Night time sailing

YEA … we made it … Thanking God for a safe passage.

A nighttime passage for me – was a “passage” of personal rites...

at least a passage that Dale and I made by ourselves – the experienced captain and the not so experienced first (and only) mate ….

Thursday

6:30 pm the sun dropped as fast as it could into the big blue ocean and dusk prevailed for another 25 minutes or so – turning the sky from a crimson red, to a hazy rose, to the deepest cobalt blue one can imagine – (I actually prayed for a “red sky… sailors delight” and was treated with a special performance of dancing red skies) … then darkness fell … the moon was just a sliver and only stayed with us for about 3 hours – then total blackness –  just about then … millions, and I mean millions of twinkle lights in the sky – oh my goodness – what a treat -  watching them for my first 2 hours watch – mesmerizing – and then the second two hour watch – oh my…. the way they moved across the sky…. they certainly tell a story and paint a picture.

Realizing that I am just a speck on this earth – pretty darn humbling – feeling the apprehension fall away and trust, even more humbling  – I felt safe and taken care of  ….  peaceful on the sea… thankful!

So on that note – the real details:

We actually left Charolette Amalie on Wednesday sailing to St. John’s Lameshur Bay, a beatiful bay on the south side of St. John's  - where we had a delightful evening – getting ourselves ready in the morning to head southeast to St. Marteen’s.

As Dale and I began our sail to St. Marteen’s – apprehensive I was - to say the least… Dale was patient and gave me a good explanation of all of the instruments – (over and over again) but most of all he was cautious – we started out pretty confident and comfortable – winds not to bad – waves okay – as soon as we left the protection of the islands and in open water – the waves grew twice as big – and very close together – making for an extremely choppy ride – about 45 minutes into this – Dale looked at me and together we decided to head back (not a good way to start an overnight sail)  to the BVI’s – Virgin Gorda  Leverick Bay – nice and protected – picked up a mooring ball – checked the wind and weather maps (again) knowing and hoping that Friday ‘s conditions would be better – so off for another restful sleep – woke early, left the harbor before 7am …. arriving in St. Marteen’s this morning (Friday) a little after 9am – a little weary but extremely relieved with the 26 hour marathon.  

Now sitting in Pineapple Pete’s with an ice cold peach mango tea -  will head back to the boat – everything is really salty and damp – so a quick wash down and then a well deserved rest...

k

Captain's note: Kim was a trooper, taking her watches and infrequently waking me with concerns. Jan. 8 marked the 100th day after the release of Companion to our personal use. I have travelled over 2,000 nautical miles, and still seem like I need a great deal more experience, but that will come. Before we left the BVI, kim and I tightened the alternator belts, Kim is great with a hammer as a pry bar. Today, the 9th as I add these notes we are in Phillipsburg, which is where the Cruise Ships come into on Sait Marteen. It is a quanit little town with lots of duty free shops. The beach is beautiful and Kim and I are at the Green House waiting for 4:30 when it is happy hour (2 for 1 drinks), such a sad life we lead?

Dale