Heading to Barre- beware of squalls!

We woke up unrested after a noisy, roll, squally night at anchor in La Cruz. We made it 75% out of the bay until the wind died but it only took us 5 minutes of sailing before we blew up another spinnaker block, this time in only 8 knots, so nothing to do with the wind. We heard a loud twang, like maybe the block is binding on something, then wham, the sail is in the ocean. The halyard had a lot of chaff on it too. Kolby will have to go up later and take a look and install the new block we bough this winter. After motoring for a few hours in the swell (with the main up to help with the rolling) the wind filled in and we were off.

Kolby at the helm

From 3-5pm we had some pretty intense squalls roll through, you could see them building over the ocean the slam into shore, some with lightening. The first one came and whacked us from behind, going from 10-16-34 knots in about 30 seconds. It was a bit hairy to get the sail in. Then we were sipping along withe a handkerchief main. Kolby was able to avoid the rest of them by speeding up or slowing down. It felt like that game where the frog is trying to cross the road without getting hit by a car.

A rainbow admist the squalls

Then the sunset and the rain came pouring down, just soaking everything. Total torrential, we even put the side curtains up. I forgot how pleasant the rain can be. The air is still cool  we are wearing long sleeves, I would never have imagines this just two days ago when I was melting! It is just lovely. Originally we were planning to go from La Cruz to Tenacacita but the wind was strong all night so we sailed right on to Barre, 130 nm to the south. This used to be an astronomical distance to us, now we think of it as one overnight. What a difference!

Dolphins on the bow in the morning

Best part of the morning shift