usvi-on-line
Saltpond today
It has all I need but I would miss the green hills of the USVI. The snorkeling at Loblolly and Flash of Beauty was unreal, some of the best I have ever seen. And we were with the kids - we really didn't get to do much exploring. I would love to walk east from Flash of Beauty for a couple of miles... I think you can get a private plane charter for about $600 - not bad if you have 5 people.
Anthony for Virgin Islands On Line
For those of us who have been fortunate enough to have been able to visit STJ often and for many years, STJ is becoming considerably less desirable during the peak season. Having returned this past weekend from a 17 day stay, I think parking of all things is becoming a major problem.
30-40 cars a Salt Pond was the norm. Even Little Lameshur had no spots one day (although one day inexplicably there were only four cars). Ever time that we passed Hawksnest the lot was filled with a fair number of creative park jobs. Even more creative were the mountain goat park jobs (as many as 6 or 7) on the south side of North Shore Road opposite Gibney. Not that we would go there before 4 PM, but we did not see one car parking space open the entire time at Trunk. We did not see any crackdown on road parking at Maho, but parking was difficult unless you lucked into someone leaving. Francis parking was generally all the way to the two houses. We even saw lots of cars parked at big Lameshur one day, and a ton at Haulover once.
Granted weather was superb and the water seemed warmer than normal. Store owners complained that business was slow (or average) and late. Maybe everybody is going to the beach.
Frank Barnako's podcast with Eileen Sundra Duffy had Eileen claiming over 600 villas now-certainly that is part of the reason, but can you imagine when those scars on the earth of Great Bay and Sirenusa open?
I don't think that I'm ready to give up the high season yet, afterall part of the allure of STJ is getting away from Chicagoland winter. Parking in Cruz Bay is already a disaster(it's one of the reasons The Marketplace is so sucessful);how pleasant will it be when you can't park at the beach?-it seemed a little like Cape Cod where if you can park in a lot, you can go to the beach;no parking space, no beach.
I guess it's progress on STJ, but Anegada might be looking real good soon.
30-40 cars a Salt Pond was the norm. Even Little Lameshur had no spots one day (although one day inexplicably there were only four cars). Ever time that we passed Hawksnest the lot was filled with a fair number of creative park jobs. Even more creative were the mountain goat park jobs (as many as 6 or 7) on the south side of North Shore Road opposite Gibney. Not that we would go there before 4 PM, but we did not see one car parking space open the entire time at Trunk. We did not see any crackdown on road parking at Maho, but parking was difficult unless you lucked into someone leaving. Francis parking was generally all the way to the two houses. We even saw lots of cars parked at big Lameshur one day, and a ton at Haulover once.
Granted weather was superb and the water seemed warmer than normal. Store owners complained that business was slow (or average) and late. Maybe everybody is going to the beach.
Frank Barnako's podcast with Eileen Sundra Duffy had Eileen claiming over 600 villas now-certainly that is part of the reason, but can you imagine when those scars on the earth of Great Bay and Sirenusa open?
I don't think that I'm ready to give up the high season yet, afterall part of the allure of STJ is getting away from Chicagoland winter. Parking in Cruz Bay is already a disaster(it's one of the reasons The Marketplace is so sucessful);how pleasant will it be when you can't park at the beach?-it seemed a little like Cape Cod where if you can park in a lot, you can go to the beach;no parking space, no beach.
I guess it's progress on STJ, but Anegada might be looking real good soon.
Last edited by MLS on Mon Mar 19, 2007 10:45 am, edited 1 time in total.
Like I mentioned previoisly on this thread, there is not much of a secret of Saint John anymore. When I was on Ramhead early one morning and saw about 20 people, not all from one big group, I freaked out.
And it isn't going to get better, even with ever increasing prices.I searched back thru photos and found this shot that I took that morning. It was the first time that I had seen over four people up there during the daylight hours.[img][img]http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t82/ ... G_1066.jpg[/img][/img]
There were more folks over the hill, and more to my left as I took that shot.
As to Salt Pond, it wasn't too long ago that if you came early you would pretty much have it to yourself until around noon. Little Lameshur was the same way. There's just too darned many of us!
And it isn't going to get better, even with ever increasing prices.I searched back thru photos and found this shot that I took that morning. It was the first time that I had seen over four people up there during the daylight hours.[img][img]http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t82/ ... G_1066.jpg[/img][/img]
There were more folks over the hill, and more to my left as I took that shot.
As to Salt Pond, it wasn't too long ago that if you came early you would pretty much have it to yourself until around noon. Little Lameshur was the same way. There's just too darned many of us!
When you find yourself in a hole.... quit digging.
Wow, JT, that is quite the photo. 40 cars at Salt Pond? Where are they parked??
Forum friends, there is something to be said for visiting in the off season. First of all, it is cheaper, so you can stay longer. Secondly, the beaches are not crowded and there is actually parking to be had.
For those of us in the northern climes, I know the argument about getting away from the snow and sleet, etc., but our take on the winter weather is that going away from it is the worst thing, because you come back and it is still cold, still snowing, still sleeting. If you stay in New England, you build an immunity to the cold. 35 degrees means you get out the "light winter coat." 45 degrees means you are walking outside in a light sweatshirt, no gloves or hat. BUT--if you leave for the tropics in the middle of the winter season, you are going to come back and feel the obvious weather-related hardships that are part of your everyday existance--you get used to them if you stick around!!
Forum friends, there is something to be said for visiting in the off season. First of all, it is cheaper, so you can stay longer. Secondly, the beaches are not crowded and there is actually parking to be had.
For those of us in the northern climes, I know the argument about getting away from the snow and sleet, etc., but our take on the winter weather is that going away from it is the worst thing, because you come back and it is still cold, still snowing, still sleeting. If you stay in New England, you build an immunity to the cold. 35 degrees means you get out the "light winter coat." 45 degrees means you are walking outside in a light sweatshirt, no gloves or hat. BUT--if you leave for the tropics in the middle of the winter season, you are going to come back and feel the obvious weather-related hardships that are part of your everyday existance--you get used to them if you stick around!!
It's like looking in your soup and finding a whole different alphabet.