#GringoRicanSailing

Here we go! We are finally doing it. It was just a couple months ago when Blane and I were talking about the idea of renting a boat and going on our first sailing adventure together. Not sailing on a race crew, not with a team. No purpose of winning or competing. The only purpose is to explore.  The timing of starting this blog is perfect.  I have always wanted to start documenting our sailing adventures but never had time. So I made time. It’s also a surprise for Blane. He doesn’t know I bought the website and have been working on this over the past few days. Can’t wait to show him!  We set sail from Tortola, British Virgin Islands the day after Christmas but are spending the holiday with my family in San Juan, Puerto Rico before departing for the BVI’s. Our crew is meeting us in Puerto Rico and what an awesome crew will have with us. Blane’s mom Cathy and his stepdad Gene are joining us and we couldn’t be more excited about sharing this experience with them. Hopefully, we can turn them into sailors at the end of this adventure.

The conditions should be great all week! Highs in the mid 80s lows in the mid 70s. The winds should be steady between 12-17kts. We plotted our route going to Cooper Island first but they say if you don’t get out there early it will be tough to anchor or moor.  Since the chances of us being able to pick up the boat before noon are slim (depends on the condition of the boat when its returned from the previous group) we will most likely go with Plan B and head to Peter Island first. Either way , there will be great diving and plenty of sun go around. The next day to Virgin Gorda might be a little long but we are here to sail, right? I think our route is a good route for our first stab at the BVI’s making stops at all the must see’s like the Baths in Virgin Gorda. Our current plan looks like this: Cooper Island, Virgin Gorda for 2 days, Scrub Island, Jost Van Dyke for 2 days and then back to Tortola. Can’t wait to be on the water soaking it all in. Soaking in the sun, the sea, and the experience.  Just 3 more days…