Well, we were hoping that the winds would settle down today so we could dive into these beautiful turquoise waters and see the aquarium that we are sure we are hovering over. Actually tonight as we enjoyed our Charismas in the cockpit we did see a manta ray swim by.

Unfortunately the winds have been blowing 20-25 all day. Early in the day it was also quite lumpy as the waves ricocheted off of the reef and came back at us. It has calmed down quite a bit and we are keeping our fingers crossed that tomorrow will bring much lighter winds.

So how do spend a day like this? I equate it to a rainy day in California. My first reaction is cookies in the oven! Done! Secondly there is nothing like a good book to hunker down with. I am almost done with “Hawaii” by Michener. Good day for reading. Meanwhile Bob has been playing radio/VHF/radar specialist. All day he has had his nose either in a manual or at the electronics panel. He has made some good progress. The radar is now properly calibrated and we can make direct calls to boats via their MMSI number (a unique capability of digital VHF radios such as we have). Given that VHF communications are open to all ears it is kind of fun to think we have a special way to contact our friends without the world following. Of course, those folks who are on constant scanning mode can follow but we’re betting those people are the minority.

It’s a little frustrating to be boat bound in the middle of the Pacific, but then you look outside or sit in the cockpit and watch the clouds float over changing the colors of the water and your frustration lightens. And we look forward to incredible snorkeling soon!

A wet dinghy ride back to Charisma

It feels kind of strange. There’s nothing here, yet we’re snug inside the underwater reef which is taking the brunt of the waves. Not all of them though. We’re about ¼ mile from the breakers in 12 feet over sand (we swung into slightly deeper water). It’s blowing 20-25 knots so even though the ocean swells are getting broken we still have some heavy chop inside the reef.

So, you might ask; “what do you all do on a day like this?” Boat projects, more or less. Ann spent most of the day cooking stuff. She made cookies, tried out a new English muffin recipe (they are mucho yummy), made a cole-slaw to bring to dinner and pancakes for breakfast. I worked on troubleshooting the VHF. We’re finding the range on our new (a year ago) radio is only about 8 miles. It should be more like 20. John on Orcinius had a SWR meter that I borrowed to try and find where the problem was. I found a bad connection in one of the cables that we fixed, but also found the antenna has a problem that is probably up the mast. That’s going to have to wait until we’re in a calmer location to work on. A few projects, lunch, this and that and the next thing you know it’s dinner and time to go to Orcinius for a wonderful quesadilla dinner.

In going to Orcinius, we took our foul weather gear for the dinghy ride over since the waves are so big (for a dinghy). We were soaked, but only on the outside. Coming back at 2200, John and Lisa broke out a couple of lifejackets for us to use since the wind was gusting into the 20’s it was dark and overall the trip was looking kind of sketchy. Just getting into the dinghy was a challenge as their boat was rocking up and down a couple feet slamming the dinghy around. You sort of took a “leap” of faith and hoped you didn’t miss. Then the ride 100 yards over to Charisma in the wind and waves in our little dinghy. Nothing but water coming over the side and into our faces. Once back at Charisma, same problem. Charisma was bounding several feet in the waves and we had to somehow get out of a slippery rubber dinghy that was three feet lower than we were. Fortunately there were no casualties and we’re snug back inside the cabin, listening to the wind howl in the rigging and trying to stand up without falling over.

Cruising’s not all blue skies and warm water. Sometimes you pay for the privilege to be out here.