The Sun Sets (9.9.11)

Lloyd doesn't understand why I love sunset shots.  But, I could watch each and every one with endless anticipation.  Each evening is unique-- full of a beautiful kaleidoscope of colors that bring closure to each day.

Birthday Bash (9.9.11)

It stinks to be on crutches for your birthday.  But, it does not stink to be in Grenada, at the University Club, on the beach, surrounded by fun people and family.  We celebrated Lloyd's big day (our final night in Grenada) with dinner, music, and champagne.  Plus, the very talented pastry chef made a Grenadian chocolate birthday cake just for him.

Visitors (9.9.11)

Our children are always looking to help any stray being along their merry way.  These two showed up on the beach and followed Harrison and Grayson right up the stairs and into our room!  (Can you just hear the pleading to keep them??)  After eating leftovers, they followed Lloyd and Harrison down again....right into the swimming pool.  The security guards didn't quite know what to handle first... the dogs, or The Finks!

Animal Hospital (9.8.11)

SGU not only has a medical school, but, there is a veterinary program on campus as well.  Grayson wanted to tour the small animal clinic, and Cal made a few calls for us to do so. The director was told that he had a potential student who wanted a tour, and you can imagine his surprise when we showed up with our 7 year old!  Ah, well, you can never start recruiting too early these days.

Macpherson View (9.7.11)

Our friends the Macpherson's hosted all of the Visiting Professors at their home.  Their balcony overlooks Grand Anse Beach, which is the perfect vantage point for sunset watches.   A storm blocked our view from the actual sunset, however, the sky was amazing until dark.

That's Ivan (9.7.11)

On September 7, 2004 (7 years earlier) Hurricane Ivan ravaged the island of Grenada, leaving an unimaginable scene of devastation and destruction.  Our friend Mike, part owner of La Sagesse Nature Center, wrote and recorded a piece he shared with us on his beach.  This song shares with the world the experience of Ivan and encouraged Grenadians not to lose hope but to walk together and rebuild.  Although we heard it firsthand, the song and video (which has been played every year on national television on the anniversary of Ivan) can be found on You Tube under "That's Ivan".

Surf and Turf (9.7.11)

LaSagesse is the perfect place for both these things.  

Rain Brings Rest (9.6.11)

A full day of rain is unusual in Grenada, even during the rainy season. Usually, a squall line will come through-- replenishing the Earth--with sunshine quickly to follow. The rain lasted well into the day--long enough to cancel our planned kayak trip.  We took advantage of the situation by Skyping with the kids' schools and taking naps.

Mona Lisa (9.5.11)

The third race of the night was the jackpot race.  Everyone present chose their own personal crustacean, picked to win.  There could only be one winner, and that winner would take all.  In the last minute Grayson chose #15 for me, and we named her Mona Lisa.  Of all the luck, guess who won the jackpot??  All $65 E.C.  Not exactly what I wanted to teach my children about gambling, but hopefully one lesson they learned-- to quit while you are ahead.   

The Races (9.5.11)

Just like Kentucky has horses, and Arkansas has dogs, Grenada has.... well.... Crab Races.  The Flamboyant has hosted this Monday night affair for as long as Lloyd can remember.  The point is simple. Numbered hermit crabs get placed in the center of a circle drawn in the sand on the beach.  People get a look at their favorite before they bet on a winner.  Once all bets are in, the race begins.  The fastest crab out of the circle, or the slowest (depending upon the race rules) wins.  The high bidder in our family held at $2 E.C.  (that's about $0.74 US).

The Flamboyant (9.5.11)

The Flamboyant is a hotel on Grand Anse Beach that also has a beachside terrace, restaurant, and pool.   Lloyd used to play piano at The Flamboyant (back in the days before the piano was destroyed with Hurricane Ivan).  So, it was like old times when we reunited with Laurence, the owner.  Truth be told, we didn't come for the food (more on that story later), but, they took really nice care of all of us.

Sunset Cruise (9.5.11)

Although it wasn't us, someone enjoyed this sunset cruise (picture taken off the south end of Grand Anse Beach,  near the Flamboyant Hotel). 

Lloyd in the Gutter...Again....(9.5.11)

While with Harrison, and taking pictures of boats (what else?), Lloyd somehow managed to throw himself off a curb and into a Caribbean gutter.  How does he manage to do these things?  Harrison devotedly attended to his dad, and Grayson and I found them on the roadside trying to walk up to where we were supposed to meet.  Only later did we learn that Lloyd had broken his femur!  My poor husband.

Labor Day (9.5.11)

On assignment for her teacher, Grayson set out to ask if workers in Grenada recognize Labor Day.  Searching for the perfect person to interview can make a person hungry.   We stopped at a road side stand and bought sugar apples, mangos, and a very little personal-sized watermelon.  The lady who sold us our snacks answered her question, by the way.  There is no Labor Day celebration in the West Indies.

The Green Flash (9.4.11)

The Green Flash may be mythical to some, but, not to my family.  We are sold on the optical phenomena, whether or not it's legend may be accepted.  The University Club faces due west, and at this time of year it is a perfect place to watch the sunset.  In fact, the restaurant itself has a viewing platform (i.e., the lounge).  For those of you who are not believers, we kept eye out every night, just for you.

Eggs and Eels (9.4.11)

We're always up for learning something new about life under the sea. We are touching what our guide referred to as a Sea Egg, which has short white spines.  This is not to be confused with with a Sea Urchin, he told us, whose long black spines could puncture and cause injury.  (I tried to look up Sea Egg and didn't find any reliable information.  He seemed like he knew what he was talking about! )

  

This small spotted moray eel (protruding out from the brain coral) watched me closely for several minutes before determining I was harmless.  These guys are solitary animals and should be left alone.   Apparently, they can become angry if they feel threatened, and their bite to humans can be nasty.   

Snorkel Gear (9.4.11)

Underwater Sculptures (9.4.11)

Molinere Bay is home to an underwater sculpture park, placed deliberately here to encourage marine life to proliferate.   Around 60 something sculptures cover the ocean floor over an area of about 800 square feet.  These art forms range in depth from the ocean surface, averaging 14-20 feet below.  I must say, it was a tiny bit creepy, just because there are statues are of children and mummies (not what you typically expect to find on your average snorkel trip).   The kids weren't freaked out, though; they only developed a hunger to dive deeper!

Hair (9.3.11)

Grayson longs for Caribbean braids every time we come to Grenada. We are thankful to Cherry (who loves our girl) who took a break from work to give her such.

Port Louis (9.3.11)

We were drawn to Port Louis for several reasons.  One is that The Moorings base in Grenada is here.  Secondly, we are also interested in looking for boats (we'll have to tell you why later).  But, our main discovery today was Bella, the Portuguese Water Dog, who was happily waiting to board her owner's boat.  We were all smitten.... Barak and Michelle better place high security on Bo!

The Market (9.3.11)

The open air market in St. George's is where many of the local farmers and craftsmen sell their goods.   Above all, it is a cultural experience.   If you are local, the market is vital to support the mostly agrarian economy.  If you are a tourist, however, this experience is meant for those who can say "no". Politely, of course.  But, as you can see, we did in fact have a few "yeses" today.

Saturday Stroll (9.3.11)

Along with our friend Mark, we piled in the car and headed for St. George's.  We parked at Port Louis, where we had decided to eat lunch with the plan to walk to The Market.  It was just far enough away from our destination to instill grumbling in the children.   We were completely determined to make them sweat it out until the sky opened up and poured down.  We sought shelter in the closest place... the inside of a Reggae bus.

Moving Day (9.3.11)

We always ask to stay in Room 14 when we come to The University Club.  For one, it has a lounge area with a desk--a plus with the four of us, since it's always a little more pleasant with the little extra room for "homework time".  Second, because the space sits directly above the office, this particular room has wi-fi.  (None of the other rooms do.)  For a second year in a row, we were given Room 16, just down the hall from the coveted space.  That was, until Room 14 became available.  I won't say exactly how it happened, but, Lloyd likes to tell me that I can be persuasive.  The kids were ecstatic when we announced it was moving day!

An Urban View (9.2.11)

High above the Carenage in St. George's parish is the town of St. George's.  This is about as urban of a place that you will find on the island, almost always bustling with some type of activity.  Winding one way streets weave in and out through the buildings creating a maze for those of us first time drivers.  We happened to find ourselves on a very narrow street overlooking the town below near sunset.  Luckily, no one was behind us and I was able to stop and take pictures.  Truly beautiful.