I can't believe it is Sunday already! Up again early today with the sunrise, that's about 6ish for those who never see the sun rise on St. John. I think the baby boy was afraid he would miss something. He wanted to be sure we got the most out of every day. What a difference a year makes!
How can you mind when he wakes up in a mood like this?
So by 7 am I was itching to call Conrad and find out about the car. I waited until almost 8 am before I just could not stand it and called, finding him already at the car fixing it up. Something about corrosion on the connections of something to something. Not to worry he says, he'll be done soon and can bring it to the house. I give him directions. Pass the Westin, Right on Great Cruz Bay road, up the road over 6 speed bumps, left up the hill. Less than 1/2 an hour later he's there with the car. Yay! Not on island time at all. This man was on top of it.
So I hop in to ride down to the Westin with him since his car is there, only to be asked if I had any paper towels. He wanted to clean the windows. For those who are even thinking about NOT renting from him because of this incident, don't be dismayed. I pick him everytime because he is a bit OCD about his cars. Sometimes that comes out with a tongue lashing to a tourist who he deems is not taking good care of his cars. This problem could happen to any car on STJ and the Liberty we had only had about 6000 miles on it. I asked him how his day had been and he said, "No accidents yet, so it's a good one!" (Of course, this made me think of Kellyanna!)
Window cleaned, I hop in and we are on our way to the Westin. Usually I am a bit timid (ha!) but I start talking to Mr. Sutton to find that he is not the native St. Johnian I expected him to be. He was born on Nevis, coming to St. John in the 60's. I tell him I can't even imagine the changes he's seen and he just smiles. I asked him why he came to St. John and he said it was pure economics. He could make a better living on STJ and then he told me about his first night on St. John. He was sleeping in a house up above where his car lot now is on a cotton cot under a window. He said he slept the same way at home in Nevis, on a cot under a window. When he woke up for his first morning on St. John, he said he looked out that window and it looked like home. (Reinforcing my idea that I would like to see Nevis!) He also told me the Westin used to be a swamp and they dredged and brought in sand to create the beach. We chatted a bit more, I found out he started with just "a car or two" and now has many more than that. I know that others have had less than pleasant experiences with him, but I was almost glad my car had its little trouble and I got to spend this time with him.
After dropping Mr. Sutton at the Westin, I head back up to the house. Our plan for the day was to head to Francis. Another one of my favorites and a great beach for little ones. Jo (very fairskinned girl she is) preferred to stay at the house and agreed to watch the baby boy. We packed the car to head out. Dididididdidididiid the car says. I can't believe it! It started but I was a bit paranoid so I decided to head straight to Conrad's, afraid of being stranded way out on the North shore somewhere.
10 minutes to town and I pull up. He sees me coming and I explain the noise to him and he says, "Don't worry, give me a second and I'll take care of it." He jumps in a 2 door vitara and heads out, returning in about 10 minutes with a new Jeep Liberty. We transfer all the crap and head off to the beach. Now, maybe I am way more lenient than most people would be. Maybe I have a history with them, so I cut more slack. I don't know, but I do know I stayed reasonable and he 100% took care of me and made it right. I was satisfied.
Loaded up in the car and only about 40 minutes delayed, we are on our way to Francis.
This is why I love Francis
The views are amazing. Francis is a little further past Maho, but not far, and there are signs and a little parking lot. If the lot is full you can also park along one side of the road. It is not hard to find. On our last trip, this was the beach where I saw my first turtle and a dolphin and tons of fish. Mr. Flip-Flop and I deemed this our new favorite beach. Note: Flip-Flop has about 4 favorite beaches on St. John, ok maybe 5 each for a different reason! Jumbie for the solitude, Francis for the views, Maho for the kids, Hawksnest for the convenience, Salt Pond for the old school St. John feel. I could go on :)
But today it is Francis
We enjoy the morning & pose for a family picture sans the baby boy who is back at the house entertaining Jo I am sure.
Time to Snorkel
Mr. Flip-Flop and I head out to snorkel leaving Gram and Mini Flip-Flop to float around near the shore. I think they could have both stayed there all day long. I am so glad we brought the little floats. The adults really found them handy. If you stick your head through a child's ring float (I discovered this because I definitely couldn't get it around my waist!) and lean back you have a nice little head rest for floating around and your hat stays mostly dry.
We didn't see much snorkeling this day, mostly because I was a total spaz. When snorkeling (like with scuba) it takes mama Flip-Flop a while to get herself acclimated and it just wasn't working for me this day. I am always better when I see things right away and this day was a bit murky and I could not see squat. There is a such a sweetness to my husband who snorkels and dives like a fish. Me, knowing he wanted so badly to be off exploring, but also knowing he was going to stick with me no matter what. He sets me up with the better mask, the more comfortable fins, carries all the gear! He takes good care of me.
I really don't/haven't/won't snorkel without him. Typically holding onto some part of him, his hand, his shorts, his fins. Something. I know I am coming off as a total wimp, and I really am not. I am tough as nails in many ways, but I know my weaknesses and I trust him to be aware of our surroundings and lead me in the right direction. Mostly just AWAY from danger. He's a master of distraction when he sees something that he knows is gonna totally freak me out. Trust me, it doesn't take much.
I know it is sappy, but when you've known someone your whole adult life (we are college sweethearts - there was a breakup in there but I grabbed hold and would not let go, some call it stalking I call it persistence), there is a certain level of attachment that forms. I do all the laundry, he keeps me from totally freaking out. It works. Again, I digress!
I decided to head for shore and he enjoyed a little solo snorkeling, still not seeing a whole lot other than a feeding frenzy. After a couple of hours, we decide to head back to the house to relieve Jo and have some lunch. We ate lunch in far more often this trip. Which was fine, but I did NOT get to Skinny Leg's for a burger and thus, I must go back.
The Mini Flip-Flop is the BEST big sister ever. She is such a help with the baby boy. She loves to play with him. And kiss him. And talk about how CHUNKY he is. Everyone who saw him commented on how "BIG!" he is. I know I know. He's got rolls on his rolls. So did the mini believe it or not, then she just starting growing up instead of out. Its good to have a reserve, right!
Gram and Jo succumbed to naps, but the rest of us were itching to get out of the house and head to town. Plus, there was the Beach Bar gathering (that wasn't to be) at 4ish. Thanks guys! We head off to wharfside.
Ella finds Ice Cream
And we hang out for a little while on the sand. This is the Ferry Dock from the Beach Bar.
Maybe I scared the Happy Hourer's away with the kids. I don't normally take them to bars, but this IS St. John.
Seeing NO ONE I recognize at the Beach Bar, we decide to hit the shops at Wharfside.
St. John Spice (I don't see Ruth, but also didn't think to ask about her, not knowing her office was upstairs!)
Freebird
Ending up at Paradise Cafe in search of the Cocoberry shake of VickiH fame.
Sadly, they were out of a lot of things and I had to settle for a Bushwacker. Quite the sacrifice! Wow, it was powerful good!
The Mini Flip-Flop doesn't know I can read her mind. Here she is thinking, I know I have ice cream but I wonder if there is a way to obtain MORE ice cream.
I make a quick pitstop back at the Beach Bar, but we are having an early dinner (6pm since we are taking the baby), so I can't really linger and I don't see anyone I know anyway!
Back at the house, we have another bath!
And take in a gorgeous Sunset
Going
Going
Almost Gone
Tonight we have dinner out at Rhumblines with the entire gang, kids and all.
On our way to Rhumblines, they are happy because food soon come!
Rhumblines is big on atmosphere. Not fancy, and unexpected from the street, but once you enter the courtyard there are tons of twinkling lights and glowing tiki torches. The tables are set around like you are in someone's intimate and cozy backyard. It is casual and relaxed with a few swings scattered at the bar between the stools. Rhumblines is a great choice if you want something nicer but still kid friendly. I see why Kenny and Renee chose it for their pre-wedding party.
The gang tried to figure out what to eat.
We were lucky enough to also enjoy live music the evening we were there. I am not sure who this lovely lady was, but she was very enjoyable. I was a little afraid when I saw her setting up, since we had the kids. But the music was mellow and lowkey and perfect. There was one couple who got VERY into the music making out BIG TIME right there next to our table. At least I hope they were an actual couple. They were very, very intoxicated and it would have been great if they would have gotten a room, or a bathroom, or an alleyway, or a beach. Anything other than in the middle of the courtyard right in front of the musician that everyone was focused on. We could not help laughing at them. I know its rude to laugh at others, but they were asking for it. I really wish I had snapped a picture!
The Music
And of course, the food was very good. Not outstanding, but very good. A warning, just about everything was fairly spicy. Not make your mouth hurt spicy, but spicy. Not a bad thing or a good thing, just something to know. Of course, the kids options are not!
Warning: Food Porn coming up
I had decided on the Blackened Mahi, but was told by our waitress that it was the spiciest thing on the menu. I like spicy, but this discouraged me, so I ordered this instead.
BBQ shrimp, sweet potato chips, sweet slaw and julienned veggies
It was yummy and the baby boy loved the veggies.
Mr. Flip-Flop went for one of the specials, Island Pad Thai, which he said was very spicy but he's asian, he likes super spicy!
Gram went for the lime pork, which she declared good but very limey
Jo had a steak with horseradish potato thing and veggies
Barbo did a selection of smaller bites from the pupu platter menu
And finally Jim got soup(?) and a salad and a red stripe
The baby boy and I are happy that our tummies are full!
And the mini decides the napkin makes an excellent headdress
Jo & the Mini Flip-Flop do their best boy scout impersonations
I promise you ... all smiles all the time.
And with that we headed back to the house and called it a night!
Tomorrow: Morning rain, 1/2 the gang goes to STT to shop the other 1/2 goes to Coral Bay & Dinner at Zozos!
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