Trip Report: May 7 - May 13
Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 2:58 pm
This was my 10th trip to STJ since discovering this little piece of heaven in 2001. This trip was solely a Mother's Day gift to my mother-in-law, Jo (5th time we've taken her down there), and my mother, Linda (her 2nd time as our guest). Unfortunately my Dad couldn't make this trip due to work obligations, but that just made it that much more of a "mom trip." All I can say is, "Thank God for my mother," because without her sweet presence on this trip, there would be a 200 lb. hump of MIL buried in the sand somewhere on St. John.....that's all I'll say about that.
For those of you needing a photo fix, I ended up with about 750 pics, but here are my favorites:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N ... 178566941/
Day 1: Travel Day From Hell.
I always use FF miles to fly USAir from Knoxville to Charlotte. However, due to the difficulty of getting 4 award seats on one flight and the high cost of tickets purchased out of Knoxville, I stupidly made the decision to fly Spirit out of Atlanta. The Spirit part was great, $250 per ticket and my experience with them was a-ok going and coming. It was the Atlanta part that was a bad, bad idea. I had work obligations that kept me at work until 9:00 pm Tuesday night and we had a 7:30 am flight out of Atlanta Wednesday morning. You do the math. This required leaving Knoxville at 1:00 am, getting to Atlanta at 5:00 am, and into the airport by 5:30 am as required. Add to that trying to deal with my histrionic MIL and her vague "injury," a total lack of sleep, spending a 3 hour layover quarantined in the Spirit terminal at FLL where the only food was a $7 pre-packaged cold sandwich or a terrible looking hamburger, and having to wear the same underwear for.....well....longer than I wanted to, let's just say I was not a happy camper by the time I got on that last plane.
However, it all vanished when I deplaned in STT. Isn't it great how everything just fades when you step out and that warm breeze tinged with salty air brushes across your face? In minutes, we had a nearly new 4 door Wrangler from Budget and were out of the airport in record time. This was my 9th time renting from Budget and my 9th time having a great experience. Those of you who continually have bad experiences with Budget, I simply can't explain it. Maybe they are just nice to me because I am young and beautiful.....
Made it over to St. John early enough to pick up groceries and rum and get to the villa in time to see a hazy sunset. The dust or ash or whatever it might have been was bad the first day and gradually got better each day we were there. Sunnyledge was just like I left it in January....perfect. I was happy to see that the fat villa cat, Pouncer, was still around. We changed into clean skivvies (can I have a chorus of "Hallelujah" please?) and went to have a late dinner at Shipwreck Landing with the added bonus of live music.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2502826244/" title="Best view so far today by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3041/250 ... f9dc_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Best view so far today"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2502826644/" title="Me & Mom by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2341/250 ... 57aa_m.jpg" width="160" height="240" alt="Me & Mom"></a>
With a mouth stuffed with fried shrimp washed down with a cold painkiller, I was happy to say that, thank goodness, travel day was over, and that it had ended without me burying my MIL and her airport wheelchair on some unnamed beach.....
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2501998417/" title="Fried Shrimp... by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3087/250 ... cbf0_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Fried Shrimp..."></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2501997761/" title="Untitled by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2059/250 ... 388c_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt=""></a>
Day 2: The First Day is Always Maho.
After going 39 hours without sleep, you think I could have slept late, don't you? Nope. Awake at 6:00 am. I just can't seem to sleep late on St. John. Too excited about the day, I suppose. I don't want to sleep through a thing. Yes, I'm that person you hate being on vacation with, the one that's always going "What are we doing next?"
For several reasons, the first day is always Maho. One, it's just the perfect beach. Calm water, soft sand, swaying palms. Two, it's so close to Sunnyledge, it makes an easy beach day, which after travel day, was exactly what I needed. Three, well, it's just the perfect beach.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2506661299/" title="Untitled by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2036/250 ... e4f85a.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt=""></a>
My mom wanted to snorkel and really made a valiant attempt, for the 9 seconds that it lasted. Seeing quickly that it simply wasn't do-able, I devised a plan. I put her on an inflated tube with a mask. I tugged her across Maho Bay while I searched for turtles. When I'd find one, she'd stick her face in and look. It worked okay until she realized the tube was deflating. She was waaaaay out in the bay when she said, "Vicki, do you hear that? What's that noise?" Hissssssssssssssss. Uh-oh. Turtle stalking was quickly aborted. She did, however, manage some keeper photos that many of you have already seen, including sand, her own face, and a turtle butt:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2494554841/" title="Sand. by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2237/249 ... 427a_m.jpg" width="240" height="176" alt="Sand."></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2494554859/" title="Mom's face. by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2074/249 ... f281_o.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Mom's face."></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2494554853/" title="Turtle butt. by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2215/249 ... f1cb_o.jpg" width="240" height="135" alt="Turtle butt."></a>
Well, because I had to keep raising my head to pull her, talk to her, point, etc. while snorkeling, I had, much to my dismay, a nice line across my forehead. Top was a little red. The rest, not so much. Kind of a St. John farmer's tan. SO not young and beautiful. Ah, but it was worth it to get that turtle butt shot.
After settling Mom back in on the beach with Jo, we did a nice long snorkel over to Little Maho. I saw lots of turtles which always makes me happy. Lunch was a sandwich on the beach with the Maho beach chickens. Mom kept asking, "Whose chickens are those? Somebody needs to get those chickens." I kept explaining they were the beach chickens and it just couldn't sink in. Ten minutes later she'd be saying, "Why are those chickens running around down here? Who owns those chickens?" Sigh.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2507487304/" title="Pile of rocks? by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2020/250 ... 5058_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Pile of rocks?"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2507481546/" title="Untitled by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3226/250 ... 6285_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt=""></a>
That evening, we took the Moms to the Beach Bar for a beautiful sunset. Mom had her first painkiller. How fun was THAT? I also had my first painkiller (of this trip....). Okay, that's a lie. I had one the night before. Whatever. Who's counting? Dinner was lobster all around at Morgan's Mango. I ate everything but the green onion garnish and thought about eating that, but the waitress gave me a "look."
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2507477342/" title="Beach Bar Sunset by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2048/250 ... eeca_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Beach Bar Sunset"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2506648449/" title="Morgan's Mango LOBSTER. Yum. by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2167/250 ... eec3_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Morgan's Mango LOBSTER. Yum."></a>
Day 3: I love me some Jumbie.
Up again at 6:00. I had some coffee that I had bought the night before at St. John Spice, so I didn't mind being up early. After lazing around the villa for a while, we decided to go to Jumbie. Why? Because Jo couldn't walk down there, of course. No seriously, that is NOT why we picked it. Not consciously, anyway. At least I'm not admitting it. So, because of the steps, Jo stayed back at the villa to "rest." (Isn't the whole trip REST?)
Jumbie is a very quiet and peaceful beach, I guess because the parking limits how many people can be there. We were the 4th car, and when we got to the beach, there were 3 other couples out there. One of them turned out to be Diana2 and her husband, a really nice couple! She recognized my big camera and came over to say "hello." Did some snorkeling (Mom stayed beachside....) and we found a big nurse shark under a ledge. I was patiently waiting for it to maybe decide to come out (which it never did) when Diana2 came along. Fearless chick that she is, she stayed there with me!
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2506643285/" title="Untitled by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2082/250 ... d3a119.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt=""></a>
After a while, TONS, no really, TONS of people starting pouring onto the beach. It was like a family reunion gone bad, with kids running everywhere and tons of lawn chairs and coolers, loud people yelling back and forth. All I could figure was.....TAXI. Evil taxi must have dropped them all off. It was just WRONG. So, we decided we'd had enough beach time and headed on back for some villa time. Everyone else napped while I ate a box of lime popsicles and watched Francis below.
We had dinner that night at Pastory Gardens. The fish fry was good, as always. The sunset from there is beautiful, so it made a nice end to the day.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2506634135/" title="The moms. by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2363/250 ... 5a5f_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="The moms."></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2506632919/" title="Fish fry. by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3059/250 ... 0131_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Fish fry."></a>
Day 4: Jost or Bust.
This was definitely my favorite day. I have never been to Jost Van Dyke in 10 trips to St. John. I was determined to make it this time, MIL and her bum leg or not. We had decided on the ferry, since our favorite sailboat captain, Cpt. Clark, was still off housebuilding. The ferry ride was pleasant enough, despite me somehow becoming the object of the ferry operator's affection. Because my husband is never where I am, this guy thought I was a single girl with my mom, I guess. He wore me out. I kept doodling with the iPhone in hopes he'd think I was really busy. It didn't work.
We arrived and got everyone through customs. Mom was so excited to get her first stamp in her passport. We ended up renting a car because Hopalong Jo said she couldn't walk. This actually turned out to be a great thing. We drove all over and saw everything there was to see. I loved it. First we drove over to the east end and saw some beautiful views of Garner Bay, East End Harbor, and Little Jost.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2506631370/" title="Garner Bay by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2041/250 ... 5985_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Garner Bay"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2505839211/" title="Little Jost by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2204/250 ... 5f07_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Little Jost"></a>
Then we headed back to Great Harbor and stopped at Foxy's for a round (or two) of drinks. Loved it here. What a beautiful spot, so laid back. We had picked a table at random and were waiting for our painkillers when Mom pointed up and said, "Don't you have that shirt." I was sitting under the Forum T-shirt! Fate, I tell you. I was drawn there.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2506746148/" title="Foxy's by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3201/250 ... 7c85_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Foxy's"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2505929455/" title="Great Harbor, Jost by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3272/250 ... 4313_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Great Harbor, Jost"></a>
Foxy's was a breezy, quiet, cool place, since it was still early. Boats were bobbing lazily in the water, dogs were dozing under the palm trees, a local guy was cleaning fish at the dock. I loved being there, even though I got into it with a hammock. Safety tip folks: get out of the hammock before you start drinking. By the time we left Foxy's, I was a little fuzzy. Yes, it was only 11:00 a.m.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2506748836/" title="Great Harbor, Jost Van Dyke by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3082/250 ... f08a77.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Great Harbor, Jost Van Dyke"></a>
We headed to White Bay to grab some lunch and do some lounging (and maybe a little more drinking). I had a hard time deciding which spot was the most beautiful. This place simply didn't look real. The water was an impossible shade of blue, the sand too white, the trees too gentle in their swaying. We hit the bar for more painkillers and ordered some lunch. I had the chicken roti, and let me just say, that thing was AWESOME. I devoured it. We had plenty of time to eat, drink, swim, and just relax. By the time we left White Bay, I was loose as a goose.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2505984913/" title="Untitled by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3148/250 ... f5f087.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt=""></a>
But wait, I hadn't been to Ivan's yet! We had to stop at Ivan's. This might have been my favorite. So much quieter and so cool with all the shells everywhere. It had a vibe that just felt good, you know? I asked what their best drink was and they gave me a "Stress Free." Well, I was already pretty darn stress free, and wasn't sure how much more stress free I could become, but I was sure willing to try. Bring it on! They brought it, and it kicked my a$$.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2506863472/" title="Now THAT'S a view. by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2010/250 ... 703d41.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Now THAT'S a view."></a>
After someone scooped me up and put me in the car, it was time to get back to the ferry. So sad to leave. I have to say that Jost was too beautiful for words, each little bar was cooler than the last, and the local people were so unbelievable friendly. I simply loved it there.
On the ride back, I was again spouseless and of course, joined once again by the ferry operator. At one point, he actually asked my mother if she would let him marry me. I think in my inebriated state, my mother was plotting with the ferry operator in hopes that a quick, illegal marriage might get her a second home in the Virgin Islands, but I can't be sure.
Once I sobered up a little, we grabbed some dinner at Miss Lucy's. The setting was beautiful and the food was great. Or so they tell me.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2505617103/" title="HUGE crabcakes. by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2096/250 ... f909_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="HUGE crabcakes."></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2505631323/" title="Little Lameshur by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2353/250 ... c0cc_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Little Lameshur"></a>
Day 5: No Vie's For You!
We really wanted to go to Vie's beach, but drove all the way there to find out it was closed. DENIED. There was a big ole sign that said, "Off Limits." Well, at least we got to make that beautiful east end drive. I never get tired of that, do you? So, we opted instead for Francis, because, well, I was moving a little slow that day......thought maybe I'd like to stick close to home, if you know what I mean.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2506304550/" title="Untitled by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2125/250 ... bb2097.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt=""></a>
Francis was picture perfect, and very sparsely populated, which was nice. We had some nice beach time and did some good snorkeling.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2507413026/" title="Love the turtles. by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2302/250 ... aae0_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Love the turtles."></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2505396017/" title="Untitled by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2223/250 ... 2827_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt=""></a>
There was a great little dog on the beach, tiny thing, but you could tell she thought she was a pit bull. I walked over closer to take her picture. She belonged to a group of people that were obviously local. When I got closer, someone yelled, "Didn't I talk to you at Pastory the other night?" I looked up and recognized a young man that had talked to me at the bar at Pastory. He had a "strange" little friend and they asked me to take their picture "so I'd have something to remember them by," so I did. Then he asked for the camera so he could take mine. A girl at the table started yelling, "Don't do it. Never hand your camera to a crackhead," all while the "strange" little friend kept seizing up and slurring, "We're in the Virgin Islands, Man...." over and over. So what did I do? I handed him my camera.
I'm not good in awkward situations.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2505370949/" title="Bad A$$. by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2338/250 ... 1ce8_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Bad A$$."></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2506200170/" title="These guys asked me to take a picture. I was too scared to say "no." by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3282/250 ... a364_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="These guys asked me to take a picture. I was too scared to say "no.""></a>
When I was finally able to escape, we were all starving so we took the moms to Skinny Legs for lunch. I wasn't sure how Mom would react. She was ok until a little chicken started running back and forth across the floor being chased by a cat. She looked at me with that "Mom" look and before she could ask who owned that chicken, I said, "It's the St. John version of dinner theater, Mom. Enjoy!" She actually loved Skinny's.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2505361077/" title="Welcome! by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3071/250 ... 14ea_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Welcome!"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2506173764/" title="Best burger. by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2358/250 ... 042d_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Best burger."></a>
Vicki was badly in need of a nap so we went back to the villa for the afternoon. We wanted to head into Cruz Bay for Beach Bar jazz but the moms were pooped. They opted to stay at the villa. We headed on down and arrived in the midst of the Forum gathering. I saw some familiar faces, Liamsaunt and Ruth, so I went over to say "hi." I met several others: Brenda and her other half, the Canadians, Pia and Les, Nascarfan and his posse, NancyB, Cpt. Jay and Mrs. Cpt. Jay, and a super nice lurker (Tom) and his wife. Oh Gosh, I hope I didn't forget anyone. Now I know how those people on the Oscars feel when they are trying to remember who to thank. The pressure! Someone (Nancy?) brought cool glow bracelets for everyone. I haven't had one of those since I went to see Aerosmith when I was 18. Awesome.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2505317687/" title="May 11, 2008 Forum Folks by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2003/250 ... 6b12_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="May 11, 2008 Forum Folks"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2506146208/" title="Untitled by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3069/250 ... 24bc_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt=""></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2506144108/" title="Untitled by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3217/250 ... 55f8_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt=""></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2506142438/" title="Untitled by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2304/250 ... f834_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt=""></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2505310567/" title="Untitled by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2056/250 ... ac37_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt=""></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2505309357/" title="Untitled by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2113/250 ... 66f6_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt=""></a>
I was hungry again and had to have some Tuna Down Now, so we sat up at the bar. I was talking to the gentleman next to me when I realized it was Kirk! Dang. Kirk doesn't look like he did when he headed down there guys. St. John agrees with him. He was bleached blonde, cool and relaxed. Way to go Kirk. Still hungry, I wanted to go to La Tapa (I had never been). I wanted a light dinner since I was already stuffed with Tuna, so I got the gazpacho and the Josephine's greens with goat cheese. Wow, both were great. For dessert, I couldn't resist the homemade coffee and Bailey's ice-cream. So good.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2505321141/" title="Untitled by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3174/250 ... 92a1_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt=""></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2505305141/" title="La Tapa Gazpacho by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3268/250 ... 7cf0_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="La Tapa Gazpacho"></a>
While we were eating, we had a nice view (and were in great hearing range) of the drug deals that were going on across the street. It really wasn't all that interesting, pretty low key really, until this guy that was pretty jacked up on something started running down the middle of the street after a car using the f-word in some very creative and unusual ways. Wow. Two free dinners shows in one day. Only on St. John!
Day 6: Vie's Double Denial.
Okay, so, apparently Vie's beach is closed on Sundays AND Mondays. Now I know. It was probably for the best, because once Mom started traipsing across that junky lot, past the graves, beside the pile of old parts and gas cans, through the goats, and around the barbed wire, she probably would have run screaming back to the Jeep anyway.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2506091948/" title="Untitled by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2062/250 ... 18c5a0.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt=""></a>
As a consolation prize, we headed to Hawksnest. What a prize it was. It was a perfect Hawksnest Day. The beach was gorgeous and it wasn't very crowded. Score. We lounged, we snacked, we snorkeled.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2505183411/" title="Hawknest by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3294/250 ... f99af3.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Hawknest"></a>
When we had our fill, we headed back to the villa for some general laziness. Since I had eaten all of my lime popsicles, I moved on to Matt's Dove bars while everyone napped.
We took the moms to the Caneel Grand Buffet for dinner. It was just at sunset, and it was beautiful. Steel drum music was playing and the setting was perfect. They were awed. Jo had a miraculous recovery from her inability to walk that lasted just while we were at the buffet. A miracle of science, really. I think at one point, when we heard a call that the lobster was ready, she might have even sprinted. The evening was very nice. The moms were in heaven. The meal cost more than my first car, but it was worth it for the looks on their faces.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2502746301/" title="Untitled by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2229/250 ... c565_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt=""></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2503073591/" title="Mom & Jo by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3232/250 ... 963f_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Mom & Jo"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2503599892/" title="Untitled by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2263/250 ... 14c0_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt=""></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2502819505/" title="Untitled by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2317/250 ... 949a_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt=""></a>
Now I know how they must have felt every Christmas.
Day 7: Please, Not Another Travel Day.
As though the first one wasn't bad enough. The good news is that our villa lets us check out pretty late and we had a car until we got to the airport, so we didn't have to get up and rush. We lazed around the villa until about noon and then headed into Cruz Bay for some lunch and last minute shopping. One final painkiller and Tuna Down Now along with some killer fish tacos hit the spot. I took Mom into my favorite stores and we bought some goodies, and then it was time to go.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2502469977/" title="One last Tuna Down Now by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2266/250 ... 15e2_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="One last Tuna Down Now"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2503281532/" title="Untitled by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2292/250 ... a02b_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt=""></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2502544665/" title="Cruz Bay by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2385/250 ... 4612_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Cruz Bay"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2503181218/" title="Bye Bye Beach Bar. by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3089/250 ... 914b_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Bye Bye Beach Bar."></a>
As the car ferry chugged along, I couldn't help but think about what a great place St. John is. A place where chickens on the beach are cool and chickens running across your feet while you eat are even cooler, where the most intelligent thought you'll have all day might be, "I wonder what I look like to that lizard....," where drinking at 10:00 a.m. isn't just acceptable - it's wrong not to, where the days are bathed in sunshine and the water is clear and cool and is always calling, where you swim with turtles instead of meeting deadlines......it works it's magic on you, doesn't it?
Every time, I find it harder to leave. Maybe one time, I won't. Until then, someone save me a seat 'til I can get back.
For those of you needing a photo fix, I ended up with about 750 pics, but here are my favorites:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N ... 178566941/
Day 1: Travel Day From Hell.
I always use FF miles to fly USAir from Knoxville to Charlotte. However, due to the difficulty of getting 4 award seats on one flight and the high cost of tickets purchased out of Knoxville, I stupidly made the decision to fly Spirit out of Atlanta. The Spirit part was great, $250 per ticket and my experience with them was a-ok going and coming. It was the Atlanta part that was a bad, bad idea. I had work obligations that kept me at work until 9:00 pm Tuesday night and we had a 7:30 am flight out of Atlanta Wednesday morning. You do the math. This required leaving Knoxville at 1:00 am, getting to Atlanta at 5:00 am, and into the airport by 5:30 am as required. Add to that trying to deal with my histrionic MIL and her vague "injury," a total lack of sleep, spending a 3 hour layover quarantined in the Spirit terminal at FLL where the only food was a $7 pre-packaged cold sandwich or a terrible looking hamburger, and having to wear the same underwear for.....well....longer than I wanted to, let's just say I was not a happy camper by the time I got on that last plane.
However, it all vanished when I deplaned in STT. Isn't it great how everything just fades when you step out and that warm breeze tinged with salty air brushes across your face? In minutes, we had a nearly new 4 door Wrangler from Budget and were out of the airport in record time. This was my 9th time renting from Budget and my 9th time having a great experience. Those of you who continually have bad experiences with Budget, I simply can't explain it. Maybe they are just nice to me because I am young and beautiful.....
Made it over to St. John early enough to pick up groceries and rum and get to the villa in time to see a hazy sunset. The dust or ash or whatever it might have been was bad the first day and gradually got better each day we were there. Sunnyledge was just like I left it in January....perfect. I was happy to see that the fat villa cat, Pouncer, was still around. We changed into clean skivvies (can I have a chorus of "Hallelujah" please?) and went to have a late dinner at Shipwreck Landing with the added bonus of live music.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2502826244/" title="Best view so far today by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3041/250 ... f9dc_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Best view so far today"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2502826644/" title="Me & Mom by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2341/250 ... 57aa_m.jpg" width="160" height="240" alt="Me & Mom"></a>
With a mouth stuffed with fried shrimp washed down with a cold painkiller, I was happy to say that, thank goodness, travel day was over, and that it had ended without me burying my MIL and her airport wheelchair on some unnamed beach.....
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2501998417/" title="Fried Shrimp... by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3087/250 ... cbf0_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Fried Shrimp..."></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2501997761/" title="Untitled by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2059/250 ... 388c_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt=""></a>
Day 2: The First Day is Always Maho.
After going 39 hours without sleep, you think I could have slept late, don't you? Nope. Awake at 6:00 am. I just can't seem to sleep late on St. John. Too excited about the day, I suppose. I don't want to sleep through a thing. Yes, I'm that person you hate being on vacation with, the one that's always going "What are we doing next?"
For several reasons, the first day is always Maho. One, it's just the perfect beach. Calm water, soft sand, swaying palms. Two, it's so close to Sunnyledge, it makes an easy beach day, which after travel day, was exactly what I needed. Three, well, it's just the perfect beach.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2506661299/" title="Untitled by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2036/250 ... e4f85a.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt=""></a>
My mom wanted to snorkel and really made a valiant attempt, for the 9 seconds that it lasted. Seeing quickly that it simply wasn't do-able, I devised a plan. I put her on an inflated tube with a mask. I tugged her across Maho Bay while I searched for turtles. When I'd find one, she'd stick her face in and look. It worked okay until she realized the tube was deflating. She was waaaaay out in the bay when she said, "Vicki, do you hear that? What's that noise?" Hissssssssssssssss. Uh-oh. Turtle stalking was quickly aborted. She did, however, manage some keeper photos that many of you have already seen, including sand, her own face, and a turtle butt:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2494554841/" title="Sand. by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2237/249 ... 427a_m.jpg" width="240" height="176" alt="Sand."></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2494554859/" title="Mom's face. by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2074/249 ... f281_o.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Mom's face."></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2494554853/" title="Turtle butt. by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2215/249 ... f1cb_o.jpg" width="240" height="135" alt="Turtle butt."></a>
Well, because I had to keep raising my head to pull her, talk to her, point, etc. while snorkeling, I had, much to my dismay, a nice line across my forehead. Top was a little red. The rest, not so much. Kind of a St. John farmer's tan. SO not young and beautiful. Ah, but it was worth it to get that turtle butt shot.
After settling Mom back in on the beach with Jo, we did a nice long snorkel over to Little Maho. I saw lots of turtles which always makes me happy. Lunch was a sandwich on the beach with the Maho beach chickens. Mom kept asking, "Whose chickens are those? Somebody needs to get those chickens." I kept explaining they were the beach chickens and it just couldn't sink in. Ten minutes later she'd be saying, "Why are those chickens running around down here? Who owns those chickens?" Sigh.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2507487304/" title="Pile of rocks? by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2020/250 ... 5058_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Pile of rocks?"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2507481546/" title="Untitled by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3226/250 ... 6285_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt=""></a>
That evening, we took the Moms to the Beach Bar for a beautiful sunset. Mom had her first painkiller. How fun was THAT? I also had my first painkiller (of this trip....). Okay, that's a lie. I had one the night before. Whatever. Who's counting? Dinner was lobster all around at Morgan's Mango. I ate everything but the green onion garnish and thought about eating that, but the waitress gave me a "look."
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2507477342/" title="Beach Bar Sunset by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2048/250 ... eeca_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Beach Bar Sunset"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2506648449/" title="Morgan's Mango LOBSTER. Yum. by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2167/250 ... eec3_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Morgan's Mango LOBSTER. Yum."></a>
Day 3: I love me some Jumbie.
Up again at 6:00. I had some coffee that I had bought the night before at St. John Spice, so I didn't mind being up early. After lazing around the villa for a while, we decided to go to Jumbie. Why? Because Jo couldn't walk down there, of course. No seriously, that is NOT why we picked it. Not consciously, anyway. At least I'm not admitting it. So, because of the steps, Jo stayed back at the villa to "rest." (Isn't the whole trip REST?)
Jumbie is a very quiet and peaceful beach, I guess because the parking limits how many people can be there. We were the 4th car, and when we got to the beach, there were 3 other couples out there. One of them turned out to be Diana2 and her husband, a really nice couple! She recognized my big camera and came over to say "hello." Did some snorkeling (Mom stayed beachside....) and we found a big nurse shark under a ledge. I was patiently waiting for it to maybe decide to come out (which it never did) when Diana2 came along. Fearless chick that she is, she stayed there with me!
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2506643285/" title="Untitled by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2082/250 ... d3a119.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt=""></a>
After a while, TONS, no really, TONS of people starting pouring onto the beach. It was like a family reunion gone bad, with kids running everywhere and tons of lawn chairs and coolers, loud people yelling back and forth. All I could figure was.....TAXI. Evil taxi must have dropped them all off. It was just WRONG. So, we decided we'd had enough beach time and headed on back for some villa time. Everyone else napped while I ate a box of lime popsicles and watched Francis below.
We had dinner that night at Pastory Gardens. The fish fry was good, as always. The sunset from there is beautiful, so it made a nice end to the day.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2506634135/" title="The moms. by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2363/250 ... 5a5f_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="The moms."></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2506632919/" title="Fish fry. by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3059/250 ... 0131_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Fish fry."></a>
Day 4: Jost or Bust.
This was definitely my favorite day. I have never been to Jost Van Dyke in 10 trips to St. John. I was determined to make it this time, MIL and her bum leg or not. We had decided on the ferry, since our favorite sailboat captain, Cpt. Clark, was still off housebuilding. The ferry ride was pleasant enough, despite me somehow becoming the object of the ferry operator's affection. Because my husband is never where I am, this guy thought I was a single girl with my mom, I guess. He wore me out. I kept doodling with the iPhone in hopes he'd think I was really busy. It didn't work.
We arrived and got everyone through customs. Mom was so excited to get her first stamp in her passport. We ended up renting a car because Hopalong Jo said she couldn't walk. This actually turned out to be a great thing. We drove all over and saw everything there was to see. I loved it. First we drove over to the east end and saw some beautiful views of Garner Bay, East End Harbor, and Little Jost.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2506631370/" title="Garner Bay by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2041/250 ... 5985_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Garner Bay"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2505839211/" title="Little Jost by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2204/250 ... 5f07_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Little Jost"></a>
Then we headed back to Great Harbor and stopped at Foxy's for a round (or two) of drinks. Loved it here. What a beautiful spot, so laid back. We had picked a table at random and were waiting for our painkillers when Mom pointed up and said, "Don't you have that shirt." I was sitting under the Forum T-shirt! Fate, I tell you. I was drawn there.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2506746148/" title="Foxy's by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3201/250 ... 7c85_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Foxy's"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2505929455/" title="Great Harbor, Jost by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3272/250 ... 4313_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Great Harbor, Jost"></a>
Foxy's was a breezy, quiet, cool place, since it was still early. Boats were bobbing lazily in the water, dogs were dozing under the palm trees, a local guy was cleaning fish at the dock. I loved being there, even though I got into it with a hammock. Safety tip folks: get out of the hammock before you start drinking. By the time we left Foxy's, I was a little fuzzy. Yes, it was only 11:00 a.m.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2506748836/" title="Great Harbor, Jost Van Dyke by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3082/250 ... f08a77.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Great Harbor, Jost Van Dyke"></a>
We headed to White Bay to grab some lunch and do some lounging (and maybe a little more drinking). I had a hard time deciding which spot was the most beautiful. This place simply didn't look real. The water was an impossible shade of blue, the sand too white, the trees too gentle in their swaying. We hit the bar for more painkillers and ordered some lunch. I had the chicken roti, and let me just say, that thing was AWESOME. I devoured it. We had plenty of time to eat, drink, swim, and just relax. By the time we left White Bay, I was loose as a goose.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2505984913/" title="Untitled by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3148/250 ... f5f087.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt=""></a>
But wait, I hadn't been to Ivan's yet! We had to stop at Ivan's. This might have been my favorite. So much quieter and so cool with all the shells everywhere. It had a vibe that just felt good, you know? I asked what their best drink was and they gave me a "Stress Free." Well, I was already pretty darn stress free, and wasn't sure how much more stress free I could become, but I was sure willing to try. Bring it on! They brought it, and it kicked my a$$.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2506863472/" title="Now THAT'S a view. by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2010/250 ... 703d41.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Now THAT'S a view."></a>
After someone scooped me up and put me in the car, it was time to get back to the ferry. So sad to leave. I have to say that Jost was too beautiful for words, each little bar was cooler than the last, and the local people were so unbelievable friendly. I simply loved it there.
On the ride back, I was again spouseless and of course, joined once again by the ferry operator. At one point, he actually asked my mother if she would let him marry me. I think in my inebriated state, my mother was plotting with the ferry operator in hopes that a quick, illegal marriage might get her a second home in the Virgin Islands, but I can't be sure.
Once I sobered up a little, we grabbed some dinner at Miss Lucy's. The setting was beautiful and the food was great. Or so they tell me.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2505617103/" title="HUGE crabcakes. by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2096/250 ... f909_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="HUGE crabcakes."></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2505631323/" title="Little Lameshur by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2353/250 ... c0cc_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Little Lameshur"></a>
Day 5: No Vie's For You!
We really wanted to go to Vie's beach, but drove all the way there to find out it was closed. DENIED. There was a big ole sign that said, "Off Limits." Well, at least we got to make that beautiful east end drive. I never get tired of that, do you? So, we opted instead for Francis, because, well, I was moving a little slow that day......thought maybe I'd like to stick close to home, if you know what I mean.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2506304550/" title="Untitled by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2125/250 ... bb2097.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt=""></a>
Francis was picture perfect, and very sparsely populated, which was nice. We had some nice beach time and did some good snorkeling.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2507413026/" title="Love the turtles. by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2302/250 ... aae0_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Love the turtles."></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2505396017/" title="Untitled by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2223/250 ... 2827_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt=""></a>
There was a great little dog on the beach, tiny thing, but you could tell she thought she was a pit bull. I walked over closer to take her picture. She belonged to a group of people that were obviously local. When I got closer, someone yelled, "Didn't I talk to you at Pastory the other night?" I looked up and recognized a young man that had talked to me at the bar at Pastory. He had a "strange" little friend and they asked me to take their picture "so I'd have something to remember them by," so I did. Then he asked for the camera so he could take mine. A girl at the table started yelling, "Don't do it. Never hand your camera to a crackhead," all while the "strange" little friend kept seizing up and slurring, "We're in the Virgin Islands, Man...." over and over. So what did I do? I handed him my camera.
I'm not good in awkward situations.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2505370949/" title="Bad A$$. by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2338/250 ... 1ce8_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Bad A$$."></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2506200170/" title="These guys asked me to take a picture. I was too scared to say "no." by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3282/250 ... a364_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="These guys asked me to take a picture. I was too scared to say "no.""></a>
When I was finally able to escape, we were all starving so we took the moms to Skinny Legs for lunch. I wasn't sure how Mom would react. She was ok until a little chicken started running back and forth across the floor being chased by a cat. She looked at me with that "Mom" look and before she could ask who owned that chicken, I said, "It's the St. John version of dinner theater, Mom. Enjoy!" She actually loved Skinny's.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2505361077/" title="Welcome! by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3071/250 ... 14ea_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Welcome!"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2506173764/" title="Best burger. by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2358/250 ... 042d_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Best burger."></a>
Vicki was badly in need of a nap so we went back to the villa for the afternoon. We wanted to head into Cruz Bay for Beach Bar jazz but the moms were pooped. They opted to stay at the villa. We headed on down and arrived in the midst of the Forum gathering. I saw some familiar faces, Liamsaunt and Ruth, so I went over to say "hi." I met several others: Brenda and her other half, the Canadians, Pia and Les, Nascarfan and his posse, NancyB, Cpt. Jay and Mrs. Cpt. Jay, and a super nice lurker (Tom) and his wife. Oh Gosh, I hope I didn't forget anyone. Now I know how those people on the Oscars feel when they are trying to remember who to thank. The pressure! Someone (Nancy?) brought cool glow bracelets for everyone. I haven't had one of those since I went to see Aerosmith when I was 18. Awesome.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2505317687/" title="May 11, 2008 Forum Folks by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2003/250 ... 6b12_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="May 11, 2008 Forum Folks"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2506146208/" title="Untitled by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3069/250 ... 24bc_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt=""></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2506144108/" title="Untitled by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3217/250 ... 55f8_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt=""></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2506142438/" title="Untitled by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2304/250 ... f834_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt=""></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2505310567/" title="Untitled by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2056/250 ... ac37_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt=""></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2505309357/" title="Untitled by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2113/250 ... 66f6_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt=""></a>
I was hungry again and had to have some Tuna Down Now, so we sat up at the bar. I was talking to the gentleman next to me when I realized it was Kirk! Dang. Kirk doesn't look like he did when he headed down there guys. St. John agrees with him. He was bleached blonde, cool and relaxed. Way to go Kirk. Still hungry, I wanted to go to La Tapa (I had never been). I wanted a light dinner since I was already stuffed with Tuna, so I got the gazpacho and the Josephine's greens with goat cheese. Wow, both were great. For dessert, I couldn't resist the homemade coffee and Bailey's ice-cream. So good.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2505321141/" title="Untitled by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3174/250 ... 92a1_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt=""></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2505305141/" title="La Tapa Gazpacho by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3268/250 ... 7cf0_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="La Tapa Gazpacho"></a>
While we were eating, we had a nice view (and were in great hearing range) of the drug deals that were going on across the street. It really wasn't all that interesting, pretty low key really, until this guy that was pretty jacked up on something started running down the middle of the street after a car using the f-word in some very creative and unusual ways. Wow. Two free dinners shows in one day. Only on St. John!
Day 6: Vie's Double Denial.
Okay, so, apparently Vie's beach is closed on Sundays AND Mondays. Now I know. It was probably for the best, because once Mom started traipsing across that junky lot, past the graves, beside the pile of old parts and gas cans, through the goats, and around the barbed wire, she probably would have run screaming back to the Jeep anyway.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2506091948/" title="Untitled by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2062/250 ... 18c5a0.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt=""></a>
As a consolation prize, we headed to Hawksnest. What a prize it was. It was a perfect Hawksnest Day. The beach was gorgeous and it wasn't very crowded. Score. We lounged, we snacked, we snorkeled.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2505183411/" title="Hawknest by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3294/250 ... f99af3.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Hawknest"></a>
When we had our fill, we headed back to the villa for some general laziness. Since I had eaten all of my lime popsicles, I moved on to Matt's Dove bars while everyone napped.
We took the moms to the Caneel Grand Buffet for dinner. It was just at sunset, and it was beautiful. Steel drum music was playing and the setting was perfect. They were awed. Jo had a miraculous recovery from her inability to walk that lasted just while we were at the buffet. A miracle of science, really. I think at one point, when we heard a call that the lobster was ready, she might have even sprinted. The evening was very nice. The moms were in heaven. The meal cost more than my first car, but it was worth it for the looks on their faces.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2502746301/" title="Untitled by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2229/250 ... c565_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt=""></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2503073591/" title="Mom & Jo by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3232/250 ... 963f_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Mom & Jo"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2503599892/" title="Untitled by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2263/250 ... 14c0_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt=""></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2502819505/" title="Untitled by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2317/250 ... 949a_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt=""></a>
Now I know how they must have felt every Christmas.
Day 7: Please, Not Another Travel Day.
As though the first one wasn't bad enough. The good news is that our villa lets us check out pretty late and we had a car until we got to the airport, so we didn't have to get up and rush. We lazed around the villa until about noon and then headed into Cruz Bay for some lunch and last minute shopping. One final painkiller and Tuna Down Now along with some killer fish tacos hit the spot. I took Mom into my favorite stores and we bought some goodies, and then it was time to go.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2502469977/" title="One last Tuna Down Now by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2266/250 ... 15e2_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="One last Tuna Down Now"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2503281532/" title="Untitled by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2292/250 ... a02b_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt=""></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2502544665/" title="Cruz Bay by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2385/250 ... 4612_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Cruz Bay"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2503181218/" title="Bye Bye Beach Bar. by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3089/250 ... 914b_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Bye Bye Beach Bar."></a>
As the car ferry chugged along, I couldn't help but think about what a great place St. John is. A place where chickens on the beach are cool and chickens running across your feet while you eat are even cooler, where the most intelligent thought you'll have all day might be, "I wonder what I look like to that lizard....," where drinking at 10:00 a.m. isn't just acceptable - it's wrong not to, where the days are bathed in sunshine and the water is clear and cool and is always calling, where you swim with turtles instead of meeting deadlines......it works it's magic on you, doesn't it?
Every time, I find it harder to leave. Maybe one time, I won't. Until then, someone save me a seat 'til I can get back.
(without any human baggage) 
