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Long Overdue Trip Report - December 2006
Long Overdue Trip Report - December 2006
Well, when I saw that Lark22 posted her December '06 trip report, I figured I could go ahead, even though it's a little overdue. This will be short and sweet, not like the long novelettes that I usually post. Mainly because it's been a few months and my memory gets fuzzy. I have decided that my brain is full and whenever I receive a new piece of information, one that is already there has to leave.
This trip was supposed to be for our parents, my husband's mom, Jo (whom many of you will remember from a previous trip report as the one that had to use the "blue bucket"), and my parents. Well, about 3 days before the trip, my mom got very ill and they couldn't go. So, that left me, husband, and his MOTHER. How fun is that???? Ladies, you will all understand this statement: I can take my mother-in-law just fine when there are others around, but when it's just the 3 of us....ugh.
Anyway, that sort of put a damper on the trip for me. But, how can you be sad on St. John? It's not possible. So, despite it all, we had a great time.
Highlights:
We again stayed at Sunnyledge on Francis Bay, which I still say is the best house ever. For the first time, we didn't pack food and just bought it all there. I actually preferred it. It was much simpler. That surprised me, because I have always been a die-hard food packer.
We've been to the island enough times now that we no longer have the "I have to do this" feeling and our trips have taken a much more relaxed, laid back, go with the flow feeling. The first few trips, I had an itinerary for each day broken down into quarter-hours, literally! No more. We just took things as they came.
Some of my favorite moments from the trip:
Driving along the Northshore Road to Sunnyledge. There is something about the feeling of being in a Jeep with the windows open driving along that winding road, deep into the cool green tunnel created by the trees, hearing the island sounds and feeling the breeze. I just love that.
Swimming with turtles at Francis. This was a very peaceful and joyful experience right up to the moment that Matt tapped me and as I surfaced said, "I don't mean to alarm you, but there is a shark over there." You would have thought I was an olympic swimmer, the way I scooted toward shore. It was probably just a nurse shark, anyway.
Snorkeling at Waterlemon (this is always one of my favorite things to do) and then going to get cocoberry shakes at Paradise Cafe (if they ever stop serving them, I'll have to go into detox).
Going to Morgan's Mango and getting lobster by the pound and Hurricane Marilyns. Piece of advice: when they ask what size lobster you want, order 1/2 pound smaller than what your hungry tummy THINKS you want.
Starting Sunday off with the Jazz Brunch at Miss Lucy's and ending it with Jazz at the Beach Bar sipping $3 painkillers.
Seeing the full moon and several rainbows over Francis Bay from the deck of Sunnyledge.
Taking a daysail with Cpt. Clark on White Wing. We stuck close to the island this time and did some snorkeling. Cpt. Clark makes a mean sandwich and an even meaner rum punch. He brought a friend along with us who had apparently had too much to drink the night before and had a TERRIBLE hangover. Hangover + Sailboat = puking, puking, puking. I never felt so sorry for anyone in my whole life (despite the fact that his misery was making me laugh....)
Walking around Cruz Bay and stocking up on spices and hot sauce at St. John Spice.
Going to Trunk Bay on the Non-Cruise-Ship day and finding out it was some kind of special park day and there was no charge.
A perfect early morning on Hawksnest Beach with almost no people. The water was clear and calm and I saw squid when I was snorkeling. Then, Matt and I got into a wet sand fight. Much better than a snowball fight....
Finding a secluded little cove up under a tree on Little Lameshur Beach. It was like having a private beach for the day.
Driving out to the East End to soak in the views and stopping for burgers at Skinny Legs on the way back.
Here are a few pics from the trip for those of you needing a fix:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N ... 577101081/
This trip was supposed to be for our parents, my husband's mom, Jo (whom many of you will remember from a previous trip report as the one that had to use the "blue bucket"), and my parents. Well, about 3 days before the trip, my mom got very ill and they couldn't go. So, that left me, husband, and his MOTHER. How fun is that???? Ladies, you will all understand this statement: I can take my mother-in-law just fine when there are others around, but when it's just the 3 of us....ugh.
Anyway, that sort of put a damper on the trip for me. But, how can you be sad on St. John? It's not possible. So, despite it all, we had a great time.
Highlights:
We again stayed at Sunnyledge on Francis Bay, which I still say is the best house ever. For the first time, we didn't pack food and just bought it all there. I actually preferred it. It was much simpler. That surprised me, because I have always been a die-hard food packer.
We've been to the island enough times now that we no longer have the "I have to do this" feeling and our trips have taken a much more relaxed, laid back, go with the flow feeling. The first few trips, I had an itinerary for each day broken down into quarter-hours, literally! No more. We just took things as they came.
Some of my favorite moments from the trip:
Driving along the Northshore Road to Sunnyledge. There is something about the feeling of being in a Jeep with the windows open driving along that winding road, deep into the cool green tunnel created by the trees, hearing the island sounds and feeling the breeze. I just love that.
Swimming with turtles at Francis. This was a very peaceful and joyful experience right up to the moment that Matt tapped me and as I surfaced said, "I don't mean to alarm you, but there is a shark over there." You would have thought I was an olympic swimmer, the way I scooted toward shore. It was probably just a nurse shark, anyway.
Snorkeling at Waterlemon (this is always one of my favorite things to do) and then going to get cocoberry shakes at Paradise Cafe (if they ever stop serving them, I'll have to go into detox).
Going to Morgan's Mango and getting lobster by the pound and Hurricane Marilyns. Piece of advice: when they ask what size lobster you want, order 1/2 pound smaller than what your hungry tummy THINKS you want.
Starting Sunday off with the Jazz Brunch at Miss Lucy's and ending it with Jazz at the Beach Bar sipping $3 painkillers.
Seeing the full moon and several rainbows over Francis Bay from the deck of Sunnyledge.
Taking a daysail with Cpt. Clark on White Wing. We stuck close to the island this time and did some snorkeling. Cpt. Clark makes a mean sandwich and an even meaner rum punch. He brought a friend along with us who had apparently had too much to drink the night before and had a TERRIBLE hangover. Hangover + Sailboat = puking, puking, puking. I never felt so sorry for anyone in my whole life (despite the fact that his misery was making me laugh....)
Walking around Cruz Bay and stocking up on spices and hot sauce at St. John Spice.
Going to Trunk Bay on the Non-Cruise-Ship day and finding out it was some kind of special park day and there was no charge.
A perfect early morning on Hawksnest Beach with almost no people. The water was clear and calm and I saw squid when I was snorkeling. Then, Matt and I got into a wet sand fight. Much better than a snowball fight....
Finding a secluded little cove up under a tree on Little Lameshur Beach. It was like having a private beach for the day.
Driving out to the East End to soak in the views and stopping for burgers at Skinny Legs on the way back.
Here are a few pics from the trip for those of you needing a fix:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N ... 577101081/
GREAT photos Vicki. I sent you flickr mail to join and add your photos to the "St. John Group".
Clark is the best. Betcha he was a little nervous about that guest messing up White Wing. Hope you had some good wind so he was able to stretch her legs out a bit.
Nothing like cutting thru the water on a boat like that.
Clark is the best. Betcha he was a little nervous about that guest messing up White Wing. Hope you had some good wind so he was able to stretch her legs out a bit.
Nothing like cutting thru the water on a boat like that.
When we come to place where the sea and the sky collide
Throw me over the edge and let my spirit glide
Throw me over the edge and let my spirit glide
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Teresa_Rae
- Posts: 2053
- Joined: Mon Oct 09, 2006 5:44 pm
- Location: Downstate IL
dec trip report & pics
vicki,
first the good news. enjoyed your belated report and loved your pictures , they were fantastic. bride and i and acouple who have been dear friends for over 40 yrs were also on stj 2nd week in dec. couple of short day showers and extra clouds but wasn't weather wonderful? one of your pics reminded me of my only disappointment, maho's beach has taken a hit from nw winds and is not nearly as high as was, leaving almost no beach at high tide. yes, your pics were like being there again.
now the bad news. i must buy a new camera. i threw my olympus in trash after looking at what she's done for me as compared to yours. as we say here in ga, my dog won't hunt!
thanks again for sharing.
papabou
first the good news. enjoyed your belated report and loved your pictures , they were fantastic. bride and i and acouple who have been dear friends for over 40 yrs were also on stj 2nd week in dec. couple of short day showers and extra clouds but wasn't weather wonderful? one of your pics reminded me of my only disappointment, maho's beach has taken a hit from nw winds and is not nearly as high as was, leaving almost no beach at high tide. yes, your pics were like being there again.
now the bad news. i must buy a new camera. i threw my olympus in trash after looking at what she's done for me as compared to yours. as we say here in ga, my dog won't hunt!
thanks again for sharing.
papabou
Thanks!
Thanks for the compliments, you guys are making me blush 
. For those who asked, I just use a Canon Powershot Pro, not an SLR just a very good digital, and no special filters or equipment. I'm not smart enough to figure all that out! Photos are just something I love and I am thankful that I always seem to get a few good shots. You should have seen me stalking that hummingbird.
. For those who asked, I just use a Canon Powershot Pro, not an SLR just a very good digital, and no special filters or equipment. I'm not smart enough to figure all that out! Photos are just something I love and I am thankful that I always seem to get a few good shots. You should have seen me stalking that hummingbird.