Behind the Blog: Valentine's Day Treat

Roses are red; Violet are blue; we did 12 loads of laundry on Valentine’s Day; how about you?

We woke up Valentine’s morning near Staniel Cay. There were no roses or breakfast in bed (Our sheets are so sandy, who would want to linger there!). Though I will say the omelets Pat made that morning tasted especially good... we had just stocked up at the local market after 2 weeks without eggs.

For a special treat, he turned on the hot water heater so we could take hot showers with the small amount of water remaining in our tanks before filling up at the town marina.

The kids made Valentine Cards for some friends and convinced me this should count as a “lesson”. According to Jake, it was 2 lessons because it involved both art and writing.

Our original plan had been to snorkel in nearby Thunderball Cave (James Bond movie filmed there in mid-60s). At least that would only require swim suits... the boys were pretty much out of clean underwear and I’d already hand washed them once in the sink.

We arrived in Staniel Cay Feb. 13 having been 24 days without access to groceries or laundry. We timed our arrive with that of the weekly food boat, so eggs, fruits and vegetables were no longer a problem, but laundry remained an issue... no laundromats in town!

I’d started counting the days out to Pat about Day 15... trying to drop subtle hints about our need to get someplace with resources “soon”. For a while the counting had an effect opposite that which I intended. It became a challenge to see how long we could last! So when he suggested over breakfast that we skip the cave and head to Black Point Settlement I was taken by surprise.

Some fellow cruisers had mentioned the great laundromat at Black Point about 5 miles south, and Pat was anxious to check it out. I had resigned myself to another few days of disgusting sheets and smelly towels, but Pat had finally had enough! We would return to Thunderball Cave another day. Happy Valentine’s Day indeed... we’re going to the laundromat!

The day got extra happy when we arrived at the Rockside Inn and Laundromat (owner also cuts hair and sells fresh bread). All 12 washing machines were empty and awaiting us!

While the laundry was in process, we walked across the street to a pizza place we’d heard was good. It was about to close due to the staff needing to help cater a special Valentine dinner at another restaurant. The kind owner agreed to make a couple of pizzas for us and another cruising family who happened by before she left as long as we agreed to eat on the patio so she could lock up. She made sure we got a fresh round of Kaliks before she headed off and told us to stay as long as we liked! A nice meal, good company, and clean sheets... who could ask for more!