Island Hopping: Spanish Wells Part 3

We were sad to leave Spanish Wells, so we squeezed in a little more beach time before heading back to Nassau.

The waves were a little rough. 

Can you sense the sarcasm?   There was a stiff breeze.  Yes, I do realized that I am spoiled and will likely not ever be pleased with a normal beach again. #islandproblems

So we scooted over to another, more protected, beach.

I took this picture of Miller then noticed what looked like a big rock off to his left. 

The “rock” was buzzing with flies and I realized that “rock” was in fact a giant fish head.

This huge sandbar was the boys personal playground for the next little while.

They didn’t want to stop playing for a photo.  PSh!

I bet it goes a mile.

With sad hearts, we packed our golf cart back up and headed to the docks.  I spy the Bug!

shortly after we left Spanish Wells, the boat’s engine started giving a warning.  As a safety mechanism it would only go a few miles per hour.  Sooo, we headed back to Spanish Wells.

We spent one more night and got a bonus day as the guys sorted the situation out.  We got a little more beach time

Did a little sightseeing in Spanish wells.  This is what the other sights {besides the amazing beach} look like.

Picked up some yummy locally grown {Eleuthera} pineapples.

Read the phone book.  Just kidding.  It was about 10 pages and so quaint, I couldn’t resist taking a photo.

Later in the afternoon we hopped on the ferry to head home.  The boys were awesome.  Gave them each their own ipad and a big bag of Doritos and they were golden!

It took us a little under two and a half hours to get back.  We had a few rain showers along the way and just as we pulled into the harbor we were rewarded with this!

And then it rained harder than it has ever rained in the history of mankind {or my memory at least} and it took us over an hour to get home.

Back to life, back to reality.  Name that song!

What the Heck Wednesday? Waterlogged!

When we get rain, it is typically an afternoon storm that builds for several hours and then dumps for about 30 minutes and passes.  Last week as we got back from Spanish Wells it began raining…hard. 

Our side of the island got about 5 inches of rain.  The East side got up to 15 inches of rain.  A hurricane typically brings 9-12 inches.  People prepare for that.  Not just a random Sunday evening where they get 15 inches.  Needless to say there was flooding.

Monday afternoon it started to rain.  We probably got 3 inches Monday night.  Tuesday it REALLY started to rain.  We got about 5 or 6 more inches.  Today is Wednesday, schools are cancelled and it is raining steadily.  We have had some passing bands that have dumped very heavy rain.

It is expected to continue through Saturday.

Here is the weather report:

...NEWS BULLETIN FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST FLOOD WARNING...
Residents throughout the archipelago should brace themselves for continued moderate to heavy rainfall throughout the day (Wednesday) and lasting through Friday night.
A broad area of moist unstable air extending southwest to northeast from the Caribbean Sea will generate heavy rainfall and thunderstorms across the entire archipelago. Conditions are favourable for flooding in low-lying areas.
Winds are expected to reach 30 miles per hour or more in embedded thunderstorms. Tornadoes are likely to be spawned from the thunderstorms.
A severe thunderstorm warning will be issued when necessary.
The Department of Meteorology is appealing to residents in flood prone areas to be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice. Residents are advised not to drive, walk or play in flood waters as the depth can easily be misjudged. All efforts should be made to protect lives and property.

So that brings me to another wet topic.  Hurricane Season.  It officially begins on June 1. Here is the  report:

Outlook says there is a 70 percent likelihood of 13 to 20 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which 7 to 11 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 3 to 6 major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5; winds of 111 mph or higher).
These ranges are well above the seasonal average of 12 named storms, 6 hurricanes and 3 major hurricanes.

Coincidentally I just purchased this from Lands End. 

I’ve always wanted to channel the Gorton’s Fisherman!

 

I wish it would hurry up and get here!  Stay dry, y’all!

Happy Birthday Chele

Today is my sister’s birthday.  She is a great sister, but her real gift is being a terrific aunt.

Since she needs nothing, here is her gift.  Pictures of her with her boys!

Happy Birthday Michele!

Island Hopping- Spanish Wells part 3

 

While we were in Spanish Wells Scott taught Allen how to paddle board.

I knew Allen would be good at it, but I had no idea how quickly he would master it.  After about 10 minutes of Allen tooling around in the shallow waters, Scott said he was going to paddle board around the island.  He asked Allen if he wanted to come.  He kind of said something like, just go until you tire out and then call the girls and they can pick you up in the golf cart.  There was a really strong wind that day.

This is the “Missing” photo I took.  The one I would have printed on the posters followed by, “Last seen paddle boarding  near Spanish Wells Bahamas”

An hour and fifteen minutes later, Scott rounded the corner and we saw him heading back.  About 10 minutes after that Allen popped up around the corner too.  He paddled the whole way.   If you know Allen you’re not surprised.

The boys played with the paddle boards for ages.  Up and down, up and down!

4 boys 1 paddleboard

Even though we were getting pretty worn out, we had plans for more fun.  We went to Margo’s cousin’s property on Russell Island and fed the goats and collected wood.

There was some Sanford and Son action!

Before dinner the guys built a pit for a bonfire and I chased the boys around with my camera!

Some boys were more cooperative then others.

After dinner we headed out for the fire.  Scott showed them how to dig their chairs out.

Margo, Vicky and I had a very fancy seat as well!

We stayed up very late, but it was totally worth it!