Propwash South

As most know when Babs and I are in the States we live at Propwash Airport in Texas, which is a small private airport.  Well we have found another Propwash here in Grenada.  This airport is called Pearls Airport, it was the main, make that only airport on the island until the Cuban government came a calling and started building what is now known as the Maurice Bishop International Airport.  Pearls is a paved approximately 4000 foot long runway which is used more for grazing animals and drag racing that flying airplanes from, in fact the only private aircraft I have seen around here are being used as charter/ commuter flights between the islands.  If you look closely at the photos you will notice a couple of projects that might interest some of you rebuilders.  I also noticed that the runway is in need of some crack filling,  I think I might try to organise a little work party.

Speaking of the Cuban period and the resulting invasion and severe spanking they received at the hands of our Seals, the 82nd Airborne and other factions of the US military we found these remnants of their forces quite near the place where Sunshine II is presently anchored.

Notice the ferro-concrete construction which allows for a rapidly built, inexpensive product. The effectiveness of the protection offered your troops might come into question when being fired upon by 30 mm canon fire from a C-130 gun ship flying overhead.

Rain Forest

A lot of the nutmeg as well as cocoa grows in the rain forest.  I didn't know it but apparently Grenada is on the fast track to becoming one on the world's largest supplier of cocoa/ chocolate.  Apparently political unrest in other parts of the world where cocoa is produced is driving this.

While we were traveling thru the rain forest we came across this little fellow.  Do you think he knows wHere to pose for the tourist?

OK, MOM I'VE PUT SOME BLOGS IN

The Ring of Fire, Caribbean Style

I am sure you all know that the Caribbean Islands from Hispaniola (Haiti/ Dominican Republic) all the way to South America were formed thru volcanic action a few years ago, I am not old enough to remember that but I know a few people who claim that they are "Older Than Dirt" so you might ask them to verify this fact.

A monitoring station located on the Northeastern shore of Grenada tasked with monitoring "Kicking Jenny" an underwater volcano which is located approximately 30 miles from this site which still stirs a little.  Its last eruption was around 1939, I think.  The plan is for this station to give everyone advance notice of a possible eruption so that they can get to a safe elevation in the event of a tsunami.

Kicking Jenny is near the little white rock outcropping just to the left of the island in the center of the picture which is known as Isle de Ronde.

  This house had to be abandoned shortly after it was built in an area of Northern Grenada which has had some recent seismic activity, although this happed approximatly 20 years ago and this building is still standing I don't think anyone wishes to live with the unlevel floors and cracks in the walls. 

Detox Walk Jan. 16, 2012

Babs and I recently went on a little walk to help detox our bodies.  Now don't get too excited, I did say "little" as in short and close by.  We saw our home on the water Sunshine II from an unusual vantage as well.  We also observed a few doves, some horses and quite a few mud puddles.

Sunshine II

Grenada the Spice Island

In Gouyave, the largest of three nutmeg processing co-op's on the island is presently operating at just a fraction of it's capacity due to two huricanes which struck the island back around 2005 and  damaged a large number of the nutmeg trees.

Although the operations are greatly reduced we were able to view some of the processing.  It is simply amazing at the amount of hand labor required to harvest,clean, dry, grade and finally ship the nuts to their ultimate user.

Before the storms of 2005 Grenada was the worlds largest producer of nutmeg and is presently making large strides to return to their former ranking.

Joe's Birthday Jan 2, 2012

Kim organized a day sailing outing on a catamaran to a little more or less deserted island to celebrate her husband, Joe's birthday and invited a bunch of us cruisers to help celebrate.  Us cruisers are quite proficient in such activities.  

Birthday Boy was very intent to do some fishing on this little sail. 

Joe caught a few little tunas today.

About half way to Sandy Island the little island that was our destination the catamaran experienced an engine failure and the crew decided to change our destination to a closer beach.  Not one of us cruisers felt deprived or slighted as we all were thankful that it was not our engine.  We then turned into a little beach where we could swim, snorkel and eat.  OH yea,we didn't forget the beer and rum.

Birthday Boy with his girls

Well, it is time to go, I have got to go find myself, until next time have fun and enjoy life we only have one of those you know.