Janine, Author at Sailing Rua Hatu

June 13, 2025June 13, 2025

Our Chesapeake Bay Winter (Part 1)

Nic and Kiwi standing behind the "Love Portsmouth" sign in Portmouth, Virginia

Last fall, after lingering in Maine well into October, we hurried south ahead of the looming winter storms that would soon blast the far Northeast with ice and snow. Florida wasn’t exactly our cup of tea, what with brewing animosity towards cruisers there, so the Chesapeake seemed like a reasonable compromise of milder temperatures, friendly folks and plentiful anchorages to explore during the off-season. We were excited to catch up with several Virginia-based sailing friends whom we met the summer before in New England. But nobody could have prepared us for the winter we were about to encounter.

October 25, 2024October 24, 2024

Back to the USA – Exploring New York!

After an eventful crossing of the Gulf Stream from Bermuda, we reach the New York Bight and set anchor at Coney Island. We explore Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and the Gold Coast along Long Island Sound before continuing on towards Cape Cod.

May 12, 2024June 17, 2024

Watch out, the family is here!

In February we welcomed both my dad and Nic’s family for a relaxing beach vacation in Puerto Rico. We rented a house and a mini van and spent two weeks visiting nearby towns along the west and south coast, exploring flavorful restaurants and bakeries, and hiking verdant trails to gorgeous beaches and stunning waterfalls. This post contains photos taken by family members as well. Thanks for making and sharing such great memories!

January 19, 2024March 10, 2024

The Trade Winds Have Begun

Our arrival in Puerto Rico coincided with the seasonal return of the easterly Trade Winds, so we sought shelter on the west side of the island. There we recuperated from the long passage and began exploring our new surroundings.

November 24, 2023November 19, 2023

Cruising the tropical islands of the San Blas archipelago

After four months at Turtle Cay Marina and despite the rainy season still being in full swing, we finally push off the dock and sail towards the San Blas Islands. Puerto Obaldia, the southernmost town on Panama’s Caribbean coast, being our final destination so we can check out of Panama and continue our exploration of the Caribbean.