St John on less than $500/wk (no plasma donation or dumpster

iowaguy · Post by **iowaguy** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 2:54 pm

Scott---Even though I'm not a camper myself, I really loved your post and your attitude---one of the best I've read in quite a while. Thanks.

ccasebolt · Post by **ccasebolt** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 6:23 pm

I love this! I grew up tent camping but haven't done it in years. Maybe time to take the kids... Thanks!

RickG · Post by **RickG** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 3:53 pm

Still loving this TR one year later.

Cheers, RickG

Connie · Post by **Connie** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 4:51 pm

Connie
"I could never do it. I've had bad experiences with camping. Husband would love it though!"

Share with us what you can about the "bad experiences" in the past and let's see if we can help you find solutions.

It started in the girl scouts when I went camping about 5 miles from my home. By the time my Mother got home from dropping me off she got a phone call to come get me.

It's not that I'm a princess, believe me. It just gives me a wierd feeling where now I feel like I'd have to be on medication just to get through the night.

You did an amazing job!!! I think you're pre-ulcer condition would improve if you made this into a career.

bubblybrenda · Post by **bubblybrenda** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 9:01 pm

Rick, thanks for bumping this to the top again. This TR is a very good reminder to anyone who has ever wondered if they could do it or what it would be like. I have camped at Cinnamon twice now (2 weeks each time) and would very highly recommend it to anyone who loves to camp. I had a 3rd trip planned for March/April but just cancelled it a few weeks ago (so there's probably a bare site available if anyone wants it).

Cinnamon certainly isn't the "roughest" camping I've done so if you've been wondering if you should, yes you absolutely should and especially so if you have kids. It would be a camping trip they will talk about for years.

Illyse · Post by **Illyse** » Tue Jan 12, 2010 7:38 am

This was the TR that found the forum for me! In November we found we had just enough FF miles to round trip to STT. STJ has been a dream of ours for a long time. We tried to book a baresite in Feb. but there were none available. We ended up choosing a "cabin" (because after reviewing many on-line reviews it seems that their platform tents only tie closed, not zip, and mosquitoes become troublesome). We're headed down Feb. 1 and TRs like this one helped seal the deal! Can't wait for our trip.

P.S. UsAir now charges $50 for each "free ticket" and their baggage fees are HUGE - so bringing your own tent isn't as cheap as it used to be!

LovetoTravel · Post by **LovetoTravel** » Tue Jan 12, 2010 9:35 am

WOW!!! Love this trip report!!! this brings back memories long ago. I would love this type of trip BUT my husband would NOT!!! He is the spoiled one in the family!! LOL!! I remember taking my horse along the river with nothing but a sleeping bag and camping out under the stars at night!!! Awesome memories!!!

Scott in BHM · Post by **Scott in BHM** » Sat Jan 16, 2010 7:26 pm

RickG,

Thanks for bringing my year old TR back to life. I am actually on STJ as I type this from my iPhone. I have the MRS's with me this year...details to follow when we get back.

Scott

Lovermont · Post by **Lovermont** » Sat Jan 16, 2010 8:32 pm

Scott in BHM wrote:RickG,

Thanks for bringing my year old TR back to life. I am actually on STJ as I type this from my iPhone. I have the MRS's with me this year...details to follow when we get back.

Scott

A year later, your TR is still one of the most memorable. Looking forward to hearing how this trip compares. Enjoy yourself!

Lovermont

cypressgirl · Post by **cypressgirl** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 12:46 am

Parafins, maybe you could hook up with Scott. Wife might be more receptive if you go with another guy and camp for a week. That might change things a bit. I know I wouldn't want to camp, so "bye bye" honey. The FF tickets save a bundle before you even leave. My tickets are always over 600. so we put everything (college tuition adds up fast) on FF and always have miles for trip.

Queston: Do you get eaten alive by mosquitos at night? The caneel lunch is a great idea. That 4 hr. swim would do me in though. Do you include rum in your budget, or is this a dry trip? Except for the bugs, and being rained on at night, it might actually be fun, and romantic with the right guy.

Hope you're having a great time.

designbyroe · Post by **designbyroe** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 1:12 pm

My first trip to St. John was camping.
Sun, I would love to do an SOTB trip camping.
Even the cabins at Maho are not bad.
I camp at Ivans but then again I am in a cabin not a baresite. so guess that is not really camping......lol

mindehankins · Post by **mindehankins** » Mon Jan 18, 2010 8:23 am

Oh gosh if a camping trip was planned, consider me! I'm not sure I could, but I'd sure try!

cwcoleman · Post by **cwcoleman** » Thu Jan 28, 2010 12:50 am

My girlfriend and I are currently planning this same trip, for the same reason (low cash flow).

We are also avid NC / VA backpackers and look forward to using our USAirways FF miles to make this trip amazing.

We will be in STJ mid March for 7 full days.

We are considering bringing a cooler as checked luggage to save extra on dinners - if anyone has comments there, please speak up.

Keep the tips / tricks coming for saving money and anything we need to know about Cinnamon Bay Campground.

Cheers

parafins · Post by **parafins** » Thu Jan 28, 2010 9:11 am

cwcoleman wrote:My girlfriend and I are currently planning this same trip, for the same reason (low cash flow).

We are also avid NC / VA backpackers and look forward to using our USAirways FF miles to make this trip amazing.

We will be in STJ mid March for 7 full days.

We are considering bringing a cooler as checked luggage to save extra on dinners - if anyone has comments there, please speak up.

Keep the tips / tricks coming for saving money and anything we need to know about Cinnamon Bay Campground.

Cheers

Tip: Duct tape the lid down on the cooler to keep from loosing all of your goods.{I've seen this happen}Also try to us a cooler with wheels.I helps.One other thing,pack the cooler before your trip and weigh it.You don't want it to go over the # limit.

Parafins

waterguy · Post by **waterguy** » Thu Jan 28, 2010 9:19 am

I like Polar Bear soft sided coolers for this if checking. Two weeks ago I brought steaks and pork tenderloins down in my back pack so if you don't have alot thats an option

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