St john for a month

This year we are staying for a month, The problem arises where to leave the car for that long. We decided to leave from Indy where our daughter lives 20 min from the airport. We went the night before so they could go out and we could watch their grandson while they celebrated their 2nd anniversary. On Dec 31 we got up bright and early and left at 345 for the airport. My wonderful son-in-law dropped us off so we could leave the car at their house. Such an easy airport to leave out of compared to Ohare. The only bad thing is not a direct flight. Go figure we flew to Chicago first. We grabbed a breakfast sandwich that held us over on the airplane.

The atmosphere at St Thomas was festive they had the island music playing and three people dancing even someone on stilts. Also Yea the rum shots were back.

We were able to catch the Crown 330. We got there in time for an Iquana drink Jim bought tickets online and the taxi was 36$ with 4 suitcases and a cooler. Jim gave 45 with a tip. The ferry was $48

Courtesy was waiting for us we got a 4 door jeep for a month. $2238

We stopped at dolphin market to get the usual creamer, milk, rum, eggs, bread lime juice for lime in coconuts, shrimp sauce, and Injuice, $150

Since it was New Year's Eve a lot of restaurants had a fixed menu. We wanted to get something to take back to our place. Called Rumblines and said we could get Pad Thai and Indonesian Fries if we came early. What a treat for our first meal, $40 We shared and had plenty for lunch too,

Woke up early and enjoyed drinking coffee with the island starting to come alive

Jan 1, Sunday

Francis is usually the first beach for us

First time did not see any turtles at Francis

Jan 2, Monday

Jan 3 Tuesday

Salt Pond

We got here at 0830 and the 7th jeep in the lot. We picked out a spot in shade. Since I had my Knees replaced they are good but arthritis in my ankles makes it hard to hike on rocky areas. The trekking poles help but I still am very slow. I wanted to do this hike before my kids come so they can do at a faster pace and we can watch my one-year-old grandson for them.It took a while and my husband was such a good sport to go slow. Thankful I could still complete and enjoy the views.

Miss Lucy for grouper reuben is still my favorite sandwich on the island 52$ 11 TIP

Wed Jan, 4th

Pelican rock

Thur, Jan 5

Brown bay was a disappointment. the winds were up and the water was too rough to snorkel. The shoreline had eroded a lot here. One good thing someone had cleared out weeds by the ruins on the left so I explored them. the hike in should take 20 min each way takes me 40.

We went to Marys Creek to read for the afternoon

Friday, Jan 6

Today we went to Jumbie where we haven't been for several years. Was the second jeep in the lot so got a great place in the shade

We left the beach at 230 and had dinner reservations at La Tapa for 530. We have been here many times. Now the fabulous food has the ambiance of a waterfront view.

Tuna tartare

Gigli Pasta with salmon and shrimp

The paella on menu is for two they will make it for one

Saturday, Jan 7th

Today is bittersweet. It will probably be the last time we stay at Angel Roost. We have stayed here when we are by ourselves at least 13 times. It always feels like coming home. Jane and Larry are the best. They are going to put it up for sale and live in Florida full-time. We wish them the best but will miss their place.

We were up early and cleaned up. Next up two weeks at our favorite villa Lunazul. Dorthy let us drop our stuff off early and put things in the refrigerator
the view here is our favorite on the island. Michele and Doug should be catching the 330 Crown ferry. This is the fifth time we have stayed here with them. Today is Dougs' 60th birthday. He wants to stay in and eat here tonight. We left and got in a downpour when went to get Key lime pie for his birthday treat from Dave's meals to go. Sorry to hear they have closed since then.

Lunazul

Went to Cruz Bay to pick up Doug and Michele at Crown ferry

Always good to see good friends. them We have not seen them since we went on an African safari trip Michele had arranged in May. Coming from a family of 11 Michele brings everything but the kitchen sink with her. She is a great cook and we eat well with a view while at Lunazul. Doug wanted to eat in so we had a birthday meal of steak, potatoes in foil, and salad. When we got back sitting on the counter were Carrot Cake muffins Dorthy the owner had made for Doug his favorite. How sweet I had only mentioned I tried to find a bakery that would make a cake for him to no avail.

Sunday, Jan 8th.

Had a big breakfast of potatoes, toast, and eggs. bacon. We take turns cooking and the guys are a big help. Lunch is a simple wrap and snack on the beach.

Doug picked Maho and we picked a shady place to the right.

Cocktails and snacks when we got back

Supper Lasagna, bread, and salad

Monday, Jan 9

We were the first Jeep at Francis.

Had chicken cordon blue green beans and rice. We watched 1883

Tuesday, Jan 10.

Had sausage egg, and a biscuit sandwich for breakfast. Headed south to Little Lameshur

We always walk the beach when we get there. Easy to get to ruins

We left around two for Miss Lucy's. This is our to go spot every Tue or Wed while on the island. They are only open for lunch Tue, Wed, and Sat this year and open for open Mic on Thursdays.

Weds, Jan 11

We had been watching the winds all week so we could go to Haulover North. Michele cracked the whip and got us moving early, She-made eggs, sausage, pot, and toast.

We were out the door and arrived at Haulover at 810. Others had the same idea and were already snorkeling

Went back to pelican rock and snorkeled the shelve reef

tonight was pork loin smashed potatoes and peas.

Thursday, Jan 12

Since we had enjoyed Jumbie last week took Doug and Michele there. It was their first time here, We were the second jeep to arrive. We had a great day,

We went to Starfish to get more rum, coke, cream, eggs, etc 117$

Back at Lunazul enjoyed the views. Had turkey, mashed pot, mixed veg. We watched the sad ending of 1883. Last year they watched the first 4 episodes with us and waited all year for the last 4 episodes.

Friday, Jan 13,

It was a Trunk kind of day. Arrived at 815 and twenty-five people were already there, Got a great spot, to right Michele loves the lime and coconut drink here and says they are the best on the island

We stopped at Windmill Bar in the afternoon. You would think if you buy a drink which we all 4 did they would not charge you to park.

Tonight we had blue gill Doug had caught this last summer.

Saturday, Jan 14

My son-in-law Steven makes and smokes his own bacon. We enjoyed it for breakfast with eggs and hash brown potatoes. We arrived at Cinnamon at 0830. We got a beautiful spot on the sandy area by the cay.

We had little hamburgers with Hawaiian bread and noodles

Sunday, Jan 15

The winds were only 6 and this time we were the first to arrive. We were greeted by donkeys coming from Haulover North

by donkeys coming back from Haulover

Spent the afternoon at Micheles love beach.

Monday, Jan 16

We went back to Francis there was a riptide warning and the waves were crashing up by tree line. We headed south to Grootpan

Kiddle

We left at 2 and the boys went in the pool back at Lunazul

Had meatloaf, mashed pot, veg and salad

Tuesday, Jan 17

Salt pond

It is Tuesday so you guessed right Miss Lucy's

Wed Jan 18

Lameshur,

We did a rock scramble to the left.

We had some lime in the coconuts I made back at Lunazull

We had chicken cordon blue, carrots, and salad We watched Where the Crawdads Sing

Thursday, Jan 19

It was a beautiful day for Francis

Friday, Jan 20 th

Today is my 66th birthday. I am so blessed to get to share my favorite place with good friends and my husband.

Michele finds peace looking for sea glass this is her post about mermaids this is just a little glass she found.

Long ago, when the world was still being discovered, men traveled the sea by ships with towering masts, and sailors docked in ports to rest and share tales of their perilous voyages. Gnarled captains recounted tentacled beasts rising from the ocean and viper-headed monsters snapping at sails; of waves a hundred feet high, and beaches of black sand. As the night grew darker, they talked of beautiful creatures, half woman and half fish, whose pale hands held the fortune of all sailors that dared cross their seas.
Mermaids were called. Women of the sea.
So powerful were they, a single breath could quiet a storm, a single fin bring forth a wave. Fate itself could be suspended by a mermaid’s kindness. Yet even these wild spirits had rules to obey. Neptune, Lord of the Sea, helped maintain the laws of nature, and as such forbade the maidens to use their powers to change fate’s natural course.
One starless night, as a schooner sailed towards Nootka Island in the San Juan, a great black thunderous storm came rolling in. Navigating by only brief flashes of lightning, the Captain desperately tried to hold course as the ship careened towards the jagged rocks, ripped sails sagging beneath the lashing rain. Unknown to him, a mermaid watched from the surrounding waves. The ship was familiar to her, and often she had traveled alongside it. In her ocean vigil, she had watched the Captain grow from a brave youth to an experienced seaman and had fallen deeply in love with him.
As the ship rolled portside, her Captain lost his footing, sliding across the rain-soaked deck towards the seething sea below. In her terror the mermaid instantly calmed the sea, taming both wind and wave to save his life. With the sea calmed, the Captain was hauled on board the ship, and the vessel limped towards the port. The mermaid, for changing fate and disobeying his wishes, was banished to the darkest depths of the ocean by Neptune himself, and condemned to live an eternity beneath the waves; never to see her human lover again.
Since then she has wept in exile, tears that match her rainbow tail washing up on the beaches in the form of glistening sea glass. For those that find them they are a gift of love, and waves will forever carry them ashore until she is allowed to return to the surface and be reunited with her one love.

The snorkeling was great at Pelican Rock today.

Supper was at Rumblines.

We all had pad thai

One thing we found funny at the fire station was how we had commented about the fireman sitting outside. Little did we know he was a dummy they would move around. Take a look when you go by.

Saturday, Jan 21

Today we say goodbye to Doug and Michele and they catch the 1100 Crown ferry. We went back to Lunazul picked up our suitcases and went to our next stop Villa Allure. They were still cleaning but allowed us to drop suitcases off and put things in the refrigerator. Went back to Cruz Bay and stopped for a sandwich at Tap and grill.

We bought some homemade bread from a girl we saw online. We really liked the sourdough

Before we knew it was 415 and time to pick up our youngest son Keith and daughter-in-law Kate at the Crown ferry

We stopped at Starfish to get fruit and vegetable rum, beer, bourbon, etc. He did not want to bring a cooler so he just bought what he wanted, 300 dollars later he said I see why you bring a cooler Mom.

We stayed in Villa Allure in 2021. It is a great place and has so much outside area to utilize.

.Just the kids and us then, this year we would have two grandkids with us.

I told Kate she could have the master with the fancy shower this time, My daughter Casandra, Husband Steven and one-year-old Stoch, and 12-year-old Brett arrived at 630. Brett picked out his bedroom downstairs. It was so fun to share the island with family.

We all had some cocktails and settled in to enjoy our adventure together. I made ham and swiss sandwiches on Hawaiian rolls and pasta salad.

Sunday, Jan 22

Up early for sunrise

Had eggs, toast, and bacon for breakfast. This was an amazing group to travel with. Jeeps were loaded at 815 each morning and everyone ready to go

Maho

We set up camp and enjoyed the day

Dinner at Rumblines

Monday, Jan 23

Salt pond. We arrived at 0830 and got a great spot to set up camp. We watched Stoch since we had already climbed Rams Head. We enjoyed our time snuggling, He loved the water and actually fell asleep.

Hike

Snorkle
Keith went out to the middle rocks with me it was very bouncy out there snorkeled the left side coming back.

Stoch

We had steaks, fries and veg back at villa,

Tuesday

We went to Jumbie

Dennis in the afternoon.

Overlook

Morgan Mango

Lobster, Whole fish, paella, appetizers tartar all were delicious.

Wednesday, Jan 25

We arrived at Miss Lucy's just after everyone else did so we had a looong wait. Everyone knew it was worth the wait.

Thursday, Jan 26

Hawksnest The kids had a good snorkle here. Keith and Kate went to Cinnamon and then came back to pick us up

Date night for the kids. We watched Stoch and Brett and had leftover Cordon Blue from Michele.

Friday

Francis, we got a great spot in shade to right. The kids snorkeled both sides and found the octopus in a crack in rocks on left.

We dropped Jim, Brett, and Stoch off and went for another snorkel at Pelican Reef.

Steven treated us all to pizz from Pizzabar in paradise. He enjoyed talking to ladies while waiting for it. We thought it was rather good for island pizza.

Saturday, Jan 28th

Last day before we leave tomorrow. Where did that month go? Trunk bay was the choice of the day. We arrived at 0830 and they were not charging today. We never mind the fee for such a beautiful beach. We had a wonderful family day enjoying the water.

The last supper had hamburgers, Brussels sprouts, carrots, and homemade french fries.

Sunday, Jan 29th

Sunrise was a good send-off for a travel day.

We turned in our jeeps after dropping luggage off for 1100 Crown Ferry. Did a little shopping and was off for St Thomas. We had time to eat lunch at Tickles before going to the airport.

Was surprised the airport was so busy for a Sunday. The lines were not bad and we waited for our flight. Home to Indianapolis for the night with our daughter and son-in-law.

Oh, what a trip. Was a month too long? Nooooo