Thursday, July 25, 2013

The 2013 Dinghy Poker Run

The score board is set













We once again found ourselves in Leverick Bay for the Dinghy Poker Run. This year we were a little more prepared for what was to come, but our armament was still a bucket. We still have not up gunned to the plunger squirt water guns which are so deadly in range and volume.

we are ready!
Another family prepares to go
 
 
 
 
 
 
What a get up! Cool helmet
The party begins
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 We were in early and were the first to register for the event and get our tickets for the celebratory pig roast afterwards. We had improved pirate costumes this year, but some of the get ups were really quite elaborate. As we got together for the participants meeting we were told there would be a helicopter taking pictures of the event. Sure enough just before we started the run everyone got together and a helicopter came in and took pictures of the group. The dinghy run was on! We ran to our boat and started out only to get embroiled in a big water fight.

The participants are ready!

 

Leslie attacks the red boat and takes return fire
Enemy in sight!
 
The wind was blowing 15 kts. down the sound so we would have to work our dinghy to windward of our victim so Leslie could douse them with the bucket. She was quite good at hitting her target, but we found out early throwing into the wind was counterproductive. We also discovered we need to keep away or up wind of the red dinghy as they had the piston squirt cannons and a cooler of ice water!

 

helicopter and boats ahead
The helicopter stayed with us taking pictures on the first leg and they can be seen on the Leverick Bay Resort Face Book page. Also with us the whole way was the Yacht Shots boat. He also took many pictures which can be seen on the Yachtshots web site.
A she pirate!
There were some great costumes!
 
 
 
 
 
We had a great time crashing through the waves into wind to go up the sound to the Sand Box and Saba Rock to pick up cards. At Saba Rock we watched some guys kite surfing. They were pretty good and made it look easy. Of course the winds died when we headed back down the sound after visiting the Bitter End Yacht Club and The Fat Virgin bar and grill. The Fat Virgin was prepared with baskets of hot fries ready and coolers of cold beer off to the side so people were served really fast.
 
Even bartenders got into it
Relax and eat at Saba Rock
 
 
 
 
 
 
The fight never ends!
At the Fat Virgin some got warm
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
who is taking the picture?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Not the best card
Back at Leverick Bay Resort we picked up our last card, were the first team posted, and awaited the results. Our hand was not good, a pair of aces queen high, but we did win last place, a bottle of skull vodka.
Our prize
 
Some kids looked dangerous
Kids had a great time

 


The pig is ready
The pig roast was next, which was all you could eat, and when the sun went down a pair of fire dancers, who also participated in the dinghy poker run, entertained everyone with a great show. Thus ended the 2013 Leverick Bay Dinghy Poker Run with a blaze of flames and a toast to everyone for a great day!
 
 
 
 
The winner recieved a piece of 8 necklass
The fire dances were awesome!
 
 
 
 
 



Thursday, July 11, 2013

Eric, Kelly, and the kids visit




They finally arrive!
Eric, Kelly, Tali, and Cloe arrived 5 hours late in a driving rain storm under gray skies. Fortunately a friend of ours, Wilma, has a car and took us to the airport. While we waited for the kids to arrive, we went and had a lunch at the Emerald resort. Finally the kids arrived and she transported us all to Brewers Bay and our dinghy. The flight was late because almost half way here they experienced a malfunction and so had to turn back and get another plane. It was a poor beginning to a great visit.
Tali feeds the bird
colorful birds

The day after their arrival we went to the Coral World Aquarium and had a great time, and  included petting Sting Rays. We also saw many fish we would later see in the wild. We also had dinner at the Island View Guest House, which as its name implies, has a great view of the harbors of St. Thomas.
The turtles were a big hit
Fish feeding and the Sting Ray














The Sting Ray wants the food

Cloe Likes the fish













Cloe at the beach with her Slurpee
Yahhh the beach!













 The grand kids got a lot of beach time at a number of different beaches and swam off the back of the boat every day. The trampoline is still a big hit, with both girls doing flying jumping leaps in the air.  Tali can swim so well that after the first day she could swim with everyone off the back of the boat without her life vest.
Eric and Cloe at the beach




















Eric in Miss Opportunity
Kelly descends

 We had a number of dives including a wreck of a barge that you can swim through in 90’ of water. There we saw several large Sting Rays and a turtle. Other dives included  reefs and ledges where we saw Sting Rays, big Conch, Moray eels, Lobsters, and an array of fishes and corals.
Eric and Kelly search the bottom



We anchored next to a pirate ship
The kids loved jumping on the trampoline

We sailed to a number of bays including Brewers, Caneel, Maho, the kids favorite beach, Lindbergh, and Honeymoon.   Some were a beat as the winds always seem to come from the east and the final day we got a great run back with the Gennaker. The swimming was warm and Tali did very well snorkeling. Cloe has not mastered that yet and still is using her swim goggles.
Tali Jumps high
Honeymoon beach ropes








 At Honeymoon Beach the kids swung on ropes from trees and got smoothies from the beach bar.


we fly the Gennaker
Captain Tali Bonnet Steers the boat















When the kids weren't in the water they were coloring and drawing.


Kids in the cockpit




water jet board comes by to entertain the kids
Eric prepares breakfast









The visit ended too soon and before we knew it we were anchored in Lindbergh Bay so we could dinghy everyone to shore for showers before we walked to the airport and said our farewells. Once the kids were in the airport we motored around to Brewers Bay and waved to them as they took off for home.