USVI-On-Line

This was our last 2 days on STJ:

Seems everytime we go we never make it to Denis...We'll I had decided we would NOT miss it this time. I woke up about 7 and seems our younger trouper was already awake and on the move. We made our trusty PB sandwiches for breakfast grabbed some water and set out for Denis Bay. We found the trail of course with no problem. When we arrived there was no one else on the beach. Just us.. We walked to the lower end and decided to snorkel and look for the Anchor.. we found it..we also saw a Spotted Eagle Ray...It was the 1st one I had seen out of all the snorkels we have done. It was a small one I guess in comparison to the pics we have seen...It was so graceful moving thru the water. We also saw a Large Blue Tang. The coral was really nice...but we didnt go all the way out to Cay. The water seemed a little rough for some reason, maybe the moon. We swam back in and walked to the other end of the beach...and soon was joined by a cpl about the time we were ready to leave. Of course we had to take Diver Dave up to Peace Hill as he hadnt been there before, now usually we carry water to at least rinse our feet off when we hike in to a beach...well...we didnt this time...and by the time we got to Peace Hill...we had some serious hurting feet from all the sand and salt...plus my fins had given a few blisters so the salt and sand were sure working on them. Needless to say the views from Peace Hill were wonderful...I love the view looking toward Gibney from up there..one of my favorite views on the Island.

When we finally made it back to the Jeep...aching hurting feet and all...we decided we would just opt for Francis and Maho instead of trying to trek it into Honeymoon. I have always liked snorkeling between Francis and Maho and this time didnt dissapoint either...We saw another Lobster...( we missed the Star Fish ) Angel fish...and French Angel. By this time my feet were really hurting...I had rented fins from Low Key...and that helped somewhat but they were pretty miserable. So we decided to head back and wouldnt you just know it...the biggest Turtle I think I have even seen...he was HUGE!!!. I got Johns attn and he was snapping pics right and left...Mr Turtle didnt seem to mind how close he was either...The only thing that he didnt like was when my son would dive down behind him to get in the pic...he would spin around I guess to see what he was doing , other than that, he could have cared less what we were doing...I finally said..ok..lets leave him alone David...and when I looked down there was a Nurse Shark under me...I tried to say.." Look Down" and ended up getting a mouth full of salt water.."YUK" but needless to say we did get some great pics of her..and we headed to Skinny Legs for a burger and to let my poor toes rest.

Skinnys was good as always...we did some shopping and headed over the Mtn to Colorful Corner...I was looking for a Tile I had seen there last visit...The guys went to the Bar next to the Restaurant, I think it was called the Dirty Monkey or something like that...WOW they have some great views from there...and the breeze was nice too...we enjoyed just sitting there and had a cpl beers.
And well...if that wasnt enough we decided to stop at Gibney...just to look...This was the 2nd time we had been there...we stopped once on our first visit and just hadnt made it back....there was one other cpl on the beach....and well curiousity got the best of us and we decided to swim out to the hidden beach...just to see if we could find it...we had seen it on Google Earth and seen pics...so back up to the jeep for masks and fins...except for me...I dont think I couldve worn a fin if my life had depended on it...so hubby and his size 11's helped me out there and back...I gotta tell you..this was the neatest little beach...I was about ready to turn around and head back in when we found...the camera had already died so no pics...but it was so cool....Its on the "go back to list"

We went back, showered and headed in to Cruz Bay for Pizza. By this time our feet were really "BAD"...OMG it hurt every step I took. So we decided we would buy something , either shoes...other flip flops...something...new feet would have been nice..We ended up buying socks at the clothing store next to Bougainvillea, ( where we rented the Jeep) So yeah..we had Ninja Turtle feet on "Island" for that afternoon but...my feet didnt hurt anymore...We ate...knocked around and headed back to Cinnamon Bay for a walk on the beach...

Tuesday..last full day,
Up and at it again...heading to Solomon this time...we decided not to opt for the trail but rather park at Caneel and swim from Honeymoon...we saw and Iguana on a roof top at Caneel...kinda neat...It was only the 2nd one we had seen this whole trip..a rather large one surprised David at camp one evening...It sure was funny to hear " MOM" come here. I think he was worried it would get in his tent that night...but he never admitted it...lol The snorkel at Solomon and honeymoon wasnt as good as I remembered it being last time...and we saw a few things...snorkeled back up to the beach...( I had bandaids and socks in tow) and then we had a cpl drinks at Caneel and headed back to the Cinnamon Bay to get cleaned up and head for Cruz Bay to shop and site see a little bit more.. ( wearing our Ninja Turtle Toes of course) !! We rode out to Fish Bay and ended up on Gift Hill took a few more pics and headed back to do some packing and get a bite to eat The Tree Lizard...much to our surprise it was closed so....back we go to Cruz Bay..we picked up 2 hitch hikers that had just checked in that day and being the store was closed as well as the restaurant...they needed something to eat as well...we ended up going to Banana Deck and ran into BarbY and her buddies again...They were a happy group everytime we saw them...You could tell they all were having a good time.. We went shopping at Freebird...and St John Spice...and headed back to the beach for the last night time visit there...It sure was beautiful at night
Wednesday...Day of Woe..
We packed what was left to be put away...gave away what items we didnt need and didnt want to carry back with us...checked out...and headed into town...I had shed my Ninja Turtle toes by this time..we had breakfast at Deli Grotto...they have such good food and the prices are great as well....We bumped in to 54B and his lovely Maura...it was there last full day but was nice to see them again...we discussed what each of us had been doing the last cpl days. Nice people they are...hopefully we will bump into them again sometime... We shopped abit more saw Pia...and went into to meet St John Julie. Not realizing who she was...we had passed her earlier in the morning...then...sadly it was time to say goodbye and head to STT.
I had always wanted to camp on Cinnamon...we had stayed in the Cottage before...and you cant beat the location...Would I do it again...absolutely...( but not without a fan)...wink wink..for the amount we spent... total of 484.00 for the week...(not including food)...including plane tickets...checked bags and seats...jeep (we split the cost of the jeep)...and the location we had...you cant go wrong...The last 2 times we have been to STJ we have had kids...mom...and older kid...so next yr...Im thinking just the 2 of us will just sneak away...we'll see...

More pics here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jnjshaw/sets/

Sounds like a perfect trip- minus the blisters- ouch!

Yay, such a great trip report. Even better cause we got to meet you and your son! Love your pictures!

Great end of your report. Sorry about the blisters, but thanks for telling us about them, I will now pack us each a pair of socks!!

Loved the report!Wow I have flashbacks on the feet issues!Good job on finding the anchor,not many do!This pic is from 2007.It's sad to see your trip reports end Parafins

JJShaw, you've shared some great pictures in your trip reports. Great clarity underwater! May I ask which camera you've been using?

BRY1105 The camera we used is an Olympus Tough 8000 (after our luck with the 770SW it leaked we opted to also purchase the underwater housing for this one) All the pics were taken in landscape mode then edited with photoshop elements 9 ( added a 30% density red filter then ran the auto smart fix and color correction).

It was so great seeing you all! It really is a nice feeling to see friendly smiling faces like youirs. I am really happy that Dave "Got It" he really seems like a great guy. You are very blessed to have shared such an awesome trip together. Sure hope to see you all on island again. Thanks for sharing your report and beautiful pictures, although I still think I'd have passed out if I saw that shark Be happy!

Loved the reports and pics. We could never do the tents. Bad backs and joints ,but sure admire those who do!

Great to bump into you too...enjoyed talking with you and hearing about your adventures. Seeing you and your son makes Maura and I look forward to the day when we take our son and daughter to STJ and share all the wonderful places we love so much with them.

And I still can't believe the $484...your whole trip cost slightly more than my plane ticket alone. it's a testament to what you can do with a little planning and maybe a just a few helpful insights from a forum like this one.


Hope to bump into you again soon on STJ.

How did you get the tents down there?Check on or carry on? I put mine in a backpack and carried it on the plane.I was the smallest tent I could find at Wally World {Wal Mart}

Thanks for the compliments everyone !!

Ski, Keep us posted on your purchase...Im anxious to hear about it...

BarbY was so nice see you again..I think you are a sweet lady...

54B..I have an older son that Im 100% sure would just NOT get it...so Im not sure I will bring him anytime soon...lol But David seemed to enjoy and asked me last night if I had decided when we were going back..hehe
Also,I did not include the taxi to or from Redhook or ferry fees in my 484.00 as thats what everyone pays anyway...but even with that...still not a bad deal..
Hopefully I will be so lucky and can get a good deal when we book again...

Coden next time I plan on bringing the Neoprene socks for my fins..hopefully that will help with that..and carry water next time...lol

Parafins...we put them and the air mattress' in checked bags (a large pullman) with a few other things..towels...etc. we also bought them at Wally world esp for this trip, they are the 9x8 backpacking tent by Ozark Trail. We have 2 others...one is a 20x18, 3 room lodge thing...and the other is 10x13...too big to bring so we opted for the smaller ones. We are camping this weekend again...too bad it wont be Cinnamon Bay...

Camping again! I'm so jealous! If I have this right you live near the Great Smoky Mnts.If so you are sooo lucky!I also love the North Carolina side of the smokys.Deep Creek,ect.I hope to visit just south of that next year in Transyvania County {Land of the Waterfalls}For me the Smokys and St.John have a special place in my heart! Parafins

parafins wrote:Camping again! I'm so jealous! If I have this right you live near the Great Smoky Mnts.If so you are sooo lucky!I also love the North Carolina side of the smokys.Deep Creek,ect.I hope to visit just south of that next year in Transyvania County {Land of the Waterfalls}For me the Smokys and St.John have a special place in my heart! Parafins

Well, yes and no. I am originally from the Mtns..(Haywood County) born and raised there...Maggie Valley, Waynesville area..I moved to the Eastern part of NC when I remarried about 5 yrs ago..We are near Rockingham. Infact we both work in Rockingham. We love Deep creek as well, I have been there many times..have you ever been to Cades Cove near Gatlinburg? or Catalooche Valley, Near Maggie Valley? (not the ski resort..the old community).. Beautiful areas...or perhaps Sliding Rock near Brevard? If not you should visit when you are there...

JJShaw wrote:

parafins wrote:Camping again! I'm so jealous! If I have this right you live near the Great Smoky Mnts.If so you are sooo lucky!I also love the North Carolina side of the smokys.Deep Creek,ect.I hope to visit just south of that next year in Transyvania County {Land of the Waterfalls}For me the Smokys and St.John have a special place in my heart! Parafins

Well, yes and no. I am originally from the Mtns..(Haywood County) born and raised there...Maggie Valley, Waynesville area..I moved to the Eastern part of NC when I remarried about 5 yrs ago..We are near Rockingham. Infact we both work in Rockingham. We love Deep creek as well, I have been there many times..have you ever been to Cades Cove near Gatlinburg? or Catalooche Valley, Near Maggie Valley? (not the ski resort..the old community).. Beautiful areas...or perhaps Sliding Rock near Brevard? If not you should visit when you are there...

My first trip to the smoky's was back in 1971.Over the years we have visited Cades Cove and then in 97' we discovered Catalooche and it's collection of old houses.Deep Creek came later.I would love to live down there someday.I'm drawn to area's with lakes,oceans,waterfalls,and creeks.I'm a waterbug I guess.