity to get out on the “blue water”, raise both sails and enjoy what the boat is supposed to be all about – sailing.
raise and lower, therefore we don't generally use it. But today, we have a nice opportunity to get out on the “blue water”, raise both sails and enjoy what the boat is supposed to be all about – sailing.
Monday, April 23
We jibe downwind and arrive at Crown Bay Marina to refuel ($403), then motor around the corner to
“home", CYOA, arriving around noon.
We jibe downwind and arrive at Crown Bay Marina to refuel ($403), then motor around the corner to
“home", CYOA, arriving around noon.
We get settled at the dock and everyone except Steve and I take off “downtown” to “shop”. All they
sell here are jewelry and watches, so there is absolutely nothing of interest to most of the guys.
sell here are jewelry and watches, so there is absolutely nothing of interest to most of the guys.
Steve and I get a call and are told to report to the Green Restaurant facing the water, which we do,
have dinner, come back to the boat and crash.
have dinner, come back to the boat and crash.
Tonight we have full hookup, so for the first night in 13 days, we've got air conditioning. It is nice to have air conditioning, especially when on the dock. But generally, it is cool enough when we are
on a mooring and there is sufficient ventilation to keep the boat cool.
Back to the boat, and our last night.
on a mooring and there is sufficient ventilation to keep the boat cool.
Back to the boat, and our last night.
Tuesday, April 24
All hurry up and do nothing. Most of the day was spent at the airport terminal. Probably the most miserable place in the islands. We finally got on the plane for a miserable ride back to Miami. Can they make the seats on airliners any narroower or uncomfortable? After landing, we ride with Bob and
Lynn back to home (our motor coach has been parked for two weeks at Markhan Park, a part of the
Broward County Parks system). A fantastic place. On the way, we stopped for dinner and finally
arrived to find everything in order. Crash!!
Lynn back to home (our motor coach has been parked for two weeks at Markhan Park, a part of the
Broward County Parks system). A fantastic place. On the way, we stopped for dinner and finally
arrived to find everything in order. Crash!!
Wednesday, April 25
We get up early, do all the required checks for a trip and get underway. This is a trip home, and both
of us are anxious to get there, so we break our 10-2 or 200 rule and drive to Jacksonville Naval Air
Station - a fantastic facility.
of us are anxious to get there, so we break our 10-2 or 200 rule and drive to Jacksonville Naval Air
Station - a fantastic facility.
After we settle in, I find that there is a swimming pool where they train Navy Divers. I love it! Only
16 laps per mile (compared to 36 at home).
16 laps per mile (compared to 36 at home).
We go to a fantastic Bar B Q restaurant for dinner and have more food on the plate than 5 people
could eat. Left-overs!!
could eat. Left-overs!!
Thursday, April 26
I kinda played with the idea of driving all the way to Beaufort, but the further North and the longer
the drive, that thought is gone.
the drive, that thought is gone.
Tonight we're at Santee State Park in SC, a place we've enjoyed many times before.
And tomorrow – Beaufort.
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