men definitely need to stalk their prey on a rising tide. 7. Blue Holes Robinson’s Creek, on the west side of the Bight, has blue holes reported to be over 100 feet deep. These underground connections to the ocean have ledges, coral heads, stalagmites, and huge fish. Sometimes called “boiling holes” because the water “boils” out of them during ebb tide, these deep blue holes are home to all manner of sea life. 8. Art and History Randolph Johnston—professor, adventurer, sailor, journalist, and internationally renown artist — made his home at Little Harbour in the 1950s. The Johnston family arrived aboard Langosta, a large schooner. In his studio at the water’s edge, Randolph created bronze statues using the ancient lost-wax process, using much equipment he designed himself. His sculptures appear in Nassau and cities throughout the United States, and one stands in the garden near his Little Harbour home. Randolph penned his thoughts about the twilight sky, the Bahamian sea, and this land where they could “breathe the air of freedom.” Two decades after their arrival at Little Harbour, Randolph wrote in his journal, “I find the spell of the sea and the colors still unbelievable after twentyodd years . . . irresistible.” Randolph died in 1992, but his family carries on the News & Views for Southern Sailors
artistic tradition in the studio and foundry on the harbor’s eastern shore. His wife, Margot, specializes in ceramics and glazed metal. Son Pete creates jewelry and life-size bronze castings of sea creatures, as well as the dolphin and shark belt buckles that are so popular with Abaco cruisers. Visiting hours for the galleries are posted by the dinghy dock. 9. Caves In the cliffs to the west of the anchorage are the caves in which the Johnston family lived during their first years at Little Harbour. Spelunkers can beach their dinghies near the big rock. The caves boast stalactites, black bats, hermit crabs, and several floor to ceiling pillars. Keep a lookout for sharp coral underfoot. 10. Pete’s Pub Pete’s Pub is an open air beach bar draped with floats, life rings, netting, and Tshirts left by previous cruisers. Pete serves food and drink at the Pub. There’s no regular schedule at the Pub; folks hanging in the harbor keep an eye out for the action. In fact, several years ago, the Pub hosted the wedding reception of cruisers Charlie and Deborah Pfeffer (S/V Piper) following their marriage ceremony beneath A cruiser proposes a toast outside Pete’s Pub. The original the thatched roof of the Tiki pub was the pilothouse from Langosta, the schooner aboard Hut high atop the hill. which Pete Johnston’s family sailed to Little Harbour. That burned down some years back and was replaced by an open- So, why Little Harbour? Gosh, air beach bar. why not? SOUTHWINDS
November 2005
53