Look whats happening on the way to High Rocks! [Archive]

PatW

11-09-2004, 08:17 PM

Its suppose to be like a nature walk when they are finished, thats what we were told. I suppose the gates will be across the two entrances and we were told that there will be guards at the gates. Only people with passes will be able to enter after the gates are closed around 9 at night. Two couples have been hired to be security. They have had some problems up there with golf carts taken, golf cart seats slashed, golf carts driven on the docks and recently someone broke in the office and took some money. This past summer, some people were stopped when they went to High Rock and asked if they had passes to be there. There are new signs up that say in so many words that no one is allowed in Orchid Bay except authorized people and homeowners. Also signs that say no trucks, only golf carts, bikes or foot traffic allowed.

Gate and close what area? That new bridge and moat and mud? Or do you mean all of Orchid Bay?
What is the exact plan for the bridge and cleared area? Are they going to put something there? It's a huge clearing. We saw it last weekend too and just could not figure out what the plan was. Vegetation? A common area? A golf course?

PatW

11-09-2004, 08:19 PM

Yeah, wait until Passerine becomes reality!!!

Why does eveything have to be so "exclusive"? Why can't we all enjoy the island? If you keep cording off areas, there will be nowhere to go!!!

ohio buckeye

11-10-2004, 11:58 PM

Oh My Gosh !! This is so ugly !! Reality Check is needed, here !!! and to think God created and man takes it away!!

bellavista

11-11-2004, 08:39 AM

looks like more "progress" than most of us ever wanted.

flyingdogs

11-11-2004, 06:13 PM

our small, wonderful laid back guana cay is unfortunately growing up - ah well rats!

brock

11-12-2004, 08:35 AM

Is not making us all happy.

I like to "progress" to the fig tree and see all my friends.
I like to "progress" to Guana Harbor Grocery for supplies.
I like to "progress" down to the beach, read a book, look for sea glass etc..
I like to "progress" up to Nippers on a Friday night for fun w/ friends.
I like to "progress" down to Seaside.
I like to "progress" to Sidney's hardware store for that last thing I need.
I like to "progress" to Easy's for the sunset.
I like to "progress" around the island to see all my friends.
I like to "progress" out on the ocean with one of my best buds fishing.

etc....

That is all the "progress" I needed. But times change.

Brock

Abacoparrott

11-12-2004, 08:43 AM

EXCELLENT list of "progressions" Roger. I could add a visit to the gift shop for some of the girls specially prepared bahamamian dishes as a "progression". ken

bellavista

11-12-2004, 12:01 PM

Brock--
Those all sound good, except I get to keep the seaglass. Are you going to be down around Thanksgiving?
Skip

brock

11-12-2004, 02:04 PM

Not going to make it for Thanksgiving. But will be around for Christmas and New Years.
We will catch you guys soon!!!

Abaco_Doug

11-14-2004, 09:32 AM

AbacoPeach

11-14-2004, 09:57 AM

I'm sorry! I just don't see the justification in privatizing that area! It's not like a great number people are living there!! Why can't eveyone be able to enjoy all of the island??!!

hank and louise

11-14-2004, 10:31 AM

some of our friends may remember this pic, ( it is now 4ftx6ft on our wall ),what a shame that those of us that so loved that area may not be able to visit it :(
I sure hope this does not make guana for the rich only !
At least the local people ,which we love, are still there.This type of growth might make some that were thinking of buying on guana, think again.
We will never forget the way the people of guana embraced us everyday people.

Rub-a-Dub-Dub

11-14-2004, 01:38 PM

For those of you who haven't been paying attention, there are too many people in this world. This will not end until every bit of waterfront property has been developed and "improved." Abaco, the Exumas, and some other Bahamian Islands have simply had less infrastructure to support development. Why do you think Abaco is different than sea islands in the Carolinas, George and Florida? Look around. Coastal real estate in the U.S. is G-O-N-E. We are now in the process of buying "old" houses, razing them and building structures that properly "utilize" the underlying land value. Abaco is just coming up to the first stage - 20 to 25 years from now there will be no coastal real estate and present houses will be acquired, razed and new, large houses built. Some things are as certain as death, taxes, sunrise and hurricanes, so long as their are more people and more dollars chasing a fixed quantum of land.

some of our friends may remember this pic, ( it is now 4ftx6ft on our wall ),what a shame that those of us that so loved that area may not be able to visit it :(
I sure hope this does not make guana for the rich only !
At least the local people ,which we love, are still there.This type of growth might make some that were thinking of buying on guana, think again.
We will never forget the way the people of guana embraced us everyday people.

riss

11-14-2004, 02:12 PM

South end access is something that I have been wondering about.... how do the homeowners access the settlement, especially those on the ocean side.... is there not "right of waysÓ road path?
As for High rocks, do you mean you can't go up on rocks themselves anymore?
This is just a shame and very very bad for tourism ... new visitors to the island will be defiantly turned off and away by this very "uninviting" attitude
Such a shame when Guana relies so much on tourism and it's long time residence are such wonderful repressentatives for their island

We went to High Rocks on Friday afternoon only to have someone come and tell us it was private property and that we we were no longer allowed to go there. They did let us walk the beach but said to never come back! We've been going there for 6 years every time we go to Guana and are very disappointed. So much for just completing our drream house on the beautiful island of Guana Cay, at least the main part of the island and all our friends is still the same. Let's hope that things can be sorted out so that the residents on the south end of the island will still be able to get to town. So much for so called progress.

rhkaplan

11-14-2004, 02:42 PM

It is my understanding that the beach itself is public. I the issue with access from the roads? Would there be any problem walking the beach from Nippers to High Rocks?

PatW

11-14-2004, 02:49 PM

dewey@oii.net, this is the e-mail address I found on the Orchid Bay web site as a contact. Perhaps this person might be able to answer any questions people might have concerning High Rocks.

Elizabeth

11-14-2004, 06:42 PM

We went to High Rocks on Friday afternoon only to have someone come and tell us it was private property and that we we were no longer allowed to go there. They did let us walk the beach but said to never come back! We've been going there for 6 years every time we go to Guana and are very disappointed. So much for just completing our drream house on the beautiful island of Guana Cay, at least the main part of the island and all our friends is still the same. Let's hope that things can be sorted out so that the residents on the south end of the island will still be able to get to town. So much for so called progress.
This is so horrible. Guards on Guana?? Gated community??? One of Guana's greatest attributes has been the absence of this type of mentality. But now it seems to be creeping in all over the island and it just breaks my heart. And incidentally, I thought the beaches could not be deemed "private property"....??

Abacoparrott

11-14-2004, 06:45 PM

the beaches up to the high tide mark are not private..........the property on the way to access them is......ken

rhkaplan

11-14-2004, 07:12 PM

Perhaps a boycott of Orchid Bay home owners by the rest of Guana (no Grabbers or Nippers)

Elizabeth

11-14-2004, 07:34 PM

the beaches up to the high tide mark are not private..........the property on the way to access them is......ken
Yes, that's true in the States. However, it is my understanding that beaches in the Bahamas (all beaches) - and not just to the high tide mark - are considered public.

11-14-2004, 07:46 PM

Above high water-Private, below-Public
Regards,
R.

DrGecko

11-14-2004, 09:00 PM

Everyone can sit back and do nothing, but join me!!!!!!!!!!:p
I will be there on Christmas Day. Let the SOB stop me - what can he do?
It all seems so wrong. What do they have down there that they want to be so protecticve of. After all, we all go to Guana to enjoy the Island; now they want to cut off the hand that has feed them. I will no longer go to their resturaunt buy fuel from their dock, etc.
BUT I damn well gurantee you I will be there ready to drive MY GOLF cart to High Rocks and let those bastards stop me. I AM PISSED:mad: :mad: :mad: .

Jim Alderman
Lil Gecko Cottage

PS: and the rest of you second home owners had better think of the consiquences of your rentals!

Rub-a-Dub-Dub

11-14-2004, 09:45 PM

The ownership (or lack thereof) of beaches varies based on the law of the littoral state. In the U.S. this even varies from state to state, and the law is not clear in some states. Don't know Bahamian law, but the most common rule is that the land between mean low tide and mean high tide is not susceptible of private ownership, i.e., the public has unrestricted access. However, this means that at some high tides the public portion is underwater. In many cases, this strip is NOT a lot of land. In addition, there is no right of access across private property.

the beaches up to the high tide mark are not private..........the property on the way to access them is......ken

Rub-a-Dub-Dub

11-14-2004, 09:57 PM

Here's a link to a particularly good survey of the conflicts over ownership of beaches, seabed and other littoral property. There is a further link to the Bahamas. http://www.unesco.org/csi/wise/tenure.htm#british

Above high water-Private, below-Public
Regards,
R.

Rub-a-Dub-Dub

11-14-2004, 10:10 PM

to public access is on page 26 of this link. The whole document is very interesting. http://www.cehi.org.lc/water_resources/projects/iwcam/national_reports/bahamas/bahamas_national_report.pdf

Above high water-Private, below-Public
Regards,
R.

Rub-a-Dub-Dub

11-14-2004, 10:20 PM

you think you know what a beach is, the fact is that the reason the application of the law to littoral rights is murky is that the concept of a "beach" is murky also. Try this discussion from an on-line encyclopedia:

beach
a gently sloping zone where deposits of unconsolidated sediments (http://education.yahoo.com/reference/encyclopedia/entry?id=42722) are subject to wave (http://education.yahoo.com/reference/encyclopedia/entry?id=50173) action at the shore of an ocean or lake. Most of the sediment making up a beach is supplied by rivers or by the erosion (http://education.yahoo.com/reference/encyclopedia/entry?id=15803) of highlands adjacent to the coast. Beaches extend from a low waterline landward to a definite change in material or physiographic form, such as the presence of a cliff or dune complex marking a clear demarcation of the edge of a coast (http://education.yahoo.com/reference/encyclopedia/entry?id=10809). The surf zone is the area between the landward limit of the waves and where the farthest seaward wave breaks. The foreshore, the active portion of the beach, is a seaward-sloping surface extending from the low tide limit of the beach to the crest of a ridge, called the berm, formed by storm waves. Water motion landward and seaward across the foreshore is called swash and backwash, respectively. The foreshore's slope angle is related to the size of the beach material and the vigor of the waves. The backshore extends landward from the berm as a broad terrace or gently landward-sloping surface, often broken by one or more beach ridges. Seaward of the surf zone is the offshore zone, which commonly contains a trough and an offshore bar where the waves begin to break before reforming and dispensing their energy on the beach. Beaches undergo a cyclical migration of sand between the beach and the offshore zone caused by seasonal changes in the supply of sedimentary material and by the changes in intensity and direction of the approaching waves. The action of tides causes daily cycles of cut and fill. Waves approaching the shore obliquely move the sediment along the beach in a zigzag pattern called longshore transport. Along low sandy coasts, such as the Eastern coast of the United States, a long, narrow beach, called a barrier beach, is commonly separated from the coast by a narrow lagoon. Where a beach extends from land and terminates in open water it is called a spit or a hook. Since beaches are mobile deposits, they owe their existence to a constant replenishment of sand. In many coastal areas a deficiency in the supply of sand from human intervention or the natural changes in the coastal environment results in serious erosion problems. Artificial replenishment by pumping sand onto the beach from offshore or halting the moving sand from longshore drift by building breakwaters (http://education.yahoo.com/reference/encyclopedia/entry?id=6884) are two solutions to erosional problems.

The interesting thing are the definitional issues. The "beach" is the land from mean low water to the point where it becomes something else by virtue of a cliff or escarpment or a fundamental change in material. The foreshore is the portion of the beach between mean high water and the land-most portion of the "beach." The surf zone is something else altogether. It is, therefore, unclear from the Bahamian report in the prior post what the government means by "beach." Do they mean the foreshore? Probably not because they refer to the foreshore AND the beach. What is clear is that everyone uses these terms differently. The important thing is that if you're considering criminal trespass as a means of protest, remember that the definitions and the law are murky, to say the least. Who wants to sit in a Bahamian jail while some guys wearing white wigs try to peer through the murk.

dive guana

11-15-2004, 05:04 AM

I am about to make myself really unpopular BUT ........................

The road to high rocks and the wonderful gazebo they have built there are built on private land with private funds. I have sent many people to High Rocks to enjoy the beautiful beach and great snorkelling but my directions always begin like this. Park your car at Nippers ( or walk to nippers ) hang a right, walk down about 2 miles on the beautiful sandy beach ( beachcombing as you go ) until you hit 2 big high rocks. Climb over those and then jump in and go snorkelling.

5 years ago there was hardly a road and the only way to get there was walking along the beach. So enjoy High Rocks the romantic way. Grab our loved one by the hang. kick off your shoes and take a leisurely walk

As the previous poster said ' the world is getting smaller' and the same people that bought 10 years ago thought people would never discover this place. Well, they have and they are coming and things will change.

I do not approve of them closing off the access at all but I can understand why. Last year around this time Mr Jimmy called me to assist him in apprehending 4 young visitors who had stolen a golf cart and were proceeeding to drive through and over all of the well manicured gardens near the office. I know we cannot base all of our actions on one event but it is certainly disheartening to spend time and $$$ to create something that someone else has no respect for and tries to destroy.

I happen to be a Orchid Bay lotowner. I bought one of the lots they have reserved for locals because it was the best price available ( even though more than I wanted to pay ) and frankly the only available anywhere near that price range. I will be paying for it for the next 15 years and by then I know nothing else will be available for my kids to buy for less than $500,000 if things go the way they are going so I had to secure a piece now.

If Orchid Bay could give us our dump site back they would be a great corporate citizens but at the price of land I understand why they do not want a dump site in the middle of their " development ' . In their defense they have allowed us to put that noisy BEC generator up there in the interim while our power is being fixed.

I am going to put on my helmet and safety goggles now because I know people are going to start throwing rocks at me.

Abacoparrott

11-15-2004, 07:43 AM

...........coming from here Troy. I thought your explanation was easy to understand and very accurate............take the helmet off.......Ken

Red Jacket

11-15-2004, 10:19 AM

I am reminded of the song CONVOY by C W McCall

We laid a strip for the Orchid shore
with a thousand screaming carts
we crashed the gate doin 98
aint gonna pay no toll..

l'il gecko

11-15-2004, 11:00 AM

AbacoPeach

11-15-2004, 11:09 AM

Shamefully, it is becoming the way of the world even in our little slice of paradise. We all have to pay for the few bad apples!!!! I only use my mailbox now to receive mail not to send mail for fear of identity theft. Raising that red flag is truly "raising a red flag"!

Elizabeth

11-15-2004, 02:08 PM

Thanks Troy! It is always good to hear another point of view - It is unfortunate that a few inconsiderate visitors to High Rocks have caused these changes. I have a really bad feeling that our beloved Great Guana Cay is becoming the Abaco version of a Hilton Head with Gates and Guardhouses at every turn. But again, thanks for the "rest of the story!"
I think it is very sad and unfortunate when we feel that the only solution is to lock people out. Ponder for a moment the types of visitors that Orchid Bay feels compelled to restrict: honeymooners and other couples looking for a romantic getaway...second homeowners like my husband and me...families who come to enjoy the natural beauty of the island. Yup, definitely sounds like a motley and dangerous bunch to me...no telling what they'll do if you let 'em in!

I'm completely outraged and offended by this.

Ironically, it is this so-called "progress" that has encouraged the few bad apples to visit in the first place. My husband and I have been visiting Guana since the mid 90's. Until recently, stolen golfcarts and other such nonsense were just never part of the experience...never even gave it a thought. We have watched the rapid development of Guana with mild concern, but have told ourselves "it'll be OK as long as the laid back, come-as-you-are mindset on Guana stays the same." Well, this is tangible proof that the mindset of Guana is definitely not the same. We were concerned that Guana would become another Hopetown. (And absolutely no offense to Hopetown - it is a charming and beautiful community...just not right for Guana, that's all.) But it seems our concerns were profoundly misplaced. Guana is not becoming another Hopetown; it is instead becoming homogenized like another Hilton Head or virtually any city/town/destination in Florida.

I think it is a damn shame that when things like this happen, we label it "progress". It's a damn shame when a mentality of exclusiveness is imposed, in the name of "prosperity". In the pursuit of progress and prosperity, Guana is in danger of losing the very thing people have been coming to visit....its uniqueness.

Havoc

11-15-2004, 02:21 PM

Progress -(Synonyms) - DEVELOPMENT, evolution, evolvement, growth, progression, unfolding, upgrowth

Did you notice beauty and peace are not among the synonyms for progress?

AlwaysAbaco

11-15-2004, 02:42 PM

OK, normally I don't get into these types of discussions, but really felt I needed to say something this time. I'm not an expert on this High Rocks area, but if I'm understanding all that I've read, all of the property surrounding it is private property and has been for at least 10 years (discerned from Troy's note). I've never been to High Rocks personally because we stay in Marsh Harbour and usually go over to Great Guana for a day trip and usually spend it on the beach just up from Nippers.

Now, while I understand the disappointment of those of you who have been enjoying it, you are missing the point that if you had been accessing it by any other route than the one described by Troy, you have indeed been trespassing the entire time. Trespassing is wrong, regardless of whether it was only a few people a year 10 years ago or a few people every couple hours now. I can certainly see that the increase in traffic alone, not to mention the vandalism, would cause the owners to close it off. Think of your home, do you want people making a path through your yard as a shortcut between two places? Would you not do the same thing? I know I do. I have spoken to many children and teenagers who were using my yard as a shortcut to remind them that it was my property and there were public roads specifially for travel.

It is unfortunate that these owners have been put in a position where they feel that they have to put up gates to preserve their property and their space. As Troy mentioned, when they purchased the property I doubt they had in mind that people would begin ignoring the owner's property rights. Those folks that have made it habit over the years to transverse this route without permission from the owners are just as much in the wrong as the ones driving the carts around the gardens.

Please take a moment to think of it from the other prospective. Troy gave directions if you really enjoy the place, just use a different route to arrive!

AlwaysAbaco...........32 days, a night in FLL, a short flight, a taxi ride and I'll be on the beach!!

ncdd

11-15-2004, 03:06 PM

you might want to borrow Troy's helmet;)

Rub-a-Dub-Dub

11-15-2004, 03:17 PM

I was an "early adopter" of the peaceful life at Hilton Head Island in the mid-to-late 1960s. I have also watched the transmogrification of all of the sea islands from Jacksonville to Ocean City. No one has ever figured out how to "freeze frame" the lifestyle that once existed in each and every one of these places. Most of us have just moved on and looked for something less homogenized, followed by the hordes who prefer what each of those islands have become. A great deal of this has nothing to do with lifestyle, but the development is driven by speculation in land and buildings near the ocean. It even applies to lakefront property, at least from what I have seen, from Ontario to Maine to Florida, and everywhere else on the North American continent (try and name an exception - betcha you can't). Eventually you die and there is no one left to lament what has been lost. I guess this is why we have a lifespan of about four score years. You can go back to original issues of the Island Packet (once purblished twice a week) and read almost precisely the same words that you are now reading here. This is also true for the former weekly newspapers as far south as Jupiter Island and everywhere in between. Only in Maine has "progress" been slowed, by the limited number of people who want cold winters, by the rocky soil which makes on-site sewage treatment impossible, and by a local population that has historically regarded people "from away" with appropriate suspicion. I might add to that list a fairly agressive aqcquisition of land by a coastal trust that preserves property which might otherwise be a gleam in the eye of some developer. Viva la Maine!

I think it is very sad and unfortunate when we feel that the only solution is to lock people out. Ponder for a moment the types of visitors that Orchid Bay feels compelled to restrict: honeymooners and other couples looking for a romantic getaway...second homeowners like my husband and me...families who come to enjoy the natural beauty of the island. Yup, definitely sounds like a motley and dangerous bunch to me...no telling what they'll do if you let 'em in!

I'm completely outraged and offended by this.

Ironically, it is this so-called "progress" that has encouraged the few bad apples to visit in the first place. My husband and I have been visiting Guana since the mid 90's. Until recently, stolen golfcarts and other such nonsense were just never part of the experience...never even gave it a thought. We have watched the rapid development of Guana with mild concern, but have told ourselves "it'll be OK as long as the laid back, come-as-you-are mindset on Guana stays the same." Well, this is tangible proof that the mindset of Guana is definitely not the same. We were concerned that Guana would become another Hopetown. (And absolutely no offense to Hopetown - it is a charming and beautiful community...just not right for Guana, that's all.) But it seems our concerns were profoundly misplaced. Guana is not becoming another Hopetown; it is instead becoming homogenized like another Hilton Head or virtually any city/town/destination in Florida.

I think it is a damn shame that when things like this happen, we label it "progress". It's a damn shame when a mentality of exclusiveness is imposed, in the name of "prosperity". In the pursuit of progress and prosperity, Guana is in danger of losing the very thing people have been coming to visit....its uniqueness.

Pappysland

11-15-2004, 03:35 PM

The exception? Moosehead Lake in Maine, where my dad grew up and we spent a lot of summers. I was there in 1969 and returned about 30 years later. I sure didn't notice much in the way of "progress". It was still wilderness. Only big change to Greenville, at the S. end of the lake, was a MacDonald's... which has since closed. Love it.

Abacoparrott

11-15-2004, 06:15 PM

Helmet or no helmet? hmmmmm.......lemmee see........AlwaysAbaco is absolutely correct....It doesn't matter whether you like it or not.....it's always been private property...with absentee landowners until Orchid Bay was developed. Ditto Bakers Bay area. Do I like it? No.....but it doesn't matter. These landowners paid to play. As for "will it change Guana Cay"? ..........only if the local businesses decide to change. If they decide that they WANT the additional business then some things will change. Frankly, other than Sundays, I've rarely seen Nippers crowded. In fact, during the week, I've seen it downright dead......there's room for more. No one knows how much these luxury landowners will "venture out" but if they do, there will be some Guana businesses benefiting from them. Now I don't know if the local businesses want any more customers....THAT is not MY business. I'll bet Dive guana will be busier. These development folks will have plenty of dollars to buy dive lessons. Betcha Guana Grocery sees an increase too. Maybe we should ask Sylvan if he wants to turn them away? Ya reckon Milo will sell more tomatoes? Capt Easy sell more burgers? And the airport? These luxury development folks will not put up with MHH in it's present condition......and I don't blame them. Soooo.....they will either stay away or the airport will improve.......for all of us. If I had a choice, I would prefer that Guana not change. Realistically, that's ridiculous, so let's look at the positives and adjust......or buy property on Tilloo......ken

Rub-a-Dub-Dub

11-15-2004, 06:23 PM

Actually, Moosehead is not immune. Although Greenville has not changed much since forever, the development of land, re-sale and construction is proceeding apace. The lake is so big that it is not visibly noticeable most places. But search the net for real estate sales in the Moosehead Lake area and you'll find plenty. And it's expensive. Sorry.

The exception? Moosehead Lake in Maine, where my dad grew up and we spent a lot of summers. I was there in 1969 and returned about 30 years later. I sure didn't notice much in the way of "progress". It was still wilderness. Only big change to Greenville, at the S. end of the lake, was a MacDonald's... which has since closed. Love it.

Rub-a-Dub-Dub

11-23-2004, 04:16 PM

Taken on Great Exuma, Spring 2004

SamFamAustin

11-23-2004, 05:04 PM

You all have a very interesting discussion and perspective on things, although the story was rather depressing because the Abacos are one of the last real unspoiled places with relatively easy access. Even Costa Rica is being rapidly developed. I would agree that the Atlantic or Pacific maritime provinces have less pressure but the winters are quite intense and very lonely.

Let me tell you a story about Block Island. It is a little island 12 miles off the coast of Rhode Island, located in between Long Island and Martha's Vineyard. Back in the 1970's you could pretty much walk wherever you wanted, even on private land. Then the island became a tourist hot spot, the hippies showed up, and soon the No Tresspassing signs went up.

The only saving grace was a group of forward-thinking people that formed a conservation society to purchase land so nobody could ever develop it. Money was raised in an entirely voluntary manner. Nice trails were installed and maintained by volunteers. I'm not familiar with how land conservation would work in the Bahamas but the idea is to donate land to a good cause while saving on seller taxes and such. Even partial "conservation easements" could be accomplished. I'm not a lawyer or specialist here - please help me out!

Helmut in place,
Sam Wells
Leander, Texas

Abacoparrott

11-24-2004, 12:53 PM

Hi Sam, very good thoughts but there is a major difference between Guana and Block Island.......money. The folks who became interested in Block Island had gobs of it. Billy Joel has a home there as well as other celebs. It wouldn't surprise me if the "conservation money" was simply a way to insure privacy. Anyway, the lands that are being developed on Guana were previously privately owned and, thus, were opened to being sold to a conservation society if one had been funded. The individual Cays get very little monetary assistance from the Nassau government as far as I can tell so any fund would have to originate on Guana. No celebs living there that I know of.....still the best way to get privacy and solitude in Abaco? A boat......still lots of unhabited Cays....Ken

Rub-a-Dub-Dub

11-24-2004, 01:42 PM

What you say is correct and it is highly unlikely a conservation trust would work in Abaco. There is an alternative, however. If the land-use planning laws are either sophisticated, or can be made sophisticated. and the persons who populate the government have foresight, it is possible to withhold approval of planned developments without provisions for breezeways, beach access, small commercial development within the residential, and modifying the beach rules to provide for access that wouldn't otherwise be allowed under existing law. A good example of how land use planning can be effective or ineffective, compare the Malibu to Monterey part of the California coast with those portions in Orange, Riverside and San Diego counties where anything goes.

Hi Sam, very good thoughts but there is a major difference between Guana and Block Island.......money. The folks who became interested in Block Island had gobs of it. Billy Joel has a home there as well as other celebs. It wouldn't surprise me if the "conservation money" was simply a way to insure privacy. Anyway, the lands that are being developed on Guana were previously privately owned and, thus, were opened to being sold to a conservation society if one had been funded. The individual Cays get very little monetary assistance from the Nassau government as far as I can tell so any fund would have to originate on Guana. No celebs living there that I know of.....still the best way to get privacy and solitude in Abaco? A boat......still lots of unhabited Cays....Ken

ChefFP10482

11-25-2004, 05:46 PM

I have lived on this island all my life , and they are going to tell me, locals and the home owners they can't go up to the other end of the island or go to a place call HIGH ROCKS . This is were alot of the locals have parties or just go and relax.In my opinion I think it is down right wrong .Hopefully the island will come together and tell them this won't be working and I know it won't. Guana is one strong key and this will be worked out.I know it will.

Abacoparrott

11-25-2004, 06:10 PM

Chef, since you have lived on Guana all of your life, I can understand your frustration with the access to High Rocks. By the same token, I'm sure you are aware that Bahamian law is very clear on beach access........that all beaches are public........up to the high tide mark....not above. I think Troy's previous instructions are valid......go to Nippers and walk the beach to High Rocks. I will........love to snorkel there. Perhaps at a later date, Orchid Bay might sell yearly passes to locals? Just a thought,and a way to control the bad element that might exist....Ken

riss

11-25-2004, 06:38 PM

how do residence at the south end of the island, especially those on the ocean side, access the settlement, other than by boat?? seems as though they are now but off from the community ... a yearly pass seems like a great idea.

ChefFP10482

11-28-2004, 12:43 AM

I am reminded of the song CONVOY by C W McCall

We laid a strip for the Orchid shore
with a thousand screaming carts
we crashed the gate doin 98
aint gonna pay no toll..
Red Jacket thats what I am talking about.ChefFP10482

Roamin' Off

11-28-2004, 01:00 AM

ChefFP10482

11-28-2004, 01:03 AM

Taken on Great Exuma, Spring 2004

What ever you say.

ChefFP10482

11-28-2004, 01:25 AM

I agree with Troy, and the others who have posted along those lines with him.

As for Red Jacket and Chef, I guess when I am next in Guana, I will have a picnic on Toby's front lawn and fly a kite in Chefs backyard since they are so civic minded and open about sharing what is not theirs to share...

Let's see how long it takes me to get shot at or conch shells hurled at me when I do so.
Who are you?Do you live there ? Have you lived there all of your life ? Surely not.I respect peoples property, sir.I think you really have no idea how it feels to have something taken away that you have cherished all of your life .Plus it wasn't the locals that did the damage in the gardens,so why block it off ?I would like them to tell me I can't go up there. By the way that road access to High Rocks has been there for at least 25 years. Bet you didn't know that ?did you.Also on Guana there are always right of ways , no matter what you do or try to do there will always be a foot path.Thanks

ChefFP10482.

Abacoparrott

11-28-2004, 08:30 AM

I live near Charlotte, NC. Have spent many hours on Lake Wylie. In years past, many of those hours were spent with my father and a few of his and my friends. We had a "favorite spot" that we went to often. It had a sandy beach with a steep drop-off which was perfect for beaching the boat. Above the beach was a steep bank which led to a tree hanging out over the water. To this tree, we attached a rope for swinging. Damn good rope too......it stayed there for over 10 years. We called this cove "Boy Scout Cove" since there was a boy scout camp located at one end of it. Alas, the Scouts finally sold the land to a developer who built million-dollar homes there. We were disappointed but we never went back because we understood that it was now private property ( it actually was private before but unoccupied). Life will always have it's disappointments but we learn to cope with them if we try........we simply found another good spot on an island in the lake.......figured no one would build there. So far....so good. Ken

Roamin' Off

11-28-2004, 08:42 AM

I am a Bahamian that lives in Marsh. Where's your house so I can come fly my kite? Listen, I don't care what was, it isn't your property. If it was YOUR property I am sure YOU WOULDN'T want people trapsing though it to go play on the beach. I guarantee you would be out there postin signs and chasing people off YOUR property.

It seems everytime something gets bought in Guana and something changes Guana residents whine and complain. Get over it already! If you want to preserve something for yourselves, spend some money and PROVIDE areas for you to frolic and drink and whatever it is you have been doing for the last 20 years! Jeez! IT IS PRIVATE PROPERTY!!! Learn what that term means and find another spot.

I lived in Treasure Cay for over 20 years and the Point on Treasure Cay was a place where everyone went to go shelling, have picnics, snorkel etc. It now has been sold and 5 major monstrocities of homes have now been built there. That is progress chef, unfortunatly a time machine has not been invented yet for you and everyone in Guana can go back in time. Just remember, your house and many resorts and businesses were not there 10, 20, 30, 40,50 yrs ago. Why didn't anyone complain when they were built? It seems only CERTAIN businesses, resorts or projects get SLAMMED when they buy, build or change. People in glass houses should not throw stones.

Progress means change. Learn to roll with it. Guana is on a boom right now and without these investors and building and whatnot, this would not generate jobs for the local market. Just remember that next time you feel like complaining about "what happened to Guana?"