4th trip, lots of FIRSTS: The end

mbw1024 · Post by **mbw1024** » Tue Apr 27, 2010 11:41 am

Part one
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... hp?t=16277

Part two
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... d4eda7bdfe

Part three
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... hp?t=16296

Part four
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... 347#192347

Part five
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... hp?t=16318

Part six
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... hp?t=16325

The days at the end of our trip seemed to be a lot of the same. Beaches, pool, cocktails, dinner.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/89321198@N00/4551191441/" title="STJ 2010_001 301-1 by mbw1024, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3625/455 ... ac6b92.jpg" width="278" height="500" alt="STJ 2010_001 301-1"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/89321198@N00/4551192505/" title="STJ 2010_001 303-1 by mbw1024, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3315/455 ... 9e1c81.jpg" width="500" height="470" alt="STJ 2010_001 303-1"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/89321198@N00/4551830196/" title="STJ 2010_001 304 by mbw1024, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3541/455 ... 1cc5bb.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="STJ 2010_001 304"></a>

The only FIRST I can think of once we hit Gallows was the G spot for lunch. This burger is insanely good:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/89321198@N00/4551193153/" title="STJ 2010_001 316 by mbw1024, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3430/455 ... d888c9.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="STJ 2010_001 316"></a>

The plan for our last full day was pick up breakfast at Deli Grotto and hit Trunk really early. My favorite time. But it was raining pretty good that morning so it ended up being breakfast @ Deli Grotto. We did head out to Trunk but by the 3rd rain storm we packed it in. It cleared out in the later afternoon so we spent some good time at the pool.
Our last night was spent with island friends and we had Ted come and cook for us. What a treat!

Our departure day was one of the most glorious I ever recall seeing while on St. John. Isn't that always the way? Not sure if it is better to leave in the rain or the sun shine?
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/89321198@N00/4551193563/" title="STJ 2010_001 319-1 by mbw1024, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3313/455 ... 3afd63.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="STJ 2010_001 319-1"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/89321198@N00/4551195533/" title="STJ 2010_001 324-1 by mbw1024, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3277/455 ... 212bba.jpg" width="500" height="309" alt="STJ 2010_001 324-1"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/89321198@N00/4551833548/" title="STJ 2010_001 326-1 by mbw1024, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3213/455 ... aa6d52.jpg" width="500" height="388" alt="STJ 2010_001 326-1"></a>

While we are on vacation we are always talking about the next trip we need to plan. When we first went to STJ on our honeymoon we said we would return for 2 weeks at our 5 year anniversary. Well, we couldn't wait that long and have returned 3 times since. So now maybe it doesn't make sense to return again next year. I think we are going to explore some place else. But St. John will always be there and will be the place we return to as our "comfort trip". If we could do STJ and some place else every year we would but right now that's not in the cards for us.

So..........
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/89321198@N00/4558124494/" title="photo1 by mbw1024, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3210/455 ... 3e35_o.jpg" width="600" height="800" alt="photo1"></a>

If anyone has the patience for all 500+ photos you can find them here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/89321198@N ... 787360547/

Lovermont · Post by **Lovermont** » Tue Apr 27, 2010 11:44 am

NO... not the end! Thank you for sharing. It's amazing how many firsts you had. That, and all the great repeats are what brings us back to our island.

Lovermont

Nancy_B · Post by **Nancy_B** » Tue Apr 27, 2010 11:48 am

Mary Beth, great report thank you and I'm with Lovermont - so sad it's the end!

Also, sad that you won't be back next year. Do you have another destination in mind?

mbw1024 · Post by **mbw1024** » Tue Apr 27, 2010 11:49 am

Nancy_B wrote:Mary Beth, great report thank you and I'm with Lovermont - so sad it's the end!

Also, sad that you won't be back next year. Do you have another destination in mind?

we're looking at SoCal. San Diego to Santa Barbara. But nothing set in stone yet.

augie · Post by **augie** » Tue Apr 27, 2010 12:12 pm

mbw1024 wrote: If anyone has the patience for all 500+ photos you can find them here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/89321198@N ... 787360547/

It didn't require any patience at all, just a little time - time that was well spent!

Thanks for sharing them!

Pickle · Post by **Pickle** » Tue Apr 27, 2010 12:37 pm

Thank you so much for your trip reports, Mary Beth. I enjoyed them thoroughly.
How did you like the location of Seagrape Hill? We really like the area. We'd thought about staying in the East End, until we found how convenient getting to the East End was from Seagrape Hill. (We may still stay in the East End someday if we seek solitude.)

For the first time last year, our departure day was rainy. Leaving St. John felt a little easier than usual for us...

Wherever you and Charlie decide to go next year, hope we'll see your TR on the OT forum.

mbw1024 · Post by **mbw1024** » Tue Apr 27, 2010 1:10 pm

This was our first time on the Coral Bay side. We enjoyed it quite a lot. Will we go back, yes. Will we go to Coral exclusively, no. I know some people go to Coral Bay and never go back, that's not us.

shelli0001 · Post by **shelli0001** » Tue Apr 27, 2010 1:36 pm

thanks for the great reports and pics! you guys are too cute, glad you had such a great time!

lavender · Post by **lavender** » Tue Apr 27, 2010 1:38 pm

Mary Beth - Great trip report! What kind of camera do you have - your photos are absolutely breathtaking!!! Thanks for the report - we are on our way Friday!!!

mbw1024 · Post by **mbw1024** » Tue Apr 27, 2010 1:49 pm

lavender wrote:Mary Beth - Great trip report! What kind of camera do you have - your photos are absolutely breathtaking!!! Thanks for the report - we are on our way Friday!!!

thanks. I used 2 on this trip. Nikon D50 and Nikon L100 (point and shoot). I like the P&S for convenience but low light pictures are really tricky with this camera. So dining shots came out pretty awful but that's ok. A few less pictures of my mug won't be missed

Kealani · Post by **Kealani** » Tue Apr 27, 2010 2:22 pm

Mary -Beth -Thank you so much for a wonderful trip report. Your pictures are wonderful and made my day so much better. Happy planning where ever you decide to go next.

LMG · Post by **LMG** » Tue Apr 27, 2010 2:50 pm

Loved your reports, girl.

AnyTing · Post by **AnyTing** » Tue Apr 27, 2010 3:13 pm

Loved it, MB. Thanks for taking me along!

jmq · Post by **jmq** » Tue Apr 27, 2010 3:34 pm

Nice! Thanks for the ride!
Did you use a polarizing filter for any of those photos, and/or some photoshopping?

mindehankins · Post by **mindehankins** » Tue Apr 27, 2010 4:06 pm

Sorry to see it come to an end, and sorry we won't have another STJ trip report so soon.....
Thank you so much for taking the time to share!

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