December 9 2000
It was a long time on the hard but we all survived and the boat is looking quite dapper if I do say so myself.  I am writing you from Hawksnest-cove off St. John in the US Virgin Islands.  It is a quiet little cove with one other boat and a beautiful white sand beach. The diving is very good considering we have two children just learning and have to be on top of things at all times, but it is wonderful to see the children grow and learn.  They have matured 10 fold since our leaving Redding and their feet have grown about that much too!  It is a good thing that they caught two large fish in the past two days as diving really brings on the excessive appetites!

Jamie and Brad Rix from Redding have been visiting this past week and, as always when we get together, there is lots of great food and drink.  The days are counted not by their proper names, but instead by elk filets.  Filet minion, red snapper, Creole fish stew — you get the picture.  In between eating, we sailed and scuba dove the little islands around St. Thomas and St. Johns.  Eagle rays, sting rays, turtles, barracuda, and an abundance of reef fish were spotted and then identified back at the boat.  In the eve, out went the fishing poles.  The first catch by yours truly was in the middle of the night.  Allowed the honor, only because I happened to be up writing, I worked at this fish for a half hour before I called in fisherman Rix to the rescue.  All thinking it was just a ray by its aberrant movements, we were pleasantly surprised to see a rather large edible fish at the end of the line.  Jim, in his birthday suit, was the gaffer.  Jamie and I, with not much more on, were the identifiers.  Brad, in a pair of golf shorts, stood their shaking his head, monitoring the situation so the fish was the only one gaffed!  Quite a sight if you happened to be watching, I am sure!  After a long deliberation, we decided it was a large dog toothed snapper and all went to bed.

The next night was Chris’ turn.  This time before bedtime!  He landed a jack of sorts.  There is still deliberation as to who’s fish was the largest as both were eaten the day after their execution.  I suppose the competition will be like the presidential race until the next catch occurs.  However big and whatever it was, it made a great fish Creole, spicy enough for any good Cajun.  Thanks to my sister-in-law, D’Lane for the spices and cooking lessons!

For all you future salty dogs we have had a slight change of plans.  Since we were in Trinidad for so long, we have decided to spend another season in the Caribbean so we can explore more of the islands.  Most likely, we will also head down to French Gahanna and the northern coast of Brazil before passing through the Panama Canal February 2001.  This will also give many friends time to visit and the boys a chance to get their diving skills down for the really good stuff in the pacific.

Now in St. Thomas, it is time to send this off.  Sorry I have not updated in so long.  I have tried to leave little tidbits of information in the guest book along the way.  I will try to be timelier in my updates now that time is a bit more abundant, but no guarantees!