Early Alpha Day 13: Long Bay to the Baths Back to Home Base!
June 22, 2016
Day 13 started out with an early morning motor from Long Bay to The Baths National Park in Virgin Gorda. Trip and Issy woke up early to help Captain Alyssa and her mate Graf motor there while the rest of the crew got to sleep in a bit during the motor. Once we got to The Baths, everyone had a nice breakfast before our swim to shore for the hickle (swim and hike). Most of the kids swam from the boats to the shore for a hike through the caves.
Once we got to the other side, the Sail Caribbean Olympics started. It was team Meursault versus team Montlouis. We started with the dizzy fender relay race, with Shay finishing as the anchor for Team Meursault. Next was the tug-of-war, with team Montlouis finishing first three of three times, even when put up against the staff team. Then, into the synchronized swimming competition. While team Meursault had a strong routine including hoisting Griffin into the air, team Montlouis took home the gold. We then all snorkeled back to Jump Rock. Kids took turns jumping off the rocks and splashing into the refreshing turquoise waters at the Baths.
After a great day of snorkeling, hiking, jumping, and Olympic-ing, we headed back to our boats where Tucker made us a feast of leftovers and mac and cheese and we cleaned our cabins. On the sail home, Patrick was our skipper, leading us home to Hodges Creek on our last beautiful sail. Josh stepped in to helm a lot of the way back, with Kat alternating in to lend a hand. During our jib sail back, Macey, Griffin, Patrick, Shay, Tucker, Trip, and Issy got in a last hand of a card game they loved to play called presidents. Anna, Kat, Sofi, and Josh enjoyed cookies up on deck while sailing the crew home. When we got back, Griffin brought it in with a perfect docking.
We then got to spend some time relaxing, coming up with a skit for the last night, and writing airplane letters. Shay made an awards ceremony for the whole boat which she presented after our feast of ribs and mac n’ cheese.
At the end of the night, we got to watch skits from both boats, and the staff had a special song prepared for the kids. Ryan, our Social Media Girl, made a great slideshow with pictures from the whole program. After everything came to a close, Ish led a wonderful Appreciation Circle. After all the nights ceremonies, we got back to the boat and cooked a late night snack of pancakes. All the kids went to bed stuffed full of mint tea, pancakes, and honey.
