landmarks of the bahamas
Bahama Islands News, Articles and Information
Floodwaters wreak havoc across US capital area
A rare tropical deluge that began Sunday and could continue through midweek unleashed floods that swamped homes and highways, closed several federal buildings in Washington and forced some people to swim for their lives.Heavy rains caused a landslide in Chesapeake Beach, Md., a mudslide that resulted in the closure of the Capital Beltway and Woodrow Wilson Bridge, the shutdown of most commuter rail lines and power outages at tens of thousands of homes. In Chevy Chase, Md., boat crews rescued about 35 partygoers stranded at the Candy Cane City recreational center on Beach Drive.
The storms slammed downtown Washington, flooding critical commuter routes, such as Constitution Avenue and the 12th Street tunnel, and swamping a pair of heavily used Metro stations. Not even the White House could escape the damage, as a 100-year-old American elm tree fell near the front door.
Alton Lowe. Abaco's born artist
The adage 'a chip does not fall far from the block' is oh so true in the case of Alton Lowe, one of The Bahamas' most accomplished artists.It was at the Lowes dinning table in the quaint settlement of Green Turtle Cay, North Abaco, that young Alton would watch his father, the late Albert Lowe, draw 'ships on the high seas' on newsprint, which he now describes as 'beautiful.'
The Lowes trace their ancestry back to the Eleutheran Adventurers who came to The Bahamas in 1648 and settled in Harbour Island. This family eventually migrated to Green Turtle Cay, Abaco.
Alton speaks about his career: "I began my career in art at a very early age. My father drew beautifully and he made wonderful Bahamian ship models. Many evenings he would sit at the dinning table and draw these ships on the high seas and I would try to copy them.
Travel Q & A
We will be attending a conference in Burlington, Vt., and will have a few days afterward to enjoy the fall colors. Do you have a recommendation for a quaint village and place to stay in the area? Sally BackusWe have a few suggestions, but no matter where you go, make reservations now. Autumn is the most popular time of year for visitors, and lodging fills up fast in anticipation of the season.
In Burlington, the Lang House on Main Street (www.langhouse.com) and the Willard Street Inn (www.willardstreetinn.com) both were built in the 1880s and were converted to bed-and-breakfasts in the past 10 years. Rooms have private baths.
If you want to venture south of Burlington, consider Shelburne, a charming town of about 6,900 with shopping, dining, a museum (a Georgia O'Keeffe exhibit is on display through October) and a working farm.