Since crossing the Mona Passage and heading to PR’s southern
coast, we have been much more relaxed with no major passage making in the near
future. Yippee! One might think that
being in this part of the world, the weather is always perfect.
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| The lighthouse at Cabo Rojo |
While this is mostly true, as a sailing
vessel we have to be concerned mostly with the wind and seas. Here we find a level of complexity that
requires careful planning and strategy.
The trade winds blow hard and consistently from the east. Since we are trying to move east at this
point, the trades pose a daily challenge.
Bruce Van Sant wrote an excellent book titled “A Gentleman’s Guide to
Passages South.” This book proposes specific strategies for easting in the
trades such as moving at night when the winds are down and the seas are calm. Winds
aside, every day is in the 80’s and the sun always shines. If you’re planning
to visit us just pack a bathing suit, snorkel gear, and flip flops!
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| Easting |
We are currently tucked in behind a reef at Gilligan’s
Island, protected from the seas in winds that blow at 20 knots all day
long. Richard is searching the island
for Ginger and Mary Ann but finding no sign of them. Tonight we will depart for Salinas (near
Ponce) joining two other boats doing the same.
New friends on VisionQuest (Texans) and Walkabout (Vermonters) will meet
us off of Ensenada for the all night cruise.
Safely tucked in by 7 AM we will be well out of the new days’ trade
winds.
We are finding Puerto Rico to be a jewel although Kay is
still intrigued more by the Dominican Republic.
Unlike the Bahamas, the waters are less clear and turquoise but its
community far more prosperous. Like most
places we have been, the locals are welcoming, friendly, and proud of their country. As a US territory, Puerto Rico has many of
the advantages of the mainland. It has a
vital economy, lots of agriculture, good infrastructure (roads, phone,
electric, etc.) and a well maintained lateral buoy system for navigation. The US Coast Guard is present and keeps aids
to navigation up to the standard we are accustomed to. In most countries, buoys are misplaced or
nonexistent.
We are looking forward to Fajardo where we will be docking
for a few weeks to visit an old friend (David and his family in San Juan), rent
a car to tour the countryside, complete boat repairs, and return to VT for
Rachel and Pat’s wedding.
Upon returning
to PR we are looking forward to visits from friends including John C. and the
McKay’s.
Richard and Kay
PS: Comment section
should be available now
