New Years Eve [eve]

Other than a very long Board of Directors meeting this morning (I missed the dive due to an issue that cropped up) – not a lot got accomplished today. I will say the Board meeting was fairly productive once it finally got started. The new Board of our dive club seems to be a lot more proactive than the previous board….. should prove out to be a good thing for the dive club in 2019.

Getting back to the condo early in the afternoon, my Queen and I basically sat and watched the boob tube all day. Something I think we both needed after a very busy and long week and a half. So – not a heckva lot to ramble on about today. I’m gonna put up some more of the ‘best of the year’ pictures since you made the effort to stop in.

Good night Ya’ll . . . . . Thankx for stopping in~!

Riding the trails…….

I showed up at my appointed time this morning….. just to hang out and converse with the sweet and lovely “Lexi”…… Jamal finally showed up and put me immediately to work. I liked it~! Wasn’t long before we were out by Rhythms Bar and Jamal had me filling gas tanks and lining machines up for the morning ride. The first group showed up and we were off like a herd of turtles…….. one half mile into the ride…. it started to rain…. and rain and rain…. which added a whole new dynamic to the ride. I had no idea “bringing up the rear” involved that kind of work~! I crawled off of my machine a minimum of a dozen and half times, to help restart stubborn machines, or otherwise help navigate a tough turn or obstacle. It was actually kinda cool, although mildly taxing to be in that role. We suffered through several obstacles, machines that just plain ole quit, or wouldn’t start or wouldn’t back up… but we made it~! This also included down tree limbs blocking our path, but between me and Jamal — we got it cleared out. Jamal was a chopping like hell on limbs and I was busy pushing big $hit out of the way. I did discover a rather smart size ‘hill’ of fire ants while I was moving limbs out of the way – so while Jamal was busy doing his spiel about the big sugar mill we had stopped at – I was busy wiping fire ants off of my leg. I really appreciated some of the deeper mud holes we through after that – as it help soothe the burn from bites……… Although we wound up “losing” a machine and shuffled through a couple of machine changes — we completed the tour and I think every one had a really good time…. Back at base camp, we made need changes and before you could blink real good – was saddled up for tour # 2. The next group came in. Got instructions and soon we were off…. I had the ladies at the back of the group – as the guys were wanting to show off their prowness on the machines. I brought up the rear again, and can honestly say, having done that particular tour 6-8 times now – that was the slowest I have ever done it……. but everyone seemed to have a really good time – so I was happy with our performance.. We had one ‘dead’ machine we had to get back to the shop, so Jamal pulled me into town to get the machine back to the shop. I don’t want to say he hit every mudhole on the way back into town – but he didn’t miss very goddamn many of them. By design or intentional……. I was already soaked from multiple rain showers that day — but that ‘pull’ back into town capped it. If I didn’t look like a ‘local’ when I started – I damn sure did when we arrived back at the shop. Machines put away, I gathered up my stuff and headed back to my Queen. The fun, easy day I was expecting turned into a day of actually hard work — and I would do it again in a heart beat if asked……..!!

Finally made it back home to my Queen….. a shower…..2 or 8 drinks later and we wound up at Blues for drinks and some chow…… what a great, great bunch of people up there. More rain showers, but who cares…..? We bid Happy New Years and adieu to friends there and came back home to be dry and happy with the peace and quiet. I have a dive tomorrow with our dive club – at the West end…. I think….. Will definitely be pictures…….. Over my limit and really tired (and mildly hammered)…… so………………….

Good Night Ya’ll – – – – — Thankx for stopping in~!

A soggy Blues

Jesus H Christ what a long day….

I know the second I put that title up, I’m probably gonna offend some people…. certainly not my intention – but those of you that truly know me, know that I am not what is considered by most standards a religious person. I do believe in a higher power…. just haven’t landed yet on who or what that power is…. I believe the term is Agnostic…… any how — the title is to illustrate [verbally] the kind of day I had. I had my phone rouse me at 06:30 so I could get up and do my ‘morning thing’ before taking off to help out some friends in bringing up the rear on an ATV tour for them. I should have know the day was not gonna start out smooth, when I got up at 05:30 to relieve the pressure on my bladder. I noticed the power was off (all the fans were off) – this no longer is unusual… so I slid back into bed and waited for my alarm to go off…. which it did, as I apparently dozed back off fairly quickly. I woke up to still no power in the house… again, really not that unusual any more… Since we’ve been here, I don’t think we have had one single week, where we didn’t lose power for at least a little bit. AAAHHhhh Island life. When I say lose power, that also includes A/C, cable and internet~! I stumbled around the house, with no power, so I used the bathroom, washed my face and brushed my teeth- in the dark and then came out to greet the day. No coffee, nadda -~! I spent my remaining time, out on the patio watching some ferocious waves and listening to the wind whistle through the palm trees. Finally time to go – I gathered up what I thought I would need for the day, gave me Queen a kiss good bye and headed out the door….. right into what can only be called a monsoon. I navigated my way to the West end of the island to pull into my assigned location with about 10 minutes to spare…… only to receive a phone call and be relieved of my obligations due to weather.

I journeyed back across the island to my Queen, to find out we still had no power….. and it stayed that way…. for 10.5 HOURS~! Electric finally kicked back on, only to shut off again after 1 hour. While we had some of the most amazing scenery to watch (massive waves crashing into our beach) – I can only take so much of that. When the power went off again – we decided to head up to Blues for a drink and some dinner….. here we go again with that ‘a drink’ stuff — LOL ~! They have a generator – so we knew there would be cold drinks and hot food + good people.

Long story short [since I’m at my limit already]…. we shut them down, we’re back home and I’m ready for bed……. I now have 2 ATV tours for tomorrow (to bring up the rear on) – but they are calling for pretty much the same weather – so I guess we’ll see. In the meantime, I’m tired and only have a couple of pictures for you tonight….. I have one video I think you’d like, but pretty sure this POS website won’t let me load it (Thankfully, we had power when we got here)…. so a pic or two and promise of more tomorrow~~~~

Good night Ya’ll – – – – – – Thankx for stopping in~!

AARrghh… the Sea, she be angry~!!!
Words to live by……………

Another year – about shot…….

Another gorgeous day to spend as this year [not so] slowly rolls to an end. Not a lot went on today….. usual breakfast, we gathered up all laundry that needed done and I ran it down to the laundry service…. one of the little luxuries we afford ourselves versus trying to do it in the laundry room at the end of the complex. Machines are two-bit and don’t work half the time or the dryers don’t cool off and melt your favorite shirts, plus having to lug it down to the end of the complex (100+yards) – ( I got a nasty gram for driving up to it last time) So sometimes we treat ourselves……

Spent the bulk of the day watching TV and doodling on the computer. By early afternoon I had some funds from the Fish With A Vet organization that I am Treasurer for, that needed deposited before the end of the year – so I ran down to the bank and made the deposit and then stopped and picked up laundry on the way back. My Bride made some delicious pork chops and stuffing for dinner as we watched more Frasier… Exciting day huh ?

I am ‘working’ (and I use that term loosely) tomorrow and Saturday. Shawn and Cynthia asked me if I would ride as the follow up rider (bringing up the rear of a tour) on a couple of their ATV tours and I happily obliged. Weather is calling for rain, so it might be a muddy tour – but I am good with that – Happy to do it. Probably won’t get a lot of pictures, as controlling the machines typically takes 2 hands – but I’ll see if I can snag some during rest breaks.

No new pictures, so like a lot of the other places….. I’ll put up what I think are some of my best shots for the year for you tonight…….

Good Night Ya’ll – – – – – Thankx for stopping in~!

Coming in for a landing on our new island home
Point Udall ….. and my Queen
Isaac’s Bay
Kramer Beach
Rum Selection – all made on island
Rhythm’s bar at Rainbow Beach
Rainbow beach

The day after Christmas

Compared to the working folks, we had a pretty easy day today…. not as laid back and easy as some of our days….. but neither of us had to get up to go to work and that in itself is a good thing~! I actually slept in some this morning…… not rolling out of the sack until almost 08:30 — I was ermazed~!! I got early to whizzz and went back to bed and must have found a comfy position…. I like it~!

After a delightful breakfast, my Queen decided she needed to go shopping for groceries and stuff. She <mercifully> said I didn’t have to go, and she was off. I stayed at the condo enjoying the quiet and getting a bunch of ‘piddling’ done. You know what piddling is right….. just lots of small odds and ends that you tend to put off. Like I swapped out the numbers on our front door. The 0 has been missing since we’ve been here and they were just ratty looking. So now we have nice new numbers. I put up our Christmas hats for another year. I got caught up on club functions I’m responsible for (Treasurer and Points Officer) and getting respective spreadsheets up to date. I snagged a bunch of crap out of the water on two different occasions (cutting open a toe on some washed up coral doing it) but our Sea water is cleaner and safer now. I got some online birthday shopping done. Done some sweeping and light weight vacuuming…… you know — piddling~! My Queen finally made it back and I carted everything in for her. Wow- I didn’t have any idea we needed that much stuff~!

Stuff put away and drinks made – we sat down for more episodes of Frasier. I don’t know if my memory is bad or my funny bone has changed – but it is actually a lot funnier than I remember. We are already half way into Season 4. My Bride is now making dinner and I’m chatting to you all. This is a lot earlier than I usually write – but I suspect it is going to be an early night for both of us.

Good night Ya’ll …… Thankx for stopping in~!

Our wall with Christmas cards~~
Before (sideways – still ain’t figured out how to rotate)
After
Crap I pulled out of the Sea~
Rain storms rolling through

Christmas Turtle Babies~!

Spent Christmas day today lounging. My Queen made us a nice breakfast and we spent the day off and on, on our patio soaking up that wonderful 83+ degrees and those trade winds. We did get run in once by a passing rain shower, but it was gone in under 20 minutes and back to our gorgeous weather. We had plans for the afternoon to have dinner with Shawn and Cynthia, so we showered and cleaned up and took off for the West end of the island. Little did we know we were going to the top of switchback mountain. I thought it was a great drive….. my bride didn’t see it with quite the same enthusiasm I did though 😉 We enjoyed a nice meal Cynthia had prepared for us and then sat out on the porch with them to listen to crickets and frogs chirping while we talked. Soon came time to bid them good evening and give them sometime to themselves…. plus they both have to work in the morning……. Man I love being retired~!! After successfully backing out of their very steep driveway and safely getting my Queen back down the mountain [in the dark] we arrived home, only to find our parking spot filled by some one at the party going on above us. Being Christmas, I decided not to be a butt head and block them in, so I parked in the field across from the complex.

Came in, got into our comfy’s and went out, lit our Christmas palms and had a smoke and listened to the noise above us. I came back in, settled into my nightly routine of checking bank statements and to see we’re still losing our a$$ in the market and then started in on this. I was just gonna write a quick Merry Christmas and post the couple of pictures I had from the day….. as I sat and thought a little bit – I decided another smoke might stir up some creative juices. Guess it’s a good thing I did. As we stood there enjoying the cool night air coming off of the water — I noticed a movement in the glow of the green lights from the palm trees. I walked out a couple of steps to discover a baby turtle~! I brought him back to show Angie and while we were standing there, I noticed another one, and another one, and another one. We had a full blown hatching going on. I think the lights from the party above us had the little guys confused as they were going everywhere. (Party had their outside lights on) I started gathering them up and putting them in my shirt and carting them out to the water. I had just started collecting another shirt full and a couple of our [temporary] neighbors were out on their porch, so I walked up to them and showed them what I had. I knew they had small kids and the kids would get a kick out of it. Kids were called out and soon the beach was filled with giggles. I had them take their shoes off (so no babies got squashed) and showed them how to look for them and what to do when they found them. It didn’t take long before cell phones with flashlights lit, were all over the beach. Some of the folks from the party saw what we were doing and came down and joined in. Everybody seemed to be treating the babies carefully, so I finally came back to the porch and watched everybody.

I don’t normally ‘share‘ that event with anybody – but it is Christmas after all and it just seemed like the right thing to do. Way over my limit now – but that kind of event is hard to cover in a few words….. so I leave it with you now – hoping you had a very Merry Christmas and got to spends lots of time with loved ones~!

Good Night Ya’ll —– Thankx for stopping in~!

View from Shawn and Cynthia’s house

View from Shawn and Cynthia’s house

View from Shawn and Cynthia’s house

View from Shawn and Cynthia’s house – panoramic
Baby Christmas turtle~!
Looking for turtles

There they are~!
A shirt full of turtles~!
Baby turtles everywhere~!!
Everybody came out to help the babies get to the water
Christmas Palms with baby watchers in the background

Christmas Eve~~~

We did a WHOLE lot of nothing this morning….. the wind was up a little more than usual and clouds rolling through kept the temperature at a balmy 73°……. awee, I know, right ? 😉 We were scheduled to meet new friends Cynthia & Shawn (and Daughter “Lexi”) at a new place called Blue Water Terrace for a Christmas Eve dinner. It was an all you can eat seafood (plus Prime Rib) holiday special. Kind of a long drive out there, but we were excited about it none the less. The opportunity for good food and spend an evening with good friends. We arrived promptly at scheduled time and ‘held down the fort’ while Cynthia & Shawn were running a little bit behind after an exasperating day at work.

While we waited, we were blessed with a couple of really great pictures of our babies and their babies at a Christmas Eve gathering at one of their houses. It just does this old heart good to see them all get together as a family like we did when ‘Mom & Dad’ were still at home. It is a tradition I hope they continue for many, many, many years to come. It is one of the few things in my life that I was always proud of, was to make sure everybody got together for the big holidays – particularly Christmas. While there were some years, I mumbled and grumbled and ‘cursed the day’ – in the end I was always (sometimes secretly) delighted for the event. Even through all the noise, chatter and headaches — worth.every.single.second~! Once again, slid off topic~~~

Cynthia, Shawn and Lexi showed up shortly after us and we were soon, drinking, chatting, eating and all just having a good time. The view from Blue Water Terrace is a close up of Buck Island, plus you have that water, palm trees and all the other views that make this a beautiful island. The company just magnified the whole evening. There was more Lobster, Clam Chowder, Crab legs, steak, baked taters and other stuff than you could shake a stick at. Topped it off with some cheesecake and other sweetness. MmMm good~! We finally wrapped a really great evening up and headed for our respective abodes. There is already conversation about getting together tomorrow night for a meal, as we all are away from the bulk of our families this year.

I’m a little bit light on words, but it’s Christmas Eve and you should be spending time with loved ones – not on hear listening to me ramble on…. I’ll put up pix I don’t think have made it yet…… enjoy the rest of your evening and I truly hope each and every one of you have a very Merry Christmas~!

Good night Ya’ll —– Thankx for stopping in~!

Coop – happy to be dancing with his beautiful wife Susan~
Sarah and Eddy
Caribbean Life ‘star’ Deanna and my Queen
Not a serious bone in the crowd~!
Although I kept trying~!
….and trying…….
Photog Stormy
Susan and Cooper
Ya had to be there to truly appreciate the beauty here……
(and here)
Pork Chop~!
Buck Island
Our view for dinner (Buck Island in the background)
Had to avoid this guy on the drive home
Our babies
Our baby’s babies (and one cute niece) <3

Well …. I was right~!

As predicted — The sunset dinner cruise with the Blues crew was a night to remember……. The ship was filled mostly with staff from Blues Backyard BBQ…… there was one small other group but they stayed mostly to them selves and we basically had the run of the ship. We had the very excellent band R & B Experience onboard laying down some very good tunes for us as we sailed around the bay near Frederiksted Harbor. We were supposed to go out by Sandy Point, but weather did not allow it. Unless you were as anal as I was, most people on the ship didn’t even realize we were doing one big circle after another there in the harbor. We had a gorgeous sunset to watch, good tunes coming off of the back of the boat and what I am sure was a good time had by all. Even one small downpour could not take away the enjoyment of everybody on the boat. What a great way to spend an evening with friends. The ship finally re-docked and everybody agreed they were not ready to wind up the evening so we all met up at a local bar (Nacho & Louie’s) for more drinks and some snacks. The evening lingered well into the night before everybody started doling out hugs and kisses and saying good night. What a great, great evening… Thank you Jim & Deb for including us in your ‘family’~~!!

Up the next morning for our next Christmas adventure….. a day trip out to Buck Island National park for a morning/afternoon of, friendship, food, snorkeling and drinks with our family of Fish With A Vet. Barb & Tony hosted the group on their boat for a day at Buck Island. To be really honest, I was not particularly looking forward to the event, but as a newly appointed Board member, I felt like I should attend. I am so very, very glad I did. I cannot remember a recent day where I had that much fun. Spending a day on a gorgeous beach, with good food friends and that gorgeous blue Caribbean water. I heard more laughter today than I have in quite some time….. and this was real, genuine laughter – by all. Before we knew it, we were reloading the boat, even though it had been already 4+ hours (which is a lot in this sun down here) and heading back for Green Cay Marina.

Fairly new friends Shawn and Cynthia followed us home, as they wanted to show their visiting Daughter ‘Lexi’ our “backyard”. The only stopping by for a minute turned into an equally fun filled hour or so, as we drank, ate pretzels and Christmas cookies. What a truly, truly wonderful way to wrap up a day…… We’re going out with Shawn and Cynthia for a Christmas eve dinner tomorrow night at a new place (for us) — and I absolutely cannot wait~! Okay Ya’ll — I’ve hit my limit — so I’m gonna see if I can’t get this pos website to load some pictures for me.

Good night Ya’ll —- Thankx for stopping in~!

Ready to sail with Eddy and Deanna
Thaaaat’s my boat…..
Frederiksted Harbor
Safety briefing
All aboard
Frederiksted pier in the background
Never get tired of watching our flag wave~!
Our bartender and the band
Tonka, Anna, Deb & Jim
Coop just HAD to get in the picture~!
The band took cover when it started raining~!
So did Tonka and Anna~!
Sarah wasn’t going to get wet either~!
Susan wasn’t going to let her ugly sweater get wet either~!
Kitty cat clip board
You really need to have been there to appreciate that beauty~!
Miss Deb
Deb & Anna
🙂 rest tomorrow night~!

Dammit Emmit~!

Spent the better part of the day today, recovering from the previous night only to wind up going back up to Blues last night for ONE drink — BAAAHAAaaaa….. that gets funnier every time I say it…… one drink…. give me a break. Some friends (Shawn and Cynthia) said they were heading up and would like us to join them, so we loaded up into DD and up we went. We got there about 4:30, got a seat at the bar and sat and waited on our friends. We made several other new friends while waiting. Well one drink turned into about 4 before friends finally showed up (they got hung up) and we couldn’t just take off and leave them there – so we drank and chatted, and chatted and drank…….. you know where I’m headin’ with this…. 😉 Before we knew it real good, Eddy was calling last call. Friends had seen pictures of our Christmas palms and wanted to see them, so we got our last call drink and headed for our place (only about 4 minutes away). We moved out to the patio and let our friends take in our beautiful view from our patio. Those of you lucky enough to have visited us here, know what I’m talking about. Then we lit up our palm trees and they oohed and aahed over them. We broke out the Santa hats and took pictures. A very fun couple. More drinks were made and we sat and chatted and just enjoyed each others company. Before we knew it – it was almost midnight and they had to drive out to the West end of the island (and get up early for work) They own and operate Gecko’s Island Adventures [https://www.geckosislandadventures.com/] offering ATV tours of our beautiful island. We have done a couple of tours with them and enjoy them more every time we do it. If you ever make it to our beautiful island – this should be on your must-do list~!

It probably goes without saying – by he time we bid them adieu and cleaned up – we both headed straight to bed — too pooped to pop. Tomorrow we have been invited to join the staff of Blues for their Christmas party – which this year is a sunset dinner cruise on a big sail boat. We set sail from the West end of the island, so I’m sure it’s gonna be fairly late when we get back – plus, I will probably have a drink or two…..so not sure if I’ll get anything written on here tomorrow night – but you can bet your ears I’ll have pictures to show you from it~~! For tonight though, I’m gonna catch up with some pictures from this past week.

Good night Ya’ll —– Thankx for stopping in~!

We had a very late visitor~! (# 59)
My Queen’s lunch
MY Lunch 😉
Classic All American Big-boy burger~!!
Shameless advertising~! 😉
THATS how to dress when hanging Christmas lights~!
I HATE the ‘new’ editing features on this web site~!
Showing off my new shirt – proud Daughter Stephanie got me~!
Cynthia & Shawn~!

Headin’ Home~~

We slept in a teeny tiny bit on Friday morning, but we both agreed while we had a good time on St. Thomas – we were both looking forward to getting back home. Always nice as it is to get out and see new things and we have certainly done that in the past year or so – there is something comforting about heading back to a place where you’re comfortable. You know your surroundings, you know the people and the customs and it’s just, well, comfortable. Something we both stepped WAY out side of when we started this journey. We managed and while there were some moments for both of us, I personally wouldn’t trade the experience(s) for love nor money.

We headed back into town – dropped off our little Jeep (I will kind of miss it) and was hauled to the Seaplane base for our flight back to St. Croix~! We got there much earlier than we needed to be so I asked if we could bump up to the flight that was leaving in about 20 minutes….. they said yes -but- it would be an additional $221.00 for the change ticket fee. Give me a friggin break~!! 2 Brand new tickets would only be $200.00-!! Plus I’d have to ‘eat’ our existing tickets. Thank you…..NO. So we sat and waited for an hour and 45 minutes until the plane came back. 221 dollars….. un-freakin-believable~!!! That’s okay – I wore their ass out on Trip Advisor~! The flight back was fairy uneventful….. I was hoping to get some “passing over” shots of our condo – but winds that day would not allow it. I did however get a picture of our “home away from home” – Blues Backyard BBQ and some other fun shots. Once again, all of the videos I shot are too big to get in here — so – FB 🙁 sorry~

I think I may have covered some of this in an earlier post – and I don’t want to repeat myself….. so suffice to say [in a nut shell] – we stopped for groceries on the way home, dropped them off at the condo and wound up at Blues for a wonderful welcome back reception of sorts… Ahhh, familiarity….. it’s good for the soul every once in a while whether you think you need it or not~~

Good Night Ya’ll —– Thankx for stopping in~!

A rainbow to send us on our way~~
Our plane coming to take us back home~!
My Queen and her phone
St. Croix way out in the background
Our beautiful island~!!!
Salt River
Blues Backyard BBQ~!
Setting her down
Another rainbow to welcome us home
I’ve tried everything I can think of and cannot get these last two pictures to ‘turn’ so just cock your head please 😉