Picnic in Little Exuma

Today, we struck out to Williamstown. We picked up lunch at a little shack/bar where two local drunk men ran us off! We stopped on the beach and had a make-shift rock table.

Sunday lunch

Lunch Sunday on the porch at St. Francis marina and resort on Stocking Island after beach church and a short hike to the beach.

Fish for dinner

On Friday we took Pill Pusher up to Staniel Cay in search of Wahoo. We had a great lunch at SCYC and did manage to catch a dolphin on the way home. We had one other bite and lost our lure to the fish. The fried Mahi hit the spot though and 1 was enough to feed all of us. I met a fellow fisherman last night and I am now armed with new information as to how to catch Wahoo in this part of the world!!! Stay tuned.

Lions and Tigers and Bears Oh My!!!

We caught a Lion Fish yesterday just off of Conch Cay. The Lion Fish is not natural to this part of the world. It has been accidentally introduced and has continuously migrated north. Currently it has moved all the way up to the coast of North Carolina. The Lion Fish is a very aggressive eater and has very few natural enemies here. I have seen pictures recently of a large Grouper eating a Lion Fish... its a pretty interesting story and can be found on many websites just by using Google. We threw him back, but later were told that they are good to eat. The 1st 4 spines on top, we were told, can be clipped and that will do away with the painful sting. I think I'll stick to other species to eat, although if the fishing doesn't pick up I may have to resort to Lion Steak!!!

My Buddies!!!

Here I am with my 2 buddies... while my other buddy takes the picture!!! We are overlooking the Exuma Sound on the east side of Stocking Island. We are on a outcrop about 50 ft above the water. Helene says that we were looking for fish. Our fishing has not been that good lately. We are heading north to Staniel Cay today to try again and to hopefully see the pigs and the grotto where James Bond Thunderbolt was filmed.

Grandmama and PaPa Arrive!!!

We were all glad to see my Mom and Dad. The Boys have waited on the candy and surprises that Grandmama was bringing!!! I think the candy explains the wild look in Miller's eyes!!! Looking forward to showing them the islands and hopefully catching fish.

The Parish of St Andrew

Last week I posted that we attended 'Beach Church' with the Johnsons  and really enjoyed it.  Yesterday we stayed in George Town and attended The Parish of St. Andrew.  St Andrew is the local Anglican/Episcopal church.  It was started in 1802 and is the oldest church in the Exumas. The parish is very well kept. We arrived early around 10:30 b/c we were not sure exactly what time church started.  We were greeted by many local members and several boaters who attend.  The service was very much like I remember St. James in Belhaven, but more formal... maybe more like the service at Christ School, the prep school I attended for a while in Asheville.  The singing was incredible... many wonderful voices... we sung 10 songs with 4 to 5 verses each!!  We took communion and they had a blessing of the children.  All the children go to the alter and the priest prayed over them.  The service was about 2 hours long!!!  We really enjoyed it and our 2 boys actually behaved themselves the whole time except at the end Walton kinda had enough of the incense and started fanning as the processional walked down the isle.  Helene has quick hands!!!  She grabbed his immediately!! 

Fleet Addition!!!

We rented a car for 1 month when we got here. The rental fee was just over $1k and gas is over $5 per gallon. Anyway, we had the opportunity to buy this little dinghy at a good deal from a real nice guy from Toronto. He must be a kindred spirit of mine, because he had 3 dinghies tied up to the back of his sailboat!!! Helene has told me I am in trouble if I bring another boat home... I don't think this one counts. We are able to go to town in less than 5 minutes and they have a dock for dinghies just behind the market. We think that this will be the way to go and maybe we can sell the T/T Pill Pusher before we leave!!! T/T is a term I've learned since starting this trip... it stands for 'tender to'.

Lesson Learned

This is a note to myself... When the guy at the hardware store offers to put together the new gas grill... let him!!! No matter how much time you think you have. We were real close to not being able to cook steak last night. I think it ended up taking me 3 hours to put the grill together, but in the end the dinner was great and the grill is almost finished. I didn't put the side burner on in the dark last night, but will finish that today.

Best fed cat on Exuma!!!

This cat shows up every morning on our back porch. She acts like she has never been fed and eats as fast as she can. However, she looks like she is well fed. I bet that every other house that is here is feeding her... she's pretty smart!!!  She is eating left over lobster!!!

Walton fishing

Walton and Miller fish every chance they get. Yesterday they were fishing at the marina here in February Point and had a 6 foot Bull Shark circle the dock!!! The shark comes to the end of the dock because the Capt of the charter boat Fish Rowe cleans fish there. He wanted a free meal I guess!!! After swimming around for 10 to 15 minutes he gave up on the handouts!!!

Fishing

Miller fly fishing at the marina. The villa we are renting is in the background. It is available for rent... after we leave... and is very well stocked with anything you need to feel at home. The Wonsicks and their family have made it the perfect vacation villa. We are enjoying February Point and George Town very much.

Walton and Miller having a good time!!!

Walton and Miller are having a great time. In this picture they are the best of friends... this is 90% of the time. The other 10% they are fighting!!!

Lobster Hunting

This morning we are going lobster hunting again.  This time we are going with someone who knows what he is doing.  Parker, Walton, and I snorkeled around for about an hour the other day and didn't find a single one.  We did see some cool stuff... Barracuda, coral, Groupers, and a host of other fish. 

We are also buying a dinghy today.  It will replace the car we are renting.  All the shops in town are accessible by boat.  This will be the first time since I was 16 that I have no car... I think.  Don't worry those of you coming in by air... we will get a taxi and come pick you up... no 10 mile walk for you!!!

I will post pictures this afternoon, hopefully of 6 to 10 lobsters!!! 

Walton fly fishing

Walton is fly fishing on Stocking Island at Chat and Chill. KB, the owner, told him he could fish as long as he didn't throw anything back!!! That's right down Walton's alley.

Miller with a grouper!

One of the Grouper we caught today. Miller, Walton and Bode did a great job catching supper.

Yummy to my tummy!!!

Aria is enjoying supper!!!

Beautiful Weather Today!!

Parker, Bode, Walton, Miller and I took Pill Pusher and went Wahoo fishing... 2 strikes... 1 hook up, but we lost him.  We trolled for about 2 hours with nothing in the boat.  We stopped and talked to 2 Bahamians in a small boat they were deep dropping in 200 feet of water.  After trolling for another 20 minutes I decided to give it a try.  We tied up a makeshift grouper rig and on the first drop caught a nice Red Snapper.  We ended up with 5 Grouper and the Snapper.  So its fresh fish for supper.  We also tried our hand at snorkeling for Lobster... to no avail.  We're going to try that again tomorrow.

Beach Church

We attended 'Beach Church' this morning. The children climb the trees to watch and listen. The trees are then called 'Angel Trees'... ours truly were this morning. The message was about 12th night. We really enjoyed the service, however not exactly like ours at Trinity... it took me a while but I found the verse that  was in my head this morning Matt 18:20 'For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them'... we felt at home.

She's Baaaaack!!!

We got Pill Pusher back!!! Thanks to Perry Brown and his crew. New piston and rod and a little Bahama Magic!!!

Welcome to Exuma International Airport!!

We welcomed our first visitors... the Johnsons, Parker, Ashley, Bode, and Aria!!! I picked them up at the airport and gave them the 1st class tour back to February Point. Parker brought me my first newspaper in weeks!!! Those of you who have been around me in the morning know that coffee and newspapers rule with me!!! Anyway, it was nice to have one, but not nearly as nice as it was to share time with friends. We had a great dinner with the last of the beef from home and a wonderful bottle of 1999 Silver Oak that Parker and Ashley brought... wow!! We look forward to a great week.

Pirates... Fire the Cannon!!!

This cannon is overlooking the Exuma Sound, which is essentially the Atlantic Ocean. It was used to defend the southern end of Little Exuma and the salt trade. I'm not sure if they had more than one, but I expect that if they didn't that the defense was mostly trying to frighten with noise more than trying to sink a ship. This point is one of the highest points on any of the nearby islands. It is a couple hundred feet above the water. Walton and Miller are posing as cannon shooters... watch out ECU ROTC... they want your job!!!

Cooler Temps and Little Exuma

We woke up to a cool front and NE winds about 20 to 25 this morning. We got in the car and drove south for 30 minutes to Little Exuma Island. It is connected to Great Exuma by a 1 lane bridge!!! 15 mile per hour speed limit!!! It was kinda reminiscent of Ocracoke. We saw the salt pans which is where they harvested salt for export back in the 1700's. The information board said that in one year they harvested from the 3 small ponds 300,000 bushels of salt for export. That's pretty impressive since all was done by hand.

We expect this weather to last another day and a half. It should be back to 'normal' to welcome our first guests. Parker, Ashley, Bode, and Aria Johnson!!! It also sounds like we may get Pill Pusher back tomorrow or Saturday!!! I think they found parts here on the island... yeah!!!

Fresh as it gets.

Helene, The Boys, and I went to Chat and Chill today. We limped over on 1 motor!!! The boys are eating some of their favorite meals... Mahi (Miller) and Ribs (Walton). Helene and I had a real treat... Conch Salad, made fresh!!! When I say fresh I mean that they walked over to the clear blue water pulled one out, cleaned it and made salad!!! It is wonderful. When I first tried Conch Salad I didn't think I'd like it. It is cooked by the lemon, lime, or orange juice used in the salad. Anyway, with a cold Kalik Light it makes a great Bahama lunch. We also got to eat what the boys left of theirs!!!

The Pill Pusher has parts on the way. A new engine block!!! Anyway, I'm just glad it happened once we got here.

All dressed up and no where to go!!

The Pill Pusher is cleaned up, got her flags flying , and baits are re-rigged. The only problem is we still have one motor that won't run!!! Mr Perry is suppose to come look at her soon and hopefully get parts on the way.

We have enjoyed our first couple of days in Georgetown. We bought fresh bread at the bakery this morning. This is something you can only get on Tuesday. Propane day is Wednesday. Anyway, it is a different lifestyle here... we are truly on island time.

The picture is taken off our dock. The February Point Marina is in the background. If you look closely the blue building is the restaurant.

Our first sunrise from our house in Georgetown!!! We are overlooking the Elizabeth Harbor toward the west. That is Stocking Island in the background. That is where 'Chat and Chill' is located.

Pill Pusher looked a little small compared to the 5 cruise boats in Nassau.

Miller in Allen's Cay. Getting ready for iguanas!!