USVI-On-Line

When I left you last, we decided it was time to head back. I had rented fins from Lowkey Watersports, so we had to take them back. Stu told me days earlier it would be no problem, we would run back to Cruz Bay and then head to STT. That was great for us. We didn't have to take the ferry. So we pull into Cruz Bay and get as close as possible for the girls to hop out and return the fins. Well....I'm sure we were breaking some kind of law. People were yelling at us and waving their arms. I was half expecting the Coast Guard to come arrest us. The girls make it back quickly. They had to swim a ways to the boat because we couldn't get too close to shore.

Off to STT for our last night. We get to Seaski boat rental and Stu settles the tab. My half came to 193. What a deal. Stu, are you sure I don't owe you more??

We are hungry again and Stu and Eric recommend The Saloon in Red Hook. Eric says he'll come back in a while and take us to Best Western Emerald Beach, where we are spending our last night. So off we go to The Saloon. Nice place. Get a good table. We order dinner and totally enjoy our meal. Pay the tab and get up to leave. On the way out, Michelle turns her ankle and has a pretty nasty sprain. This is an old softball injury that keeps showing it's ugly head. She is tougher than any girl I have ever known. We look around for Eric and decide he ditched us, so we hop a cab and head for Best Western Em Beach. A few days after we were home, I got an e-mail from Stu telling me that Eric was there and he couldn't find us. What nice guys. How many people would do that. I guess we just missed each other.

We are all exhausted at that time and quickly check in and get to our room. It was dark at that time, but it looked to be a really nice place that I would like to try again sometime when I have more time. I called the desk for a 5:45 wake up call. OMG! It's going to be a long day home. I grabbed the shower first and was first to bed.

Morning came too quickly and we had 15 min. to dress and get out the door. We catch a cab and get to the airport to see the line out to the curb at 6:15. I was amazed. We had boarding passes the girls printed up in the hotel lobby the night before and decided to do carry on again and off to customs we went.

No problems getting thru customs and we had a nice, fattening croissant breakfast sandwich at the cafeteria. The flight is uneventful except for having to circle Miami for over an hour due to a thunderstorm.

We make it back to Houston and I call home to let my husband know we have arrived safely. He immedietely tells me one of the dogs has had the runs, and he's cleaned it up as well as he can. Translation: I wiped up the hunks, you get the rest. I know I'm back to reality.

Final comments: STJ is still the wonderful place we discovered 15 years ago. It's changed, but I can't find any place I'd rather spend my time.

The folks there are still nice. You get what you give.

Driving for the first time was a blast, and I'm no longer affraid to do it.

I don't care what anyone says, there is a major difference in temperature from winter to summer. I never broke a sweat, the water was way colder than summer, and ac was not a big deal. In July, it's a totally different climate. Hot.

I feel like I need to address something that has been bugging me. I don't want you to think I am in favor of under age drinking. In fact I am a very strict parent who does not tolerate too much. My daughter has had a very difficult transition from high school to college and has been on the verge of depression. With that in mind, and the fact that they were of legal drinking age on STJ, I let them have their fun under my supervision. They, of course, did not drive, and I was always (except for the boat trip, because I was done driving) kept myself in control and was a responsibe driver.

Michelle has not had a spring break vacation for 10 years due to her softball commitments. This is what she has been doing for the last 10 years of her life, every spring break:



So I hope you don't judge me too harshly. I'm not nearly as cool as my stories on this trip may lead you to believe. I'm a mom who is an eternal worrier, and I want my little girl to have the best life. A few fun days in STJ is good medicine for the soul.

Thank you so much for the report and for the record, I made no assumptions about you and your girls drinking.

You had a wonderful vacation, isn't that all that matters?

Awwww. I don't think you were being irresponsible at all. It's when parents (and society) toatlly ban things like alcohol that their kids end up going nuts at college. Seen it I think it was really nice that you enjoyed special time with your daughter in a very special place.

Thanks again for your report. I doubt anyone was passing judgement on you for your vacation with your daughter (I hope!). It sounds like you had a fun time--and a safer time than just letting her head off to Cancun on her own or whatever, as many students do.

I also want to give Michelle some hope on the ankle front: I played softball too (2nd base, wasn't very good by the way) and had to quit when my ankle gave out so badly that I fell in such a way that I broke my wrist!! The ankle failure had happened before, resulting in sprains, etc., some quite bad. It started in HS and continued through the college years--the ankle would just give out for no reason. My doctor said the joint was hyperextended from both growing "taller" (HA! I am 5'2"... maybe) and playing sports. Anyway, I got old and the joint stopped freaking out. I guess it stiffened in old age. It's been fine since approx. age 25, though I still don't wear heels, just in case.

Thanks for your great report!

Liamsaunt...I would have never guessed you to be "softball trash". Kidding! That's our inside joke here in Texas. She took a foul ball off her bat, straight to the face. She had a shattered nose and black eyes and had cuts on her face from the strings of the ball. She never shed a tear. She played on those swollen, purple ankles, and never complained.

I just hope she's happier next year being a Texas Tech Red Raider. (Lubbock???not for me!)

We took our son down when he was 18 He was and adult let him make up his mind if he wanted to drink most nights it was a single beer maybe 2 I feel better knowing that he got to drink under my supervision now that he is away at college I don't worry about him as much as I would. I was out sking with him this weekend and I never had a drink and he or his friend never brought it up. I think you did a good job with her just spending time is more then alot of parents do. By the way my son is an olympain and he is in other countries were they can drink. I have heard any stories yet about over indulging
It was a great trip and report.
Tom

Thanks for the great report and I never thought twice about you being an irresponsible Mom or anything.
You did a great thing with your daughter.

Thanks for all the support! I think my last message was a little down tonight because my good friend just passed away a few minutes ago, from many years of struggleing with breast cancer. Her name is Laura. Her birthday is Wed. and I just sent her a card. I hope God reads it to her.

Debbie,
I am so sorry! You have every right to be down.
God bless you.
Terese

Debbie
I am so sorry for your loss, I feel just terrible when I hear of someone our age being taken away too soon! It makes you want to make the most of each day!

Nobody thinks you are an irresponsible Mom, I believe kids should learn responsible drinking habits from their parents not the frat brats in college.

I sent my check yesterday, priority mail!

Great report and your a "cool mom" because you love your daughter with all your heart and want the best for her in life!

Big Hugs to you!
Beth

Debbie
I know what you are going thru My wife died last Aug of breast cancer 3 day's before our 22 wedding Anniversary. She got to wear her present from me a coach watch that we ordered from STT for 8 hours before she died. Keep her in your thoughts and prayers she will be there looking over you.
Tom

Thanks so much for all your trip reports. I pray that you can remember all the good times with your friend. Loss is always hard and I'm sure she knows your birthday wishes!!

As to the drinking underage...I agree with the previous posters. A little alcohol under parental supervision is not a bad thing. My parents and several of their friends all abided by this policy and we've all traveled and had great times together. Not having alcohol "forbidden" definitely took the allure away of sneaking around behind their backs and getting drunk. None of us went crazy in college either. Don't know if there is any correlation or not.

You can be a fun mom and still be a great mom!! Congrats on figuring that out!!

I never once considered the alcohol to be the reason I thought you were the "cool mom." The cool part was you spent time with your daughter, you were adventurous and you even made it possible to give that to her friend, too.

I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your friend. I believe our loved ones that are taken, some all too early, are still with us in another way as I'm sure your friend is with you.

Cypress, you are a "cool mom." And it's not cause you let your DD drink. My DD is 19 and in her Freshman year of college (here at a local university). We also let her drink in St. John during her graduation trip because she was with us and you know what? She never abused it. One drink and she was good. I try to give my kids a good mix of rules and leniency and I think that's what works best. I don't let them run wild but I don't let them miss out on life's fun stuff either. I don't see anything wrong at all with what you and the girls did. They were legal and they were under your watchful eye. Great report! I'd so love to do a "cool mom" trip!

First, I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your friend; we just never know from one day to the next what life will bring, I only hope she lived it to the fullest. That's one reason why I travel and go as much as I can now in this stage of my life; there are just so many things to do and see....and I'll bet you God does read her your card, and they are both smiling.
As to your trip with the girls, I think you made a wonderful memory for Michelle and for her friend; we won't even discuss the memory you made for yourself! You come across as a Mom who takes time to be with her child, to do special things - you were able to recognize she was having a hard time, so you made plans to do something special...you didn't send her away for some time with others, you gave her your time and your attention, and she could decide how much she wanted...an absolutely priceless gift.