Hopetown

The lighthouse on Elbow Cay

With a fully functional boat (except now my main VHF radio has gone out), we decided to head to Hopetown on Elbow Cay today. The wind was light out of the SE (dead on the nose), so instead of tacking our way upwind for 12 miles, we just leisurely motored over.

The water was great. Everything was typical Bahamas and things are really grand.

The water in the Sea of Abaco as we headed Easterly today

We picked up a mooring and no sooner than we had turned off the engine, than a guy came by wearing a 'Downeast Rover' tshirt. Jan has already told me to look for Brad who used to run the Downeast Rover (a sailboat for tourists on the Outer Banks). As he started by and I saw his shirt I asked him what his name was. He turned his dingy around and said it was Brad. I told him I was Jan's husband and it was another example of a small world.

After having a beer on board, we headed ashore and had lunch at the HopeTown Lodge - at their beach bar. The cracked conch was great - although it didn't agree with Rick too well and the bartender was a guy named Gary who was unassumingly very smart. We had an interesting conversation about Edward Teach (look it up) and I was about to bet him a $5 tip that he couldn't name Edward Teach's ship. He pegged "Queen Ann's Revenge" instantly. He's one of those guys you wouldn't expect to have the little treasure trove of knowledge. Goes to show you can't judge the book.....

The beach

After lunch we walked south a bit and then back into town and around the lovely little streets. It was pretty hot today, so we came back to the boat and chilled out a while.

Around 4, we went to the lighthouse and went up into the top for a look around. The lighting was great and harbor looked marvelous.

The view from the top of the lighthouse

We went to happy hour at Capt. Jacks where we had 2 for 1 Margaritas and since it was taco tuesday some great tacos.

Back on the boat now. We'll head back over to Guana Cay tomorrow.