Girls Just Want to Have Fun

Day 299  |  Black Point Settlement to Big Major's Spot  |  1.5 Hours  |  9 Miles

I was up before the sun (but not before the roosters) and excited to get started with the day. Glenda picked me up around 8:00 and we dinghied to shore with two objectives -- wash every towel from aboard Crossroads while hanging out and having fun. With two loads washing at Rockside Laundry we walked through town and she pointed out some of her favorite highlights. In case there was any question, the directional sign covered every landmark. I wondered what place had been removed from the middle. We walked down to the town dock and I disposed of some trash. The "Come Again Soon" sign caught my eye and we both agreed that we would. Along the road we saw many roosters. this lone goat hiding under a boat trailer, and some beautiful orange flowers. I think we both enjoyed being able to see all the children as they headed off to the All Age School. Everyone was very polite and neatly dressed in their uniforms -- green shirts and navy shorts. The boys wore ties.

We timed our arrival back to the laundromat perfectly as the wash cycle was just finishing. We quickly moved everything to the dryers and then enjoyed the best part of doing laundry in Black Point -- the view. We laughed, compared notes, caught up on our family, and planned. With everything dry and packed away, we met up with Ron, Vicky and guests (Twilight Traveler) and visited for a while before heading back. I put away the towels and then we both pulled up anchor and moved around the corner for a change of scenery. Ti Amo led the way. I sat up on the flybridge and marveled at new and lighter shades of blue water.

We anchored just off of Big Major's Spot in front of Pig Beach. We loaded into the dinghies and went ashore to see the famous Exuma swimming pigs. Greg kept Jaxon safely out to sea as we didn't want the pigs to think he was a lunchtime serving of Yorkie Pudding. Most of the pigs were content to lay in the shade. At the end, a HUGE one wandered out of the woods and joined the others for a nap in the shade.

Our dinghy tour continued to Pirate Beach, a traditional gathering place for cruisers. Some previous visitors had left their avatars attached to the tree. Over the years, folks have added picnic tables, chairs, swings, and cornhole games to make this a great spot. Jaxon was more than happy to just run around in the sand. Once again, the view was spectacular.

The next highlight on our tour was passing in front of Fowl Cay Resort. This place has been on our radar since 2001 when I had the pleasure to work with fellow Richmonder Libby Brown on some pre-publicity for a resort they had developed on a 50-acre island of rock. She later chronicled the process, as well as their previous endeavor -- the founding of This End UP Furniture -- in the book Making Waves. In reading her book, we first learned that the motoryacht they lived on while overseeing construction of the resort was named Crossroads. We liked the name, and kept in the back of our minds for many years.

Team Ti Amo led us around the back side of Big Majors and showed us other anchorages. We cruised by Staniel Cay where we felt very small up against all the megayachts. Heading back to our anchorage we passed Thunderball Grotto. After a quick change of clothes and gathering up a few beverages and appys, we headed back to Pirate Beach. There were a dozen or so folks there and we got to hear their stories and plans. Jaxon was happy to have three other dogs to play with.

All other folks soon departed, giving Glenda and I a chance to engage in a fiercely competitive cornhole match. Unfortunately with the two photographers being the participants, there is no record of this event. It was a great time with plenty of laughs, good-natured trash-talking, and encouragement. There will be no mention here as to the winner. What happens on Pirate Beach, stays on Pirate Beach. I'm sure we'll always remember this evening and smile. We returned home in time to watch the sunset off our stern. As darkness fell, the large motoryacht Home turned on all of its exterior lighting for the real light show. It is a 163-foot charter yacht that goes for up to $295,000 a week ... plus expenses. No wonder it is lit up in green.