This is NOT a joke

djmom · Post by **djmom** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 3:18 pm

I am not afraid of cars. I am afraid of cliffs.

Wakey · Post by **Wakey** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 3:20 pm

djmom wrote:
Wakey wrote:
djmom wrote: Wakey, my husband drives with one hand.

(he has two)
Some people can do that

I can drive with my knees

4WD is very helpful and so long as you don't barrel into wet downhill switchbacks, you will be just fine.
Wakey, if I die I am going to come back and scare the living daylights out of you. Probably while you are driving at the edge of a cliff in St. John.

I wish you safe travels!

lazylane · Post by **lazylane** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 3:21 pm

We drove up Calabash Boom in December just out exploring. I really didn't think it was too steep. If it rains, I would suggest using the 4x4, but other than that no problem. You can't get to most villas in Coral Bay area without going up a steep hill or two. If it scares you that bad, I would stay in Cruz Bay and walk.

Wakey · Post by **Wakey** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 3:22 pm

djmom wrote:I am not afraid of cars. I am afraid of cliffs.

That helps..

I'm not afraid of airplanes, just wrecking!

Perhaps I'm not smart enough to be afraid.

We used to haul azz in the hills of N. Georgia on sportbikes.

So long as I'm driving I guess.

djmom · Post by **djmom** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 3:27 pm

Maybe that is the difference is that I am ahostage in the passenger seat.

But if I drove, there would probably be a LONG line of cars behind me!

We just heard back from the villa owner. I made my husband ask. Apparently there are no cliffs and not a scary driveway. Just bumpy road. That isn't a problem.

Steep I can handle I think if there is not an edge there.

I'm a psycho, ok?????

mahojim · Post by **mahojim** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 3:41 pm

Just use low gear on the steep inclines. That way your vehicle can't help but go slow.
Smiles-
MJ

LysaC · Post by **LysaC** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 3:45 pm

at paloma blanca off of gift hill, the driveway was very steep- down steep- and there was no turn around- HAD to back out.

the driveway was also concrete and got very slippy after a shower.

there were many failed attempts to back that jeep up and out of that driveway and we always had to send a spotter up to the top of the driveway to make sure no one was coming cuz the driver had to put the pedal to the metal to get up that incline.

samoka · Post by **samoka** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 3:51 pm

LysaC wrote:at paloma blanca off of gift hill, the driveway was very steep- down steep- and there was no turn around- HAD to back out.

the driveway was also concrete and got very slippy after a shower.

there were many failed attempts to back that jeep up and out of that driveway and we always had to send a spotter up to the top of the driveway to make sure no one was coming cuz the driver had to put the pedal to the metal to get up that incline.

Kind of like backing out of my driveway in the winter - hit the gas and go; and pray no one is coming!! I am not afraid of cars - it's the crazy drivers that make me nervous - samoka

SoulvilleUSA · Post by **SoulvilleUSA** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 6:07 pm

There was an interesting article in the latest Poplular Mechanics about the environment you drive in (2-lane roads vs 6-lane freeways and all the safty equipment in vehicles now) being a factor in how safely you drive.

Shocker of all shockers: the worse the road, the safer it is on average.

One of the things I found interesting in the articles is that traffic planners are now starting to include traffic circles like they have in europe because, satistically, they are more efficient and safer than traffic signals at an intersection... they force the driver to pay attention.

Hey, maybe if I dig a 30 ft chasm on each side of my driveway, I'll quit running into the mailbox!

djmom · Post by **djmom** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 6:41 pm

One other thing I find highly amusing in St. John...locals driving. They are on "island time" UNLESS they are on Centerline Road!

tothectothec · Post by **tothectothec** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 9:43 pm

My sister lives on Calabash Boom and I stay with her when I'm on island. Her drive is very steep plus I have to back out of it to the main road. The road up Calabash is very bumpy but not that steep. I like to use my 4 wheel drive up and also backing down the drive.When you park the car remember to put on the parking brake and you will be fine. Here is a like to the drive up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KuCfY1KocA

djmom · Post by **djmom** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 10:08 pm

tothectothec wrote:My sister lives on Calabash Boom and I stay with her when I'm on island. Her drive is very steep plus I have to back out of it to the main road. The road up Calabash is very bumpy but not that steep. I like to use my 4 wheel drive up and also backing down the drive.When you park the car remember to put on the parking brake and you will be fine. Here is a like to the drive up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KuCfY1KocA

Thank you so much for that video. It is amazing that technology can come so far that I ask a question and a few hours later I get to see that video.

Thank you SO much! I think I can handle that!

Susan

mindehankins · Post by **mindehankins** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 9:12 am

This driving issue came up for us last night, when I read in F F & 4WD, that there are 35% grades on STJ. Can you get to Coral Bay without those grades? Cause if not, I'm not going. My husband is an ADD driver, looking allllllll over the place and he scares the pi$$ outta me. No way are we doing those grades! I was really looking forward to Vies, Tourist Trap, etc, though....

lprof · Post by **lprof** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 9:47 am

mindehankins wrote:This driving issue came up for us last night, when I read in F F & 4WD, that there are 35% grades on STJ. Can you get to Coral Bay without those grades? Cause if not, I'm not going. My husband is an ADD driver, looking allllllll over the place and he scares the pi$$ outta me. No way are we doing those grades! I was really looking forward to Vies, Tourist Trap, etc, though....

My husband is one of those drivers too and I react the same way...remember that St John traffic is really SLOW...you'll be fine.

djmom · Post by **djmom** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 10:21 am

mindehankins wrote:This driving issue came up for us last night, when I read in F F & 4WD, that there are 35% grades on STJ. Can you get to Coral Bay without those grades? Cause if not, I'm not going. My husband is an ADD driver, looking allllllll over the place and he scares the pi$$ outta me. No way are we doing those grades! I was really looking forward to Vies, Tourist Trap, etc, though....

I am a big chicken-OK. The biggest. But you will be FINE. You have to go to Coral Bay. The roads are all good. Just if someone behind you is putting you under pressure to go faster, pull over to the side when there is a little pullover place, and let them go.

There are only about 2 places on the whole island where I hold my breath a second. They are short and momentarily over. And they are not dangerous, I am just not used to it.

At a few points like that he will need to pay extra attention...but it not like extreme danger all over the place.

I hope my question didn't petrify anyone...there are some villa driveways that are really bad. Not a lot of them, but they are out there. And that is why I asked.

When all else fails, just start your morning with a bloody mary!

The passenger, of course.

I was a little nervous my first year, but you will get used to it. You do not want to miss out.

And if your husband is passive-aggressive like mine, remember the bigger deal you make of it, the more he'll do it.

usvi-on-line

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This is NOT a joke