A Windjammer Adventure
Part Deux
Aboard S/V Flying Cloud
in the British Virgin Islands
By Bob Stickney
About a year ago, my brother Phil and his wife Glenda from Dallas, Texas, had mentioned to me
that they had booked a Windjammer with friends of theirs from Austin. Would I like to join them?
After much hemming and hawing, knowing that I would go, I said YES!!! Besides it had been one of
my lifelong dreams to sail a windjammer with a family member.
The itinerary this time would take us to the BVI’s on the Flying Cloud, a three-masted sailing vessel
of yore about 208 feet long. There would be Scott and Becky, Bob and Cynthia, Patty, Mike and
Eileen from the Austin area; as well as Phil and Glenda and Sharon (Cowgirl) from Dallas. I was
from Upstate New York, but was made an honorary Texan. Eleven of us would meet at Ole Works Inn on
Cane Garden Bay between Friday the 20th of April and Saturday the 21st. Sunday night the 22nd we’d
stowaway on the Flying Cloud.
After a lot of scurrying around the week before I left, I was ready to get out of town!!!
With Murphy, my cat, at the vet’s for a week of holiday I was ready to leave the unpredictable
weather of Upstate New York for the BVI’s. It took me about ten hours to get there; but it was
worth every cent.
Around 11pm I arrived at Ole Works Inn in Cane Garden Bay, I checked my bags in my room and
strolled across the street to Quito’s Gazebo to meet some of my shipmates for the following week.
The place was hopping. Quito Rymer was working his magic as islanders and tourists were jammin’!
On the deck overlooking Cane Garden Bay I spied Scott and Becky, Mike and Eileen, and Cowgirl.
After a few Caribs it was time hit the sack as it’d been a long day of travel.
I awoke to the roosters on Saturday morning to a torrential downpour. On and off most of the
morning til around 10 we had these sudden squalls. After that the sun came out and we had one
fine day. Saturday was spent lounging around being beach bums catching rays. Despite doing
absolutely nothing all day; time just flew by. Saturday night we ate at Quito’s. I had Quito’s
famous ribs. I had been salivating for them since I had them four years ago. Once my plate
arrived I didn’t come up for air till my plate was clean. Later Saturday night the rest of the
Texans arrived.
Sunday morning came very fast. Once again we had our daily dose of liquid sunshine. It doesn’t
rain for very long down there; but when it does it’s fast and furious. Sunday morning was spent
walking the beach, catching rays before we checked out.
Sunday afternoon we rented a 26-foot boat and a skipper by the name of Jimmy John. We went over to
Jost Van Dyke to check out Gertrudes, the infamous Soggy Dollar Bar, and last but not least Foxy’s.
A painkiller each beach bar. Got a tee shirt from the Soggy Dollar as well as Foxy’s.
About 5pm we got back to Ole Works Inn to load 11 Texans and all their luggage into a mini-bus.
That was a feat in it’s self!!! With Kessler as our driver we made up and down those long hills of
Tortola to stowaway on the Flying Cloud at 6pm. How we made it, I’ll never know.
We boarded the ‘Cloud sometime after 6 on Sunday night. We were met by mate Andre (I called him
Kojak all week, as he looked and sounded like him). Andre would be a relief mate for Trevor a week
after we disembarked. Anyways with swizzles in our hands we checked in with Deb the Purser, Paige
the Activities mate and Trevor Chief Mate. I lucked out this week to have a cabin all to myself as
it wasn’t a full ship. After checking in and all my paperwork finished, I stowed my gear in my
cabin and went top deck to greet my fellow shipmates.
Everyone was a mixin’ and a minglin’ getting to know each other. It was a fine time indeed. A
little after 7:30pm-ish a buffet was put out and everyone was chowin’ down! After dusk a steel band
came aboard and the “Cloud was a rockin’!
Monday 23 April 2001
I put this date in as it will be the only time all week I will remember. Just the island we are
visiting.
Anyways, I awoke with the sunrise to Bloody Mary’s and Sticky Buns. Soon Chief Steward Wayne will
be ringing the bell for breakfast. “Rise and Shine”, the man says…. Breakfast was the usual
fruit, cereal, and pancakes, today, smothered in nutmeg syrup.
About 8:45am-ish is Captain’s Story Time. Captain Adrian is our skipper. A fine Englishman, with a
dry sense of humor but a great storyteller none the less. He introduces some of the crew. Chief
mate, Trevor; Andre, relief mate; Deb, the Purser; Paige, Activities Mate and the cabin stewards,
Wayne, Prem, Rochelle, and Amelia. The stewards would serve our meals this week as well as be very creative
when they made up our cabins. Last but not least was our bartenders for the week, Rodney and
Country. Probably the most important people on the ship other than the guys in the galley or the
engine room for that matter. Adrian gives the story for the day, weather report………. A Must for
the BVI’s, and lots of other useful information. He says that last launch would be at 12:30 and
that we’d set sail shortly thereafter. With that in mind several shipmates took tours of the
island, I just went ashore shop for little odds and ends. Later it was a painkiller at Pussers
with several new shipmates.
Around 1pm we’re ready to set sail on an adventure to parts unknown. Sails are raised to Amazing
Grace. We’re at sea!! About 3pm we’re anchored off Peter Island and it’s time for the mandatory
safety drill. Emergency bells are ringing as shipmates scurry to the muster stations. Crew does
their fire drill for the week donned in full fire fighting gear. Capt. Adrian. Does a fine job of
his safety talk. I complimented him on it. He tells shipmates about the reality of an emergency
at sea. It sinks in.
Later a diving board is put out so shipmates can swim in the cool waters of the Caribbean Sea.
Suddenly out of nowhere a squall moves in. It is raining sideways! It can only happen out here.
Everyone is running to find a dry place. As quick as it came, it’s gone. Sea Chest is also open
as shipmates are checking out what wares are for sale this week. Soon it is swizzle time, then 1
seating for dinner this week as we only have about 40 some odd passengers aboard. After dinner
Paige gets shipmates playing Pictionary, guys vs the gals. The ladies ended up winning but it was
a close match. Time to hit the sack soon as we’ll have another adventure tomorrow.
Next up on our adventure was Cooper Island. We set sail sometime about sunrise. A couple hour
sail. Prem is already ringing the bell for breakfast. Shortly after anchor Captain Adrian at
story time, shows us where we are on the chart. We didn’t sail off the map. A little history
about the island our weather report for the day and soon shipmates off the ship. Wet landing today
and burgers on the beach. Once again that pesky squall that has been following around nails us
again. Shipmates that are going ashore in launches are drenched. Everyone runs for cover aboard
ship. Don’t wanna get wet now, do we? Some go scuba diving, others go snorkeling, the rest of us
do what I like best down here; be nothing more than an old fashioned beach bum. Later it’s sitting
in the shade at the Cooper Island Beach Club overlooking the harbor at the Flying Cloud.
Soon we are back aboard for more of those delectable rum swizzles and a “seahunt” aboard ship. It
was the Texans minus myself… I figured it time to captain a team without my brother Phil and see if
I could Whup his Ass!!! There were four teams….. The Texans, the Mile High team…… something about
pilots, I guess, another team whose name I don’t remember and of course the “Whup Ass” team.
Something opening up a “Can of Whup Ass”. Basically what ya had to do was scurry back to your
cabin and bring back an item. Lot’s of laughs. Thanks to Kathy Ann for the tattoo that gave us an
edge when it was needed most and for some guy (who shall remain nameless) for coming up with the
only protection that was aboard ship. Like American Express… Don’t leave home without it. Team
“Whup Ass” literally kicked butt! Later it was the PBLT party. And GUESS what guys… I got ya’ll
on video!
Sometime the next morning after sunrise we set sail for Vigin Gorda, home of the Baths; a
spectacular collection of boulders which form a bath area. It’s quite a hike through caverns and
whatnot. Adrian gives us our story time with some history of the islands and again the weather
report for the day. Something like winds out of the NNE at 7-14 knots, temps in the mid to upper
80’s and of course chance of rain 30-40%! Believe it or not there was that pesky squall, but we
didn’t let it damper our spirits. A stop at Mad Dog’s for another tee-shirt and a pińa colada and
it’s back aboard for swizzle time. Some people go ashore for dinner and dancing later at the Bath
and Turtle. There’s a band playing there tonight. I stayed aboard and was entertained by Robin
and Greg from Tampa, Jill, Don and Martha from somewhere’s in the Southwest during dinner. Lots
of camaraderie at the table with singing and carrying on. Jill, I really enjoyed our conversation
about literature and writing. I’ll remember it for a long time. Instead of taking the launch
ashore for the party at the Bath and Turtle, I stayed aboard and just enjoyed a nice evening breeze
and my own thoughts.
Another island and another day. Today is Jost Van Dyke. Once again we set sail sometime after
sunrise. After we anchor in the harbor near Foxy’s it’s time for Adrian’s story time. History of
the island and our daily weather report. This time there was about 25% chance of rain, semi cloudy
skies and winds were I think out of the NNE around 6-12 knots. For once this week we escaped that
pesky squall. Lunch aboard today was Windjammer subs and salads. GOOD CHOW!!! Dry landing, hikes
to the Soggy Dollar Bar or just hanging around in hammocks on the beach near Foxy’s. Went back
aboard to shoot some video, interviewing passengers. Tonight most of the ship went ashore to
Rudy’s for his famous Lobster dinner, three-legged chicken that tasted like lobster (figure that one
out) or fish. Later Rudy brings out his guitar and sings. Rodney the bartender chimes in. A
short walk to Foxy’s then soon it’s time to go back to the ship.
Fifth Island in five days. A good sail today to Norman Island. Crew hangs the square sail. It’s
a sight to see. Crew pulling ropes to get the sails just right. Once we anchor off shore near
Billy Bones, Captain Adrian gives us our last story time. Lots of info today. What to do tomorrow
as everyone heads for home…. Flights etc. but we still have one day left. Once again some history
of the Island and our daily weather report.. Lets see now……. Partly cloudy skies, temperatures in
the mid to upper 80’s, winds from the NNE and maybe a 20-30% chance of rain. With any luck that
pesky squall won’t bother us. Some of our scuba divers dive the wreck of the Rhone, some go
snorkeling, there was parasailing if you liked. Lunch ashore today was the infamous Windjammer
Ribs. Finger lickin’ good!!. Shipmates shopped at Billy Bones. Took next to last launch aboard
for swizzles and last sail.
Sails are raised about 5pm for one last sail to the Port of Roadtown in Tortola. Amazing Grace
is being played on bagpipes, sails are raised; everyone’s in their own thoughts. Tears well in my
eyes and they stream down my face as I video tape last sail. It’s always a tough time as I have
met many new friends and its sad to see that one fine week has flown by so fast.
Captain's dinner tonight and the crab races to follow.
I awaken on Saturday morning to see my shipmates off and to bid them safe passage home to meet
again sometime. It is hard to believe that a week ago we were strangers but now we are family
saying good bye.
Some of us later in the morning went back to town for some last minute shopping before getting off
the ship. Things to buy for family back home
Sometime around 11am-ish it was time to say final goodbyes. The Texans would stay over in Cane
Garden Bay for one last dinner together.
On Sunday morning my driver, Kessler was waiting for me to whisk me to the airport. Flight out of
Tortola at 11 a.m. I boarded the plane, leaned back in my seat, and closed my eyes to think of a week
gone by. Felt I’d been in a time warp all week. But it was a good one at that. By now most of my
shipmates are home telling tales and spinning yarns about their Windjammer Adventure. My plane
takes off and circles the island. I see the Flying Cloud nesting at anchor in the harbor waiting
for new shipmates going on their Windjammer Adventure.
Once again it has been a great mix of shipmates. We had George and Joan who brought their sons
and daughters’-in-laws aboard. Many years ago when George’s sons were 16 and 23 they had their
first taste of Windjamming aboard the Flying Cloud. Now they brought their wives with them to
experience the adventure. George and Joan also celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary aboard.
George went scuba diving and he and Joan went parasailing as well. You see they are 70 somethings
. I admire them for that. To Julie, Karen, Deb, Patty, Leann, Robin and Greg, Scott, Kathy-Ann
and Tim… Thanks for making team “Whup Ass” the team that it was. Bob and Kay……… You couldn’t have
picked a better place to celebrate your 20th wedding anniversary. I am glad that I could’ve been a
part of it. To the Texans… The Flying Cloud won’t be the same with out you…. Lastly to my brother
Phil and his wife Glenda.. Two real super people. I am glad that we finally took a windjammer
together. After all these years you have found out what an adventure it really is. Finally, even
though I can’t name everybody, I am glad I was able to share in your memories of a super week; as
you will have shared in mine.
StickMon
rkstick@frontiernet.net
JammerLinks |
Windjammer Caribbean Cruise Pictures |
Nautical Terms
Mary Celeste Mystery |
Battle of the Saintes |
You Might be a Redneck |
Trashy Signs |
Steven Wright
Utah's Curious Liquor Laws |
FortOgden Homepage
Utah Informational Links
FortOgden has no administrative or financial
connection to
Windjammer Barefoot Cruises.
| 
