45under45: Captain Plug Tour with My Folks

Because we had such a great time going out with Captain Plug earlier during our stay, we wanted to share that experience with my parents. This time around, I claimed Emma's seat for my own bow-riding expedition with Nicholas. My dad sat in the First Mate's seat; my mom, Shawn, and Summer found comfortable spots on the rear deck.

(To read about our first trip with him, click here.) For the most part, we took the same route: Tilloo Castle, Tilloo Pond and turtles, Lubbers to our port, a Wilson City history lesson and then...that's when we veered off the familiar course.

I never tire of the endless sea and sky!

This is what bliss looks like.

Ruins of Wilson City.

And then, Captain Plug headed straight for some rocks!!!! Nicholas said, "Do you think he knows he's about to hit those?" My response was, "Hold on, just in case." Riding on the bow, we gritted our teeth, and braced for the sound and sensation of crushing coral against the hull and the prop stalling out.

"Local knowledge. Local knowledge."
On a prayer-like loop in my head.

A tiny crunch was all we heard. Plug made it through without letting his prop even kiss the rocky bottom. We were in this super shallow still-water lagoon.

Rocks everywhere!

"Brown. Brown. Go around."
Apparently, not part of Plug's reef navigating mantras.

The beginning part of that saying is, "Blue. Blue. Go on through." And boy was there blue! A BLUE HOLE!!! We all just about couldn't believe what we were seeing! Even with some editing and enlarging the image, the photo doesn't really show the drop off or the dramatic change in color.

We. Were. Awe. Struck!

In the distance, on one of the rocky outcroppings was a sign. Captain Plug explained to us that this was a memorial for two young men who didn't make it out of the blue hole.

Memorial

Crazy shallows!

We didn't stay long since the outgoing tide would make for an even trickier passage. Luckily, Captain Plug knew just the right route for a safe exit.

Holding our breath!

Only while researching the writing of this blog entry, did I learn that we were (I think) in the Bight of Old Robinson, near Little Harbor and Pete's Pub.

Back underway at full speed! Onward to Pete's Pub!

Nicholas using my sarong as sunblock.

We made it to Pete's with ease, had drinks, apps, and lunch before setting off to check out the Atlantic Ocean side.

Summer at the top of the point.

Summer and me.

Summer taking Grandpa to the top.

Summer and Grandpa looking out to sea.

After that adventure, it was time for my folks to sign Cindy's shirt that we left there when we came with Captain Plug the week before. The only problem was that Pete's was now saying that guests were abusing their markers and that they were no longer allowing customers to use them. My dad, however, spoke to the bar tender, explained his story...and she very kindly loaned him a marker.

My dad signed it.

And then my mom.

Thank you, thank you, thank you...a million times to Captain Plug (and the bar tender/keeper of the markers) for making this happen!

Misty eyed but pleased.

On the return trip to Elbow Cay we stopped at the Tilloo Bank to snorkel, looking for shells and critters. Summer found a huge empty conch (pre-removed) as a keeper. Nicholas discovered a small sea star to observe. And, we had a swim with a large ray!

Even Grandma partook of the irresistible water!

Both kids found tons of tiny sun bleached sand dollars.

One final stop...Cracker P's on Lubbers' Quarters Cay for some cold drinks and warm cheesy fish dip.

And a visit with their cat.

It looks like "Toothless" from the movie How to Train Your Dragon.

On the way from Lubbers to Elbow, we met with a strong little pop-up shower. Nicholas and I laughed and cackled on the bow of the boat, using all available material to shield our skin from the stinging raindrops. He wanted Captain Plug to slow down so that he could get off the bow, but I told him to count to 60 and by then the rain would be over. Filled with rage, he cringed and shouted out the numbers. By 30, the rain was over and he thanked me for not letting him go to the back. #Winning