TRAIL OF ASHES TOUR: The adventure continues as Gerry G returns to Negril

[gerryg123]

Sunday arrived, my last day. I was scheduled to be picked up at 10:30 a.m. by Clives, and I woke up at 6 -- four more hours of fun.

The sun was just creeping up over the hills. I took one last long ride on the Scooter up the hill, past Catcha, past Banana Shout, past Ricks. I veered right and whooshed past Moondance Cliffs, then Keith's house and Banton's, all the way to Westender Inn. It was so early there was not a soul around. I knew I was really going to miss Westender, my home away from home at Seastar Inn.

I headed back, feeling the wind, smelling the ocean, enjoy the sights and the sounds of birds in the morning. I was all alone. I had Negril to myself. It was me, Negril and God. And a few goats roaming about, of course.

I stopped in at Out of Town pastries, as I often do in the morning, for a quick patty and fruit juice. Plus ten packs of Lion Kings -- they make nice little gifts back in Los Angeles, and they're one of the ONLY things more affordable in Negril compared to California.

I wanted to do the whole run before calling it a day. I passed Seastar Lane and kept going down the hill. Past Rockhouse and the craft shops all the way to Blue Cave Castle. I did a little beep beep and they let me in. I had my raft there and was considering one last swim off the Cliffs, but it was a little rough. I hung out with one of the Blue Cave Castle yardies, a friend from Brooklyn who works in musical theatre. Nice guy.

I wanted to hit the beach. I took off again, and it's about 7:30 a.m. or so. I made my way past the roundabout, past Travellers and Bar B Barn and Legends, all the way to White Sands. I had popped in to Bar b Barn a couple of times earlier in the week -- I've stayed there a lot through the years -- but was disappointed because Maureen, my favorite server, was not around anymore.

At White Sands, I floated around in the ocean (I "borrowed" a raft assuming it was Brasi's, lol), then ordered a nice cup of coffee. I sat with one of the yardies, sort of contemplative.

I was sad to be leaving, but I did miss my two daughters.

Then I heard it: "Hey Gerry G! Is that you?"

It was Maureen from Bar B Barn. She was working at White Sands now, and I could not believe it was her.

"What gwan???" We hugged. It was a nice little ending because I had made so many little reunions with folks I had not seen in several reaches. Maureen looks great btw, she says she has lost 30 pounds!

"How much for the coffee, Mo?" I said.

"200j"

"OK, do you happen to have change for a US $100 bill?" I was kidding of course. We laughed.

I enjoyed my coffee sitting in front of the ocean. Tick Tick Tick -- two hours left in Negril.