2025-03-16 Another week of killing time and enjoying the weather and water

It is a bit too early to head north and back to the states for us.  We are used to a low of around 75 and a high of around 82, but with humidity feels a bit warmer than that.  Our plan is to head south along Puerto Rico, then stop in the Dominican Republic before sailing to Key West.  It is too cold in Key West to head there now, so need to go slow for a bit.

We have been enjoying the warm weather, clear water and doing a whole lot of nothing.

We left St. Thomas on Sunday after watching the tarpon around our boat in the morning and headed for Culebra.   Had though to stop in Culebrita, but a north swell changed our plans, so decided to go into Culebra.

 

Tarpon swimming around the boat

Sunrise over St. Thomas

We have been having issues with our windlass/chain/chain wheel - We spent a bit of time trying to untwist our chain, but still having issues, so had ordered a new chain wheel to pick up in Culebra at the post office.   

 Monday we got our new chain wheel and installed it.   The old one had quite a bit of wear, but not sure that it was the cause of all the issues.

 

Old on left, new on right

 Of course in Culebra, had to get Zacos Tacos for dinner.   We take the food back to the boat, as Zacos had a lot of little biting flies that caused itchy ankles.  Always like the artwork in side Zacos

 

Zaco's Tacos

Back on the boat for a delicious dinner.  Dean even got a Zaco's tacos T-shirt this time

Wednesday we headed out to Bahia Almodover, as we enjoy the quiet and the view.  On the way we tried to untwist our chain, but only had 40' of water to dump it in, so not successful.  It was so calm in Almodover that we worked on untwisting the chain as it went out, which seemed to work better - so hope that helps. 

Dean went for a quick snorkel around the area, and saw some more tarpon, and barracuda, but had a small fish that fell in love with him, and followed him around the entire time - right up against his face for the most part.  Pretty sure it is a juvenile yellow jack

 

Caranx bartholomaei (yellow jack)

Thursday we took the dinghy over to Culebrita, as the water was flat and virtually no wind.  Had a nice hike up to the lighthouse, and then over to the main anchorage area.

Nice trail to the top of the hill

 

 

The lighthouse was well-built at one point.  Nice mix of brick and stone

Fancy floors for a lighthouse

Old lighthouse on Culebrita

Dean even spotted this spiny rat on the walk

 

 

Watch out for unexploded ordinance

Playa Tortuga on Culebrita

 

Friday there was virtually no wind, so Kris went for a nice kayak and was able to kayak over the shallow reef that protects the bay.   Lots of dead coral, but a few signs of life coming back.

Clear calm water, almost as good as snorkeling

Nice reef structure, but mostly dead but some hints of returning life

 

Healthy grass, coral and feather duster protected by the reef

Friday was Pi day - and of course it was fitting that we had Pizza Pi for dinner.

Saturday, lots of locals came in to enjoy the bay, and the evening was lit up with all the underwater lights.

 

 

Today we will just chill and move back to Culebra to get some groceries tomorrow.