Day 5: Hiking Brown Bay, Vie's Beach, Vie's Lunch
Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 8:59 am
Day 5: Hiking Brown Bay, Vie's Beach, Vie's Lunch
Another day that starts with sunrise. I don't know what it is about St. John mornings, but I never sleep much past 6:30 or so. Typically I blame it on the kids, but I just don't have this excuse this time. I also sometimes try to blame it on the sunrise coming up so fast and strong. Honestly, I think it is just my desire to not waste a second of my time there.
Today, LMG and I started with another hike at Brown Bay (Got it right this time Marybeth, I hope you are happy!!!
DRUNK Bay just sound more fun!) Again, lucky for us, no firing going on at the firing range. The girls were excellent and LMG and I were well behaved too! It is is a really nice hike for those who have not done it but who like that sort of thing.
Back at the house we repeated our morning ritual. Coffee, breakfast (bagel for me again), soaking in the gorgeous view from Ms. Pia's deck and just easing into the day. I really love the first thing in the morning hike, pre-breakfast, pre-hussle/bussle, and pre-consciousness! Makes it a lot easier for me and you feel like you have accomplished a lot and that you really deserve that lazybones time on the beach
Soon we had packed the car and were ready to head to Vie's Beach for the day.
![Image](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2437/4439775054_5fff03d85f.jpg)
![Image](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2767/4439775146_dfd02e6493.jpg)
Vie's lovely daughter was opening the Snack Shack for the day just as we arrived and mentioned that a "taxiload of 17 college students" was on its way. We said thank you for the warning, practically threw our $2.50 per person at her and bolted to find a hideaway on the beach. We were the 2nd set of folks there.
![Image](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4034/4438994987_c8943202f9.jpg)
Now typically, in the off season, you can have Vie's basically to yourself especially if you arrive early. Not so much the case today. It was quieter than the North Shore beaches for sure, but still busy for St. John/Flip-Flop standards. Still, it was awesome. We secured three chairs, pulled them up in a private little shady spot and proceeded to do what we do best. AB-SO-LUTE-LY NUTTIN!
LMG had mixed up a little secret concoction for the beach that the Pia's should patent and soon we were enjoying our beverages and doing our best immitations of slugs.
Slowly the beach began to fill and we simply mellowed the day away.
![Image](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2679/4438995233_6a391c310a.jpg)
![Image](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2697/4439772066_dcc8a4d852.jpg)
Vie's, Vie's and more Vie's
![Image](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4022/4439773428_32a246173a.jpg)
We even made a little friend
![Image](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2708/4439773734_e84f94bc45.jpg)
This sand crab was hysterical to watch. Apparently his hole had gotten inundated with a bit of sand somehow and he was working to clear it out. He'd disappear into the hole only to reappear with an armload of sand which he was literally TOSS across the sand. If he could have cussed he would of.
His hole surrounded by all the loose sand he had tossed out of his hole
![Image](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4056/4457341310_40e8a9a91a.jpg)
There are many things I love about Vie's.
1 - Ms. Vie herself. You will not find a finer, sweeter. more enjoyable person to talk to on St. John.
2 - The Beach is gorgeous!
3 - There are chairs
4 - There is the Snack Shack for when you get hungry!
5 - It is usually very quiet.
Time for lunch
![Image](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2761/4439774690_9d0d355e43.jpg)
Before long we find our bellies growling and make our way up to the Snack Shack. Now, I have gone to Vie's many times and NEVER have I been there with more than 3-4 other people. Total. Ever. It was packed! She was steadily cranking out garlic chicken and johnny cakes, tarts, conch fritters, iced tea. I could not believe the crowd. We had intentionally waited a little later than normal to miss some of the crazy, but it was still pretty busy. I was however glad we came up when we did because I think we took the next to last two garlic chicken orders!
Completely out of character, LMG & I did not order the same thing!
![Image](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2705/4439775314_7ceef1ffec.jpg)
Though I did trade her some of my johnny cake for some of her conch fritters. For me, conch fritters are pretty hit or miss, but these were great!
Yummmmmmmy
![Image](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4049/4471201339_d8e1dae043_o.jpg)
![Image](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2775/4471980012_1d72820dce.jpg)
Soon we retired back to Vie's for a little more relaxation and libation and before we knew it, it was time to wrap up and head back to check on the pups and hang out on the deck for the afternoon.
On the way back to the house we did detour to take a look at Drekker's Bay (Spelling?) GORGEOUS views up there. Anyone want to buy me a lot?
![Image](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4060/4438998777_5a01eda0d1.jpg)
![Image](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4060/4438998825_9a504ed4a1.jpg)
![Image](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4438999237_8f9f193158.jpg)
Feeling very mellow after a great, exhausting (I still have not figured out how doing nothing all day can be so tiring!) day we decided to stay in for the night. Of course, that didn't mean I didn't eventually get hungry and need sustainence!
We had left over steak from Shipwreck, so I threw together a salad and sliced that up on top. Just right after a great day.
Tomorrow: St. Pattys on St. John, Honeymoon, Tourist Trap & Donkey Diner PIzza!
Another day that starts with sunrise. I don't know what it is about St. John mornings, but I never sleep much past 6:30 or so. Typically I blame it on the kids, but I just don't have this excuse this time. I also sometimes try to blame it on the sunrise coming up so fast and strong. Honestly, I think it is just my desire to not waste a second of my time there.
Today, LMG and I started with another hike at Brown Bay (Got it right this time Marybeth, I hope you are happy!!!
![Wink ;-)](./images/smilies/icon_wink.gif)
Back at the house we repeated our morning ritual. Coffee, breakfast (bagel for me again), soaking in the gorgeous view from Ms. Pia's deck and just easing into the day. I really love the first thing in the morning hike, pre-breakfast, pre-hussle/bussle, and pre-consciousness! Makes it a lot easier for me and you feel like you have accomplished a lot and that you really deserve that lazybones time on the beach
![Wink ;-)](./images/smilies/icon_wink.gif)
Soon we had packed the car and were ready to head to Vie's Beach for the day.
![Image](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2437/4439775054_5fff03d85f.jpg)
![Image](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2767/4439775146_dfd02e6493.jpg)
Vie's lovely daughter was opening the Snack Shack for the day just as we arrived and mentioned that a "taxiload of 17 college students" was on its way. We said thank you for the warning, practically threw our $2.50 per person at her and bolted to find a hideaway on the beach. We were the 2nd set of folks there.
![Image](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4034/4438994987_c8943202f9.jpg)
Now typically, in the off season, you can have Vie's basically to yourself especially if you arrive early. Not so much the case today. It was quieter than the North Shore beaches for sure, but still busy for St. John/Flip-Flop standards. Still, it was awesome. We secured three chairs, pulled them up in a private little shady spot and proceeded to do what we do best. AB-SO-LUTE-LY NUTTIN!
LMG had mixed up a little secret concoction for the beach that the Pia's should patent and soon we were enjoying our beverages and doing our best immitations of slugs.
Slowly the beach began to fill and we simply mellowed the day away.
![Image](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2679/4438995233_6a391c310a.jpg)
![Image](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2697/4439772066_dcc8a4d852.jpg)
Vie's, Vie's and more Vie's
![Image](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4022/4439773428_32a246173a.jpg)
We even made a little friend
![Image](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2708/4439773734_e84f94bc45.jpg)
This sand crab was hysterical to watch. Apparently his hole had gotten inundated with a bit of sand somehow and he was working to clear it out. He'd disappear into the hole only to reappear with an armload of sand which he was literally TOSS across the sand. If he could have cussed he would of.
His hole surrounded by all the loose sand he had tossed out of his hole
![Image](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4056/4457341310_40e8a9a91a.jpg)
There are many things I love about Vie's.
1 - Ms. Vie herself. You will not find a finer, sweeter. more enjoyable person to talk to on St. John.
2 - The Beach is gorgeous!
3 - There are chairs
4 - There is the Snack Shack for when you get hungry!
5 - It is usually very quiet.
Time for lunch
![Image](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2761/4439774690_9d0d355e43.jpg)
Before long we find our bellies growling and make our way up to the Snack Shack. Now, I have gone to Vie's many times and NEVER have I been there with more than 3-4 other people. Total. Ever. It was packed! She was steadily cranking out garlic chicken and johnny cakes, tarts, conch fritters, iced tea. I could not believe the crowd. We had intentionally waited a little later than normal to miss some of the crazy, but it was still pretty busy. I was however glad we came up when we did because I think we took the next to last two garlic chicken orders!
Completely out of character, LMG & I did not order the same thing!
![Image](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2705/4439775314_7ceef1ffec.jpg)
Though I did trade her some of my johnny cake for some of her conch fritters. For me, conch fritters are pretty hit or miss, but these were great!
Yummmmmmmy
![Image](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4049/4471201339_d8e1dae043_o.jpg)
![Image](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2775/4471980012_1d72820dce.jpg)
Soon we retired back to Vie's for a little more relaxation and libation and before we knew it, it was time to wrap up and head back to check on the pups and hang out on the deck for the afternoon.
On the way back to the house we did detour to take a look at Drekker's Bay (Spelling?) GORGEOUS views up there. Anyone want to buy me a lot?
![Image](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4060/4438998777_5a01eda0d1.jpg)
![Image](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4060/4438998825_9a504ed4a1.jpg)
![Image](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4438999237_8f9f193158.jpg)
Feeling very mellow after a great, exhausting (I still have not figured out how doing nothing all day can be so tiring!) day we decided to stay in for the night. Of course, that didn't mean I didn't eventually get hungry and need sustainence!
We had left over steak from Shipwreck, so I threw together a salad and sliced that up on top. Just right after a great day.
Tomorrow: St. Pattys on St. John, Honeymoon, Tourist Trap & Donkey Diner PIzza!