Hopetown and Tahiti Beach

It glassed off slick calm last night and the moon is brightening About 0300 we had another ridge of thunderstorms pass through with high winds (42 kts) and blowing rain. I'm getting much faster securing skylights, windows, doors, and portholes. There are nineteen altogether, but the five rear facing are usually safe. Then, following the adrenaline surge of racing to keep the boat dry, I was wide awake to enjoy watching the storm as it passed.

I am extremely pleased with this plow anchor and chain rode setup on this boat. I thought I would be using the Fortress more in the sand: but with the chain, I can use the windlass, and with the line and chain rode on the Fortress, it involves picking up by hand. I think I've made two 360's since being anchored here, including winds and chop from every direction. It is so great to know that the harder you pull, your anchor just buries itself a little deeper.

I asked two of the closest boats if they wanted to ride in Hopetown. Gail, from a neighboring sailboat, rode in with me. I wanted to go into Hopetown to look for the church Ernie and Kaye pastored. I asked someone if they knew where it was, and they said, "Yes, that's where I go." She told me when the morning service was, and I told her that I would see her in the morning. I was less than a block from the church when I asked!

I enjoyed my walk around town. But, I did not go to the lighthouse. I guess I'll wait for Allen to do that.



The canon is by someone's dock up the creek.  I wish I had one at my house!

This afternoon, I went to Tahiti Beach, a favorite with locals and visitors alike. It is a gorgeous sandy beach only exposed at low tide Mercy is feeling much better! She raced up and down the beach bounding joyfully. After she made a deposit, I had her dig a hole about 2 feet deep. Then I put the deposit in the hole and covered the hole back over It is funny how many people must've seen that, because I had people asking me all afternoon how to train a dog to dig a hole. It is part of my "leave no trace" policy. I met some great people on the beach! Mercy met a nice dog too.

Then we returned to the boat while it rained and blew. The wind is shifting now and blowing pretty strong, but the sun is out. This is such a nice anchorage.