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