Tag Archive for: Gordy Kopke

Grenada surprise birthday party

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Left Key West in 2009, couple of years in the Med, and return crossing finally Ken and Kristine sailed the Grateful Red solo. first stopping in Marigot Bay in St. Lucia then sailed to St. Vincent and the Blue Lagoon. the Blue Lagoon was crowded so we hired a guide to visit the Montreal Gardens. Cruised on to Union Island and the Paradise Island Bar. Spent a couple days at Uniion Island then sailed to Port Louis, Grenada…Ken was surprised by Gordie and Anna flying in secretly to Grenada for ken\’s 60th Birthday. Party time! A Terrific 60th! (Didn’t Gordie and Ken just graduate from Oregon High, must be his 40th??)

 

Safi to Las Palmas, Spain

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Another 300 mile sail to Las Palmas. Safi is the port where it was proved that one could sail from Africa to South America in boat built solely of reeds and materials found in Africa. The current from Safi to the Caribbean is two knots – essentially one can and has floated from Safi, Africa to the Caribbean When the Grateful Red started the winds were less than ten knots, a milk man dead down run and ….. now filled with diesel ….. use of the engine got us on the way. By the end of day one we had the main reefed in and in Las Palmas in two days of sailing. Next sail was the ocean crossing – Las Palmas to St. Lucia. Gordie, Paul and Kristine did some island touring with ken and matt trying to resolve instrument issues for the crossing.

Marrakesh land visit

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Ken’s friend Mohammed had arranged for a driver to Marrakesh …. and the driver was still waiting in Safi. Skipped most of the paperwork and off to Marrahesh. Mo had also arranged a Riad or private house that was rented out to guests. Finally at two in the morning the crew was asleep in the souks of Marrahesh. Mo had arranged a guide and three day tour of the sights, sounds and snakes of Marrahesh than back to Safi for the sail to Las Palmas.