As Maho Turns

Capt Chris, squalls, rain
01/17/2009, Maho Bay, North Coast St John USVI

I feel for you folks up in the North Country. The bone chilling temperatures are really shocking. Of course it is in the 80's here in Maho Bay. But surprisingly enough a tropical wave is passing through bringing with it squalls and plenty of rain but nothing to the tune of what I experienced this passed summer. So I decided to stay here in Maho Bay and wait for the weather to improve.

On a down note, Janina has departed good ship Christa and headed back to Florida to pick up some employment. We will miss her. On an up note since I've moved over to the north shore of St John I have been able to pick back up the running habit again. Yesterday was the first day I was able to run in about two months. The route is magnificent along the north shore road. I have wonderful views of Virgin Gorda sound and the British Virgin Islands and in the afternoons waning sun the hues of the water are spectacular.

It has been nearly a week since arriving in Maho Bay. I established a pretty good daily routine that swirls around the Maho Bay Eco-Lodge and the many wonderful guests that continue to come and go. In particular a program is in secession called Omega. It is a program that entails the yoga/mind body experience and is basically a retreat. The resort is the perfect place for such a program for people to come in and unplug from the rat race. A very loving bunch indeed. So I pretty much have been hanging out with the Omega folks during meal times. The lodge serves very good food in a cafeteria-style setting. So all hands are present for the meals. I also headed into Cruz Bay one night with 3 Omega ladies for dinner and we laughed and laughed. It was nice to have some company to cushion the blow of Janina's departure.

I likely will pull chocks tomorrow and sail back to St Thomas to take advantage of the provisioning and the hustle and busle of the "big city." Plus I will need to take my new Yamaha 4 HP outboard to the dealer for the 10 hour servicing or the warranty will be voided. Speaking of my new outboard. Love it! Part of said love surly has to do with the reliability factor but also with double the horses. The dink planes very nicely and I simply can get places much quicker. On the flip side, the motor is much heavier which strains the stern pulpit where I stow the motor.

I likely will settle into St Thomas for an unknown length of time waiting and watching for a weather window to either get me to St Martin. Tom and Amy from Sandpiper are now in El Carib and I very much want to hook up with them. So I will entertain a straight shot to St Lucia given the correct weather.

I snapped this picture from Christa which shows a nice view of one of the beaches in the bay just after an afternoon rain shower.

Capt Chris

In Maho Bay with Christa

Capt Chris, 80's, winds East 15 to 22 knots
01/12/2009, Maho/Francis Bay

Well the new outboard is working like a champ and that pleases me greatly. The downfall of the Honda 2 HP delayed our intended departure from Coral Bay by a couple of days. So in true fashion the weather window closed and the winds picked up. However we only intended to do the 3 hour sail to Maho Bay on the north shore. I decided to suck it up.

We had the anchor up by sunrise and began the arduous bash to windward. We had numerous squalls with heavy downpours and occasional wind to 30 knots. Thankfully, the proximity of so many islands blunts the size of the ocean swells but you still need to do the Caribbean two-step into the 4-foot chop. We motorsailed out way around the east end of St John and made the turn into Virgin Gorda sound which brought the wind around to a more respectable angle. From they're just a 5-mile downwind run to Francis and Maho Bay on the north shore.

Christa is now safely lashed to a National Parks Mooring in Francis Bay/Maho Bay. It really is one large bay and for some unknown naming convention is split into Maho/Little Maho and Francis Bay. I love it here. Were moored just under the Eco-Lodge with its jungle like atmosphere and white sand beaches. But more importantly for me the bay is very well protected with calm conditions. Last night several mega yachts came and dropped anchor further out in the bay. These ships are really impressive. Suddenly the whole anchorage was alive with wi-fi signals but all of them password protected. At night they will turn on underwater floodlights which makes the coolest aqua marine glow.

The cruising plan is still evolving. I am still learning about myself and what my desires are. Admittedly they change. I like to immerse and don't like feeling the pressure of having to move to the next tropical island. I have found that naturally a place wears thin and then I need to move on. But for now with the hurricane season well astern and no immediate need to get down island I think we'll just enjoy the local area. I do see heading back to St Thomas soon to stock up on provisions. I also have a fungal infection on my left index finger that I have already seen a doctor about. It just is not going away and I think I need to see a dermatologist. Also it seems a ton of cruisers are piling in St Thomas and I miss the community. So I still intend to head further east and then south but it just may take me awhile as the Christmas trades have filled in. A weather window could be a ways out.


Capt Chris