BACK IN GEORGETOWN – SITTING OUT ANOTHER BLOW!! We did manage to get over to Long Island and I think we are all sorry we couldn’t spend more time there – it is characterized by high cliffs in the north, wide and shallow sandy beaches, historic plantation ruins, caves and Spanish churches. It is made up of 35 quaint villages and farming towns spread throughout the 80 mile stretch of contrasting coastline and nowhere is the island more than 4 miles wide. Originally named Yuma by its original settlers, the Arawaks, Long Island was rechristened Fernandina by Columbus on his first visit in 1492. The island now earns its current name by a seafarer who felt that it took too long to pass the island when he was sailing by.

Anchorage at Salt Pond, Long Island, Exumas

The water was crystal clear – no one could resist swimming – even Izzy had a swim.

Izzy is becoming quite the boat dog - here she is waiting for the green flash and enjoying a beautiful sunset.  She's not drinking rum yet, but give her time.

Our sailing buddy, Fred on Casa Mare.  On a side note, Izzy does not like the conch blowing thing they do as the sun sets - so the Captain has had to refrain from participating - bummer.

 No sooner had the sun went down - this beauty popped up over the hill.

Moonrise over Salt Pond Bay

While in Salt Pond Bay, Rick and Deb visited the Long Island Breeze Resort, opened in April 2008 – http://www.longislandbreezeresort.com/   Amenities include, internet, laundry, showers, freshwater pool, beach area, car rental, and dinghy dock. We took advantage of the internet service (free if you spend at least $4.00 for lunch/dinner/ or a drink) and caught up on our email whilst eating a tasty lunch washed down by a cool Kalik.

The indoor bar area of the resort.

Relaxing area of the bar/restaurant.

We cruised up to the northern end of the island near Cape Santa Maria (named by Christopher Columbus after his ship) and anchored in Calabash Bay only to find one of the most beautiful beaches in the world with pure white silky sand stretching some four miles

.  We are so fortunate to have dog loving friends to cruise with - Big Run's crew is helping to wear Izzy out.

Izzy swimming with Sharon

Wow, Izzy, that's a big stick!

Yup, another day in paradise!

So we are now back in Georgetown, in an area called Red Shanks. We have lots of fond memories of this anchorage from spring Feb/March 2004 it was our first year in the Exumas and very green behind the gills as far as the island cruising thing goes - very lucky to have the crew of Jeanne Marie as our mentors. What happens in Red Shanks, stays in Red Shanks, right Jeanne Marie?   It’s a good place to wait out a blow – a very well protected anchorage – nicknamed the tar pit because of its sticky bottom.  We have been here since Sunday the 22^nd – everyone is starting to get cabin fever because it is near impossible to dinghy to town – I’m trying to teach Izzy to play cards – she wishes she still had her dew claws to help hold the cards.  We decided to bite the bullet yesterday and take the dinghy to Georgetown and catch up on email at the Internet Café – on the way discovered a new bridge has been built since here last – mighty fine for this neck of the woods (somebody has deep pockets) it leads to a private island called Crab Cay.  The ride into town was not bad going with the 25 knot winds, but, coming back was downright ugly, waves crashing repeatedly over the bow of the dinghy, and the constant jarring of the spine as your butt hits the seat when you are pounding into the waves. This is the price we pay to get to land from Broulee during the blows (me thinks we need a bigger dinghy).

This is quite a feat for these parts - very lovely - even street lamps.

Deb got a new underwater camera last year - we finally got a chance to test it out while puddling around in Red Shanks - can't wait to get to the good stuff.