People Watching--Simms
09 May 2012 | Simms, Long Island
After a few days, we meandered north to the settlement of Simms. Simms is the government center for the northern half of the 80 mile long Long Island. The settlement is tiny and quite poor. There is no dinghy dock/landing and you have to climb up a concrete dock to get to land (more on that later).
There is one restaurant in town that was written up in a guide book we have. So the crews of DreamCatcher and Heart thought why not? After dinghying ashore and walking up the single lane road we came upon the Blue Chip Bar and Restaurant. It appeared to be an older home with a beautiful banyon tree out front. Several men were sitting under the tree playing dominos, drinking and smoking pot. They welcomed us and directed us around to the side of the building to the restaurant part of the building. The other part was sort of a bar.
Mario, we think is the owner, was as surprised to see us as we were him! After he recovered from his surprise at meeting people from "away" he welcomed us inside and seated us at the only table in the restaurant side of the building. There was also a kitchen counter to sit at but a gentleman was sleeping across two stools so we chose the table.
Mario cooked us what he had in his coolers which was fried chicken, fried conch, rice and corn. It was a plentiful meal served family style in old pie plates and chipped serving bowls but it was gooood home cooking. Price for dinner for four with several drinks: $40. Priceless.
The people watching was definitely worth more than the price of admission: the numerous men sort of came alive after we got there, were talking/shouting to us and still smoking their dubes out in the open. We never felt in jeopardy and the crowd was friendly and was full of advice for us.
At the end of the afternoon the tide had gone out and it was difficult to get into the dinghy, especially for short-legged Maryann. So she walked to a nearby sand beach and Don came around the point and retrieved her there. You have to be flexible in this lifestyle.