It's already officially Fall, and I've started thinking about our annual Christmas newsletter only to discover that I haven't updated the www.pinktoe.com website since August, 2008. Perhaps that reflects a tendency for the days and seasons to begin to blur together here in the Caribbean, but we've had a few storms, several cruises, some sailboat races, many visitors and a trip back north since I updated. To avoid boring you with too much detail, I intend this update to be brief with a few choice photographs and commentary.
October, 2008: Hurricane Omar paid us a visit. He knocked Ambivalence onto her side while on her trailer, requiring a crane and some minor fiberglass repairs. (I posted those photos previously on www.phanfare.comwww.phanfare.com).
November, 2008: We cruised to the BVI with Art & Kelli on board their 50 foot ketch, La Creole There was a triple rainbow as we approached the Bight on Norman Island where we had Thanksgiving dinner on board.
We did the usual touristy things and had my birthday dinner on Virgin Gorda but probably most enjoyed ogling how the rich folks live when we stopped over at the Peter Island resort.
December, 2008: Alec and Marcy visited us for Christmas.
She had to get back to classes, but Alec was able to stay a bit longer, and his friends Ken and Amy joined us. We had several enjoyable day sails until DISASTER. We hit the reef and nearly sank the boat. We handled the emergency efficiently and were lucky to boot. The repairs needed professional work, but Ambivalence was put back in seaworthy condition, although not in time for the annual St. Croix regatta.
January, 2009: Jean's brother Stephen and wife Kathy visited; she's retired from teaching now so they can take a winter vacation. Kathy enjoyed St. Croix but it is too sybaritic for Stephen, who prefers Iceland.
February, 2009: I did my sailing with neighbor Tom on his Corsair 27 trimaran -- a fast boat but I still like Ambivalence better. Went fishing with Paul Quast, his son Buddy, and some friends on Captain Carl's Mocko Jumbie. We caught more fish than I ever have before. The wahoo was delicious!
April, 2009: We went back to the BVI with Art and Kelli for Easter, this time spending time on Jost van Dyke. We did the mandatory visit to Foxy's, but I like Little Harbor better. Both Art and Kelli were enamored of Sandy Cay. This was a bit of a sad occasion for them because they were putting La Creole on the hard and up for sale at the end of the cruise.
May, 2009: Jean's house hunting reached fever pitch. Kelli, who's a realtor, had shown Jean every house on the island we could possibly afford and several we obviously could not. We put in unsuccessful bids on two properties before finding this house in Cotton Valley. The house needed work and is on the dry east end of St. Croix, but we finally found a home for all of Jean's plants.
June, 2009: Closing on the house was complicated by our leaving St. Croix for a needed return to civilization. We flew to Columbus and then took a road trip through Madison, La Crosse, and Minneapolis. Jean attended another Bead & Button convention in Milwaukee while I hung out with Alec and my brothers. We returned to Columbus for Liam's birthday party, but I don't have any pictures of the big water fight because the camera got wet.
August -- December, 2009: Painting, repairs, moving, planting. Quiet Thanksgiving and Christmas spent with friends. The dry east end isn't as dry as expected, and Jean really does enjoy playing in the dirt.
January 2010: I sailed in the "Round the Island's" race with Bill and Vincenzo on his 38' Delphine. It was the first time I' seen the south shore from the sea.
February 2010: We raced in the St. Croix Hospice Regatta, taking 3rd in our class. Alec's friends Ken & Amy used our almost finished efficiency apartment. My brother Rob came down after that and we took Ambivalence to Coral Bay on St. John for the long Easter weekend.
June, 2010: Jean continues her active beading, selling her wares at Mango Melee in June and Christmas Spoken Here in December.
July, 2010: Elizabeth and Liam came to visit. We cruised to St. John on La Creole (sale still pending) and gunk-holed the north shore bays. Conditions weren't very favorable for Liam using his new boogie board, but snorkeling was great. He had a week of sailing camp at the Yacht Club, and I think he looks pretty good single-handing an Optimist dinghy! (Pinches like his grandpa, though).
August, 2010: Art & Kelli moved into our efficiency apartment, forcing us to finally finish the remodeling. They're great tenants, putting in lots of finishing touches themselves. (Their boat finally sold). We pulled Ambivalence out of the water in anticipation of Hurricane Earl, and I'll be doing chores on her for the rest of the storm season. And that brings you all up to date with us.