2024-03-10 Derek visit - moving to St. Croix

We took a day off from Snorkeling, and moved to Coral harbor on St. John.   Not a place we would pick to hang out at, lots of derelict boat with full time people.  Went ashore and picked up  lunch at Johnny Lime, but brought back to boat to eat, as no great place to leave dink on that side of the bay.

Derek and Kris waiting for food at Johnny Lime

Next day, we left, hoping to stop at Salt Pond on the south side of St. John, but no luck, moorings all full, and there was swell moving into the anchorage, so we headed around to the north side.   That is the nice thing about the Virgin Islands, there are so many options close together.

Spent a night at Francis Bay, on the north side.  Went for a snorkel, and Kris got to watch an octopus move from sand to rock and virtually become invisible, as it camouflaged itself on the rock.   Dean and Derek able to spot it, but you would have never seen it just snorkeling over it unless you knew it was there.   

Do you see the octopus?

 Had a nice beach walk in the afternoon.  

Nice beach at Francis Cay

Next day moved to west to mooring field near Henley Cay, which we heard should be great snorkeling.

It was good snorkeling, with the most fish variety we had seen, and some quite large for reef fish.  Lots of coral variety as well.

Watched a ray being harassed by a fish.

It was then time to head back to St. Thomas, as Derek needed to fly back to Idaho.   After a quick shopping trip in the main harbor to pick up a gift for a friend, we headed over to Lindbergh Bay, by the airport.  Next morning early, we took the dink to the beach, and dropped off Derek and Kris.   Took water and towel with, so Derek could wash off and dry his feet for land travel, after getting out of the dink and walking up the sandy area to the road.  Kris walked the short walk  with him to airport, but no place to leave the dink, so Dean went back to boat and waited until Kris came back to pick her up.  Sad to see Derek go, had a great visit with him.

We hoisted anchor and headed back to the main anchorage.   

Saw this large ship loading a large powerboat for shipment.  Compare powerboat size to large sailboat on the carrier as well.

We got the Safari bus up to the Cost U Less store which had Tillamook Sharp Cheddar Cheese in 2.5 lb blocks in stock.  Derek had full luggage, so did not bring cheese, so we picked up other provisions, and 6 blocks of cheese.

Next morning we headed south, and had a nice sail to St. Croix, with 12 to 18 knots of wind, sailing at 60 apparent.  Little choppy and bouncy, but not bad at all.  Averaged around 6.7 knots, and anchored at Fredrickstead.  About 18 other boats here.  

Went for a nice walk about town early Saturday morning,  Not much open or going on, but Kris did get some booties to wear with her flippers, as her flippers are a bit loose, and with all the snorkeling she got a small sore on her toe from the flippers rubbing.  There were 3 dive stores open, as the snorkeling and diving by the pier is supposed to be quite good.  

Looking out at the anchorage.  Charm is the far right boat

Nice old buildings on the waterfront

Nice artwork depicting typical Moko Jumbie stilt dancer

Another waterfront building.  Lots of building have these type of doors, with the angled cross bar lock

Dean relaxing on waterfront park bench

Today we will go snorkel the pier, and then don't know when we are moving on next.  Depends on weather.