I hate busy crowded parking. I park away from everybody. I take spots that are easy pull into.
Driving yesterday around 4:30 pm seemed somewhat rushed on the highway. I guess a lot of people headed home from the holiday. Later was almost empty. We went to eastern Baltimore COunty where about 90 boat owners had lighted and decorated their boats and cruised them around for people on shore/dock/marina to see. Something different! Between this area and Annapolis, I just cannot beleive how many people own boats, and how big some are

Plumeria, Lisa! You can fit quite a few 14-18" sticks into your luggage...
Actually, I seem to remember you do well with orchids, too.

I want to see your "haul" when you return!

Have fun in the Bahamas, Lisa, I was there with my Balinese dance group. We were performing and the leader /teacher of our group was also teaching the kids there. We were promised to stay an extra day from the Embassy there and take us sightseeing, but they cancelled it, so we only saw when we travelled from our hotel to the places where we performed or taught. Such colorful houses. I bought T-shirts--still have them. I love their conch salads or ceviche---so delicious. I also managed to purchase 1 conch shell--Beautiful blue water----Another friend planned to retire there and I was invited---but it was not meant to be, he got sick and passed away. His wife had to sell the unfinished big house, and all the the contents of the house and then move to the Netherlands where she came from. She was so busy and I was busy too, so we lost contact. She and her husband had the most wonderful house when they were here. Right at the Potomac river 2 or 3 houses away from George Washington's Mount Vernon----I think they sold it to some Philippines----rumors said people from the Marcos family---

Such a beautiful day for planting.. Not!

I forgot, the garden sled came. I like it! Have not used it yet....

Yessiree things in Bahamas are pricey.

yeeow! Island economy. I hope the seafood dinners reflect local sourcing prices.

Heya! Hope everybody is staying well and having fun with the holidays.

I just posted a thread for sharing/splitting seed orders... I figure it's easy to distribute at the seed swap and nice to save $$ on shipping or by splitting bulk packs.
The thread "Splitting seed orders?" in Mid Atlantic Gardening forum

To go with that, I thought we might chat about the seed swap or more generally about seeds here: The thread "2023 Mid-Winter Seed Swap chat" in Mid Atlantic Gardening forum

Don't know if my post sent.

Last post I saw from you was about the (gulp!) price of Triscuits.

Devil of a time successfully sending anything. Wild orchids.

Rainbow Bridge, where Atlantic (right) meets Bight of Eleuthera. Not my snap.

Wow!! That sent me looking for a map of the Bahamas. I didn't realize just how lo o o ng that curving barrier reef is! And there's a road that looks like it goes along the whole length of it, although sometimes the land isn't much wider than the road.

I don't know if you were planning to snorkel or dive or just walk the beautiful beaches? Where are you staying (near what part of the island)? Looking forward to pictures and stories when you return!

Noticed a landmark name that made me click for more info... if you are heading to the north end (Preacher's Cave, nice beach), there's a place a short drive from the main road called Sapphire Blue Hole.

That is a wonderful photo. 2 different colors. I do not remember that at all. Probably did not see it. I do not even remember how long we were there. But busy every day, we were obviously not tourists. What I remembered most was the delicious conk salad---obviously all meals were either from the hotel or where we were either performing or teaching--

No pink sand Jill. That's found @Harbour Island, which is far north of us. We're @ Governor's Harbour in Eleuthera, which Eric alternately calls Urethra, Aretha and Alexa.

That boy is so not right!

Conch seviche is delicious! Had it a few times on our honeymoon in Cozumel, at the hotel's poolside cafe. Went well with the cheap pina coladas (light on the rum).

LOL @ Eric.

Looks like Pink Sands Beach involves a drive and a boat ride.

Twin Coves Beach is nearby and gets great reviews for snorkeling (go left!) as well as just being a lovely, quiet beach.

Had to turn over a beautiful conch shell to Bahamas customs. Was in a carry-on bag—we rarely check bags—where it purportedly could have been used as a weapon. Did manage to bring a few plumie stalks and dealing with USDA and Bahamas Dept of Ag was painless.
Driving around the island far from painless. Getting from Governor's Harbour to Harbor Island takes 2 hours on roads with Jeep-eating potholes and random speed bumps. Ladder at Sapphire Blue Swimming Hole got destroyed. Jumping in is easy but getting out is by rope with few knots requiring Special Ops upper body strength.
Beaches? Every single one absolutely perfect.

Sounds wonderful! Even not keeping the conch. Honestly, I would feel bad about taking it. But maybe they are still plentiful. One day I will walk the beach and drop the shells I've collected or gotten from friends, and let someone else have the delight of finding them. Likewise, the shark's teeth collected by my siblings from Calvert Cliffs State Park.
Plants, yes!