Elbow Cay and Hope Town

We have been at Seaspray Marina on Elbow Cay the last few days.  We had a perfect day to cross the Whale from GTC to here, but since then it has been windy, so a good time to explore Elbow Cay, home to Hope Town.  We first came to Elbow 35 years ago, with the boys on a family vacation.  It has grown since then!  Hope Town is described as the most picturesque settlement in the Bahamas.  Its candy striped lighthouse was built by the British Lighthouse Service in 1863.  Founded by Loyalist in 1785, the town has grown, and been invaded by Americans.  Where there once were trails there are now large homes and private subdivisions.   As with most of the Abacos, Hope Town was hit hard by Hurricane Dorian, a strong Cat 5, in 2019.  Seaspray Marina was completely obliterated, as were may other properties.  Due in part to a large influx of cash from Americans who have second homes here, and Hope Town taking charge of its own destiny, it has made a remarkable comeback.  Seaspray Marina has all new bulkheading, as well as nice fixed docks with good power and water (for a price).  It can handle large yachts, and small boats.  It is still under construction, as there is no pool or restaurant yet, but will be so in the future.  They do have a Tiki Bar, with a food truck that serves remarkably good food.

In town, many shops are back up and running, and the Hopetown Inn and Marina is fully functional.  The Abaco Inn (our favorite restaurant) is up and running, and has the same charm it had 35 years ago. Sadly, the town's museum has not reopened.  Vernon's grocery store has reopened, and Vernon (about 100 years old) still makes the best key lime pie in the Abacos.  On the southern end of the island where we are, there is major construction of second homes as I previously mentioned.  Considering everything has to get here by boat, I can only imagine the cost.  Alexis stopped at the local realtor's office and was offered a bargain on an ocean view home-only $3 million plus.  We passed...

Since it has been so windy, we rented a golf cart and explored inland.  We have dined at the Abaco Inn, the food truck, Mackey's take out (really good), and Firefly restaurant today.  In short, it is time to leave and go on the hook for a while.  We plan to leave tomorrow for Little Harbor home to Pete's Pub.  The wind is suppose to finally decrease so hopefully we can snorkel Sandy Cay reef on the way there.  We can only enter or exit Little Harbor on a high tide, so it will be a late arrival tomorrow, slightly after sunset.  There are no real channel markers in many of the Bahamas, so another adventure!  Until then!  

Vernon's key lime pie. 

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Mackey's take out and sweet shop.  Lunch was great, and the chickens were good company!

A cottage in town.

There are many beaches to explore. 

Downtown Hope Town.

Hope Town Harbor, with the lighthouse in the background.  Moorings are available for rent in the harbor, but it is so crowded, we usually anchor outside, or stay at Seaspray.  

The food truck.

Lighted docks at night,  A nice touch.  

Our Tiki Bar.  

A dredged channel into Seaspray. 

The lighthouse from the bay.  

 

Sunset at Seaspray.

A couple of houses on the southside.  

Lunch at Firefly.  

The bar at Firefly, a good place to celebrate sundown!