Ron,

He was there this past Monday, eating dinner with Walter Cronkite and Eric Clapton.

peace.... bert

It's hard to find a villa for just 4-5 nights, though it might be do-able in Aug. Hillcrest Guest house is nice, right in Cruz Bay, and will do any number of nights. They are inexpensive but quaint and well kept. Gallows Point might also have availability in Aug. But I agree with the others - you ca...

Yes. Use dive booties. They are a big aid in getting into the water where it's rocky, which is at most of the beaches on STJ. Sea uchins wander among rocks as well as coral, as well as on the sandy bottom occassionally. The preferred way to get in the water is: walk in, gear in hand. (And booties on...

Jorge wrote:Berttttt! I heard you were dead. Good to hear from you. Jorge

The rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated!

peace.... bert

Jorge wrote: Just checking on you. Luvya, Jorge ps you can rent my family

Jorge - send your family. Have some bushwhacking to be done. Will provide gloves, machetes, beer after 3PM. peace.... bert

We had guests a few years ago who needed a gluten-free diet. They mailed me a list of things they needed (I forget specifically what) and I was able to find everything on the list at Starfish and Dolphin. It's not as remote as you might think!

peace... bert

Hawksnest is coming back pretty quickly. It's a nice reef; most of the damage is caused by tourists who try to swim over the top of the reef with little clearance over the Elkhorn. The outer (northern) fringes of the reef are in the best shape.

peace.... bert

Wet, scrub, rinse, repeat. Turn off water between each step. More scrubbing = less water.

peace.... bert

Every day is Sunday on St. John!

peace.... bert

The picture with the stone wall has both Ron and I perplexed....Not sure where that is. -Ruth The stone wall is in front of Soca's today. Fish Trap would be on the left. These were taken about a year after the Mamas & Papas came through & wrote some of their best music. Gives you a sense of...

I run/walk 8Tuff every year. Pace yourself! It's all uphill the first half, and all down hill the second half into Coral Bay. The down hill part is actually harder on those calf mucsles than you might imagine. There are plenty of water and Gatorade stations along the way. You can sign up as a runner...

Ha – I’m sure Ron has seen more than just 40 years of VI history! You all want to have it both ways. You want all the comforts of home on an island that cannot sustain you all. Where does your waste go? Into the harbors and bays, and into the eyesore landfill. Just one example of many. We should all...

Starlit Escape is actually a very nice place - one of Coral Bay's "hidden gems". Very nicely furnished with all amenities and 5 BR and 3 (interior) full baths. Lots of interior shots on their website (www.StarlitEscape.com.) The "dark paneling" inside is solid polished cypress - ...

Josephine's also closes whenever snow is forecast.

peace.... bert

It's a hard race - but fun. I have run it almost every year and usually 1st in my (decrepit) age group. I actually meander rather than run flat out. There are tourists as well as locals, and even a few dedicated die-hard racers. My goal is to finish without any scrapes or pulled muscles. The after r...