Suzi Marquess Long: Tuesday Trek to West Bay

Chris and I met our new friend from Mendocino, Carole Raye, and we walked the coast about two miles, climbing over rocky outcroppings, walking along beaches edged in coconut palms, to West Bay, touted as the most glorious beach on Roatan.

Destination is a nice goal, but the journey is adventure and exploration, and my two companions shared this spirit today. We left West End heading on foot towards the Barefeet Beach Bar and kept on going. It was at the BBB that I painted Marshall's portrait on Sunday. We feel comfortable there, but today we were moving on south.

It was a fabulously calm day, about 83° with no wind. We lucked out with two "bird alert" photo op moments. This guy was hanging out on one of the little private piers along the way.

There is only one pelican in the area now, and he was near the canal bridge today, preening. I shot him from up on the bridge

and then quietly continued across and down the stairs to catch up with my friends, camera ready. Then Mr. pelican stretched and yawned for us!

Possibly a future painting! Then I noticed a school of small fry in the canal and shot a few pics. When I got to see these on the ipad later, I see they might be baby hammerheads! Ya think?

Poseidon popped up to show us a starfish. He was Canadian and said last year the only things under water they hadn't seen last year were starfish, so he was excited there were two near where he was standing!

I told him that just back a ways was a mermaid

And he said, "I already have a mermaid!" And pointed at his lovely wife.

We walked on, splashing in the clear water

Picking up tiny shells from the recent storm

and eventually rounded a corner to find ourselves at the Grape tree on the north end of West Bay.

Chris and I had made this trek two weeks ago with Sona, passing our "private" beach I told you about before, and made it just to the north side, beginning of West Bay, when Sona begged us go no further because of blisters from her wading shoes, and we caught a water taxi back to West End, $3 ea.

Lots of people, mostly older than us, and braver...