Breakfast
I like to get a good breakfast before a morning dive. Just a plan old regular breakfast, nothing fancy.
I've suffered breakfast frustration on this St Croix trip.
The Golden Rail moved and my new tryout restaurant Toast, well, their interpretation of grits was not really like any grits I have ever seen in 59 years of roaming the earth. $7 for a blob of grits too. That means I have about $10,000 worth of "Toast" grits back home in my cabinet. I'll have to adjust my net worth up a bit based on market prices of cooked grits. I'll give Toast another try next trip. Just not the grits.
And Angry Nate's, my goodness that was good but very expensive for a diner type breakfast I desire.
I did drive to the new Golden Rail and the breakfast was dead on at a reasonable price. It's just not on my way to anywhere.
Chillin on St Croix
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| A handy bar at the dive boat! |
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| Waiting on a Night Dive |
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| Breakfast and Boobs |
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| Staying cool out of the sun. |
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| Chickens everywhere. |
The Passage
One thing on my bucket list was to do a passage, especially a night passage. For those who don't know, in the yacht cruising world, a trip between islands, or any travel of duration is called a passage.
The desire to be at sea on a small (42 foot) boat, out of touch with the world appealed to me. I longed to hear the creaking of the boat, the sea leg balancing act, and the freedom knowing I was in a place that no one else was seeing. It's like camping in the middle of the ocean.
One cannot willie nillie take off to the sea without preparation, planning, and weather watching.
My friend Ken faced a long passage of 30 plus hours traveling between Antigua and St Croix. Ken was on his way from Grenada to St Thomas to catch a plane to Boston to meet up with his wife, Vicki.
So I, along with our friend Steve joined Ken on the 32 hour voyage.
Connecting the Dots
Rarely does adventure present itself, especially at my age. Mostly my very active life is down to golf and scuba diving.
Since the back surgeries I've taken it easy. Not my chosen lifestyle, but necessary as I try to preserve joints, aches, and pains. Healing from some foolishness takes way too long.
The opportunity has presented itself for me and a couple of pals to make an open water passage of 105 miles from Antigua to St Croix. Two days sailing.
This has been a bucket list item that frankly, I doubted I'd ever do. But next week, if the stars align, I'll be making said trip.
There's a lot of last minute prep for me. I just can't up and walk off without making plans.
Richard
I first met Richad in 2003. He was a pan handler on St Croix and a regular fixture. He was also a friendly person and a notorious abuser of drugs.
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| Richard in 2008. |
The last time I saw Richard was 2013. He was withdrawn, angry, and looked worse than ever. I assumed he was dead.
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| Richard 2016. |
Flash forward a few years and it's obvious Richard has had some rehab, and dental work.
I wish him well.
This Isn't Like Me
At the store yesterday I was craving some Guinness. The kind in the tall can with the nitrogen injector that puts out the smoothest and best foam. So good. Tastes like a beer milk shake.
Along with that I picked up a six pack of local craft brew Copper. So good.
This after finishing a six pack of Anchor Steam last week.
The six pack of light beer sits.
Its That Time of Year
I love a great Anchor Steam beer. The pride of San Francisco. This craft beer was the Grand daddy of all craft beers. Sam Adams is a Johnny come lately along with a few thousand more. Winter is my favorite time for a full body beer.
This time of year I begin stalking the nonstop flight to St Croix. I hope to meet my pal Ken there as he stops by on his cruiser.
Phfrankie's Phfabulous Sun Dried Tomatoes
My dear friend Phfrankie Bondo shared some of his home grown creations last summer. One was a shallow mason jar of sun dried tomatoes in olive oil.
Now for a California fella this is normal fare. Being that I'm southern and all, sun dried tomatoes are a bit out of the norm.
I set the jar in the pantry and forgot about them. Until last night.
Good heavens they are good. Perfect in the salad.
St. Croix
Much later than usual, St. Croix is booked. First class airfare, fancy remote parking, my favorite villa.
A night dive is scheduled.
Five weeks and I'll be transferred back to greenery and spring like weather. Warm blue water, and night skies that rival a planetarium.
Sipping beers during the day and driving on the left hand side of the road. I've been going for 13 years. I hope many more.
Galaxy
This is an amazing picture of galaxies. Unthinkable time and space.
I've had two amazing dogs named Galaxy that both died before the age of six.
I love the word Galaxy, and the name for a happy, smart dog. But I'll never name another dog Galaxy.
Things I Have Witnessed
I actually knew a person who was hit by a bus and died.
I actually knew someone who was a double murderer and was put to death by the state.
I saw a Saturn V rocket launch in person.
I once played with two lion cubs.
I saw a total eclipse of the sun. 100%.
I have been shot at and heard the bullets go by.
I know a wealthy man who gets someone to change his bed linens daily because he likes fresh sheets.
Old Family Photo
Circa 1925
My mother sitting on her fathers lap looking at her baby sister. Mom is now 91.
The Gym
Been doing weight training now twice a week for 10 months.
Today I did 10 X 3 presses at 90 pounds.
20 X 3 butterflies at 30 pounds
12 X 3 leg lifts at 60 pounds.
20 X 3 dips (my body weight)
10 X 3 biceps lifts 20 pounds each arm
10 X 3 over head lifts 30 pounds
8 X 3 inclined presses at 60 pounds
10 X 3 not sure what to call it at 30 pounds each arm
20 X 3 side lifts at 30 pounds
That was a workout. About 30 minutes non stop.
Big Doings Today
The paint over of the Extreme Tailgate sticker has been corrected. A new sticker was applied this morning. It missed two games but we won anyway.
The Jeep was winterized (put the roof on) and given a good wash.
I Am Thankful For
Glide dental floss. Superb.
The fact that I don't do much Christmas decorating.
Indoor plumbing. And my bidet.
My football team is 11-0 and a swell bunch of guys.
Prilosec. Otherwise I would digest myself in stomach acid.
Dogs. I love them all.
The love and companionship of my spouse. She makes me laugh.
Old Sparky
I finally flipped over the Weber Ranch to reveal the born on date. EE is 1999.
16 years and going strong.
My New Love
Someone left two big cans of Stella Artois at the first tailgate of the season. It's not unusual to end up with a handful of Natural Light or Bud Light. I usually just toss them because each one of the aforementioned is undrinkable to me.
But the Stella Artois had me intrigued.
Three ten packs later my taste testing is almost done. I love the lightness of the beer, yet it has a pronounced hop flavor....not too strong however. Gotta say this will be a regular for me along with Ultra and regular Michelob beer.
Happy American Thanksgiving everyone.
I Love Dreams
I dreamed I was in a generic Caribbean beach bar. The bar tender recommended Peter Pan beer in a white and red bottle.
They 17 cents each and the minimum was six.
I said no thanks but she insisted it was the best beer ever. "It tastes like what ever you want it to taste."
It was the best beer ever. Perfect taste, temp, and foam.
October
I'm headed to Durham today for a couple of birthday celebrations. My mother is 91 today and very much with it.
My old childhood/college buddy is turning 60. Thank God we haven't aged a bit.
September...any September
September sucks for me. People and animals I love die in September. My father died in September. My wife died in September but came back after 45 minutes of effort. I've lost jobs in September. It's not a warm, fuzzy month.
See these two fine dogs? Both were named Galaxy and both died at 5 ½ years old. Both became ill in September.
Needless to say...the name Galaxy is retired.
Actual Vacation
Not since 2012 have I had a relaxing vacation away from it all. I am attempting one now. Just me and the Mrs and 4 dogs. Sleeping late, eating whenever, relaxing...it is heaven. No office calls, nothing. I'm living on two bars...AT&T bars.
In 2013 is was my back. Out for the entire summer recovering. I was just well enough to go to St Croix with a large group who didn't get along. It was a stressful time. Miserable.
Last year was another summer recovering from back surgery. Then a hurried trip to the island that wasn't very relaxing. Had I forgotten the art of vacationing? Where is my cocky swag? Always worry swirling in my mind.
This summer a sick dog kept us home. We nursed Galaxy all summer and she finally died in spite of our efforts to save her. Another summer without our usual travels.
Then we got a call. A spot opened at the campground at Southport. We jumped on it, found a house sitter and too off. We hadn't used the RV for two years.
So here I sit, boxers and tee shirt in a trailer, with no one to answer to, and happy as a lark.
I need to recharge.
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