Buck Island & Cruzan Rum

Well guys decided to get the rest of the tree down today they started Sunday, that way they can enjoy their last 3 days on the island. I am hoping we can all at least make it to the beach for a dip before dark . . . we usually go to the beach at Sandcastles/Cottages but maybe Coconuts tonight . . . any comments? We've never been to Coconuts or the beach there . . . is it a good choice for a quick dip?

Kobe bacon

Juanita, I worry about the pigs too, but compared with what their "cousins" endure to provide us bacon, it must be a walk in the park. If nobody goes to see them, I'm sure it won't be long before they end up on the BBQ.

Sand flies at sunset on west end beaches. During the day coconuts, rainbow and Sunset grill are all good for a swim.

We did see a FedEx truck pass by which made us laugh . . . where would it be going? Then we saw it went up the drive to the telescope (what is that thing anyway?)

NRAO (National Radio Astronomy Observatory) is part of the Very Long Baseline Array of radio telescopes (the ones in New Mexico were in the movie Contact with Jodi Foster). Check out the website for NRAO @ http://www.nrao.edu/. You can arrange a tour of the facility and it is quite interesting. FYI - It does require a lot of climbing of stairs to get up into the telescope so it is not for everyone.

The tours are normally only given on Tuesday when the telescope is off line for maintenance. They ask that you call and schedule a tour in advance. The people that work at the site are just technicians that maintain the machinery. They are not astronomers. They show you a film then show you around the facility including climbing out onto the dish. Once you are on the dish you can walk out towards the edge. When I was out on the dish I kept thinking, I hope the dish is locked in place and doesn't start to rotate to focus on some distant galaxy.

Be sure to wear shoes suitable for climbing stairs. Sandals and flip flops would not be a good choice. It is not a tour for little kids or anyone who is not fit.

Jim