Sun's Trip Report Final Installment

[Sun4MySoul]

Hello All- Sorry to take such a long break in the Trip Report. But Life Happens...as you all know. I thought it might take Rick G a couple of days to get his thoughts togther and we could all use some entertainment until then....

My last installment brought out some great PACK fans - Thanks all! As for the light blue folks- I have inserted more pics in this report for your viewing pleasure!

Thanks jmq for editing one of my pics. It looks great and I will have to take the time to do more. Chicagoans- I was lucky on our trip up to Windy Hill: someone had just come through there and cut the thorns back! Perhaps you will have the same luck on your next trip. And NC Sue- I lived in Raleigh for many years, but now I'm hiding out down on Oak Island. Forever a beach bum!

Back to the trip:

Day Seven

We went to Donkey Diner for breakfast and it's a good thing that I didn't discover that place sooner...my cereal would have gone uneaten! The food was good, price was right, and there is plenty of outdoor seating. It really hit the spot.

Off to Haulover again, this time for a kayak/snorkel tour with Hidden Reef Eco-Tours. I have to say this was a GREAT trip. One of the owner/guides graduated from NC State, and the other was so informative, that I felt like I was a Snorkeling Idiot prior to meeting him. He led our snorkeling tour and picked everything off the bottom from Sea Biscuits to Cucumbers and brought them back to the surface for show and tell. (Nothing was harmed and everything was placed back as he found it) I definitely learned a lot on this trip. There were only 8 of us on the trip that day and two of them were from the town next door to me. Its a small world!!

Next, we headed over to Vie's Beach. I have never spent anytime on the beach here, and I'm glad that I made the effort this trip. The beach wasn't too crowded and the reef just off the point on the right is almost as good as the one all the way out at Pelican Rock. After the crowd at the Snack Shack died down, we made our way there to have lunch and chat with Vie. What southern girl doesn't love a deep fried biscuit (Johnny Cake) smothered in honey butter and conversation with someone that has lived on the island since before there were roads?!! Her grandson was also visiting on this day and it was fun to hang out with them. I could even let him play with my digital camera because its shockproof! Thankfully, though, he did not test this theory. Vie put some honey in the bird feeder, so I could show SB the banaquits.

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On the way back from Haulover, I saw this bird following his donkey friend around. I swear I have seen them before. Yes, I KNOW it's probably not the same ones, but again, this is MY story. Have any of you seen this unlikely duo on the road in Coral Bay? C'mon California Girl - don't let me down!

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Tonight Steve Simon's band is playing at Shipwreck and we have dinner reservations. Our one big night out on the town, and I was not disappointed! Prior to leaving I used my gorillapod (love that thing!) to take this picture of us...I'm not sure of the setting that I used on my camera, but it made a cool "ghost" picture. You can see right through me.

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Of course, the evening at Shipwreck was great. The food, drinks, and people, again did not disappoint. I had the Conch Fritters and hot sauce again, and Mahi Piccata. Seems like I should be able to figure that recipe out at home and I have to say, that I never would have thought of it on my own. Shipwreck Pat was already gone for the day and I was sorry to miss her. I could not buy any of the amazing hot sauce to take home because they were out of the specific heat level that I like, but I guess that means that I'll just have to go back soon!

Day Eight

This is our last full day on STJ. I ask SB if he would like to return to one of the many fabulous beaches that he has been to already, but he votes for continuing on to somewhere new. So we head out to the North Shore road and score a parking spot at Jumbie. There wasn't anyone around yet, and a storm was threatening, so I took this opportunity to relax.

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It's a bit cloudy today for underwater pictures, but I had to take these. I came across some strange project going on at the reef to the right of Jumbie: Coral Restoration perhaps? I have no idea. But if you are going soon, swim out to the orange buoy on the right side and you will see it. There was a measuring tape from shore staked into the reef and there were lots of seeming healthy pieces of coral zip-tied to the dead/dying pieces. Does anyone have more info on this?

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We snorkeled all the way over to Trunk, so we could take a walk down the beach and SB could add yet another beach to his list. I loved walking down to the underwater trail and seeing the mobs of people going crazy there. This is why I love Trunk Bay. Its like a container for all the people I don't want to be snorkeling with on a regular basis.

When we were about to re-enter the water for our return snorkel, SB nearly stepped on a stingray that was VERY close to shore. That would have caused quite the commotion down by the Cruise Ship Crowd. Made it back to Jumbie safely and by then, the beach had been invaded. I wondered where all these people parked until I saw the pile up on the side of the road when we were leaving! We hung out at Jumbie for a while, had our picnic lunch, and then decided to head over to Cinnamon. I'm used to seeing this beach every single day when camping and hadn't been once on this trip...so I needed to make sure it was still there! We stopped off to steal a picture that I've never been able to score...

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The afternoon at Cinnamon was a good one. There was lots of quality float time with adult beverages. While we were goofing around, SB took this picture of me with the camera underwater and me on my float above water. Obviously, we had lots of fun with my new camera...

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We learn that the locals have a standing volleyball game every Thursday and Sunday at 4pm on the right end of Cinnamon Beach...anyone can play...so if you are feeling energetic, head on down!

I take a walk around the campground for more pics...

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I then went on a surprisingly good snorkel around the point on the right side of the beach. I didn't expect much and was greatly surprised. Lots more squid and some interesting fish...gray angelfish perhaps? I will have to post my Name This Fish Pictures later. I need some help with that!


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I did not want to leave the beach today, so we stayed through sunset.

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We have our last villa meal on the deck...pork chops and asparagus...mmm! And went to bed early for tomorrow's adventures.


Day Nine
After 14+ beaches on STJ, its time to be fair and show SB another side to Island Life. So we take the Friday morning ferry over to Jost Van Dyke. I have to admit that going over there for a day visit is always a highlight of my trip. I try to save it until the end, because its so relaxing, and I need to be rested up for the travel day back through STT!

When we arrive in Great Harbor, we jump in Bunn Taxi. He stopped so we could take pictures at the top of the hills overlooking White Bay and later in the afternoon took us on a "backstage tour" of downtown Great Harbor. I definitely recommend him!

When we arrive at White Bay, the place is empty and calm. I know it won't last long, and I try to take advantage of it.

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Mic never lets me down behind the bar at Soggy Dollar. I LOVE the flavored painkillers. Coconut is my favorite, but the Lemon will not disappoint! And no matter how obnoxiously crowded it can get at the bar, he always remembers my name. He obviously wasn't drinking as many Painkillers as I was!

Of course, one of my favorite things about the Soggy Dollar is that my fellow Pack Fans have traveled there before me...Wolfpack Nation is everywhere...And I didn't see a single Carowhina flag...

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We did the usual stroll down to One Love and over to Ivan's to check things out. I think I would like to spend a couple of nights over here on one of my upcoming trips to see what life is like on Jost after the ferry leaves for the afternoon! I spent not enough time on the beach of White Bay enjoying my Painkillers and before I knew it, Bunn was picking us up to take us over to Foxy's for lunch. By this time, the line at the Soggy Dollar Bar was deep, so its probably best that we left when we did.

I had never been to Foxy's before and loved the experience! Foxy was actually there, telling his jokes and entertaining everyone, even though he is still not allowed to sing from his recent surgery. It was a pleasure to talk to him though!

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Lunch and Bushwackers were good here. I LOVED the hot sauce they served and begged to buy a bottle. It ranked right up there with Valley Doll! It was called Montouks and is made with scotch bonnets, so it's pretty warm on the scale. I find out later that they sell this brand at St John Spice, in case you are interested.

On the walk back to the ferry, we enjoy the views and I almost take home a new friend!

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We survive the ferry ride back and decide to hit St John Spice for some last minute purchases and to say good bye to STJRuth. Unfortunately, I was told that Ruth was busy upstairs...making that amazing Grill Rub, I guess! We bought a few bottles of the good stuff and I got the last copy of Keep Left that was on the shelf. Ruth- Time to re-stock and sorry that I missed you!!

I wrote my name in the sand, but I don't think anyone on the Forum was paying attention on Friday afternoon.

Then its off to Woody's for our last Happy Hour. We score seats out on the street and continue the day's merriment. We eventually chow down again on Shark Bites and I have the chicken wings that turn out to be too hot for SB - More for me! After this day, I finally let SB drive back to Coral Bay.


Final Day

Time to pack up and head out....We all know the feeling. We are up early to watch the last sunrise. And start the leaving preparations. Our flight out of STT isn't until 5:30pm, so we have some time to hit one last beach. After saying goodbye to the excellent home owners, we head over to Salt Pond for one last snorkel. Again, I am thankful that things are quiet for a bit. We headed out for the snorkel and the water was quite murky near shore, but thankfully cleared up when we neared the point. We saw a couple of turtles and some squid...a lot more squid on this trip for some reason...I saw my first jellyfish (while snorkeling) and a sea biscuit...which I could now easily recognize thanks to my Eco-Tour Guide earlier in the trip.

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I said goodbye to Jorge's beach and began the W.O.W. For me, its not when you get on the ferry or at the airport, its when you leave the beach for the last time.

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I guess that's it. The rest you have heard before....the obligatory last minute shopping, getting sandwiches for the plane, and the craziness of the STT airport.

Back at home three weeks now, still reeling from my vacation high, and still dealing with the ear problems that I developed while trying to dive! But its all good, because its about time to start planning the next trip. I think it will be a Solo Adventure the first week of Nov. This coincides with SOTB II and Rick G's large group, I think. So Lord help me!!!

[Exit Zero]

About the reef at Jumbie Bay - a few weeks ago a vessel that transports cruise ship passengers to Trunk Bay for snorkel trips broke free of her mooring and went aground on that reef. The NPS is assessing damage and it sounds as if they are trying to do some repair work as well. That is what the measuring markers and zip tied pieces are about.

[Kentuckygirl]

Nice ending to a great trip! Thanks for the reports! That reef restoration is interesting!

[cptnkirk]

Great report Sun4MySoul, loved it, ya started my Monday out right. Have to do a search for the rest of your reports as somehow I missed them. Oh and great pics think I will use the sunset shot for my desktop for awhile.

[Robin in NC]

Now that's a trip report! Great adventures, wonderfully told, and excellent pix to boot. Loved it.

BTW, lots of nice shots of Carter-Finley Stadium and the RBC Center during the East regional this weekend. I think you made a big step forward with Tom O'Brien and a big step backward with Sidney Lowe, but I guess time will tell...

Robin in NC

[liamsaunt]

Thank you for coming back and finishing your report! It was fun to read about all of your adventures.

[Nic in KC]

Thanks so much for the trip reports! It makes me want to be on island even more. I'm glad you had such a wonderful trip!

Nicolle

[onthelake]

Thanks for the great report and pics ... on Monday morning!

What camera did you buy? I'm thinking of a new camera for this years trip. Well hopefully this years trip, if the airfare comes down.

Have a great monday everyone!

[Ksea]

Thanks for the trip report and the pics, it was all great! Hope to see you in November

[jaycimarie]

Looks like you managed to find the Ragin Cajun flag... - That's my hometown college(though not my alma mater - LSU - Geaux Tigers!)

[ShipwreckPat]

Sorry I missed you but thought I would pass along some hot sauce info. The incredible sauce is called Valley Doll and is made by one of our prep chefs. It is her own recipe and she has never shared it with anyone. This is the first year she has made a second flavor which she
still calls Valley Doll but had added 151 to the name.
Just like the rum, VD 151 has quite a kick. You can only get it at Shipwreck or at Donkey Diner but can now
contact Nancy and she will ship full cases.

Her contact email is:
ValleyDoll51@Hotmail.com

[Dave-a-roni]

Very nice trip report with VERY nice pics. Two thumbs up.
Oh, thanks for mentioning about the eco-tour you did, that sounded really cool. I don't see that mentioned a lot here so I'm glad you pointed it out.

[Kathyzhere]

Sounds like you had a fantastic time! Thanks for sharing. I love the colors in that sunset...I can hardly wait to see for myself

Take care,
Kathy

[sea-nile]

Great report and of course I love the sunset!

[VaGirl]

Loved your report and the great pictures! As one of the SOTB'ers, I look forward to seeing you in November! We all had our picture taken with Foxy last November, too - he always has that "wild" look!!