45under45: Biking and Lighthousing

After yesterday's flat golf cart tire, we were a little confined to what we could do that was within walking distance of the house. Since Captain Plug told us that the island was only four miles long north to south, what we could do that was within walking distance was actually a lot. Now, since I am basically a local and have jogged and/or walked every single paved and unpaved road, I'd like to point out that the four miles (if true) is probably a measurement "as the crow flies" and not the distance via the road system. Nevertheless, my dad felt that despite him not being able to comfortably walk very far, he could walk the mile or so down to the settlement where we could rent bikes and then go on an exploration of the north end.

He headed out for the town while I got on my jogging attire. When I met up with him, he was standing next to our golf cart with the flat tire That means that he was (with a small head-start), at 81, with old hips and a bad back, able to walk basically as fast as I jog. ~Sigh~

We walked together the rest of the way to the settlement gate and then just a hundred yards or so to rent bikes at The Bike Shop. (They share their space with Hope Town Canvas, a store selling handcrafted bags made of recycled sails. Click here to visit their shared website.)

North end bound, we set out down the skinny roads of the settlement, dodging people and learning how to operate the foot brakes. I almost took "a drink" over the rope barrier at the dinghy dock! Luckily, I hopped off before actually going over the edge.

We toured the entire north end loop.

On our way back through town, we stopped at Vernon's.

Vernon's baked goods are DA BEST in all of Abaco! Vernon, himself, is quite a fella! He's the owner of this store, he's an author, a lay minister, a marriage officer, a notary, a direct descendant of Wyannie Malone (founder of this settlement), and probably a million other things to do with this island. The following set of photos are from the shop and bakery.

Refrigerated pies, cold drinks, and freezers full of all kinds of necessary goods.

Objets d'art

Enough said.

Various sundries.

All throughout the store are cards and papers clipped/stapled with one-liners, cliches, quips, scriptures, and thoughtful pieces of wisdom. I don't know who put them up or where they came from, but they are part of the shopping experience. There's only three aisles, but if you take the time to read all these little nuggets, those three aisles could make for a long outing.

Even sweet can't fix stupid. But it will muffle the sound.

1. Conceit is a disease that makes everyone sick except the one that has it.
2. The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of the low price is forgotten.

I have 7 wives...
One for each day of the week.
On Saturday I reverse the order.

We got two loaves of white bread...straight out of the oven!

The bakery.

After Vernon's we took a jaunt down "Back Street" because I wanted to see the upper graveyard. I was there many years ago and had wanted to go back, but it is so far off the beaten path and I wasn't sure exactly where it was that I didn't want to set off and get lost. They're undergoing (and have been undergoing for forever) a restoration phase, documenting current and "lost" graves and piecing together broken headstones. Not a bad place to spend eternity!

My dad could hardly concentrate on his biking from the smell of the hot bread wafting up from this basket.

Eventually, we made it back home on our rental bikes. (We rented them for 24 hours and planned to do the southern section of the island tomorrow.) Needless to say, we were hot and sweaty and ready to go to On Da Beach! The waves were WHIPPED UP!

Nicholas was spat out.

Surveying the surf.

Summer, making a plan of attack.

Grandma, watching closely.

Nicholas, running pell mell!

After swimming, surfing, and sunning at the beach it was time to get ready to go to Lighthouse Summer Festival!

Free ferry over and back.

Music, food, drinks, crafts, and much more!

My mom and her new friend from the nightmare flight experience, book author, Annie Potts. For more information about her book and the lighthouse click here.

Me and MY new friend, Steve Dodge!!!! Author of every Abaco visitor's bible, The Cruising Guide to Abaco. For his publishing company's website click here.