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Trip Report - St John with my boys - Part three
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michigan girls
- Posts: 595
- Joined: Tue Feb 21, 2012 5:06 pm
- Location: West Michigan
Trip Report - St John with my boys - Part three
Part one: http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/v ... =1&t=25936
Part two: http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/v ... =1&t=25945
Sunday 08/11
I'm not going to rehash the whole laundry epic, just a couple photos from Poi Pu, and another thank you to the owners for such a lovely place to do my laundry. I can now recommend this villa as a great Chocolate Hole option.
DSC_0006 by heidifunk, on Flickr
By the time that saga was over, we decided not to go to the beach. Jake and I went into town to do some shopping, then back to the condo to make dinner. After dinner, I headed down to town for the Beach Bar forum gathering. Spent some time chatting with the lot attendent at Slimmans before heading that way. What a great guy, and full of interesting stories. Had a great evening at The Beach Bar with Mr & Mrs ColumbiaSCTraveler, Silverheels and sister, Mr & Mrs Awardb and ccinhbg. Great times with great people, and the tuna bites there are super yummy. A short stop at the Parrot Club, then back up to the condo for the night.
So here's where I point out that yes, I did drive down to town instead of the easy walk from the condo. Why? If you read part one, you will recall I mentioned stepping on a branch of Catch N Keep at Little Lamshur. I have been unable to remove the tips of two thorns as they broke off way below the skin, and way below the ability of my tweezers to extract them. By Sunday, they are starting to bother me, and I just can't seem to get them out. I figured slicing my foot open to get to them was not a viable option in the middle of a vacation which has me barefoot on sand a lot of the time. I decided to wait it out, in hopes my body would push it out eventually. Anyway – more on this later.
Monday 08/12
Up early and off to Salt Pond. I wasn't really crazy about the idea of the walk back from Salt Pond as my foot is not so great at this point, but my boys really wanted to see Drunk Bay, so I'm a trooper.
We stopped at the gates to Gibney on the way, as my oldest (the physics major) insisted we must see the Oppenheimer home before moving on.
DSC_0008 by heidifunk, on Flickr
I was not sure if where I was parked was legal, so we stopped for the photo op, took the short hike down to the beach to look around, then headed back up. It certainly is a lovely beach, and I look forward to spending some time there in April when I'm back on my “veg at a beach and do nothing all day” plan.
On to salt pond for the morning. The snorkel there was lovely as always. Hung out with some squid. Here is a link to that video:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/77562199@N04/9508850981/
and the photo:
150_0509 by heidifunk, on Flickr
The boys followed the rays out in the middle around for awhile
150_0520 by heidifunk, on Flickr
I thought I was taking photos of this Honeycomb Cowfish, but it turns out that I forgot to switch off video mode, so here is a video of him
http://www.flickr.com/photos/77562199@N04/9511648104/
After the snorkel, we had a snack, then headed for the Drunk Bay trail. Saw some deer along the way
DSC_0009 by heidifunk, on Flickr
I love Drunk Bay. Just to sit there in the wind and listen to the crashing waves is bliss.
DSC_0023 by heidifunk, on Flickr
My boys headed off in opposite directions to explore.
DSC_0045 by heidifunk, on Flickr
I didn't do a lot of walking around – walking on those rocks with my ouchie foot was not cool.
After walking back to the beach, we took a quick swim to cool off, then headed back to the car. It's a good thing I love that beach so much, because that walk back up to the car SUCKS.
Back up at the condo and the boys are feeling tired. Being a beach baby, I forget sometimes that all the sun and swim can really wear on some people. They decide to stay in and rest before dinner, while I head off to Hawksnest. It was fairly busy there, but not terrible. I decided to snorkel over to Gibney, so I could see if it's an easy swim. I'm thinking I may have to drop Sherry and our stuff at the gate and park at Hawksnest when we're back in April, so I wanted to have done the swim already. It is a really easy swim, so I'm feeling good about that plan in April if we can't park at the gate. I swam through the thickest wall of fry I've ever been in. They were so thick I actually almost swam into a rock at one point. This photo doesn't really do it justice, but the photos that were taken in the thick of it don't really show much detail.
150_0529 by heidifunk, on Flickr
Gibney, from the water
150_0533 by heidifunk, on Flickr
Swimming back to Hawksnest I stayed out a little further to avoid the thickest of the fry swarm, and headed toward the reef in the middle.
150_0558 by heidifunk, on Flickr
150_0584 by heidifunk, on Flickr
150_0603 by heidifunk, on Flickr
It's a nice snorkel, not great, but nice. Lots of crevices to peek in, which I enjoy. I would do it again, and I think Sherry would really enjoy it so we'll probably go back in April.
Back to the condo to get ready for dinner. Dinner is Ocean Grill, courtesy of the $100 gift certificate I won at Wagapalooza. I had Thai Mussels for my appetizer, a bowl of conch chowder, some Mahi Mahi and a coconut custard tart. Everything was very good. With the three of us having drinks, appetizers, soups, entrees and desserts, the bill was somewhere around $320ish, so I was happy to have the gift certificate.
Back at the condo, for some cleaning and packing
08/13
Up early to finish up cleaning and packing. Off by 9:30 to gas up and return the jeep. Conrad Sutton, as always, was a joy to work with and always makes me smile with his jokes and smile. We dropped our luggage at Connections and went to Cafe Livin for breakfast. Very tasty. Some shopping in Wharfside and drinks from Bones, then the walk of woe to the ferry.
Uneventful crossing, always hard to see St John growing smaller as we go
DSC_0057 by heidifunk, on Flickr
(FYI – Palm Breezes, where we stayed, is the highest window in this photo, above and to the left of the boy on the left)
The airport is quite busy for a Tuesday - we weren't able to get a porter, but eventually made it through.
Everything went according to plan on the trip back, other than by now my foot is throbbing and hard to walk on. Luckily our gate in Atlanta is not far from the one we deplane at. We get a surprise at the airport at home. Some of my “extra” boys – the boy's longtime friends who all call me mom – are there to greet us and welcome us home. Roger heads off with them for some guy time, but Jake is not feeling well. Apparently the food at the STT airport did not agree with his stomach. Heading out to the pick up area we are greeted by my giant of a dog (140lbs, great dane/black lab mix). My daughter thought I would enjoy having him there to greet me – which I did. Oh the joy of dogs, everytime you come home after being gone for awhile they act like it is the happiest day of their lives
All in all, it was a very good trip. I was very happy to have been able to show my happy place to my boys, and a good time was had by all.
The two thorn tips are still in my foot tonight. I keep saying “I'll go to the doctor tomorrow”, but I think I actually will have to go tomorrow.
Next STJ vacation soon come... 239 days, 15 hours, 31 minutes – but who's counting
Part two: http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/v ... =1&t=25945
Sunday 08/11
I'm not going to rehash the whole laundry epic, just a couple photos from Poi Pu, and another thank you to the owners for such a lovely place to do my laundry. I can now recommend this villa as a great Chocolate Hole option.
DSC_0006 by heidifunk, on Flickr
By the time that saga was over, we decided not to go to the beach. Jake and I went into town to do some shopping, then back to the condo to make dinner. After dinner, I headed down to town for the Beach Bar forum gathering. Spent some time chatting with the lot attendent at Slimmans before heading that way. What a great guy, and full of interesting stories. Had a great evening at The Beach Bar with Mr & Mrs ColumbiaSCTraveler, Silverheels and sister, Mr & Mrs Awardb and ccinhbg. Great times with great people, and the tuna bites there are super yummy. A short stop at the Parrot Club, then back up to the condo for the night.
So here's where I point out that yes, I did drive down to town instead of the easy walk from the condo. Why? If you read part one, you will recall I mentioned stepping on a branch of Catch N Keep at Little Lamshur. I have been unable to remove the tips of two thorns as they broke off way below the skin, and way below the ability of my tweezers to extract them. By Sunday, they are starting to bother me, and I just can't seem to get them out. I figured slicing my foot open to get to them was not a viable option in the middle of a vacation which has me barefoot on sand a lot of the time. I decided to wait it out, in hopes my body would push it out eventually. Anyway – more on this later.
Monday 08/12
Up early and off to Salt Pond. I wasn't really crazy about the idea of the walk back from Salt Pond as my foot is not so great at this point, but my boys really wanted to see Drunk Bay, so I'm a trooper.
We stopped at the gates to Gibney on the way, as my oldest (the physics major) insisted we must see the Oppenheimer home before moving on.
DSC_0008 by heidifunk, on Flickr
I was not sure if where I was parked was legal, so we stopped for the photo op, took the short hike down to the beach to look around, then headed back up. It certainly is a lovely beach, and I look forward to spending some time there in April when I'm back on my “veg at a beach and do nothing all day” plan.
On to salt pond for the morning. The snorkel there was lovely as always. Hung out with some squid. Here is a link to that video:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/77562199@N04/9508850981/
and the photo:
150_0509 by heidifunk, on Flickr
The boys followed the rays out in the middle around for awhile
150_0520 by heidifunk, on Flickr
I thought I was taking photos of this Honeycomb Cowfish, but it turns out that I forgot to switch off video mode, so here is a video of him
http://www.flickr.com/photos/77562199@N04/9511648104/
After the snorkel, we had a snack, then headed for the Drunk Bay trail. Saw some deer along the way
DSC_0009 by heidifunk, on Flickr
I love Drunk Bay. Just to sit there in the wind and listen to the crashing waves is bliss.
DSC_0023 by heidifunk, on Flickr
My boys headed off in opposite directions to explore.
DSC_0045 by heidifunk, on Flickr
I didn't do a lot of walking around – walking on those rocks with my ouchie foot was not cool.
After walking back to the beach, we took a quick swim to cool off, then headed back to the car. It's a good thing I love that beach so much, because that walk back up to the car SUCKS.
Back up at the condo and the boys are feeling tired. Being a beach baby, I forget sometimes that all the sun and swim can really wear on some people. They decide to stay in and rest before dinner, while I head off to Hawksnest. It was fairly busy there, but not terrible. I decided to snorkel over to Gibney, so I could see if it's an easy swim. I'm thinking I may have to drop Sherry and our stuff at the gate and park at Hawksnest when we're back in April, so I wanted to have done the swim already. It is a really easy swim, so I'm feeling good about that plan in April if we can't park at the gate. I swam through the thickest wall of fry I've ever been in. They were so thick I actually almost swam into a rock at one point. This photo doesn't really do it justice, but the photos that were taken in the thick of it don't really show much detail.
150_0529 by heidifunk, on Flickr
Gibney, from the water
150_0533 by heidifunk, on Flickr
Swimming back to Hawksnest I stayed out a little further to avoid the thickest of the fry swarm, and headed toward the reef in the middle.
150_0558 by heidifunk, on Flickr
150_0584 by heidifunk, on Flickr
150_0603 by heidifunk, on Flickr
It's a nice snorkel, not great, but nice. Lots of crevices to peek in, which I enjoy. I would do it again, and I think Sherry would really enjoy it so we'll probably go back in April.
Back to the condo to get ready for dinner. Dinner is Ocean Grill, courtesy of the $100 gift certificate I won at Wagapalooza. I had Thai Mussels for my appetizer, a bowl of conch chowder, some Mahi Mahi and a coconut custard tart. Everything was very good. With the three of us having drinks, appetizers, soups, entrees and desserts, the bill was somewhere around $320ish, so I was happy to have the gift certificate.
Back at the condo, for some cleaning and packing
08/13
Up early to finish up cleaning and packing. Off by 9:30 to gas up and return the jeep. Conrad Sutton, as always, was a joy to work with and always makes me smile with his jokes and smile. We dropped our luggage at Connections and went to Cafe Livin for breakfast. Very tasty. Some shopping in Wharfside and drinks from Bones, then the walk of woe to the ferry.
Uneventful crossing, always hard to see St John growing smaller as we go
DSC_0057 by heidifunk, on Flickr
(FYI – Palm Breezes, where we stayed, is the highest window in this photo, above and to the left of the boy on the left)
The airport is quite busy for a Tuesday - we weren't able to get a porter, but eventually made it through.
Everything went according to plan on the trip back, other than by now my foot is throbbing and hard to walk on. Luckily our gate in Atlanta is not far from the one we deplane at. We get a surprise at the airport at home. Some of my “extra” boys – the boy's longtime friends who all call me mom – are there to greet us and welcome us home. Roger heads off with them for some guy time, but Jake is not feeling well. Apparently the food at the STT airport did not agree with his stomach. Heading out to the pick up area we are greeted by my giant of a dog (140lbs, great dane/black lab mix). My daughter thought I would enjoy having him there to greet me – which I did. Oh the joy of dogs, everytime you come home after being gone for awhile they act like it is the happiest day of their lives
All in all, it was a very good trip. I was very happy to have been able to show my happy place to my boys, and a good time was had by all.
The two thorn tips are still in my foot tonight. I keep saying “I'll go to the doctor tomorrow”, but I think I actually will have to go tomorrow.
Next STJ vacation soon come... 239 days, 15 hours, 31 minutes – but who's counting
Re: Trip Report - St John with my boys - Part three
Great report! Thanks so much and get those thorns out of your foot!
Trip report 2009
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... highlight=
Trip report 2008
So good, so good, so good!
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... highlight=
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... highlight=
Trip report 2008
So good, so good, so good!
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... highlight=
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ColumbiaSCTraveler
- Posts: 528
- Joined: Mon Apr 18, 2011 9:33 pm
- Location: Columbia, SC
Re: Trip Report - St John with my boys - Part three
I was going to ask about the thorns!! Take care of that, Heidi!! Goodness gracious!!!!
We were also swarmed by the fry at quite a few beaches this year. Francis, especially!!!
We were talking to Mr. and Mrs. Awardb about the hike back up from Salt Pond. We've only done it twice for that reason!! It's ROUGH, especially in the heat of the day!! WOWSER!
LOVE the picture of the porcupinefish!
Where did you try to park at Gibney? Just grab a spot in front of the gates! (It says no parking in front of the gates, but .... yeah .... whatevs. )
Now go take care of that foot!!!
We were also swarmed by the fry at quite a few beaches this year. Francis, especially!!!
We were talking to Mr. and Mrs. Awardb about the hike back up from Salt Pond. We've only done it twice for that reason!! It's ROUGH, especially in the heat of the day!! WOWSER!
LOVE the picture of the porcupinefish!
Where did you try to park at Gibney? Just grab a spot in front of the gates! (It says no parking in front of the gates, but .... yeah .... whatevs.
)Now go take care of that foot!!!
Re: Trip Report - St John with my boys - Part three
Love your report! Love the pictures! Sorry about the crabby lady who, I might add, has very clean pillows.
And those thorns...... it's certainly time to get them out! Good luck with that!
And those thorns...... it's certainly time to get them out! Good luck with that!
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michigan girls
- Posts: 595
- Joined: Tue Feb 21, 2012 5:06 pm
- Location: West Michigan
Re: Trip Report - St John with my boys - Part three
Went to the doc today and got them out. Getting numbing shot was the worst part. He scolded me for waiting too long, but that's usually how it works when I finally go to the doc. Tiny little things to have been causing me so much pain - glad to have them out!
524440_10151641658558303_1986940533_n by heidifunk, on Flickr
(See my lovely manicure - haven't had time to deal with it since I got back from vacation!)
524440_10151641658558303_1986940533_n by heidifunk, on Flickr
(See my lovely manicure - haven't had time to deal with it since I got back from vacation!)
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ColumbiaSCTraveler
- Posts: 528
- Joined: Mon Apr 18, 2011 9:33 pm
- Location: Columbia, SC
Re: Trip Report - St John with my boys - Part three
SO HAPPY you got them out!!!!
Can't BELIEVE those little things hurt so much!!! Flip flops = my best friend!
Can't BELIEVE those little things hurt so much!!! Flip flops = my best friend!
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Myheart'sinSTJ
- Posts: 363
- Joined: Sun Apr 22, 2012 7:02 pm
- Location: New London, PA
Re: Trip Report - St John with my boys - Part three
Great trip report and pics, isn't great to show the "kids" heaven on earth? I wish your son that is being deployed soon all the best!