this is IT!

This is what's it's all about, simply.

Gentle breezes, white sand and deserted beaches, warm water lapping at your feet . . .

No words needed really.

Of wildlife and oceans . . .

After a few days of getting the 'rhythm' of Elbow Cay, it becomes easier to recognize and appreciate the local inhabitants.

Not all are quite as sedentary. The resident curly-tails will always find a sunny spot . . .

. . . abundant bougainvillea in many colours . . .

If you're not into flora, then there are beaches to explore . . .

A boat helps !

While back in the harbour, a couple of turtles call it home.

Back at our 'home', we're surrounded by birds. Kestrels who've found a nesting spot in an old woodpeckers hole in a palm tree . .

. .a yellow crowned night heron poking around the undergrowth for dinner.

Sundowners to enjoy at the end of a really busy day.

Lazy days . . .

Well, cloud and wind, and a little drop in temperature, but doesn't stop intrepid holidaymakers . . .

Hope Town has a charm of it's own, easy to settle into.

Narrow streets, and minimal traffic . . .

. . . and never too fat from the sea. . .

. . . or anywhere else for that matter!

it's all about food today . . . .

Can we call it a rest day today?
Of course . . . .
Cloudy with showers, but warm and nooo snow. Ahhhh . . . we're happy

Oceans to fish . . .

places to cook . . . and whoooo does the work . . .

places to rest :)

just kind of . . . laid back

The final leg . . .

Yesterday, on the last leg and almost there . . . waiting patiently in Orlando airport for our flight . . . only 2 hours delayed- grrr

Then an hour in the air, and we're here, meeting up with Mike and Ro at the dock in Marsh Harbour, waiting for the ferry to Elbow Cay!

This morning . . .the view from our veranda!

Nice to be back. Nothing much changes. Sun and sea . . .

quiet roads . . no traffic, no snow . . .

. . .quiet beaches . . .not so crowded!

Comfortable place to call home for awhile . . .

Train travel, the Amtrack AutoTrain way . . .

Well, a really interesting two days.
We were up with the lark yesterday, Saturday morning, it being Valentine's Day and all.
After celebrating with a breakfast served by our B&B hostess, it was time to pack and prepare.
Car loaded, we departed Washington for Lorton, just across the state line in Virginia.
The Amtrack Autotrain has been providing this service for 30 years, and it being a long weekend, was at full capacity. The longest passenger train in the world, the coaches combined with the car carriers stretches just under a mile long, and is hauled by two rather large diesel locomotives.
We arrived in good time, which was just as well because they loaded just short of four hundred automobiles, and nearly 600 passengers.
The total trip was scheduled at 17 hours long, and as we boarded, we watched as they shunted and connected the loaded auto carriers onto the rear of the passenger train.

Once settled into our two bed Roomette, we could relax and watch the last of the auto carriers getting connected.

The whole Amtrack service is totally impressive, very well organized, and great on-board attention by the crew. We left minus 8C behind . . .

. . . got used to our new home for the night . . . and relaxed.

A good dinner in the dining car, a restful night sleep, and by the time breakfast was done this morning, we were arriving at Sanford in Florida with 15C of warmth and blue skies! Watching vehicles emerge from the auto carriers with baited breath, ours was delivered unscathed, ready for us to load up and head out for new adventures!

after a dinner of fresh seafood of course . . . snow crab, crab cakes, jumbo shrimp and orange beer . . .