Goodby to the Islands

Is it possible that we spent two weeks on St. John and have already been back for a week? It seems like only yesterday that we left the “spring” (that’s spelled w-i-n-t-e-r) landscape of NH for the summer landscape of this tropical paradise. We exchanged tulips, daffodils, and snow drops for oleander, hibiscus, and frangipani. Birch, maple, and blue spruce for the flamboyant tree, bougainvillea, and the ubiquitous palms. Snow and wind-driven downpours were replaced by sand and soft tropical rains. Our tightly scheduled lives were suddenly completely open-- blank slates. Get up—whenever; eat—whenever; go to bed-- whenever. Major decisions generally involved where to snorkel and what to eat. Can life really be that simple?
Leaving, logistically, was easy: pack up the villa, take the car ferry to one end of St. Thomas, drive the length of the island through St. Thomas’ capital city of Charlotte Amalie to the airport, return the rental car, check in with the airlines, clear customs and TSA, await our flight to San Juan (always an interesting experience as they often have various passengers exchanging seats to even out the weight), and eventually board a big jet for the four-hour flight to Boston. From there, we await a hotel pick-up to take us to our vehicles and make the 2 ½-hour drive home. All-in-all, a 14-hour travel day. We received the welcome news that the weather was improving in Conway, and we might not need down parkas, gloves, and boots for the trip north.
Leaving, emotionally and psychologically, is always more difficult. Upon returning, REALITY sets in quickly. So much to do, so little time. Return missed phone calls, pay forgotten bills, replenish depleted supplies, mow knee-high lawns, weed gardens that have suddenly grown two feet in our absence. Black flies, mosquitoes, and ticks must be contended with…. But the mountain vistas and the sparkling rivers are always welcome sights. Of course, what we most look forward to is seeing our family and friends. How great is our God. That we can not only go to this wonderful island but spend our time there being blessed daily by the friendship of people “who are closer than a brother.”

Life on the Island

Just like the ebb and flow of the tides, life here on St. John is ever-changing. Recently Rowan was "voted off" (just kidding) and Mark and Christine arrived. Last night we had a huge thunder and lightning storm with two lightning strikes very close by. In our twenty years of coming to St. John, we've never witnessed anything like this. By morning the sun was shining brightly and the temperatures were in the low 80's-- just like NH, right?

After another hard day of snorkeling, the crew played volleyball in the pool before resuming their other arduous tasks like playing cards, reading, sitting in the hot tub, and napping. It's a tough life, but someone has to live it. Tonight's menu will be cheeseburgers, baked beans, and salad followed by some delectable dessert that Joan and Donna will whip up.

As you can see in the pictures accompanying this post, Frank and Paul don't know how to read the native language.

St. John And the Living Is Easy

It's hard to believe we've been here almost a week. How can time go by so quickly when the days are spent doing "nothing?" The crew has been out exploring the offshore areas at a number of different beaches every day. They've seen hundreds of parrot fish, lots of tang, a number of octopus, sargeant majors, barracuda, damsel fish, large turtles, two eagle rays, angel fish, lane snappers, a grouper or two, butterfly fish, needle fish, drum fish, sea urchins, jellyfish, and lots more. As always, the coral is beautiful with its many shapes and colors. Each day has been perfect: sunny, warm, bright blue skies, trade winds rustling the palms. The sand on most beaches is like powder.

Before heading out to the beaches, Donna, David, and Joan go for a long walk getting in their requisite steps. Occasionally they are joined by others, but some of us are a bit lazy first thing in the morning.

Here's a picture of David after a hard day at the beach. And hopefully the guys in the pool this afternoon. The top picture is Frank cooking up a bunch of plantains which are big bananas, which taste more like sweet potatoes than bananas.

So this is what "paradise" looks like...? Virgin Island of St John May 2010.

In this collection:

1,2: "Tree" Trunk Bay Beach??? (sea the arrow...)

3,4: They sure "nose" their "ass-ets"!

5,6: So WHO is a "smoothie", really?

7,8: Strange Woo-Doo creatures of the CaWibbian!

9-end: Island Critters - some wild, some crabby, some illiterate, some delicious! Thanks for a great Vacation guys and girls! Love you, Rowan

St. John, May 1, 2010

After an effortless trip down, we embarked on a new adventure-- renting cars on St. Thomas at the airport, driving out to the end of the island, and taking the car ferry. Despite the crush of cars near a big carnival, we navigated our way across the island without accident or incident! The car ferry is a far cry from the Westin ferry, but the convenience of having a vehicle and your luggage immediately upon arriving far outweighed the "luxury" of the Westin experience. Once we were "home," we began the unpacking. The food we brought plus the food we had here in storage is enough for two weeks of meals. All the meats stayed frozen and none of the produce was pureed as sometimes happens. Our first dinner was chicken on the barbie with mashed potatoes, peas, cranberry sauce, and salad. As David is fond of saying at each meal: "It all came out of a suitcase."

I haven't figured out this picture upload yet....