Ruins and Slower Pace

 

Black Point Harbor

   Away from the mega-yacht infused marinas, over-priced stores and restaurants, and tourists in "desperate" need to post, tweet, and chat . . . away from the over-crowded hub of Nassau . . . is the Bahamian version of Mayberry. Here, things run at a slower, calmer pace.

A VERY relaxed cat on island time

   There's basically one main road that leads around the island. The local phone rep comes from the "mainland" (Georgetown) once a week to take care of the residents' minutes and bills.  Goats are the going model of lawn mower. The local children leave their small classrooms and walk home for lunch, returning to fit in a quick game of basketball before the bell rings.  The constable even doubles as the justice of the peace.    

   Yep, we've made it back to Black Point Settlement.  For those of you that have been keeping up with us for a while, you'll remember this as the place where I volunteered at the school for three weeks.  This is also where we made our first real attempt at fixing our engine fiasco and where we rode out Tropical Storm Anna.  (If you want to check out our first time in this wonderful spot, click on the links for May and June of 2015.)

This rock conveniently had a hole
in it for our dinghy line (painter)

   After spending a few nights in Palm Key Marina to wait out a front, we sailed south.  We made a few stops here and there, quick jaunts from island to island.  One of these spots was a place called Pipe Cay.  A former British Naval Navigation Center, this spot provides an interesting walk around the ruins (what's left of the center) along with a few pretty places to anchor your dinghy.

A BIG Bollard for a BIG boat

Some one went to a lot of trouble to make this a
sun downers spot

Inside the living quarters

I saved this little guy's life . . . I found him washed up on the
beach, so I put him back and he snuggled back into the sand

 
   We dropped anchor in Black Point yesterday afternoon.  Once we were settled in, we walked up to Lorraine's Cafe to catch up on our internet needs and have dinner. We plan on being here for about a week. This will allow us to catch a weather window to Georgetown.   I'll keep updating when I can as we keep moving further south.

   Please let us know what you think. Feel free to ask questions and leave nice comments. (If no one has commented yet, there will be a "No Comments" link near the bottom of the post. If someone has already commented, there will be a number and the word "comments" beside it. Just click whichever of these is there, click, "add comment" when the window opens, and type away.)

A Solemn Tribute

   The American Serviceman.
 
   He is an exemplary human being.  He is all heart, although he may not show it. Training tells him not to shed tears but, affect him at his core, and he finds it hard to hold them back.  A day off is not an option and he feels out of place on leave; he is not used to his time being his own.  He stands up for what's right.  Not standing up is out of the question; For him, the consequences of standing aside would be unbearable.  His core values are nonnegotiable; They are a part of his being and his fuel to serve.  He would not only give you the shirt off his back but, his life if necessary.  He wouldn't think twice; that is his duty, his calling.  Try to point all of his honors and attributes out to him; he is humble and will attempt to lessen his heroic efforts.  He never sees himself as a hero or brags about his achievements.  In his mind,  there is no other option than to serve.  He doesn't see his service as praiseworthy because, to him, he is merely doing his job.  If he gives his life serving his country, he is contributing to a greater good.  He dies with his boots on.

   Five of these indispensable men did just that on Thursday, July 16.  A senseless act of violence left these men paying the ultimate price and their families with irreparable holes.  These men were fathers, sons, brothers, husbands, and friends.  They can never be replaced.

  So, today, the day that these men were escorted to their final resting places, we are doing our small part to honor them.  We have lowered our flag to half mast.  We hope that others will read this and respond in kind.  The president has not made the official order to lower the flags (even though he has previously ordered it for senators and other government officials).  Our flag flies as a tribute to these men and a poignant statement to all that set eyes on its stars and stripes.

   We thank these men for their sacrifice and our hearts and prayers are with those who were left with a void too great to fill. Please, thank the vets in your life and be grateful that they are still with you.  Say a prayer for those currently serving.  Without these brave men and women, we would not be able to enjoy the freedoms that we all too often take for granted.  

   Gunnery Sargent Thomas Sullivan, Lance Corporal Squire K. Wells, Staff Sargent David Wyatt, Sargent Carson Holmquist, and Petty Officer Randall Smith, may you rest in peace; We cannot thank you enough.    

   Please let us know what you think. Feel free to ask questions and leave nice comments. (If no one has commented yet, there will be a "No Comments" link near the bottom of the post. If someone has already commented, there will be a number and the word "comments" beside it. Just click whichever of these is there, click, "add comment" when the window opens, and type away.)