Vantage Pointe

This afternoon we went to Vantage Pointe for lunch. We had planned to meet Jeannie and Brad, who live on the island, but they couldn’t make it. When we arrived we saw Robin and Sonya from Watercolors and joined them at their table. They had put in a special order yesterday for mutton so George also ordered it and I had a bite of his. It was good! We enjoyed sitting and chatting with Robin and Sonya and would love to meet up again sometime. Jimmy Fox and his family run Vantage Pointe and have made more improvements every time we visit. Jimmy is in the process of paving the walkway and has water available for cruisers to use. He has plans to run the water line out to the end of the walkway to make it more convenient for cruisers. He is talking about adding washers and dryers for cruisers to use. That would be an absolute game-changer for Thompson Bay and we can’t wait! He even told us that if any cruiser wants their laundry done before the washers and dryers become available they could bring their laundry to him at the restaurant and he would arrange for it to get done.

Sometime this past year I read a story about a century plant, a large succulent in the agave family. This plant had been given to a woman by her daughter over 20 years ago and the woman had planted it in her front yard. After 20-some years the plant sent up a central stalk that kept growing and growing, reaching over 20 feet. Finally large clusters of yellow blossoms appeared at the top. Word got out and people from all over would drive by and take photos. The article explained that a few months after the blossoms appear the plant would die. Century plants don’t actually live for a century—it is more like 20 to 30 years. This week I noticed a century plant with a large stalk growing near Basil’s dock, the dock we use as a dinghy dock. I am guessing the stalk is at least 20 feet tall. I may not see the blossoms since we plan to leave tomorrow and aren’t sure when we will return. Next time we do visit Thompson Bay I will have to remember to see if the plant is still there.

Update: After we finished our lunch, Sonya and Robin made plans to go to Long Island Petroleum for ice cream. (Yes, the gas station really does sell great ice cream.) We told them that George eats ice cream every day at home but rarely in the Bahamas since our freezer is so small. A few hours later Robin came by with a pint of ice cream. What a surprising treat!