Trip Tome - Part 5 (The End)

Linward · Post by **Linward** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 3:45 pm

Sunday, April 5

We woke to a cloudy sky that threatened rain, so decided to do laundry and some packing to prepare for the inevitable W.O.W. day after tomorrow. (A little early to be thinking about “the end”, to be sure, but we figured that way we could spend all of our time playing when the sun came back out.)

About 1330 the clouds began to break up, so we decided to snorkel Waterlemon Cay. We parked the jeep at the Annaberg parking lot, and walked approximately one mile along the nice, level trail past Leinster Bay, around Waterlemon Beach, to the rocky point on the right.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3442458517/" title="HI HO HI HO by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3554/344 ... 1096aa.jpg" width="301" height="500" alt="HI HO HI HO"></a>

From there we snorkeled across the sandy bottom (FAR below at times) to Waterlemon Cay.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3443276036/" title="Warerlemon Bay by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3601/344 ... 5d1872.jpg" width="500" height="280" alt="Warerlemon Bay"></a>

Following the tip in “Feet, Fins, and Four Wheel Drive”, we started out counter clockwise around the Cay. At first we were disappointed, as the reef looked like the sea’s equivalent to a western “ghost town” – the remains of dead coral resembling dried up bones. But we soon began to see a few healthy coral specimens. And THEN, as we approached the back side of the Cay, a lush undersea garden opened up around and beneath us! The water was crystal clear and teeming with a dazzling variety of brilliantly colored fish.

Back on the other side of the Cay, we left the reef behind and were once again snorkeling over sand, with not much to look at. And THEN HT spotted a five-pointed orange starfish – and then another – and then another! There were probably 100 of them spread out before us – almost as if the “sea fairies” had placed them in our path just to surprise us. It was a delightful end to an incredible snorkeling experience!

AHHH – This is the life!!!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3443277010/" title="HT in Repose by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3550/344 ... 1c8006.jpg" width="281" height="500" alt="HT in Repose"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3442461525/" title="I Get It! by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3558/344 ... f516a9.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="I Get It!"></a>

Dinner: porterhouse steaks, baked potatoes, corn…

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3442464119/" title="Porterhouse to Perfection by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3599/344 ... 93fdc4.jpg" width="351" height="500" alt="Porterhouse to Perfection"></a>

accompanied by the ever vigilant Miss Moon (the resident “feral” cat).

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3443279918/" title="Ever Vigilant by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3645/344 ... 52e07d.jpg" width="281" height="500" alt="Ever Vigilant"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3443278124/" title="Night's Sunsong by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3360/344 ... a1365c.jpg" width="500" height="308" alt="Night's Sunsong"></a>

Monday, April 6 – our last full day in “paradise”

After breakfast (bacon, fried potatoes and eggs), we drove to Gibney Beach. We parked at the gate and walked the short distance down to the water’s edge.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3443322054/" title="Gibney Beach Entrance by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3622/344 ... dd7fb0.jpg" width="281" height="500" alt="Gibney Beach Entrance"></a>

What an idyllic, picturesque setting! Palm trees and Seagrapes fringed the white, sandy, crescent beach that sloped down into the calm cerulean water.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3442508797/" title="The Perfect Picture by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3403/344 ... 23b35f.jpg" width="281" height="500" alt="The Perfect Picture"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3442510505/" title="Gibney Beach by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3585/344 ... 94b0_b.jpg" width="575" height="1024" alt="Gibney Beach"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3442512279/" title="St. John Flora by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3351/344 ... 8af50c.jpg" width="281" height="500" alt="St. John Flora"></a>

HT didn’t think he should get any more direct sun, so he opted to relax in the shade and read while I snorkeled.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3443331622/" title="What a Life by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3622/344 ... 59aef9.jpg" width="358" height="500" alt="What a Life"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3442518079/" title="In His Glory by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3630/344 ... 2dd4dc.jpg" width="348" height="500" alt="In His Glory"></a>

I found a nice little reef fairly close to shore that had a surprisingly good variety of healthy coral and lots of colorful, interesting sea life. I was particularly excited to see a big lobster ambling along the sandy bottom of one of the crevasses.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3443336532/" title="Mermom by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3351/344 ... f582d4.jpg" width="243" height="500" alt="Mermom"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3442522007/" title="Just Floatin Along by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3645/344 ... 2e92f6.jpg" width="281" height="500" alt="Just Floatin Along"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3443342140/" title="It Came Ashore by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3386/344 ... 711c37.jpg" width="281" height="500" alt="It Came Ashore"></a>

Lunch: leftover steak with mozzarella cheese on a sesame seed bun – scrumptious

We got back to the villa about 1500, and spent the rest of the afternoon packing.

Dinner: last of the prawns

As the sun began to set on our last evening at Villa Serenity, we were filled with mixed emotions. We stood watching the sunset in silent appreciation as the wispy clouds overhead turned from gold to pink to crimson; the sun dipping lower and lower in the sky – and then - just as it slipped below the horizon, we saw “IT”: THE GREEN FLASH! What a gift on our last evening in “paradise”!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3443351260/" title="Last St. John Sunset by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3569/344 ... 9ed4d4.jpg" width="500" height="367" alt="Last St. John Sunset"></a>

(No picture of the flash. It happened too fast.)

Tuesday, April 7

As I sit here on the deck with Miss Moon purring around my feet; Bananaquits feasting on the sugar in the feeder; the sun rising on yet another glorious day in “paradise”, I try not to feel saddened by the fact that our extraordinary vacation here on St. John has come to an end.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3442534911/" title="Last Sunrise by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3388/344 ... b76006.jpg" width="500" height="280" alt="Last Sunrise"></a>

HT and I have been so blessed to have had the opportunity to travel to many wonderful places during our 28 years together, but both agree that our stay here at Villa Serenity on this very special island has been THE BEST!

Though we live in a “sleepy” little town on the beautiful Oregon Coast, and maintain a fairly easy-going life style, “life” does “throw” us a “curve” now and then (as it does everyone). We feel it’s SO important to occasionally put our daily routine aside and get away from “it all” – to regroup and re-energize - to re-discover our inner serenity, our deep appreciation and love for each other, and all the blessings our good Lord has bestowed upon us. Here, we have done all that – and then some!

We LOVE Villa Serenity:

The incredible view
The, oh SO comfy, bed.
The wonderful breezes blowing through our bedroom
Sunrises and coffee in the gazebo
Relaxing in the hammock
Sunsets from the back deck
The outdoor shower
The island décor/furnishings
Sweet Miss Moon
The delightful Bananaquits
The chicken/rooster wakeup committee

We LOVE St. John:

The friendly people (on St. John, AND here on the forum)
We thank you all SO much, for your pre-trip advice, AND for your much-appreciated feedback
re. our Trip Reports.
Cruz Bay
The warm, temperate climate
The vistas
The unspoiled beauty
The lush tropical vegetation
The sweet island scents
The idyllic beaches
The warm, incredibly pristine, blue/green water
The reef life
The Sea Turtles
The feral donkeys
The narrow, “roller coaster” roads

St. John is truly a place like no other, and we have felt SO at peace here! The memories of this “magical” island are forever tucked away in our hearts – to sustain us until, God willing, we can someday return.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3443343654/" title="Love's Devotion by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3543/344 ... 4f98fc.jpg" width="500" height="381" alt="Love's Devotion"></a>

byado18 · Post by **byado18** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 3:54 pm

Thanks for sharing your magical adventure with us! Terrific pix!

Sunflower · Post by **Sunflower** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 4:01 pm

What a wonderful trip report and ending

Thanks so much for sharing your days with us. Safe home to Oregon.

sasky · Post by **sasky** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 4:02 pm

Does it make me a total sap for tearing up at the end of that? I don't care!

Wonderful report. I could totally relate to your feelings about leaving the island.

Pia · Post by **Pia** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 4:03 pm

Beautiful

Thanks soooo much

Pia

chrisn · Post by **chrisn** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 4:27 pm

Fitting end to a very good trip report. Nicely done. Thanks for sharing with us!

liamsaunt · Post by **liamsaunt** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 4:37 pm

What a wonderful trip report. Thank you so much for sharing your adventures with us.

Pianogrl · Post by **Pianogrl** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 4:55 pm

Wonderful report/pics!! Thank you so much for sharing this. I think I'm gonna go back & read it all again!
Well done!

jmq · Post by **jmq** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 5:00 pm

Nicely done. Thanks. Always like somebody else who takes lotsa vertical shots (or at least crops em that way).

Which town in Oregon if you dont mind telling? We were not prepared for how beautiful that coast was when we toured it July 2000. Its on the short list of "need to return someday".

DnD · Post by **DnD** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 5:42 pm

Thank you for the great report. As a fellow Oregonian, STJ is a pain to get to and back from, but it is so worth it. We were there 2 months and these trip reports bring back so many great memories.

StJohnRuth · Post by **StJohnRuth** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 5:43 pm

Great report, Linward. I hope we see you again here sometime. It was nice meeting you.
- Ruth

ccasebolt · Post by **ccasebolt** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 5:45 pm

That was too sweet! My teary-eyed condition is a combination of sappiness and sadness that your report has come to an end.

Great job - thank you!

loria · Post by **loria** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 6:26 pm

I have really loved reading each installment of your trip report--sounds like you had a wonderful time. and you saw the green flash! i am so jealous!!!!!

Pickle · Post by **Pickle** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 8:27 pm

Every good-for-your-health-and-soul vacation has to come to an end. Ahh...

Hope you will return to St. John soon. Thank you so much for sharing your trip with us, Linward.

Barb Y · Post by **Barb Y** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 8:49 pm

I have just read and completely enjoyed your trip report. What a beautiful vacation. I am glad you both "get it". It was nice to watch you both settle into Island Time through the progression of your pictures. You could almost see your bodies transform into a relaxed state. Thanks for sharing!

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