DH, me, and the kiddos in one of our favorite spots (Saugatuck MI).

I bought one of these for DH before our last tropical trip, and it was really handy! If you're taking pictures on your own, or if you are the photographer and want to actually be in all the group shots, you might like the "Gorillapod" (No, I'm not selling these! Just really liked in on our...

Yes I did. Thanks! I sent a reply back too (yesterday) so that should have come through.

I'm sure you'll have a great trip!

so jmq, does the research of trying different rum mixes happen during the boring meetings and while stuck in traffic?

I'm with all you planners! I like to get the big stuff set up ahead of time (stuff you need reservations for) and then I can relax much better while I'm there and just enjoy it all. (Although I'll admit that 'relaxing' for me is more about hiking, kayaking, and snorkeling than it is about being pool...

Ron L: At the risk of sounding really nerdy, I did do one PowerPoint slide where I inserted a map of the island. Then I just put little dots showing where my top villas are located. It helped me remember where things were as the list grew. Some villa rental sites have maps, but I was looking at vill...

My long distance runner friend wears them all the time. She runs 40+ miles/week -- in the winter! -- has short punky hair and the buffs look great on her. (I have long hair and I haven't figured out how to make the buffs look as cool on me.) I told her I want a buff just like hers... but the truth i...

Thanks kygirl! Yes, I do like the planning - alot! I love going somewhere new, but feeling like I know enough to get the most out of it. Also nice to read about St. John while snow falls outside!

When is your trip?

At this point, I think I've spent more time planning this trip than I'll actually spend on island! Does this happen to everyone? ---- 1/6/07: returned from first trip to Maui with DH, son 8 and daughter 10. Have a tan and a severe case of snorkeling-on-the-brain. Only remedy is to begin planning nex...

SarahD: I highly recommend the tripadvisor forum; from the Hawaii forum, narrow it down to Maui using the drop-down box. We had our first trip to Maui last December/early January, and I used that forum extensively. Very helpful! Incidently, it was from that forum that I first started thinking about ...

I like the trailbandit maps! Here's a site I have used when I would come across the name of a bay or cove that I couldn't find on a more general map: http://www.topozone.com/states/USVirginIslands.asp?feature=Bay (It also lists St. Thomas and St. Croix bays.) Click on the bay name, then click on Lar...