Latitudes With Attitude, Chapter 10
Saturday, June 24 Anchored in New Found Harbor
It amazes me what level of discomfort the guys on our crew will endure for a night’s sleep or even a nap. They aren’t even forced into it, but do it simply for convenience.
Faith and Brian were assigned the V-berth upon arrival, but Brian hasn’t slept a night there, preferring the cockpit or a hard deck rather than a comfy mattress next to his mom.
When I woke up this morning, Mike was sitting upright in a swivel chair attempting to sleep. His head bobbed up and down and his right arm jutted out and swayed. Since I awoke and saw him like that, I rolled up my sheet and stowed it, then woke Mike and told him to stretch out in my area for a couple of hours.
My bunk (the settee in the main salon) is not luxurious by any means, but after the captain’s stateroom and the V-berth in the forward stateroom, it’s probably the most comfortable spot on the boat. Close to 7’ long and 2’ wide, it’s been very adequate for me.
Next come three canvas bunks. Capt. Charlie fashioned side supports out of 2” galvanized steel pipe, the ends fitting into rounded slots in a frame he also made. The canvas bunks can be stowed during the day, then unrolled for use.
Last night all three went unused, two of them left stowed away and the third used for duffel bags. Had the guys wanted some semi-comfortable space, the bunks could have been unrolled quite easily.
Three of the guys have been sleeping on seat cushions in the cockpit, always a favorite, and the others have slept directly on the deck. Being as young as they are, I guess they prefer just to crash “as is” rather than spend two minutes rearranging duffel bags to have a proper bunk.
Yesterday we snorkeled first at Western Sambo, which was a nice spot. Nevertheless, the reefs are starting to blend together and I can’t recall anything distinctive about Western Sambo reef.
On the run from the Sambos to Looe Key, we were trailed for several minutes by a pair of dolphins or porpoises. These guys were dark grey with some mottled spots of darker grey. I’m uncertain what species they were. They swam alongside the boat for a while, coming out of the water on their left sides so they could angle their right eyes at us. It’s quite cool to think such smart marine mammals were checking us out.
The second dive of the day, at Looe Key, was more enjoyable than the first one at Western Sambo. Earlier in the day, while cooking lunch, Brian accidentally dropped a can of chile on Mike’s foot, making his little toe a bloody mess. As a result, Mike stayed aboard the boat while Brian joined Faith and me diving at Looe Key.
Faith had been hoping to see another shark so she could capture it on film, but that didn’t occur yesterday. As we swam to the shallows, though, we encountered an angled slab of coral that sheltered a huge lobster. Its tentacles had to be at least 18” long. It hid its body in the formation but clicked the tentacles in front of us as we approached. A second lobster poked out from the base of the formation. Faith took a couple of lobster shots, then we moved on.
We saw several barracuda and a pair of long, thin fish that may have been tarpon, and then Brian spotted a large stingray. He told us later it was several times larger than the one spotted earlier in the week.
The highlight of yesterday’s dives was seeing a lone sea turtle, something I had not seen previously. Using its feet like wings, it seemed to fly among the coral, very graceful.
The last memorable fish I spotted appeared to be wedge-shaped, with a large flat head, probably 8-10” wide, followed by a wide body that tapered quickly to a thin tail. I’m not someone who knows fish, so it would be speculation to say what species it was.
Aside from the major fish spotting, what I’ve enjoyed immensely on these dives has been floating on the surface in the shallows (at least when it’s calm), observing the small fish. Some of them are smaller than my thumbnail, but thrive in the same ecosystem that supports barracudas, stingrays and sharks. The little fish, by and large, are the most beautiful. The coral formations in which they live are so intricate and delicate, an amazing creation.
Greg and Mike both asked me yesterday for some cortisone cream from my first aid kit, as they’ve each developed rashes on their forearms. Faith suggested it could have been from the canvas bunks, sleeping on bare seat cushions or something other that the sun. Capt. Charlie also gave Mike and Greg a bottle of Lidocaine lotion to use. Late in the day, both guys said their arms had improved.
Faith, Brian, Mike and I have done a fair bit of reading on this trip. Mike, Brian and I brought iPods too, so we’ve had tunes for entertainment. Last night Mike played some comedy using his iPod and Brian’s speakers. The Jerry Seinfeld and Jeff Foxworthy skits were funny and suitable, but I did not care for the routine of a comedian named Dane Cook. I’m not a prude, but as I have aged I find cursing to be offensive, particularly those things that are blasphemous or graphically sexual.
The most enjoyable social activity we’ve all taken part in is card playing. The guys attempted to teach me euchre, which I enjoyed. Perhaps I can practice before the big tournament at summer camp.
The other game we learned (I think Greg or Spaz may have taught us) is “31.” The captain in particular seems to delight in knocking the table when he believes his hand will be better than someone else’s hand. It’s a good, fun, easy game I will try to teach my family.
I phoned the woman at the Avis counter in Marathon yesterday to reconfirm our reservations and discuss pickup times for the cars. She said we can get the cars either this afternoon or tomorrow morning. All we have to do is let her know when we want them.
Phoning about the cars is another indication the trip is drawing to a close. We had all looked forward to it so much and, at least for me, it hasn’t disappointed. Yesterday Greg said the highlights for him had been the airboat ride and Monkey Jungle. I guess he just doesn’t care for boats and water. Matt, Todd and Spaz all seem to have enjoyed our cruise, with Matt getting the most of being aboard a sailboat. Mike and Brian also appear to enjoy themselves and are the most expressive about it. That isn’t to say Spaz is not expressive, but his enthusiasm overflows most often when talking about meals or a card hand.
The captain said we could snorkel at New Found Harbor again this morning, then head over to Bahia Honda State Park where the guys could go ashore. I suppose we’ll head back to Faro Blanco some time this afternoon, then start cleaning the boat and getting ready for the trip home. My hope is that the guys really take charge of cleaning the boat, not only so the captain doesn’t have to do it, but also because many hands make light work.
It amazes me what level of discomfort the guys on our crew will endure for a night’s sleep or even a nap. They aren’t even forced into it, but do it simply for convenience.
Faith and Brian were assigned the V-berth upon arrival, but Brian hasn’t slept a night there, preferring the cockpit or a hard deck rather than a comfy mattress next to his mom.
When I woke up this morning, Mike was sitting upright in a swivel chair attempting to sleep. His head bobbed up and down and his right arm jutted out and swayed. Since I awoke and saw him like that, I rolled up my sheet and stowed it, then woke Mike and told him to stretch out in my area for a couple of hours.
My bunk (the settee in the main salon) is not luxurious by any means, but after the captain’s stateroom and the V-berth in the forward stateroom, it’s probably the most comfortable spot on the boat. Close to 7’ long and 2’ wide, it’s been very adequate for me.
Next come three canvas bunks. Capt. Charlie fashioned side supports out of 2” galvanized steel pipe, the ends fitting into rounded slots in a frame he also made. The canvas bunks can be stowed during the day, then unrolled for use.
Last night all three went unused, two of them left stowed away and the third used for duffel bags. Had the guys wanted some semi-comfortable space, the bunks could have been unrolled quite easily.
Three of the guys have been sleeping on seat cushions in the cockpit, always a favorite, and the others have slept directly on the deck. Being as young as they are, I guess they prefer just to crash “as is” rather than spend two minutes rearranging duffel bags to have a proper bunk.
Yesterday we snorkeled first at Western Sambo, which was a nice spot. Nevertheless, the reefs are starting to blend together and I can’t recall anything distinctive about Western Sambo reef.
On the run from the Sambos to Looe Key, we were trailed for several minutes by a pair of dolphins or porpoises. These guys were dark grey with some mottled spots of darker grey. I’m uncertain what species they were. They swam alongside the boat for a while, coming out of the water on their left sides so they could angle their right eyes at us. It’s quite cool to think such smart marine mammals were checking us out.
The second dive of the day, at Looe Key, was more enjoyable than the first one at Western Sambo. Earlier in the day, while cooking lunch, Brian accidentally dropped a can of chile on Mike’s foot, making his little toe a bloody mess. As a result, Mike stayed aboard the boat while Brian joined Faith and me diving at Looe Key.
Faith had been hoping to see another shark so she could capture it on film, but that didn’t occur yesterday. As we swam to the shallows, though, we encountered an angled slab of coral that sheltered a huge lobster. Its tentacles had to be at least 18” long. It hid its body in the formation but clicked the tentacles in front of us as we approached. A second lobster poked out from the base of the formation. Faith took a couple of lobster shots, then we moved on.
We saw several barracuda and a pair of long, thin fish that may have been tarpon, and then Brian spotted a large stingray. He told us later it was several times larger than the one spotted earlier in the week.
The highlight of yesterday’s dives was seeing a lone sea turtle, something I had not seen previously. Using its feet like wings, it seemed to fly among the coral, very graceful.
The last memorable fish I spotted appeared to be wedge-shaped, with a large flat head, probably 8-10” wide, followed by a wide body that tapered quickly to a thin tail. I’m not someone who knows fish, so it would be speculation to say what species it was.
Aside from the major fish spotting, what I’ve enjoyed immensely on these dives has been floating on the surface in the shallows (at least when it’s calm), observing the small fish. Some of them are smaller than my thumbnail, but thrive in the same ecosystem that supports barracudas, stingrays and sharks. The little fish, by and large, are the most beautiful. The coral formations in which they live are so intricate and delicate, an amazing creation.
Greg and Mike both asked me yesterday for some cortisone cream from my first aid kit, as they’ve each developed rashes on their forearms. Faith suggested it could have been from the canvas bunks, sleeping on bare seat cushions or something other that the sun. Capt. Charlie also gave Mike and Greg a bottle of Lidocaine lotion to use. Late in the day, both guys said their arms had improved.
Faith, Brian, Mike and I have done a fair bit of reading on this trip. Mike, Brian and I brought iPods too, so we’ve had tunes for entertainment. Last night Mike played some comedy using his iPod and Brian’s speakers. The Jerry Seinfeld and Jeff Foxworthy skits were funny and suitable, but I did not care for the routine of a comedian named Dane Cook. I’m not a prude, but as I have aged I find cursing to be offensive, particularly those things that are blasphemous or graphically sexual.
The most enjoyable social activity we’ve all taken part in is card playing. The guys attempted to teach me euchre, which I enjoyed. Perhaps I can practice before the big tournament at summer camp.
The other game we learned (I think Greg or Spaz may have taught us) is “31.” The captain in particular seems to delight in knocking the table when he believes his hand will be better than someone else’s hand. It’s a good, fun, easy game I will try to teach my family.
I phoned the woman at the Avis counter in Marathon yesterday to reconfirm our reservations and discuss pickup times for the cars. She said we can get the cars either this afternoon or tomorrow morning. All we have to do is let her know when we want them.
Phoning about the cars is another indication the trip is drawing to a close. We had all looked forward to it so much and, at least for me, it hasn’t disappointed. Yesterday Greg said the highlights for him had been the airboat ride and Monkey Jungle. I guess he just doesn’t care for boats and water. Matt, Todd and Spaz all seem to have enjoyed our cruise, with Matt getting the most of being aboard a sailboat. Mike and Brian also appear to enjoy themselves and are the most expressive about it. That isn’t to say Spaz is not expressive, but his enthusiasm overflows most often when talking about meals or a card hand.
The captain said we could snorkel at New Found Harbor again this morning, then head over to Bahia Honda State Park where the guys could go ashore. I suppose we’ll head back to Faro Blanco some time this afternoon, then start cleaning the boat and getting ready for the trip home. My hope is that the guys really take charge of cleaning the boat, not only so the captain doesn’t have to do it, but also because many hands make light work.
posted by Joe Wollet at 8:52 AM
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