{"id":10000,"date":"2025-06-23T08:39:09","date_gmt":"2025-06-23T12:39:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shearwater-sailing.com\/?page_id=10000"},"modified":"2025-12-23T20:29:22","modified_gmt":"2025-12-24T01:29:22","slug":"2025-june-9-21-virgin-islands-on-board-solar-winds","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/shearwater-sailing.com\/index.php\/2025-june-9-21-virgin-islands-on-board-solar-winds\/","title":{"rendered":"2025 June 9-21 Virgin Islands on board Solar Winds"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>We chartered a family-size sailing catamaran, Solar Winds,\u00a0<\/em>in Compass Point in the US Virgin Islands.\u00a0 Solar Winds\u00a0<\/em>is about the size and shape of a New York apartment. At 800 square feet, it uses space wisely with 3 full bathrooms, 3 queen “staterooms” and one family sleeping area with a queen bedroom and a smaller room with twin bunks for the grandkids.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Flying to the USVI is an easier flight and avoids customs prior to boarding the boat. Everyone arrived with limited flight delays the night before departure.<\/p>\n

Rebecca has captured a rare moment of quiet. The adventure and work sometimes yield moments of calm and beauty.<\/p>\n

The gallery of memories and a special video of the trip are located below. Several moments are worth thinking about:<\/p>\n

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I wonder what Dylan is thinking when he is deep in thought looking off into infinity. He has always shown these special moments of calm and has occasionally shared a few with me.<\/p>\n

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Sierra shows the excitement and happiness that spreads among everyone who shares the moment. She has a special energy and shares it with everyone lucky enough to see her in action.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Every big boat has a small boat we use to go to shore or further explore our anchorages. This tender (dinghies are embarrassed to be called dingy) reliably carried us to and from shore and occasionally provided more excitement than we requested.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Once we finally got to the perfect beach for the day, we jumped in and enjoyed the warm, calm (usually) and happy water. Years of swimming lessons and swim team have made Sierra apparently unafraid and always happy in the water. This image was captured with Miguel’s Go Pro and a special attachment that permits half above and half underwater clear photos.\u00a0 Neat!<\/p>\n

https:\/\/shearwater-sailing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2025-Virgin-Islands.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n

Miguel followed my interest in drones for several years. He is a master flyer, producing the above move filled with art and flavor. I strive for simpler goals. The movie below shows a well know boardwalk surrounding Francis Bay on St. John. The unique part of this boardwark is the natural tunnel formed by the growth in the boardwalk area. This tunnel is similar to the mangrove tunnels in the keys and was “captured” by Homer, the drone gift from Miguel.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/shearwater-sailing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Stu-in-tree-tunnel-Francis-Bay-Homer.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n

St. Thomas is a tourist city with some lovely sections of older and sometimes restored buildings. One common feature of the older areas is the construction, local stone and masonry decorated with materials salvaged from sailing ships of the time. The doors of St. Thomas are made from materials salvaged from these old ships. They are lovely and often works of art.<\/p>\n