It was time to depart for warmer climes as we had done in
2005
2004
and
2003
so we gathered our baggage
loaded some of it into Peter's trunk
said good bye to Ben
had the Kramers line up by their car
until everything was loaded
and the trip could begin as we used the GPS with flash
and then without
to chart our course to the garage
where we parked in section T30
and made our way to security where we took this picture for Jane's collection
and then arrived early at the gate so that Seva and Suzanne could visit one store
and emerge before we boarded
so that I could have my Diet Coke
as Suzanne read
until the bagel came
after which I captured this signage int he bath room
had some gum for the landing pressure
which seemed to go fine for me
and so we went to baggage claim
where Peter
and Suzanne enjoyed the first pina colada of the trip
as we assembled our baggage
at the ferry (in a picture that we would refer to often to get the ferry schedule)
and boarded
for a picture of Peter with Captain Byron
before we rode on the boat
to first sights of the island
and then a few views
before the dock came into sight
and we approached
and then got onto the island to see the welcome sign
and search around for the golf cart that had Pam's name on it
so that after helping one more passenger off the boat
we could roll up the hill behind Mary Ann Starr's cart
and get to the house where Mary Ann gave us the tour of the Kramer's bedroom
and the living room
as we took note of the view from the porch of the road heading up to the fort
and the houses along the way
and Flamingo Bay
not to mention the pelican on the porch
and Mary Ann showed us the outside refrigerator
and our bedroom
before Seva called Heidi to make our dinner reservations
and we admired (but didn't water) the flowers left for us
as Peter checked cell phone reception (which was a Cingular kind of thing)
and I recorded my clothes hung in the closet (I brought far too many)
before the first pina coladas on the island were made
and against the backdrop of clouds and wind
Suzanne
Peter
Seva
and I
observed the local bottled water
had our chips and dips
and admired the lizard
with its tail
before going off into the setting sun (where the cruise ships roll)
meeting Sandy who manages the place we rented
noted the other cart
and as we climbed into ours
and headed down the hill to Honeymoon Beach
where Heidi's kitchen was installed
and we placed our order
before claiming this table
and ordering my Carib
to go with the chicken
and pasta with shrimp
and my pasta primavera that made our dinner from Heidi.
Back at home, Suzanne and I
and the Kramers started our relaxation
by noting that the camera could stop the fan.
Sunday was our first full day on the island. After looking out over Flamingo Bay,
Suzanne and I walked down the driveway noting cacti
before we got to the colorful stop sign on the corner
and made our way down the hill
until we reached Pirate's Ridge
where we had arranged with Mark to provision our house.
We continued on to the beach, where we caught out first sign of the Bohemian Bar Beach
and took the obligatory phone booth picture
before seeing that the Bohemian was closed
and it's sign was down
though the beach looked great
and the signage told us what we could and couldn't do
as we admired the setting
and noticed Heidi setting up for lunch
before we left the beach
saw the first coconut of the trip
and headed back up deciding to divert on to Providence Hill Road
and passing the botanical garden
as we climbed the hill and ran into Carl with whom we walked the last stretch
before coming home and seeing Peter who was ready to go to the beach
but first coffee was poured
and it changed my mood
as it did for Suzanne
and Seva
as we considered the living room
and Suzanne did her 80 stitches
as Seva showed off her new flip flops
so that we could journey past the cactus
to our first views of the beach
as we made our way to Pirate's Ridge to settle accounts
and then went to the beach
where Suzanne tested the waters
before we all went in. When we came out, Peter met up with Tex and Mighty Whitey
before we checked out Heidi's
and were amused by our options
as Tex and Mighty and their wives played an intense game of ring toss
that we passed on our way to the Bohemian
where we met Wanda
who made our drinks
as the tables filled
while Wanda was completing our drinks
and after seeing her chips and fish jerky
and variety of mixers
we handed drinks to Suzanne
and Seva
and the four of us posed for this picture by Wanda
before heading back to our table where Suzanne settled in
as this boat came in to shore
from the sea
which led to this group photo
that Tex took as he described his radio career to us
though he kept hoping that these people would move out of his frame
as Suzanne
and Seva enjoyed their lunches
and this garden burger arrived for me
as Peter dug into his food
and we thanked Heidi's van for being there
not to mention the beach chairs she would provide for the reach of our time there.
I admired the water's edge where we would spend many hours looking for sea glass
as Suzanne came back from her searching
and the afternoon sun brought some clouds
that didn't seem to phase Suzanne at all
as we left the setting sun
after a few self portraits
and a profile shot
and followed the signs to I-95
and ultimately to the place of Alex Randall '73 with whom I posed before heading home.
Once there, Peter
Seva
Suzanne
and I chatted
as we ate nuts
and Seva sliced the pineapple
as cheese was served
along with vegetables
and crackers
to accompany our drinks
before Peter
Seva
Suzanne
and I sat down to dinner
as the lizard enjoyed our bathroom wall.
Monday began with a view of the road up to the fort
and then some Raisin Bran
and banana
and milk
in a bowl
which Suzanne thought
would make me happy (it did!)
as she had her strawberries and coffee
and then we walked past the golf cart
to below where we could see the house
and still further for another view
past the broken down structure
and to the house that was destroyed in the hurricane which we saw from various angles
before heading across the way to the Limestone Terraces Hotel which had also been abandoned
as we looked down on Flamingo Bay
and reconsidered the hotel
and its views
including the manager's office
and the grand entrance
before we resumed our walk
until we got to the benches at the fort
and took this 360 degree collection of views
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back to the benches
and the trenches
after which we walked down and met the architect (Jeffrey Boschulte) and builder (Matt Eckstein) who were going to rebuild the ruined house and form an LLC to market it.
Back at the villa, Seva was making sandwiches
as the grapes
were being washed
and the bags packed
even though we were heading in different directions
as we made our way to the path to Limestone Beach and followed it down
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to the sea
where our first sight was the shoe tree (for lost soles)
and then there was the view up to the road
and views along the beachline
where there was discussion of sea glass and snorkeling
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and a few more pictures of the shoe tree
before we headed off
and after consulting the map
came to the beach chairs
at Sprat Bay Estates
and admired the beach
and ate lunch
and admired feet
while Peter made his way out of the water
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a scene he was to repeat later at Honeymoon Beach
right before we visited the Bohemian for pina coladas
which cheered us considerably
especially after Lee came back with Peter's money holder
after which we went home and gathered the blender
sliced some pineapple
assembled the pina colada mix
and blended in stages
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while pondering the wine we'd have with dinner
before taking the pina coladas
and putting them in the golf cart
and driving up hill to see the sunset from the fort
which amused Suzanne
before we took after dark pictures of Suzanne
and Peter at the house destroyed by the hurricane
and then picked up the pizza from Mark's
before returning home, turning on the oven
getting the wine
and having pizza for dinner.
Tuesday was our day to see the beaches of Saint Thomas. So I put together my cereal
as Seva prepared food
and we packed the valise
and Suzanne packed nuts
and Peter gathered information
before we looked at the sky
and rode the cart down the hill
tot he ferry
and rode past this ship
leaving our wake
as we reached the other side
and Suzanne and Seva
and I
got a menu at Tickles
and ordered our coffees (make mine decaf)
before we followed Peter
to the rental car
opened the trunk
adjusted the mirror
and drove on to get pennies (unremarkable, a little too recent)
from this back
as we drove on
past the gas station
until we could order chairs from Wally on Coqi Beach
and against this backdrop
check out the water
before Suzanne settled
and Seva put sun tan lotion on Peter's back
after which we checked out the water
and the 3 snorkelers
convinced me that I wanted to try on the gear
and then came back as I was offered a sample of a drink
and watched the other 3
in front of the backdrops
as Seva led the pack
for group pictures
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designed to be photoshopped together and if these don't work here are Peter and Seva
and Suzanne and I making the most of a beach vacation.
On the way away from the beach, I took a picture of Melinda and Neil who were there on a cruise from their hometown off of I-20 in Georgia near Alabama
and then I watched this sign as I washed my feet
so that we could get back in the car
and follow route 35
to the signage
that told us we were at Megan's Bay (one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in the world)
where we recorded the rentals
and took the obligatory phone booth pictures
before observing the prohibitions that made this a good beach.
On the way back from the beach, we stopped at Udder Delight
where we recorded the menu
and then waited in line
for this wonderful drink
that I enjoyed
as Peter and Seva enjoyed theirs
and Suzanne had a last sip of ours
before we headed back and took views of the beach where we'd been from above
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and then headed back to Tickle's where Tim (who turned out to be a not very responsible person)
brought my beer
and Peter's ale
after which I took this self portrait
and then greeted John our captain
as we showed our tickets
and headed back to Water Island
where the sunset was elegant
as the groceries were assembled for our meal better than what would have been had the night ferry run
and saw the wine
and salads
and cheese
and bread
and other salads that made this a good meal to end a fine beach day.
Wednesday, I awoke to a lizard on the floor
as I made my small snack
and we went for our walk meeting Peter along the way as he returned from his abortive mission to meet up with Tim
but we turned and followed the road past this house
with the view
until Suzanne made her way down the path
to Carolina Point
where after admiring the leftovers
we saw a familiar sign
on the dock
and then combed the beach for sea glass
as a pelican did a dive in and out to get breakfast
after which we headed up the road
past the all too familiar sign
and the house under construction
until we met the turtle in the middle of the road
who led the way home where I recorded the books I had finished reading
before we made our way to Honeymoon Beach
where Heidi's mini-cart was
as Suzanne settled in
and Seva and Peter checked out the baggage
before we admired the beach
and connected with Jim Wilkinson and his wife Marion from King of Prussia who run Heidi's cart some days
and Sereta who was filling in for Wanda at the Bohemian but wasn't prepared for us
so we went back and got our food
from Jim
and I dressed my veggie burger
and admired the elders of the beach
as we ate
until Seva went to help Peter
deliver the drinks he'd gone and made
which amused Suzanne as she displayed her book
before we went back and I collected these pictures of the marginally operational laundry room
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before we went to the ferry where Billy was our driver
and we passed this large cruise ship
as Suzanne and Seva enjoyed the ride
past the coast guard dredging ship
and we came to Crown Bay
where Seva and Peter
Suzanne
and I
got into Cameron's taxi
and we made our way to Herve's
where the view was impressive
even if the menu didn't have good color sans flash
as we ate but I chose not to flash during the meal
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except for the picture of Steve, our waiter
and so with more non-flashes
before Steve took these group pictures
we were not surprised that the pictures of St. Thomas by night did not capture the experience
though Sammy, our taxi driver, was happy to have his picture taken with Larry David
even as we all enjoyed the ride home
On Thursday, the day was overcast
so I took my book
and Suzanne glimpsed at hers
and then we took the golf cart to the dock
where we met Valerie (Carl's wife)
who took the boat with us to the mainland where we walked past the gym
and across the street
to the Safari taxi
which we took to the street vendors
where I noted the bus
and the signage
before we went into our first store where we met Mark who had bet $60 on the Seahawks. I should note that I was wearing a Steelers shirt and so provoked many comments about the Super Bowl to come.
I left Little Switzerland
to see the Liberty Bell
and its description
as the traffic mounted
and I made my way to the statue of Christian IX in the town square
where I met Tracy Clark who wanted to sell me her book of poems Exiled by my Hair Style
but instead I convinced her to pose with Suzanne
before Peter went tot he ATM
and I recorded this picture of the local post office as the shopping continued
so that next we met Donna who was a Steelers fan
and after moving down the street
we bought cigars from Pete
and talked to Denis who was willing to be a Steelers fan for this game
and after noting the Subway (eat fresh)
decided to go to Cuzzins for lunch
where Suzanne and Seva
read the menu
as Peter and I posed for this self double portrait
as Chris arrived in Steeler pariphenalia
even as we recorded the business card of the person who had directed us to this restaurant
and our drinks arrived -- tamarind juice in place of the ginger beer that they had run out of
and then the main courses of many vegetables and some good shrimp
before we went down the next street
and met Steven who doesn't ordinarily follow football but had put $100 on the Steelers.
This was enough time away for me so I took the ferry boat back with the Kramers and made my way to Honeymoon Beach where I met Rosie Page from Richmond who had bet heavily on the Steelers
and then admired the beach
before heading to the dock
at the town center
where I watched the boat come in and Suzanne get off
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so that we could go home and she could make her phone call
as we looked out at the scenery
and the cruise ship passing by
before we left the porch
and came in for cocktails which amused Peter
Suzanne
Seva
and me
as we decided to copy the phone book
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before cutting mushrooms
and getting a demo of the proper way to cut a red pepper
as the salad stuff was assembled
and omelettes were prepared
to go with the wine
that was opened
as my meal arrived
and was garnished
with vegetables as well
for Peter
Suzanne
Seva
and me
and after dinner, Peter got the coconut rum
and cigars
and I lit up
and did my Castro imitation
as we watched the flames form the ashes and celebrated the near end of a wonderful vacation.
On Friday morning, Suzanne and I took a picture of the sign that Carl liked
and the dog that was guarding it
and looked back at the house
as we passed the palm tree
and Suzanne came down the trail
and past what might have been part of the hotel
to Flamingo Bay
where we watched the ships
and I took this shadow picture
before heading away
and passed this tree of interesting seed pods
and beyond the Overdown where we often got lost
to the Beach sign that we love
and then took the obligatory phone booth picture
before Suzanne landed
under the shade ramada
to return soon with treasures of sea glass
as I looked out into the Bay
with guidance from Peter
as the large Crowley barge (maybe as many as 200 rail cars) passed
and I took pictures of the roof of the ramada
before one last picture of the sea which unfortunately meant the end of the vacation.
And, gentle viewer, at this point the rains came and the camera got into a state of distress (error E18) so you are not seeing the people at the ferry, the farewell to Water Island, the parrot in Tickles, the food on the plane and a host of other delights.
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loaded some of it into Peter's trunk
said good bye to Ben
had the Kramers line up by their car
until everything was loaded
and the trip could begin as we used the GPS with flash
and then without
to chart our course to the garage
where we parked in section T30
and made our way to security where we took this picture for Jane's collection
and then arrived early at the gate so that Seva and Suzanne could visit one store
and emerge before we boarded
so that I could have my Diet Coke
as Suzanne read
until the bagel came
after which I captured this signage int he bath room
had some gum for the landing pressure
which seemed to go fine for me
and so we went to baggage claim
where Peter
and Suzanne enjoyed the first pina colada of the trip
as we assembled our baggage
at the ferry (in a picture that we would refer to often to get the ferry schedule)
and boarded
for a picture of Peter with Captain Byron
before we rode on the boat
to first sights of the island
and then a few views
before the dock came into sight
and we approached
and then got onto the island to see the welcome sign
and search around for the golf cart that had Pam's name on it
so that after helping one more passenger off the boat
we could roll up the hill behind Mary Ann Starr's cart
and get to the house where Mary Ann gave us the tour of the Kramer's bedroom
and the living room
as we took note of the view from the porch of the road heading up to the fort
and the houses along the way
and Flamingo Bay
not to mention the pelican on the porch
and Mary Ann showed us the outside refrigerator
and our bedroom
before Seva called Heidi to make our dinner reservations
and we admired (but didn't water) the flowers left for us
as Peter checked cell phone reception (which was a Cingular kind of thing)
and I recorded my clothes hung in the closet (I brought far too many)
before the first pina coladas on the island were made
and against the backdrop of clouds and wind
Suzanne
Peter
Seva
and I
observed the local bottled water
had our chips and dips
and admired the lizard
with its tail
before going off into the setting sun (where the cruise ships roll)
meeting Sandy who manages the place we rented
noted the other cart
and as we climbed into ours
and headed down the hill to Honeymoon Beach
where Heidi's kitchen was installed
and we placed our order
before claiming this table
and ordering my Carib
to go with the chicken
and pasta with shrimp
and my pasta primavera that made our dinner from Heidi.
Back at home, Suzanne and I
and the Kramers started our relaxation
by noting that the camera could stop the fan.
