Back to the Boat

     Well, back to the boat and no complaints. Our solar panel was still there, the mold in the boat wasn't too bad, the mouse trap was still set, no signs of roaches, and we are almost on track to be in the water before Christmas which was our goal! 

     We had some ambitious jobs to finish before the ever desired 'splash' such as; replacing all of the seacocks (the hardware for the thru hulls ((which are any hole in the boat under the waterline))) , replacing all of the plumbing associated with the head (toilet), having the engine looked over and adjusting the fuel tank. I won't bore you with the details but I will say that the work is hot and sweaty, uncomfortable, and expensive.  

     The good news is that we had experienced all of this during our first four months on the boat, so at least we knew what to expect.

Our time in the states was wonderful. Alyssa's wedding day!! Carly, Alyssa, and me.

Such a fun day.

Checking out Enger Tower with my Granny.

Courtney does Las Vegas!!

Thanksgiving in Vegas.

Back in Duluth, Art and Jon discuss ice.

Engagement celebration, cheers!!!!! 

First day back on the boat.

As I clean and de-mold the galley Jon thoughtlessly sprawls his tools out across the entire floor space.  

A day in the life.

This is where the head (toilet) goes. Just LOOK at this space! Picture this: Two shallow shelves on the bottom containing shoes, two deeper shelves above them containing clothes. Then a nice flat vanity that comes out from the wooden box. Behind the wooden box with the sticker is a holding tank for you-know-what that could be removed and replaced with small drawers containing jewelry, make-up, hair clips, etc. Then on either side hang mirrors and install LED lights all around!! I proposed this idea to Jon in a begging sort of way and he asked where we would go to the bathroom. I said "in a bucket and toss it over board." Sheesh, SO obvious. 

Our Christmas wall.

Merry Christmas from Grenada!

Sailing blows, but sometimes not.

There are many things I 'love' doing. Rock climbing, riding a bike, swimming, rock climbing, just to name a few. I would seriously have a hard time claiming I 'love' sailing. Sea sickness being my largest and most persistent complaint.  Sea spray straight in my ear being my second teeth grinding complaint.  I would however say that I do 'love' where sailing takes us and living in a small home right on the water.  And so - after claiming (during an exceptionally rough sail) 'I hate sailing!' I must admit that the ends justify the means. Each day that has passed since arriving in Grenada (sitting comfortably at anchor) the frustrations and discomfort of the sea dulls enough to the point of tricking us to do it all again.

No sleep, sunburned, dehydrated and hungry, becalmed and rolling roughly in the swells, sailing always throws you a little bone just as you're ready to call it quits.

Unique and magnificent cloud formations are a constant positive.

Night watching into the wee hours.

Attitude is everything.  A little rain rolls in and suddenly things seem epic. Adrian ignored my offering of his rain jacket as nerves got the better of him.

An hour later the sun is back out and we are approaching the French island of Martinique. Just as Captain Ron in the movie 'Captain Ron' says, 'In the Caribbean they roll out just as quickly as they roll in!'

Checked in to Martinique where we say goodbye to our friend Adrian as we overlook the town of St. Pierre.  Thanks for the help!  Now we're on our own and without a French translator!

The view from the top of St. Pierre.  This town was a slave trading and rum making hub in the 17th and 18th centuries until it was blown off the island by the volcano you can see in the background.

Jon hoisting the main!  Also, cursing our 40 year old mast winch we've nicknamed "the knuckle buster".

Wet boats + persistent humidity = moldy clothes. Ugh!! Airing out everything is a regular chore.

Doesn't get any fresher than that.

Admiralty Bay on the island of Bequia.

Sunset

Sunrise

The Grenadine island of Curriacou has many colorful buildings.

Grenada!  Our final destination after having left St. Martin three weeks ago.

Hoist the Sails!!

We spent two months getting comfortable with Tarka and getting ready to do some good old fashion sailing. To make sure we didn't stay in St. Martin too long, we gave ourselves the motivation of a looming deadline as we bought non-refundable plane tickets home (for Jon's sister's wedding) out of Grenada, some 500 miles away.  Also, our friend Clint was going to meet us in Grenada which gave us a very specific deadline of July 2nd. We had 21 days to get to the other side of the Caribbean. Here's to slightly overcast days, small swells and a tail wind :)

With Tarka on the Mooring we took to using our old dock spot as our personal dingy dock.

We headed out under the 5pm bridge to stay the night in Marigot Bay on June 10, 2014. Jon is checking the anchor.

Celebrating our first night outside of the Lagoon.

We set off at first light. Heading for Statia (St. Eustatius) 37 miles away. I hurled my brains out for 30 of those miles. Luckily Jon took this picture during the first 7 miles :) 

Enjoying land

Wild passion fruit

Hiking the Quill, a dormant volcano on Statia with our friends Matt and Hillary.

Island problems.

Love the view ;)

Hillary forcing 1/3rd of a lime down the skinny neck of that beer.

Group photo! Matt and Hillary SUPed over to say good-bye. Our new friend Adria is hitching a ride to Martinique some 250 miles away. We figured having a third for night watches would be nice for our first over nights.

Our favorite part about Statia.

My super power is my ability to sleep pretty much anywhere, pretty much anytime.

Long nights = ability to sleep well

Awwww Jonny :)

Footloose and Fancy

So here are a few highlights that took place over the last two weeks. On several occasions I have turned to Jon and said, "Can you imagine where we'd be if we hadn't bought those tickets!?!?" 

I could not be more grateful to have a partner so open minded, capable, and adventurous. I am a lucky girl. 

A morning beach Yoga sesh with my wonderful dock neighbor, Lynette.

Couples pizza night

Matt noticed the table center piece looked oddly familiar... 

The Birthday Boy with his birthday crown made by Matt.

TV in 3D. So THIS is where they've been!

Head Chef: Dylan of course! And here come Jon and Luca, that's how good it smelled...

Marianna really getting into character here in the chorus of Les Miserables.
David even had a solo! Kids of many talents.

Some serious business going on here. 

I want to be 5 again!!

Riding in the back of David's truck is such a fun way to see the island.

Sunset

Not only do they sing, they also do modeling and photography.

This is what happens when you have too many beers on the beach the day before :).

Off the dock and onto Lindsay's mooring!!! So satisfying.