Answers to Contest-Part 2

Karen W. asked "Can you tell us how to clean a conch shell?" 

Karen, as you are down here again and out on the water right now (above)... I obviously didn't get this posted before you came. I was hoping to get a video clip of the process, but we haven't had the chance to do that yet. I will post that later when we get it. Back in the summer I posted a blog about the process of cleaning the conch. Just a reminder. It's pronounced KONK down here, if you want to impress the locals, stay away from saying CON-CH :)

This is the pretty view of the conch! If you were asking how to CLEAN the shell (once you've cut the meat out) for something like a souvenir...I would simply use an SOS pad and some good ole scrubbing action :) Some people will varnish them to give them a nice shiny finish, but the color does fade over time (it takes a long time if it is not in direct sunlight, but it does eventually lose that pretty coloring).

 Back to the cleaning process if you're wanting to eat the conch though. Remember in the blog I mentioned using the conch hatchet to access the conch on the inside of the shell? Well, this picture above shows you a better shot of where to hit it and crack the shell. Once you open this, you can cut the conch off of the shell and pull it out. There's a little more to it at this point, but I'll need the video or more detailed photos to explain that (which I will get to you as soon as we get them ourselves). 

 Mz Jan asked: On the cooler days you mentioned...what's the temperature of the water?

During our 'cold' weather right now, which is in the 60's or high 50's at night, the water is usually in the 70's (Fahrenheit). An average is about 74-76 right now. Which for us is COLD! The summer months bring us water temps in the 80's and we get very spoiled to that. This is another reason for not having the conch footage for you right now :) It's been a little while since we have wanted to just go out and take our time searching for one. 

 Beverly R. asked: If you could change any one thing about your island what would it be?

Thanks Sis... this is a tough one.. just ONE thing,huh? Well, I asked Dallas what his one thing would be, and he said the restaurant options. For us, eating out isn't really something we WANT to do as much as, we just really don't want to hassle with dinner and cleaning that night, so we pick something up. However, we don't really get too excited about eating out anywhere. You can get really good food down here, Bahamian food, that is, but it takes forever at the restaurant, and it is usually expensive. We have however, heard of a few new places that have opened, or are opening, that have had great reviews, so we'll have to check on them and get back to you if that request changes :) You just won't find much variety. It's Bahamian food, or bust!

I think my answer for this question would be to make getting to and from here easier and more affordable. With our family all being back in the states or over in Nassau, it sure would be nice to be able to come and go when we like or go away for a long weekend here and there. With the way things are now... we can usually head back there twice a year if we're lucky, and it's for a week or two at a time. It's fun, but it's very tiring being away from home and out of the boys' routines for that length of time. But it is also necessary to spend as much time as we can to get the most for our flights. We have one more year of Emit flying free (but there's still fees with his being international) and then it will be 4 full price tickets...YIKES. Maybe I should just ask for my own plane and pilot's license... then I can fly when I want and take anyone I wish with me :)

Trolling for Mahi Mahi or Wahoo, anyone??? YUMMY!!!

 

James S. asked:   Yall's favorite caye? Sunrise or Sunset?

Hmmmmm, Favorite Cay...that's a tough one too. I think we would have to choose Normans Pond Cay (shown above)  here. It's is a beautiful spot for one... with a front a center seat to breath-taking sunsets, but there is also a ton of things to do within a short paddle/sail from here. And on that same note...we prefer sunsets! Maybe it's because we see more of those than we do sunrises, but I am constantly being stunned and amazed at the, once again, incredible sunset before us. In a bible study I did recently with Beth Moore I learned to say "I love you, too!" every time I see one of these wonderful sunsets down here.

Stay tuned for the last and final contest question! And don't forget...if you ever have questions that you would like us to answer on here, or specific topics you would like us to mention, just drop us a comment and let us know We LOVE getting comments and knowing folks are reading and following along.