Month: February 2022

Last day in Rock Sound

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We’ve been taking advantage of the quiet, cool, breezy days. Susie gets the idea to polish the stainless parts of our SaltyMare (quite a bit of shiny stuff). While working on the bow, she was visited several times by ballyhoo; often enough that she finally able to “catch” a photo. (Yes, Mom, she took this one!) Well, during the week, the decision was made that the weather will allow us to head to the Exumas early, real early, this (Saturday) morning, so as much as she enjoys polishing stainless, she was pulled away to dining. Yep, dining.

There were a couple of restaurants we wanted to hit in Rock Sound, and now we had only Friday to do so. First up, Frigate’s Bar & Grill for Caesar salad, which rumor said was the best ever. Well, it was fresh and delicious, but it didn’t beat Tres Luna Bar and Kitchen in Hoover, Alabama. Tres Luna, couldn’t, however, hold a candle to the view from Frigate’s…

Earlier in the week, we’d been told by locals we should definitely try the baked macaroni at Wild Orchids, so we stopped for lunch during one of our grocery expeditions only to find its not something they normally carry on the menu. However, the owner, Sybil, said they’d make it for us if we returned. So we made plans for Saturday (explaining about someone’s birthday plans having gone awry due to Covid). Then the weather turned and we knew we needed to head out before dawn Saturday. When we called Sybil to apologize for the plan change, she told us to come on over on Friday. Well, not only was there baked macaroni, but she’d set up a lovely pop-up birthday, complete with decorations, music and cake!

Wow!
Last sunset of a decade… 😉
Thank you, Sybil!
Sunset celebration
Cake, too?! Served with a spunky Bahamian version of “Happy Birthday”
When we arrived with John and Madeleine from Chanceaux, Sybil didn’t miss a beat. Her expertly decorated table for two was quickly transformed into a “party” for four!
The boys wore red like they had it planned….ha!

Around town in Rock Sound

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Considered the most populated area of Eleuthera, the shopping/provisioning is easy. For the freshest selection of produce, cruisers tend to hit the grocery stores the day after the supply boat comes in, which it did on Tuesday; hence, we’re going!

Hall’s – grocery, bakery, deli, and all the above!
Marketplace shopping plaza – Grocery, Liquor store, and others
Gas price here? $5.50/gallon

Shoe leather express always in play on trips to the grocery stores. It was heart-warming to hear the sounds of children from the school windows. Apparently, they’ve gone back to in-school learning here in Rock Sound. Past pretty yards, a couple of churches, and of course, chickens. Hey! That’s SaltyMare peeking through the palms. She looks good in the tropics!

Along the way, we passed Ocean Hole Park (gleaned from the sign): The inland blue hole is ~300′ wide, >600′ deep, and thought to be connected to the ocean through underground passages formed nearly 300,000 years ago when the limestone bedrock eroded. The somewhat salty water has a high mineral and sulphur content believed to have healing powers. The pond-like spot is enjoyed by many turtles and ocean fish, including angelfish, parrotfish, mangrove snappers, and sergeant majors. Shame the water was too cool or we’d be taking a “healing” dip with those fishes!

After errands, we gathered with John & Madeleine and Bob & Francie for “sundowners,”
where we enjoyed this nice view of Barefootin’ and SaltyMare from the cockpit of Chanceaux.
The sky’s aglow signaling a peaceful night ahead. Good night, all!