Sunday, July 8, 2012

Sharing
                           
One of the unexpected blessings for us was in sharing St John with family and friends. Spending vacation time together in this beautiful and peace filled place forged deeper bonds. We will always have our St John magic connection.  We cherish the time spent with each of you on St John.


                        Caribbean Sea, St John and sky from our villa apartment in the Skytop area.
                                                                                                                       


                               
                                                                  Our St John Home
                                                          Just Be @ Wild Orchid Villa, 




Thanksgiving - Chris, Melissa & Ty

 Chris, Melissa & Ty overlapped their visits to be together on Thanksgiving day!  I think all of us like the new Thanksgiving traditions however unorthodox they are.
Enjoying an ocean sunset
Day charter to British Virgin Islands - last stop
 Soggy Dollar Beach Bar, Jost Van Dyke Island,










     





           
                                                                     








Lunch at Willy T's - a large boat off of Norman Island BVI
our boat tied up next to it and we climbed aboard

































Making easy friends with a roaming St John donkey



Relaxing day at Trunk Bay


Mark & Jess
Thanksgiving was over and our sons and daughter went home.   Christmas was approaching.  While driving one afternoon, Christmas carols came on the radio.   I sent up a quick prayer - how are we going to get through Christmas without family? -  That same evening there was a facebook message from our nephew Mark's new wife Jessica - Were you serious about us visiting?  Can we visit Dec 27 - Jan 4th? Answered prayer.  We were having family during the Christmas season!!!!!!  We were elated!!! Had the most wonderful New Years with Mark and Jess!!
Mark and Jess overlooking Trunk Bay

The ORIGINAL "wacky juice"Thank You Jess
Every subsequent guest has made some form of
this "juice" to take to the beach!
"Where's The Rum"

Just another day at the beach - Gibney Beach





Jim and Mary -

On their annual January fishing trip to St John, friends Jim & Mary took us along on their charter fishing trip.   Caught lots of fish.  We are excited that Jim & Mary are staying with us next trip.   They are our first booked guests for 2013
Mike had the largest catch of the day, a Mutton Snapper = dinner


Steph & Linda

Ten Fabulous February days with our daughters Steph & Linda
   
             LEAP day party at Skinny Legs Beach Bar  :)



Leinster Bay at Annaberg Plantation


Sunset at Steph & Linda's favorite beach Salt Pond

Hiking out of Denis Bay
Secluded Denis Bay

Drunk Bay
                                         
                               




John & Kathi 


Trunk Bay

We spent a week in March at Trunk Bay with our St John mentors - Mike's cousins John & Kathi.  They lived full time on St John in the late 90's.  On their recommendation  we visited and the rest is history.  They were here in December at their time share and we were so glad they came back again in March to stay with us!  Since we are all "locals" we didn't even think to get out the camera.   So no pictures of John or Kathi :(
We will rectify that Dec 1st when they return to St John for their annual vacation!!  


Sally
A day visitor from Pennsylvania!   Our friend Sally and her gal pals were cruisin the caribbean!  While in port at St Thomas they took the ferry over to St John and we spent the day on Trunk.




Easter - Lori & Cheryl 


Lori & Cheryl arrived as acquaintances and left as good friends
                             
 Bushwackers at Banana Deck


Easter Sunday at Church
             



      







Gibney Beach

We rescued Honeymooners Mike & Rowan at Salt Pond
No Taxi's back across the island.  They spent the evening
Coral Bay beach bar hopping with us.  On of our best days full of
unexpected surprises!!


Pete & Judy


Mike's brother Peter and his wife Judy
visited later in April. 
We took a fishing trip with Cleve 
on the south side of St John
and the East End approaching the BVI.
Great day fishing with a lot of caught
 fish and calm seas.  
Other days we perfected beach bumming!
                       Pete & I snagged the same fish! Impossible                      
















                           



Dave & Barb
Two days after Pete & Judy flew back to Chattanooga Mike's brother Dave and wife Barb arrived to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary!!!!  Another fishing trip.  Lots of fish caught by Mike and Dave.  The sea was very rough and Barb and Cindy opted to come back ashore and spent a quiet beach day at the North Shore's calm Gibney Beach.   We ended the week with a delicious Caribbean      
                                                         Lobster dinner at Morgan's Mango!

Coral Bay









                        Denis Bay





Happy Anniversary!


Chris


Chris surprised us with a call on Memorial Day asking if he could come for a visit the next week. Of course!





Chris and Mike trying fly fishing in Leinster Bay






Father and Son enjoying Trunk Bay with a beer and a good book










Sunset at Cinnamon Beach!






Melissa & Michelle
Melissa came for a summer visit after she was done teaching.  Ty's job on the capitol dome in Washington needed him.  We missed him but enjoyed the company of Melissa's friend Michelle.
 Bushwackers at Banana Deck



Casey & Rick

Welcoming Island Drinks
and Casey brought us asparagus and strawberries from their  farm!





Our niece Casey and her boyfriend Rick overlapped 3 days with Melissa & Michelle.  Full house, Full truck,  Days full of fun!
Cousins
Casey and Rick at Bordeaux over looking Coral Bay and the BVI
Little Lameshur bay - spent the day snorkeling, reading, swimming, drinking and eating
typical beach day.  
enjoying the view from our deck

watching sunset on the beach of The Beach Bar in Cruz Bay
All visitors make this last walk into town to the ferry dock
(notice "Island Mike's long hair!)


 We are so grateful for all the memories created by our time with all of you. Part time jobs are in our future, but we will still have plenty of time to keep our Bed & Breakfast open to family and friends!   Be sure to come back and visit again!  And if you haven't been here yet  - Our island home is always open to you!

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