2009 Cruisin' with Hot Lattetudes
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Heading South to DR
We left Harbortown Marina, Merritt Island, FL on Jan
14. Went down the "ditch" (ICW) to Lake Worth and
crossed from there to Chub Cay, Bahamas on the 19th.
There were a series of cold fronts coming, so we
"rode" these fronts to make a quick passage through
the Bahamas, stopping only at Chub, Highborne, Rum
and Mayaguana, before arriving in the Turks and
Caicos. We went over to South Caicos to see how
they faired after getting a direct hit by Hurricane Ike
while it was a cat 5. They did much better than the
near-total destruction in Texas.
Feb/Mar - Luperon, Dominican Republic
Arrived Feb 5, so far we've been getting reacquainted
and provisioning. Enjoying the warm (FINALLY).
Our time here has been fun. We've met many of the
semi-permanent cruisers who live here, some of the
local Dominicans as well as found old friends from
Florida. We've been involved in regular "jam
sessions" with the folks at the marina, so Graham has
been playing his guitar again. We had the opportunity
to go to Carnival in the town of La Vega. Carnival here
is a big deal, with elaborate costumes, horns, music
and of course, many people. One of the unique things
about Dominican Carnival is that they use these
football like things on a rope to "beat the sins" out of
people. And they can hurt! But, it was still a good time.
We revisited the waterfalls, which was still a blast! And
we have been brave enough to take the "guagua"
(public transportation, usually a Corolla or Tercel with
7-9 people in it) into Puerto Plata for shopping. While
we were there we were brave/stupid enough to take
the other form of public transport: A "Motoconcho" -
motorcycle ride. It was thrilling to be kind, but we
won't do that again! Feb 27th was also Dominican
Independence Day, so we got to see the school
children in costumes celebrating, and a band from the
University at Santiago play traditional music. Then on
Saturday, we helped our friends at "Shaggy's" put on a
pig roast and party for a couple who is leaving. Lots of
fun too! But all good things must end, and soon it will
be time to say Adios to the DR. I can certainly
understand why so many cruisers choose to settle
here for a long time.
MARCH/APRIL - George Town, Exuma
We arrived here in GT Mar 13 after an uneventful
passage from the DR. Just in time for the ending of
the Cruisers Regatta, Bahamian Music Festival, ARG
meeting (Happy Hour), St Pattys' party, the girls
arriving for Spring Break, etc... The "events" never
end in George Town.
Family Island Regatta was amazing! Graham was
regular crew on the C Class boat, Bul Reg. Ann & I got
to crew (and almost capsize ) on the pink boat, Anna
Nicole. It was a fun, exhausting week and an
experience we hope to repeat!
Late april we heading to the northern Exumas, where
catching Mahi (and conch in the right spots)was easy
this year. We played around in Blackpoint, Staniel,
Sampson, Exuma Park and Normans Cay before the
weather sent a resounding shout that it was time to
go! Back to Florida by mid-May.
June - Florida
Time to visit with family and friends for the month.
July - Florida/Georgia/South Carolina
It's good to be on the move again! Left Titusville in
time to spend July 4th in St Augustine. That was fun,
but crowded. From there, we sailed oceanside for one
day to St Mary's, GA, which is a quaint little waterfront
town. We have not had much good weather for long
passages in the ocean, but we did one overnight from
St Mary's to Beaufort, SC. From there, up the ditch,
with a stopover to visit our friends on John's
Island,SC. Our next major stop is Georgetown, SC.
This is a cool place, a nice waterfront district, lots of
shrimp boats (fresh seafood!), and a historic area.
We've been biking around exploring this pretty and
friendly area.
August/Sept - North Carolina
We enjoyed our unplanned trip through SC and NC to
Beaufort, NC. The Waccamaw River in SC was a
particular fav! Beaufort and Cape Lookout were fun
and very pretty. Late August we headed back to
Charleston to stay with our friends for a while. Graham
& I both qualified for our USCG Captains Licenses. We
hope it may bring employment later.
Oct/Nov - Florida
After a trip to Denver with Zach & Ann for our friends
wedding, it was time to head back to Florida. We
stopped in St Marys for a visit with ex-cruiser friends
and met up with some other cruiser friends too! We
celebrated both Graham's 50th birthday as well as
daughter Laurens 21st since we've been back.
We left Harbortown Marina, Merritt Island, FL on Jan
14. Went down the "ditch" (ICW) to Lake Worth and
crossed from there to Chub Cay, Bahamas on the 19th.
There were a series of cold fronts coming, so we
"rode" these fronts to make a quick passage through
the Bahamas, stopping only at Chub, Highborne, Rum
and Mayaguana, before arriving in the Turks and
Caicos. We went over to South Caicos to see how
they faired after getting a direct hit by Hurricane Ike
while it was a cat 5. They did much better than the
near-total destruction in Texas.
Feb/Mar - Luperon, Dominican Republic
Arrived Feb 5, so far we've been getting reacquainted
and provisioning. Enjoying the warm (FINALLY).
Our time here has been fun. We've met many of the
semi-permanent cruisers who live here, some of the
local Dominicans as well as found old friends from
Florida. We've been involved in regular "jam
sessions" with the folks at the marina, so Graham has
been playing his guitar again. We had the opportunity
to go to Carnival in the town of La Vega. Carnival here
is a big deal, with elaborate costumes, horns, music
and of course, many people. One of the unique things
about Dominican Carnival is that they use these
football like things on a rope to "beat the sins" out of
people. And they can hurt! But, it was still a good time.
We revisited the waterfalls, which was still a blast! And
we have been brave enough to take the "guagua"
(public transportation, usually a Corolla or Tercel with
7-9 people in it) into Puerto Plata for shopping. While
we were there we were brave/stupid enough to take
the other form of public transport: A "Motoconcho" -
motorcycle ride. It was thrilling to be kind, but we
won't do that again! Feb 27th was also Dominican
Independence Day, so we got to see the school
children in costumes celebrating, and a band from the
University at Santiago play traditional music. Then on
Saturday, we helped our friends at "Shaggy's" put on a
pig roast and party for a couple who is leaving. Lots of
fun too! But all good things must end, and soon it will
be time to say Adios to the DR. I can certainly
understand why so many cruisers choose to settle
here for a long time.
MARCH/APRIL - George Town, Exuma
We arrived here in GT Mar 13 after an uneventful
passage from the DR. Just in time for the ending of
the Cruisers Regatta, Bahamian Music Festival, ARG
meeting (Happy Hour), St Pattys' party, the girls
arriving for Spring Break, etc... The "events" never
end in George Town.
Family Island Regatta was amazing! Graham was
regular crew on the C Class boat, Bul Reg. Ann & I got
to crew (and almost capsize ) on the pink boat, Anna
Nicole. It was a fun, exhausting week and an
experience we hope to repeat!
Late april we heading to the northern Exumas, where
catching Mahi (and conch in the right spots)was easy
this year. We played around in Blackpoint, Staniel,
Sampson, Exuma Park and Normans Cay before the
weather sent a resounding shout that it was time to
go! Back to Florida by mid-May.
June - Florida
Time to visit with family and friends for the month.
July - Florida/Georgia/South Carolina
It's good to be on the move again! Left Titusville in
time to spend July 4th in St Augustine. That was fun,
but crowded. From there, we sailed oceanside for one
day to St Mary's, GA, which is a quaint little waterfront
town. We have not had much good weather for long
passages in the ocean, but we did one overnight from
St Mary's to Beaufort, SC. From there, up the ditch,
with a stopover to visit our friends on John's
Island,SC. Our next major stop is Georgetown, SC.
This is a cool place, a nice waterfront district, lots of
shrimp boats (fresh seafood!), and a historic area.
We've been biking around exploring this pretty and
friendly area.
August/Sept - North Carolina
We enjoyed our unplanned trip through SC and NC to
Beaufort, NC. The Waccamaw River in SC was a
particular fav! Beaufort and Cape Lookout were fun
and very pretty. Late August we headed back to
Charleston to stay with our friends for a while. Graham
& I both qualified for our USCG Captains Licenses. We
hope it may bring employment later.
Oct/Nov - Florida
After a trip to Denver with Zach & Ann for our friends
wedding, it was time to head back to Florida. We
stopped in St Marys for a visit with ex-cruiser friends
and met up with some other cruiser friends too! We
celebrated both Graham's 50th birthday as well as
daughter Laurens 21st since we've been back.
South Caicos
It is amazing these little
wooden houses survived
Ike's forces.
And the concrete
structures were blown out,
especially the second floors.
It is amazing these little
wooden houses survived
Ike's forces.
And the concrete
structures were blown out,
especially the second floors.
Our fruit and veggie basket after the
Bahamas.
Aaah, the Dominican Republic!
Bahamas.
Aaah, the Dominican Republic!
All photos are now thumbnails. Click on the image for a larger view.
The first fish of the trip was a mutton snapper.
Carnival was a BLAST! People of ALL ages got involved.
Another softball game
with Cruisers vs.
Dominicana.
As usual, cruisers buy
the cervesas afterward
at "EL Pichichi", followed
by bad gringo dancing.
with Cruisers vs.
Dominicana.
As usual, cruisers buy
the cervesas afterward
at "EL Pichichi", followed
by bad gringo dancing.
| The waterfall trip was still a blast. We swam/climbed up 7 levels before we swam/slid/jumped down. |
Celebrating "Dia de la Independancia" in the park.
Looking over Elizabeth Harbor
Spring Break started with a
St Patty's Day party on the
beach, with costumes,
dancing, Sweet Potato
Queens and a game of "butt
darts" which Graham
almost won!
St Patty's Day party on the
beach, with costumes,
dancing, Sweet Potato
Queens and a game of "butt
darts" which Graham
almost won!
FAMILY ISLAND REGATTA
Graham crewed on Bul Reg,
placed 1st in youth races,
won or placed in several
heats in the regular regatta
and Bul Reg took 2nd overall
in the national standings.
Graham crewed on Bul Reg,
placed 1st in youth races,
won or placed in several
heats in the regular regatta
and Bul Reg took 2nd overall
in the national standings.
Time to visit our friends in SC
was fun!
was fun!
Charleston's famous "Battery"
as seen from the harbor.
Georgetown, SC
waterfront district.
as seen from the harbor.
Georgetown, SC
waterfront district.
From the beaches of
Carolina, getting
ready fro our Denver
trip with fellow
sailors, Zach and
Ann.
Carolina, getting
ready fro our Denver
trip with fellow
sailors, Zach and
Ann.
Little did we know, we would
get our "wish" in Boulder!
get our "wish" in Boulder!
Rocky Mountain Nat'l Park