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.
I’ve so been enjoying your blog and adventures—how amazing to get to experience all the things you’ve been describing! Sending best wishes for continued travels and hoping maybe we can follow in your footsteps one day (my son Julian will be two soon…a little young for all of this, but someday…) Thanks for the inspiration.
So…someone’s been splashing in the bathtub and making waves. That’s not very nice. Your are supposed to be able to lie quietly in the warm, gentle tub waters, lit by candles, and sipping a full bodied vino.
I suppose, however, that in your case it would be nice if the anchors hold and the bathtub doesn’t blow away on you.
May the wind gods stop harassing you so you can float gently in your tub.