FLORIDA

We have been remiss in posting updates lately, mostly because we have been busy travelling (land based), preparing the boat for hurricane season, and tackling various boat projects; all the while Randy finished up his post-op rotator cuff surgery rehabilitation. When the Captain’s sling finally came off, we all flew back home to Florida and had a spectacular visit with the boys’ grandparents.

Ryan, Jim (GrandpaSir), Lorraine (Nana) and Ronan

The boys enjoyed going to the driving range with their “Grandpa-Sir,” the movies with their Nana, and over all being spoiled by both their grandparents.  As always, we all had a TERRIFIC time!!!

Ronan and Ryan, FL 2017

While in Florida, our youngest crew member, Ronan, had to have his tonsils and adenoids removed. The procedure went smoothly, and he enjoyed all of the recovery ice cream that followed! Regrettably, that means no scuba diving for him for at least the next several months. Once he was cleared to fly, we all returned to the Pilots’ Discretion back in St. Lucia.

Ronan, St. Lucia B-day brunch, 2017

Ryan, Rodney Bay, St. Lucia, 2017

We were thrilled, upon our return, to find our dear friends on M/V Seamantha were still tied up in Rodney Bay Marina. That meant lots of shared adventures ahead.

HIKING DONKEY BEACH ON THE NORTHEAST COAST OF ST. LUCIA (9.37 miles)

Our former Grenada hash (hiking) pals on M/V Seamantha suggested a “short” hike to Donkey Beach on the Northeast coast of St. Lucia. From Rodney Bay Marina (on the west coast of St. Lucia) we hiked across to the eastern side of the island and then headed up the northern coastline.

Ronan, hiking the northeast coast of St. Lucia

Hiking the northeast coast of St. Lucia

Horseback riding in the sea on the northeast coast of St. Lucia hike

Ronan, hiking the northeast coast of St. Lucia

Our hike led us to several peninsulas and across open fields filled with free roaming and grazing horses.

Lone horse & the sea on the northeast coast of St. Lucia hike

John, Ronan & Paulette, on the northeast coast of St. Lucia hike

Horses on the northeast coast of St. Lucia hike

Horses on the northeast coast of St. Lucia hike

Horse and the cacti on the sea on the northeast coast of St. Lucia hike

Horses on the northeast coast of St. Lucia hike

Our hiking buddies logged our hike, and other hikes on St. Lucia, on Wikiloc at: https://www.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?id=18443065

DIVING THE PITONS AND TURTLE REEF ON THE WEST COAST OF ST. LUCIA

After recovering from the arduous hike, we decided to set out with Dive Saint Lucia to explore the famous St. Lucian Pitons from below the sea. The Pitons dive is nick-named the “Superman dive” because of the strong current that runs along the base of the Pitons.

Theresa, Ronan, Ryan & Randy, dive boat, St. Lucia

Ryan, Ronan & Randy heading out on the Dive St. Luicia Boat

Ronan & Captain W., Dive St. Luicia Boat

Ryan, John & Paulette getting ready to do the superman dive at the Pitons in St. Lucia

Randy getting ready to do the superman dive at the Pitons in St. Lucia

Randy, Ryan, John, Paulette, et. al, getting ready to dive the Pitons in St. Lucia

Randy, Ryan, Paulette, John & Dive Master, Pitons, St. Lucia dive

Randy & Ryan, diving in St. Lucia

Coral, St. Lucia

Spiny lobster, St. Lucia

Lion fish, St. Lucia

The second dive of the day was at “Turtle Cay,” appropriately named for the numerous sea turtles that inhabit the reef.

Paulette, John, Ryan & Randy stepping in, Turtle Cay dive, St. Lucia

John (M/V Seamantha) stepping in, diving in St. Lucia

Ryan, stepping in to Turtle Cay dive in St. Lucia

Randy, stepping in, Turtle Cay, St. Lucia

Ryan, diving in St. Lucia

Coral, St. Lucia

Coral, St. Lucia

Ryan & Randy, diving in St. Lucia

Coral, diving in St. Lucia

Coral, diving in St. Lucia

Sea snake, Turtle Reef, St. Lucia

Randy, coming aboard from Turtle Cay dive in St. Lucia

Ryan, exiting Turtle Cay dive in St. Lucia

Paulette, exiting Turtle Cay dive in St. Lucia

John (M/V Seamantha) boarding the dive boat in St. Lucia

M/V Seamantha eventually set off to Martinique. Randy volunteered to tag along as crew (and  for a mini-vacation) in Le Marin. Details on that adventure to follow.