99 and Company 2013

Agent99 · Post by **Agent99** » Sat Apr 13, 2013 12:40 pm

Hi all,

Since I returned to the workforce in 2009, I have fallen down on the trip-reportage. Real Estate is a great job for a mom because of its flexibility and independence but it can be difficult to unplug. For the past several years our vacations have been tied to school vacations which is why we are here on St. John in the middle of April - the absolute worst time for a Realtor to be away. In my area of New England, mid-April is the genesis of the Spring market. Nothing during the rest of the year even compares, so for the past few years my vacation computer time has been all work and no play.

But I miss writing trip reports. They nurture my soul and reading them back years later helps me to remember cherished memories and gets me all verklempt as I marvel at how the boys have changed and grown. This is long and in many cases TMI - too much info. But it is as much for me to read back in years to come during long winters, so scroll ahead and back as needed. I apologize in advance if I abandon this half way through. But I don’t want to.

Cast of Characters:

Moi - Jules - Realtor extraordinairre, my husband Pete and our two wonderful boys - Quinn, a senior in college with a job lined up in this miserable economy thank a merciful God; and Luke, freshman in high school - the most unusually squared away adult in a child's...well since he's taller than all of us now, that's no longer true either...body.

Thursday, April 11

Packed last night in a last minute scramble after a horrifically botched attempt at a do-it-yourself pedicure, after having nothing to eat all day and a martini for dinner. Dumb, dumb, dumb. Remarkably, the result was that, for the first time ever, I packed exactly what I needed. Nothing more, nothing less. Well, maybe more but definitely not less. Good start. But my toes look like shit.

Cab picked us up at 6:00 AM and Q took the T to the airport from his apartment in Boston. All smooth and on time. Arrived in STT at 1:30ish. Love Jet Blue, oh yes I do. All carry-on except for an old lacrosse bag that held snorkle gear and sundries and shoes. Easy-peasy. Asked the cabbie when the next CA ferry leaves and he says 3:15, and we say "Oh great"! LIAR! Dumped in CA, we find out the truth that the next ferry is 5:30. Hop back in another cab and make record time to Red Hook to catch the 3:00. Ahhhh.

We booked late because – I don’t know - we did therefore our favorite unit in Gallows Pt. was unavailable for our entire stay so together with the wonderful Anna at Gallows and Richard Methany who handles many of the units, we managed to finagle a switcheroo after a few days, and so we’ll be starting off in 9C, then eventually moving to 15C.

But that’s not until Saturday. Because, as always, the unreliable American airlines changed our flights from an already inconvenient series of layovers to an almost comical 28 or something hour farce, I decided we are DONE with American. Done, done, done. As I listen to the Band Perry’s new number that is aptly named for my mood. Done! Jet Blue to the rescue - direct from Boston. No more expensive than our original, inconvenient American flight and more leg room- so there!

The only difference was that the flight was on Thursday, April 11 not Saturday the 13th. Luke is a very conscientious student and was worried that his teachers would balk, but really, it was not a difficult sell. So that meant we needed to find a place to stay Thursday and Friday. Someone on Trip Advisor suggested Seashore Allure, of which I had never heard. Looked online - gorgeous, but minimum stay of 5 or 6 days. Pete inquired online and 'lo and behold', they had an opening. He said we are a family of 4, and a 1 bedroom would be fine. As frequent Gallows visitors we are accustomed to the one bedroom unit that sleeps four, with pull out sofas in the great room for the boys. Our deposit was accepted and all seemed cool.

I called from the ferry to let Seashore Allure know we were on our way. When we arrived, a woman was there holding a sign. No smile, but a sign. I introduced myself and said the boys would be along shortly with the bags. Then a really nice guy introduced himself, I think his name was Delbert. I assumed he was the owner, and we chatted and joked around until the guys were able to retrieve the bags from the ferry.

Delbert was collecting another party headed to the resort, and we said good-bye. The woman then said to us - how many people do you have? I told her 4, and she said, “You only booked a 1 bedroom”. No pull out couch, I replied? "No. We’re going to have to put you in a 2 bedroom." Wouldn’t you all be thinking, “Fine, put me in a 2 bedroom, but this was your mistake? My reservation confirmation states that we are a party of 4.” That’s what I was thinking.

To be continued. Photos to follow.

Pia · Post by **Pia** » Sat Apr 13, 2013 1:27 pm

Wow, wow, wow what a start but at least you are here

You were on the same flight as my hubby - he flew to Las Vegas on Tuesday evening and flew home Wednesday evening via JetBlue Las Vegas - Boston - STT

Pia

Nancie-Pa · Post by **Nancie-Pa** » Sat Apr 13, 2013 1:30 pm

Can't wait to see how this turns out!

In your favor I hope!

jayseadee · Post by **jayseadee** » Sat Apr 13, 2013 2:19 pm

Agent99 keeping us in suspense

Agent99 · Post by **Agent99** » Sat Apr 13, 2013 4:23 pm

All is well, except that Photobucket no longer allows you to post photos directly- unless they do and I just don't know how. I'd like to keep this in real time since I will forget details otherwise. I'd be so appreciative of any advice how to post photos without a link. But I will try to figure out. J

philbetm · Post by **philbetm** » Sat Apr 13, 2013 6:53 pm

UH-oh.......This does not sound like it is going to a good place !! Please say they didn't stick you for more MONEY !!

Sherry

mindehankins · Post by **mindehankins** » Sat Apr 13, 2013 8:19 pm

I love your trip reports, and the cliff hangers. You haven't lost a camera yet?

michigancouple · Post by **michigancouple** » Sat Apr 13, 2013 8:37 pm

I don't yhink they've lost a guitar yet, either.

mindehankins · Post by **mindehankins** » Sat Apr 13, 2013 8:38 pm

Have they been stuck on a ferry?

ColumbiaSCTraveler · Post by **ColumbiaSCTraveler** » Sat Apr 13, 2013 9:18 pm

What a cliff hanger!!!! Looking forward to seeing what happens next!

jayseadee · Post by **jayseadee** » Sat Apr 13, 2013 11:31 pm

Paste in the IMG code from Photobucket - that still works.

Agent99 · Post by **Agent99** » Sun Apr 14, 2013 6:54 am

Thanks Jayseadee, that's the ticket. They were too big so I have to resize first. No, Minde- this time we did not lose a stitch!

So this is what we found just a few short weeks ago.

And this is what we found Friday. I'll take door number 2 thank you very much.

Agent99 · Post by **Agent99** » Sun Apr 14, 2013 7:45 am

The young woman from Seashore Allure escorted us to the property. It is absolutely stunning. She said that she would show us the one bedroom we had booked. As are all the units, this was beautifully done with a generous basket with a Welcome 99 and Company card. Very nice touch but it was not to be because even with an air mattress they would not allow 4 in the unit. But there were no 2 bedrooms available. There was a 3 bedroom unit available, however. She told us that we could have the 3 bedroom for the price of the 2 bedroom which was significantly higher than the one bedroom we had booked.

Now before I go on I must say a little about the talented builder and caretaker Delbert. He is responsible for selecting every beautiful detail from the contemporary lighting, the travertine tile to the European plumbing fixtures. Not the smallest detail was overlooked. The solid wood doors the curving staircase- everything the highest quality. The kitchen is what I imagine Liamsaunt’s to be. Beautiful glasswear, silverware, cookware, wine service, plasticware and containers for the beach, baggies and wraps for picnics- you name it and they have thought of it.

I liked Delbert immediately and after spending time with him as he showed us around I felt less like I wanted to bicker about the price. That said I do not think that we should have to pay the full price for a mistake that was not our own. The young woman returned after speaking with whomever was in charge. After some back and forth negotiations we settled on a compromise- we paid for one night of the one bedroom rate and one night at the 2 bedroom rate and we stayed in the gorgeous 3 bedroom. I can live with that. However, I won’t say I wasn’t put off by the woman’s attitude and her remark that the powers that be said nobody books a one bedroom for 4 people. There was never an admission that it was their mistake. Contrast her attitude with the warmth we are greeted with when we arrive to Gallows (one bedroom- 2 pull out sofas) and, well….just saying.

If I were going to build a place on STJ or STT I would find Delbert. I have no idea whether he came in on time or budget but he is one seriously talented and pleasant guy.

ski2play · Post by **ski2play** » Sun Apr 14, 2013 8:04 am

my my my, I want Delbert to outfit my home. What happens next?

Do tell!

SandyPants · Post by **SandyPants** » Sun Apr 14, 2013 8:23 am

More, please!

usvi-on-line