"Rum Makes You Dumb" - Part VII -The End & P.S
Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2009 8:45 am
Wednesday, Aug 12 – Day Eight – Drink Count (6 – had to finish the beer we bought) – Diversions from my uber-itinerary – unfortunately none 
)
Last day. This sucks. However the “cherries” give us their comp’ed free breakfast buffet today at Windows, which marks the first real breakfast we’ve had all week
(we bought oatmeal & peanut butter to be cost effective). We head to the pool again for a little more R&R. A cruise ship is just now heading into Charlotte (10:00, very late?), so we grab some great pics with our vantage from the Marriott.
Bruises have migrated to new areas today
. Looks like a Rorschach. I do believe in the shape of a frowny face since we have to leave today. We hang out at the pool and the iguanas until around 12:30 (we got a late check-out) and then headed off for a quick late lunch at that Shipwreck Tavern.
I had a BLT. Very crisp bacon. Not sure why the tomatoes around here aren’t better, though, which was a constant complaint on this trip
. While we eat, a real gully-washer passes over. This is the first REAL rain we’ve seen all week, so how fortuitous that we are not really affected by it. So we head off again to gas up, return the car and the modified “walk of woe” through the maze of customs and security (which takes longer than it ever has - - 1 hr in total). By the time we’re through security, they are boarding the plane. No time for a last minute drink .
With heavy feet, I embark upon the plane choking back tears. As we sit down, the rain begins again. Perhaps the island is as sad for me to leave as I am to leave it. The best times of my life have been here on these tiny islands. I came here for the first time on a cruise ship stop with my (now) ex-husband. I just knew this place was going to be special to me somehow, some way. Little did I know that my future hubs (who worked on a Clipper ship for a year stopping in STT, STJ, Tortola, Jost, and Virgin Gorda) was at the time thinking to himself how great it would be to share all this with someone he loves once he had a little money in his pocket. So the first REAL time I saw all of these islands, I was introduced to it by the love of my life while we were dating. I will never forget the feeling of bouncing around on Sir Francis Drake Channel for the first time seeing the deep electric blue water and smiling like a complete idiot with the wind whipping through my hair.
And learning NOT to worry about a funnel cloud .
And then later when my children (now 11 & 12) stepped into the crystal clear waters of Trunk for the very first time.
And learned how to “fly high in the VI”
And then later still, watching the wonder in their eyes as they navigated around the Baths for the first time.
Then a flashback to 3 years ago when I made the promise that, if I have to turn 40 , there’s only one place I want to do it (White Bay)!
And the vow that I WILL jump from the Willie T on that day! I can’t believe it’s here already and now gone.
All of these streams of consciousness rush through my head as I look out of the window seeing this…
I let the tears come. We are on our way home to St. Louis with only our memories (albeit partial memories on some days
), a few trinkets, some nasty bruises, and our temporarily brown skin serving as reminders of our glorious trip.
And what a trip it was! We made converts of the “cherries”, who want to plan both an adult group trip AND one with kids in St. John. “Excellent”, I say with hands clasped and fingers drumming like Mr. Burns in the Simpsons, “Excellent”.
Tears turn quickly to a smirk. Until we meet again, Virgin Islands, until we meet again…
Authors Note: I still have the bruises on my thighs. Capn John’s wife Sue emailed me after we returned home to say that they FOUND the disposable camera and will mail it to me (thank God ). So please excuse the b-day trip report without pics from the Willie T. I couldn’t show them to you anyway 
!
For those mathematicians out there, the total drink count for the week = 78. At approximately 150 calories per drink = 11,700 calories. Calories burned = not enough, as my work-out clothes were all perfectly clean and crisp when unpacking the luggage. Which further explains why the top button on my pants is about ready to pop
. Cujo, is that you ?!?!
)Last day. This sucks. However the “cherries” give us their comp’ed free breakfast buffet today at Windows, which marks the first real breakfast we’ve had all week
(we bought oatmeal & peanut butter to be cost effective). We head to the pool again for a little more R&R. A cruise ship is just now heading into Charlotte (10:00, very late?), so we grab some great pics with our vantage from the Marriott. Bruises have migrated to new areas today
. Looks like a Rorschach. I do believe in the shape of a frowny face since we have to leave today. We hang out at the pool and the iguanas until around 12:30 (we got a late check-out) and then headed off for a quick late lunch at that Shipwreck Tavern. I had a BLT. Very crisp bacon. Not sure why the tomatoes around here aren’t better, though, which was a constant complaint on this trip
. While we eat, a real gully-washer passes over. This is the first REAL rain we’ve seen all week, so how fortuitous that we are not really affected by it. So we head off again to gas up, return the car and the modified “walk of woe” through the maze of customs and security (which takes longer than it ever has - - 1 hr in total). By the time we’re through security, they are boarding the plane. No time for a last minute drink .With heavy feet, I embark upon the plane choking back tears. As we sit down, the rain begins again. Perhaps the island is as sad for me to leave as I am to leave it. The best times of my life have been here on these tiny islands. I came here for the first time on a cruise ship stop with my (now) ex-husband. I just knew this place was going to be special to me somehow, some way. Little did I know that my future hubs (who worked on a Clipper ship for a year stopping in STT, STJ, Tortola, Jost, and Virgin Gorda) was at the time thinking to himself how great it would be to share all this with someone he loves once he had a little money in his pocket. So the first REAL time I saw all of these islands, I was introduced to it by the love of my life while we were dating. I will never forget the feeling of bouncing around on Sir Francis Drake Channel for the first time seeing the deep electric blue water and smiling like a complete idiot with the wind whipping through my hair.
And learning NOT to worry about a funnel cloud
.And then later when my children (now 11 & 12) stepped into the crystal clear waters of Trunk for the very first time.
And learned how to “fly high in the VI”
And then later still, watching the wonder in their eyes as they navigated around the Baths for the first time.
Then a flashback to 3 years ago when I made the promise that, if I have to turn 40
, there’s only one place I want to do it (White Bay)! And the vow that I WILL jump from the Willie T on that day! I can’t believe it’s here already and now gone.
All of these streams of consciousness rush through my head as I look out of the window seeing this…
I let the tears come. We are on our way home to St. Louis with only our memories (albeit partial memories on some days
), a few trinkets, some nasty bruises, and our temporarily brown skin serving as reminders of our glorious trip. And what a trip it was! We made converts of the “cherries”, who want to plan both an adult group trip AND one with kids in St. John. “Excellent”, I say with hands clasped and fingers drumming like Mr. Burns in the Simpsons, “Excellent”.
Tears turn quickly to a smirk. Until we meet again, Virgin Islands, until we meet again…
Authors Note: I still have the bruises on my thighs. Capn John’s wife Sue emailed me after we returned home to say that they FOUND the disposable camera and will mail it to me (thank God
). So please excuse the b-day trip report without pics from the Willie T. I couldn’t show them to you anyway !For those mathematicians out there, the total drink count for the week = 78. At approximately 150 calories per drink = 11,700 calories. Calories burned = not enough, as my work-out clothes were all perfectly clean and crisp when unpacking the luggage. Which further explains why the top button on my pants is about ready to pop
. Cujo, is that you ?!?!
It was great fun ! glad your camera was found. leaving the island is alway's a BUMMER