About

Six years ago my partner Michael Wiack and I bought a run-down house on Vieques Island off the eastern coast of Puerto Rico. Three adventure-filled years later—our bank account depleted, our patience stretched to the breaking point on a weekly basis—we hung the last picture, fluffed the last throw pillow, and popped open a bottle of Champagne to celebrate the completion of our dream house. I kept a diary during the process, and in the next few months I’m going to blog about the experience. I hope you’ll tune in and share a few laughs—most of them at our expense.

Patrick Youngblood

Questions or comments? We’d love to hear from you at viequesguys@gmail.com

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25 Comments »

25 Responses

on February 12, 2011 at 9:04 am | Reply Barbie

Interesting and lively accounts, but where are the pics? I miss Vieques and want to see pics of the house and and surrounds.
- on February 12, 2011 at 11:16 am | Reply viequesguys
  
  Thanks Barbie. Lots of pics are coming. Keep reading!
  
  Patrick and Michael
on February 12, 2011 at 10:31 am | Reply Curt and Lorrie

Michael and Patrick,

Thanks for inviting us to your blog. Is this about Casa Dos Chivos? We hope that it is as we love the place. Look forward to reading about your journey.

Curt
- on February 12, 2011 at 11:16 am | Reply viequesguys
  
  Hey Curt and Lorrie,
  
  So glad you’re enjoying our blog and that you’re coming back to the house soon. Keep reading…it’s a long story!
  
  Patrick and Michael
on February 12, 2011 at 11:54 am | Reply Sandy

Hi Michael & Patrick,

Really enjoying the blog! Just the ticket to escape back to Vieques this morning. Funny thing, I was just daydreaming about our trip last March at Casa dos Chivos and the wonderful time we had.

Keep the blog coming!
- on February 12, 2011 at 12:54 pm | Reply viequesguys
  
  Hey Sandy,
  
  Thanks for writing. Nice to hear that you’ve been thinking about Vieques and our little casa.
  
  Keep reading!
  
  Patrick and Michael
on March 23, 2011 at 8:17 am | Reply Maggie

I came across your blog in the Vieques TripAdvisor travel forum. I’ve been enjoying reading your entries each day. We have visited Vieques twice – my husband and two kids – and we really enjoy it. We have often speculated about what it would take to purchase a house there – your blog has been quite a dose of reality! The property looks great and very comfortable. Congratulations!
- on March 23, 2011 at 8:34 am | Reply viequesguys
  
  Hi Maggie,
  
  Thanks for getting in touch. So glad to hear you’re enjoying the blog. We wouldn’t give anything for our house in Vieques, but we wouldn’t want to go through the renovation again. It was quite a trip.
  
  Keep reading…the plot thickens!
  
  All the best,
  
  Patrick and Michael
on May 9, 2011 at 9:59 pm | Reply Jennifer

I am thoroughly enjoying your blog. We are set to close on a small house on Vieques in three weeks and therefore your story amuses/terrifies me! I don’t know what our story will be but if we hadn’t done it I always would have wondered…
- on May 9, 2011 at 10:30 pm | Reply viequesguys
  
  Jennifer,
  
  Don’t worry. Even in our worst moments, we had fun. You guys will too.
  
  Hold steady..and enjoy!
  
  Patrick and Michael
on May 31, 2011 at 8:47 pm | Reply 2marriages1divorce0kids

Your picture caught my eye, the most recent, international gardening one, so clicked on it and was so excited to see that you are living your dream in Vieques. My husband and I went there on our honeymoon and dreamed of one day doing that. Stayed at Hector’s. Incredible island and people. BUT then I really got excited when I saw your blog name. I am still working on mine but will be sure to send link when I make it public. Certainly when I write about our honeymoon!!! Have a rum & coca cola w/ a twist of
lime for me!
- on May 31, 2011 at 8:53 pm | Reply viequesguys
  
  Thanks for your kind words. The next time I’m in Vieques I’ll grab a rum and coke (with a twist, of course) and think about you!
on May 31, 2011 at 10:17 pm | Reply Charlotte | livingwellonthecheap

My husband’s abuela is Puerto Rican and we spent our honeymoon in San Juan and Rincon. I was struck by the beauty and charm of the island and hope to return someday. Seriously, my heart aches for it. Congratulations on getting Freshly Pressed. I’ll be sticking around!
- on May 31, 2011 at 10:31 pm | Reply viequesguys
  
  Hi Charlotte, Thanks so much. Stay tuned…there are lots of adventures to come! Patrick and Michael
on June 5, 2011 at 7:15 am | Reply kolytyi

Your blog is incredibly amusing. You must be really warm-hearted, cheerful folks! I like your irony, your sparkling style and illustrations!
Could you please add a widget allowing for an easier navigation? An Archives or a Calendar might do the job. Now it is a hard work to go back to the beginnings or to earlier posts.
- on June 5, 2011 at 9:34 am | Reply viequesguys
  
  Thanks for your kind words. We’re working on an archive and/or calendar this week. We realize it’s much needed! Patrick and Michael
on June 12, 2011 at 12:21 am | Reply Nicole

I just discovered your blog and am laughing hysterically not AT you, but with you; I just bought a house in Vieques last month. Trying to explain to family and friends that “no, you can’t just call someone and have them fix that” or “yes you can get stuff delivered from the mainland, uh, sort of….it’s complicated” is just the beginning.
I’m enjoying your diary and laughing so hard at references that most people won’t ever understand. It’s simply, Vieques; You either love it or are completely mystified as to how people manage to get from point A to point B during any given day.
PS-I’m starting a Special Forces Group to Handle the Roosters if Michael is interested….
Hope to run into you on the island…maybe at Nales?
Best,
Nicole from NY
- on June 12, 2011 at 11:23 am | Reply viequesguys
  
  Hi Nicole,
  
  Glad you’re enjoying the blog. It’s fun to write. Congrats on your house…and best of luck. Sounds like you’ve got a good sense of humor, which is all you really need to make it just fine in Vieques. Keep laughing!
  
  Patrick and Michael
on June 12, 2011 at 3:24 pm | Reply My BlogJect

What an interesting and original blog. Not found anything like this before, looking forward to keeping up with you adventures.
- on June 12, 2011 at 4:24 pm | Reply viequesguys
  
  Many thanks for your kind words. Keep reading…there’s more to come! Patrick and Michael
on July 4, 2011 at 12:18 pm | Reply louisdp12

I love your blog. Keep them coming. I envy you guys for having the huveos to do what you are doing. When I was in Vieques the place was barren and a perfect place for a teenager and friends to camp out for the weekend. Eating what we caught and of course the drinking.
- on July 4, 2011 at 1:44 pm | Reply viequesguys
  
  Thanks! It’s been hard work but also lots of fun.
on August 1, 2011 at 2:12 pm | Reply Janna

Thanks so much for sharing your story! I closed in June (with my husband and in-laws) on the Bravo Beach Hotel in Bravos de Boston. My husband and I are living here full time and enjoying the adventure.

Your stories keep me laughing and remind me to manage my expectations when it comes to getting the hotel back up and running. It’s more fun when things don’t go quite as planned anyway, right?
- on August 1, 2011 at 3:21 pm | Reply viequesguys
  
  Hey Janna–Congratulations! We have so many fond memories of BBH, going all the way back to 2003. It’s a beautiful property in a gorgeous setting. Best of luck and keep in touch! Patrick and Michael
on April 29, 2011 at 9:17 pm | Reply viequesguys

Hey David, So glad your mom is enjoying the blog. Give her my love.