USVI-On-Line

I think I was up at 6am the first full day. That wouldn't last long as each day the wake up time got later and later as I moved off NJ work time in to island time.

AA is a small place with not a lot of indoor living space but that's no matter because the place to be at this villa is the porch (located off the kitchen/living area on the upper level). If not sleeping this is where you could find us night and day. The breeze was wonderful and I found myself falling asleep in the chair on more than one occasion.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/89321198@N00/4544363586/" title="STJ 2010_001 336 by mbw1024, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/454 ... 2276ff.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="STJ 2010_001 336"></a>

We enjoyed breakfast on the porch each morning. First day kept it simple. Coffee, cereal and a banana bread I made at home and brought with us. Another FIRST we carried on a small cooler this time. I brought bacon, hot dogs, 2 flank steaks, butter, cheeses and salami. I froze everything including the bag and wrapped the contents in newspaper and packed the bag tight. Everything in tact and still partially frozen when we got there.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/89321198@N00/4543733071/" title="STJ 2010_001 339 by mbw1024, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4050/454 ... 9dbac6.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="STJ 2010_001 339"></a>

After breakfast and organizing some things around the villa (shower upstairs and bedroom down makes for some a lot of up and down the stairs until you get in the groove!) we headed out for our first adventure. We got down to the bottom of Seagrape and Charlie said left or right and I said left and we headed to Vie's beach (FIRST!). We pulled in to her lot and she was there with her daughter unloading cases of canned soda from the trunk. We offered to help but she said her daughter could do it
We paid Vie our beach entry fee and headed down to the beach. It wasn't until we were passing through the gate that we realized her "hours" are posted as opening at 10. It was only a little after 9 but she seemed ok with us being there. Needless to say we had the place to ourselves.

I'm impatient at times so usually when arriving at the beach I toss my stuff at the first available place and hit the water. Same at Vie's. We found 2 nice lounge chairs as we entered, I dropped my stuff and took off while Charlie was still fussing with things. I no sooner hit the water when I saw what I thought was a sting ray gliding by me. As it got closer I realized Sting Ray was incorrect ... it was a SHARK (FIRST! And hopefully LAST!). Now I'm no expert but I'm going to say it was a nurse shark about 3-4 feet long. It was close to the shoreline as I was only in water up to about my knees. It cruised on past me and I never saw it again. Thankfully

Some pic's from Vie's:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/89321198@N00/4544364076/" title="STJ 2010_001 343-1 by mbw1024, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4004/454 ... 9c0e3c.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="STJ 2010_001 343-1"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/89321198@N00/4544366626/" title="STJ 2010_001 355 by mbw1024, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/454 ... 5d0810.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="STJ 2010_001 355"></a>

We liked Anchorage Aweigh but we decided to change our accommodations
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/89321198@N00/4545661174/" title="STJ 2010_001 369-1 by mbw1024, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/454 ... b06c81.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="STJ 2010_001 369-1"></a>

After a few hours at Vie's the skies started to look threatening, this would become a daily routine. So we decided to pack it up and move on.
On the way out I asked Vie if I could take her photo. My mom is a Vi too!
St. John's Vie (Violet):
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/89321198@N00/4545028373/" title="STJ 2010_001 386-1 by mbw1024, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/454 ... 5459dd.jpg" width="500" height="258" alt="STJ 2010_001 386-1"></a>

NJ's Vi (Viola)


Since we were half way there we headed out to Sloop's. Even if I don't buy anything (unlikely) I love visiting Sloop's. It's such a cool place.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/89321198@N00/4545661724/" title="STJ 2010_001 388 by mbw1024, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/454 ... 44271d.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="STJ 2010_001 388"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/89321198@N00/4545028787/" title="STJ 2010_001 394-1 by mbw1024, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4070/454 ... 744c4b.jpg" width="500" height="350" alt="STJ 2010_001 394-1"></a>

Sloop's was not a first for us but what was a first was it was "crowded" and I use the term loosely. But have never been there that we weren't the only ones. Signs of high season still lingering I suppose but it was nice to see folks making the trip out there.

After Sloop's we took a ride up to Drakeet's Estates Not sure I have the name right here. I didn't see any signs of building but some great views are to be had up there. Anyone know what's going on?

Dinner was planned for the villa tonight (flank steak) so we decided to take a ride out to Josephine's for salad greens (FIRST!). Had not been out there before. We picked up mixed greens, pea shoots and basil which made for some delicious salads. Even Charlie who couldn't give a hoot about salad said that if we had a Josephine at home he'd eat salad every day (note to self find a Josephine at home!). I didn't take any pictures but while out there I asked one of the gentleman who was doing some planting if I could look around at the plants and such. He was more than happy to oblige and also showed us the way out to the farm. It is really a fascinating operation that Josephine and her family have there. Worth the visit if you are in the area.

Skies still threatening, nearing noon .... better stop for a cocktail until it passes.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/89321198@N00/4545029029/" title="STJ 2010_001 412 by mbw1024, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/454 ... fe33d8.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="STJ 2010_001 412"></a>

Eventually back to AA where we spent the afternoon on the porch napping, pool time, scrabble:
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For all the threatening of the day we had no rain that I recall so around 5 or so we decided to head back out to explore a place we had not been before - Lameshur Road (FIRST!). That was a fun ride
We took the road to the parking area at the sandy beach (Little Lameshur? not sure I have that right). The evening had turned lovely and we had a nice walk on the beach and then we stopped over at the rocky beach. I loved it there. So interesting:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/89321198@N00/4545663208/" title="STJ 2010_001 035 by mbw1024, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4011/454 ... 362c3c.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="STJ 2010_001 035"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/89321198@N00/4545663300/" title="STJ 2010_001 036-1 by mbw1024, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2448/454 ... de789e.jpg" width="500" height="313" alt="STJ 2010_001 036-1"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/89321198@N00/4545663628/" title="STJ 2010_001 040-1 by mbw1024, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4057/454 ... 2d221c.jpg" width="500" height="385" alt="STJ 2010_001 040-1"></a>

On the way back to AA we detoured up to Concordia (FIRST!). The views and breezes up there and fantastic!
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/89321198@N00/4545030501/" title="STJ 2010_001 044 by mbw1024, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4061/454 ... 6ccf6e.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="STJ 2010_001 044"></a>

After a look around there it was back up Seagrape Hill for dinner. We cooked both flanks and used them for dinner and lunches to come. Marinated the flanks in EVOO, Balsamic, OJ/pineapple juice, rum and CBGR. MMMMmmmmmmmmm! Flank, with Josephines greens and crumbled Maytag Blue from home, and a spud. Life is good today!
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/89321198@N00/4545664098/" title="STJ 2010_001 049-1 by mbw1024, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4016/454 ... 48fa1e.jpg" width="500" height="349" alt="STJ 2010_001 049-1"></a>

Awesome - I LOVE the scrabble board!

What a great day--sounds perfect! I am loving hearing about your trip--it's getting me relaly psyched for our get away!

ok, what a great read, I LOVE LOVE your pic's !love the two Vie's & your food presentation, well.... looks like a top notch rest. ! the deck of the villa has an awesome view, looks like a great place to chill, especially if u have some bananna bread ! now about that shark..... we have not been to vie's as of yet, but hopefully will get there next trip, will look for your buddy sharky ! Thanks for posting a great TR !

Marinated the flanks in EVOO, Balsamic, OJ/pineapple juice, rum and CBGR. MMMMmmmmmmmmm! Flank, with Josephines greens and crumbled Maytag Blue from home, and a spud. Life is good today!

Argh! That is one of my favorite combos (except my greens come for the store down the street) Excellent food and drink porn, keep it coming.


I love the cable railing at that house.

Love that scrabble board!

And so many FIRSTS! Yay! Isn't it funny even with being so "busy" you can feel like you're doing nothing at all?

Great report! I saw my first shark at the same place. Didja pee? (I did!)

Great second report! You cooked that last meal on there? I thought it was from a restaurant. Fancy ~

Sounds like a great day.

I guess Nurse sightings at Vie's aren't rare. When we were eating her conch flitters, a couple came from the beach and asked Ms. Vie about a shark they just saw. I was convinced it had been a Nurse, quickly finished her flitters (shame on me), and jumped into the water but didn't meet any. I just don't have nurse luck. I envy you, Mary Beth.

Looking forward to the next installment.

FAb report!!

Sounds great so far! Looks like you found some sun amidst the rain clouds. The shark thing is a first I do not want to experience, although from everyone's encounters here I am slightly less petrified. Looking forward to more. Thanks for sharing!

sea-nile wrote:Great second report! You cooked that last meal on there? I thought it was from a restaurant. Fancy ~

Charlie grilled and I threw some greens together. Can't get much easier than that!

Loving your trip report and your listing of firsts after 4 visits. It is amazing how much there is to do and see on such a small island. You will have to let us know which first will become routine things on your next visit.

I have never made flank stake and that looks so good. We enjoyed Josephines greens too but my food never looked like yours. I will have to work on my presentation.

Your report is not boring I can't wait for the next installments. Thanks for sharing.

Hi MB--Loved the look of that marinated flank steak over Josephine's greens (with some Maytag Blue from Iowa).

I don't think that was your real scrabble game---very cute though.

I can't fool you, Jim! We did play a real game after my photo op

Maytag Blue - an all time favorite! YUM!