Eleuthera tour by auto

   As this was our first visit to Eleuthera, we decided to tour the island by rental car with John and Travis from Another Adventure.  Eleuthera is a large island, or at least a long one, over 100 miles, but less than a mile wide in most places. Compared to the Exumas it is well populated with several towns, a bit of vehicle traffic and, actually a history of farming and cattle ranches, most of which are gone now.

   Governors Harbor was the colonial capital of Eleuthera for awhile and the first "large town" we've visited since leaving Nassau. A lot of damage to the exposed houses on Cupid's Cay from Hurricane Irene last year which came directly over Eleuthera. All the docks up and down the coast have some degree of damage.

   This is the place to be on Friday nights in Eleuthera. The fish fry's are community events and you pay a "donation" for your fish. Governors Harbor has the most popular fish fry event each Friday. We missed out as we were in Rock Sound on Friday, but we heard from folks there that this was the best fish fry.

   This is where we stopped for lunch in James Cistern since it was Sat afternoon.

   Five dollars for 1 meat and 2 vegetable sides. It was very good, especially the peas and rice. Very well attended by the local residents.

Eleuthera is famous for the Glass Window - an opening through the island at its narrowest point where the oceanside and bankside waters can flow through at high tide. When the early settlers came it was actually an arch (ie, a window) but the top eventually collapsed. Now it is topped by a bridge.

   During the weather event which was the "Perfect Storm" off New England, a rogue wave over 50ft high hit the glass window bridge and moved the northern end of the span 7ft to the side. The span was still well supported so they just rerouted the approach roads and added a little reinforcement. Works fine.

   Eleuthera has some beautiful beaches all along its 100+ miles. The oceanside has the offshore reefs and large surf, the soundside has quiet, protected beaches - except when hurricanes or other frontal systems send west winds and seas crashing on the western shore.

   We've had a very pleasant cruise up the western shore making short legs each morning and exploring the shore/towns in the afternoons. Had one enjoyable bonfire ashore hoping to see some "green flashes" but seems there's always a cloud or shower like these on the horizon.