Tag: Boqueron

Boqueron April 25

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I spent this morning doing laundry in the Sputnik, our hand-crank washing machine, while Mike did a tune up on Mighty Mouse’s engine after his rescue yesterday.   We met up with Chuck, Lolin, and some other mutual friends, Patty and John from S/V Ahinga and Terry from Galloway’s Restaurant, at 5:00pm and drove up to Chucks home.  His house sits on a hillside lot surrounded by 300 acres of farmland.   The views are spectacular and we looked out over the verdant hills and farmland to Boqueron harbor and North to Puerto Real.    We watched the cattle grazing below his home and listened to the calls of numerous birds and watched a majestic peacock foraging under one of the many mango trees that abound here.    Lolin said that, occasionally they see monkeys.  There are 3 different species.   These are not indigenous to the island but escaped from a research facility, 15 -20 years ago and have established a colony.    Another couple of Chucks friends came by and so because Chuck has been away from home for the last 6 months, we were treated to an evening of conversation ripe with all the gossip of the local community.     We have been invited by Lolin to come see her farm outside of Mayaguez and participate in a Tango Lesson this week.    Our social calendar will definitely be full should we decide to stay in Boqueron for a few more days    However, the call of the sea as she whispers her promises of the beauty and mysteries  of other places is always there in our imaginations and encouraging us not to become too settled and entices us ever onward.

View from Chuck's Home
Up on the Roof!

Same Day Different Rescue!

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After such an busy morning, we had headed back to DD for Lunch.   Rain had begun to fall but even that did not deter the masses of people enjoying themselves on the beach.  The music continued to blare and in fact we noticed that there was a large gathering of scouts now massing on the shore.    It was then that we saw the coast guard boat filled with crew slowly cruising up and down the beach.  It appeared that they were keeping the jet skiers and other watercraft out of an area right between DD and the beach.    It was then we heard a helicopter approaching and a radio transmission that they were inbound.     We watched as a Red US Coast Guard Helicopter flew about 3 circles around DD.   (Later on of course we would hear from Persephone asking us what sort of trouble we had caused that required the dispatch of so many Coast Guard personnel) We could see someone in the water but it did not appear that anyone was in distress.    We realized this was an exercise for the benefit of the Scouting Jamboree.   The Helicopter hovered directly in front of us approximately 25 ft over the swimmer.  The wind and spray that was generated from the helicopters rotors was intense.    It was then that a Coast Guard Frogman jumped from the helicopter into the water along with the swimmer.    A rescue basket was lowered and the swimmer was loaded and pulled to up to safety.    A rescue sling was then lowered and the frogman was pulled out of the water and rejoined the rest of his crew aboard the Helicopter.   It was impressive to watch especially having a front row seat as we did.   The helicopter did one last circle around DD and a slow cruise up the beach.   The cheering of the scouts could be heard over the drone of its engine and we applauded as well.    As a fitting end to a day filled with rescues, we were treated that evening to a fireworks display and live music coming from the Park.    The rain had abated and we sat in our hammock on the deck under starry skies and enjoyed a wonderful end to a very eventful day.

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A Good Turn Daily!

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In keeping with the scouting tradition, Michael did his good deed of the day and came to the aid of a fellow boater, with Mighty Mouse once again pressed into service as a rescue boat.    A Single Hander by the name of Chuck had traveled from Samana in the DR headed home to Boqueron, Puerto Rico aboard his boat Ronin.  He had engine trouble and then his Autopilot went out.   The weather window for the Mona  Passage had been predicted as fairly calm but Chuck spent at least 5 hours in 30 -35 knot winds and big waves .  He finally made it just outside of Boqueron Harbor and droppned anchor at about 8:00pm the night before.    He was exhausted and so did not risk sailing alone through the reef and into the harbor.  He had called his girlfriend, Lolin in the morning to tell her he was back and to see if she could find someone to help tow him the last 3 miles to safety.    Lolin had come into the Restaurant where Michael and I were attempting to access the internet.   It was the only restaurant where she knew anyone.   Terry, a friend of Chucks, was working there and when she explained his situation he came over to our table and asked if we were on a boat and if we had a big enough engine to assist him.     Michael hopped into Mighty Mouse and stopped by DD to fuel up and gather some gear and a radio before heading out the 3.5 miles to where Ronin was anchored.   Lolin contacted Chuck via cell phone and told him help was on the way.   Mike made his way out to Ronin and tied Mighty Mouse along side.   The waves were about 3 ft and a Mike had to stay in the Dingy for much of the tow to keep Mighty Mouse under control.   He was finally able to tie off the engine once inside the harbor buoy and climb aboard Ronin.   Chuck was extremely grateful for the help.   I stayed with Lolin as we watched them come into the harbor and anchor.   A very wet Michael brought a weary but thankful Chuck and his large gray tabby cat,Thomas ashore to the welcoming arms of Lolin.   We said our goodbyes and made plans to meet up with Chuck and Lolin for dinner at Chucks home the next evening.

Ronin at Anchor in Boqueron Harbor...At Last!

Beautiful, Busy, Boqueron

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We had settled into relaxation mode, taking daily swims to cool off and walks around the town and even hanging our hammock up on Deck.  Boqueron is a lively place at night and on the weekends as it fills up with college kids and families that come to enjoy the atmosphere and the beach scene.   Music pours from doorways and windows of homes, bars and restaurants.  Colorful roadside vendors sell a variety of food including fresh oysters and clams on the halfshell, jewelry, t-shirts, and of course winning lottery numbers, while local artists display their wares and talents.   The 1/2 mile long beach and the park behind it fill with locals and even more music.  There are rows and rows of bungalows in the park and along the beach provided by the park service, it is somewhat like upscale camping.   Families bring their coolers filled with food and drink and stay for the entire weekend.     We were walking through the other day and watched as dozens and dozens of porta-toilets were strategically placed throughout the park and the grounds were marked off in a grid pattern.    We discovered that the beach and park would be even busier this weekend as there is a Regional Boy Scout Jamboree taking place here.    We watched and the Scouts began to arrive and set up their tents.   It brought back a lot of great memories of time spent with Corey and Sage at various scouting events.  That is until 4:45 this morning when they began to play reveille through loud speakers mounted on a truck that drove around the park grounds blaring what I can only describe as a Puerto Rican version of a marching band tune played continuously for 45 minutes and interspersed with sirens and other loud sounds to drive the scouts, and a few sailors, from their beds.    From the boat we can see the different troops in a rainbow of matching color t-Shirts participating in a variety of events and activities along the beach.

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