Cold Weather Sailing – We’re Not in the Tropics Anymore! (MJ Sailing -Episode 93)

Getting into harsher conditions in the north isn’t going to stop us from island hopping. We’re still ready to make the 95 mile open water sail between Terceria and Sao Miguel.

We’d been lucky to have many pleasure cruises between these islands in the summer and into fall, but now cold weather conditions are kicking it, and it’s getting harder to find windows of calm seas and no winter storms. So when we find the first usable window to Sao Miguel, we take it.

These colder temperatures have us completing a few other small projects, like finally inserting a plexi glass side into our door. Up until this point it had been a mesh screen, and things started getting a little too cold at night!

But, since we came back to this island to explore…we rent a car for two more days to visit a few more places we had not seen, including the highly rated hike of Lagoa do Fogo.

Much love from the Azores!
Jessica, Matt & Georgie

Thank you SO MUCH to our Patrons. These amazing supporters help keep us on the boat, our camera equipment up to date, and the videos coming. Without our patrons, these videos would not be possible.

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Red Sky In Morning, Sailors Take Warning (MJ Sailing – EP 92)

Volcanic craters, hurricanes barreling down, and a bumpy ride with the most beautiful sunset we have ever seen. THIS…was an interesting few weeks for us.

We start out by trying to spend a few nice days at anchor next to a simply stunning sunken volcano. We wake up the morning after arriving, ready to explore…only to find out there is a hurricane barreling down on us. With 7 days until it hits, we have to decide what to do…and fast!

Back in Ponta Delgada we had given a detailed account about the approaching storm and our plans….but a few weeks later when we went back to review the footage we found out there was corrosion to our 3.5mm jack…and we lost sound! (You’ll see. And let this be a lesson to check new footage IMMEDIATELY.)

When it is time to leave Ponta Delgada we head out in the afternoon and have a wonderful downwind sail, although conditions build overnight and lead to a rolly morning. Thunderstorms surround us, BUT all that cloud cover leads to one of the most beautiful sunrises we have ever experienced.

Much love from the Azores!
Jessica, Matt & Georgie

Thank you SO MUCH to our Patrons. These amazing supporters help keep us on the boat, our camera equipment up to date, and the videos coming. Without our patrons, these videos would not be possible.

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Thank you!,
Matt & Jessica

Would You Swim in Coffee Colored Thermal Springs? (MJ Sailing – EP 91)

In the heart of Furnas São Miguel is the Parque Terra Nostra with iron rich thermal springs, which give it a nice coffee color. Would you take a dip in this milk chocolate goodness?

Back at the boat Matt is hard at work installing our new Autonnic wind sensor, since we have been without wind information on Elements. Matt goes over our new wireless anemometer and how it will be able to communicate with the other electronics on our boat.

Then, it’s time for more touring as we have a rental car at our fingertips! Our first stop was a set of botanical gardens that have been using their springs for wellness since the late 18th century. I even get in the coffee like waters to ease my muscles and find that it is an incredibly relaxing spot to be. Then we head off to lunch where Matt enjoys a meal of meats and potatoes cooked by the heat of the earth.

Day two has us giving Georgie a tour of the island, and finding all the green and grassy patches that appeal to her. We get lost in mountain mists and even take a look at the lighthouse on the far east side of the island. From what we’re learning, Sao Miguel could need months to be able to properly explore it.

Much love from the Azores!
Jessica, Matt & Georgie

Autonnic wind sensor: https://www.autonnic.com/

Thank you SO MUCH to our Patrons. These amazing supporters help keep us on the boat, our camera equipment up to date, and the videos coming. Without our patrons, these videos would not be possible.

To join the Patreon ranks, please visit http://www.patreon.com/mjsailing

or

Buy us a beer through PayPal!
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Thank you!,
Matt & Jessica

Ṣo Miguel AZORES РAn Island You Will NEVER Forget (MJ Sailing РEP 90)

You may have seen dozens of photos of this island online, but what it is like to experience it in person?

This week we make the 95 mile sail from Terceria to Sao Miguel. Leaving in the afternoon we plan for an overnight sail, which will have us arriving first thing in the morning. And having been to this island before, we found it quite forgettable. It may have been the constant gray skies and rain, but we didn’t care for it too much our first time around.

Since then there had been a social media boom showcasing all the highlights this ‘Green Island’ had to offer. So hopping on Yellow Bus Tours for two days, we thought we’d give in another shot. And we are not lying when we say this place has now jumped straight to the top of our favorite places in the world.

From quaint towns, to hot springs; lush green forest and crater lakes; many of the places we visited felt as if they had been staged for a movie or pulled from a fairy tale. Settle back as we take you on a tour of this unforgettable island nestled in the Atlantic Ocean.

Much love from the Azores!
Jessica, Matt & Georgie

Thank you SO MUCH to our Patrons. These amazing supporters help keep us on the boat, our camera equipment up to date, and the videos coming. Without our patrons, these videos would not be possible.

To join the Patreon ranks, please visit http://www.patreon.com/mjsailing