Wednesday, April 25

Wrap-Up

Another wonderful trip comes to an end. 
Thank you for following along.




4/10 Tuesday Pre-Trip: It is time to return!

4/11 Wednesday: The Longest Day

4/12 Thursday: Beauty and the Beast

4/13 Friday: Where is Everybody?

4/14 Saturday: We be Limin'

4/15 Sunday: Sunday - No Sun Day

4/16 Monday: With a little help from friends

4/17 Tuesday: Say it ain't so!

Post Trip:  Trip Report

Tuesday, April 17

Say it ain't so!

The last day is always a difficult one for us. We have to decide what would be the best thing to do with the few remaining hours we have on island.

We could go back to our favorite beach and chill!?!


that would be Maho…

We can go exploring and do something we have never done!?!


like snorkel North Haulover, last time we tried the current was way too strong…

We could catch a ferry and go over to Jost Van Dyke and just fade away!?!


a day with Foxy and enjoying a little of his firewater can make a long trip home tomorrow…

After discussing all the options, we headed out with the intention of hitting a few beaches and calling it a vacation. Stick to the initial plan - Return, Relax, and Recharge

A quick stop downtown for a little shopping was required. I got a little over zealous with a nylon cork last night and broke Sweet St John’s cork screw. Paul at Island Cork solved that issue quickly.

We then hit a few shops in Mongoose Junction when we remembered we need a box form the post office.


Walking to the post office something caught my eye. There was a happening on the docks that must be investigated. Red Hook I was getting a new engine installed… already!


These ferries have not been in service long enough for a new engine to be required. There has to be a story there.

Looking around there was so much the same and so much still showing signs of damage.




But without a doubt the healing has begun.

Of course, Maho was detestation numero uno! I cannot drive past this overlook without stopping.


The water was beautiful and so calm.


We pulled up next to a family from NJ that shared some of their shade and settled in. It became quite obvious there was a change in plans.


 We were going to spend the day at Maho!

Snorkeling


Watching the turtles



And just relaxing


Janet brought leftovers for her lunch and we even found an island place mat for her meal.


Yes, it has been a great day! We had lots of quiet time, reading, laughing, and swimming, who could ask for more.

The owners of Sweet St John had asked us to come up for a cocktail, so we left the beach around 3 pm and headed back to the cottage. Sadly, we began packing and when the time came we walked up the steps to meet our hosts who live directly above the cottage. Marcus and Patty were so nice and hospitable! We really enjoyed our time with them listening to stories of living and working on island. We had lots of laughs and we give a big thank you to Marcus and Patty for sharing Sweet St John!

We headed to Lime Inn for our last dinner in St John. (Well until next time) I had skipped lunch, but Patty had made a wonderful charcuterie board, which I enjoyed and of course had over indulged. Upon reaching the restaurant my hunger was low. However, there is one thing that no one should pass up when it is on the menu in St John – Josephine’s Greens.


Lime Inn’s salad using Josephine's plants were candied walnuts, goat cheese, poached pear, in a mustard-based vinaigrette – No dressing for me, the salad was too good.

Our week had come to an end. We drove up the hill to Sweet St John realizing that when we awoke in the morning a day of travel lay ahead of us and Return, Relax, and Recharge had come to an end.

Monday, April 16

With a little help from friends

Today was going to be totally different than any other St John Day. Our goal was not to hit a new beach, but volunteer with the National Park Service and Friends of Virgin Island National Park on a cleanup project. The Francis Bay is a short easy walking trail that has a section with an elevated boardwalk which is in disrepair. We followed the NPS van from Cruz Bay out to Francis Bay really not knowing what we had volunteered to do.

What we saw on our arrival was overwhelming. The boardwalk was twisted and turned through the mangroves. There was ground clutter everywhere and it was extremely obvious there was plenty to do.


There were only 6 volunteers, which I found disappointing, to assist the NPS crew of 5 also. The job at hand for the volunteers was to clear all the sticks and ground clutter away on the left side of the boardwalk. The NPS folks were disassembling the pathway in 16-foot sections.


The end goal was to flip the sections on their sides and reset the pads for the foundation. Once that is completed, replace the sections back, and voilà the path will be good as new.

The volunteers armed with rakes, pitchforks, hand saws, and a device I had never seen before (or care to see again) began removing the clutter. It was hoped that we would be able to clear the first 100 yards or so.



The whistle melody of the Bridge Over the River Kwai kept bouncing around in my head as the manual labor continued throughout the morning. The group chatted some, but for the most part we developed a system and kept on working. Water was a must, and the breaks more frequent as the sun rose higher above the jungle.


By lunchtime we had far exceeded the day’s goal and clearing 2/3 of the brush. However, the worst part lay ahead. The group gathered for lunch and sitting on a piece of the boardwalk enjoyed sandwiches and water. Best meal yet!


During the morning I blew my pants out. Yep, it was like wearing a skirt. Lucky for me it was not a commando day. Or maybe I should say lucky for the volunteers. We finished our lunch, and we said our good byes. Hot, dirty, and glad we helped.

A swim was needed to cool off and clean up. Driving down to Annaberg Sugar Mill there were boats lining the shore.



We decided to head over to Haulover hoping for a good snorkel. The drive out to the East End took us by Hurricane Hole. This well protected bay is where boats weather out storms. Irma was not a normal storm!


I do not know how many boats were lost that day in September, but there is at least 30 still stacked on top of each other or scattered across the shore.

Haulover has never been known as a sandy beach, but now it is almost all rocks. Entry into the sea is not easy unless you have dive boot but we made it.


A very nice snorkel, it was good to see fans, coral, and lots of fish. Our hope was to find an octopus, and Haulover is a great spot for that - but no luck.


 

We packed up and headed to Maho for Janet’s afternoon swim. The rain began as we climbed up the hill leaving Coral Bay, so we stopped at the Smoothie Stand. Great Smoothies and a shot of rum is free if you choose! As always on an island the rain storm lasted 15 minutes. Our journey resumed to Maho, refreshed and recharged by the Smoothie.

By this time the beach was clearing out for the day. Janet had a swim and I read my book standing in the refreshing water. A creative family had left a sandcastle monument for all to enjoy.


The day was coming to an end – and all of our activities of the day were starting to be felt. Back to our sanctuary, Sweet St John, Janet and I teamed up for a Puerto Rican dinner of Lechón, arroz y frijoles, and tostones.


Dinner was enjoyed on the deck watching the twinkling lights of St Thomas on the horizon.

Another great day comes to an end… and we made it all the way till 10 pm.

Sunday, April 15

Sunday... No Sun Day

A beautiful day in Pictures


Up early in the morning - Cruz Bay asleep


Janet and Tom's Recharging Station


Today's message
Another Church that survived Irma. 
Janet's boost  and refuel breakfast at Cruz Bay Landing - No Chicken Babies Please!
A landmark that is hurting😢
The new kid on the block hosting beach drinking fun.
Let the games begin
Go Girl!
Diving for the finish.... Or another drink must be chugged.
Hmmm... wonder whose brand this is?
Just a beautiful day downtown

Glimpses of Beauty
Back up to Sweet Saint John - Just too pretty not to go the beach!
Cinnamon Bay
Ahh... Tom found shade!


 Blue water and Beauty



The campgrounds at Cinnamon Bay are no more 😢

And of course we cannot forget dinner at Morgan's Mango!


Janet - Coconut Crusted Grouper


Tom - Cuban Chicken


and of course a wonderful white Bordeaux to accompany the meal

Just a wonderful Sunday on St John back to Sweet Saint John another day done