Day 4

Day 4 Black is the new white Woke to the news the Seahawks are not as good as we all thought. Well that takes the pressure off an undefeated season. Today is to be an all skate. Bike, hike, swim, eat, sail. All got interrupted with too much sun. The bike starts with about a 1k straight up bike ride with 6-15% grade which was not too bad until the bus wanted the same half of the road in addition to its own half. Situation made worse since there was only half a road to start with. The effort was rewarded with a tour of an old church abbey built in 1500 where you could see both sides of the island of Sipan and from the roof you can keep watch for any invaders. Ring the bells and all the islands inhabitants come up and live in the church. After lunch and swim off to the town of Ston by boat with a great swim on the way. Kathie got up on the paddleboard and I even did a little yoga on the board. “Little’’ and “on” would be the definitive words but Kathie told me it was a nice try and that made my pulled groin feel better. Motored off up the coast to the small town of Ston, noted for its wall over the city to protect the evaporation ponds where they make famous sea salt. Jake, they run a marathon on the wall in a week. Check it out on the net. Nice hour to roam before dinner. All day without wine has led to a very bad decision. We made the decision that a town famous for it’s wall and sea salt would have equally good local wine. Not so much. Two out of three is not bad. The tasting room looked inviting and the white was “OK.” So off to the red. The bouquet? Turpentine? The taste? Wow, Sarah had to turn away from the counter to hide the twisted face. But we are not sure what to do with the color. It seems the famous taste of Ston includes not only the flavor it imparts to the salt and wine but there is a problem with the acid effect on new dental inlays. So much for the new crown material done last fall. Black seems to be the new white. When I smile. Ouch. Remember the Bond villain with the steel grin. 24 hours now without any improvement. Sure hope Chris Merchant DDS has some magic up his sleeve. If you see any photos and I am not smiling you will know why. Reading Rick Steves later he says you should sample a few local wines here. That would be one he missed. Slept through the night. It is so easy on the rocking boat. May have slept too much. More on that later. Motoring and breakfast to the Isle of Mljet where there are caves that Ulysses reportedly slept in. I think it is sort of like George Washington slept here. We will see. Have not seen a Cyclops yet. Oops, we have been underway for about one hour. Having a great breakfast and wondering if there is enough prosciutto for the couple from Boston. Figured they must just be “sleeping in”, or! Seems they may have gotten up early and gone for a stroll. Meanwhile we all got up, dressed, had Turkish coffee and shoved off, sans Carl and Peg. Can only imagine their surprise as they gazed at the picturesque view of the town and harbor from the top of the wall only to watch the boat push off and motor over the horizon. The Internet and iPhone are amazing. Found them. Taxi and ferry ride later and we will be reunited. Nika, the guide just brought out wine and beer to celebrate. All is well. Off to find a Cyclops. Sarah crawls thru our cabin and into her berth.

Oh my, Oh my. Have to sign off here. Sarah is downloading her photos to our computer on Air Drop and…OH MY. OH…MY! Those are personal files Sarah. STOP THE DOWNLOAD! OH MY. Hope I can keep this from getting back to the Sisters of Providence