put-in-bay

When I was younger I used to go sailing with my parents at least three weekends every summer. But as I got older I loved the weekends my parents would sail away because it meant I had the house to myself. I swear, I never had parties mom, just small "get togethers."

So when my parents invited Rob and I to go sailing with them this weekend I was pretty excited. I have loved Put-In-Bay (party island in the middle of Lake Erie) since they first brought me there at the age of fourteen (bad parents!) Rob has been once with myself and my dad when we did Shakedown in 2012 (race to the island, then race to the bar). On Friday night we loaded up the boat and set sail with fingers crossed that the rain would hold off. Unfortunately we did get a little wet, but nothing to cry about. We docked at Pelee Island (known for their wine) for the night and enjoyed a dinner of shrimp and scallops, washed down with Pelee Island Lighthouse Chardonnay.

We were up bright and early to have breakfast. The day before I made peanut butter and banana sandwiches with chocolate chips and wrapped them in tin foil. We popped them onto the hot grill in their foil wrappers and toasted them up. I can't tell you how delicious these are! You could also throw the foiled sandwiches into the coals of a campfire for the same toasty, goo-ey, wonderfulness!

The sail to Put-In-Bay was just beautiful and we enjoyed a quick lunch before heading onto the island. The boat was on a mooring ball in the harbour so we took the water taxi onto the island.

The island was hectic. It was Christmas in July and everyone and their brother was at the Bay. Drunk Santas, elves, and Mrs Clauses were stumbling all over the street and it was only 2:00pm. We decided to avoid the maddness and rented a golf cart to cruise around the island. We then ducked into Frosty's (my favourite bar) and headed to the new patio for some frozen mojitos and beer. After getting smoked out (I forgot how many people smoke in the States), we headed to Tippers for all you can eat prime rib, another PIB favourite. The liquor was flowing and we witnessed an almost bar restaurant fight. No shortage of action on this trip. 

It had started cooling down a bit so we headed back to the boat to get some warmer clothes. And then back to the island to do some people watching and get ice cream cones.

A guy was walking around with a big sign that said "Love Doctor" on one side and "Wanted: One Night Stand - Females Only" on the other. He saw us taking a picture and thought we needed his prop.

One last trip on the water taxi. We spent the rest of the night playing Monopoly (one of Friday's yard sale finds). Dad won, as per usual. 

We had a great sail (well we motored because there was no wind, but the weather was beautiful) back to Kingsville on Sunday. It was nice to get away with my parents. But next time, we will make sure we go to Put-In-Bay when it's a little less wild.

sundays, sailing, sunsets

Saturday I went for a chill sail with some people I had met at the Cruising Club. We were sitting on the deck having some sundowners when the vice commador came over to ask if we racing the next day. Being the smart ass I am, I said "I'll race if you have a fast boat." Luckly, he did. "Silver Bullet" just so happens to hold the record for the Round Barbados Race sponsored by Mount Gay Rum. The boat is pretty cool and like nothing I've raced before. But I have to say I was pretty sore for a few days after the race... It's been a while since I've trapezed, let alone trapezing for 3.5 hours straight.

We got back to shore before most of the boats had finished so we enjoyed some rum punches to celebrate our victory. After attempting to stream the FIFA finals at the club (to no avail), we headed to a friend's house to catch the final minutes. While the game ended fantastically, the view from James' apartment couldn't be beat.

sunday sail

There was a sailing regatta in Barbados this past weekend and I pulled out all the stops trying to find a boat for my Dad and I to race on. I talked to every sailor I knew, emailed the yacht club, and even had my information forwarded to the entire yacht club roster ... but to no avail. Unfortunately, sailing season in Barbados is coming to an end and most of the yachts have been taken out of the water or have sailed on to different ports. As disappointed as we were, we still had plans to spend Sunday on the water.

We booked a catamaran cruise on Cool Runnings. Unfortunately I was a bit lazy with my camera but I snagged a few pics from my dads. It was just nice to relax, lay on the trampoline, and enjoy the sun. Surprisingly enough, I haven't had much time to just lay outside and tan, so I definitely enjoyed soaking up some rays.

This trip was similar to the Jolly Roger cruise, with a bit more relaxation involved. We stopped to swim with the turtles. There were actually quite a few more turtles at the place we stopped this time then with the Jolly Roger. They looked quite a bit younger as well. We then headed to another spot to snorkel at a ship wreck. I sat this one out and just relaxed while everyone admired the little fishies.

We then anchored in a little bay where we had a great buffet lunch: chicken, king fish, macaronie pie (obviously), salad, potato salad, rice, and bread. The baked chicken was delicious! After digesting for a little while Dad and I swam to shore to check out the beach. I beat him to the beach (he might not have known we were racing...)

 And then I decided I wanted to climb the big coral rock. Dad stood by with the camera telling me I was going to regret it the whole time, joking that he would have to get the first aid kit when we got back to the boat. He was only partially right. It did hurt like hell, coral is sharp. But no major injuries to speak of!

 Ouch. I think I'm noticing that I cut my knee at this point. And then laughing about it? Who knows.

 On top of the world.

 "Okay Dad, you can stop taking pictures now."

We swam back to the boat and I treaded water for another half hour or so talking to some people that were visiting Barbados from Greece. From one paradise to another, now that's the life.

After sailing back to shore, Dad napped for the afternoon and I read a book by the pool. I love Barbados weekends!