Wednesday, July 9, 2014

What's Your Location

July 9th, 2014 - What's Your Location

Abaco Location

Today was a "typical" day on the island for us in that we went through our morning routine of eating breakfast, applying sunscreen, loading up the golf cart in preparation for a trip to North Beach. I suppose I use the term "typical" loosely. I try very hard not to take any of these days for granted for they are precious and hold a special place in my heart. We have one full day left on the island. And with the physical preparation involved in packing suitcases and working out travel details also comes a psychological preparation. You have to convince yourself that you are ready to leave and cross over back to reality. This is not always easy, but I am ready to be back home. Now, don't get me wrong. If someone walked up and offered me another week on the island I would take it in a heartbeat. 
Storm Brewin'
Our day at North Beach was uneventful, just the way we like it. The water was as calm as it has been the entire trip and the temperature was perfect. After three hours or so dark clouds made their presence known and soon after rain fell from the sky. We lounged around the house for the remainder of the evening. I grilled out hamburgers and we played a game of scrabble before calling "lights out" and heading to bed. Tomorrow, we plan to eat breakfast out and get as much beach and outside time as humanly possible. We are blessed to spend two weeks on this island, but you still learn quickly to make every moment, every day, count. A lot like life, I guess you could say. 

Happy Place
And now here I sit. Alone in a quiet house working on that psychological part I mentioned earlier in my blog. Quite honestly, I stared at my computer screen for 30 minutes not knowing what to type. But then, as I was going through my pictures from the day, I came across the screenshot I had taken of our GPS location on the island and it hit me. You work diligently preparing for a trip like this. Planning every minute detail and counting down the days until vacation officially begins. My mom and I had literally been counting down for 100 days or more. But as I sit here on the other side of our journey, I am reminded that vacations are special for a myriad of reasons. One of the most important being that vacations, and being on this island in particular, cause you to ask yourself "Where am I in life?" and "What's your location?" We will all return to families, work-related responsibilities, bills, you name it. Walking around in paradise for two weeks, admiring God's truly magnificent and magical creation, causes me to ponder where I am in life. What is important? What will I attempt to conquer next? How can I follow God's word more closely? How can I make a difference? How will I be different, and how will the world be different because of me, the next time I visit this island? Will God grant me another opportunity to visit?

Mom and Dad 
 I am big on reflection and the island provides a healthy dose of opportunities to do just that. More than anything, I am simply thankful. I feel like I am will always be a part of this special place. This island was around before me and will be around long after I am gone. But it holds a unique place in my heart and soul. Regardless of my location I can carry this island around with me wherever I may go. 







My Perspective

Moore Musings:
  • Depending on the weather, we might make an attempt to catch sunrise on Friday before we catch the 8 AM ferry over to Marsh Harbour. 
  • I will miss the view from the top floor our our rental home, TreEscape. I have remarked before that it is like a painting. It seems surreal. 
  • Little Abby is tired and homesick. She loves the beach, but misses her home and her dog. 
  • Already planning a final few blog entries for when I return to Greenville, SC. Want to put together some pictures in a video set to music as well.




Tuesday, July 8, 2014

A Walk North

July 8th, 2014 - A Walk North

That Gorgeous Lighthouse
It's been a rain-themed trip and that theme continued today as we were trapped inside our rental for the better part of the morning due to heavy thunderstorms. We have honestly enjoyed more sun than rain on this trip, but several days have been total washouts. I know we are in the tropics, but it seems as if we have seen more rain on this trip than in our previous six or seven trips combined. Luckily, the rain moved on and we were able to do what we call "exploring" in the afternoon and evening. My wife, daughter and I drove around in the golf cart to Hope Town School, the cemetery past the school, and several random roads we had never traveled. It seems as though we always find a road we have not traveled or an area of the island we have not explored. This time, we continued down the road past LVA to the stop sign. However, instead of turning left to head south toward Firefly we turned back right toward the lighthouse. There, we discovered the home office for Elbow Cay Cart Rentals. We continued down several less-traveled roads. Neat experience. I would certainly recommend getting in your golf cart and exploring the island for yourself. I would enjoy hearing from readers of this blog. What do you do on a rainy day on the island?

Lucayos "Fair Weather" Dock

The Hope Town School, founded in 1893, is situated on your right just before the Hope Town Harbour Lodge as you head toward the settlement. This charming red and white facility boasts a school building and media center for students in grades kindergarten through six. As an elementary assistant principal in South Carolina, I can tell you that I am always fascinated as I walk through the school grounds and imagine what it might be like to teach children on the island. I would consider doing so to be quite an honor. Maybe in the next life? 
I suppose one could possibly find walking around an island's final resting place a bit morbid. However, there are few locations on the island more peaceful (in my mind) than the cemetery past the Hope Town School. Here, you will quickly locate gravestones with familiar names like Malone, Sweeting, Thompson, Russell, and so on. As you read the engraving on each plot, it's easy to let your mind begin to ponder such questions as "What did this person do for a living on the island?" and "I wonder what life on the island was like during this individual's time?" Today, I found a marker explaining that the individual buried in that location drowned in the hurricane of 1935. I immediately researched this storm when I made it back to our rental. While researching, I came across this blog detailing a more intense storm that did tremendous damage to the Abaco region. There are other cemeteries on the island; each displaying the names of countless people who called this island "home" and have stories yet to be told. 
After our exploration of the island, we went back to the rental house for repellant. It seems as though the rain and humidity woke up all the mosquitoes! My mother and I decided to take the cart back to the post office dock and walk north. We continued past Vernon's, toward the "kissing chairs" and then continued to the north. This part of the island is set apart in many ways. You will find large homes, wandering roads, and gorgeous views of both the Atlantic side and the Sea of Abaco side of the island. It took us a good thirty minutes to walk from the basketball court in the settlement to the northernmost point we could access on the island. We skipped around puddles formed by the heavy rains of the morning and enjoyed watching the sun fall down behind the clouds as dusk crept up on our little island. Again, this is a "must do" activity. Pick a cooler day or, at least, pick a cooler time of day and start walking!
Another rainy day meant being creative. We have found that those days tend to be fun days on Elbow Cay. The rain always subsides just enough so you can get out and let your creativity run wild. The island provides. Just when you think I can't do this again or I am not sure what to do an opportunity presents itself. My suggestion to a newcomer visiting Elbow for the first time would be simply to capitalize on those opportunities. You never know when a walk north will present itself. Be ready and go for it!

Moore Musings:
  • Definitely fewer potcakes roaming the streets of Hope Town. Bravo to those individuals who have assisted in finding a home for these precious animals!
  • I have not heard the chimes ring from St. James on this trip. Does this not occur any longer and, if not, does anyone know why?
  • We were able to watch some of what we think was regatta take place from our own deck this afternoon. 
  • We continue to look at homes in and near the settlement for our next trip to Elbow (summer 2016). Our plan is to bring a family or two with us, get a larger home, and split the cost up some. 
 My Next Job

 Media Center

 Island's Final Resting Place

 Dock at Sunset

 Island Sunset North 

Fine Dining


Monday, July 7, 2014

Rainbow


July 7th, 2014 - Rainbow
Elbow Cay Lighthouse Pano
Rainbow Over Elbow Cay
White Sound Sunset Pano

First of all, thanks to Mary Elizabeth for reading the blog and suggesting that we simply call over to Hope Town Marina for a ride over to that side of the island. We did just that and enjoyed a morning that included walking to the top of the Elbow Cay Lighthouse and lounging at the pool and bar of the Hope Town Marina. We called the marina and in 15 minutes someone met us at the post office dock to give us a ride over. The walk to the lighthouse from the marina area takes 5 minutes or so and it was sticky and hot. No problem for old pros like us, but we were glistening with sweat once we reached the lighthouse and still had around 100 stairs to arrive at the top. The view from the top is well worth the extra effort. You can get a 360 degree glimpse of the islands that dot the landscape and the turquoise colors of the waters of the Bahamas. After attempting numerous times to get the "right" picture of our entire group, quite an undertaking with a 5 year old and being 120 feet high off the ground, we made our way down and enjoyed looking around the Hope Town Marina. The pool and wet bar area of the Hope Town Marina is gorgeous. You can see why so many people stop by and spend an afternoon just hanging out, enjoying a drink and meeting new friends. Definitely add the lighthouse and marina to your "to do" list when visiting Abaco. 





We made our rounds around the settlement, stopping at a few shops for souvenirs and looking at houses we might want to rent for our next date with Abaco, before heading home. After a quick lunch and waiting out a passing shower, we headed to North Beach for a walk and exploration time only to find that the seas were angry once again on the Atlantic side. The tide was high and the surf was not to be reckoned with on this day. We drove to Sea Spray to take a dip in their pool and enjoy the cool breezes that can often be found there. After an hour or so, a thunderstorm was brewing off in the distance so we decided to call it quits for the day and head back in. I have noticed that it's often impossible to determine when and if a thunderstorm is a threat to hit your area of the island. You can hear thunder and see lightning that is miles away and, often times, these passing storms are simply a brief and distant silhouette. Not this day, however. The rains came and we were beginning to wonder if our golf cart ride to the Abaco Inn, to celebrate our belated anniversary would be a wet one or if we would need to send someone from the Inn to retrieve us. Luckily, the rain subsided and we were able to start our drive south toward the Abaco Inn for dinner and dessert. More on the ride over in just a moment. Our dinner at the Abaco Inn was fabulous. We ate indoors but the open windows provided a refreshing breeze and a peek at the raging ocean outside. Rainbow enjoyed filet and lobster while I enjoyed filet and shrimp. Rainbow samples the creme brûlée for dessert while I engulfed a piece of chocolate silk pie and some cookies and cream ice cream.  We visited the bar for a drink before walking down to the pool area to admire the view. Thanks again to the kind folks at Abaco Inn for making our special night a truly candlelit, romantic, peaceful, and magical evening! 

 Rainbow Over Abaco Inn

Yes, It Was THAT Good

Now, back to the ride over from our rental home to the Abaco Inn. We were a bit bummed at the weather and praying that the sky would not open up as we rounded the corner to one of the more picturesque places on the island. You know the place, that narrow road with the raging Atlantic on your left and a tranquil, glimmering White Sound on the other. Yes, right there, we noticed a double rainbow colorfully making its presence known on the island. Many people, traveling in golf carts from one place to another, stopped and could only stand in awe at its awesome beauty. Me? Well, I may have taken a picture or 10. Elbow Cay is just like that it seems. Don't bother being bothered. Don't fret. Don't worry. Lurking just around the corner is a rainbow, a not so subtle reminder that you are in paradise.



Moore Tidbits:
  • We have coined the term "hermicide"... the killing (unintentional) of hermit crabs on the island during an evening golf cart ride. 
  • Three full days left on the island. I just want sunshine and clear waters!
  • We have met some wonderful folks on the island who have been so kind to my daughter. A nice lady today told us that her father had been talking about Abby the day after he saw her at Sea Spray for the Goombay Festival. 
 Lovely Rainbows

 Elbow Cay Rainbow

 Elbow Cay Lighthouse

 Go Tigers - From Atop the Lighthouse

 Clemson, SC. God's Country

My Wife is From Sumter, SC


 Lighthouse Sign-In


 Wet Bar at Hope Town Marina


Moore Ladies - Boat Ride To Marina

Sunday, July 6, 2014

Stop And Look

July 6th, 2014 - Stop and Look
Firefly Resort Pano
Tahiti Beach Pano

I have reached that point in my blogging experience where I am not sure what else can be documented and still paint an accurate picture of the charming character and rustic beauty of Elbow Cay. For this trip, we decided not to rent a boat  to help with cost. This is not that big of a deal for us because we are not exactly seafaring people. But it does mean we will have to go without trips to North Pelican, the "narrows" at Man O' War, and a few other spots. Still, this has been one of our most enjoyable experiences ever on the island. And thanks to those of you following and sharing our blog. We have received over 2,000 views in just over a week!

Abby Plays with Her Potcake Friend

We decided to get a head start on the day and get to Tahiti Beach on the south end around midmorning. Being low tide, we thought this would be an excellent opportunity to look for shells and allow Abby some time to enjoy the tidal pools and shallows that are created during low tide at Tahiti. The weather could not have been more perfect. On our walk from Dorros Dock to Tahiti, we encountered a barracuda. Can you spot him in the picture below? Not the largest we have ever seen, but did not seem bothered in the least with our presence. We have been blessed to have been in close 
proximity with a variety of wildlife in Abaco during this trip. We have seen a reef shark, sea turtles, stingrays, a variety of fish and birds, potcakes, and the barracuda. On such a stunning morning, the waters of Tahiti were crystal clear which made for excellent shelling and snorkeling. There was a very large crowd at Tahiti for so early in the day. We enjoyed watching one gentleman kiteboard around the shallows of Tahiti while another flew his quadricopter drone. No doubt that the Tahiti crowd knows how to have fun. I simply enjoy standing still and admiring the view; like a slow motion video of paradise playing just for me. 


After several hours of fun at Tahiti, we went in for lunch and spent an hour at North Beach watching Abby play with a friend she had met (see picture above). The water was a bit too rough for our liking on the Atlantic side so we opted to visit HTHL once again for ice cream and drinks. And, of course, a dip in the pool. 

 Hammock Calling My Name

Flag

After some rest and relaxation at HTHL, we traveled home to start working on dinner. We used the grill at our rental home for the first time and prepared hamburger steaks. They were delicious! I was quite thankful that I did not burn the house down as the flame did get out of control at one point. I have enjoyed taking pictures of the Hope Town "Fire Department" locations, but I seriously did not want to have to rely on them for their services. Thankfully, we can just laugh about it now. 

Dorros Community Dock

For our evening adventure, we set out to Firefly Sunset Resort and Abaco Inn. The Firefly Resort boasts the BEST view for sunset you will find on the island. I would suggest stopping there for a drink at the bar and then walking down to their dock for pictures during sunset. Unfortunately for us, the Firefly was crowded so we made the decision to take a few pictures and head to the Abaco Inn. 


We made an impromptu decision to head to the Abaco Inn for dessert. We remembered very much enjoying doing dessert there several years ago. Let me stop for a moment and state for the record: The Abaco Inn is quickly becoming our favorite resort on the island. The food and drink has been superb but, more importantly, the people (from waitstaff to managers) have been extremely kind and treated us as though we were staying on their property. Not to start a debate on the Abaco Forum, but let's just say we have not always been greeted in such a respectful manner by some of the other resorts on the island. Moving along, the dessert at the Inn was spectacular. I enjoyed the chocolate silk pie while my wife feasted on the coconut pie. We enjoyed our dessert in the indoor restaurant area with a cool breeze caressing us through the open windows. Magical evening for us. 



It's late now. Almost a new day. And I cannot help but think about the fact that our two weeks is almost up on the island. We leave for our other home, real home, on Friday. Still, four days is plenty to take everything in and embrace it. We will certainly make the most of it. Today while walking around the shallows of Tahiti Beach, I remembered to just stop and look. I didn't have to analyze it, debate it, pay for it, anything. I just stopped and I looked. The island life forces you to slow down do such things. I pray I can remember, no, grasp and hold on to this mentality. 

Abaco Inn Moment

Mommy and Baby Starfish

 Mom at Tahiti

 The Walk to Tahiti Beach

 Mom on Edge of Sand Bar

 Starfish Find

Clear Waters at Tahiti Beach

Musings:
  • We plan to try to hitch a ride to the lighthouse tomorrow. Stayed tuned!
  • My wife and I will officially celebrate our 8th anniversary (June 16th) at the Abaco Inn tomorrow evening. My parents are watching the kids. 
  • Obviously, we enjoy the beaches at North Beach and Tahiti. Are there any other good beaches we are missing on the island?
  • Before leaving to do list: secure t-shirts and other souvenirs, visit lighthouse, walk north on the island to explore. What would you suggest we add?