trip report Mar. 28 - Apr. 3, part 2!

[paulandtracie]

I don't know how it is for everyone else, but the first morning when I open my eyes and realize I am on St. John is always a great moment! We had intended on sleeping in a bit, spending some time at the villa and getting our bearings the first day, but of course we were all up early and after coffee on the deck, ready to go! That first drive through town to the north shore beaches is another thing I never tire of. First stop is Deli Grotto. Katie (our 14 year old) was craving their chocolate peanut butter bars but alas, there were none to be found...all week. Raincheck! No matter how many times I take the same photo from the same lookout vantage points, they never cease to take my breath away. Joy and happiness was coming out of this Jeep this morning, that is for sure!!


Quintessential Cruz Bay lookout on the way to Caneel...



The main beach at Caneel....



Trunk Bay, which never ceases to amaze...



Mi familia at the beautiful Trunk Bay overlook...this is what happiness looks like!



Decided to spend the morning at Maho...





I had intended to pour some rum into a plastic water bottle since we are not supposed to have glass on the beach, but could not resist a picture first when I pulled it out of the cooler and found it covered with ice. Can you say 'photo op'??



The 'Cadillac of Jeeps' (thanks, bigcheeze!)...aka transportation, storage unit, transporter-of-strangers-hitchhiking, and tiki bar!



Headed over to Coral Bay for a great lunch at Shipwreck's...





Then on to Vie's for the afternoon...who put that tree in the road???





It was a beautiful, hot sunny afternoon at Vie's beach and Katie collected a bonanza of beach glass...



Forum, meet 'Ted'! Ted, meet the forum! Ted is our honorary Michigan mascot, given to us by honorary grandma and all around great lady Connie (more about her later!!) Ted decided to catch some rays. He is of course covered with super-non-melt soaking-up-rays-spray!



This is how we were all feeling about now...



I felt at one point that our dog (big yellow lab) was there in spirit as the donkeys all seemed to echo the same thought as him...'got any snacks?'



Headed back to the villa to clean up and change, then off to Asolare to try their fantastic happy hour martinis that I had heard about on the Forum...beautiful sunset!!



Tough to find a location more romantic than this for dinner!



Finally got to try the amazing grapefruit/rosemary and lemongrass/sage martinis (thanks LauraD!!). HIGHLY recommended! p.s. does this count as 'food porn'??



I absolutely love the dining room at Asolare. ..



Aaah, nothing like a spectacular sunset to put you in a Zen mood...





We ended the evening with a little 'LRC' (dice game) and talking on the deck...another spectacular day and a great way to start off a vacation!!

[augie]

Great installment - keep 'em coming!

[cindygad]

I love the picture of all three of your feet. The conversations you must have had. Memories!

Asolare if still on our to do list. It looks beautiful. Do you eat out on the deck by the rail? Did the martini's live up to what was recommended? What did you eat there?

Looking forward to more installments.

[toni]

great pictures-love the family one; and no, you can never see enough of the regular shots of trunk, cruz bay, etc

thanks for posting the asolare pictures-we've never eaten there, but great view-maybe we'll check it out next time!

[PA Girl]

I love your "...this is what happiness looks like!" quote and may use it for my laundry room framing project - all STJ pictures on the walls.

[ski2play]

Thanks for sharing....love, love, love, your quote and the pictures....45 days till this newbie gets to experience St John....can you say, "the girl can not wipe the smile off her face?"

[CariBert]

Great installment! You have some really great photos, too. Thanks for the Asolare images. It is on our to do list, and we have not seen the inside, til now.

Lots of memory making! Keep em coming, can't wait to get there next month.

Bert

[LindaLa]

My favorite martini - The Moonbow at Asolare! I have tried to replicate it but have only come close. I will be there in 11 days. Can't wait. Reading your trip report is getting me even more excited. I keep telling my husband that trip anticipation is a great part of the vacation experience. He just wants to be there already.

[Barb Y]

Great report so far! Beautiful pictures! I have never eaten at Asolare but your photo surely makes me want to go there. Looking forward to the next installment. Thanks!

[Nic in KC]

Thank you for your report! I especially loved the Asolare photos! I've never been there and have wondered what it was like! Everything looks perfect!

[jmq]

In the "this is what happiness looks like" family photo you all have that giddy STJ look and glow about you.
I can never seem to get somebody to take a decent photo of us like that when we ask them to...