Fun in the...sun?

Well, today dawned bright and...stormy at the Green Turtle Cay Club as we contemplated the day's travels.  Our plan was to head to the north end of Guana Cay for some snorkeling, but the winds were rapidly clocking around from south to west - and more storms threatened.

Anchored in the lee of Shell Island

So, instead, we set our course back through Dont Rock Passage to Shell Island.  This is a small spoil island that was formed when they dredged the now-defunct cruise ship turning basin at Baker's Bay.  But it's a nice place to explore and go shelling.  So we anchored and Larry and the girls skiffed ashore to see what they could find.

When they returned, we weighed anchor and headed for Great Guana Cay - Home of Nipper's Beach Bar - and Grabbers Bar & Grill.  Along the way, lo and behold, the SUN came out!

Not for very long, however, as it was sprinkling again by the time we picked up our mooring in Settlement Harbour.  Not ones to have our enthusiasm dampened (pun) by a little rain, we packed off into the skiff and headed in to the dock.  The Mass family turned left at the end of the dock and walked to Grabbers for lunch, bocce, and swimming.  I opted to climb the sandy road up to Nipper's for some of their conch fritters and a coldie or two.

Nipper's Beach Bar

Afterwards, I skiffed around to Fisher's Bay to see how the Mass's were getting along at Grabbers.  They were having a great time, so I headed back to Spoonbill to type up this blog entry.  A bit later, when everyone has had their fill of Guana, we will drop our mooring ball and make the short run back to Marsh Harbour for our slip at the Conch Inn and a well-deserved farewell dinner at Snappa's Grill & Chill. 

Tomorrow morning, it will be time to say a reluctant goodbye to the wonderful Mass family and send them back to the airport for their trip home to North Carolina.  It has been an amazing adventure and we are already planning next year's trip.  Maybe the Florida "Mini-Loop" across Lake Okeechobee, up into Pine Island Sound, then down to the Everglades and finally the Florida Keys.  Sounds like fun!

I will get some pictures from Larry's camera this evening and post another blog entry later tonight or tomorrow with lots more pics from the trip.  Then, my next group arrives - tomorrow morning at 9:30.  This time it is my lovely wife, Cinda, and a group of friends:  Peggy & Glen Willumson and Laura & Jeri Banta.  The parties are just beginning - so I'm not sure if I will be in any shape to continue making blog entries!


Great Guana Cay - Settlement Harbour