Freeport, Grand Bahama

Troy and I had the opportunity to spend 3 days in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and 3 days in Freeport, Grand Bahama. Misty, Troy's sister gave up this trip as a Christmas gift last year. Blue stayed home and he wasn't the least bit disappointed about that. After getting back into Utah we stayed to do our Christmas shopping. We figured there was no point in going home until it was done. By the time we got home Blue had been home for 11 days alone. Let me say that he didn't greet us with a very warm welcome!

We did ride an air boat on the everglades and drive down to the keys as far as the Islamoraga Key. I wasn't very happy to spend the whole day in the car. Troy finally took me to the beach in Ft. Lauderdale but it was late and too cold. We walked the Los Olas Blvd.In the Bahamas there is evidence of hurricane damage everywhere.

Troy's beard got a lot of attention, specially from the Bahamian people. This young man was in a beard growing contest with his friends and wanted a picture of Troy's beard. We met him on the Discovery ship that we took over to the Bahamas. When Troy booked the trip the travel agency asked if they could book the cruise for him. The Discovery is NO cruise. The trip is about 8 hours from the time we board and get off. We were on the ocean for 5 hours. There is nothing to do and no where to tie down. On our way back some friends that we had met had a DVD player. Here Megan is making sure we all can see it. We watched an inter movie before we set sail.

We have to say that we enjoyed attending church in the Bahamas more than anything else. Here is the Branch President, President Mike Bowen. There are over 50,000 people on the island and only 80 members with 30 active. They were so welcoming of us, praying for our safe arrival home in every prayer offered. We were the only visitors other than the missionaries. I had gotten sick and President Bowen came to the resort to assist Troy in a Priesthood blessing. He picked us up for church and after church took us to the port.

We were on a time share travel package. As we were traveling and meeting people we found that there were several other people on the same traveling package. Having to listen to the time share sales is not fun. The first one we attended in Florida kept us for 5 hours until they finally realized that they didn't have a sale. These people are a few that we met. John and Carina are from Wisconsin and Megan and Anna (mother and daughter) from Australia. We also met others from Seattle, Turkey and Washington.
We met Kay Williams (on the right) in the jacuzzi at the resort. She is from Wisconsin but met Sidney on one of her many visits to the Bahamas. They married 3 years ago. She offered to take us around the west end of the island. We spent 8 hours with her. Troy filled her gas tank and took her and her sister-in-law, Diane to dinner with us at the Bikini Bottom Bar & Restaurant. She took us to her home to meet Sidney. When I took the picture she wanted him in front of the white wall because "he is dark and you can't see him"!

Kay took us to see this little lady, Ann who cleans shells and sells them.

Along the coast at the west end of the island are many piles like these of conch shells discarded by the fishermen. They eat a lot of conch on the island.

Kay and I at Paradise Cove

The water is clear blue. This is along the coast near our resort, Island Sea.

This man is wearing a Junkanoo costume that they wear for parades. He first asked Troy how long it took him to grow his beard (we must have been asked that question a 100 times) and if he could touch it. So we thought it was fair that we ask for a picture with him. While I was getting my picture with him he says while looking at the camera, "I ask for $5 but you can give me what you want". We walked away when more people came up. Troy figured we were even since he let him touch his beard.

Troy enjoying the beach at the resort.

That is the Florida coast behind Troy.
Troy and I had a great time together. However, next time we can go somewhere to the beach I want to go in the summer time. The weather was beautiful but still a bit too cool.