Round and Round we go
Lennie and I have been traveling monthly to the boat. After the haul out in Puerto Rico we headed straight back to St. Thomas, and just in time as PR locked down again. So… around St. John we go. For years we were always on the move and one of the most common questions was “why so fast”. We would arrive at an island, drop anchor, rent a car, circle the island, find a beach bar, scuba dive and off we went. To California and back – always in a rush. It’s our style and we like it that way. Now it’s different. We just finished our seventh lap around St. John, we have had over 20 dives and toured each beach and old plantation and hiking trail. We have eaten at every restaurant several times and tried almost everything on the menu. I mean we know this place well. We even joke with friends that we have scuba dove so many times in the same place that we have named the fish! Yes, it’s great to get to know a place. It’s what most people do. As much as we have enjoyed and embraced this island, we are gearing up for our time to leave.
BVI Love?
The BVI is still closed. No, don’t argue with me and say they are open. They opened on December 1st with their BVI Love campaign but with restrictions so tight I don’t see Americans willing or able to abide by them. The proof was in the fact that on New Year’s Eve the bay at Soggy Dollar and Foxy’s was EMPTY. Not a boat. So much for their reopening plan. On December 27th we sailed around the West side of St. John and saw a total of three sails in the entire Sir Francis Drake channel. Guess we can’t go there.
April is crunch time
We can’t do another summer in St. Thomas and risk the storms, so now we have to plan. If we get vaccinated (yes we will take them and be first in line with our arms out once they are available to us) and can prove it we could island hop down to Grenada. That sounds great. If those islands are still not accepting visitors, we could sail north to Bermuda and over to the East coast for fall. We have never sailed that area so it would be great to see it, but then it’s another run back to the Caribbean in winter and maybe the islands will all be open? Eventually we will head west and toward the Pacific again but for now these are hopes and dreams.
Interview
Recently we did a Warrior Watch interview with Ben Poucher, the program leader of Warrior Sailing and the link is below. I am sharing this because Ben asked a lot of questions about us and our sailing and history of our boats etc. For some of you this might answer some of your questions so please let us know if you liked it.
We hope you all have a great 2021 and can live your best life!
Manson Boze
Happy New Year guys!
happytogether
Happy New Year Manson!!
Bob & Pam
Happy New Year, Lennie and Randy! The BVI’s have now announced March 1 as “Opening Day.” And I’m with you, first in line for the vaccine when we can get it!
happytogether
HI Bob, I think their opening will be similar to the last one and no one will go. I am not wearing a tracking bracelet or quarantining for 4 days. I think the vaccine will help but each island nation needs to enact a protocol to accept vaccinated people with no restrictions. The moment they do that we can start cruising again. The vaccinations are coming. Thank goodness! Nice to hear from you hi to Pam for us. Randy
Scott McKenzie
Just returned from the BVI 2 week charter with Horizon. The 4 day quarantine was easy, we just sailed around Norman and Peter, swam, snorkeled at the Caves and the Indians, enjoyed cooking on the grill. On day 4 we went back to Nanny Cay, got our second test, results on Day 5 and we were free to go anywhere. The GPS trackers just stayed on the boat while we swam and snorkeled. It really wasn’t an issue at all.
happytogether
Hi Scott, That is great and you are the first people to tell us that. 2 weeks helped I am sure. I hope they all get vaccinated soon and everything gets back to normal. We miss the BVI’s dearly. Thanks for the note!
Anja & Don
Hi Randy and Lennie, I believe the main issue for the islands and inoculated people being allowed to travel is that the inoculation doesn’t prevent you from catching and being a virus carrier, only reduces the severity hence until their own populations are inoculated it would be an unwise decision to relax their precautions. It will be a political/financial reason not medical that results in any country opening sooner. We have been caught out by this virus having left our boat in Borneo to return home for a few months at the end of 2019 and are still unable to return. As Doris Day so joyfully sang “Que Sera Sera”. All the best from svKekada.
happytogether
Hi Anja and Don, Thanks so much for your note. Our scientists have now said you can’t spread it once vaccinated but they change their tune frequently so caution is key. I am hoping the Caribbean gets their vaccinations rolled out soon so they can enjoy the tourism and we can enjoy their beautiful countries. I hope you can get back to your boat soon! Great song. I grew up with it!
Elaine and Vlad
Happy New Year Guys! Is always great to hear news from you! We miss you guys. Hope we can crop path again in the near future 🙂 Fair wins and following seas
Hugs
Elaine & Vlad
happytogether
Hi Elaine and Vlad, Nice to hear from you,. Hopefully we can meet at Annapolis boat show in October….Fingers crossed!!
Elaine and Vlad
Happy New Year Guys! Is always great to hear news from you! We miss you guys. Hope we can cross path again in the near future 🙂 Fair wins and following seas
Hugs
Elaine & Vlad
Joaquin and Diana
The wife and I have been following your video’s and blogs since you started. We are finally getting a boat of our own and are headed to St. Thomas on Valentine’s day to meet our new FP47 currently enroute from France. We’ll be taking our boat out for a spin around the USVI’s for a couple of weeks. What are your favorite anchorages and restaurants in St Thomas and St John? Any suggestions for St. Croix? We’d love to meet up with you if you are in town.
happytogether
Hi Joaquin and Diana, Thanks so much and so glad you have enjoyed our videos!! We love St John and there are about 7 anchorages around the island that are ALL great. Honeymoon Beach, Hawksnest, Maho, Waterlemon, Coral Bay, and our favorite is Lamashur! As far as restaurants, Lime in, Lovango Rum Bar, The terrace, Joes Rum hut and many others! Let us know when you are there in case we are in town. Randy
Randy DiDonato
Hey guys,
Happy new years.
I know the feeling, 3 days and I’m ready to move! Stuck in Colorado during the “situation”. Actually glamping with the grandkids in Moab UT tonight.
Randy the Tile Meister
happytogether
HI Randy, Nice to hear from you. Have fun with those grandkids!!!! Randy
Phillip Baldwin
Happy New Year Guys! Loved the Warrior Sailing live feed by the way. I sure hope things begin to open up for you soon. Being a healthcare worker and in the Army I’m now vaccinated x 2 so all good there. Anita and I are getting really excited and anxious now we are 3 months out from delivery of the boat. Maybe we will see you in a anchorage or marina one day soon.
happytogether
Hi Phillip! Thanks so much for your note! We miss seeing you at the shows…..We are thinking we might sail HT back to the states for Hurricane season this year as the Caribbean doesnt seem to be opening up. Keep in touch and send pics of your boat. Look forward to seeing you soon! Thanks for your service!!!! Randy
Andrew and Andi
Hi Randy and Lennie! Thanks for all your updates- good to see you’re still getting out there. We really appreciate the restaurant and Anchorage recommendations.
Like the other couple above, we’re going to be meeting our New boat, an FP50, in STT next week… Boats are probably on the same freighter 🙂 Hopefully get to meet you out there sometime. Always look to learn from others on how and what they’ve done for upfitting on their boats. Our SV name is Après Ski…
Fair winds and be well! Andrew and Andi
happytogether
HI Andrew and Andi, well the good thing is we appreciate Apres Ski and just returned from our house in Park City Utah where we ski’d for a week! We are going back to St John and sailing north to the Chesapeake for the summer. We will head back to the Caribbean when its “really” open! Randy
Andrew Dinitz
Great on Après Ski! Always a good time. Love Utah skiing- spend most time up in VT because it’s close. Hopefully get a few weeks of spring skiing in- certainly a good base!
We’re going to leave Après Ski in the VI fro the next few years and sail/race the monohull in Long Island Sound.
Chesapeake is such a great place- love Annapolis. So many cool little spots on the Eastern Shore.
Would love to talk tech with you at some point. Planning an upfit in 5 years, before we head out on a circumnavigation.
A&A
happytogether
HI Andrew, Thanks so much for your comment. We are looking forward to head north end of this month. The French islands just locked down to tourism again today so not a great time to cruise the Caribbean. Looking forward to more skiing and sailing in the northeast!
Randy
Sandra Watkins
Happy New Year to both of you, happy sailing to you both your still enjoying your beautiful Catamaran “Happy”. Yep bring on the vaccine can’t wait so we can all be together again. Even thou we are doing very well in Australia there is
always a case of covid and we shut down and quarantine for days and weeks and then we get
its under control.
happytogether
Hi Sandra! Thanks for your note and yes my arm is ready for vaccine and a travel passport!! Randy
David Avayou
Hey Randy, we have bumped into one another numerous times in the BVI, Nanny Cay, and the Airport in Puerto Rico. We bought a Leopard 50 through The Moorings. Our boat has been unreachable for over a year and we are considering taking her out of charter and just sail until we can’t sail no more. I have a bunch of questions for you about outfitting and if you have recommendations for getting some work done in the USVI. I’m not sure this is the best way to reach you but you can contact me at the email below.
Thanks
Captain David
happytogether
Hi David, Thanks I sent you an email…..
Ed n Kristi G.
Lennie and Randy,
Love the vid. We still miss you two on tube each week. Would love to get involved in warrior sailing when we get out boat. I’m a veteran too. Hope you both are well!
Wind at tour back and following seas,
Cheers!
happytogether
HI Ed, thanks for your service!!! Stay in touch. Randy
Richard Chassé
Hi guys!! Long time since we’ve heard from you. Nice to see you are still out there doing it. Bravo‼️ Should you decide to go “down east,” specifically to Maine, I have sailed those waters for over 20-years and can share some great places to see…….out of the tourist go toos. Like a great place to anchor for the night in 20′ of water, dive right there and bring up sea scallops. Have them cooked in butter and garlic and in your tummy within 1-hour after the hook is set. ?✌️✨??✅. Just let me know when you get closer to the time. No good right now….too freakin cold. ??❄️?
.
Richard
happytogether
Hi Richard, Thanks and nice to hear from you. Hmmm Maine may be too far this summer but we plan on cruising down east at some point and will appreciate you help!
Brad & Ginnie Daws
Hi Lennie and Randy,
We have watched your videos ( loved them!) we took the plunge and purchased a Leopard 50. We would love to re-create your trip to Cape Town and watch our boat being built and try and do the safari adventure you both experienced. Would you allo us to communicate directly so that we may pick your brains for ideas. Thank you in advance for your consideration. Brad & Ginnie
happytogether
Hi Brad and Ginnie, Congrats to you on the 50! for sure email us at [email protected] and we can share some stuff to help your visit!
Randy