LAHOWIND » Just you, me, + the dog.

Adios Puerto Rico!

So we finally left Puerto Rico. The main island at least. I know I know, you thought we were never going to leave, didn’t you? ;))

I mean, sheesh, Puerto Rico was our home for the past four months. We joke on the regular about how 5, 10, 20 years from now we will always say “remember that one summer we lived in Puerto Rico!”  It just sounds so random, doesn’t it?

On July 15, 2014, we rolled into the town of Puerto Real, Cabo Rojo after a 300+ mile sailing journey from Luperon, Dominican Republic. And little did we know a cute little friendly fishing village would become our home for the next few months.

Sailing-Blog-Cruising-Caribbean-Pets-on-Board-Boat-Dog-Poodle-Oliver-LAHOWIND-I-Luh-Ya-Puppy-Video-eIMG_6597c

Puerto Rico, you were so good to us.

Well, so good minus the dirty ticks. We could’ve done without those. ;)) But seeing a baby sea turtle hatchling making a go at life right by our sailboat…now that’s the stuff dreams are made of!

We sure did love your regular American cell phone service, glorious free marina wifi (for most of our time on the island), free water (that did NOT have to be lugged around in 50lb. jerry cans), amazing air conditioning during the hottest months of the year, regular grocery stores and tasty restaurants, a West Marine, and even a Starbucks for crying out loud. And we especially loved the super fun outings we partook in…like horseback riding on the beach in Rincon, trips to Old San Juan, Playa Sucia, PonceLa Parguera, Coffin Island, Joyudadinghy rides around the bay, and so much more!!!

Oh, and we can’t forget those guava donuts! I will most definitely miss the donuts. ;))

Sailing-Blog-Cruising-Caribbean-Puerto-Rico-Rincon-Horseback-Riding-on-the-Beach-LAHOWIND-Horses-eIMG_1662 Sailing-Blog-Cruising-Caribbean-Puerto-Rico-Puerto-Real-Cabo-Rojo-LAHOWIND-Marina-Pescadaria-Dinghy-Life-eIMG_2273 Sailing-Blog-Cruising-Caribbean-LAHOWIND-Puerto-Rico-Joyuda-Beach-Restaurants-Dining-Travel-eIMG_0999 Sailing-Blog-Cruising-Liveaboards-Caribbean-Puerto-Rico-Puerto-Real-Cabo-Rojo-LAHOWIND-Tower-Paddle-Board-SUP-Starfish-LAHOWIND-eIMG_2660 Sailing-Blog-Cruising-Caribbean-Puerto-Rico-Cabo-Rojo-Playa-Sucia-Boqueron-Faro-Los-Marillos-Lighthouse-LAHOWIND-eIMG_0788 Sailing-Blog-Cruising-Caribbean-Puerto-Rico-Real-Marina-Pescaderia-Cabo-Rojo-LAHOWIND-Fish-Festival-2014-eIMG_9633 Sailing-Blog-Cruising-Caribbean-Puerto-Rico-Real-Marina-Pescaderia-Cabo-Rojo-LAHOWIND-Fish-Festival-2014-eIMG_9663 Sailing-Blog-Cruising-Caribbean-Puerto-Rico-Rincon-Tamboo-Beach-LAHOWIND-eIMG_1744 Sailing-Blog-Cruising-Caribbean-Puerto-Rico-Fishing-Mahi-Sailboat-Boat-Life-Liveaboards-LAHOWIND-SUP-Paddleboard-eIMG_8580 eIMG_0845-Blog Sailing-Blog-Cruising-Caribbean-Puerto-Rico-Dinghy-Life-LAHOWIND-Sailboat-eIMG_8974 Sailing-Blog-Cruising-Liveaboards-Caribbean-Puerto-Rico-Puerto-Real-Cabo-Rojo-LAHOWIND-Tower-Paddle-Board-SUP-Starfish-LAHOWIND-eIMG_2476 Sailing-Blog-Cruising-Caribbean-Puerto-Rico-Tuesday-Tell-Tales-LAHOWIND-Avocados-eIMG_7070 Sailing-Blog-Cruising-Liveaboards-Caribbean-Puerto-Rico-Puerto-Real-Cabo-Rojo-LAHOWIND-Tower-Paddle-Board-SUP-Starfish-LAHOWIND-eIMG_2854 Sailing-Blog-Cruising-Caribbean-Puerto-Rico-Real-Marina-Pescaderia-Cabo-Rojo-LAHOWIND-Fish-Festival-2014-eIMG_9805b Sailing-Blog-Cruising-Caribbean-Puerto-Rico-Marina-Pescaderia-Puerto-Real-Sailboat-Boat-Life-LAHOWIND-eIMG_3378 eIMG_1473-Blog2 Sailing-Blog-Cruising-Caribbean-Puerto-Rico-Coffin-Island-Isla-Muertes-Sailboat-Jumps-Boat-Life-LAHOWIND-eIMG_4857 Sailing-Blog-Cruising-Caribbean-Puerto-Rico-Rincon-Horseback-Riding-on-the-Beach-LAHOWIND-Horses-eIMG_1120 Sailing-Blog-Cruising-Caribbean-Puerto-Rico-La-Parguera-Cayo-Enriquee-Dolphin-Photos-Sailboat-LAHOWIND-eIMG_4127 Sailing-Blog-Cruising-Caribbean-Puerto-Rico-Isla-Caja-de-Muerto-Coffin-Island-Baby-Sea-Turtle-Hatchling-Photos-In-the-Wild-LAHOWIND-Boat-Life-Sailboat-eIMG_4805

We truly loved spending hurricane season here on this pretty little island. Our decision to hurricane in Puerto Rico instead of sticking it out in Luperon, Dominican Republic or booking it down south was a well-crafted decision in our eyes. And fortunately, we lucked out with a very weak season in terms of tropical activity…where we prepped and rode out our first (and only of the season for us) Tropical Storm. And for that, I am thankful.

It really feels like we became full blown residents of Puerto Rico this summer. Maybe it’s because we were glued to a dock and marina facility most of the time…maybe it’s because we had a mailing address, a community full of friendly locals, favorite restaurants, a car (on way too many occasions), and a vet for Oliver even.

Who knows?

Sailing-Blog-Cruising-Caribbean-Pets-on-Board-Boat-Dog-Poodle-Oliver-LAHOWIND-I-Luh-Ya-Puppy-Video-eIMG_6634

But we did totally put down roots here. So, needless to say, it’s kinda sad to leave it all behind. We won’t see those same friendly faces at the marina everyday, have local fishermen handing us fresh free mahi on the regular, or have the same comforts of the U.S., but adventure awaits and we are ready to get this party started!

Hurricane Season is over…it’s Cruising Season, ya’ll!

Adios Puerto Rico! It’s been real.

Hello, Virgin Islands!!!!!!!!!!!!!

>>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.

JulieNovember 30, 2014 - 9:34 pm

You are living my dream life! Love all the pics.
I really enjoy reading your blog especially on snowy days in Canada. I feel like I know you although we have never met. Have fun in the Virgin Islands. We celebreated our 10 year anniversary on St. John several years ago. Loved it!

JanDecember 2, 2014 - 3:39 pm

Gorgeous!!! All of it. Wow!