951 days since my last visit to STJ

mbw1024 · Post by **mbw1024** » Sat Jun 04, 2016 5:13 pm

Sounds like a confession, doesn't it? Well it is the truth. When we left STJ in Oct 2013 we had no intention of staying away so long but life happens.

I was laid off from my job of 29 years in April 2014 so that kind of resets your life playbook.
Got a new job in Jan 2015 but when you start all over you suddenly don't have the time to plan multiple vacations a year. We also had to allow ourselves some time to readjust to a new financial picture. Still not sure we have done that

We knew there would be no big vacations in 2015 so we set our sights on 2016. We arrived on island 5/21/2016.

The villa was Coconuts. The first repeat for us. And we loved it, again. The last time we shared it with friends and I do think it was a lot of house for just the 2 of us but we love the location.
Kevin, forum member, and his wife are great to work with. They were flexible with our change of plans as we eventually decided to stay at Caneel for 2 nights at the end of our trip. We had initially booked the villa for 9 nights. So we ended up at Coconuts from Sat to Sat. I'm sure they had no problem renting the next week and our extra nights didn't break up a week for them. Everyone satisfied.

The 6 months leading up to this trip has been filled with a lot of stressful days as we are both helping care for elderly parents. My mom 92, his dad 87. It was always in the back of my mind that something could prevent this trip from happening. So when I was in the ER with mom on the Wednesday before we left I thought, I just don't know if I am meant to return to this place. But mom is ok and we squeaked outta town Friday night and heading to Philly airport hotel.

This trip was our celebration of our 50/10/50 year. He was 50 in Jan, we are married 10 years in Sept, I am 50 in October. So we splurged. Starting with First Class flights. Worth every penny. Or should I say pennies!!!!!!!!!!!

To tell you what we did every day would bore people to tears. This trip was about rest, relaxation and reconnection. We did what we wanted when we wanted. We needed to rejuvenate.

Not much changes in 951 days. A few new restaurants, none of which we tried come to think of it. We stuck to the old favorites. The weather was, in a word, meh. There was a lot of haze and cloud cover but that didn't bother us. It actually felt a little less humid on this visit, which gets a big thumbs up from me! Not as many perfectly blue sky days as normal but that was ok.

When you are away for a while maybe you appreciate just being there more. I don't know. But I could find little to complain about.

We will return but we really don't know when and this time I am ok with that. With a limit on our time I feel we need to spread our wings and visit other places.

jimg20 · Post by **jimg20** » Sat Jun 04, 2016 6:48 pm

It sounds like the "No Place to Go, No Place to Be" tour. I'm glad you got the opportunity to get some R&R.

JIM

Robin in NC · Post by **Robin in NC** » Sat Jun 04, 2016 7:43 pm

Glad you got to make it this time, I could almost feel your relief in how you told your story. Enjoyed the photos too! And you'll be back, don't worry...

David 12 · Post by **David 12** » Sun Jun 05, 2016 2:03 am

I think you do appreciate St. John even more the longer you are away.

The nice thing is it is always there waiting!

Thanks for sharing.

Dave

nothintolose · Post by **nothintolose** » Sun Jun 05, 2016 3:08 pm

Awesome pics Mary Beth!!! I remember your posts from your honeymoon trip like it was just yesterday! I am so glad you guys got back with no agenda other than to do whatever

Thanks for sharing!!!

ColumbiaSCTraveler · Post by **ColumbiaSCTraveler** » Sun Jun 05, 2016 8:44 pm

Gorgeous pictures!

We weren't able to go last year (we had been annual visitors for 6 years until then - our first trip was 2009 on our honeymoon) because we had our son.

Well, this year, we are heading back for year 7 with our son and my mom in tow. And I know you're so right - being gone for longer than normal will make it all the sweeter! CANNOT WAIT! Especially can't wait to see the island through mom's eyes, as well as my son's!

Glad y'all had an amazing trip!

Wolfhound · Post by **Wolfhound** » Mon Jun 06, 2016 7:58 am

Mary Beth--I wondered what happened to you. I've missed your posts and photos. Glad things worked out and happy birthday. We'll be down this Friday. Can't wait. Maybe one day we will be there at the same time.

mbw1024 · Post by **mbw1024** » Mon Jun 06, 2016 8:08 am

I've been here lurking around [emoji12]

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ski2play · Post by **ski2play** » Mon Jun 06, 2016 9:26 am

Love this! Glad you enjoyed!

jmq · Post by **jmq** » Tue Jun 07, 2016 10:06 am

Glad you two got back to STJ and for sharing. Thanks.

AquaGirl · Post by **AquaGirl** » Tue Jun 07, 2016 10:21 am

Thanks for sharing! Its funny you were staying at Coconuts during our first week on island. Coconuts was our first villa on St John, so it holds a special place in our hearts. We've stayed there a few other times, but it was booked for this year's trip. We were at Hummingbird Hill - down the road a bit from Coconuts. Each time we went out that way, we "waved" and said hi when we passed Coconuts. Who knew that you were there!

Sunflower · Post by **Sunflower** » Tue Jun 07, 2016 12:18 pm

Dear MBW - so glad you got back to SJ!! I too remember your honeymoon posts

Congratulations on the anniversary and both birthdays!! I've missed your posts on here - especially your food and drink porn

Best as you continue to care for your aging parents.

mbw1024 · Post by **mbw1024** » Tue Jun 07, 2016 9:01 pm

Sunflower wrote:Dear MBW - so glad you got back to SJ!! I too remember your honeymoon posts Congratulations on the anniversary and both birthdays!! I've missed your posts on here - especially your food and drink porn
Best as you continue to care for your aging parents.

I always think of you when I drive past the Church [emoji3]

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Pickle · Post by **Pickle** » Wed Jun 08, 2016 11:58 am

Happy to hear that you both had a relaxing time on St. John. Sure looked relaxed in the water at Honeymoon…

I just looked through your photos. We had no sunset views from where we stayed and it was nice to see what it was like on the other side of the island. Thank you for sharing!

Adrienne · Post by **Adrienne** » Wed Jun 08, 2016 12:46 pm

So glad you made it back and enjoyed your time and relaxed! We too are returning for our first trip in 7 years. We had life hold us up a bit too. A couple of children and not working to be with the kids, a couple of losses...needless to say, this is our first real vacation in as much time and we are thrilled. Thank you for your trip report and hearing it from your perspective insofar as being away for a while. We are excited not only to bring our kids for the first time, but we're also staying in Coral Bay this time where we have usually stayed on the Cruz Bay side. We are also celebrating our 10th anniversary - it is the day before we leave (22 days!).

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