Tropical weather ripping all around Lindsay McRory July 5, 1996 We are starting our third day anchored between Big Ambergris and Little Ambergris Cay. The wind has been averaging 20 to 25 knots with 30-knot gusts. This is creating very strong onshore conditions on the edge of Caicos Bank, which is where we are heading. Essentially we are locked inside this vast bank. We have never been hurt by waiting for the weather to turn more favorable. However, we never had potential hurricanes brewing all around us. Today's weather fax revealed four tropical waves, one tropical depression, and two tropical disturbances. The only bad one in the immediate area is in the mid-Atlantic, heading this way at 22 knots and carrying 50-knot gusts. Clearly our weather window of opportunity is closing on us. Still two days away from Luperon and it's not certain how far we will get before setting up camp for a while. The only excellent hurricane holes within 1,000 miles of us are at Luperon and Salinas down in Puerto Rico. We are at least ten days from Salinas. Luperon could be our home for the next little while. Life onboard is status quo. The fresh winds have made life below decks bearable. It's too rough for the kids to swim. The amount of time spent on boat maintenance is on the rise. This week's chores have included replacing a few pieces of fuel line, changing fuel filters, fixing a water pump, and the windlass. With any luck the winds will lighten and we'll be ordering beer in Spanish soon.