Grenada

June 8 - 15, 2014

It is difficult for us to believe that we have made it to Grenada and it is the middle of June.  Where has the time gone and where have we been???  We have had such a great adventure:  learned a lot, visited so many beautiful places, met interesting people and stretched ourselves physically and mentally.  After almost 7 months of island hopping we are on overload.  We really can't remember where we were two weeks ago without checking the blog, calendar or Brian's log.  It is definitely time to take a break and come back refreshed.  Oh, and just as surprising, after 2885 miles of full time togetherness, Brian and I are still enjoying each other's company!  

Two men on shore and one in a dingy to accomplish
a Mediterranean docking.  Or in our case: one on
shore, one in a dingy and one leaping from dock
to boat!

We arrived at Port Louis Marina on Sunday and did our first Mediterranean docking.  Thank, God, there were three competent men there to help us.  Mediterranean docking has no finger slips.  The boat is attached to a mooring ball at the bow and the stern is tied to the dock.  It sounds simple enough, but impossible to do with a bow nine feet off the water and high winds.  The guys were great.  Derrick jumped on board from another boat to help me with the lines.  Without saying get out of my way, Lady, he gently took charge and secured us brilliantly.    

Shanti is painting one of the shops.  Standing on a
ladder, cutting in with a paint brush, ear buds in
and his hips never stopped moving.  A happy guy!

Once we were tied down, we couldn't wait to walk around this cute marina.  Our first stop was the marina office to check in.  I have been worrying about what I was going to do with all of the food in my freezer while we are gone for four months.  The electrical power is not very reliable in the islands.  Everyone told me NOT to leave it in my refrigerator.  They guaranteed that we would come back in October to find rotting food and a warm refrigerator.  Even though I thought it was silly to ask the office guys about renting freezer space, I asked.  I couldn't believe one of them had an extra refrigerator and would rent it to me for the cost of electricity!  Plus, he transported it and will bring it to the boat when we return.  

This is our man, Derrick.  Anything we needed he
knew where to find it.

What a relief!  

A series of shops and businesses lined the dockage area.  Each one was painted in  bright Caribbean colors.  Of course, there was a bakery that we had to visit for breakfast and a restaurant by the pool.

It is common to see men carrying 
machetes on all of the southern 
islands.  They are gardening tools
not a weapon. 

Leaving Port Louis Marina we toured St George's.
The fishing boats had just returned to port.

Getting a gentle ride in the Travelift and a quick
cleaning.

On Wednesday we moved to Prickly Bay and anchored near Spice Island Marine.  The yard is highly rated for boat storage, but I would give them a below average grade for communication.  On Thursday Gotta Smile was gently lifted from the water, had her bottom power washed (or as one friend commented "used the boat bidet") and set in the yard well supported and looking very perky.  We stayed on board for two nights to finish projects and cleaning.  Michelle and Randy arrived in Prickly Bay just as we were coming to the marina.  They climbed the ladder for a visit on Friday and again on Saturday to say farewell.   
Hopefully we'll see them in Stuart in October before they take off for the ABC's and the Panama Canal.       

Sitting in the yard, ready to enjoy four months of
relaxation.  

This visit to Grenada was primarily a time to prepare for the haul out: cleaning, polishing and packing.  When we return in the Fall, we plan to explore the island in depth and then head down to Tobago.  Yes, another change in plans.  Tobago is supposed to be beautiful and Trinidad is a good place to resupply for the trip north.  We have waffled back and forth on this since the trip started and will probably continue to do so until the end of October.  Decisions, decisions....which beautiful island to go to next.  Life is tough!

Gotta smile -- we're lovin the ride!