170 miles on STJ with Jillian-conclusion

[toni]

Hmm, I typed this out last night, but don't see it here today

Anyway, what's the powder that you got at the drugstore? I've had that issue on island and never know how to solve it.

Love reading your report!

[EagleRayLover]

Sounds like you girls had fun! I say next time- drive one day without areal plan and see where you end up! It's not like you can get too lost!

[mindehankins]

We ate breakfast on Sunday while watching a beautiful rainbow over Cruz Bay, and then drove to Salt Pond, where I knew we could get some hiking in, if Jillian didn’t want to go in the water. But she did get right in – still wouldn’t go in without her shoes on, but at least she was in the water!





We saw an odd scene later, with about 10 people on the beach. A young (15-25 yr old) male walked onto the beach and stood in the center of the beach for about 15 minutes, just looking out at the water. He had shorts on and a hoodie with the hoodie up. After 15 minutes, he reached down to a bag, agonizingly slowly, and again, agonizingly slowly, he reached into it. Agonizingly slowly, he extracted a set of fins. And then he stood there another 5-10 minutes, not moving a muscle. Then he walked about 20 feet toward us, to within 3 feet of us – we were far from anyone else. I said “good morning,” and he turned around and walked back to his original spot without saying a word. It was VERY odd. He stood there for another 10 minutes, then walked to the water and went in with his fins and snorkel/mask, came right back out again and then left. I don’t know if he was a kid having a bad day, a kid deciding to look for lobster, or what, but the whole thing took about 35” and he was gone. We weren’t scared, but were alert, and I even wonder if that was the whole point???

Anyway, we decided to start the Ram’s Head Trail and see what happened.

Aren’t these flowers beautiful? We’ve never seen these before:




We made it as far as Blue Cobblestone beach, which was just beautiful, and musical!






It started to rain pretty hard, and I’d heard the rest of the hike was cliffside, so we went back to Salt Pond. It was sunny again when we arrived at Salt Pond, so we walked over to Drunk Bay. When we were almost there, it started pouring. We were laughing so hard, but there’s no point in turning around!




The coral people creeped my girl out. I think they’re awesome, but the gloomy atmosphere did make them appear sort of sinister!


Back at home, we hung out at the pool. We noticed that several of the trees were bare of leaves, and wondered if this caterpillar had eaten them all.




It became apparent that Jillian had been violating the “no makeup rule”


Later, we walked into town in time to make it for our appointment with the Spice Cam. Had to let Jillian’s dad and boyfriend know that she was just FINE. As soon as we walked out on the dock, guys at the rum place started giving us directions. What a hoot. They knew exactly what we were doing, and urged us to go down onto the beach for the photos. Folks at home got some good shots!

We also walked up to the Lumberyard complex to refill our water jugs for $0.75/gallon. I wanted to take a photo of the entrance, but there were men working outside and I didn’t want to be rude. If you stand at the door of the Caribbean Villas office and walk straight forward, you’ll enter the first door in the building across the driveway.
Jillian finally got to make her coconut chicken for supper, which we had with green beans and bacon, yucca with garlic and onions, and local sweet potato grilled. The sweet potato is to DIE for. Back here at home, Jillian’s already found a source. I hope they’re as good as the ones on St. John!

[Capn Dan and Ruby]

Can't wait to make it to the Pink Corner. She was closed last year and we were so disapointed. It is def. on our list!!!!!

[loria]

i love your reports! truly and seriously! you have such a great way of expressing the joy of each day. i really admire that.

[Lindy]

Why did Jillian swim with shoes? Was she worried about the urchins? Or was that related to the leach incident? Just curious....

[Beth Cruz]

Minde,

Sounds like a really good trip! Love the pictures. Have no idea why I called it the yellow restaurant. You must have thought I was really nuts.

[mindehankins]

Blaine didn’t call us until 6am on Monday. On Sunday, he’d called at 5am. He was getting pretty lonely at home! I thought I’d build on the last two days’ successes toward getting Jillian in the water, and chose to go back to Maho.
We got there early and had to sit in the sun to stay warm, and ended up getting a bit of a burn. In January, if you arrive too early, in an attempt to claim prime real estate, it may be a bit too cool. Still, sitting alone at an isolated Maho Bay in the sunshine is a damned fine place to have long, thoughtful conversation!



Did you ever notice the tunnels that the termites build, enroute to their residence?





I went in for a short float. I didn’t like leaving Jillian alone on the beach because she’s not a reader, and the purpose of the trip was to spend time with her. I did enjoy this one, though.











While drying off in the sun, people down the beach started shouting “SHARK!” and pointing. I ran a ways down the beach, to get ahead of him, and Jillian grabbed the camera and followed me in. Major progress!



I really wanted Jillian to see Cinnamon Bay and the campground, since I thought that was a viable first-trip lodging option for her, so we visited there next. I haven’t been back to Cinnamon since our first trip in 2009. It wasn’t at all like I remembered it. Was it always such a wide beach? Jillian just loved the beach here, and wanted to try SUP. I give the beach rental people mad props for telling her that this wasn’t a good day to try it, as the winds were up. They could have as easily just taken our money and let her hate the sport. So we walked the beautiful beach and a housekeeping employee let Jillian look inside and photograph a cottage, to show her boyfriend.







We went into the gift shop on our way out, and noticed this – too funny!



We walked across the road, and toured the ruins, and it was here that trip fatigue set in. It happens every time – running all over the island, joyously exploring and being way more active than at home and all of a sudden it’s like a boulder fell on my head. We did enjoy the ruins, though it was sad to think that they’d been constructed by people who were enslaved . Very sad.










We ate dinner at Candi’s at about 4pm then went home and rested by (or in) the pool until bedtime.

[mindehankins]

Lindy, I have no idea. A neurotic never questions another's neuroses

Beth Cruz, not at all. I figured your fingers just typed something your head hadn't ordered them to. Happens to me all the time. I was just thrilled to hear she was open again!

[mindehankins]

Toni - the powder the lady at Chelsea gave us, that worked very well, was Caldesene. It's in a pink bottle and cost $7.35. Hope that helps you and whomever else enjoy their vacation more!

[Jan&MikeVa]

Minde........thank you so much for the wonderful trip reports! I think it is so wonderful for you and your daughter to spend time together like you did :
I'm proud for you with your driving and your daughter getting in the water! Driving on STJ can be overwhelming, I usually leave it up to Mike Overcoming fears is the best!!
Loving all the pictures and the Mom/Daughter chats........keep em coming!!!

[Caw954s]

Wow mindehankins! Nice turtle shot and you got to see a shark!? So cool, what camera did you use to take your shots underwater? My underwater pics did not come out as clear and vivid as yours....and I love the coral people on the rocks! I didn't know about those...where were they located?
Thanks!

[loria]

i am pretty much sure that you and Jillian will be doing your PADI certification next!

[Lindy]

Wow Minde - I LOVE that turtle shot and OMG have you come a LONG way to actually run to get a shot of the shark!!! I remember the first time you saw one at Vie's beach and wouldn't go back in the water. Hahahaha!!! I think you've outgrown your neuroses.

[mindehankins]

The coral people are at Drunk Bay, an easy hike from Salt Pond. It's a bizarre change of scenery, walking from the calm of Salt Pond to the surreal turbulence of Drunk Bay. Very fun! Make a trip over, next time.
Are you processing your underwater photos through Picassa? The "I'm feeling lucky" button works great with underwater shots.