Helia - Running into friends in St Croix

Almost three weeks since many of us arrived in Nanny Cay with the 1500 and a two weeks since the farewell dinner, it was a pleasant surprise to see Otto and Corrine pull up in Black Rose to St Croix Marina in Christiansted.  We had already been in town for a couple days and they were “popping over” for a day before heading back to St Thomas so their friends aboard could fly home.  Already big fans to Helia, Corrine and Otto  secured their rock star status in the eyes of our three girls by giving us the remainder of their bulk package of candy bars left over from the trip from Hampton. Both Helia and Black Rose were still proudly sporting their Caribbean 1500 banners at the first spreader.  We hope to run into more friends from the trip down over the. read more...

Helia - It takes a Family

This is our third day on the same tack and until now almost all of it at 60 degrees apparent. Fast, but living on a constant heel has its challenges…Our shift schedules have changed a bit after my wife Ginny and daughter Ellie (9) recovered from seasickness early on in the trip.Although Ginny and I are still keeping to the 3 hours on - 3 hours off, Ginny takes her watch in the cockpit and then immediately rests on the settee down below, especially between 6pm and when the moon rises each night providing better visibility/perspective.After skipping half of the planned dinners the first few days out due to upset stomachs after sundown, we now have a routine established that includes breakfast, snacks and then an early dinner at 4 pm.Ginny prepped all the meals before we left, so now during. read more...