Ronin – Living the Dream

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.

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.

Tag: Ronin

Boqueron April 25

A Good Turn Daily!