Wednesday

We are seeing a lot of rainbows this week. The combination of isolated showers and bright sun are creating some doozies, too. Double rainbows, full rainbows, half rainbows, bright, vivid rainbows.

Waking up in Haulovers Bay, Cooper Island, the morning people, as I call them, clutched their coffees and chatted about whatever morning people talk about.

The winds built overnight, so we set our sights on Little Harbor, Peter Island. I tied off the stern to a big rock on the island after Captain Jason laid down the anchor. This is a happy spot. The water is a particular shade of turquoise, the vegetation bright green. The ruins of a home from the 1920s loom over the bay. We planned and executed a swim across the mouth of the bay, then around the inside. I made the deep water crossing with guest Paul, who I’ve swum miles and miles with over the years, and we always fall into a great rhythm. Later, I linked up with guest Celine and we swam stroke for stroke around the harbor. These moments can be so relaxing, zen like. Turtles and rays were spotted.

Celine and I (Heather) watched as a super squall wall of rain wandered right past the mouth of our bay, Little Harbour! Stunning.

Miriam and I marked our one-year, open water anniversary, when I had the immense pleasure on guiding her through her FIRST ever open water swim in this very bay one year ago! She was terrified on her first swim, and took to it almost immediately. This is her third SwimVacation now, and she’s signed on for Grenada this spring. We couldn’t be happier to share her new addiction with her. Love you, beautiful! XO h

We lazed around the yacht through lunch, sesame beef and rice with broccoli. I set up my office on the stern to write the blog with a view of the blue water and green hillside. John reviewed more stroke videos with guests. He’s a pro at this, and I’ve seen immediate improvements in guests stroke efficiency. John is one of the directors of Odyssey SwimRun, a multisport event company. These adventures involve teams of 2 running across (usually) islands, then swimming to another island, then repeating the process to the finish. The course is purposefully not marked, or barely marked, to add an element of navigation. Teammates are often tethered to one another. Paddles, fins, and wetsuits are allowed. I did their Casco Bay SwimRun a couple of years ago with my wife, and it was a fantastic adventure. I highly recommend.

A quick trip around the corner of Peter Island brought us to White Bay. Most bareboats don’t come here, as the anchorage is tricky, but not too tricky for Captain Jason. We mostly had the huge bay to ourselves, and had a great swim in the gusty winds. I had to ditch the SUP on the beach, as I couldn’t keep up with the swimmers going into the winds.

Celine kicked off big jumps from the upper deck. John followed with a 1 1/2 front flip, Zack with a back flip.

We swam around our favorite rock that leads to a cute little coral garden, and loved it so much we did it again.

Celine and I (Heather) took a break from the chop and walked along the beach.

I (Heather) got a few minutes of underwater play time with Genna and her dreamy hair….

Back on yacht Barlow, I made dark n stormies and rum punch while chef Miriam put the finishing touches on Fettuccini Alfredo. Delicious.

We all sat around talking for a few hours, and as usual, politics were absent from the discussion. Safe and far from TV and radio, and with our focus on our swimming and surroundings, we have found it really rare that anyone brings up politics at all. It’s a refreshing break from the noise back home.

Hammocks (guides only, guests sleep in queen sized beds in big staterooms with private baths) are strung behind the cabin and under the bridge tonight for fear we’d lose me and John in the wind. This is the point in the trip where time speeds up, and the end rushes at us. Meanwhile, we’ll enjoy the cascade of rainbows!

Hopper