Hike to Annaberg Sugar Mill, St. John

After a couple weeks in the BVI's, we are back in the USA! This is the first time since November that Joli has been in US waters and it feels good to be back.  We arrived in Maho Bay, St. John and used the ROAM app to check in to Customs.  Our friends, Burt and Prue on Exuberant, had suggested we use the ROAM app when we checked in to Maine after a month and a half in Canada last summer.  It really works well.
We have been having lots of fun hanging out with Brenda & Al on Haven and David & Mel on Ar Sgrail.  We took a hike from Francis Bay to the Annaberg Sugar Mill and enjoyed spectacular views along the way and some interesting talks at the sugar mill.  As we were returning, hiking along the road back to Francis Bay, we spotted a large, very bright orange bird flying across the sky into the mangrove swamp.  It was a Scarlet Ibis - quite a sight! See link below.

A Scarlet Ibis Visits St. John

Norman Island & Soper’s Hole

On Friday, Valentines Day, we headed for Road Town, Tortola, to drop Pia off.  She was taking a ferry to St. Thomas to fly to Miami to visit family and friends.  It was a squally day with lots of wind; we had several puffs at 30 knots.  We anchored in Road Town and I stayed on the boat while Bryan and Pia took the dinghy in to check Pia out of customs.  Bryan found out that in the BVI’s, the captain does not have to go to Customs to remove a crew member from the vessel’s manifest, unlike Antigua where it is necessary.  Once another squall had passed (in which we probably dragged anchor a little - I couldn’t tell on the boat but Bryan was getting very anxious watching from shore), we pulled up anchor and headed to Norman Island.  About halfway across the Francis Drake Channel, we were hit with another very strong but brief, squall.  We picked up a mooring ball in the Bight, Norman Island and headed in to the Pirate’s Bight for a delicious lunner.  The next day was squally as well, but we took advantage of sunshine the following day and snorkeled at the caves.  Next, we headed for Soper’s Hole.  Although the grocery store is not yet open after Hurricane Irma, Pusser’s is serving their delicious Painkillers and Lobster Salad.  We also had a very tasty breakfast at Omar’s.

Cooper Island Beach Club

After a short but beautiful jib only reach from Trellis Bay, Tortola to Manchioneel Bay, Cooper Island, we picked up a BoatyBall mooring at 10:30 on Wednesday, 2/12/20.  When we got on-line to pay for the BoatyBall, we found that it, as well as all the BoatyBalls in Manchioneel Bay, were already reserved.  We quickly moved to a Cooper Island Beach Club mooring since they were filling up quickly, too.  It turns out that if you want a BoatyBall, especially at Cooper Island, you better be on-line and ready to reserve it at 7 am!  The other option is to get to Cooper before 11:00 am to get one of the CBC balls.  We enjoyed the next few days relaxing, hiking and eating & drinking at the Cooper Island Beach Club.  If your cruising schedule allows it, I highly recommend a stop here!