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So Good, So Good, So Good! Realtime trip report

Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 8:00 am
by Agent99
Hey folks, MarciaMarciaMarcia here. Since the board already has a beloved Marcia and Pete, I thought I'd do a little sreenname makeover.

I'm sure heaven is fabulous but how could it have anything on this glorious patch of earth and sea? Yesterday was long but worth every step. We flew Jet Blue to San Juan, then Cape Air to STT....both on time.

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Just missed the 4:00 pm ferry so popped into Drakes for the inaugural adult beverage(sorry but the airport rum punch isn't official) and a couple of virgins for the utes. The 5:30 ferry left right on time and we sat upstairs because it was shaping up to be a beautiful night. The air was crystal clear and the ride was a delight. I could seriously weep as we approach Cruz Bay.

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I recorded our message in the sand for posterity and incase it was too dark for the webcam to pick up. Upside down So Good. Red Sox fans have a special fondness for that expression. It must be repeated three times for good luck.

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Gallows' porter was there waiting for us and we checked right in. St. John Adventures...located right in the little shop on the property had stocked our place with some provisions and snacks which was great because none of us had eaten since breakfast. All of us were too tired to go out so Uncle Joe came to the rescue. Agent 86 ran down to pick it up while #2 son (he's 10 and #1 is 16) and I went for a dip. The pool was nippy but the hot tub was just right. Not a soul out there but us and the stars.

The BBQ hit the spot as always but they were slammed and had run out of the macaroni salad...bummer.....I suppose we'll live.

By this time it's 10ish and the kids are crashed on the pull out couch. 86 and I enjoy the balcony overlooking a moonlit Cruz Bay. Ahhhhh....so good, so good, so good!

TBC.....

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Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 8:38 am
by Xislandgirl
It was 9 degrees here this morning but your report and pictures has warmed me up a bit.
Have a great time!!

Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 8:42 am
by ccasebolt
So far...

So Good! So Good! So Good!!! 8)

Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 9:00 am
by Kathyzhere
enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!! 8)
Thanks for popping in and teasing us :wink:
Kathy

Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 9:18 am
by Agent99
It's raining so we have an excuse to chill and enjoy a little breakfast at home. RIP Chilly Billy's sniff. I'm so glad we asked to have some unhealthy vacation food incidentals stocked in the fridge.

86 picked up the car from St. John Car Rental, a Jeep Liberty which he said is not new but just fine. This is our first time with them, we usually rent from Conrad Sutton who we love, but I waited too long to reserve and they were booked. So far so good with StJCR.

Incidentally, this is our fourth time at Gallows, 9th to STJ, 12th to the VIs. We are ruined for anywhere else in the Caribbean. In our book, nothing compares.

I love everyting about Gallows except their pillows which are....on the dense side. Sooo, since we subscribe to the why pack light when the kitchen sink is just begging to come along theory of travel, I picked up one of those plastic packing aids that you can put something fluffy in then squeeze the air out to make smaller. So, I packed my own fabulous, squishy down pillow. No one else cared about the pillow quality and further they even had a few laughs at my expense over the whole thing so I just packed one for moi. Who's crying now?

It's starting to clear I think so the plan is to head to Gibney, our favorite. Life is good. I apologize in advance for the posting style. I have been advised in the past that I am the mistress of the grammatically incorrect run on sentence. There are worse problems, I suppose.

TBC....

Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 9:19 am
by sea-nile
Looks like a great arrival!
I bet typing MarciaMarciaMarcia was getting tiring.
I kind of liked it though.

Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 10:01 am
by Ksea
Great pictures! Thanks for checking in. Have a marvelous time!!

Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 11:24 am
by jayseadee
Oh! Oh! Oh!

Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 11:43 am
by sherban
Agent99....Reminds me of "Get Smart" (am i dating myself?)...then I hear the theme song, you know the one where Maxwell Smart is walking down the hallway with all the security doors...anyway...

Is the first pic somewhere over PR?

Have a great trip, thanks for the TR and photos...

Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 11:52 am
by liamsaunt
Great photos! What unit are you in at Gallows? Your view looks similar to the one we had in October.

Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 12:20 pm
by Barb Y
Great report so far. I am looking forward to more. Keep those reports coming and have a blast! Great shots from Gallows at night

Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 2:41 pm
by California Girl
I'm loving your live reports! So you must be getting used to the new laptop, eh? :lol:

Although I will miss MarciaMarciaMarcia, I do have to say I love your new choice of Agent99! Good one!

Keep having a great time and have a lime n' coconut for me! :D

Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 4:59 pm
by Agent99
Dang, I just wrote a whole thing about today and lost it. Will try to retrieve and resend.

Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 5:08 pm
by Teddy Salad
99,

How did you get that shot of the runway? Does Cape Air let you open the windows and stick your head out or were you in the co-pilot's seat? :)

Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 5:22 pm
by Agent99
Liamsaunt, we're in 12D until tomorrow. We booked late and the only option was to change units after 2 nights. I'll admit that 12D could stand a face lift and that it is not as well appointed in terms of amenities as some others we've stayed in but we love the harbor view and breezes. Tomorrow we move to 8C until the 26th. I've seen photos of the new kitchen renovation and it looks positively Liamsaunt worthy!.

Sherban...I'm an old Get Smart buff....this link's for you http://www.elite.net/~gurpal/tv/getsmart.mid

It never really cleared today with patches of light rain all day. We ended up in Coral Bay and had a late lunch at Shipwreck. As usual, the food was as fresh as can be. The boys had the gazpacho and blackened shrimp app with the dill sauce. The grouper with curry and mango salsa was as delicious as we remembered and the grilled mahi sandwich with citrus butter was good, too. The only suggestion I have is that the gazpacho doesn't seem to have that spicy kick that made us fall in love with it. It was super fresh and nicely chilled but something was missing besides those great pewter crocks it used to be served in. I doubt anyone will be hungry for dinner. We'll either go out for a snack later or order something in. We really aren't very exciting.

After lunch we stopped by Mongoose Junction with everyone else in town. I like the Peruvian shop where Donald Schnell's used to be and bought a couple of pairs of unique earrings. The guys spent their time at Big Planet. I'm looking forward to saying hi to Ruth and co and replenishing our stock of Cruz Bay Grill Rub and hot sauces from St. John Spice .