Hello again and Holiday Greetings from the Virgin Islands!

Yes, we’re back in the USA … have been since the 4th of December when we dropped the hook in Christiansted, St. Croix, after a 51-hour, mostly-pleasant passage from Martinique. We had definitely been traveling hard to make good over 600 miles in less than 2 1/2 weeks, which included 6 days spent at Martinique and 5 days at Union Island waiting for weather. The trip from Los Testigos, Venezuela, to Union Island was slow. The west-setting current was so strong most of the way that we were steering a course of 46 degrees and when not running the engine making good 0 degrees! We persevered and finally made the Frigate Island anchorage at Union Island where RUNAL was waiting for us and guided us in, since it was long past dark. It was late and we were tired from our 38-hour marathon, but Al and Runa had dinner ready for us and with our second wind we stayed up even later comparing our exploits since we had parted ways last spring.

After a few days of relaxing and waiting for the weather opportunity we left Union for an overnight trip up to Martinique. However, RUNAL soon developed a problem with their alternator and it was decided to continue on but to put in at Rodney Bay, St. Lucia, where not only would parts and service be available but also the English language. By the time Al was making electricity again the wind and seas had begun building with the forecast for alot more of each. We all agreed that we’d much rather get stuck waiting for weather in Martinique than St. Lucia so we braved the 25 knot winds and 9 foot seas for the 20 miles north to Martinique. It was on this short passage that my worst fear was ALMOST met. About half way to our destination as we were just holding on and “enjoying” the ride I happened to look up straight ahead. There was no mistaking the broad black body that surfaced right in front of us, not even one boat length away. A whale! I held my breath and that must’ve worked because we didn’t crash into it. I wonder, how many close calls are had at night?

Well, true to the forecasts the wind and seas continued to rise over the next few days and we were all glad we’d made our escape to Martinique in time. We immediately got into the swing of things and spent the next six days enjoying all things French including breads, pastries, cheeses and wines. We rented a car one day and made two provisioning runs in order to take as much of France with us as possible. Once the wind and seas started to subside we knew it was time to leave; next stop, the Virgin Islands.

When we arrived at Christiansted we saw the boat FREE SPIRIT who we knew from our last visit. The next day we stopped by and John offered to take us on his special Cruzan tour in his 4-wheel drive Jeep. What a trip that turned out to be! We visited several ruins of the old sugar plantations including many of the islands wind mills. John knew the area well and he took several turns off the road to isolated places with fantastic views. Then we drove down a … well, more of a goat trail than a road, to a rocky beach. We walked along the rocks and came to a tidal pool where we cooled off with a swim. Wow! Not many people could even get to this place, even if they knew where it was!

After a few days we headed on up to St. Thomas. Al’s son and his family arrived last Saturday and they’ve been having a great time. We sailed over to Norman Island and then to Virgin Gorda in the BVI this week and met up with them for a couple of days. We’re now back at St. John and getting ready for a big Christmas dinner with Al and Runa on RUNAL and Tim and Leslie on FOLIE A DEUX. The six of us plan on spending Christmas day anchored over in, where else, Christmas Cove.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: We plan to change our email address after the end of this year. Our SAILMAIL account is an annual, calendar year thing and we’re going to let it expire this year. I’ve been studying for a HAM radio license which will give us access to email for FREE. Only problem is that the test won’t be given until around the middle of January so the only email we’ll have until then is via HOTMAIL. That address is: wcw5564@hotmail.com. When I get a HAM call sign I’ll email you all our new address. Please continue using this SAILMAIL account until the end of the year and then use HOTMAIL until further notice.

We want to wish you all a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

David and Claudia
12/21/2000