Life after #IrMaria, One year later
Greetings from Yacht Rock Charters and beautiful Jamaica Bay, NYC. As some of you may already know, we are also the musical group, Stell & Snuggs, who perform from port to port aboard our sailing sloop, Catherine. One year ago, two category 5 hurricanes, Irma and Maria could have destroyed our boat, our touring vessel, our way of life…but, there she stood in it’s wake. An immense sigh of relief for us came with many caveats - not the least of which were the many people we knew directly who lost loved ones, homes (whether floating or not), businesses, and all exasperated with the knowing that none of us were in for the season we had hoped for. It was to be one of hard work and uncertainty for the future that many have yet to surpass. With the heat of the 2018 hurricane season upon us, our hearts go out to those already affected by one of the many cyclones that has already made landfall around the globe, and those for whom the threat is constantly in thought.
As Florence is now ravaging the Carolina’s, we are already putting our minds to the next passage South, and it is easy to simply “move on to the next” without pausing to give thanks for good fortune and those around you. The last year has been one of struggle, loss, rebuilding, repair and change that will not be forgotten in the years to come, but we must take a moment to express our endless thanks and gratitude to our many friends and supporters for their help in making it through this difficult time - you are all true friends, and we want to say a big public THANK YOU, AND WE LOVE YOU!!!!
Amy and Breezy from Breezy’s BBQ, Maribel and Andrew from Caracas/ Rockaway Taco/ Low Tide Bar, Andy and Piper from Big Chief Catering, the organizers of KIVA, the Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts, our loving friend Jamie Hoyt in St. Croix, Mama Jutt Jutt and the whole Astin Clan, Mother Donna Krahling, Jordan and Perzy from High 97, Pat Conlon of Epstein’s Beach, Olivia Roudon and Stephen Winkel of Lagoonie’s in St. Martin, Ben Hardy and Ivory (Highliner Fishing, St. Maarten), Jane Coombs (Antigua Classic), the Sound Citizens and V.C. Bird International, Ben Senterfit and Kyle Jones (CueBro Familia!), and all of our fans and new clients who have given us so much love in our musical and new sailing adventures. We are sure that we have forgotten someone…
In that, we’ve only got about 6 weeks left before the weather window watch begins to Bermuda, then on to the Eastern Caribbean. Weather is always on our minds, but even more so now as the Atlantic Basin becomes more active - and of course, that is the very direction we intend to go! Let’s not forget the aid even still needed for some in Puerto Rico, St. Martin and the Virgins (British and US), along with new need for help brewing in the Carolina’s, the Phillipines and beyond. Proof that man is no match for the weather could not be more evident, and great care must be taken by all of us to ensure a safe hurricane season. Loss of property is sometimes inevitable, but loss of life is nearly always preventable in some way or another. Take care of you and yours, your neighbors, and anyone else in need…never forgetting that it could one day be you on the other end of that spectrum.
We’ll keep you all updated as to our plans - currently we look to the island of St. Croix to be our home base for much of the 2018/ 19 winter, where we’ll perform and charter Catherine for both daysails and the occasional “term” charter. She’s an amazing island that we love, rich in good friends and culture. We plan to be on the West End amidst some of the Caribbean’s most beautiful beaches, an hope to see you there, we’re just not in it for the cold any longer!
Much love and thanks to all of you again. Be well, stay safe. Until next time…
