Sundance Film Festival-Park City 2012 Vol II

Can you imagine, it is 1 am (Friday) and it is 38° F here and it is trying to snow/sleet or whatever it does in the mountains. Lou’s yard is toying with a lawn mowing or a snow blowing. Every cop in Utah is in Park City on Friday night of Sundance. I got at least 5 radar hits leaving the parking lot tonight and they had a stretch limo pulled over right out of the gate of the Eccles theater. I just crept out nice and slow knowing I was going home safe, almost sane and sober.

Left: mow or not to mow?

It was a pretty good night of movie watching. I saw 2.97 movies tonight working the stage/curtain/emergency door where the steps lead to the stage. All standing, ushering, monitoring and watching movies.

Before I get to 2.97 movies, let me explain. We have two shifts at Eccles. One starts at 7:30 am (a little too early for my movie curiosity) and the movies start rolling at 9 am. So the morning crew sees 2.03 movies as we come on at 3:30 pm which is usually when they are starting a feature film. They get the audience settled, and then at 4 pm, the night crew comes in and relieves the day crew.

What makes this very, very interesting is that you come into a pitch dark theater about 5-10 minutes into the movie and boot the person you are relieving out of their chair and sit down.

Right: Eddie's done hunting, now she wants heat

You carefully walk to your assignment and find your tired volunteer like a blind person reaching about trying to find something to touch that isn't breathing. Often, like tonight for instance, you walk right into a full sized movie screen of an X-rated sex scene (there are no ratings at Sundance) and basically cause audience-volunteer movie sex interruptess and suddenly feel like you walked in on someone having sex in your darkened basement screening room and you really can’t leave because you have to stay to see how it ends. (Sorry, no visual images available for this thought)

That was tonight’s shift change and we were all talking about it in the break room. I’d say out of 20 shift changes where I was assigned in the theater I have walked into at least 10 sex scenes with full thrusters going. Which brings us to tonight’s first movie, Simon Killer.

This is sort of a Joran Van Der Sloot goes to Paris to meet chicks kind of movie, while he comes of age waffling between a scared wienie and a budding serial killer. Which "man" will he become? I saw way more of the two lead characters than I wanted too, and given my previous occupation, wanted to reach out and strangle more than one of the characters. At least two characters had the good sense to tell him to find somewhere else to stay and not let him move in and build his web.

You will see this on DVD at Red Box sooner than later and unlikely to hit the theaters any time soon, especially in Des Moines. It was okay but I would give it 2 Paw Prints and not much more.

Left: The snow finally starts

The feature film tonight was the premiere of Celeste and Jesse Forever. This movie will be in theaters as Sony purchased it after its premiere. It is hip, fun and shot for next to nothing. I really enjoyed it and I liked the ending. Really good, not the best I’ve seen, but good and I’d give it 3 Paw Prints. It was a packed house, and I mean don’t let the fire marshall know how many people were in that theater tonight. It’s like the audience resents you for having a chair in a corner and being able to see a movie and they are looking for a seat and think you should give them yours. Not so bucko, I’ve been standing, walking and picking up your garbage for 3 screenings.

By the way, the word is that one film today got three standing ovations and was really well received, and it was called Searching For Sugar Man” I doubt I get to see it.

Left: Celeste and Jesse Forever

The last movie of the night, and one that was highly anticipated and another full house was Red Lights. This had DeNiro, Sigourney Weaver, …..heavy hitters and it was about paranormal behavior. Sigourney Weaver was excellent and she is one tall drink of water by the way. Very classy too. The producer/director/writer brought us Buried two years ago, which he thinks of as a story like Indiana Jones in a box.

This will be in theaters as well. I liked it, didn’t love it, some things went on too long but I won’t say what. I’d give it 3 Paw Prints.

That’s my work until Monday night and then I work 4 more night shifts. Hopefully we’ll be skiing this weekend at least a little bit…I’m ready. We may have a couple of friends from the theater staff join us for dinner this weekend if we can work out the shifts/schedules. There will be pictures if we do.

It is Tuesday morning, the 24^th of January.

Right: Marley and Joel snow blow for about 3rd time

We’ve had over two feet of snow and there are predictions for more over the week. Skiing is now officially great, until this snow gets skied off and we’re back to the straw and such.

Monday night I ushered in the Entourage section again. We had three big films with big entourages and some big talent. When this happens even the calmest patron seems to go nuts wanting a picture, wanting to get close and so forth. They lose their common sense. I get a kick out of seeing stars in their natural habitat, and checking out their height, how they act, and so forth. But really, to me, they’re just people no better than me because they might get paid a lot and have people following them or stalking them. But I am not going to get all idiotic and start selling my grandchildren to take a picture with my iPhone of Chris Rock or anyone else for that matter.

The first film is called L.U.V. and stars Danny Glover, Common, Dennis Haysbert (Good Hands Man-Allstate), Charles S. Dutton and a 9 year old kid we will see again, named Michael Rainey, Jr. who plays Woody. Woody is an 11 year old kid in Baltimore who wants his mother in North Carolina but lives with his

Left and right: Michael Rainy, Jr. and Common

grandmother and Uncle Vincent (played by Common) who is fresh out of prison. Vincent wants to be a good man, wears a suit, drives a Mercedes because he’s working for Mr. Fish. Woody rides around with him and learns how to drive the car, shoot a Walther PPK gun, do a drug deal, watch a guy get shot and so forth. Eventually Woody has to grow up even faster and I won’t give the story away. It is a really, really good movie by Sheldon Candis and I highly recommend seeing it. This is a 4+ Paw Prints movie.

After this giant entourage finally left the theater, we cleaned up and loaded for the 6:30 pm premiere of Two Days in New York by Julie Delpy (Two Days in Paris). Delpy also stars in the movie as the lead character living with Mingus, played by Chris Rock. The premise is that she’s a little nutsy as an artist and Chris Rock is a successful writer, DJ and they each have a kid. Delpy is from Paris and her father and sister (with an old boyfriend) arrive in NY to stay in the apartment.

For me, the premise was tired; the French/English mix was irritating; the rudeness of the French, even for me was overplayed; the hapless in NYC female artist was tired as well. There was some decent comedy, but this isn’t my kind of comedy. I’d give it 2 Paw Prints frankly.

So, we get this rather large entourage out the door and clean yet again, and take a well earned break. At 9:45 pm we are showing Bachlorette.

Left: Part of the cast of Two Days In New York

This is a Will Ferrell produced story written and directed by Leslye Headland. It is a bridal comedy of girls in their 30’s, all from high school where they were BF’s together (that would be bitch faces). One is rather overweight (Rebel Wilson) and is the first of this pack of misfits to get engaged and thus it is her story. Imagine that 3 really turned out chicks (Kirsten Dunst, Lizzy Caplan and Isla Fisher) hung around with a “friend” they called “Pig Face” in high school and all managed to stay together as friends? Lost me already.

And NO I did not take these images on the Orange AKA Red Carpet, I picked these off the internet.

They have nothing but contempt and jealousy that their “pigface” friend is getting married before they do since they are so good looking. I think this movie was just made recently and called Bridesmaids and I didn’t watch that one either. This, I had no choice. I’ll just say that it was disturbing to me to think that friendship and loyalty among the thirty-something crowd is so poorly portrayed…but then a fellow volunteer in that age bracket said “life is like that for us”.

So, get me a ticket to Botswana please.

1 Paw Print from me on this one, and that’s because they went to the trouble to make the movie.

So today is a beautiful day, Joel’s going skiing for a while and this afternoon, after I wake up and maybe take a nap (only 4 hours of sleep after trying to unwind from last night) he’ll dump me off and I’ll go ski for an hour or so. No work tonight. Hang out and read a book, maybe watch a movie.

Tioga Pass and Sundance Opening Night

Here I am again in Park City, Utah. Finally, it is sort of snowing…it’s 34 degrees, and it is trying to snow/sleet/rain…bottom line it isn’t sticking yet but higher up it might be.

We traveled here via Tioga Pass Saturday morning. Joel and Marley walked on Tenaya Lake. We took some pictures and then headed for breakfast at Nicely’s in Lee Vining. We arrived on time, minus 100 miles given our route and started our stay at Lou’s house as usual. A Costco run, some dinner with friends, cooking some good winter food…no skiing yet though as it is ice with straw. We might try Deer Valley but it is supposed to snow for the next 5-7 days.

Tonight, the 19^th, was opening night for the Sundance Film Festival. Sorry, no images from there as I had my hands full with my job and taking out a camera/cell phone to take an image is an immediate ticket to the front door while being stripped of your uniform.

Marley, pictured above, is the mascot now of Eccles Theater Team B. He's got a hot date escorting his new girl, Cara, to Main Street to do a "meet and greet".

I worked the Entourage Door and let Mr. Redford come and go. And, in between all of those duties I got to watch two great movies.

The first was a documentary called The Queen of Versailles. It is a reality type movie started in 2008 (before the crash) about the Siegel family who needed to move from their 29,000 square foot house to their new 90,000 square foot house because they ran out of space and because “they could”. David Siegel owns Westgate Resorts, a very popular and successful time share corporation, until, that it is, their leveraged properties busted a gut in the real estate crash.

This really reminds me of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills-Atlanta-Miami except there is only one housewife (not that I watch Real Housewives, it just comes on before Top Chef)

Right, below: Joel and Marley on Tenaya Lake, Yosemite in mid-January

The story starts out with it being a story of building a home that was modeled upon the Versailles mansion in Paris with some modern twists. The producer/writer/director started shooting this as one thing, then it turned into a “riches to rags” type of story as this family with 7 kids and a niece, a dozen dogs and a house staff of 19 as I recall, suddenly start shedding nannies, staff, and employees…not to mention properties. David Siegel obviously becomes more obsessed with saving his empire and depressed and withdrawn; his wife Jackie goes on spending binges at Wal-Mart and getting more cosmetic work done so her husband doesn’t trade her in for wife number 4. The dogs pooped all over and no one seems to be able to bend over and pick it up or train the dogs…they wait for staff that is being laid off to take care of that; oh, wait, there is no staff to pick up poop. The poor freakin’ lizard dies because the kids “forgot” him. The fish die cause no one could be bothered.

And Versailles is wilting before the audiences eyes. And it’s all the fault of the banks who want properties for nothing even if you have equity. Let me get out my red kerchief to stop the flow of my tears. We’re talking time shares going into “default” where the folks who are losing their houses suddenly realize they are losing their time share because “THAT” credit card they bought it with on a whim is now kaput as well. Oh, I’m on my second hanky now.

Jackie has gone from rags to riches to almost rags…at least they are Versace rags, and gone from a 32 A or B cup to about a 54 EEEE…Carol Doda with her “twin 44’s” can’t hold a candle to this chick. (Note: For the younger crowd I suggest you Google Carol Doda) I’m serious, I saw them in person like from me to you standing at my kitchen door! And then on screen on a really regular basis.

And did I say that David Siegel, who sat for interviews and even said it was “rags to riches to rags” is now suing for defamation for the advertising of the movie being about him, his family and his company going from “rags to riches to rags” sort of. With that, I will end my commentary/review and say that overall, it is a great reality show, a great lesson in why there is no free lunch in a resort, and why you should never let a camera come into your home and film your freakin’ life from the inside.

Okay, so that movie ends, we clean and clear the theater and set up for the next movie, also a Premiere in Competition called Hello I Must Be Going.

Wow. Did I say WOW! I really enjoyed this movie. In this Dramatic Competition movie a 35 year old woman moves back to her parents Westport home to nothing but advice and depression. She is swept off her feet by a 19 year old family friend’s son who helps her find what love really means. I won’t give it away, but there is such strong writing, some scenes that take your breath away with their words and delivery—especially for a woman.

The buzz in the theater was good too. The lead actress, Melanie Lynskey, reminded me of Rose from “Two and A Half Men” for 93 minutes of film. She speaks with a strong New Zealand accent when not on screen and then when I walked her from the ladies room to the door we talked briefly, as I told her I loved the film, her work in it and that the buzz in the crowd was very strong for the movie. She really appreciated that. Now, as I write this and look up Rose, VOILA!, Melanie is in fact Rose.

Also starring in the movie was Blythe Danner who was great as Emily’s mother and, John Rubenstein as her father. Gone is the curly hair and young looks of John Rubenstein. Once again I sat there and spent 93 minutes trying to figure out where I “knew” him from, as it had been years since I had seen him in anything. It’s like being in the grocery store and going home to look through year books because you saw someone you should have recognized and didn’t.

Look for both movies…Queen TV, since it isn’t a movie house type film, and Hello I Must Be Going has to wind up in theaters and for sure DVD. I will watch both of them again.

I work again tonight and on tap for my shift will be:

Celeste and Jesse Forever: A story of the perfect couple who really don’t live well together and get divorced but want to hang out.

Red Lights: This is billed as a thriller classically conceived and executed. It stars Sigorney Weaver, Cillian Murphy, Robert DeNiro, Elizabeth Olsen and Toby Jones.

I’m looking forward to both movies and will be ushering up front so no question I’ll get a good seat.

Left: Half Dome at sunrise, mid-January on Tioga Pass Road

Welcome to The Compass Rose Cottage of Salt Cay Slideshow Slideshow

Welcome to The Compass Rose Cottage of Salt Cay Slideshow Slideshow: TripAdvisor™ TripWow ★ Welcome to The Compass Rose Cottage of Salt Cay Slideshow Slideshow ★ to Salt Cay. Stunning free travel slideshows on TripAdvisor

Remembrance Day On Salt Cay, TCI

Sunday, November 14, 2010 was Remembrance Day on Salt Cay.

Right: The DC lays the first wreath on the honorary tomb

In the States we celebrate the 11^th day of the 11^th month at 11 am as Veteran's Day because that is the time and day in which the "Great War", World War I, came to an end; November 11, 1918. It was originally called Armistice Day. Veteran's Day and Remembrance Day is the time we honor all veterans who have served honorably in war and in peacetime; on the front or in support.

When we were kids, the Veteran's Day Parade was always something to look forward to downtown. Then Santa and the merchants quietly took it over and it became the Christmas Parade and now it is no more.

Veteran's Day should not be confused with Memorial Day, as Memorial Day is the day to honor those who died in service of their country. Today, we honor and thank all veterans for their service and recognize them with our respect and gratitude.

Left: Salt Cay gathers in the shade of St. John's for Remembrance Day

Salt Cay's last World War II veteran, Mr. Ned Kennedy, has passed away. So today we remembered Mr. Kennedy and all other men and women who served in the armed forces. Mr. Kennedy, serving in the local coast guard, served with distinction after surviving a sinking by a German U-boat. Once in the water, in life boats, the submarine sank the ship and left the survivors to float and hopefully be saved, which they were.

For me, today meant honoring both my mother and father who were World War II veterans. My mother was a Navy medic serving at Mare Island Naval Hospital and my father, a US Marine Sargent who served in the Pacific Theater. I honored my late father-in-law, whom I never had the privilege of meeting, who served in the Navy as a navigator and bombardier in the Pacific as well. Ironically, it seems our fathers were on the same island of Midway, after the momentous battle early in the war.

I honored my grandfather who served in the Argonne Forest and the trenches of France during World War I and was among those first veterans to be recognized by this day.

Left: Pastor Antoinette Talbot places the wreath for Church of the Prophecy

I honored friends who served in World War II and gave thought and pause to those friends who served time in American camps because they were born of Japanese heritage. Many Nisei sons served their country with distinction in the European theaters while their families lived in a camp in the US, totally deprived of their freedoms and property.

Today I honored my friends and former husband who served in Vietnam. Some did not come home, some came home but left far too much of themselves behind. I honored my brother and husband, who, though never seeing combat, were in the Air Force during Vietnam as well. I also honored the sons and daughters of my friends who now serve, and have served, in Bosnia, Iraq, the Gulf and Afghanistan.

On Salt Cay Remembrance Day started at 11 am in the front church yard of St. John's Anglican Church. Pastor Noyal Hamilton of the Methodist Church was the Master of Ceremonies. Each minister from the Salt Cay churches said a prayer and paid respects. The first wreath laid on the tomb of the unknown soldier was by District Commissioner Carolyn Dickenson. Our police officer, nurse and teacher laid wreaths as well and Gladys Kennedy, representing the veterans, placed a wreath as well. All of us wore red poppies.

Right: Salt Cay's police officer salutes the tomb

Following the service at 11 am was a church service for all denominations at St. John's. Deacon Gary Lightbourne, Pastor Antoinette Talbot, Pastor Hamilton and Catechist Holton "Polie" Dickenson lead the service which was widely attended by the citizens of Salt Cay, including several of us from the United States and our Haitian and Dominican residents as well. It was truly a Remembrance Day for all.

Below are images from Remembrance Day:

Left: Mrs. Lillian Kennedy with her daughter Gladys Kennedy leave the ceremony in the family's golf cart

Salt Cay In The Fall

It is November on Salt Cay. Hurricane season is over and storms are just, well, storms. Manta Rays have been seen by divers and soon the whales will be heard making their siren calls in the water. When you hear that, you know the whales are coming.

Salt Cay is typically quiet in November as low season comes to an end. Soon the homeowners of Salt Cay will start arriving from Canada, all over the US and Europe to begin a stay that could last well into April or May.

Left: South of Dunscomb Point after Tomas

We arrived November 1 for a 3 week stay and planned to hit the water and check out the mantas, work on the pickup, take down the storm shutters and prepare the Compass Rose for the rental season ahead.

No sooner than we arrived and we started planning our hurricane preparations as Hurricane Tomas tore through St. Lucia with a vengeance. As predicted, he made a hard, hard turn to the north and headed right for us. Every "spaghetti" storm model (those maps with lots of colored lines) had Tomas pretty much coming over our house and Salt Cay. The eye of the storm that was predicted to be maybe a Category 1, 2 or 3 storm. It all depended on how strong he got over the Caribbean Sea and how much Hispaniola (Haiti and the Dominican Republic) and Cuba took out of him over land.

The Haitian's, already beleaguered by politics, history, the devastating earth quake of late and now another hurricane, did not need to be the saving grace for us.

The dock and sea wall project was well underway with heavy equipment and tons of cement in huge bags a crane picks up to mix with. They had to take everything off the seawall and prepare for high seas. The District Commissioner and a couple of Haitian workers spread tarps in 15-20 mph hour gusting winds to protect the precious cement for the project. I put all my weight into trying to hold down a tarp corner and it took everything I had to hold it while someone else wired them together, secured it with rocks, plywood, steel beams…anything that had weight and could spend the night outside.

Fortunately, we were prepared at the Rose. I was prepared because when I was here in August, Hurricane Igor came through as well. I had Lucknor (my handyman) and his friend Ronald (both very nice Haitian gentlemen) fit every piece of plywood and t-111 there was on the property to our big patio screen windows. Fortunately we had lots of that left over from cement forms and it worked well. When I departed September 1, I left it up, just in case something else roared through before I could get back.

Let me set the record straight on something about me and hurricanes. I am an adventurer, but I am not a sadistic adventurer. I do not wish hurricanes on any island or country, but, if one is happening, I am not averse to being there to experience it firsthand. Igor was a bust as an adventure which was fine for everyone, including me when all was said and done. He came through with winds that barely mussed my hair and little rain. I learned that a hurricane can be boring when one sits for hours waiting for something to happen, that never really happens.

Tomas was shaping up as a different story and here we were, smack dab in the middle of it yet again.

Charts show Tomas steered a little west and we got more on the outer band; he gained hurricane status back at Haiti, then lost his oomph over the TCI and for that we are forever grateful, including me.

Now all who know me know that I am not a religious person; lapsed Catholic would be giving me far too much religion. But back in 2005, when Hurricane Frances roared through here and did little damage to Salt Cay for all its 100+ winds, I came back on the first flight into Salt Cay on a planned fall trip. Frances lashed Florida hard, but somehow Salt Cay was spared given the direction of the storm. I made a bet with a friend, a fellow home owner, that I'd go to Anglican services on Sunday if Salt Cay came out safe.

I was happily at the first service that Sunday where Holton "Polie" Dickenson, the catechist of St. John's Anglican Church celebrated our lucky stars. Since then I have always attended at least one service on a trip, especially if there has been a storm or some event is taking place. Church on Salt Cay is the social backbone of the community.

I went to church today since it was Sunday after a hurricane. I can handle a little religion but the time to reflect, think and just coast among good friends whom I love dearly is a respite sometimes even for the likes of me. Polie, leading the service and Maurice Simmons (our property manager) always make sure I am in the right book and on the right page…they keep an eye on me so I get the full service experience, hymns and prayers alike. Little do they realize I just like being there amongst them and being taken care of for 90 minutes or so while my mind lets go in abstract ways. Then I will hear, like today: "Page 56, page 56….(Maurice looking at me directly over his glasses to assist me)…blue book, page 56 in the blue book" Ok, ok, page 56, I'll get there…why so many books by the way?

Everyone hugs everyone at church. Everyone sings at the top of their voices, good, bad or shall we say, without pitch. Miss Rosalie or Miss Vida plays the new organ. Herbert Simmons passes the collection basket. Eloisa Dickenson smiles proudly as Polie does the service and leads his flock; Ma Lucy is feeling well and is oriented to time and place today; Miss Lillian, 93 years old (now our oldest citizen) is there in a perfectly clean and spotless white outfit, hat to shoes white….she takes NO medication at all and when I tried to help her out of the pew she accepted but said she didn't need any help. She did, that's how she stays spotless…but she's spunky. Ken, from Massachusetts, has been coming here for years and we sat together. He is a regular, member of the congregation as I recall, whereas I am but a visitor.

That is what is always so interesting to me is the fascinating people I learn more about or collect while here. I always meet someone new or get to know someone I hadn't yet had the chance to get to know.

The chicken population at the Rose has been decimated by marauding dogs with a taste for chicken. A lone hen has brought another 3 hens around to share the grain I brought. Still no rooster after a dog, who will remain anonymous here, killed my red strutter in the yard in August.

The usual cats are hanging around: Spirit, Blackie, Blackie 2, and a new tabby who seems "softer" for a feral cat, that I've named Precious. Or she/he is working on being precious. They really like the dry cat food I brought and put on a dinner show every night and are waiting at the first sign of the door opening for their breakfast. When Joel sat in bed eating his oatmeal and drinking coffee, Spirit decided to get in the window and hope he got something. Of course he won't let you pet him and jumps 6 feet when you try, but now it's only 6 feet and closing.

And, suffice it to say we have not been in the water yet since we are not prepared to swim home from either Grand Turk or Puerto Plata since the current has changed several times and running strong.

Grenada

Our last stop on this trip is actually three venues on the island of Grenada: St. George's, Hog Island and Clark's Court Bay.

Right: A fresh picked nutmeg, with red mace net, interior nut and husk

Having worked our way down the western shore of Grenada, we did not find a suitable anchorage for us until we were on the outskirts of historic St. George's with its' huge fort above the harbor. We anchored here two nights, motoring into the yacht club and marina for gas and provisions.

We all had a need for a hamburger it seemed. And French fries.

We found Andy and Susan on their boat, Maggie May; a beautiful made to order Norwegian yacht that hailed from Indianapolis, Indiana. We joined up and went over to the marina's beautiful open air restaurant and bar, having cold drinks and cheeseburgers in paradise…though Joel suddenly changed to a fish sandwich.

Having diligently trying to stick to healthy, less sinful and dissipated ways, I decided to go for it and have a bacon cheeseburger with a split of fries. Delicious. But 24 hours later I was just getting my legs back under me having paid the price of major indigestion from too much fat too soon. As everyone enjoyed their lunch the next day, I eked down a bowl of Callaloo Soup and hoped it made things right with my gall bladder.

Above: We arrive in Grendada

We then struck out for Hog Island on the south eastern shore of Grenada.

Hog Island is a major location in Ann Vanderhoof's book An Embarrassment of Mangoes. This book is required reading by Sandi when on board, especially since it is set in Grenada primarily and is the story of two Canadians who decide to take 2 years and sail from Toronto to the Caribbean and back in their 42 foot sailing yacht Receta. An excellent choice of reading, Ann's book brings you into her and her husband's life and journey which forever changed their lives. Along the way you learn some interesting recipes as well.

Be sure to check out Ann's new book, Spice Necklace, which just came out. I have read the book, and I have to say it is wonderful. If you love the Caribbean, and enjoy living vicariously, then read Ann's new book. Check out the website here.

As we put on a genuine tragic comedy of anchoring in mud, we see the sailboat next to our chosen anchorage enjoying the cocktail/pre-dinner show. Sure our anchor is set, I start watching the stern to make sure we are not slipping towards the rocky shore nearby.

The marine band radio comes on advising that Rosetta is calling to advise Hanco we are slipping and I am gauging that our stern is inching closer to the shore as well.

Back into action we raise the anchor and put on an even more Laurel and Hardy or Martin and Lewis…better yet Three Stooges (Joel was in the anchor chain room so he doesn't count) show of anchoring in mud amongst the sailboats yet again. Next to us, a young Grenadian fisherman is visiting the sailboat and yells "drop it, drop it now". John drops the anchor but it doesn't satisfy him, so he puts a red buoy on with a rope which I then screw up throwing out because I wanted to come home with all my fingers.

We try again and while doing that the Gameboy boat control stops working and Sandi has no boat control, under power and the yacht next to us is beyond close, we can see if it has chips in its paint. We then have a fire drill of sorts, aka cluster frolic, in front of everyone while control is restored at the helm due to a switch issue. Whew.

Right: Recetta, our neighbors, Hog Island behind

The anchor is dropped, John dives into murky water here, and assures himself the anchor is set and now he can sleep that night.

While we are doing this Sandi yells "hello" to Steve and Ann on the next boat which is NOT Rosetta, but Receta and the neighbors are Ann Vanderhoof and her husband Steve Manley with Dwight, the fisherman from her books. So, not only are the neighbors watching, the neighbors are writers and friends of Sandi and John and local celebrities. Oh well. And yes, they had a grand time watching our display of comedic yachting, but all the while knowing they have put on similar displays.

Another evening of cocktails and filet mignon on the fantail; another night of blissful sleep; someone has to do this.

Left: The marina at Clark's Court Bay

Today we move to the marina of Clark's Court Marina to tie up in preparation for our return home, some touring as in a rum distillery up the road and the spice market.

Clark's Court Bay and the marina located there are below the parallel that insurance companies deem acceptable for boats to hang out in and still be covered by insurance if a hurricane strikes. The last one, Ivan, was a cat 5 that laid waste to Grenada, damaging about 90% of the island's homes and decimating the nutmeg and banana crops. You don't say "Hurricane Ivan" here, you just say "Ivan". The previous hurricane to come this low was Janet in 1955. Given the aftermath of Ivan, the name was retired out of respect to the dead and the history it left in its wake.

Right: Dry land allows for a much needed haircut for John and Sandi can do the job

Above Clark's Court Bay is the Clark's Court Bay Distillery which, of course, we had to visit and tour. And taste too. The factory doesn't do cane anymore, they obtain juice and make the rum and molasses. They buy cane juice (much like wineries buy grape juice) all over the Caribbean. The sugar cane crop was also destroyed when Ivan came through.

Sandi and I took a tour through the spice and town market. We went through the vendors in the covered part of the market where dozens of spice dealers hawk their goods. Many of the same spices and sauces are sold in the different stands and I kept wondering what the difference would be other than price or approach. There really is none. The only difference would be in the design maybe of a spice necklace. But, one bag of spices was the same regardless of the stand or even if it was in the downtown area or the outlying areas.

Left and right: Shopping in St. George's street market

Staying in a marina is way different than being out on your own in the middle of say, Tobago Cays or the Virgin Islands at anchor. You have neighbors and you can't just jump into the water because it is not all that desirable to be honest. You do have lots of water, lots of power and a bar a stone's throw away. You can get your land legs back quick too.

Wednesday night was Burger night so Sandi decided to have a little pre-burger cocktail soiree on board HANCO to warm up for the burgers. What started as about 10 people grew to about 50 or so potential guests. That's a lot of folks on a boat, even a 62 foot Hatteras with a good sized fantail. We were ice scavengers, makers, hors de oeuvres queens and house cleaners. The party was marvelous and a good time was had by all. By the end of burgers, and dancing, as well as more drinking of adult beverages, a good time was really had by all.

Ann and Steve came over for the party and I asked for her autograph for my copy of Mangos, but, since I don't read paper books, but use a Kindle, I found a Sharpie and she did her first signing of a Kindle on the back side. Pretty cool. So is she and so is Steve. What a pair.

Left: Joel at the fort above St. George

One problem with the rum factory being so close to the marina is not the temptation; it is the smell of the molasses residue being put into the river, which then flows down to the cove. It eventually drove John to move the boat back to the marina at St. George.

We all took another day tour which was supposed to be done by 1 pm or so, but stretched longer. I think we were kidnapped by monkeys. Really.

Our guide took us all over Grenada. We learned more about nutmeg than we ever thoughts possible. We went to the top of the island and though we failed to bring bananas, the monkey's made an appearance when another tour guide brought little sweet bananas. They flew out of the trees, like, well, monkeys. We toured the large fort that stands over the island. I can't imagine building this thing, let alone being assigned here in centuries past. It would have a been a serious hike but what a fantastic view.

Sandi and I toured a nutmeg processing plant while the guys waited in the van's A/C and watched the world go by. A trip through a plant like this truly makes you appreciate your college education. The ladies pictured here make $8 for shelling out a large bag of nutmeg seeds. If you are fast, you might make $40 a day. So don't gripe about the price of nutmeg or mace. Ever.

Below: Ladies shell and clean up nutmeg and sing to occupy themselves

Grenada was truly devastated by Ivan. The nutmeg crop will take years to recover as will the clove and limes. It is green and getting lush, but after the 'cane it was stripped bare. It is a testament to their resiliency how well they recovered.

All too soon it was time to pack up and leave the boat, John and Sandi and Grenada. We had a truly marvelous time and are forever thankful that we have such good, warm and comfortable friends as them. We have more new friends from all over the world and have become dry land boaters without a boat or OPB's (other people's boats). HANCO will spend the 'cane season in Grenada getting some repairs, refurbishment and sprucing up. We can't wait for our next adventure.

Right: A street vendor sells fresh roasted corn on the cob

I highly recommend a visit to Grenada. It is bu s y, high end and yet, laid back and comfortable.

Next, I'll take you with Marley and me (sounds like a book potential, maybe a movie) to Ashland, Oregon for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and hanging out for the Fourth of July, including Ashland's hometown, hard to beat parade. Stay tuned, it will be a matter of days….

Carriacou and the Grenadian Grenadines

Hanco is anchored about 120 yards off the beach of Sparrow Bay, Carriacou (Karry-a-coo) in the Grenadian Grenadine Islands. This large island isn't really on the beaten path of tourism. Sail boats and motor yachts come through, but people flying in to stay here a week hasn't yet caught on.

Left: The harbor at Hillsborough

We plan to take a tour today with Dunstan Bristol, a tour guide recently retired from Customs.

But, before that, I'll let you know about our passage and our first day here.

The weather started to change at Tobago Cays and we decided it was a better idea to leave sooner, than later. We cleared out of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines with John as skipper catching a ride to the dock at Clifton and clearing out the boat and his crew. We then set our course for Carriacou, with where to anchor up in the air. Sparrow Bay looked calm, especially after the seas we endured coming through the 8 miles or so of open water. Winds were 30 knots and the seas weren't as big as we feared…probably 6 foot swells at the worst part. We only got bugged-eyed once and John did something to fix that.

Sparrow was flat and no occupied boats were here. The Round House restaurant is on the beach. A gentleman swam out, helped us anchor, drank a Coke hanging from the anchor line, then swam back (no fins by the way) as if he were walking through a park. We boarded the tender and headed out for Hillsborough, the main city and dock area where Customs and Immigration are located. After a dicey arrival with a bunch of little dinghies and fishing net out, we climbed off and went in search of cold drinks while John got us legalized.

At the bar next to Customs, we waited for John to get the paperwork done. Sandi I had cold "locals" (which here was Carib) and Joel had a rum and Coke. Well, they provide a glass, ice, you pick the size Coke bottle you want and then you get an old coke bottle (glass 7 oz.) filled halfway with amber rum…Jack Rum…180 proof brew from a keg in back. Joel almost had his ass handed to him in a Coke bottle before a local warned him what he was drinking.

We poured part of the rum into his plastic Coke bottle and took it away from him as we went for a late lunch at the Hardwood in Paradise Beach. There we had a local style stewed fish/chicken choice and drank more beer next to the beach. We waited in rain for a bus, which didn't arrive until I just had dropped my pants to offload the beer in the Ladies Room. I have never run for any bus pulling up my pants and doing zipper and belt on the fly.

As Sandi and I roamed with our cameras, the boys went in search of cell phone stuff and rum.

We found a brand new baby goat. He was so new; he was still wet and just trying to get on his feet. We took images of him later and the next day as he "matured". What a cutie, but I fear his future isn't one of happily grazing on the grass of downtown Hillsborough.

We rode around in the tender in the rain, arrived back at Hanco for cocktail hour and an appetizer dinner of left overs. It was an early night on Hanco. I was in bed, and asleep by 8:30 EDT and slept until 6 am when I got up to do notes for my loyal fan base.

Our first full day on Cariacou took us to Hillsborough to enjoy a day tour with Dunstan. He took us over the hills, to the shores and back again. We went up to Hospital Hill and viewed what felt like the entire Caribbean. The hospital was put up there as both a post and to insure that cholera did not spread. In another century, when there was an outbreak, the worst and fatal cases went out to the island off the shore and the ones who might make up came up into the winds of the island away from town.

Right: Dunston, Joel, Sandi and John

We went to Windward, the boat building area of the island which was at one time predominantly Scottish descendants. Blacks were not allowed in the area until sometime in the 1800's. You still see lighter skinned people in the area and they still build boats.

The boats are mostly handmade wooden racers. Sailboat racing is a really big deal in the Leewards with not only prize and betting money on the line, but serious issues of pride. There is a big regatta in Antigua and one in the SVG and Grenada. In fact the Carriacou Regatta 2010 starts happening July 25 and to say it is a "big deal" is being subtle. The boat builders take their job serious as well. We saw a finished boat, one that was still the ribs and one that was almost done and ready for its wooden mast.

Left: An almost finished racer headed for Antigua

They take a wooden pole fashioned from a tree, split it, tunnel it for electronics, put it back together and finish it. Amazing and beautiful both.

One boat builder has an abundance of shipping palates. With these he makes rough furniture that is, frankly pretty cool. I might have to try this on Salt Cay.

Surprisingly both Grenada and Cariacou have recovered well from the effects of 2004's Hurricane Ivan. The destruction was massive with most homes losing their roofs.

As we neared the end of our tour, it was getting late and stormy. We decided since we had to go to the Roundhouse for dinner by road, the beach being too rough for the tender, we would stay in town, drink and then head out.

Bogle's Round House (http://www.boglesroundhouse.com/index_files/restaurant.html ) is one of those unique and funky places where you find things you didn't think you'd find. Bombay Sapphire for one and an excellent wine list. And food…well the food Roxanne Russell puts on your plane is wonderful…some of the best in the Caribbean apparently. Roxanne is not only a great chef; she is welcoming, friendly, and charming person. She is what a chef needs to be, a hostess with good food and welcoming accommodations. The location is marvelous and I highly suggest staying in one of her guesthouses if you are doing a land excursion of the island. They also own the bakery downtown which serves sandwiches that are mouthwatering. We ate there both days enjoying BLT's, tuna, cheese and chicken sandwiches. And we had cookies, cinnamon rolls, key lime pie, carrot cake and special hand squeezed juice blends. This is called, Da Bake Shop.

We considered moving to Tyrell Bay and mooring there, but after a drive over in the tender after snorkeling, stopping at a bar having to indulge in some cold Carib, we changed our collective minds. It looked and felt like a giant yacht slum, and I got sand flea bites at the bar the moment I sat down. My only bites of the entire two weeks actually. Compared to where we were, there was no point moving.

We did a little snorkeling off Mabouya Island, one of the rocky out islands near Hillsborough. Joel and Sandi found a huge tarpon and some other sea life; I found the pelicans and a ton of little fish that swarmed around in schools of a million or so. Here's a little chart of the island and their website: http://www.doyleguides.com/files/coumap.jpg

Right: Pelicans hang out on Mabouya Island while I lurk in the sea weed

Cariacou is worth taking a trip off the beaten Caribbean path. The people are beyond friendly, the island is extremely clean and the food good. Granted, you won't find a burger in paradise all that easily as it is generally island cooking, but if you search a little, as we did you find little golden spots.