USVI-On-Line

As I'm helping my daughter prepare for her "lab" trip to St. John next week - no kidding - Exploring Coral Reefs , I realize that 2009 was special in that we made two trips down (March and July) and yet I have been remiss in giving trip reports. To balance out the unnamed epics posted recently I'll keep it short and sweet.

March - The SOS Trip




My wife's siblings and parents all came to St. John this year. We named the trip and created a logo with a retro look on Salomon with Mingo and Lovango Keys in the background.

We rented a jeep from Dependable and I'll tell you, nothing was sweeter than that first (and second) Carib on the top deck of the Roanoke.

We stayed with Marlene and Bob at the Star Villas in the Frank Bay neighborhood. Cruz Bay was hopping this second week in March and the beat of live music could be heard well after midnight.

It was cool for March and the weather a little unstable, but still got good beach time in. Pool time was a disappointment - OK to cool off but too cool for drinks and lounging.

Memorables and superlatives. -
Best Snorkel - Left side of Salt Pond around the bend.
Great Meals - Rhumlines for Laura's birthday - Compass Rose at sunset.
Pleasant surprise - Crazy Crackers
Did it so my FIL can stop bugging us - VINP guided Reef Bay hike (so not us)
New beaches - Denis (too rough to swim)

July - Kicking and Screaming Tour



I tried something new that some of you might be interested in. For just a few dollars I purchased a domain name and set up a blog on 1&1.com. We gave the URL to friends and family and I tried to update when possible.

Here it is - http://www.kickingandscreaming09.com

Steve

Love the website, and the artwork!

We've been twice this year as well - June and November - and I didn't write trip reports for either.
I'm a bad Forumite

I want a cool blog! I want a cool vacation logo! I want to go to STJ 2 times in one year!!
Are you going with your daughter next week too? If so, the island travel gods have been good to you!

msgcolleen wrote: Are you going with your daughter next week too? If so, the island travel gods have been good to you!

No, my daughter is going with 17 college classmates and teachers and be staying at VIERS out by Lameshur. I will stay here and enjoy the snow. Maybe later in the spring.

Slacker

Great blog/pictures It doesn't matter when you post, we always love to read anybody's TR's! We were practically neighbors in March-we were there the second week too staying at Casa Blanca (rental with the blue marlin on it) which I think is right near some of the Star Villas.

Your daughter should have a great time!

Great blog, Steve---loved the reports!

Let us know how her trip went and what she thought of the accommodations at VIERS. We considered it last year at Christmas but our boys thought it was way off the beaten path!

Happy New Year & happy travels in 2010!!

GREAT BLOG!!! TY

There's people that write a TR...and then there's those that respond to TRs...and then there's me that has a "Ground Hog Day" trip report(with some variations) for the past 7 years;

1. Book frequet flywer miles at 330 days out
2. Mull over Villa options
3. Fly down and stay for 9 days
4. Indulge
5. Beach
6. Indulge
7. Liming
8. Beach
9. Leave kids with Nana and Papa
10. Indulge
11. Beach
12. Happy Hoour
13. Help local economy
14.Repeat as needed

My TR

Dirty Dog Dave

Great trip report! Simple, yet complete.

Bigcheeze wrote:There's people that write a TR...and then there's those that respond to TRs...and then there's me that has a "Ground Hog Day" trip report(with some variations) for the past 7 years;

1. Book frequet flywer miles at 330 days out
2. Mull over Villa options
3. Fly down and stay for 9 days
4. Indulge
5. Beach
6. Indulge
7. Liming
8. Beach
9. Leave kids with Nana and Papa
10. Indulge
11. Beach
12. Happy Hoour
13. Help local economy
14.Repeat as needed

My TR

Dirty Dog Dave

Dude! We gotta' party!
Smiles-
MJ

toni wrote:Great blog/pictures It doesn't matter when you post, we always love to read anybody's TR's! We were practically neighbors in March-we were there the second week too staying at Casa Blanca (rental with the blue marlin on it) which I think is right near some of the Star Villas.

Your daughter should have a great time!

Toni:

My inlaws were actually staying across the street at Far Horizons while we were up the street. We probably said "good morning" once or twice...