Yesterday we decided to stop at a fish fry shack on the beach for a beer. Well one beer led to another, and then we had lunch. We had cracked conch and it was good, but the best was when a bunch of the locals decided to have a jam session of Rake 'N Scrape. It was one of the best lunch experiences we've had all year.

They had as much fun as we did




Good work with the saw


Today we went touring. There was a Priest in the early 1900's by the name of Father Jerome who built his retirement home on the highest peak in the Bahamas on Cat Island. His home is called The Hermitage. Well, we toured it this morning.

His chapel


First of all, it's a bit of a climb up to the place. No escalator here, buddy. What's incredible is the size of everything. It's built at about two thirds size. From a distance, you think it's normal sized and then it looks very far away, but it's not full size so it's closer than it appears, but still a climb. The pathway has the Stations of the Cross. I understand there is quite a ceremony at Easter.

His view!


His bedroom


Mike and Kim on the "back deck"


Kim in the turret


The front view


The guide book says he lived in "Spartan" conditions. This is taking spartan to new extremes. There is a small bed that he had to stay curled up when sleeping, a small chapel, and the doors and hallways were very small. There is a separate cooking structure. Check out the pictures in the Gallery. It's pretty incredible that he was able to construct the place at the top of that hill. There were a lot of rocks to move. I'm not sure what he died of, but it could have been either fatigue, or maybe he hit his head on a doorway.

Tomorrow we are renting a car for more exploring.