Barton Creek Outpost

Apologies to my faithful blog checkers for the duration of time with no posts. Every time i sat down to write i either had to leave because someone was waiting on me, or i just really didn't feel like writing. I'm not in the most writiest (shut up, i can make up words if i want to) of moods at the moment either, but i feel an obligation to fill you in because i really appreciate you all reading and commenting. I just finished the La Ruta Maya post that got interrupted earlier, so read that if it interests you.

This post is about the place that we found to stay down here in lue of MET. Barton Creek Outpost is a little slice of rustic heaven that is owned and operated by a friendly navy couple named Jim and Jacky Britt. They have a beautiful wood built Restaurant right on the water at Barton creek about 150 yards from the Barton Creek Caves, which i have not seen yet, but i hear are worth the trip. They offer Fresh squeezed orange juice, tuna sandwiches, beer, water, and a daily special. There is an awesome rope swing not more than 30 feet from the deck of the restaurant that has been my shower while i am staying there. There is also another rope swing across the creek which is up higher, but requires a treacherous climb to get to. There is camping that is free if you bring your own equipment, and they have some equipment to rent if you do not. Or you can stay on a mattress in the loft or on the deck of the restaurant for 10 Belize a night. They are currently setting up a program for runaway college students to come and volunteer as long as they don't have too many at once. The work includes picking oranges, squeezing juice, sweeping/cleaning the restaurant, lawn mowing with a machete, tending a nursery of tropical plants that Jacky has been gathering from the property, and any other project they need done while you are there. They also like to have help with the kids. Katelyn is about 9, Logan is about 7, and Cyan is 10 months. The work is hard, but you get a place to sleep, 3 meals a day, and all the orange juice you can squeeze and drink for free, and you get money off your beer and liqueur. If you want to just come and stay, we calculated something like $80 belize (40 US) a day for meals and OJ and perhaps a beer. There are plenty of hammocks, and i cant explain the overall relaxing feel of the place. i think i might have to start coming down every winter when it gets grey and nasty in Belingham.

The Mennonites are right up the road and we get our eggs and vegetables from them. for those of you that don't know, Mennonites are like the Amish, but a different denomination. In fact I'm not sure there is any real connection except that both groups don't use technology and look like they are strait out of the 1800's.

One thing that made me very happy when i arrived is that Texas Hold'em has become a major past time here in the Cayo district of Belize. I think overall i am up 15 dollars Belize from when i got here. Mostly we play 5 dollar tournaments. Winner take all.

Last Friday we went on a trip of some of the major sights in Belize with Jim, the owner of the Outpost. It was Myself, Ahnna, Alex, Sara, Jane and Johan. Alex, Sara and Jane are fellow volunteers, and Johan is just a camper. Alex is Greek but lives in Amsterdam, Sara and Jane are from the UK, and Johan is from Sweden. The sights were stunning, but i will not waste words trying to describe them here, i will just post some pics as soon as i am able.

Ok, my blood sugar is getting low. Time to go get some food. Ahnna and i are taking off for Guatemala today, so there should be more posts soon to follow seeing as how we will be doing interesting things and not out at the Outpost where there is no phone or internet.