We rented a car and headed for the north coast to find some waves for the day. Jobos is a cool spot, that’s pretty good for beginners, with the only problem being a wicked rip current that does a circle in the bay. Once out to the sand bar, though, it’s a great spot for the kids to catch waves with a little push. We forgot to bring a rash shirt and Ouest was finally forced to call it a day when the skin over her ribs became raw.
The next morning we set off early to round the south-west corner of Puerto Rico. A while before us three sailboats slid out of the harbor. An hour later we were barreling past them as they motored along at 5 knots. Two monohulls and a big catamaran motoring with 8-10 knots of offshore wind coming from just behind a beam reach. They should have easily been sailing 4 knots in these conditions, yet nobody raised a sail.
In case you’re wondering if we miss sailing. “No, not us, we always sail!” they all say.
This guy doesn’t usually get too sick, but he does tend to get knocked out of commission. Passages of any length produce this malaise.
The feeling disappears the moment the anchor is down. We anchored at Gilligan’s Island for a couple of days, all alone, totally protected from the afternoon trades, and sitting on glass at night.
Lowe about to save his sister from Papa Shark.
Ouest doing her impression of Mama—organizing her drawers.
After a couple of days alone we moved further along the coast to Salinas. Salinas has easy access to a good grocery store, and rental cars for a one-hour drive to San Juan. So despite the large number of boats, we came in to get some stuff done.
Like seemingly every protected bay everywhere in the world, derelict boats sit on moorings where they will sit unused for all eternity—a floating junk pile. There are only a handful of boats in the bay with people onboard, or suitable for weekend jaunts.
I’ve been teaching the kids cribbage, but Lowe always loves it when he can get someone to play an imaginary game that he makes up on the go. The rules tend to tilt in his favor.
Exploring the mangroves.
Hurricane wrecks are scattered all over the mangroves. Fascinating stuff for boat kids.
Not sure if I’ve ever shown how we bring the dinghy up at night. Pretty simple one-minute process on this boat. Winch it up and tie it off.
Walking through town you realize quickly that Puerto Rico’s citizens run the economic gamut.
Carnivore. While Ouest tends to avoid meat, when Lowe sees a plate of nachos covered in pulled pork and bacon he is all over it. Hold everything but the meat.
Across the street from lunch we went into the grocery store to grab a few things. It didn’t take long to realize we’d better make this a more productive grocery run. There was no panic buying here, but the crowds were a little disconcerting.
Pretty much a normal stocking up for us—90% supplies for tacos, some cleaning supplies, and some t.p. Check-out took an hour, though.
Good thing there was no wind and waves.
12 Comments on “Coastal Puerto Rico”
We love Puerto Rico. Have a blast.
Lots of beautiful quiet and interesting islands on the Eastern end of PR too, Culebra, Vieques and many small ones. Always able to duck into Fajardo for groceries or visit Rincon for Surfing and beach BBQ scene.
Yeah, Ali and I hit those islands our first time through, and were on our way there again, but the islands are shut down right now. Nobody but locals in and out. We’ll have to wait for things to calm before we can get underway again.
Interesting that they are still using plastic bags for groceries. California markets no longer use those. They have some heavy duty plastic bags that are reusable if you remember them. They charge 10cents each for them. Most people remember to bring their own bags now. (maybe the tan bags that I see are your own reusable bags but some look like regular market bags)
We only had a few of our own bags with us, but when we realized how crazy things were getting we ended up buying a lot more than we set off to. They charge .20 per plastic bag here to encourage you to use your own, and they are thick reusable type plastic.
I grew up on a power boat in the San Juan islands and Canada. We had a single engined gas powered Monk design cruiser with a transom settee where I would always konk out on while we were underway. The sound, vibrations and combination of salty air and spray would put me to sleep until the rpm dropped by 25 rpms then I’d be up, ready for anchor..
That is exactly Lowe. He knows it and just gets up there now.
In an odd twist, the health authorities in CT are asking people not to use their reusable bags but buy new paper bags (plastic outlawed).
Seriously, do not use reusable bags…and BUY new paper bags. Just wow.
We love cribbage! I taught my son to play at about seven; it was amazing how much it helped him with learning addition in his head. My grandson (age 7) loves to make up games with his rules too. And it’s funny how those rules change as the game goes on. LOL
The grocery stores were really bare here last week; but they are starting to come around a little. We are in Detroit. My husband works at FCA, sister and son in law at GM. They are all working from home. I work for an automotive supplier; still in the building. Probably for the duration. All the schools are closed in Michigan.
Still going out for daily walks! This too shall pass…..
Hi Marie, yes the rules are always changing and I always lose. He finds it so funny.
Things have changed so drastically in just a few short days for so many. It shall pass – but I think it is going to be awhile longer… Stay healthy!
My grandmother taught me to play cribbage at about age 5 so that I would learn to add. I got in trouble in first grade when I insisted that nothing that totaled over 31 was permitted in math!