May 12, 2009 - May 12, 2019
12,000 Nautical Miles!
THANK YOU FOR FOLLOWING
We Loved Having You Along For the Sail
Sitting here, trying to focus on standouts-both great and terrifying.
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| Cayo Campo, Cuba |
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| Mt Hartman Bay, Grenada |
The absolute standout anchorage was a night off of Cuba at Cayo Campo where we had an incredible day meeting the men who cared for the monkeys, the anchorage itself was spectacular. Right on a reef, feeling like we were anchored at the edge of the earth. We were surrounded by incredible shades of blues and turquoise. But that night when the full moon rose so big and bright the water was so clear that it seemed to disappear. For the first time, I thanked Roy for taking me (often kicking, cursing and screaming) on this incredible journey. Though to be honest Mt Hartman Bay in Grenada is a standout for so many reasons. Certainly my most favorite hurricane season.
Terrifying was the overnight passage between Cuba and Jamaica. Supposed to be a walk in the park but a weather window shut mid-Passage and the winds climbed to 40+knots with seas approaching 15ft. That truly wasn't so bad but the freighter that seemed intent on running into us is the real story. Roy had to turn from our course in those high waves several times as he attempted to keep us safe. While there were others, to me, the worst was in the Dominican Republic when we came out of the slit that protects Isla Beata, to near white-out conditions. Certainly learned to trust in Wahoo that day.
Which certainly brings me to the most magical passage. On the same trip East, we were sailing overnight across the Windward Passage, between Jamaica and Hispaniola, on our way to Ile a Vache and I saw the Southern Cross for the first time and like the song says “ realized why I came this way”.
And the most magical experience? Well, cruising in the Grenadines on our way to Bequia when we were overwhelmed by the sight of hundreds of dolphins cavorting in a line on either side of Wahoo as far as the eye could see. No picture can do that experience justice.
We are proud to be a part of the support given by the cruising community to the countries we visit. From bottles of rum to the caretakers of cayes in Belize, to the school supplies, hooks and fishing line in Cuba to being part of “Friends of Ile a Vache” and "Pass It on Guatemala". Wherever we sail - Grenada, through Dominica to Guatemala we are grateful to be part of this community that shows respect and love to the places we visit.
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| Titus in Dominica |
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Wagner helping
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Last but not least I treasure the incredible people we have met and shared time with, both cruising friends and island locals. Impossible to name them all but Mike and Roycelyn stand out for singing “Happy Birthday” to Roy over the VHF in Portsmouth, Dominica so that the entire harbor of 40 odd boats heard them, to Dave and Jane Mitchell who shared so many stellar moments on our trip down the Eastern Caribbean Islands and then returned so that we could share Classic Race Week in Antigua, to our Grenada Gang of Eight who made hurricane season in 2015 a highlight of my life.
2010 - 2019
It's a Wahoo Life!
May 12, 2009, we bought a 42ft Hunter Passage named “Oh La La” in St Petersburg & sailed off to the Bahamas via Key West.
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| Grouper came along to help us get her in shape. Luckily there wasn't much to do! |
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| Wahoo is Born |
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| At Nippers |
2010 The BP oil spill meant we didn’t go far, but we had fun with friends
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| Avis & Dale -go go girls |
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| Ready, Set.Dive |
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| Evening on the Lake |
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| Best buds |
2011 NOLA to the Bahamas, Stops on the Gulf Coast in Key West and the Dry Tortugas.
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| Our dear friend Nancy came to Key West |
As did Dave & Angela. We visited Duval Street and Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas
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| Andrew crossed the Gulf Stream with us to the Bahamas |
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| Sammye and Grouper came to Staniel Cay, Bahamas |
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| to see the pigs |
Austin joined us in Florida for the trip back to New Orleans in July
2012 On April 11 Wahoo left New Orleans for the Caribbean.
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| into a Great Adventure |
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| Wahoo sailed from NOYC |
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| We picked up Austin & Mary in Key West |
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| and left our mark on Cuba |
after all of that and Mexico too, we eventually headed to Belize
With Sebastian, and don't know who else, we ended in San Pedro in time for dinner.
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| beaches & more to explore |
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| Roy's Cool Spot with friends! |
It took the threat of a hurricane to drive us into the Rio Dulce
More exploration of the Belizean cayes with a June sail to Isla Mujeres for hurricane season before heading back to Houston and New Orleans.
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| All those lovely Belizean Cayes |
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| and Snorkeling! |
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| Happy to see Cynthia & Pat |
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| Conch fritters, Belikin beer, LA Hot Sauce |
2014 Back for Christmas and winter sailing in Belize. Then we head to the Eastern Caribbean with a 6 week trip through Cuba plus Jamaica, Haiti, Dominican Rebuplic and Puerto Rico before loads of fun in the Virgins.
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| Santa Snorkel |
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| Cockpitting |
We arrived in Cuba from Mexico and celebrated Roy's 70th Birthday in Nuevo Gerona, Cuba
where the streets are made of marble.
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| Cienfuegoes |
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| Trinidad, Cuba |
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Santiago de Cuba
We gave them guitar strings, they invited us into their home and gave us dinner. |
And then it was on to Jamaica
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| Jerk Chicken and Red Stripe |
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| Blue Pool in Jamaica |
Our trip across the Greater Antilles brought us straight into the Trade Winds. They blow West we were going East but it was worth it to finally get to Puerto Rico and the Virgins where we had such great company
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| Austin and the Wahoo Crew |
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| John Edward and Laura on Jost Van Dyke |
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| Finally, after well over 1700 miles and 9 countries Wahoo is wrapped up in Puerto Rico. |
October 2014 We returned and sailed to St Martin, St Bart's and Anguilla
Roy & I celebrated our 40th Anniversary in Grande Case, St Martin.
Then our dear, dear friends came for Ted's 70th birthday.
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| Ted, Louana, Monica & Roy in St Barts |
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| On Wahoo |
2015 We continued down the Island Chain of the Eastern Caribbean
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| St Kitts Carnival at New Year's |
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| Jane & Dave Mitchel in Nevis |
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| Beautiful ships |
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| Beautiful vistas |
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| Steel Bands |
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| and Rum! |
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| Ahhh, the Caribbean |
In Grenada for 2015 hurricane season -
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| Lindy visited and we snorkeled |
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| We limed |
had an Oildown on the beach
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| Celebrated Dale's timeless birthday with wonderful friends |
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| and hated that it had to end - Our Gang of Eight |
2016
Grenada to Puerto Rico included a stop in Antigua for Classic Race Week and a chance to meet up with friends once more.
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| Columbia at sea |
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| race watching - so cool |
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| Classic Race |
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| All together again |
Back up the chain of islands we went, with a return visit to each island again.
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| One of our favorites - Magical Dominica |
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| New rigging in St Martin |
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Iconic Foxy & Dale
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| Watching the Blue Tang school is breathtaking |
Dinghy riding with the whole Lawrence family in the BVIs (Dave, Angela, Sarah & Alexis)
The end of 2016 found us once again in Jamaica ready to start
2017
The trip West back through Cuba, Mexico and finally Belize 3 years later
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Back at Yoli's
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| Another bar - meeting up with friends we'd left |
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| yep, these two |
But come May 2017 we entered the worst of times.
With Austin's death we were left bereft, without a rudder or even an anchor. We were grateful for these two
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and these girls brought a smile
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Good to be together
He's left us and we'll miss him forever
2018 Back on Wahoo - We threw ourselves into boat work
We refurbished the galley, varnished like crazy, replaced the bimini and dodger
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| We hung out with other cruisers at dinghy raft-ups |
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Made new cruising friends who would help steal breadfruit
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| Finally made it to Lighthouse Reef |
And found solace when we could
2019 More Guatemala More Belize and New Knees
More silly ways to eat lobster
more cockpit parties
More Casa Guatemala boat bringing us fruits and veggies at Tortugal
And a new thing - Sandra enjoying boat life!
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As did Dave & Angela. We visited Duval Street and Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas 
