Glady's Journal of the Sailing Trip with Wayne and Sue DeWitt

Leverick Bay, Virgin Gorda

Sunday, April 25 - The Caves

Sailed before breakfast for the Baths 7:00 AM. It looked crowded, but we got one of the last moorings. Had breakfast. Larry stayed aboard - good idea, water was choppy, and he would have just been sitting on the beach in the sun. We dinghyed to the middle of three beaches, one Wayne and Sue had not been to before. Snorkeled a bit, but it was not good - no reefs. We went ashore to a beautiful, white sandy beach beneath the giant stones. We discovered that this beach was the site of The Caves. They really weren't caves, but spaces between the enormous (Building size!) granite blocks where one had tipped over and left spaced beneath. One grotto, I think called The Cathedral, was famous for weddings, and one year a bathing suit magazine spread. That spot was just at the shoreline, so the water beneath reflected the occasional sunbeams on the granite walls something like stained glass windows. The way the rocks came together above looked like the ceiling of a church. It was quite dim, but Glady took a picture of Wayne and Sue with her underwater camera. (Came out too dark.) This was a highlight! Unexpected surprise and beauty.

Back to Cooper's Island. We had run out of the usual mixers for the rum. Larry mixed V8 juice with the rum, and announced that he had invented a new drink: "The Well Lubricated Engine." Glady had her own name for the tomato juice concoction: "A Bloody Disgusting." Dinner again at the Beach Club. The Beach Club had the best food of anyplace we went in the BVIs. Glady had the best Mahi Mahi of her life. Larry ordered conch fritters for all.

Monday, April 26 - Back to Tortola, BVI

Waited around for other boats to leave so we could move closer to The Cistern, a good snorkeling place. The day was clear, but windy. Wayne had broken his snorkel, but dinghyed Glady and Sue to the spot. Water was murky from the current, but we saw some great fish. Photo's did not due them justice. After 30 minutes or so, Glady noticed Sue heading toward the boat. Out of film, she followed. Later, Sue said she had seen a couple of very large barracuda, 5 or 6 feet long. Glady accused Sue of leaving her for bait.

On to Roadtown for the last night aboard. Wayne played Buffet's song, "It's been a lovely cruise." Almost made me cry, not wanting the trip to end. The Conch Charters staff dinghyed out to help us dock. We walked to the Prospect Beach hotel for a swim in their big, warm pool, and showers. Had dinner a few feet from the boat at The Pub. Glady once again had lobster. After Wayne and Sue left The Pub, Glady and Larry visited with some people from another boat. The group had returned to sail together many times over the years. Their 60 foot boat had 5 cabins and 4 heads! Luxury. Off season price $3,000 for 10 days.

None of us wanted the trip to end. Said we willingly would have signed on for 10 days more, if we had a shower. It was definitely the most memorable vacation Larry and I have ever had, and we are ready for more!

Marina Cay