It's 1/31/16 and we are lying at Coral Harbor, St. John, USVI:
We - Steve and Lorry Clark formerly of D.C. and Rick and Debbie Lehto of Miss Heidi - left Culebra two weeks ago and over-nighted at Culabrita. Next morning we anchored on the island side of East Gregory Channel in 12' of water over turtle grass. We had to get provisions and have the water maker Cat pump repaired. After a boat unit for the pump and some replacement (HP hose and new pressure gauge) fittings, half a boat unit for groceries, and another third of a boat unit for oak flooring and supplies at Homo Depot, we motored into the wind to Christmas Cove off the eastern end of St. Thomas. By this time the water maker was working and half of one ama's (pontoon) deck was oaked-in (minus the hatches of which there were at least one every 36": Jim Alimi of Nomad "It ain't as easy as it was on your boat!"). From there we proceeded to Red Hook to let off Rick and Debbie who needed to return to Miss Heidi. We then proceeded under sail and motor to St. John and anchored for the night. As we were in the USVI National Park we had to pay for our mooring ball, half of $26 as we have a Senior pass we got years ago in Arizona. From there we actually sailed all the way to Waterlemon Bay, tacking of course, for another swim and another $13 mooring ball. This time Linda and Lorry swam all the money in a Park envelope over to the floating depository. Steve and I were able to finish the port deck, sans the hatches, and fix the 12 volt electrical system which went in the fritz. Seems that corosion on the terminal and switch ends of the cables fooled the Xantrex and Outback controllers into thinking the batteries were full! Steve figured this out while I was trying to noodle getting an electrician on board in the BVI. Saved once again by Steve!!! Next motor, unfortunately, was here to Coral Harbor 'cause none of us had ever been here and the Cruising Guides indicated it was worth the time/trouble: NOT! O.K. anchorage, but a real dump ashore. The stoned elderly hippies at the end of the full up, teetering dingy dock suggested we could follow the goat path to the left, turn left at the road, and dump our trash at the smelly, rotting trash collection point in town across from the grocery store. On second thought they said to put it in the back of the blue pickup truck, whose owner no one seemed to know, which, of course, we did. The grocery store did produce/sell VI pale ale which Steve and I partook to the community's wetland park across the street. Under the trees we were regaled by the local Rastas in dreadlocks who, amount other things, admonished us for not greeting everyone with a "Good Afternoon" as soon as we came in. All very friendly-like...
The work shop...
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