another may trip report- engaged at Ram Head
Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 9:44 pm
here is yet another trip report and a thank you to those who offered info for our trip this past May.
We arrived late night on 5/13 and met a guy working for/with National Geographic documenting virus/bacteria that might be found in the dust that blows in from Africa. We were told that the dust is more common in the summer and contains microscopic germs that might affect the local ecosystem. Would like to see that report sometime in the future if it's ever on TV.
Had a great late night dinner at Joshies.
Next day we went to pick up the renatl jeep, was suprised that they were all rented out (thankful we had one reserved) Several people satopped in to check on availability and were turned away. I thought this was off-season. Cruz bay traffic sucked!! road construction and driving on the left combined to make it stressful. Oh well, head out of town and stop at Jumbie bay- instantly covered in mosquitos.. Ouch. We drove to Annaberg and started the hike to waterlemon, drenched in rain, so we decided to head over the hill to Coral bay. Rented a sea-kayak from Crabby's. They were very freindly and we would both recomend them to anyone. The next few days all blend into one another so here is a list..
Places kayaked: Kiddle Bay, Round Bay (Haulover South side, Elk Bay, and Hansen Bay). Both Great and Little laeshur bay, salt Pond to Booby Rock and Blue Cobblestone. Got caught in a storm near Elb bay, visted to wrecked sailboat there along the shore.
Places snorkeled: Nanny Point- rough waves, Kiddle Bay- 1st time got rained on, second time swam from kiddle to Grootpan, Bee-hive Cove- actualy was crowded due to two seperate sailboat at the mooring bouys with a large group of people. They didn't seem to understand common courtesy about not crowding others in the water and swam almost right ontop of us..
Cabritte Horn Point- waves were a bit rough and I saw a shark! (was maybe a blacktip based on pictures and my best semi-educated guess). it came a little close to me for comfort but didn't attack. It's easy to rationalize these things may not be agressive, but seeing it when you are on your own in deep water was quite an adrenaline rush. I swam about 15 minutes back to the "beach" and kept looking back to make sure it wasn't following me.
North Shore: did the Perkins Cay snorkel Waves were rough and water murky. mosquitos not bad due to high winds. Girlfreind lost her sunglasses at parking lot.
Haulover Bay South and Pelican Rock (did Pelican Rock from the kayak). This was the same day as the storm in Elk bay..
Blue Coblestone and Booby Rock. the water was colder out near Booby Rock- tied up to the mooring bouy with kayak at Booby Rock. Was hoping that I tied the knot well since the wind was strong and was blowing the boat out to sea.
Yawzi Point- was quite murky compared to last year.
Grootpan east side- also murky
Haulover north- different day, colder water. saw fishing line and hook tangled on an elkhorn coral head. Donkeys hanging out on the beach...
Salt Pond- was almost in the evening, mosquitos attcked both as we were going in and getting out of water. was cool, saw 2 large spotted eagle rays. water very murky on western portion over the sea grass beds.
Hikes done:
Ram Head- this one was important. I had the engagement ring with me and gave it to her out on the point, we saw a sea turtle come up for air from the cliff above. She said "yes" so the return hike was interesting as I was with my new fiancee.
Lameshur Trail to petroglyph Pool. Pretty but hellish mosquitos. We stopped at Europa bay on the way back.
We left on the 22nd and waited in the airport for about 5 hours (flight delayed from Miami due to storm). had 2 connecting flights to get home and finaly got there at 1:00 AM on the 23rd. If I had known about the huge delay at the airport, I think we could have squeezed in about 2 good hours at the beach that morning before heading over to St Thomas. Oh well ....
We arrived late night on 5/13 and met a guy working for/with National Geographic documenting virus/bacteria that might be found in the dust that blows in from Africa. We were told that the dust is more common in the summer and contains microscopic germs that might affect the local ecosystem. Would like to see that report sometime in the future if it's ever on TV.
Had a great late night dinner at Joshies.
Next day we went to pick up the renatl jeep, was suprised that they were all rented out (thankful we had one reserved) Several people satopped in to check on availability and were turned away. I thought this was off-season. Cruz bay traffic sucked!! road construction and driving on the left combined to make it stressful. Oh well, head out of town and stop at Jumbie bay- instantly covered in mosquitos.. Ouch. We drove to Annaberg and started the hike to waterlemon, drenched in rain, so we decided to head over the hill to Coral bay. Rented a sea-kayak from Crabby's. They were very freindly and we would both recomend them to anyone. The next few days all blend into one another so here is a list..
Places kayaked: Kiddle Bay, Round Bay (Haulover South side, Elk Bay, and Hansen Bay). Both Great and Little laeshur bay, salt Pond to Booby Rock and Blue Cobblestone. Got caught in a storm near Elb bay, visted to wrecked sailboat there along the shore.
Places snorkeled: Nanny Point- rough waves, Kiddle Bay- 1st time got rained on, second time swam from kiddle to Grootpan, Bee-hive Cove- actualy was crowded due to two seperate sailboat at the mooring bouys with a large group of people. They didn't seem to understand common courtesy about not crowding others in the water and swam almost right ontop of us..
Cabritte Horn Point- waves were a bit rough and I saw a shark! (was maybe a blacktip based on pictures and my best semi-educated guess). it came a little close to me for comfort but didn't attack. It's easy to rationalize these things may not be agressive, but seeing it when you are on your own in deep water was quite an adrenaline rush. I swam about 15 minutes back to the "beach" and kept looking back to make sure it wasn't following me.
North Shore: did the Perkins Cay snorkel Waves were rough and water murky. mosquitos not bad due to high winds. Girlfreind lost her sunglasses at parking lot.
Haulover Bay South and Pelican Rock (did Pelican Rock from the kayak). This was the same day as the storm in Elk bay..
Blue Coblestone and Booby Rock. the water was colder out near Booby Rock- tied up to the mooring bouy with kayak at Booby Rock. Was hoping that I tied the knot well since the wind was strong and was blowing the boat out to sea.
Yawzi Point- was quite murky compared to last year.
Grootpan east side- also murky
Haulover north- different day, colder water. saw fishing line and hook tangled on an elkhorn coral head. Donkeys hanging out on the beach...
Salt Pond- was almost in the evening, mosquitos attcked both as we were going in and getting out of water. was cool, saw 2 large spotted eagle rays. water very murky on western portion over the sea grass beds.
Hikes done:
Ram Head- this one was important. I had the engagement ring with me and gave it to her out on the point, we saw a sea turtle come up for air from the cliff above. She said "yes" so the return hike was interesting as I was with my new fiancee.
Lameshur Trail to petroglyph Pool. Pretty but hellish mosquitos. We stopped at Europa bay on the way back.
We left on the 22nd and waited in the airport for about 5 hours (flight delayed from Miami due to storm). had 2 connecting flights to get home and finaly got there at 1:00 AM on the 23rd. If I had known about the huge delay at the airport, I think we could have squeezed in about 2 good hours at the beach that morning before heading over to St Thomas. Oh well ....
Ouch...I agree!