Easy Living In Emerald Bay

December 12 - 16,  2013

A late lunch at the Grand Isle Resort

We have had a relaxing week at the marina.  My principle task has been creating meals that will use up the last of the perishables that are on board.  I'm amazed that I planned as well as I did, when we were provisioning at Costco.  The refrigerator was maxed out with barely enough room for air to circulate.    By tomorrow we will have finished off everything with an expiration date that puts it in jeopardy.  The main grocery in George Town has a good variety of food, but the prices are at least double their U.S. equivalents.  The frozen items that we have purchased have been a big disappointment.  I think they defrosted some where in route to the store.  And, the meat……..let's just say I'm glad that we brought as much as we did!  Produce is readily available from the grocery store and the Reverend's produce truck.  We also found the guy, that sits in front of the hair braiding salon, makes excellent whole wheat bread.  There is a Costco in Puerto Rico that is calling my name!!!  

For exercise we continue to trek the two and a half mile route across Sandals Beach and back.  Our fear is that after Christmas we won't have it to ourselves.  Dairy, a sweet woman with a shack at the far end of the beach, sells conch shells and shell jewelry.  When she sees us coming she yells, "hello Brian and Jack".  Well, of course, we have to go visit and buy a couple of bracelets for the granddaughters!  

Enjoying lunch and another beautiful beach 
at Big D's.

Earlier this week the dingy motor wasn't putting out cooling water.  Brian took it apart and gave it a good cleaning.  Sunday we dropped the dingy in the water and took a ride to Big D's.  As usual, the water looked very calm until we got out of the marina's protective wall.  The swells were three to four feet.  We just floated over them like a smooth ride at an amusement park….until we got to the reef!  I looked back as we crossed the coral beds and saw we were being pushed by a very large foaming wave.  No problem just a little unnerving to watch.  Big D sat down with us as we finished our lunch and we   talked about places overseas and in the U.S. we had all visited. 

I'm still trying to decide if he's a keeper or should I throw him back!

I just completed a new palm frond fish.  It has been a good conversation starter with almost everyone that walks the dock.  They probably go back to their boat and talk about the crazy woman on the trawler….   
     

Our next dingy…. Opps, one problem, it is almost
as long as our boat!
 Yes, that's four 300 horsepower motors on the transom!

When we take a break from our rigorous schedule, we have been reading.  Brian likes the John Sanford books that take place in and around our former Minnesota home.  I have been going with a more southern location (but just as familiar) -- Randy Wayne White's west coast Florida.  

Gotta smile -- we're lovin the ride!