It is always iffy looking at a long term weather forecast. We use several websites to check weather - Wunderground, Predict Wind, and Windy. What we have learned is that generally you can rely on the next three days - but after that - it can and will change. So sitting looking at the weather last week, we saw a potential for west or northwest winds coming up - which would be great to head to St. Martin.
So decision time - where to go for the next 7 days while waiting to see if the forecast would pan out. We had thought we would go to the British Virgin Islands (BVI's), but then realized that we would have to check in and check out which could run about $100 to $200 - and might only be there one week. So decided to head back to St. Thomas instead for groceries, and then back to St. John for the week. Didn't have to leave right away, so decided to go check out snorkel spot on Monday, across the bay that Kris had seen a video on that looked good. Monday we headed out across the bay. Rough dinghy trip - usually Kris stands up when it gets rough as she gets bounced pretty good on the bow of the dinghy, but she didn't this time.
We did not find the good snorkeling, so back to boat, for a relaxing afternoon. Tuesday morning Kris could barely get out of bed - back pain. Must have bruised something on the rough dinghy ride. We upped anchor and headed for Charlotte Amalie in St. Thomas to get groceries. Also Kris's ears have been bothering her - most likely a stubborn case of swimmers ear, so she thought we could stop at the walk in doctor and get some antibiotic ear drops and clear that up. Kris moved slow and stiff, but we had a nice sail to St. Thomas which was great, as we have been motoring more than we like.
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| Three big cruise ships at the dock in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas |
The first walk in doctor wanted $275 just to see her. Next walk in doctor wanted $150. Kris decided to home treat the ears until we get to St. Martin - maybe we can get the swimmers ear gone before we get there.
We got groceries, lunch and then back to boat, and headed out to Christmas Cove off of Great St. James Island on the SE corner of St. Thomas. Kris has never sat so straight before in the helm seat, minimizing back movement.
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| Keeping the back straight, no twisting or it hurt. |
We grabbed a mooring ball at Christmas Cove. Kris has spent the week staying out of the water, treating her ears with a mixture of vinegar and isopropyl alcohol and doing nothing in order to rest her back and heal up.
Dean went for a snorkel, had to check out the fish under the boat. Not great snorkeling. Christmas cove has been good for boat watching - lots of boats come in for lunch at a local boat here that makes pizza and drinks. Lots of charter boats - always good fun to watch them.
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| Some coral and fish - but no great snorkeling |
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| Lots of large Tarpon hanging out under the boat |
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| Charm on the mooring ball - Kris keeping her ears dry |
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| Busy mooring and anchoring at Christmas Cove |
The weather still looks great for heading to St. Martin on Tuesday or Wednesday so we will move today to the north side of St. John for a couple of days and wait for the west and north winds. Kris's back is much better now, and ears doing better as well.
If you have, you can use Antibiotics drops for eyes in your ears.
ReplyDeleteGlad Kris is on the mend. I've recently had the same back issue, not knowing what I did to stress it. Getting old is fun, huh? Will be fun to watch your trip to St. Martin. We've never sailed our own boat there but picked up a charter boat there one time years ago. Really enjoyed that two week charter making a loop to Nevis/St. Kitts and back.
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