That special STJ aroma!

steveo2916 · Post by **steveo2916** » Wed Jun 04, 2014 3:24 pm

Ok, forumites, I have had for years my favorite on-island aroma (other than Hurcules pates!). I'll catch fleeting 'wafts' of it as I drive around the island, particularly on Centerline and the North shore rd. The best I can describe it is a blend of freshly roasted coffee and a pleasant skunk smell. It has always bugged me that no one can tell me what I'm smelling! I'm reasonably certain that there are no coffee-brewing STJ skunks! And since it's so pleasant to me, I'm guessing it must be plant-based.

Any ideas???

SteveO.

lprof · Post by **lprof** » Wed Jun 04, 2014 3:48 pm

From the archives... still on your mind???

http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/v ... f=1&t=5224

I am not sure that I have had the pleasure of experiencing the aroma. Musky seems to be the common term.
Older subject... new thoughts???

steveo2916 · Post by **steveo2916** » Wed Jun 04, 2014 9:12 pm

OMG, lprof, you are my hero of the day!!!

I had totally forgotten about that thread, but now you understand just how strong a memory bond that aroma has for me! I'm actually gearing up for a week-long trip with my daughter to STJ in August for my Son and future DIL's wedding! I can't wait until I catch the first whiff (first whiffed in '84)!

Thanks for the memories!

SteveO.

lprof · Post by **lprof** » Thu Jun 05, 2014 7:45 am

You are welcome! St John feeds all our senses very well... enjoy your next experience there! And make some new memories.

david@va.beach · Post by **david@va.beach** » Thu Jun 05, 2014 8:00 am

I've forgotten the name but I believe it's a kind of nettle.

Barb Y · Post by **Barb Y** » Thu Jun 05, 2014 8:35 am

As strange as the smell is I absolutely love it! I know I am where I want to be when I smell that wonderful smell of STJ

Summerlover · Post by **Summerlover** » Fri Jun 06, 2014 6:28 am

LOL, we smelled it too when we were there. We would always yell out "there's that smell again" and laugh

mahojim · Post by **mahojim** » Fri Jun 06, 2014 11:54 am

Well whether it's mongoose sac's, or a plant, I sure do miss the hell out of it. I gotta' agree- it's definately strongest in that hollow going east just before you hit Maho.
Jeez, do I miss it. I miss it all so much.
Smiles-
MJ

GotToGetAway · Post by **GotToGetAway** » Fri Jun 06, 2014 1:29 pm

I live in Florida and now that we are in the rainy season, I smell that "St John smell" here. I always thought it was the Bay Rum trees I smelled on island, but we don't have Bay Rum trees here, so it must be something else. Maybe Flamboyant trees when they bloom? Anyway, it makes me miss St. John desperately.

JohnM · Post by **JohnM** » Fri Jun 06, 2014 3:47 pm

A convenient place to smell Bay Rum is around the parking lot at Trunk Bay. Take a few steps around, get a whiff, then "Ahhhh!" Sort of a blending of cinnamon & nutmeg. One of my favorite things about STJ.

Did the NPS-guided L'Esperance Trail hike recently. Big highlight for me was walking through a large grove of Bay Rums. In fact, may be the only large stand of them on the island.

Anyway, I don't think Bay Rum is what's being described here.

TraumaQueen · Post by **TraumaQueen** » Sat Jun 07, 2014 10:04 am

Is the aroma by the Stinky Donkey Dip sign in Coral Bay a result of the dumpster or the mangroves there? I almost gagged the first time we drove by it, but came to miss it after we left.

sunrum · Post by **sunrum** » Sat Jun 07, 2014 4:35 pm

We read that the smell by the dumpers is from the mangroves and only occurs in certain conditions, maybe when it hasn't rained in a while but can't quite remember the details.

lprof · Post by **lprof** » Sat Jun 07, 2014 5:37 pm

Some details... as reported.
http://www.stjohntradewindsnews.com/ind ... rove-smell

BocaSue · Post by **BocaSue** » Sat Jun 28, 2014 11:26 am

I know exactly where you are talking about....it is a faint, skunky type smell...always thought it was a farm of illegal substances (now illegal in Colorado) growing some where around there.

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