Fill in the Blanks...

News of St. John · Post by **News of St. John** » Sun Mar 24, 2013 10:47 am

The thought of calling a villa in St. John a la Bigcheeze never once crossed my mind. However, after reading his hilarious post and Kevin's even funnier response, I really think it's a fabulous idea (granted that the person on the other end is just as obsessed with St. John as we all are). And I really love Minde's idea of a hotline. So it all got me thinking of just how obsessed we all are.

One of the first things I do at work each morning is check the forum. My next step is to check the Spice Cam. On an average day, I will sign on to the forum at least five times. When I see my father, something we read on the forum inevitably makes its way into on of our conversations. The other day my dad mentioned how Minde is going back in a few days. (Minde, you arrived in January just as we were leaving, so needless to say we are quite jealous that you get to go back so soon!) We talk about you and the other forumites like we've know you all our lives and that we share holidays together. It's hilarious to me and borderline odd to my mother. I am constantly planning vacations in my head. It's truly an obsession. I know when mine started but I am curious about all of you. So please, if you will, fill in the blanks. I'll go first...

I am obsessed with St. John because _________________________.

My obsession started __________________________________.

I am obsessed with St. John because never in my life have a visited a place that is so aesthetically pleasing, serene and peaceful, whose people are as kind as those on the island and where I can truly just sit back and enjoy life.

My obsession started during my second trip in 2012 while my husband and I were sitting on the beach at Maho.

SeaHorse02 · Post by **SeaHorse02** » Sun Mar 24, 2013 11:42 am

Only five times?

Coconuts · Post by **Coconuts** » Sun Mar 24, 2013 1:50 pm

Be careful, Jenn; this obsession can easily get out of hand...

Kevin

Caw954s · Post by **Caw954s** » Sun Mar 24, 2013 1:53 pm

I am obsessed with STJ because "I feel like I've truly escaped from the everyday world...and spending all day outside, swimming, snorkeling, hiking, seeing different plants and animals, watching the sunrise and sunset everyday, the quiet, the warm breezes, it makes me feel healthy and alive!"

My obsession started "about fifteen years ago I heard about Eco tours on STJ and I looked into Maho and Concordia, but life got in the way of a visit there...STJ has always been in the back of my mind for the #1 place I had to go when "life" allowed me to. My family and i finally went in January 2013, it was exactly as I'd envisioned it and more. The diversity of villas, areas, beaches, sea life, restaurants, other islands, continues to make it an exciting place to revisit. This forum, is now my interim escape, it keeps the excitement alive via trip reports, newbies, long time forumites, and questions like this one!

mindehankins · Post by **mindehankins** » Sun Mar 24, 2013 3:54 pm

I check the forum(S) every morning and every evening, year round, and even more when a trip is nearing!

I am obsessed with St. John because of her natural beauty, and because our time on island is literally the ONLY time that Blaine and I are not on-call 24/7, for work. I can be Minde - Blaine's wife, and he is Blaine - Minde's husband.

My obsession started in the winter of 2008 - a very bad year, when Blaine said to book us a vacation "anywhere I'd feel better." I'd heard of St. John from a friend, and kept that little jewel in the back of my brain for years, waiting for the right time. We found the right island, at just the right time.

mindehankins · Post by **mindehankins** » Sun Mar 24, 2013 3:55 pm

Oh, and getting to visit so often this year is a huge, BEAUTIFUL fluke of fate.......

Nancie-Pa · Post by **Nancie-Pa** » Sun Mar 24, 2013 9:10 pm

Hi all!
I am obsessed with STJ because it is the only place I feel truly alive,(snorkling and hiking and swimming) and free,(I wander all over the Island with no fear) and happy( the smile never leaves my face

). Right from the beginning I felt very "at home".
My obsession started in May of 2005 when I attended a family wedding at the Westin. It took me 5 years to get back for my 2nd visit, then 2 years for my 3rd and now 1 year before my 4th time this May. Each time is special and wonderful!

MadCityMom · Post by **MadCityMom** » Sun Mar 24, 2013 10:24 pm

I am obsessed because of its untouched and unbelievable beauty. We are fortunate to be returning this year after a three year hiatus during which we were unable to travel to St. John. After losing my father in January, we decided that what matters is doing what you love and being and experiencing life with those you love. And that meant a trip back to St. John. This will be our 4th trip. Lately, I check this forum everyday with multiple checks on the webcams. (My husband is giving me the "your obsessed" look as I type this.)

Our obsession began 1-18-06. We were married in St Thomas two days earlier and took a day trip to St John for hubby's birthday. Went to Trunk early that day but it was closed because of swells. We asked if we could go look anyway and they let us in. We stayed of course and had the beach to ourselves (until they opened later that day). We hadn't hit a cash machine and were light on cash when my dear husband remembered he had a hidden $100 in his wallet that he kept in case of emergency. Those were the best emergency rum punches we ever had. Trunk then shower and hubby's birthday dinner at The Stone Terrace. Yep that's when it all began!

News of St. John · Post by **News of St. John** » Sun Mar 24, 2013 10:52 pm

Coconuts wrote:Be careful, Jenn; this obsession can easily get out of hand...

Kevin

Like buy a parcel and two houses out of hand?! lol

I think I'm already there ... constantly working the numbers in my head. If all else fails, mind if I pitch a tent up on Mamey Peak???

DonnaM · Post by **DonnaM** » Mon Mar 25, 2013 7:00 am

I am obsessed with St. John because out of all the islands we have visited, St. John has the best beaches, snorkeling, restaurants, town and laid back feel. We also love it for what it doesn't have: crowds, cruise ships, casinos, "shopping". Our obsession began in 1989 on our honeymoon when we came over on a day trip from STT. We took a taxi tour and fell in love! It took 19 years to make it back. I am now working on trip #8 in July and #9 in November.

nuendelcapecod · Post by **nuendelcapecod** » Mon Mar 25, 2013 9:31 am

We are obsessed with STJ 'cause it's become our new vacation spot. After retiring and relocating from upstate NY to our previous vacation spot on Cape Cod we realized that New England sea coast stayed gray and cheerless thru March, April, and often May. So 2 wks camping at Cinnamon Bay lets us return to our favorite way to recreate in a truly paradise-like setting.

Obsession began after finding an old postcard from my parents labeled "Cinnamon Bay" showing a tent, palm trees, white sand and Caribbean blue water. That was in 2006.

PA Girl · Post by **PA Girl** » Mon Mar 25, 2013 9:37 am

I am copying DonnaM's statment of I am obsessed with St. John because "out of all the islands we have visited, St. John has the best beaches, snorkeling, restaurants, town and laid back feel."

When we go to other islands, something is always missing and we find ourselves comparing the island to STJ. Anguilla and Virgin Gorda have compared most favorably but we missed the snorkeling when on Anguilla and missed Cruz Bay when staying on both other islands.

My obsession started in 1995, before the Caneel boat pulled up to the dock. I was hooked before even setting foot on the island. On the ride over, we chatted with a three generation family that visited every year since Caneel openned. I remember thinking at the time "really, every year?" Now I have turned into an almost every year person.

smilesfromMN · Post by **smilesfromMN** » Fri May 10, 2013 3:46 pm

Why: that blue water, the beauty beneath that blue water, no schedule, no fanciness
When: March 28. 1998 having just arrived on island for the first time. Riding in a pick-up with benches, aka "taxi", from the ferry dock to Cinnamon Campground coming around the corner and seeing the Trunk overlook for the first time. I had often imagined jumping into a beautiful painting or photograph - and at that moment I had.

Lindy · Post by **Lindy** » Fri May 10, 2013 8:35 pm

I am obsessed with STJ because the first time I set foot on the island I felt like I was home again. The first drive up Northshore Rd and the pullover over Trunk Bay sealed my infatuation. Then when I first put my snorkel mask on and looked at the sights UNDER the water I was head over heels in love.

My obsession started in November 2006 when my daughter mentioned that she was going there. Hubby was heading off to do deer hunting with our son so I bribed my way into my daughter's trip by offering to pay for 3 days at Maho's Eco Camp if she spent the rest of her time at a villa with her boring Mom and friends. We had a blast and I've been back almost every year since. Sometimes with the girl child, sometimes with friends but it's always like coming home every time I step off the ferrie.

EagleRayLover · Post by **EagleRayLover** » Sat May 11, 2013 9:47 pm

I am obsessed with St. John because I have never felt such a gut wrenching
Painful feeling every time we have had to leave and an overwhelming powerful feeling of exhilaration ( not normal vacation
Excitement) when we would even see it in the distance
from Red Hook. We are blessed to be able
To try this silly little thing called life out on this island with the
amazing, sometimes quirky, selfish folks who share
This island with us!!

Our Obsession began form a day trip over from a
cruise from St Thomas. I think in 1996. In retrospect ,
That day charged our life!!

usvi-on-line