Colorado Springs School (Day 5)
Culebra, Puerto Rico
3-7-24
Ahoy Mateys! This is the coolest, classiest, craken watch (C) again, reporting live from N18°. 18.180’, W65°. 15’. Today, we started off by having a nice breakfast of pancakes and fruit in Culebra. After the lovely meal, we raised the 500lbs anchor, and headed off to the small island of Culebrita. Culebrita is an uninhabited island that is a wildlife preserve that used to be a testing area for the United States’ Military weaponry. When we arrived on Culebrita, we hiked the 1x1 mile island up to an old and abandoned lighthouse. While on our hike, we learned that there were extremely poisonous trees marked by signage. These trees, if touched, would give someone blisters. We also learned that the island provided the perfect area for sea turtles to lay their hatchlings and make nests. The baby turtles would be able to hatch and make it to the water safely and undisturbed. Anywho, the lighthouse was built in 1886, and operated until 1975. When we finished our wonderful and peaceful voyage through the calm yet dangerous forest of the small island, we were met with the old lighthouse. The lighthouse provided a 360° view of the little island of Culebrita, and the surrounding islands as well. We spent an hour at the lighthouse, eating our lunches, taking photos, and simply enjoying the relaxing scenery bestowed upon us.
After hiking back down and getting off the island, we prepared to climb the shroud of the main mast. In order to do this we had to get harnesses out and learn about some general safety. The first person to go up was Mr. Brody Yarros himself. He was an absolute beast and conquered that shroud. As quoted from the man himself, “Yeah it wasn’t too bad, I mean it was a little hard when I got closer to the top but eh, it is what it is,”. Thanks Brody, while one group was each climbing the shroud, the other group was snorkeling just a bit further away from the boat. Morgan thought, “It was sad to see the bleached coral. but it was still really cool to see all the little inhabitants.” We got to see small tropical fish, turtles, stingrays, anemones, squids, and many more.
After everyone switched then got back to the boat, we took some sea showers so we could get clean. Our amazing Chef named Jen cooked us shepherd's pie, salad, and garlic knots for dinner. As usual, it was a splendid meal that we enjoyed while basking in the beautiful sunset views of the bay. Now, we are here, writing to you. Thank you for sailing with the coolest, classiest, sometimes craziest, C watch.
