usvi-on-line
Two Weeks in Paradise Days 10-14
Two Weeks in Paradise Days 10-14
Well, it's almost Christmas and I thought I better finish this up. I don't want to leave my forum friends hangin' And kudos to all who write their trip reports so quickly after returning.
It's a bit long...
Last you heard from me we were being deluged.
Day 10 October 29th, Monday- We woke up, went out on
the deck and lo and behold, the sun was out. I think we kept looking and looking to make sure it was for true. This was the best Monday ever. We got ready and headed to Francis today. We heard RickG's crew before we saw them. Had a great day hamming it up in the ocean, drinking and getting way too much sun.
We were those loud people who chased everyone else off the beach. I stopped to notice the other people in the ocean giving us dirty looks and parents escorting their children away from the foul mouthed strangers. We ran out of beer but Brad & Kellee went to get some more and some snacks. At one point the jacks started to attack all the fry around us. It was like they were rushing us. It was a really weird phenomena. By the time we were leaving Francis the no see ums were attacking like nothing I have ever experienced. They had me on the run to the Jeep. Vicious invisible bugs! Picture that scene from The Money Pit with the bees chasing Tom Hanks.
We invited Rick's group up to the villa for dinner. They brought pork tenderloin and rice and salad and we had chicken and scalloped potatoes and more rice. We heated the baked brie from the night before and set that outside along with other cheeses and crackers. We were on our way with MrB's homemade run runners and more beer. When dinner was ready we all went inside to fill our plates. Christine was the first to go back out to the table and we heard her let out a little scream. A neighborhood cat was on the table eating the brie. No kitty, that's a bad kitty!
Dinner was de-lish but most of us were overcooked except Brad & Kellee who kept reapplying sunscreen like good soldiers.
We passed the bug zapper around so Becky could try it out and then Christine tried it out on herself. Some of us were a little less willing to do that. I think we listened to every Pink Floyd album that night and the boys had quite the spirited conversation about guitar players. Brad and Kellee stuck around and we did the hot tubbing thing again. This was their last night on island and right when they were getting ready to leave it started to rain. They just could not catch a break this time
Day 11 October 30th, Tuesday- Peace Hill, Denis & Grootpan. There was no rush to go anywhere today. In our planning we had each picked the beaches we wanted to see and we both wanted to see Denis. First we hiked up to Peace Hill. Easy little trail. The sites at the top are lovely and the name Peace Hill is so appropriate.
Next we took the trail to Denis. It is a narrow trail with some loose rocks but nothing too bad if you take it slow in your flip flops.
We could hear the waves breaking at Denis before we got there.
The beach is truly beautiful. I don't know if I could say only one beach on St John is my favorite ( I have not even seen them all yet). This one is up there with what I like-solitude, unobstructed beauty and a hint of mystery. There is no way I could swim that day. All that rain made north shore snorkeling forbidden for those of us that stink at swimming. John tested the waters and came back shaking his head. I took a short walk and some pictures. One other couple was there that day and they went to the other end of the beach.
To the south shore we go to find some calmer snorkeling. I talk MrB into finding Kiddle Bay but we end up at Grootpan after a wrong turn and backtracking. Great beach combing at Grootpan. MrB snorkeled some while I kept myself busy checking out the shells. He really enjoys the south shore snorkels.
Shrimp:
Mostly rocky beaches so no pesky sand to dirty up everything, less people and in October it seems that this side is much calmer for snorkeling. Before long the no see ums are out again and chasing me down. On the way out we check out the way to Kiddle and promise each other we will come back (we don't). We pass a really pissed off dog in someone's yard. Thank goodness for strong fences! Then, we get behind a cement truck (empty we presume due to the way he's hauling ass) We find it tres amusing that he is wearing out the horn the whole way. Not just short beeps but the long "get the f*&% out of the way" honk. I wonder if the livestock know what that sound means? They better! Must have had dinner in this evening.
Day 12 October 31st, Wednesday- Ram Head & Salt Pond
So the plan for today was Blue Cobblestone snorkel.
I, being the manipulative person I am say- "honey, sweetie, darling, look- Ram Head is right there can we please go up to the top?"
See, if I'd let him, MrB would take the path of least resistance and there is no sense of accomplishment in that. I must show him the way. The reward at the top. I'll preface my remarks about the hike with this- we were both wearing flip flops, at the time we were both pack a day smokers, it was after 11:00am when we started and we had one small bottle of water each. The hardest part for me was the blue cobblestone beach. The stones tend to slide under you feet making walking across it a little harder. It took very little time to get to the top. It would have been faster but we did stop to take loads of pictures and to enjoy the natural air conditioning blowing between the rock crevices. 
To the West
Looking back from Ram Head at Blue Cobblestone
Pretty cacti at the top
Looking over the edge
MrB sitting on top of the world
The very edge
Walking Back
We retrieved our stuff that we had stashed at Blue Cobblestone on the way back. John wanted to snorkel salt pond then. I felt that I could snorkel this day. I finally got my mask to stop leaking. Unfortunately the water near the shore at Salt Pond was pretty cloudy. He got in and took off. I get in and as soon as I do a huge southern sting ray shoots underneath me in the murky water. Scares the crap out of me! I tried to regain composure and keep going and I see an eagle ray buried in the sand. I put my head up to make sure I would not run into the boat moored in the middle of the bay. I was just spooked so I returned to shore. I really felt like I was letting my husband down and myself. Last year I thoroughly enjoyed snorkeling and this year I just don't know what was going on.
The trail back to the car- I thought it was bad last year only because I had to take off my shoes and walk barefoot due to blisters on my feet. It is really not bad.
I was griping about taking Centerline road all the time so we took the North Shore road instead and found ourselves able to do a good deed and pick up some hitchhikers. They were an older couple, Harold & Margaret I think were their names. They have been coming to St John for 30 years and they had been volunteering at Maho Bay Camps. They remember when Cruz Bay had dirt roads.
Needles to say we were beat after this long day and we skipped Halloween celebrations.
Day 13 November 1st , Thursday- Cinnamon Loop trail, Vie's Beach,
John was on a quest to find a Bay Rum tree. I was determined that we do the brown bay trail. (he promised me we would do it this time) I can only do so much convincing and we ended up compromising on the Cinnamon Bay Loop trail. The ruins are interesting. The loop is short and in the shade. There are Bay Rum trees to be smelled and the sites and trees are labeled for your education. And what about those insanely large termite nests?
We stopped back over at the Cinnamon facilities. I went to sit on the toilet and it was really off balance. I kept thinking any second now the damn thing would break and water with the force of a fire hydrant would spray all over me. That did not happen, thank God but I was praying while I peed. (ladies-it's the very first stall if you want to avoid it)
We walked over to Cinnamon to check it out. We were kind of in a hurry since Rick had texted us that they were going to Vie's and we still had to go back to the villa to get fresh batteries for the camera. We pulled a Clark Griswold at the Grand Canyon viewing of Cinnamon Beach.
Nice beach!
My house is on the left
Back to the villa and then on our way armed with the fixin's for the famous black out punch.
I got primed on the way over with some 151 rum punch.
Painted Rock
Piglets
We passed Vie's which gave us the opportunity to talk to some baby goats. Video soon come.
Turn around and finally we are there.
The gangs all here including Mr & Mrs Neeners. Cool- we had a blast.
Vie opened the shack after a while and made us some conch fritters and Johnny cakes. Johnny cakes- where have you been all my life?
Love is in the air...
Back in the water and when I get out for a refill and fall I find a cheering section helping me to get out of the ocean the second time around. I took a bow and refilled my drink. Thank you very much! Video soon come. RickG tells MrB if I make it out to town tonight that he will buy us drinks.
On the way back to the villa we get the opportunity to pick up two more hitchhikers. Chris, staying at Cinnamon and he runs a kid's camp that takes trips to St John and Tom, a young dude who is footloose and fancy free and just decided to check out St John on his way back from a trip to Spain.
It was Rhumb Lines for dinner.
We ordered from the PuPu platter mostly. One thing- the Indonesian potatoes were crazy spicy hot. I really should have asked what Indonesian fries were. We headed to the Quiet Mon and waited for RickG's gang to finish at La Tapa. We got tired and headed towards the Jeep. A taxi driver gets our attention and says "Look over there!" in a hushed voice. It was an eight point buck in the middle of Cruz Bay. John started following it and taking pictures then he finally realized that may have not been a very good idea being that the buck was giving him a look like "dude, if you don't stop I am going to charge you!" We may have had a few drinks but pictures don't lie.
Day 14 November 2nd- Our last full day. Chilly Billy's for brekkie- decent food, decent prices and easy trivia.
Jumbie,
I videoed birds building a nest in the cactus. We were tired and went back to nap. Our last dinner was The Balcony. Two pound lobster- yummy. We stopped over Rick & Christine's to say goodbye.
The next morning- walk of woe. Same as most people shopping for last minute purchases, say goodbye to Ron & Ruth (Thank you for the packing tape and we did quit smoking when we got back!) Ferry to STT and this time it was not so sad as I know we will be back many more times with our old & new friends.
It's a bit long...
Last you heard from me we were being deluged.
Day 10 October 29th, Monday- We woke up, went out on
the deck and lo and behold, the sun was out. I think we kept looking and looking to make sure it was for true. This was the best Monday ever. We got ready and headed to Francis today. We heard RickG's crew before we saw them. Had a great day hamming it up in the ocean, drinking and getting way too much sun.
We were those loud people who chased everyone else off the beach. I stopped to notice the other people in the ocean giving us dirty looks and parents escorting their children away from the foul mouthed strangers. We ran out of beer but Brad & Kellee went to get some more and some snacks. At one point the jacks started to attack all the fry around us. It was like they were rushing us. It was a really weird phenomena. By the time we were leaving Francis the no see ums were attacking like nothing I have ever experienced. They had me on the run to the Jeep. Vicious invisible bugs! Picture that scene from The Money Pit with the bees chasing Tom Hanks.
We invited Rick's group up to the villa for dinner. They brought pork tenderloin and rice and salad and we had chicken and scalloped potatoes and more rice. We heated the baked brie from the night before and set that outside along with other cheeses and crackers. We were on our way with MrB's homemade run runners and more beer. When dinner was ready we all went inside to fill our plates. Christine was the first to go back out to the table and we heard her let out a little scream. A neighborhood cat was on the table eating the brie. No kitty, that's a bad kitty!
Dinner was de-lish but most of us were overcooked except Brad & Kellee who kept reapplying sunscreen like good soldiers.
We passed the bug zapper around so Becky could try it out and then Christine tried it out on herself. Some of us were a little less willing to do that. I think we listened to every Pink Floyd album that night and the boys had quite the spirited conversation about guitar players. Brad and Kellee stuck around and we did the hot tubbing thing again. This was their last night on island and right when they were getting ready to leave it started to rain. They just could not catch a break this time
Day 11 October 30th, Tuesday- Peace Hill, Denis & Grootpan. There was no rush to go anywhere today. In our planning we had each picked the beaches we wanted to see and we both wanted to see Denis. First we hiked up to Peace Hill. Easy little trail. The sites at the top are lovely and the name Peace Hill is so appropriate.
Next we took the trail to Denis. It is a narrow trail with some loose rocks but nothing too bad if you take it slow in your flip flops.
We could hear the waves breaking at Denis before we got there.
The beach is truly beautiful. I don't know if I could say only one beach on St John is my favorite ( I have not even seen them all yet). This one is up there with what I like-solitude, unobstructed beauty and a hint of mystery. There is no way I could swim that day. All that rain made north shore snorkeling forbidden for those of us that stink at swimming. John tested the waters and came back shaking his head. I took a short walk and some pictures. One other couple was there that day and they went to the other end of the beach.
To the south shore we go to find some calmer snorkeling. I talk MrB into finding Kiddle Bay but we end up at Grootpan after a wrong turn and backtracking. Great beach combing at Grootpan. MrB snorkeled some while I kept myself busy checking out the shells. He really enjoys the south shore snorkels.
Shrimp:
Mostly rocky beaches so no pesky sand to dirty up everything, less people and in October it seems that this side is much calmer for snorkeling. Before long the no see ums are out again and chasing me down. On the way out we check out the way to Kiddle and promise each other we will come back (we don't). We pass a really pissed off dog in someone's yard. Thank goodness for strong fences! Then, we get behind a cement truck (empty we presume due to the way he's hauling ass) We find it tres amusing that he is wearing out the horn the whole way. Not just short beeps but the long "get the f*&% out of the way" honk. I wonder if the livestock know what that sound means? They better! Must have had dinner in this evening.
Day 12 October 31st, Wednesday- Ram Head & Salt Pond
So the plan for today was Blue Cobblestone snorkel.
I, being the manipulative person I am say- "honey, sweetie, darling, look- Ram Head is right there can we please go up to the top?"
See, if I'd let him, MrB would take the path of least resistance and there is no sense of accomplishment in that. I must show him the way. The reward at the top. I'll preface my remarks about the hike with this- we were both wearing flip flops, at the time we were both pack a day smokers, it was after 11:00am when we started and we had one small bottle of water each. The hardest part for me was the blue cobblestone beach. The stones tend to slide under you feet making walking across it a little harder. It took very little time to get to the top. It would have been faster but we did stop to take loads of pictures and to enjoy the natural air conditioning blowing between the rock crevices. To the West
Looking back from Ram Head at Blue Cobblestone
Pretty cacti at the top
Looking over the edge
MrB sitting on top of the world
The very edge
Walking Back
We retrieved our stuff that we had stashed at Blue Cobblestone on the way back. John wanted to snorkel salt pond then. I felt that I could snorkel this day. I finally got my mask to stop leaking. Unfortunately the water near the shore at Salt Pond was pretty cloudy. He got in and took off. I get in and as soon as I do a huge southern sting ray shoots underneath me in the murky water. Scares the crap out of me! I tried to regain composure and keep going and I see an eagle ray buried in the sand. I put my head up to make sure I would not run into the boat moored in the middle of the bay. I was just spooked so I returned to shore. I really felt like I was letting my husband down and myself. Last year I thoroughly enjoyed snorkeling and this year I just don't know what was going on.
The trail back to the car- I thought it was bad last year only because I had to take off my shoes and walk barefoot due to blisters on my feet. It is really not bad.
I was griping about taking Centerline road all the time so we took the North Shore road instead and found ourselves able to do a good deed and pick up some hitchhikers. They were an older couple, Harold & Margaret I think were their names. They have been coming to St John for 30 years and they had been volunteering at Maho Bay Camps. They remember when Cruz Bay had dirt roads.
Needles to say we were beat after this long day and we skipped Halloween celebrations.
Day 13 November 1st , Thursday- Cinnamon Loop trail, Vie's Beach,
John was on a quest to find a Bay Rum tree. I was determined that we do the brown bay trail. (he promised me we would do it this time) I can only do so much convincing and we ended up compromising on the Cinnamon Bay Loop trail. The ruins are interesting. The loop is short and in the shade. There are Bay Rum trees to be smelled and the sites and trees are labeled for your education. And what about those insanely large termite nests?
We stopped back over at the Cinnamon facilities. I went to sit on the toilet and it was really off balance. I kept thinking any second now the damn thing would break and water with the force of a fire hydrant would spray all over me. That did not happen, thank God but I was praying while I peed. (ladies-it's the very first stall if you want to avoid it)
We walked over to Cinnamon to check it out. We were kind of in a hurry since Rick had texted us that they were going to Vie's and we still had to go back to the villa to get fresh batteries for the camera. We pulled a Clark Griswold at the Grand Canyon viewing of Cinnamon Beach.
Nice beach!
My house is on the left
Back to the villa and then on our way armed with the fixin's for the famous black out punch.
I got primed on the way over with some 151 rum punch.
Painted Rock
Piglets
We passed Vie's which gave us the opportunity to talk to some baby goats. Video soon come.
Turn around and finally we are there.
The gangs all here including Mr & Mrs Neeners. Cool- we had a blast.
Vie opened the shack after a while and made us some conch fritters and Johnny cakes. Johnny cakes- where have you been all my life?
Love is in the air...
Back in the water and when I get out for a refill and fall I find a cheering section helping me to get out of the ocean the second time around. I took a bow and refilled my drink. Thank you very much! Video soon come. RickG tells MrB if I make it out to town tonight that he will buy us drinks.
On the way back to the villa we get the opportunity to pick up two more hitchhikers. Chris, staying at Cinnamon and he runs a kid's camp that takes trips to St John and Tom, a young dude who is footloose and fancy free and just decided to check out St John on his way back from a trip to Spain.
It was Rhumb Lines for dinner.
We ordered from the PuPu platter mostly. One thing- the Indonesian potatoes were crazy spicy hot. I really should have asked what Indonesian fries were. We headed to the Quiet Mon and waited for RickG's gang to finish at La Tapa. We got tired and headed towards the Jeep. A taxi driver gets our attention and says "Look over there!" in a hushed voice. It was an eight point buck in the middle of Cruz Bay. John started following it and taking pictures then he finally realized that may have not been a very good idea being that the buck was giving him a look like "dude, if you don't stop I am going to charge you!" We may have had a few drinks but pictures don't lie.
Day 14 November 2nd- Our last full day. Chilly Billy's for brekkie- decent food, decent prices and easy trivia.
Jumbie,
I videoed birds building a nest in the cactus. We were tired and went back to nap. Our last dinner was The Balcony. Two pound lobster- yummy. We stopped over Rick & Christine's to say goodbye.
The next morning- walk of woe. Same as most people shopping for last minute purchases, say goodbye to Ron & Ruth (Thank you for the packing tape and we did quit smoking when we got back!) Ferry to STT and this time it was not so sad as I know we will be back many more times with our old & new friends.
When will I see St John again?
-
Dave-a-roni
- Posts: 299
- Joined: Fri May 25, 2007 1:43 am
- Location: Western NY
Awesome trip report & fantastic photos 
Thanks for sharing mrsb. I really enjoyed 
Thanks for sharing mrsb. I really enjoyed "Try to preserve nature where you live, not just where you visit"
Photo's
2008 http://www.flickr.com/photos/dave-a-ron ... 118102515/
2005 http://www.flickr.com/photos/dave-a-ron ... 326642810/
Photo's
2008 http://www.flickr.com/photos/dave-a-ron ... 118102515/
2005 http://www.flickr.com/photos/dave-a-ron ... 326642810/
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Rachelle & Joe
- Posts: 677
- Joined: Sat Nov 18, 2006 4:23 pm
- Location: ohio
trip report
WOW! realy enjoyed your report & pic's loved Denis Bay! we have to get there next trip! & the lil' piggies were too cute! underwater shots also very beautiful!! realy great! Thanks & Happy Holidaze!
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designbyroe
- Posts: 1348
- Joined: Tue Feb 27, 2007 1:27 pm
- Location: Chilaxin on White Bay at least in my mind
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Jo Ann - VA
- Posts: 756
- Joined: Sat Nov 11, 2006 11:56 am
- Location: Virginia
Now, you know what I have in mind!? Victory Brewing is in the neighborhood... You have to eat breakfast somewhere.bugblu98 wrote:And RickG.....road trip??? I better see you and Chistine if your in PA
XOXO
Bug
Pat & Janet do not have a winter trip planned to somewhere warm.
Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes - Coral Bay - St. John, VI
We don't get snow anymore.