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Umbrella Drink Tour - 2009 / Waaaaaaah!
Umbrella Drink Tour - 2009 / Waaaaaaah!
Wednesday, November 18
Well, this is our last, last day. How did this happen?
We had no defined check-out time and were catching the 2pm ferry. I thought we’d just laze around, pack, breakfast, take pictures, lunch, shop – you know, the usual last day stuff.
I got up around 7am and looked out the sliders – what the ????? It is an absolutely beautiful CLOUDLESS day. We hadn’t seen a day close to this.
Don being the wonderful hubby that he is suggested that I go to the beach for a couple of hours and he’d finish the packing. Don’t need to tell me twice. I threw on my bathing suit, grabbed some water, a book, a towel, the D10 and sunscreen and I was off like a prom dress.
Stopped at Mojo Cafe for my iced coffee and a bagel – yes, love this little place. Almost every morning as I was waiting for breakfast, some young person stopped by looking for a job. Wow, move to the islands and then try to find a job. I was never this carefree.
Walked over to the ferry dock to get a taxi.
“You need a taxi?”
“Yes, please – Trunk Bay”
“Just you”
“Just me”
“ It will be $8 – single fare”
“No problem”
“OK – get in the grey one”
As we approached the Trunk Bay overlook, the taxi driver pulled over and gave me the Trunk Bay spiel. I looked out and nearly fell out – the beach was empty. I saw no one on that beautiful beach. SCORE – Trunk Bay just for me. We pull into the parking lot, I quickly paid him and off I went. It was only 8am, so no fee either.
I got to the beach and headed right for the TREE. Every time I try to get a good picture, there are people hanging out under it or towels hanging over it. Not today!
It was so quiet and peaceful and beautiful. Hmmmm – where do I want to sit? Over here? Down there? Left of cay? Right of the cay? Since I wanted some sun, I had to walk way down to the left. There was one little slice of beach where the trees were low and the sun made it through.
On my way, I passed this guy; sadly, I’d be seeing his northern cousins very soon.
Anyone here yet?
Eventually, the lifeguards showed up
and a few other people, but for at least 15 minutes, it was ALL MINE!
Of course those couple of hours flew by and it was time to leave. I gathered my stuff and headed down the beach – walking ever so slowly. This was worse than any WOW!
Got to the parking lot – a little déjà vu!
“You need a taxi?”
“Yes, please – Wharfside”
“Just you”
“Just me”
“ It will be $8 – single fare”
“No problem”
“OK – get in the grey one”
Bye Trunk Bay
Back at Grande Bay, everything was packed and Don was waiting. Took a quick shower and we were off. We went to push the elevator button and there is this little green sign – “Temporarily Out of Service”. Talk about bad timing. Too late to think about carry-on only at this point.
One last stop at the Beach Bar
for lunch and a beer.
A quick stop at St. John Spice to say good-bye to Ruth and Ron.
Then off to wait for the ferry.
Bye St. John
No traffic on the way to Red Hook
Rachel met us and got us back to the airport. Check-in was a breeze and the flights were uneventful.
Well, that was St. John our way.
We’re already booked for a return next spring; first time we’ve visited 2 years in a row – maybe we’re getting it
Well, this is our last, last day. How did this happen?
We had no defined check-out time and were catching the 2pm ferry. I thought we’d just laze around, pack, breakfast, take pictures, lunch, shop – you know, the usual last day stuff.
I got up around 7am and looked out the sliders – what the ????? It is an absolutely beautiful CLOUDLESS day. We hadn’t seen a day close to this.
Don being the wonderful hubby that he is suggested that I go to the beach for a couple of hours and he’d finish the packing. Don’t need to tell me twice. I threw on my bathing suit, grabbed some water, a book, a towel, the D10 and sunscreen and I was off like a prom dress.
Stopped at Mojo Cafe for my iced coffee and a bagel – yes, love this little place. Almost every morning as I was waiting for breakfast, some young person stopped by looking for a job. Wow, move to the islands and then try to find a job. I was never this carefree.
Walked over to the ferry dock to get a taxi.
“You need a taxi?”
“Yes, please – Trunk Bay”
“Just you”
“Just me”
“ It will be $8 – single fare”
“No problem”
“OK – get in the grey one”
As we approached the Trunk Bay overlook, the taxi driver pulled over and gave me the Trunk Bay spiel. I looked out and nearly fell out – the beach was empty. I saw no one on that beautiful beach. SCORE – Trunk Bay just for me. We pull into the parking lot, I quickly paid him and off I went. It was only 8am, so no fee either.
I got to the beach and headed right for the TREE. Every time I try to get a good picture, there are people hanging out under it or towels hanging over it. Not today!
It was so quiet and peaceful and beautiful. Hmmmm – where do I want to sit? Over here? Down there? Left of cay? Right of the cay? Since I wanted some sun, I had to walk way down to the left. There was one little slice of beach where the trees were low and the sun made it through.
On my way, I passed this guy; sadly, I’d be seeing his northern cousins very soon.
Anyone here yet?
Eventually, the lifeguards showed up
and a few other people, but for at least 15 minutes, it was ALL MINE!
Of course those couple of hours flew by and it was time to leave. I gathered my stuff and headed down the beach – walking ever so slowly. This was worse than any WOW!
Got to the parking lot – a little déjà vu!
“You need a taxi?”
“Yes, please – Wharfside”
“Just you”
“Just me”
“ It will be $8 – single fare”
“No problem”
“OK – get in the grey one”
Bye Trunk Bay
Back at Grande Bay, everything was packed and Don was waiting. Took a quick shower and we were off. We went to push the elevator button and there is this little green sign – “Temporarily Out of Service”. Talk about bad timing. Too late to think about carry-on only at this point.
One last stop at the Beach Bar
for lunch and a beer.
A quick stop at St. John Spice to say good-bye to Ruth and Ron.
Then off to wait for the ferry.
Bye St. John
No traffic on the way to Red Hook
Rachel met us and got us back to the airport. Check-in was a breeze and the flights were uneventful.
Well, that was St. John our way.
We’re already booked for a return next spring; first time we’ve visited 2 years in a row – maybe we’re getting it
janet
Whaaaa!
Hey J! Great trip report. Made me cry a little with the WOW. Loved the prom dress inference! You guys know how to have a good time. Don't worry - spring soon come!
ps - Did you pick up the new Sports Illustrated with you-know-who on the cover yet?!?
Seagrape
ps - Did you pick up the new Sports Illustrated with you-know-who on the cover yet?!?
Seagrape
Thanks for sharing your good times. The hike to Ram Head report was a favorite - brought back memories of so many spots along the trail and would surely convince anyone who hasn't to go there. A few hours alone on your favorite beach and plans in place for the next time... that's a good way to end this trip - just a pause, then return. 
Great photos and writing!
Great photos and writing!... no longer a stranger to paradise
seagrape - we did have a great time. I think if I didn't know we'd be returning so soon, I would have cried a lot. I say this after every trip - "that was the best trip evuh!". I think I mean it this time (I say that every time, too).
I looked for that SI issue and the stores here were all out. I guess with hunting season, a lot of "fans" needed target practice.
PS - I played "Tessie" and "Sweet Caroline" a few times in Anchorage Aweigh to help clear the air.
iProf - until my morning at Trunk, Ram Head was my favorite part too. Definitely worth doing.
tipsy - You will have a great trip. I think we will miss you by a few days.
mbw - looking forward to that present
I looked for that SI issue and the stores here were all out. I guess with hunting season, a lot of "fans" needed target practice.
PS - I played "Tessie" and "Sweet Caroline" a few times in Anchorage Aweigh to help clear the air.
iProf - until my morning at Trunk, Ram Head was my favorite part too. Definitely worth doing.
tipsy - You will have a great trip. I think we will miss you by a few days.
mbw - looking forward to that present
janet
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toes in the sand
- Posts: 994
- Joined: Mon Oct 08, 2007 2:21 pm
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silverheels
- Posts: 890
- Joined: Thu Aug 10, 2006 10:18 am
- Location: The Nutmeg State
Loved all of your trip reports and the pictures brought back many memories. When I got to the last part about your playing Tessie and Sweet Caroline I had to laugh. We named our yellow lab Tessie after that song by the Drop Kick Murphys. Target practice on that issue of SI is a good thought.So glad that you have another trip planned. We hope to get back sometime early in 2010.
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islandjo2010
- Posts: 406
- Joined: Thu Sep 10, 2009 8:58 am
- Location: KC, MO
I think I was sadder writing about the last day than when it actually occurred; and even sadder reading it again.
Everyone should really visit Trunk Bay; it is a beautiful beach. Do what I did and get there early in the morning or go later in the day. Trunk Bay was the only beach we visited on our first trip.
Oh - and the water really is that blue
Everyone should really visit Trunk Bay; it is a beautiful beach. Do what I did and get there early in the morning or go later in the day. Trunk Bay was the only beach we visited on our first trip.
Oh - and the water really is that blue
janet