Ponce Yacht Club to Jim's Water Plant Wed., Dec.13, 2010

ART:  Today it became clear to me that this adventure around Puerto Rico is about so much more than just paddling from point A to point B. Reconnecting with friends, meeting new people, checking out beaches , islands and cays I have never seen, and visiting parts of PR that I have not been to in so long, and just going with the flow, not necessarily the plan, is what is making it so much fun. I am realizing to expect the unexpected.


I was not expecting to be home schooled by Heather and Savannah today, but what a fun day from start to finish. Science class was about mixing corn starch and water and trying to figure out why it reacts the way it does.

Art class was a blast painting conch shells together and having Savannah give me a custom tattoo. Physical Education taught me that Savannah is probably the coolest and best 8 year old paddler that I have ever met, and that her mom can paddle as long, far, and fast as anyone in PR. The 3 of us had the most beautiful 10 mile afternoon paddle along waters and coast I have never experienced in all my years in PR. After arriving to Point B 3 hours and 20 minutes after we started, Jim met us and drove us back home to shower and have a great dinner at a favorite local spot of theirs in Guayaniila. Lincoln, thanks for the ride to Ponce. Thanks to the Baus family for transportation, great food, company, friendship and awesome place to sleep.Again, my expectations were exceeded on every front. The next day Lincoln and I explored the Ponce shoreline for a couple hours and came out of the water both smiling and talking of yet another successful road trip.

HEATHER: I'm not even sure where to begin on this most remarkable day. Art Wilbe's paddling adventure has turned into so much more. The day began with the joys of homeschooling my 7yr daughter, Savannah. Art wished to sit in on class and that morning we were conducting a little science fun with cornstarch and water..then outside for some conch shell painting. Painting seashells made for some good pre energy for our 8.5mile downwinder from the Ponce Yacht and Fishing Club to ICC.. Penuelas. Did I mention what a talented artist, Art is? I think he should reconsider the airport job and get on the roadside with his painted conchs!

Savannah was amped to paddle her own board this distance, but I didn't want to go tooo slow, so we brought a little bench and her paddle and she sat there and paddled the ENTIRE way. shhhh... don't tell Art that is why I kept looking back to see if he was ok. Girls got some guns! The weather, and seas were just gorgeous! Flat water, light wind and super clear. We didn't paddle a straight line to destination but instead zigzagged a bit and first stop was the beautiful island of Cardona. It was a joy to watch Art the Artist set foot on new territory! Then we set sights on Ratones Cay.. let me tell you, it was absolutely incredible! We paralled the little cays in shallow, crystal clear waters and just took it in.

Savannah told me she wanted to build a home on stilts and could her Daddy do this for her? For her writing assignment the following day, she told a story of what her dream bedroom would be like.... it had to do with the house on stilts, stars, waves and paddling.

Savannah’s Dream Room - My Outrageus Room

I have a dream room out by this shallow mangrove island. You can Paddleboard and surf these minin waves. It’s awesome! At night I would Paddleboard into my parents house and eat dinner then paddleback to my dream room and look at the stars and hear the craching of the small waves. Its amazing. Then I go to sleep and have wonderful dreams. I also have a swing and slide.


-Savannah Baus

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

From there we cut through the cays to find that a sand bar blocked the little river through the two islas, so we chuckled and walked our boards over the 50ft dune.. Art, does that count for your paddle around the island, or are you going to be short 50 ft??? From there we headed on down to my paddling, stomping grounds and cut through the mangroves and enjoyed the smells, sounds and colors of it all. Last stop.. ICC, my husbands chemical plant. What a trip to pull in and have Jimbo waiting with his man truck and giving us an off road, bed riding bumpy ride to the highway for a short distance in a rainshower. Yeeee HAW! I think we even heard some country music coming from the front.. yeah, Jim made us all sit in the bed, because we were wet and stinky, and his man truck still smells pretty. Top off an amazing day with dinner in Guanilla.. Monfongo, laughs and even sat with the local mosquitoes.. but they didn't eat much. Thanks for Dinner, Art!! Next stop Guanica?

                                                                              --Heather Baus

Check out the Video "Little Miss Magic and Jolly Mon" of all of the day's Photos, Music, and Fun.  Hope you enjoy! -L.