Team CMT: Green Sands

4/15/2016

The first time I got to meet up with this inspiring crew was in Green Sands. They had already trekked around the majority of the island and Jenny was on her home stretch. Krystal, Jenny's partner and right hand gal, had asked me to come down the night before since she was going to be the solo crew that day. As I prepared my cameras and packed my backpack, I got a call from Krystal saying Jenny's rudder had broken so she were bringing her in before she went around the rough, wind blown beach of Green Sands.

The drive that morning was beautiful. I stopped at Choice Mart and Ace Hardware on my way. As I wandered around Ace, looking for anything that could possible resemble a rudder pin, I looked up and to see a giant, yellow, ocean kayak. I headed to the front and asked the lady at the desk if they carried rudder pins. "Oh no, we have nothing like that." I point at the Kayak, "But you have that ocean Kayak. So I thought...." With no such luck, I headed into Choice Mart to get some snacks and other provisions. With a box of cookies and a knock off bottle of Baileys, I was ready. I slipped into my jeep and mapped out the coordinates of the bay on my phone.

I put the key in the ignition and turned. Nothing. I turned again. Nothing. I hopped back out and hurried back into Ace, where I found a short handled hammer on sale. Feeling a bit frantic, I climbed under the jeep and banged on the started. As I rolled back out, I looked up to see a man stunned but my appearance He stood frozen as I smiled at him, then jumped back into the jeep. She started right up. I was officially on my way.

As I reached Green Sands, my excitement started to grow. I turned on to a dirt road and followed Krystal's directions through three gates. Knocking up clouds of orange and red dust as I made my way towards the coast line. I found the bay, but no Krystal, I drove around trying to follow the pin drop on my phone, finally after having to turn around a few times, I stubble across her maroon colored jeep, caked in dust and dirt from all her travels, a large up right bass takes up most of the back, cushioned by pillows and blankets.

Krystal's radio loudly cracks into our conversation as Jenny states that she is coming in. Using my telephoto lens I spot Jenny on the horizon. Krystal and I stand on top my jeep and watch as the little yellow speck gets closer.

Krystal checks out Jenny's broke rudder.

All that was left to do was wait. Jenny and Krystal's roommate and good friend, Boz, was able to get a kayak pin and was on his way down to help with the fix. I joked with Krystal about my starter going out and showed her my funny short handled hammer. Krystal laughed as she held the baby sized mallet, "We can really use this too!" She states as she grips the handle.

As we wait, we listen to the weather and take turns looking at the map. I listen to Jenny's stories about high swell and rough waters. We drink coffee and Krystal makes Jenny a meat and string cheese sandwich. Jenny's kayak peacefully floats in the claim bay anchored with just enough line to let the long boat turn with each ripple of water.

Jenny and Krystal map out her route

Right as Jenny was getting anxious to leave Boz pulled up. Myself, being the paparazzi stayed on shore as Boz, Krystal and Jenny waded out to the kayak to fix the rudder with my tiny hammer and other tools in hand. Within minutes the three where cheering with success. Jenny pulled up her anchor and headed out for the short few miles left to the boat ramp.

Krystal, Boz and I had our own adventure ahead of us. We caravaned the next five miles. Following the shore line over rough terrain, leaving nothing but a trail of dust behind us.

After passing Green Sands, the three of us spilt up, Boz and I taking the higher road and Krystal closer to the shore. Jenny had already radio'd Krystal saying she had passed the rare green beach, long before we had. We flew by tourist hikers and local fishermen, over lava rock and through cliffs of sand. As we rounded the entrance to the boat ramp, with one last hill to conquer, Boz and I came over the top just in time to see Jenny waiting in the bay. We flew down the hill and jumped out of our vehicles. With huge smiles on our faces we ran down the slippery ramp to help Jenny with the heavy ocean cruising boat. "What took you so long?" Jenny Joked. Only minutes behind us, Krystal topped the hill in time to see the three of us wheeling the kayak ashore.

Camp was quickly set up and the four of us settled in for a relaxing sunset while we waited for two other friends to joy us for the night. Boz had planned a simple yet delicious meal. We all sat and drank coronas while the sun graceful lite up the sky as it slowly made it's disappearance for the night.