In October 2013, I took my first “girls” sailing trip on Let It Be. I was the “experienced” sailor on board as I have a few ASA certifications. However, this was the first time I was in charge of LIB, and I was pretty nervous before we set sail. Since my friends have even less experience than I do, we hired a captain to help us settle in. Nice as he was, after one day we sent him on his way so we could “go it alone!”

We chose to sail during the “off season” in the BVIs so we would not have to thread through boats when we anchored or caught mooring balls. I was the only experienced “hooker” on board but I was at the helm, so we were very glad to have plenty of space and time as we learned to work together and secure a mooring ball.

WOW, did we manage to find the off season! As you can see in this picture, we had all of the Bitter End and Saba Rock to ourselves.

This fall I plan on making another girls trip, and the other 5 ladies are itching to sail again. I have informed the crew that this year we are going late in October. I hope that by waiting until the end of the month we will still have plenty of room in anchorages but all the local places will be open.

Thankfully, I have a couple of trips on LIB scheduled between now and October, so I won’t have to miss my little cat too long between visits.

Looking aft past our stand up paddle boards to the sunset.

It seems like my waking hours are consumed lately with the desire to return to LIB. I have not one complaint about my life, I am blessed far beyond what I deserve, yet I dream of this escape. Is it the Caribbean waters that call? The desire for warmer temperatures? Or is it the relative simplicity of life on a boat that whispers to my spirit?

Leverick Bay is the distant point in the far center. A fun place to stop and browse for a bit or anchor overnight.

I took this picture while hiking at The Bitter End. Every time we anchor at Bitter End or Saba Rock I take this hike. Each time I am presented with beautiful and changing views.