2013 Michigan Girls trip report part one
Posted: Sat Apr 13, 2013 1:50 pm
Departure Day
We got up at 3AM in our Detroit hotel home to catch the 4AM shuttle to the airport. The first flight was blissfully uneventful and the inflight wifi allowed me to get a lot of my work done. The layover in Miami was just long enough to change into island clothes and use the restroom – perfect layover time! The second leg I was blessed to have an upgrade to first class, so some preflight champagne was in order.
892862_3983740091951_518718909_o (1) by heidifunk, on Flickr
Captain announced that we will be delayed while maintenance cleared some minor detail. Over an hour later, we were finally ready to take off. These are the times an upgrade are really appreciated. I managed to finish almost all of my remaining work on this flight, which was better than I had projected. Arrival in St Thomas to perfect weather is always great. Stopped and did our Cruzan shot and headed to baggage claim. Christopher taxi was there waiting with my name on sign, gotta love that. Short wait for luggage and we are on our way. Dohm's was ready and waiting at Red Hook with a bottle of champagne.
DSCN0255 by heidifunk, on Flickr
The crossing was a bit rough – most of us enjoyed it, but my mother not so much. They dropped us at the national park doc and 3 of us headed up to Conrad Sutton to pick up the rental cars. I know I've heard people complain about the friendliness of the folks there, but they were funny and accommodating. Conrad was laughing at Sherry wanting him to note every tiny scratch on the jeep. Back down to the dock to pick up the others and luggage, then up to the lumberyard to get ice, water and meet our villa greeter at Cimmaron. Lewis led us up to Satinwood and got us all settled in. Super nice guy, and originally from Grand Rapids, MI (same as us!). We left the others to get settled in and headed back to town for grocery shopping at Starfish. $400 dollars later we are stocked and ready to relax. Back up to Satinwood for a dinner of Starfish rotisserie chicken and deli salads. We lost electricity to the lower level and the water pump without warning, but a call to Cimmaron brought the maintenance guy out super fast to fix it. The rest of the evening was spent settling in and me finishing up my work.
Wednesday
Up with the sunrise Wednesday morning. People back home are always surprised to hear I get up before sunrise on vacation (I am not a morning person). I just tell them it's not the same on St. John
DSC_0012 by heidifunk, on Flickr
A little more working while the rest of the group wakes up, and we're off to Maho. As we were there by 8:15, we were able to score two front row spots and a great spot on the beach. Took the newbies out for a snorkel lesson,
DSCN0264 by heidifunk, on Flickr
then settled my parents in their chairs
100_0076 by heidifunk, on Flickr
The snorkel was great as always. Gotta love the turtles at Maho, that's what it's all about for me.
100_0062 by heidifunk, on Flickr
100_0055 by heidifunk, on Flickr
We saw so many turtles, lots of starfish, and a crab living in a conch shell who wasn't exactly loving me. When ever I got even a little close to him, he snapped at me with his claws.
100_0057 by heidifunk, on Flickr
The parents and youngsters were tired, so I brought them back up to Satinwood to chill in the pool.
100_0136 by heidifunk, on Flickr
Andrew did not bring snorkel gear, but after borrowing Emily's at Maho decided he must have his own, so we went to Cruz Bay Watersports to buy him some. The prices weren't bad, only about $30 more than at home for a pretty nice set. Back to Maho to rejoin Mark and Sherry for a little more water fun before heading up to the villa for the night. Dinner was personal sized pizzas on grill (yummy!) then a little working before bed (I can never fully escape from work unfortunately) Somehow working here is a lot less painful when this is the view.
DSC_0008 by heidifunk, on Flickr
To be continued...
We got up at 3AM in our Detroit hotel home to catch the 4AM shuttle to the airport. The first flight was blissfully uneventful and the inflight wifi allowed me to get a lot of my work done. The layover in Miami was just long enough to change into island clothes and use the restroom – perfect layover time! The second leg I was blessed to have an upgrade to first class, so some preflight champagne was in order.
892862_3983740091951_518718909_o (1) by heidifunk, on Flickr
Captain announced that we will be delayed while maintenance cleared some minor detail. Over an hour later, we were finally ready to take off. These are the times an upgrade are really appreciated. I managed to finish almost all of my remaining work on this flight, which was better than I had projected. Arrival in St Thomas to perfect weather is always great. Stopped and did our Cruzan shot and headed to baggage claim. Christopher taxi was there waiting with my name on sign, gotta love that. Short wait for luggage and we are on our way. Dohm's was ready and waiting at Red Hook with a bottle of champagne.
DSCN0255 by heidifunk, on Flickr
The crossing was a bit rough – most of us enjoyed it, but my mother not so much. They dropped us at the national park doc and 3 of us headed up to Conrad Sutton to pick up the rental cars. I know I've heard people complain about the friendliness of the folks there, but they were funny and accommodating. Conrad was laughing at Sherry wanting him to note every tiny scratch on the jeep. Back down to the dock to pick up the others and luggage, then up to the lumberyard to get ice, water and meet our villa greeter at Cimmaron. Lewis led us up to Satinwood and got us all settled in. Super nice guy, and originally from Grand Rapids, MI (same as us!). We left the others to get settled in and headed back to town for grocery shopping at Starfish. $400 dollars later we are stocked and ready to relax. Back up to Satinwood for a dinner of Starfish rotisserie chicken and deli salads. We lost electricity to the lower level and the water pump without warning, but a call to Cimmaron brought the maintenance guy out super fast to fix it. The rest of the evening was spent settling in and me finishing up my work.
Wednesday
Up with the sunrise Wednesday morning. People back home are always surprised to hear I get up before sunrise on vacation (I am not a morning person). I just tell them it's not the same on St. John
DSC_0012 by heidifunk, on Flickr
A little more working while the rest of the group wakes up, and we're off to Maho. As we were there by 8:15, we were able to score two front row spots and a great spot on the beach. Took the newbies out for a snorkel lesson,
DSCN0264 by heidifunk, on Flickr
then settled my parents in their chairs
100_0076 by heidifunk, on Flickr
The snorkel was great as always. Gotta love the turtles at Maho, that's what it's all about for me.
100_0062 by heidifunk, on Flickr
100_0055 by heidifunk, on Flickr
We saw so many turtles, lots of starfish, and a crab living in a conch shell who wasn't exactly loving me. When ever I got even a little close to him, he snapped at me with his claws.
100_0057 by heidifunk, on Flickr
The parents and youngsters were tired, so I brought them back up to Satinwood to chill in the pool.
100_0136 by heidifunk, on Flickr
Andrew did not bring snorkel gear, but after borrowing Emily's at Maho decided he must have his own, so we went to Cruz Bay Watersports to buy him some. The prices weren't bad, only about $30 more than at home for a pretty nice set. Back to Maho to rejoin Mark and Sherry for a little more water fun before heading up to the villa for the night. Dinner was personal sized pizzas on grill (yummy!) then a little working before bed (I can never fully escape from work unfortunately) Somehow working here is a lot less painful when this is the view.
DSC_0008 by heidifunk, on Flickr
To be continued...
