USVI-On-Line

A few years ago, on a whim before sunset, we drove over to Trunk Bay for cocktails. There was no one on what is usually a crowded beach. There where several of us including my daughter and her then boy friend. My wife and I strolled down the beach in the fading light and I began to laugh. My wife asked what was so funny. It was difficult to explain. The moment was so perfect as if we where in a movie or travel log and it was happening to us. It was magical being on that beach alone at sunset. A year later my daughter and her now husband were married at the same time on that beach.

St John seems to present opportunities for creative fun like that. St John doesn't do it for you. It just creates the place and atmosphere for you to do it for yourself. I think that's why the people who love St John are so passionate about it. Their memories and experiences have so much of themselves in them.

The magic moments in St. John find you, you don't find them. A few of my favorites:

A trip back in 2000, driving down the North Shore road with several of my favorite people (who had never been to STJ before) and just as we crested the hill and Caneel came into view, the Moody Blues were belting out "I'm looking for a miracle in my eyes" - just bliss.

On a boat trip with Captain Kevin on Born to Rhumb. We were heading back to St. John after a fantasic day, and I was watching the sea spray behind the boat and dozens of "rainbows" were forming. I giggled and giggled liked a school girl. My darling cousin who I only see on these St. John trips hugged me and said "You are SO easy to please", with a huge grin on his face.

Last year's trip - we were all sitting around after a fabulous dinner at the villa and "The Love I Lost" came on the magic Ipod. Well, before you know it 10 of us were singing along at the top of our lungs, chair dancing, laughing, just reveling in each other's company. Family and friends truly connecting. (Oh - and there is actually a video of this episode on webshots ).

I could go on and on. Can't wait to go back in 45 days and make some more magic.

So many, but the tops include the following three. By the way, I actually felt St. John as I read through everyone's moments. So wonderful!

Francis Bay at Sunset this past October with J and I the only ones there. Talk about Peace!

Our "Hurricane Party" the night Omar was coming through, with Eileen and Mike of Sailview and another local couple. Such a special memory spending an evening with this group and listening to their island stories.

Day trip to Jost with my husband's aunt and family on J's birthday. It was their first trip, first full day and just seeing them take everything in as the boat traveled to Jost. Perfect!

I agree that what I really treasure are the small, subtle, absolutely perfect moments. They rarely include double rainbows and dolphins. Just a moment of absolute perfection, when there is nothing that I would change, nothing I would add or subtract. And I am absolutely and utterly content. Full.
Perfect just as it is. Nothing lacking, nothing that could make it better. These are moments in heaven. It's not like heaven, it is heaven. They fill me with joy and awe. Often they're appreciated in complete silence.

And the grace comes in that I'm able to recognize the moment while I'm in it and savor it, not just recognize how great it was in reflection after it's passed. It's especially delicious because my wife always recognizes it, too. We know that heaven has happened to us again and it fills us with awe. I have to be moving very slow to realize it while I'm in it. These are moments that I might think back on when I'm on my deathbed, taking stock of my life. These are moments spent in heaven. I can bring back photos of the dolphins and the double rainbows, but I can't photograph the perfect moments. They're my really precious memories and I keep them stored in a very special place.

So go slow. Take plenty of time to sit, listen, float, look. If you get moving too fast you miss some very special stuff. "Don't just do something. Sit there."

Who ARE you people?

Your stories were so beautiful. I think I love you all. I can't wait to experience a few Perfect Moments of my own on STJ.

I have my mesh noodle chair packed. Life is good.

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2001 - first trip with my grown children after a difficult divorce....sitting on the deck at Gull Cottage with all of them, wine and cheese watching the sun set -- and all was right with my world!

OUr first trip down to st. john, we rented a dinghy for the day and honestly.....it was our best day in our lives....with the exception of the birth of my kids....

We have a picture of us at the beach bar after such a day....and I am constantly looking at it to remind myself of how happy we were that day....and what great memories we made.

I'll never forget that day....and we fell in love with St. John that very trip....looking forward to our 7th trip this summer
Holly

Every moment on STJ has been so great, it's hard to pick one moment, but I think I might be able to.

The first morning of my first trip, after a horrendous travel day from Hell the day before, I made breakfast for all of the girls. Our kitchen had a beautiful view of the water and St. Thomas. I had Jimmy Buffett cranked up, and I was drinking pineapple juice and Malibu at 8 a.m.

I decided at that moment that this must be what heaven would be like. It was the moment I "got it," and realized that I was in a very special place.

As one of the girls on that trip said: With every moment, you think, "It doesn't get any better than this." But, on St. John, it always does.

Whether it's lounging with the chickens and my rum punch at Maho or laughing with my girlfriends over supper in the dark at Banana Deck, St. John holds many of my most treasured memories.

A few of my favorite mental snapshots that always evoke that deep St. John calm and joy:

Rolling down the Northshore road after dark, my husband at the wheel, a cold beer in my hand, Uncle Joe's takeout at my feet, and the warm, fragrant night air alive with the sound of crickets and frogs and insect songs, and beautiful bats swooping in the headlights ahead.

Playing in the surf at Cinnamon just before sunset -- surrounded by the soft clear turquoise waves and gentle, rosy pre-sunset light. Walking back to the parking lot in the dusky light, with those beautiful trailing vines overhead.

After a long, amazing snorkel at Blue Cobblestone, getting out of the water slightly chilled, and then laying on the hot, dark, smooth stones to dry off and warm up, gazing up at the clear blue sky and listening to to the little waves rake the cobblestones back and forth at the shoreline.

SJfromNJ wrote:The beauty of St John is reflected in the nature, and people and stimulates all you senses at once, no matter where you are.

Yes! Hearing the crazy jungle sounds at night, waking up with that soft golden light in the room, the heat of the sun on your shoulders, the sound of the water running over the rocks on Blue Cobblestone beach, the feel of the wind on Ram Head or Drunk Bay, the sensation of the waves, that crystal blue water, the colors of the sea life, the brightness of the stars at night... I clearly can't pick a single moment, place or time. It all adds up to a beautiful tapestry.

Oh yeah, the smiles on my kids' faces!

The first time in STJ our friends took us to Waterlemon
They did warn us about the long hike but we didnt listen
We had 2 huge coolers packed along with all our stuff and i just complained on and on about the 5 mile hike Anyway when we finally got their unpacked our stuff got right into the water Low and behold i see 2 turtles right away
We snorkeled around the cay and just loved it
On our way back in we had the best time watching the Mongoose steal food from peoples back packs on the beach - it was the best
Now i always take the Newbies to that wonderful place and on that wonderful hike!!!

I never thought I could fall more in love with my wife and then last year while we were on our way to take our initial drive to get use to the new location of our villa, this was our second trip so I like to get comfortable with the general area around the villa as all of you know how challenging some of the roadways and driveways can be, my wife turned to me and said " I love you so much and I am so happy right now I could scream it to the world" at that time I knew ST JOHN was a truly magical place, It's hard to explain the feeling that came over me at that time but I can say that it was a feeling that I had never experienced before, absolutely wonderful! It's mystical air, the tranquility of the beaches and the simple fact you do not have to do anything to enjoy the natural beauty of the island other than to absorb it! An addiction that keeps us coming back! It is our "Garden of Eden"
CB

I can't pinpoint a single experience and I don't think that I can describe the feeling that this incredible island invokes in me. No one could have told me before I went to STJ how it would make me feel. Maybe that's why is is so magical. It makes you feel, not just see. I will try to give you a sense of why it is so special to me.

My 27 year old son has been through some very difficult times in his short life and works in a high stress job. Watching his face while on the island brings a peace that is beyond measure. Snorkeling, sitting on the beach, playing in the gentle surf, listening to Buffet, meeting new friends, driving the roads, discovering new beaches, watching incredible sunsets, the Beach Bar, the islanders, sea life, ruins, the list could go on eternally. He is at absolute peace while on Saint John and nothing could make me happier. And now I am going to cry.