Family Fun with some BLIPS! Final Installment

[Jen East End]

Day 10: Breakfast at Donkey Diner, picked up some groceries at Lilly’s. Spent the day at the cottages swimming, snorkeling and kayaking.
Some fish:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64807361@N03/5921352567/" title="IMG_2368 by Jen Cas, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6133/592 ... 4d6696.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2368"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64807361@N03/5921356573/" title="IMG_2773 by Jen Cas, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6022/592 ... 52054f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2773"></a>

Tara’s ears became occluded and we spent some time trying to irrigate it to clear the blockage but were unsuccessful, but it was fun to watch!
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64807361@N03/5900649247/" title="IMG_2670 by Jen Cas, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6044/590 ... 7e6966.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2670"></a>

Taught Tara to Kayak that afternoon. Lots a of good music and laughter and a dinner of marinated chicken breasts, salad, baked potatoes and many appetizers.
A family that cooks together:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64807361@N03/5901225986/" title="IMG_2145 by Jen Cas, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5195/590 ... 6361b4.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2145"></a>

Had to eat inside d/t mosquitoes which ere now out in force after the amount of rain in May. Overall was another great day.

Day 11: Last day at the cottages. We called it a do nothing day. Son Jim headed out to Mary point to take a hike and brought his very expensive fly flishing pole along just in case he wanted to practice throwing the fly. Going over a hill, the back seat of his jeep flew up, hit the back of the seat he was in and then slammed down on his rod breaking it into 6 pieces. So instead of going to Mary Point he went to Aqua Bistro and had a few beers and received plenty of sympathy from those he met there. (Blip #11) When he returned we offered moral support and then made grilled hot poppers wrapped in bacon: (a recipe from Villa Vittles on St. John Forum)

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64807361@N03/5900657391/" title="IMG_2815 by Jen Cas, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5074/590 ... b502fb.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_2815"></a>

The rest of the meal consisted of beef tenderloin filets, potatoes with truffle oil, salad and of course chocolate torte.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64807361@N03/5900658333/" title="IMG_2764 by Jen Cas, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6033/590 ... 37e46c.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="IMG_2764"></a>
We all joked about the many little mishaps, injuries, and unusual events that had occurred. My daughters boyfriend Chuck said, “I’m the only one that nothing happened to!” Two minutes later the rocking chair he was in collapsed and he fell backwards, his head twisted up against the screen of the front door. Really? Blip#12

Day 12: Packed up and headed into Cruz Bay to return our rental vehicles and check in to the St. John Inn for the night. Plan is that we will all do our own thing, so the four couples went their separate ways for the day and have dinner tonight at Cactus on the Blue. Had gone earlier in the week to preselect and reserve a table on the point overlooking the water. We met back at the inn in the afternoon and all went for a swim before dinner. Everyone showered and met to walk to the restaurant, some more slowly than others. Got there and had some confusion as another couple was walked to our reserved table by accident as the staff assumed they were with us. Once they got to the table I chose with the great view they didn’t want to give it up so there was a mini scene until the hostess realized the error and asked them to move away from the table! Wow! Really? I’m on vacation! Didn’t expect that to happen but as usual we just called it Blip#13 (of course its 13 ha ha!) and had a great meal with a very accommodating staff. The crab cakes:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64807361@N03/5900655069/" title="IMG_2830 by Jen Cas, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5032/590 ... 13d9df.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2830"></a>

Headed back to the Inn for an evening swim and the sad its almost over but happy recollections of all the fun that we all do towards the end of our trips.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64807361@N03/5901218412/" title="IMG_2859 by Jen Cas, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5277/590 ... cb85ae.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_2859"></a>


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64807361@N03/5901216698/" title="IMG_2861 by Jen Cas, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6039/590 ... b209fb.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2861"></a>


Overall, despite burning boats, bleeding donkeys, twisted ankles, vomiting, rashes, collapsing chairs, broken polls and arguments with strangers, the kids loved the Island as much as we do and warn us we’ll never be there alone again. All great memories and as you can see from our ticker we are headed back in November.

Bye St John!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64807361@N03/5901255958/" title="IMG_2866 by Jen Cas, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6052/590 ... 65c45f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2866"></a>

[Tracy in WI]

That was really fun (blips and all!) and I am so happy for you that you have such a wonderful family and can spend such quality time together. Thanks for taking us along!

[Coden]

Thanks for the wonderful TR and pics. I really enjoyed seeing the fun your family had together. And I loved the cottages!

[PSUWethr]

Thanks for sharing! Great pics.

[PA Girl]

Well, look at it this way, not much more could go wrong next trip!

I love to read about older "kids" travelling with their parents. Our son is just 5 yo and I already hope that he will partner with someone that gets STJ.

Thanks for taking the time with such a great report.

[toni]

thanks so much for all the posts/pictures.

can you explain the occluded ear? like water in the ear?

and does no one ask what the woman in the family dinner picture is doing with what looks like a bowl on her head (least that's what it looks like....)

what memories you made!

[liamsaunt]

I really enjoyed reading your reports! You have such a great attitude despite all of the blips. Great pictures too.

[chrisn]

Nice report! We couldn't even contemplate a trip without the kids. They'd lynch us! We wouldn't even want to though...just wouldn't be the same.

[Capn Dan and Ruby]

Loved the TR! Loved your wonderful attatude and the way way you handled all the blips! Just wondering how was the STJ Inn. I love the idea about spending the last night there!

[FinsUp]

Wow, what a great trip!! Thanks so much for sharing!!
It looks as if our paths might cross in November??? Hubby and I are taking a short stay with out our little ones in November

[mindehankins]

Great family trip report! Thanks so much, for sharing! You certainly took all the blips in stride , and no one was spared.

P.S. This PA had to laugh at the dinner table ear lavage

[VIlanders]

Thanks for sharing your eventful family trip. Sorry about all the blips, but you seemed to still enjoy everything. I know there will be more of these trips in your future. Loved the cottages and perfect for a family.

[Jen East End]

thanks so much for all the posts/pictures.

can you explain the occluded ear? like water in the ear?

and does no one ask what the woman in the family dinner picture is doing with what looks like a bowl on her head (least that's what it looks like....)

what memories you made!

It was a wax build up, she ended up buying a murine wax removal kit in Cruz Bay worked like a charm!

[Jen East End]

Loved the TR! Loved your wonderful attatude and the way way you handled all the blips! Just wondering how was the STJ Inn. I love the idea about spending the last night there!

Thanks! We have stayed there twice before and its great to be in town and close to the ferry the morning you are leaving. The rooms are decorated very nicely, air conditioned and the staff very accommodating. We plan to stay there in November for our entire trip.

[Jen East End]

Wow, what a great trip!! Thanks so much for sharing!!
It looks as if our paths might cross in November??? Hubby and I are taking a short stay with out our little ones in November

I hope so, I would to love to meet up with some forumites. I forgot to mention in the report that I went to the booth near St. John Spice to try to meet Pia while we waited for the ferry. She was there and we enjoyed a quick conversation. I'll see her again in November I hope!