Final hours in Bahamas

Posted on March 31, 2021

Wendy and Ferrin Flanders (also known on the boat as Grandma and Grandpa), have been so wonderful to spend time with. It’s a good idea to surround yourself with people you admire and hope to be like, and such beautiful souls like these two, are the perfect example of what kind of people we all should be.

In this short time, Grandpa has become quite the sailor!

Knowing that we had a short amount of time left before needing to stow the fenders and dock lines, raise the sails and head for Florida, we invited Tia and her beautiful children over for a swim and lunch at the marina. We cooked hotdogs and hamburgers on the BBQ and fed everyone including the marina staff.

These munchkins have not had been in the water much, and were so excited to swim. Matt tied a pool noodle around Brigham and spent considerable time with him – teaching him how to swim. By the end of the day, he put the fish to shame.

We all had a wonderful time relaxing, playing with the kids and picnicking, and Danny made some new friends.

This sweet little Angel took a nap in my arms after we’d splashed around for a while.

Whenever we are in Bahamas, it just seems like the right thing, to make conch fritters. I used my recipe from Big Mama, the beautiful Bahamian lady who taught me how to make them and shared her recipe with me. Owen has decided it’s his new favorite food.

Finally the time came when we needed to say our ‘see you later’s’ and head for the US. We decided to sail through the night so those that tend to get seasick can sleep – arriving in Fort Lauderdale by midday, which is when the boat is due back.

It’s tough leaving Bahamas. This place is so peaceful and incredibly beautiful. It’s great to know that regardless of what’s going on in life, Bahamas is always here…waiting for our return.

Adventuring and helping out

Posted on March 31, 2021

For our last full day in Bahamas, we decided that in the morning we would explore a beautiful beach and a blue hole or two, and in the afternoon we would shop for the five families in need.

Gold Rock Beach is part of Lucayan National Park, and a splendid place to spend some time. We first walked a path that led us to a blue hole restricted to swimmers but open to scuba divers. 

Many years ago, well preserved human remains were found under some rocks about 6ft below the waters surface – as well as pottery pieces.

Mangroves surround the trail leading to the beach, then all open up to the beautiful ocean.

Fine white sand stretches out as far as one can see, with cool Bahamian blue waters gently lapping up onto the shores.

The kids dug holes, built castles and splashed in the waves. I snorkeled out a ways and found nothing but wide open sandy bottom…such a beautiful sight. Grand Bahamas is known for their Tiger Sharks, and I hoped I would see one, but never did.

They say the most versatile all terrain vehicle is a rental car, and we definitely put that theory to the test! A really bumpy dirt road took us deep into the who knows where of Grand Bahama, and finally we found Owl Hole. Wendy and Ferrin got a kick out of the warning sign…go ahead and dive, but remember, I forbid it!

We plunged deep into the hole and splashed around until we were pruny enough!

A ladder was in place, which made it easy to climb out for another jump.

After those adventures, Matt and Gina and I loaded up supplies at the grocery store. Shopping in Bahamas is expensive – a dozen eggs is almost $8 and a small jar of peanut butter is $10.

We took everything over to the family’s home that we had had dinner with, and sorted and divided the supplies up for the five families, then set out to deliver it all. It always such a special experience for us.

I’m so grateful for life and the opportunities it presents us, and I’m especially grateful for the opportunity for personal growth and learning…and the best part of it is that it’s endless.