westbaylodge - Burr it's cold here

Well, what a difference a couple of days can make. On Sunday we went to the beach in the afternoon and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky and 92’. The beach was very busy as a cruise ship was in for the day and there was a big church picnic, maybe a hundred children also playing and everyone that ever goes to the Palapa bar was there with their families for the day. There was just a slight breeze and the sea seemed to be warming up. This was the first day in a while that we were able to go to the beach since we have been so busy. Yesterday it was overcast and rained on and off. Last night was cool and then early this morning it started pouring. Unless you have been in the tropics when it is raining like this, it is hard to imagine how much rain can fall at once. Then it started coming down sideways and the wind really kicked up from off the ocean. Soon everything was flooded around here. Jacob had a hard time getting out of the driveway to go to school. He, by the way wore a long sleeved shirt with another shirt over that, and even shoes and socks which he hasn’t worn since July. It got down to 72’ around 9:00am. The kitties are all sleeping in one big pile to stay warm. There hasn’t been weather like this since November (when my Mom came from Oregon for a visit and to get warmed up). It is supposed to clear up and be nice for this afternoon. Good; I can take off my sweatshirt. There is a big cruise ship in today and they probably think this feels warm if they are from up north.
Jacob and his friend Julia Watkins are enjoying their fame this month. They are on the cover of the new Bay Island Voice magazine for the month of March. They were playing on the new field/play ground by Anthoney’s Key resort. They were also in another article about the beach clean up/ field trip that I set up. The kids from the school came on a Monday morning each taking a bag and going down the beach collecting garbage. When they turned in their bag they received a ticket for a free ride on the glass bottom boat. If you haven’t done this here yet it is very nice. You sit 8 feet under the water and it takes you for 45 minutes over the reef where you see the turtles and reef fish with out getting wet. Then Greg from the marine park came out and talked to the kids about what trash can do to the reef; how to go to the tourist who have dropped trash and ask them politely to help us keep our beaches and reef clean; and to always pick up trash when they see it. They really all had a great time and I think learned a lot.
More news here is that Milos bought 2 new scooters for our guests to rent. They are really nice looking, bright red and hold 2 people comfortably. It’s a fun way to see the island for very little gas and just $35 per day.
Things are pretty booked up out here in West bay from now until after Semana Santa. I believe that week is full on the whole island. For those of you who don’t know, Semana Santa is the week before Easter. In Central America they call it Holy week and all businesses are shut down and schools are closed. It starts March 30 and goes until April 8th. I have been told that is gets crazier than spring break around here.
I hope you all have a super day!
Celeste