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Trip Report 10/29-11/5 2009 - Part I
Trip Report 10/29-11/5 2009 - Part I
Here's a fairly brief (by my standards!) report from our recent trip to St. John.
Leslie and I were on island for the third year running, a streak we hope to extend greatly!
Thursday, 10/29 - Travel Day: Due to SkyMiles restrictions we drove to Orlando, flew north to Atlanta, then south to St. Thomas. Much to our amazement, our plane from Orlando docked at Gate A20 and our flight to St. Thomas left from A21 - first time I've ever avoided doing the concourse shuffle at ATL!
Made it to STT without incident, waited for the one checked bag we were unable to avoid having to bring, then were picked up by Dependable, filled out the paperwork and were on our way to STJ!
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10044245@N04/4091766496/" title="stj09_002 by augiegator, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2651/409 ... 282bfe.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="stj09_002"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10044245@N04/4091001451/" title="stj09_003 by augiegator, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2543/409 ... e5c9d0.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="stj09_003"></a>
We got on the Mr.B and were on STJ before 4:00PM. Then we headed down Centerline Rd. towards Ajax Peak, where we were staying.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10044245@N04/4091002059/" title="stj09_004 by augiegator, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2609/409 ... d3828d.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="stj09_004"></a>
Just past the smoothie stand we headed up the steep concrete road up Ajax peak to Paradise on the Rocks, a 1BR apartment that would be our home for the week. We were greeted and shown around by the owners Anne and Bob, who live above the apartment, and then left to enjoy the welcome snacks they provided (which by this point were VERY welcome!).
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10044245@N04/4091769382/" title="stj09_008 by augiegator, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2802/409 ... 40b88f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="stj09_008"></a>
After relaxing a little then unpacking our stuff we headed to Lily's Gourmet to get some supplies. It was just starting to get dark, so on the way back "home" I decided that we should take a detour to see the sunset at Francis Bay (one of the "to do" things on our list for this trip). Good call!
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10044245@N04/4091772002/" title="stj09_012 by augiegator, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2756/409 ... b6566c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="stj09_012"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10044245@N04/4091000355/" title="stj09_001 by augiegator, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2491/409 ... 8ea257.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="stj09_001"></a>
As you can see, it was beautiful! We also found out that the reputation Francis has for copious biting bugs at the advent of dusk is well earned, so we dashed back to the jeep, then back to the apartment!
Friday, 10/30 - We awoke to a glorious STJ morning - really excited about our first full day on island! We had figured out that our Verizon phones were fairly useless to us on this part of the island, but fortunately POTR has wi-fi, so by email we had loosely arranged to meet some others this morning at Leinster/Waterlemon - one of our favorites! After breakfast we made the short drive to the Annaberg parking lot, where we were the second car in the lot, then headed down the trail.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10044245@N04/4091773330/" title="stj09_015 by augiegator, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2545/409 ... 06dde3.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="stj09_015"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10044245@N04/4091774346/" title="stj09_017 by augiegator, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2526/409 ... 4421_b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="stj09_017"></a>
After a swim around the cay (no pictures from this snorkel - battery issues) we saw a group of the size we were expecting, and swam to meet them near the beach. Sure enough it was RickG, NoTanLines, and their (newbie) friends Linda, Jim, and Scott. After a little more snorkeling and hanging out we all headed to Skinny Legs for lunch. We saw Pia's husband and a couple of guys that were working for him come in, and we called out to him and got a quizzical "hi" in return. Rick said he could read his lips as he called Pia and told her he had run into some of her "forum people".
After lunch we all went to Maho and had a great afternoon on a perfect day. Then it was back to POTR just in time to see the sun set behind Bordeaux Mountain (I think!):
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10044245@N04/4091774544/" title="stj09_018 by augiegator, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2627/409 ... 697e15.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="stj09_018"></a>
We had dinner at the apartment, then drove in to town to meet up with the same group as well as Bug and Ed, and (Captain)Jay and Debbie (mrscaptainjay) at Larry's Landing. Most of the group had not had dinner so from there we all headed over to Plancha Del Mar at the Marketplace.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10044245@N04/4091009709/" title="stj09_020 by augiegator, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2642/409 ... a3c037.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="stj09_020"></a>
What a nice way to finish a fantastic day!
Leslie and I were on island for the third year running, a streak we hope to extend greatly!
Thursday, 10/29 - Travel Day: Due to SkyMiles restrictions we drove to Orlando, flew north to Atlanta, then south to St. Thomas. Much to our amazement, our plane from Orlando docked at Gate A20 and our flight to St. Thomas left from A21 - first time I've ever avoided doing the concourse shuffle at ATL!
Made it to STT without incident, waited for the one checked bag we were unable to avoid having to bring, then were picked up by Dependable, filled out the paperwork and were on our way to STJ!
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10044245@N04/4091766496/" title="stj09_002 by augiegator, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2651/409 ... 282bfe.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="stj09_002"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10044245@N04/4091001451/" title="stj09_003 by augiegator, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2543/409 ... e5c9d0.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="stj09_003"></a>
We got on the Mr.B and were on STJ before 4:00PM. Then we headed down Centerline Rd. towards Ajax Peak, where we were staying.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10044245@N04/4091002059/" title="stj09_004 by augiegator, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2609/409 ... d3828d.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="stj09_004"></a>
Just past the smoothie stand we headed up the steep concrete road up Ajax peak to Paradise on the Rocks, a 1BR apartment that would be our home for the week. We were greeted and shown around by the owners Anne and Bob, who live above the apartment, and then left to enjoy the welcome snacks they provided (which by this point were VERY welcome!).
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10044245@N04/4091769382/" title="stj09_008 by augiegator, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2802/409 ... 40b88f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="stj09_008"></a>
After relaxing a little then unpacking our stuff we headed to Lily's Gourmet to get some supplies. It was just starting to get dark, so on the way back "home" I decided that we should take a detour to see the sunset at Francis Bay (one of the "to do" things on our list for this trip). Good call!
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10044245@N04/4091772002/" title="stj09_012 by augiegator, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2756/409 ... b6566c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="stj09_012"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10044245@N04/4091000355/" title="stj09_001 by augiegator, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2491/409 ... 8ea257.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="stj09_001"></a>
As you can see, it was beautiful! We also found out that the reputation Francis has for copious biting bugs at the advent of dusk is well earned, so we dashed back to the jeep, then back to the apartment!
Friday, 10/30 - We awoke to a glorious STJ morning - really excited about our first full day on island! We had figured out that our Verizon phones were fairly useless to us on this part of the island, but fortunately POTR has wi-fi, so by email we had loosely arranged to meet some others this morning at Leinster/Waterlemon - one of our favorites! After breakfast we made the short drive to the Annaberg parking lot, where we were the second car in the lot, then headed down the trail.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10044245@N04/4091773330/" title="stj09_015 by augiegator, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2545/409 ... 06dde3.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="stj09_015"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10044245@N04/4091774346/" title="stj09_017 by augiegator, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2526/409 ... 4421_b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="stj09_017"></a>
After a swim around the cay (no pictures from this snorkel - battery issues) we saw a group of the size we were expecting, and swam to meet them near the beach. Sure enough it was RickG, NoTanLines, and their (newbie) friends Linda, Jim, and Scott. After a little more snorkeling and hanging out we all headed to Skinny Legs for lunch. We saw Pia's husband and a couple of guys that were working for him come in, and we called out to him and got a quizzical "hi" in return. Rick said he could read his lips as he called Pia and told her he had run into some of her "forum people".
After lunch we all went to Maho and had a great afternoon on a perfect day. Then it was back to POTR just in time to see the sun set behind Bordeaux Mountain (I think!):
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10044245@N04/4091774544/" title="stj09_018 by augiegator, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2627/409 ... 697e15.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="stj09_018"></a>
We had dinner at the apartment, then drove in to town to meet up with the same group as well as Bug and Ed, and (Captain)Jay and Debbie (mrscaptainjay) at Larry's Landing. Most of the group had not had dinner so from there we all headed over to Plancha Del Mar at the Marketplace.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10044245@N04/4091009709/" title="stj09_020 by augiegator, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2642/409 ... a3c037.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="stj09_020"></a>
What a nice way to finish a fantastic day!
Come see us!
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nothintolose
- Posts: 1960
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 10:36 pm
- Location: New Orleans, LA
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mindehankins
- Posts: 3014
- Joined: Fri Mar 06, 2009 8:21 am
- Location: Western NY State
I plan to include a bit about POTR in the next installment. In short, it is very functional, and we would stay there again in a heartbeat. And you might be interested to know that Anne is originally from upstate NY!mindehankins wrote: Have been looking at POTR for next trip, so I'm looking forward to how you liked it.
Come see us!
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msgcolleen
- Posts: 1497
- Joined: Thu Oct 05, 2006 8:33 am
- Location: Allen, Texas
So far, so GREAT!! Thanks Augie~~~ 
I've got 2 tickets to paradise~Pack your bags we'll leave tonight!
[url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/]
[url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/]
I agree Mary - they are the best!Mary L wrote:Hi Steve, Great trip report so far. I'm glad that you liked Paradise on the Rocks, I think it is a great place to stay and Bob and Ann are the sweetest people. Did you tell them that Bat and Mary said "Hi".
And I did tell them - they were happy to hear from you!
Come see us!
great pics and report, looking forward to the next installment...
trying to figure out where you were in relation to where we'll be next Apr. staying in Just Enough which is off Centerline Rd, looks like below Base Hill on my map I have.
Enjoy reading everyones trip reports, so full of ideas and lets us share your happiness.
trying to figure out where you were in relation to where we'll be next Apr. staying in Just Enough which is off Centerline Rd, looks like below Base Hill on my map I have.
Enjoy reading everyones trip reports, so full of ideas and lets us share your happiness.
No ticker anymore. Next vac will prob. be the Fl Keys.
That's exactly what he did 
They had just finished unloading the 20' container that was "stuck" in our driveway and had taken the guys to lunch - I was waaaay to gross to even think about joining them - thank goodness I didn't as I would have died running into all of you - although I would have fit right in as a Coral Bay local 
Pia
They had just finished unloading the 20' container that was "stuck" in our driveway and had taken the guys to lunch - I was waaaay to gross to even think about joining them - thank goodness I didn't as I would have died running into all of you - although I would have fit right in as a Coral Bay local Pia
Realtor - St John Properties
