STJ Quickie - 3/7-11
Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 12:22 pm
NO, not that kind of quickie.
I found myself with an unplanned week off in between an old job and a new job.
DH suggested that I get away for a few days. Of course, he’s thinking something sensible like visiting my sister in Florida or my uncle in San Diego. Both seemed like pretty good options. But, for some reason I checked airfare and flight schedules to STT and found reasonable rates and non-stop flights every day of the week. With a couple of emails and a few more clicks of the mouse, I had a ticker with less than 14 days to go. I felt so “Ali”.
Non-stop Boston to STT was always a fantasy. Since we typically fly off-season, it’s not available. Well, it is quite the luxury.
I arrived in STT on Sunday at 1:15pm. Even with carry-on only and the taxi taking off immediately, we missed the 2pm ferry. It was grey and misty and COLD. I was happy to have my hoodie and never did take off the zippered legs of my pants.
As we pulled into Cruz Bay, it started to pour. For whatever reason, I had packed an umbrella – good idea – it came in handy. I grabbed my bags and ran from the dock down to Grande Bay.
The rain stopped and I could hear the music from the Beach Bar, so I headed over to see if any of the forumites were around. I looked around, but didn’t see anyone that looked like an Overman or darkanddiet or a 99, 86, #1 or Deuce, so I settled in the back by the stairs as I thought Seagrape may stop by off the 5pm ferry. Just as the ferry pulled in, the skies opened again and it poured all over again. Seagrape stopped by and we chatted for a few minutes and hoped to hook up later in the week. I ordered a Tuna Down Now to go, and headed back to Grande Bay (note to self: always bring the umbrella).
The rain continued and the wind was howling. It dawned on me that I might lose power, so I went in search for a flashlight. Found the flashlight and kept it handy. Put the iPod in the dock and relaxed with a good book.
I know many of you are thinking – oh, but crappy weather in St. John is still better than anywhere else. Well, I’m not of that camp. The thought of being in St. John (alone) with constant rain and chilly was a bit depressing. I read the next day on the forum and someone was wondering – “if it’s so coooold, why is everyone wearing shorts?” Well, because everyone says leave half the clothes behind – I left the long sleeves and long pants.
I woke up early on Monday morning and didn’t hear wind or rain. I looked out and although it was very cloudy and breezy, there was no rain (or sun).
As became, the morning ritual, I went for a long walk up and down the hills, then stopped at Jake’s for breakfast.
We hadn’t tried Jakes on our last trip. I think because we were still mourning Chilly Billy’s. But, since the weather seemed unpredictable, I though indoor dining would be best and dropped in.
Well, if you haven’t tried Jakes, you should. Great breakfast and just the nicest people.
Since it wasn’t raining, I figured it was a beach day, so I headed off to Trunk Bay. I thought everyone else would be doing the same, so was quite surprised when I was the only one in the taxi.
Due to surf advisories, there was no entrance fee to Trunk and hardly any people. Works for me. Settled in with the iPod and book and spent the day. No rain and a tiny sliver of sun.
Headed to the Beach Bar for happy hour and a snack.
Thought I’d try the new Surly Cantina for dinner. It was pretty quiet. The tacos were good, but nothing exciting. It was out of my eye shot, but I guess there were some topless young women doing belly shots down at the bar. Very surprising, since it was still fairly early – spring break on St. John?
I strolled down to Mongoose Junction hoping to grab a drink at the Gecko Gazebo and chat with Kim; however, they were 2-3 deep at the bar, so I passed. Ahhh – so this is the high season. Headed back to Grande Bay for the night.
Up again Tuesday morning and was happy to see a little more blue sky. Decided to walk up to the Cruz Bay overlook this morning – not a long walk, but a lot steeper than it seems driving.
Back to Jakes for breakfast
then taxied to Caneel and walked out to Honeymoon.
Well, I know Honeymoon is a favorite destination for the day trippers, but they usually stay out in the water and snorkel in droves. However, today, they were being dinghied on to the beach. Never saw so many people on Honeymoon – even more than the big forum gathering in November of ’08.
They eventually all left and things were back to normal. Well, until the huge family arrived with footballs and frisbees. Maybe it’s me, but footballs and frisbees just don’t belong on the beach in St. John.
Stopped at High Tide for a snack and Mango Daiquiri,
then the BB for a Mango Ale, then to Grande Bay for a mango nap.
Dinner was at Sun Dog Café – surf and turf spinach salad (forgot my food porn manners this trip).
Woke up to blue skies and sunshine on Wednesday – nice!. Took the ritual morning walk and back at Jakes for first breakfast.
(SRO down at the bakery)
School's in session here.
Met Ruth later on in the morning for second breakfast (LOL) at Mojo.
I had planned on taking the bus out to Coral Bay one day. Beaching at Salt Pond, then lunching at the Tourist Trap. However, the lazy’s took over and the ended up in a taxi back to Trunk.
So, all the people not at Trunk on Monday, were here today.
As crowded as a beautiful Saturday in July at Good Harbor Beach. I walked way left and was able to find a nice spot –
until the spring breakers arrived with their footballs and frisbees. Just wrong!
Stopped at the new Spyglass for today’s drink and snack. I hadn’t been up in this space since it was Pussers. I forgot how nice it was up there.
Since there was actual sun today, I thought there might be a chance for a nice sunset. So I headed down to Frank Bay to watch
and then dropped in on Elaine Estern's Wednesday soiree at the Coconut coast studio.
Dinner was another Tuna Down Now at the Beach Bar, then back to Grande Bay to pack. That;s the only problem with quickies – they’re quick.
Went for my final walk and breakfast at Jakes.
Strolled around doing some last minute shopping and shooting,
then headed out on the 11:15am ferry to CA
Knowing that my DH was waiting at home, the WOW wasn’t bad at all.
The flight home (non-stop) was bumpy as hell. And just like I was greeted in STJ with rain and “cold”; I found the same at home.
So, until the next time (which is pretty soon).
I found myself with an unplanned week off in between an old job and a new job.
DH suggested that I get away for a few days. Of course, he’s thinking something sensible like visiting my sister in Florida or my uncle in San Diego. Both seemed like pretty good options. But, for some reason I checked airfare and flight schedules to STT and found reasonable rates and non-stop flights every day of the week. With a couple of emails and a few more clicks of the mouse, I had a ticker with less than 14 days to go. I felt so “Ali”.
Non-stop Boston to STT was always a fantasy. Since we typically fly off-season, it’s not available. Well, it is quite the luxury.
I arrived in STT on Sunday at 1:15pm. Even with carry-on only and the taxi taking off immediately, we missed the 2pm ferry. It was grey and misty and COLD. I was happy to have my hoodie and never did take off the zippered legs of my pants.
As we pulled into Cruz Bay, it started to pour. For whatever reason, I had packed an umbrella – good idea – it came in handy. I grabbed my bags and ran from the dock down to Grande Bay.
The rain stopped and I could hear the music from the Beach Bar, so I headed over to see if any of the forumites were around. I looked around, but didn’t see anyone that looked like an Overman or darkanddiet or a 99, 86, #1 or Deuce, so I settled in the back by the stairs as I thought Seagrape may stop by off the 5pm ferry. Just as the ferry pulled in, the skies opened again and it poured all over again. Seagrape stopped by and we chatted for a few minutes and hoped to hook up later in the week. I ordered a Tuna Down Now to go, and headed back to Grande Bay (note to self: always bring the umbrella).
The rain continued and the wind was howling. It dawned on me that I might lose power, so I went in search for a flashlight. Found the flashlight and kept it handy. Put the iPod in the dock and relaxed with a good book.
I know many of you are thinking – oh, but crappy weather in St. John is still better than anywhere else. Well, I’m not of that camp. The thought of being in St. John (alone) with constant rain and chilly was a bit depressing. I read the next day on the forum and someone was wondering – “if it’s so coooold, why is everyone wearing shorts?” Well, because everyone says leave half the clothes behind – I left the long sleeves and long pants.
I woke up early on Monday morning and didn’t hear wind or rain. I looked out and although it was very cloudy and breezy, there was no rain (or sun).
As became, the morning ritual, I went for a long walk up and down the hills, then stopped at Jake’s for breakfast.
We hadn’t tried Jakes on our last trip. I think because we were still mourning Chilly Billy’s. But, since the weather seemed unpredictable, I though indoor dining would be best and dropped in.
Well, if you haven’t tried Jakes, you should. Great breakfast and just the nicest people.
Since it wasn’t raining, I figured it was a beach day, so I headed off to Trunk Bay. I thought everyone else would be doing the same, so was quite surprised when I was the only one in the taxi.
Due to surf advisories, there was no entrance fee to Trunk and hardly any people. Works for me. Settled in with the iPod and book and spent the day. No rain and a tiny sliver of sun.
Headed to the Beach Bar for happy hour and a snack.
Thought I’d try the new Surly Cantina for dinner. It was pretty quiet. The tacos were good, but nothing exciting. It was out of my eye shot, but I guess there were some topless young women doing belly shots down at the bar. Very surprising, since it was still fairly early – spring break on St. John?
I strolled down to Mongoose Junction hoping to grab a drink at the Gecko Gazebo and chat with Kim; however, they were 2-3 deep at the bar, so I passed. Ahhh – so this is the high season. Headed back to Grande Bay for the night.
Up again Tuesday morning and was happy to see a little more blue sky. Decided to walk up to the Cruz Bay overlook this morning – not a long walk, but a lot steeper than it seems driving.
Back to Jakes for breakfast
then taxied to Caneel and walked out to Honeymoon.
Well, I know Honeymoon is a favorite destination for the day trippers, but they usually stay out in the water and snorkel in droves. However, today, they were being dinghied on to the beach. Never saw so many people on Honeymoon – even more than the big forum gathering in November of ’08.
They eventually all left and things were back to normal. Well, until the huge family arrived with footballs and frisbees. Maybe it’s me, but footballs and frisbees just don’t belong on the beach in St. John.
Stopped at High Tide for a snack and Mango Daiquiri,
then the BB for a Mango Ale, then to Grande Bay for a mango nap.
Dinner was at Sun Dog Café – surf and turf spinach salad (forgot my food porn manners this trip).
Woke up to blue skies and sunshine on Wednesday – nice!. Took the ritual morning walk and back at Jakes for first breakfast.
(SRO down at the bakery)
School's in session here.
Met Ruth later on in the morning for second breakfast (LOL) at Mojo.
I had planned on taking the bus out to Coral Bay one day. Beaching at Salt Pond, then lunching at the Tourist Trap. However, the lazy’s took over and the ended up in a taxi back to Trunk.
So, all the people not at Trunk on Monday, were here today.
As crowded as a beautiful Saturday in July at Good Harbor Beach. I walked way left and was able to find a nice spot –
until the spring breakers arrived with their footballs and frisbees. Just wrong!
Stopped at the new Spyglass for today’s drink and snack. I hadn’t been up in this space since it was Pussers. I forgot how nice it was up there.
Since there was actual sun today, I thought there might be a chance for a nice sunset. So I headed down to Frank Bay to watch
and then dropped in on Elaine Estern's Wednesday soiree at the Coconut coast studio.
Dinner was another Tuna Down Now at the Beach Bar, then back to Grande Bay to pack. That;s the only problem with quickies – they’re quick.
Went for my final walk and breakfast at Jakes.
Strolled around doing some last minute shopping and shooting,
then headed out on the 11:15am ferry to CA
Knowing that my DH was waiting at home, the WOW wasn’t bad at all.
The flight home (non-stop) was bumpy as hell. And just like I was greeted in STJ with rain and “cold”; I found the same at home.
So, until the next time (which is pretty soon).
(or the expense account).