LAHOWIND » Just you, me, + the dog.

My.ANEGADA.Don’t.Want.None.Unless.You.Got.Buns.Hun.

First things first, I had to use ^^that^^ as the title of this blog post. I mean, obviously. It’s a classic. ;))

Now, can we please talk about how insanely gorgeous Anegada is?!

It’s seriously picture perfect.

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Ever since we sailed away from the Bahamas, I have been missing ^^these^^ long stretches of pristine white sandy goodness that pretty much consume nearly all of the bahamian islands. Here in the Virgin Islands, you’re more likely than not to find a rocky beach wherever you go. Which, let’s not lie, is totally great for sea glass hunting, but a sandy beach will always be my first choice for sure.

But in Anegada, it’s all one big perfect sandy beach!

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This pretty coral island is literally a 15 square mile stretch of perfection! Just the way I like it. Oliver too. He went crazy the minute we landed the dink on this shoreline, tearing up and down the beach like a rabid kangaroo. It’s quite hilarious to watch, I must admit.

Since we had Jer’s cousin Lindsay and her hubby Keith on board with us for the week (all the way from cold Canada), we decided it was definitely worth the trip over to see pretty Anegada while they were with us. The sail from Bitter End, Virgin Gorda, BVI was nothing crazy, although Active Captain comments (from mostly charter vacationers) are hilarious and would have you thinking otherwise.

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After a quick two-hour sail, we opted for the path less traveled and dropped hook at the western most anchorage on the charts. Ninety-nine percent of the other boats that had sailed over to Anegada were parked a mile or two down in the more popular (read crowded) mooring-lined anchorage. Needless to say, we found the beach seclusion down a ways to be much nicer; however, the wet dinghy ride over to the restaurants was a little poopy. We literally got soaked on our ride to dinner. Oh well, the price you pay.

More photos from pretty Anegada…

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>>Thanks for visiting LAHOWIND sailing blog! We’d love for you to get to know us and follow our story as we attempt to navigate a whole new world of sailing, as we cruise the Caribbean.

Tuesday Tell-Tales.

You know what?

Stomach bugs are no fun.

You know what else?

Stomach bugs times four adults packed on one tiny sailboat with one puke bucket, one small toilet, and no air conditioning are even less fun. ;))

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^^I’m sure one of us were puking when this photo was taken. Lol.^^

Yup, you guessed it. While we were busy living it up with Jer’s cousins visiting all the way from Canada would you even believe we all managed to succumb to a pretty awful 24-hour virus (staggered over three days no less)? Ugh! We originally thought it was plain old sea sickness when I was the first to get sick, but apparently, it (norovirus, perhaps? who knows!) is going around the islands down here. And it must be wicked contagious.

Luckily, we’re all better now, but sheesh 24-hours of gross puking was definitely not fun.

The boat has since been totally disinfected and we’re hoping for no repeat performances of last week’s illness now that we’ve welcomed Jer’s sister aboard. Keep your fingers crossed for us. ;))

What else?

So it’s like a full blown charter biz this month on s/v LAHO. First Jer’s cousin, now Jer’s sister, and later this month Jer’s parents. We are soooooooo excited to finally have a few visitors around here. Anyone else wanna come visit, give us a holler! We promise we won’t get you sick. ;))

>>Thanks for visiting LAHOWIND sailing blog! We’d love for you to get to know us and follow our story as we attempt to navigate a whole new world of sailing, as we cruise the Caribbean.

Canada Came to Visit.

After nearly eleven months of cruising, we finally welcomed our first official visitors aboard s/v LAHO. Well, technically our second visitors after our good friend Chris made the haul with us way back on day one as we sailed our way from Naples to Marathon in the Florida Keys. But he literally left with us, so I’m not sure that counts as a “visitor” per se. ;))

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Jereme’s cousin Lindsay and her hubby Keith flew down last week from chilly Canada and met us in Road Town, Tortola for a week-long vacation island hopping through the BVI’s.

You never know how to really prepare someone for a week-long stay on a sailboat, but we did our best to prep them for the idea of glorified camping. Because, let’s be honest, that’s what this really is half the time. And man oh man were they rockstars! First, showing up with just a backpack’s worth of stuff each (plus an extra inflatable paddleboard) for an entire week stay, and then helping out tremendously with all the tedious boat chores that are an evil necessity of life afloat, as well as manning the sails as we hopped from island to island.

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We really loved having them aboard. And not having to help Jer hoist the dinghy or put on the sail cover for an entire week was like a total vacation for me! Hah! ;))

After picking up Lindsay and Keith at Village Cay Marina in Tortola, we set sail for Norman Island, followed by Virgin Gorda, Anegada, Guana Island, Cane Garden Bay, Jost Van Dyke, Cruz Bay in St. John, and finally all the way back to Christmas Cove, St. Thomas. Sheesh! I’d say we really packed it all in.

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I, of course, have about 2 million photos from the past week, and am I’m slowly working my way through the bunch. Video too! Stay tuned!

:)))))

>>Thanks for visiting LAHOWIND sailing blog! We’d love for you to get to know us and follow our story as we attempt to navigate a whole new world of sailing, as we cruise the Caribbean.

[…] Linds + Keith, now Jer’s sister Ashley and Melissa. […]

[…] aboard s/v LAHO. They were our THIRD set of visitors this month after first hosting Jer’s cousin and then his sister. :))) (I’d say we’ve done our fair share of laundry this month, […]

Donald MerkerJanuary 7, 2016 - 12:16 pm

Who taught you how to sail Keith.? Your papa obviously!

Boat Life Lately. According to my iPhone.

As we’ve been floating around the gorgeous BVI’s, I’ve found myself posting more and more quick iPhone shots over on Instagram! That is, when we happen to be in range of a AT&T cell tower from the USVI. And quite surprisingly, we’ve been able to pick up pretty decent AT&T cell service at lots of different spots along the way.

#lifeisgood

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Instagram >>Thanks for visiting LAHOWIND sailing blog! We’d love for you to get to know us and follow our story as we attempt to navigate a whole new world of sailing, as we cruise the Caribbean.

KevinJanuary 28, 2015 - 7:35 pm

iFabulous photos, as usual! What’s the location for the second photo?

LAHOWINDJanuary 29, 2015 - 5:37 pm

Hey Kevin! That is Peter Island in BVI! 🙂

Caribbean Weekly Wrap UpJanuary 30, 2015 - 1:08 pm

[…] Boat Life Lately. According to my iPhone: As we’ve been floating around the gorgeous BVI’s, I’ve found myself posting more and more quick iPhone shots over on Instagram! That is, when we happen to be in range of a AT&T cell tower from the USVI. -Story and stunning photos by Lahowind.com […]

Julie PetersonFebruary 1, 2015 - 3:39 pm

I just “happened” upon your blog during a search about our summer vacation. We are doing a charter for 8 days around Tortola. It is our ultimate goal to live on a boat part of the year….in about 7 years, after the kids are off to college. (we are planners….) Would you feel comfortable sharing your budget? What was the most unexpected expense so far?

DeeMarch 1, 2015 - 1:34 pm

Can you recommend othet sailing blogs you read/follow? We just finished your blog and LOVE it!! We’ve looked at a few others but they aren’t nearly as good. I remember you making some recommendations but can find it now. Thanks!!!

Tuesday Tell-Tales.

OH MY GOD. Before I forget can we please talk about Oliver’s little doggie-almost-overboard incident the other day?

Don’t worry, it’s not exactly what you think, but still slightly death defying in it’s own right.

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^^the face of somebody who obviously already forgot they almost fell overboard.^^

So we had just pulled into Village Cay Marina in Road Town, Tortola for a two-night stay while we cleaned, provisioned, and waited on family to arrive for a fun-filled week in the BVI’s! Oliver must’ve decided to become an agility champion poodle as soon as the dock lines were cleated because he immediately hopped off the boat (without getting the okay from us) and onto the dock (no prob) only to then “miss” the boat on re-entry.

:(((((((((

I’m talking a poodle totally hanging by his claws off the side of the boat. And last I checked, dogs don’t have thumbs, but somehow his little dagger claws were pinned in good enough on our teak toe rail that he didn’t actually fall into the water. I had just conveniently stepped below deck when Jer happened to turn around while filling out some marina paperwork and noticed our little poodlepants hanging by a thread. From what Jer has told me, Oliver literally had his little arms stretched all the way with only paws holding on.

Jer quickly scooped up Oliver before he went for a swim. And luckily Oliver seemed totally fine after all was said and done. And yes, I realize that the marina water isn’t filled with pirañas or anything and Oliver can in fact swim, but who knows if we would’ve even noticed him hitting the water. Ugh. Not good.

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^^and what the heck is this look? Lol!^^

On a brighter note, can someone please explain to me why so many senior cruisers enjoy walking around the deck of their boat in the buff? It’s kind of amazing really. ;)) Not! I’ve definitely filled my lifetime quota of old man stranger tushy.

If you can answer ^^that^^ question, then you might also happen to know why the beer cans at Willy T’s taste like they were dipped in iron. Bizarre.

Anyhoo.

Who wants to read the most hilarious account of a newbie sailor attempting his first overnight passage? And by hilarious, I mean we were totally laughing with Bo, not at him. We’ve all been there (and honestly still are on some days). The radio call to the Coast Guard was simply the best. PS – Bo’s entire blog is a great read…make sure to check it out!

Happy Tuesday!

>>Thanks for visiting LAHOWIND sailing blog! We’d love for you to get to know us and follow our story as we attempt to navigate a whole new world of sailing, as we cruise the Caribbean.

BoJanuary 27, 2015 - 2:03 pm

Haha…thanks guys! Look forward to meeting up with y’all this summer…

Happy CamperJanuary 28, 2015 - 5:35 pm

Two words can answer the retired naked cruiser question: old Hippies! Your a bit too young to have participated in this crazy counter-culture movement, but you’re catching glimpses of the fallout! Ask your parents about it. LOL