Well this is it guys! It is all over but the crying. Our last full day has arrived, for realz. I am sad but determined not to think about it too much. I had started organizing and packing the night before when in walks my hubby, "You're packing, this is usually when the tears start. Are you ok?" I actually was ok, considering. The thing about nice long trips and all of the togetherness with the family is that eventually I begin to miss my doggy, my home, my friends, my mama :) I wouldn't say I am ever HAPPY to leave, but often I am ready. Usually because I know I'll be back!
Today it is Easter Sunday. Amazingly the Easter Bunny managed to find the kids way out in Coral Bay! (FYI - I had packed small goodies for them and supplies to make mini Easter baskets, however, I noted earlier in the week that Chelsea Drug had Easter Baskets and fixings as well. I didn't check the prices.)
Ella's Goodies
And Max's
They were very excited
We all had a quick breakfast and got ready to head to the beach. Lunches packed, swimsuits donned, we were off.
At dinner the night before we were discussing favorite beaches and Les reminded me about Honeymoon! YES. Honeymoon it is. Honeymoon is at Caneel Bay. You go through the gates, get your parking pass and head to the left (not the first left - that's for employees, the 2nd left). Park ... the lot was virtually empty. Usually it is full enough that all the spots are taken and we have to kind of create a space. It is Easter, so I assume most people were brunching while we were beaching.
Speaking of Brunch ... still on my to do list after 8 or 9 trips --- BRUNCH at Miss Lucy's and now I have to add Brunch at Concordia (Tourist Trap Cheryl says its very good). This trip we had two Sundays on island and we STILL didn't manage to make it. Oh well. The call of the beach is strong.
We parked, got our stuff, and headed to the path. The walk to Honeymoon is about 10 minutes. Maybe 12. Not a bad walk at all, mostly flat, and you get to see some of the resort along the way. If you are not staying at Caneel there is a $10 fee to park, but if you purchase anything there they waive the parking fee. POMEGRANATE MOJITO anyone?
Ahhhhh....Honeymoon
It was very quiet when we arrived and we went all the way to the right of the beach (facing the water) and found a little niche up in the rocks and shade. There is always a great breeze at Honeymoon. The surf is a little rougher, but it is beautiful.
The little engineer got right to work
I took a few pictures with my funky iphone setting
Ellla decided it was too rough to snorkel (for her) so she just bobbed along in the water
While the boys busied themselves
Construction Zone
Mama lazed away enjoying this view
Happy Campers
Beach Buddy takes a break to rest and dry out
Ella did a little rock climbing
It was another Pbj day and soon enough the natives were hungry
After lunch the boys took a walk
And before we knew it, it was time to say goodbye to Honeymoon and the beaches of St. John for now
On the way out, I ducked into the bar to grab a drink (a mojito for me and a BBC for my hubby who had fallen in love with this drink on this trip) and took my receipt to get validated so we could park for free. And we took a few pictures around the ruins.
She looks so happy, He looks so Sleepy!
The possible culprit of our allergies
I don't think I am ever as happy or relaxed as I get by day 7-8 on St. John. Absolute JELLO.
With my flower from Ella.
We wanted to head home to clean up before our date with Ms. Ruth (and her pool) at the Grateful Shed. On the way, of course, we did a little more touring. We'd never made it past Love City Mini-mart on that road (I have no idea what the name of it is) in Coral Bay.
We discovered the Coral Bay Garden Center
And interrupted some lunching goats
You lookin at me?
Back to the house briefly, cleaned up and we are ready to head out again. No rest on the last day for us!!
Funniest Sign, I had to get a picture
STOP! Hammer Time!
We took centerline back to town and no lie, I was telling the kids how there are COWS on St. John. Neither believed me. They were all "yeah right mama. Sure!!!" A few curves later we come upon this one and about 4 others!
Mooooo
Earlier in the week, when I'd stopped by to see Ruth she'd invited us to see the progress on the house (When I was there last March ... it was still very much a work in progress) and to let the kids have a swim. I didn't want to intrude, but the kids were really missing having a pool and I knew they would be thrilled. She insisted saying they love to see people enjoy the pool. They hadn't gotten in too much recently because it was, get this, "Too Cold!" These people have gone soft!
I love Ruth. She is just about the best thing since sliced bread and Ron is the sweetest, most relaxed guy on the planet. I was excited to see the house - it is AMAZING by the way (I am still waiting on them to finish out the basement for me ... I even told them I'd take it as is ... who needs drywall?). The Grateful Shed is beautiful, it was so nice to see all the furnishings and the filled pool and how much all of the plant life had grown. Max was intrigued by the veggies Ron was growing - esp. the little tomatoes. He may have sampled a few. We were so busy on the tour and seeing all of the plants still waiting to go in the ground we almost (ALMOST) forgot all about the pool.
Soon enough the kiddos reminded us. Thank you Ruth ... They loved the entire trip but your pool is what I hear about the most. Ella had to write a report (she chose to write about spring break in St. John) and a good portion was dedicated to our visit to you! :) Thank you so so much!! One of the best things about St. John for me is the people - both those I've met who live there and those I've met through the forum who are as addicted to visiting as I am. I am pretty sure my husband often thinks I am a bit insane, but when he puts faces to names and gets to chat with people like Ruth and Ron and Pia and Les for extended periods of time, he never fails to walk away commenting about how incredibly genuine, nice and relaxed everyone is. Easy company. The best kind!
Happy Happy Girl
Here's Max telling/Showing Ms. Ruth how old he used to be (I think)
And the "But I don't want to get out" face
Eventually it was time to head to town for the Beach Bar gathering. We got the kids out, one more easily than the other, got them changed, and headed to town.
Innervisions was playing tonight and it was quite busy. I wandered down to Joe's Rum Hut to get my drink, I wasn't fighting the crowd at the BB. It was a fairly small gathering. Ruth & Ron, Beth Cruz & hubby, Cypressgirl and her daughter and friend, Bob & Anita, and I am SURE I am forgetting someone...
I enjoyed the music and company and soon enough it was sunset.
Soon the troops were getting hungry, so we headed over to High Tide for dinner. The service here was great and they were super friendly and accommodating to kids.
Shrimp Diablo for my hubby (SPICY)
Grilled Shrimp kabobs for me
The kiddos both had pasta and loved it. Cleaned their plates.
And, of course, you can't round off a trip without an ice cream from ISCREAM. Chocolate with chocolate sprinkles. Her grandmother would be proud!
Our day was almost done. We headed back to Coral Bay to rest, watch a movie, and finish up the packing. A few minutes into the movie I walked in to this
I think we'd successfully worn them both out!
I finished packing up a few things and read a book until pretty late. Sleep never comes easy for me on my last night.
Tomorrow: Bye Lameshur Cottage & Coral Bay, Bye Ruth, Bye Cruz Bay
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