Thursday 1739
The Audax “How to Guide” for turning a 6 hour trip into 24.
The Plan: Leave Abrahams Bay, Mayaguana Island at 3 in the afternoon, steam 2 hours to a temporary anchorage off Southeast Point on Mayaguana island, have a leisurely dinner, go to bed for 3 hours and then leave at midnight for the 35 mile sail to Provo on Providence Island in Turks and Caicos.
The Execution: A 45 minute late departure from Abrahams Bay leads to an after dark arrival at anchorage location. With no moon and uneasiness in the bellies we decide to push onwards for Provo with one problem…. you can’t really arrive until daylight for navigational reasons thus turning our 6 hour sail into a LONG 12 hour excursion.
The Recovery Plan: Still on schedule, anchor down at Sapodilla Bay 0900, dingy ashore, check in successfully with customs and looking forward to day of recuperation and relaxation.
The Realization: WE WENT TO THE WRONG FREAKING PLACE!!! The town is 4 miles away, the right harbor is on the other side of the island, its time to backtrack, its time to sail an additional 30 miles.
The Final Chapter: Typing from tike bar in Provo (the right side!), Heineken in hand, fried treat of some sort just put in front of me, Stevey munching on a red snapper roll, tennis on the tv, island music in the background.
Moral of the story: Do your research and stick to your schedule!!!!
Despite no sleep, no ships stores aka provisions aka food, water, ice…we are here, still alive, still smiling, its Turks and Caicos time baby!!
Our route mishap, Mayguanan photo album, raising the flag play by play
Below: Journal entries from the sea aka you will need to scroll down the page to get to the new pictures!
Wednesday
1004 –Its island time and we are feeling fine. An advanced anchoring maneuver has us rhythmically bouncing off the
sparsely inhabited island of Mayaguana. With reading and reflection the primary activities of the day I ask myself the question: How is one’s enjoyment derived? Over a hearty kielbasa pasta dinner last night discussion turned towards our individual egoic drives– to be cool, to be accepted, to be the best. As of late I have been increasingly aware of a nasty habit within myself – the me vs you mentality…an “I’m right and your wrong” thought pattern that helps justify my actions to myself. These habitual unconscious thoughts and justification that make my ego believe “I’m right, I’m the best.” BAD!!!!!!! Being aware is half the battle and as I continue to gain greater self confidence, Purpose for living and work towards unselfishly motivated love towards others and my goals I issue an apologize to all whom I have asserted my egoic mentality in wrong ways upon.
Now thats a tight fit, new marine life, new island report on Mayaguana, Jordi’s new friend (look closely!)
Monday
1106- And the heavens let forth a grand deluge and He declared free showers for all aboard the Audax!! Torrential downpours, serious swells and zero visibility… motor sailing along at full throttle. To quote my
brother….”Keep on Rockin in the Free World!” Upon weighing anchor last night we enjoyed the first Birthday celebration for Jordi as we stuffed our bellies full of cake and got the play by play of the Patriots game via VHF channel 16 (the universal emergency broadcasting station!) and we said our goodbye to Rum Cay. Read a play by play on the crossing at South Bound Saint here
John caught in meditation, be patriotic, church once again, a sweet toy to dream about, the Rum Cay pictorial and new island report
January 24th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
Hello Travelers,
It appears that some precarious travails have befallen you, superb; one cannot grow and become better, or more full, without first being tested. I am glad that everyone made it through all right. I have recently read a poem in which a man was slaughtered because he slandered a king for not obeying religious laws. How can this be applied? The planet is in an interesting state right now. Perhaps many would be served greatly by adhering to the parameters that you three have taken hold of: Free living and an acceptant mind, (I think the moral of the poem was that God’s laws are all that matters - i.e. having to live with your own decisions type of thing).
My advice is to both metaphysically and physically - still waiting on the pictures of the pretty island girls, haha - open yourself as much as you can to the environment that you are now entering into. People are generally metaphors- at least in some way - for the places they are from. Nobody has a choice in this, so why do we insist upon inflicting our own ideals upon the minds of others? I don’t know. It would probably be much smarter to, instead, try to learn from what other places have to offer. I just hope everything continues to go well for you guys (I am including, in this gesture, any potential predicaments that may befall you, as well).
Godspeed Gentleman
P.S. John, you brother sounds like quite the awesome fellow; “hoo, hoo, hoo”
January 24th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Even after a strenuous sail you all look very happy, energetic, tan, and the cake looks delicious!
XOXO - E
January 25th, 2008 at 9:25 am
Glad to hear the boat held up pretty well in rough conditions. Hope you get a chance to fix the seals. John don’t beat yourself up on figuring out life as it constantly changes.
January 25th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Being a Turks Island ex pat I keep reading the sailors blogs and keep telling them that although Sapadillo Bay is lovely, the only thing you got there is a 7 11 a mile away.
So I allways send them round the top tto turtle cove, might see you for a beer in Tiki Hut
January 25th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Loved the photos of Rum Cay - those little bungolows on the beach and the “Blue Spot” have alot of appeal - hope you can find a similar spot further south when we visit - thinking about the 1st wkend in April - get in touch so we can book flights!
L MOM/Jillian
January 27th, 2008 at 6:21 am
hey guys - looks like you’re having a blast! i am still not sure if i can get the time off but i will make the effort. just took a new job in portland (oregon) and will thus be here awhile. but i will see what my new schedule holds and will try to sneak off for a few days of sun. talk soon!