Monthly Archives: September 2016

Invest 97L becomes named Tropical Storm Matthew – by Theresa

Update: Earlier today, Invest 97L became named Tropical Storm Matthew. Winds are currently at 60 mph and it is heading west at 21 mph.

Invest 97L becomes named Tropical Storm Matthew

Tropical Storm Matthew headed our way (our position is indicated by the blue dot on the map above)

It is eerily quiet out side at the moment, perhaps the calm before the storm. We are all hunkered down and waiting for the arrival of Matthew. The storm is still 120 miles out, but history has shown that tropical storms are notoriously unpredictable. Some of our dock mates have dismissed the likelihood of any significant impact here as Mathew has taken a slightly more northern track. We do not intend to let our guard down until he is well past Grenada. We have some very good friends whose 55′ Californian Motor Yacht was cut in two by a monohull sailboat that had not prepared for an approaching storm in Florida, broke loose from her mooring and rammed “Wings” at a 90 degree angle, damaging her beyond repair. Our policy has been and will remain, prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Fortunately the boats directly to our port and starboard share our view and seem well prepared.

We were going to write about our experience at the boat yard but the very real likelihood of an encounter with a tropical weather system has changed all of that! – by Randy

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We shared our great experience at Mount Cinammon Resort while our boat was being hauled in our last post. Our plan was to utilize this post to share our experiences with the boat yard. Sometimes the best laid plans have to be altered due to some unforeseen event. What will likely become Huricane Matthew in the next week is just such an unexpected surprise for folks in the Southern Caribbean.

Tropical Storm Matthew approaching the eastern Caribbean

This time of year, the West Coast of Africa spits off massive amounts tropical energy known as waves and a lot of these waves develop into tropical storms. Due to a number of meteorological reasons, most of the systems that turn into tropical storms make a more northward turn towards the Greater Antilles chain of islands, leaving folks like those of us in Grenada in the clear. Not so this time! The best forecast models available are showing that what the National Hurricane Center is now calling Invest 97L will likely develop into Hurricane Matthew. They are predicting a track that will place it just slightly north of Grenada when he passes.

Invest 97L approaching the Lesser Antilles. We are right in the predicted cross hairs

The hurricane experts are estimating that Matthew will not gain hurricane strength until after he is northwest of the Spice Island. That is good news for us but it is by no means a certainty so all of the prudent mariners in our neighborhood are kicking their hurricane preparations into high gear. A number of Mega Yachts, including Steve Jobs’s 257′ “Venus,” have arrived today with an unscheduled stop at the Port Louis Marina seeking the security of the most stoutly constructed docks within several hundred miles.

Ronan & Ryan in front of Venus, Port Louis Marina, Grenada

For our part, we have taken our antennas down, added additional mooring lines and fenders, taken our dinghy out of the water and secured it to our tender lift with multiple stainless steel straps.

Preparing for the storm

Once we accomplished all of that, we had drills to make sure the entire crew knows the routine to get off the boat safely should the need arise when the weather system arrives. As this is being written at 3:45pm, the weather has begun a subtle change. It has been unusually hot and still today with very light breezes. Just in the last hour or so the breezes have begun to stiffen, making it extra challenging for all of the last minute arrivals as they are trying to maneuver into the remaining open slips to ride out the storm.

Port Louis Marina staff wrestling with arriving sailboat as the winds pick up

We will post a follow up to our story as conditions and opportunity allows.

MOUNT CINNAMON RESORT – by Theresa

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A couple of weeks ago we had our boat hauled out of the water for general, annual maintenance. During the time the work was being performed on Pilots’ Discretion we opted to treat ourselves to a stay at the luxurious Mount Cinnamon Resort and Spa. From the moment we arrived, we were made to feel like family returning home. Jesma, at the front desk, greeted us with an infectious smile and escorted us, via golf cart, to our two (2) story, two (2) bedroom, two (2) bathroom, and two (2) balconied villa.

Mount Cinnamon Resort villa, Saint Georges, Grenada

Mount Cinnamon Resort luxury villa, Saint George’s, Grenada

Upon entering, one’s eyes could not help but be drawn to the spectacular panoramic view of the turquoise blue waters of St. George Harbor, and the white sand, palm tree-lined crescent Grand Anse Beach stretched out down below.

Upper balcony view, Mount Cinnamon Resort villa, Saint George’s, Grenada

While the boys were ecstatic with the spaciousness of the villa, they were elated, equally so, by the deliciousness of the welcome pastries (delivered, much to their delight, every subsequent evening)!

R&R spreading their wings

Master suite lower level balcony

Mount Cinnamon Resort villa, St. George’s, Grenada

Mount Cinnamon Resort Villa, St. George’s, Grenada

Homeschooling on the balcony, Mount Cinnamon Resort, St. George’s Grenada

The welcome arrival, and daily evening pastry delivery, is like Mom’s home cooking!

As spacious as the villa was on the inside, the impeccably manicured grounds outside seemed also, to go on forever. While golf carts were available to take you anywhere on the property, we relished strolling through the tropical gardens taking in the vibrant colors and exotic scents.

Impeccably manicured grounds

Even our car park had a great view!

The array of available activities likewise seemed never-ending! Ryan and Ronan enjoyed sharpening their shuffle board and croquet skills, and even challenged Mom to a lawn chess match.

R&R Shuffleboard

Ronan playing croquet, Mount Cinnamon Resort, St. George’s, Grenada

Ryan playing croquet, Mount Cinnamon Resort, St. George’s, Grenada

1. e4 – Your move Mom

There was ping-pong and beach volleyball, both in the shade of the palm trees.

Ping pong in the shade on the beach, Mount Cinnamon Resort, St. George’s, Grenada

And, as if living on a boat didn’t give the boys enough time on the water, we could hardly keep them away from the all included water activities.

Ryan tackles the stand up paddle board, Mount Cinnamon, Grand Anse Beach, Grenada

Ryan tackles the stand up paddle board, Mount Cinnamon Resort, Grand Anse Beach, Grenada

Ronan paddles out to join his brother, Mount Cinnamon, Grand Anse Beach, Grenada

Ronan paddles out to join his brother, Mount Cinnamon Resort, Grand Anse Beach, Grenada

Ronan catching a wave on his stand up paddle board, Grand Anse Beach, Grenada

The boys put their sailing lessons to use taking the Hobie Cats out in the ever blowing trade winds. Randy also went out sailing with them, while Patton and I enjoyed some quiet time on the beach (yes, Mount Cinnamon is dog friendly!!!)

R&R taking the Hobie Cat out for a sail on Grand Anse, Grenada, Grenada

R&R heading out on the Hobie Cat, Grand Anse Beach, Grenada

Sailing the Hobie Cat, Grand Anse Beach, Grenada

Ryan and Ronan getting ready to take Randy out sailing on the Hobie Cat, Grand Anse Beach, Grenada

Ryan, Randy, and Ronan getting ready to go out on the Hobie Cat, Mount Cinnamon Resort, St. George’s, Grenada

Ronan and Ryan taking Randy out on the Hobie Cat, Mount Cinnamon Resort, St. George’s, Grenada

Patton relaxing on the beach, Mount Cinnamon Resort, St. George’s, Grenada

With all the activities, the boys worked up quite the appetites. The two on premises restaurants served up amazing cuisine.

Lunch at Savvy, Mount Cinnamon Resort, St. George’s, Grenada

General Manager Mark Kitchen introducing the Mount Cinnamon management team

On Wednesdays, General Manager Mark Kitchen hosts a poolside meet and greet cocktail hour to introduce the Mount Cinnamon Resort management team and staff. It is readily apparent that this team is a cohesive unit working hard to ensure their guests have a great experience while at Mount Cinnamon, which we surely did.

On Friday evenings, Savvy hosts a beach bonfire dinner under the stars. Feet in the sand, we listened to Caribbean calypso and steel pan drums. Graham crackers, marshmallows and Grenadian chocolate are provided to all for delicious, mouth-watering s’mores.

Friday night, blazing beach side bonfire, Mount Cinnamon Resort, Grand Anse Beach, St. George’s, Grenada

Savvy is also available for special “private” dining occasions. Our stay at Mount Cinnamon coincided with Randy’s and my anniversary. Chef Kareem, and the team at Mount Cinnamon did an outstanding job making our anniversary a romantic and special day to be remembered!

The Mount Cinnamon Resort team preparing the flower pedal walkway to the anniversary dinner at Savvy, private beach side-waterfront-sunset, dinner for two, St. George’s, Grenada

Putting the finishing touches on the flower pedal heart for the private beachside-waterfront-sunset, dinner for two, Mount Cinnamon Resort, St. George’s, Grenada

Happy Anniversary

Private beachside, waterfront, sunset, anniversary dinner for two, Mount Cinnamon Resort, St. George’s, Grenada

Anniversary dinner at Savvy, private beachside-waterfront-sunset, dinner for two, Mount Cinnamon Resort, St. George’s, Grenada

Eight days after she was hauled, the Pilots’ Discretion was safely back in the water, maintenance items complete and our brief landside stay at Mount Cinnamon Resort was over. We truly cannot say enough good things about Mount Cinnamon Resort. Whether you are taking a break from life aboard your boat or you need some really special accommodations for visiting guests, Mount Cinnamon gets our highest recommendation.

SUMMER IN GRENADA, SEASON 2 – by Theresa

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Leaving the Tobago Cays astern, cruising just outside of the exclusionary zone for the underwater volcano, Kick ’em Jenny, we spotted Grenada, our summer home port for our second hurricane season, immediately on the horizon. We cruised down the leeward side of the island, past the small fishing village of Gouyave, and into our summer home port in St. Georges harbor.

Cruising by Kick-Em-Jenny submerged volcano exclusion zone

Approaching Grenada

Storm passing over Gouyave, St. John, Grenada

Pilots' Discretion cruising in to St. Georges, Grenada

Pilots’ Discretion cruising into St. Georges harbor, Grenada

After clearing immigration and customs, we hoisted the courtesy flag of our host nation.

Ryan taking down the quarantine flag and hoisting the courtesy flag, Grenada

Ryan hoisting the courtesy flag, Grenada

While we endured typical Grenada passing showers on the day we arrived, we had many sunny days ahead of us. With school out for the summer, the boys immediately set out looking for some summer fun and adventures. Since this is our second summer in Grenada (see A Day in the Life of Grenada, 2015/08/02), we were already familiar with the lay of the land. We did not miss a beat getting back into the swing of the weekly, often wet and muddy, but always scenic and fun hikes (a.k.a. “hashes”).

Ronan rope action, hiking in Grenada

Ryan crossing the stream hiking in Grenada (no use even trying to keep those shoes dry!)

Ronan and Ryan hiking in Grenada … just a little muddy. The shredded paper marks the trail.

The beginning of the hash

Hashing in Grenada

Always scenic, hashing in Grenada

This guy hikes with his monkey

Ronan taking in the view on the hash in Grenada

Ryan and Ronan leading Marilyn, Paulette and Theresa in to the finish, 1st hash of the season, Grenada

Ronan, Sam, Ryan, Aaron, Josh and Eli finish the hike in Grenada (yep, more mud!)

There are a lot of other ‘kid boats’ riding out the hurricane season in Grenada, so much so, the boat kids have their own morning net on the VHF radio to communicate and organize events. The ‘Kids Organized Society’ (KOS, pronounced K-os, or chaos) meets weekly at Secret Harbor for a variety of fun activities.

Kids Organized Society (“KOS”), Secret Harbor, Grenada

KOS volleyball, Secret Harbor, Grenada

In the spirit of the 2016 Olympic games, the kids came together on Calabash Beach, Prickly Bay, for a mini-Olympics. There were relay races, three-legged races, swimming competitions and the ever popular tug-of war!

Ready, set, go!

: Mini-Olympics, Ronan tagging off in the relay races in Grenada

: Mini-Olympics, Ryan tagging off in the relay races in Grenada

Mini-Olympics, three legged race in Grenada

Mini-Olympics, tug-of-war in Grenada

Ronan and Ryan on the GYC dock

The boys spent most of the summer at the Grenada Yacht Club sailing camp. Since this was their second summer attending the camp, they were afforded greater responsibility for rigging and de-rigging the boats. They also helped teach the new, younger sailors the points of sail and how to read the wind and water. (See last years’ post on Camp Grenada, 2015/08/07)

Grenada Yacht Club, St. Georges, Grenada

Sailing in St. Georges, Grenada

Ronan sailing

Ryan derigging the mosquito

Working together to put the sails away

Another fun adventure we enjoyed this summer was a river tubing birthday party!

Tubes, Grenada

Ronan and Ryan getting ready to go tubing, Grenada

Ronan getting on the water

And they’re off

Rapid fun

Ronan on the river

Ronan

Gently down the stream

Fun on the rope swing after tubing down the river

Tubing

The summer has not been all fun and games. We have accomplished a great many ‘boat projects’ this summer, with more on the horizon. Next week we are having the boat hauled out of the water so that we can have her bottom painted along with some additional projects that are best achieved with the boat on the hard. We will ride out the boat haul at one of our favorite places in Grenada, Mount Cinnamon Resort. More to follow on that in our next post …

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Chronicling one family's dream of cruising the Caribbean in their own boat

Monthly Archives: September 2016

Invest 97L becomes named Tropical Storm Matthew – by Theresa

We were going to write about our experience at the boat yard but the very real likelihood of an encounter with a tropical weather system has changed all of that! – by Randy

MOUNT CINNAMON RESORT – by Theresa

SUMMER IN GRENADA, SEASON 2 – by Theresa

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