Living the life most people just dream about~

Rolled out to a pitch black sky this morning at 05:15 this morning in order to get our morning ‘stuff’ out of the way, to be able to leave and get to the West end of the island by 07:30. Angie was one of the primary shore support folks for the Dive & Dine I told you about yesterday. While she was doing her thing I got my tank of air and moseyed back over to my truck and starting putting my gear together for my dive. Everything put together and tested….. I waited and waited…. and waited. One of the organizers finally showed up and said that he would like for me to “keep an eye” on my ‘buddy’. She was apparently a really new diver. We all finally wound up down at the pier and soon bailed in. I was going to make this really neat video by holding my camera up near my eyes and making that big jump off of the pier, so you had my point of view for the jump. That was the plan… when I went to turn my camera on, it just sat there and stared at me…. no blinking red lights and no beeps. I [uncharacteristically] did not check it before we left the house this morning and apparently the battery was deader than a door nail….. Dammit Emmit~! So no cool video of me doing a giant stride into the water and worse yet, no pictures from under the dock. Naturally today the visibility was better than I have seen it in a long time and fish were everywhere~! Lesson learned ( I hope) – it shouldn’t happen again~! We spent our tank of air patrolling our assigned section of the pier and both came back with almost full bags of cans, bottles and miles of fishing line. We (all divers) filled up almost two carts with trash we picked up off of the sea floor around the pier. Gear all taken apart and put away, returned air tank and headed to Polly’s for a nice breakfast buffet with most of the divers. There were several raffle prizes and my Queen and I each won one. I got a really nice T-Shirt from a local company and Angie won a new gear bag and a floating pillow~!  Yay us.

We finally said our goodbyes and headed back to mid-island. I stopped and rinsed all my gear off (with fresh water) while Angie hauled our winnings into the condo. I got my shower almost as soon as I came in – to get the salt off of me and was soon settled in on the couch for some more NUMB3RS, where we spent the rest of the afternoon. I have to have DD up to the garage first thing in the morning for a little bit of much needed maintenance. It’s amazing how hard this beautiful climate is on vehicles~! So I’m gonna drop it off early and hike my happy touchas back here until it’s done. I did manage a couple of pictures today – and I’ll leave you with them.

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

This ONE of carts we filled from the dive today~!

Hello….. sorry about missing last night, but the night out with Cynthia and Shawn got a little bit unexpectedly slightly out of control. We had a really nice meal and a bit of a dinner show when Fire Dancers showed up. What I didn’t quite grasp firm enough, was the bartender was hitting us with plentiful island pours in our drinks. I knew it the first drink, but by the time I finished that drink, didn’t notice so much after that….. and boy-0-boy did they sneak up on us. Then we went next door to a Wine & Dessert bar (yes – you read that correctly) such a fun place, and even more drinks (but all wine) — I made it home without any issues but by the time we got here — WOWZER – did that mix hit home….. so between tired and a lot of alcohol – I just was not up for sitting down to regale you of my day……. sorry~

Big day today – I left out early today to the West end of the island. I was asked by a friend if I would be a driver on an ATV tour, for friends wife. (He thought she would be more comfortable with someone she knew and trusted driving) It was him, her, Daughter and 2 Grandkids – and I happily accepted. Always fun to do the ATV tour with Gecko’s Island Adventures ( https://www.geckosislandadventures.com/). Got out there and loaded up and took off. I should note, we have not had any rain to speak of on the island for the past month or so (even out there on the “wet” end of the island) and it is drier than a popcorn fart~! And those trails were dusty~! Did I say dusty? I meant DUSTY~!!  Everybody came back coated to a neutral light brown color, but all seemed to have a good time and enjoy the tour. I had to hustle back after the tour to catch a quick shower and head right on up to Blues Back Yard BBQ. We were asked to Bar Back due to the entertainment – one Reverend Raven and the Chain Smoking Alter Boys. Even by my standards – a dang good group who did a really good job. My Bride and I hustled beer in and out of coolers and fridges, kept tables cleared and trash cans emptied. A nice turn out for the event and I believe everyone (except one butt head) enjoyed themselves. Thankfully, Blues closes early on Saturday nights, so we are now back here, showered and sucking up some premium air conditioning.

We are lighting out early tomorrow morning for the West end  [again] for the Quarterly Dive and Dine. A local dive shop (Adventures in Diving STX) sponsors the event 3 or 4 times a year. Up to 60 divers all donate a tank of air and their time, to dive the length of the pier (where the cruise ships come in) and clean up all the trash the filthy people deem fit to dump into our gorgeous Sea. We also clean up all the fishing line that winds up down there from unlucky fishermen. Since my Queen doesn’t dive, she lends a hand as shore support for the event – and they want her down there by 07:30, so a very early morning for us. The event wraps up with a nice get together of all people in a local eatery for a nice breakfast buffet. I have did this event many times – and look forward to it each time. I’m sure I’ll get to tell you about it tomorrow.

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

Never get tired of this view~!

Revered Raven and the Chain Smoking Altar Boys

Eddy in action~!

Shuttin’ it down~!

Yet another night of funky dreams and either too hot or too cold…..  Something has to give here soon. Guess I can always fall back on the old reliable method of drinking myself to sleep – but I am not a fan of that one….. as fun as leading up to it can be though~~

After a slightly smaller breakfast (at my request) – I spent a good chunk of the day finalizing the paperwork needed for tax preparation for the Fish With A Vet USVI organization. Pain in the touchas since I wasn’t Treasurer the entire year – but I finally got it figured out and on it’s way. Now I just need to wait to hear back from the tax Dude – if I got everything he needs…… fingers crossed~

My Bride and I settled in for an afternoon of NUMB3RS and relaxing. Several episodes into it, we got a text from 2 of our most favorite peoples on the island, saying they were minutes away from Blues Backyard BBQ, and would we like to join them ?  Hell Yeah~!! We jumped up and changed  clothes and were soon sitting at the bar with Cynthia and Shawn (owners of Gecko’s Island Adventures – https://www.geckosislandadventures.com/)  Good people we always enjoy hanging out with~! We sat, drank, ate and chatted for several hours while listening to the local entertainment and the crowd at the bar. (All good folks, some gooder than others)  😉  It got time to head our separate ways, but the decision was made we needed to get together tomorrow night for a bite and some more chat. So – we plan on meeting up with them tomorrow night… again…. somewhere other than Blues this time. Should be a good time….. especially if we wind up where I think we’re going~!

For now…. shower and relax in the immediate future…. until tomorrow~~~

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

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Rolled out again after another less than stellar night’s sleep. I don’t know what the problem is, but I’m starting to get about half fed up with it…… the old fat boy ain’t quite as ‘jolly’ when I ain’t getting a decent night’s sleep~!  My Queen has been hacking and coughing a little more than what she was and I suspicion we both may be trying to re-catch what we had. I have already told her to make another appointment with Doc — I’m just gonna do the OTC thing again and burn what-ever-the-hell I’ve got out of me……. Ain’t got time for that mess again~!!  As I figured, I spent the better part of the day working on a new to-do list and most of that was here at the computer…… getting club spreadsheets updated and paying bills for my Brides latest medical visits that have  now started trickling in…. We did get in a nice breakfast and several episodes of NUMB3RS in between all that though  😉

We lit out about 6:00pm for a meeting of the Activities Committee of CRABBS – being held out at the Off the Wall restaurant. We were the first ones there and secured a table as we waited for the rest of the group. I managed to pop off a couple of nice pictures as the sun sat out over Cane Bay….. best meeting place ever~! We ordered drinks and food after the crowd got there and launched into our meeting. A very low attendance made for a fairly quick and lively meeting as we munched. I now have a new favorite pizza on the island~! Yes~!! While I was starving when it finally got there and I jammed that first piece into my mouth (subsequently burning the $%^&* out of the roof of my mouth) – I found as I was biting into that steaming mass of goodness, the crust was very thin but you could hold it by the very end and still have the piece of pie sticking straight out (one of my requirements for good pizza) Also the reason I did not get any pictures… cause I was a starvin’ Marvin~! Altho it occurred to me – I can still take a picture as I brought several pieces home with me (and may have another piece~!)  😉  Well- I just took said picture…AND got me another piece…..MmMmMm good~! Safely back here and back in our ‘comfies’ – I’m gonna load today’s pictures (which include one of a big ole nasty look crab we had visit us this morning) – if I don’t have enough from today — I’ll put up some more from Neil & Janie’s visit. So–

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

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Rock (actually coral)  Lil Sis found, reminded her of Michigan, I know have it in our rock garden, so I think of her every time I look at it~ <3 

Pretty nice view for a meeting Uh ?

 

 

After a fitful night of sleep (I think I may have had some bad lunch meat on my sammich last night) – I rolled out to another gorgeous morning.  My Queen was already up and had coffee made and was enjoying the quiet that is now once again permeating our little condo. My stomach was still a little tender, but better. I just got good and woke up before I had to take off and run up uptown to meet up with the President of Fish With A Vet USVI and together we went and chatted with our account about tax preparation. As the Treasurer, I have to provide him with the information he needs to file our taxes. We spent not quite an hour chatting with him and I think I know what I need to send him now. (Some of the “paperwork” I need to get caught up on tomorrow) Back here at the condo – Angie made us a nice breakfast and we sat and watched some more of the series NUMB3RS that we have now come to enjoy. We like matching wit’s with the resident genius on the show, as we ‘all’ try to figure out who the mastermind behind whatever crime is being committed is. About all I have figured out so far is, is that I am really stupid compared to some of those people……  😉 That’s pretty much how we spent the rest of the day, stopping occasionally to go out and smoke and watching ships passing by. Tomorrow looks to be here at the computer for a big part of the day for me – as I plan to get caught up on everything then…… So I leave you here with pictures from the past week and the fun we had with Nelia and Jamie~~

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

(Hope you get to feeling better Neil~!!!)

The Roseway~

Another morning to sleep in a little bit after a fun filled day in the sun yesterday. The decision was made to head into town and have breakfast at Toast Diner down near the walkway. The place has the best Bloody Mary’s on the island with pretty much anything you want for breakfast coming in a close second. We made it down there in fairly short order and were soon sitting at a table ordering custom made Bloody Mary’s. You can get a couple of pieces of shrimp with these drinks – and I tell you what….. these are smack your Momma good. [Only place I will admit out loud] better than MY shrimp. Wooo-doggy are they delicious~! Most of us had a Bloody Mary, while my Bride [strangely] opted out — we all ordered breakfast and soon had it wiped out…. I was the only one who cleaned their plate (just sayin’) though~~~~ After we finished up that wonderful meal – we headed out to stimulate the local economy….. Well, Neil and Jamie did — Angie watched while I hung out, outside about a dozen different stores while they shopped. Economy thoroughly stimulated, we finally headed back to the condo so the girls could finish the dreaded packing to go home. That is always the ‘sucky’ part of a vacation – to hang out and spend time with friends (and/or family) and always having this wonderful time, then have to wake up to the realization, your happy a$$ has to go back to reality….. well, some of you do  😉  We hung out and chatted for a bit before loading up DD for the drive to the airport….. We got them delivered, checked in and said our sad good-bye’s. As become our tradition, we stopped off at Blues Backyard BBQ on the way back to the condo for a drink and to toast the friends and family and the good time we had…… and boy we did we toast them up good this round. We spent a lot of time with our island friends and ‘family’ and just had a good time with them all as well. Back now in our much quieter condo, we are catching up on some of the stuff we kind of let go of while visitors are here. As I am typing this – Lil Sis pinged me and said they are safely back on the mainland now in Miami… they still have another 5-6 hour haul to complete their journey back to their house. I do not envy them, especially with the weather they are going back to (middle of Michigan) — especially after leaving here. We sure did enjoy having them while they were here though. So back to our quiet little life style for the next couple of weeks until we get another visit from our Damn Neighbors. Can’t wait to see them as well….. We will try to drink lots of water between now and then to try and cleanse our livers a little bit before the next assault~~ Until then, some pictures from today and maybe a few from days past that I [don’t think] I have put up yet.

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

Lil Sis don’t like having her picture taken…..

Nice casual start to the day today – sat around and caught up on family ‘stuff’….. it got to be close to lunch and bellies were growling, so everybody jumped into their swim suits and we headed back downtown for a short boat ride to Hotel on the Cay (pronounced Key). A tiny island just a couple of minutes off the coast of downtown with arguably one of the prettiest beaches available. The water is usually really calm and there is always a little bit something to see under the water. The beach is a post card quality beach. The sun was bright and hot with the occasional big fluffy cloud for a little shade relief – there was hot food and lots of cold adult beverages. Saddle all that with great company and it made for a wonderful way to spend the day. We are all now a little crisper from the sun (some worse that others)  😉  but none the worse for wear…… Gonna leave it here with some more pictures from the day so I can get back to chat time…..

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

Nelia with a white sea Urchin

Another sun filled, fun filled day here on the island. A small delicious breakfast whooped up by my Bride – and then we were off to downtown for the St. Patrick’s day  festivities. Supposedly the biggest event of the year on the island. Certainly was a huge turn out – I’ll give it that. Everybody was having a good time, food vendors everywhere, another small parade and lots of music. A whole lot more – but I don’t want to spend time typing when I could be chatting with Lil Sis, so a bunch more pictures from today for you….. Beach and relaxation time tomorrow~

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

Jim getting in on the act~!

 

 

WAAAAAY to tired to do a lot of typing tonight – but Soooooo much to tell you about, but alas….. it’s gonna have to wait. The old fat boy is just about completely pooped. I have edited almost 200 pictures just from today….. got them down to a 120+ [I think]…… I’m gonna load up some choice pictures from today and save the rest for “slow news” days. So much fun with Lil Sis and friend – learning to SCUBA dive, some quality time at Nacho & Louie’s, some beach time and then more bar time at Rhythm’s bar on Rainbow beach. Gosh what a great day……. I hope each of you get to have a day like I just had at least a couple of times in your life.

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

Lil Sis SCUBA Diving~!!

We got to see LOTS of fish~!

Jamie & a Hawksbill turtle~!

Rolled out early enough to catch another gorgeous sun rise. Rest of the crowd slowly followed behind me. We had to head out early enough to be down on the boardwalk by 08:30 for our Catamaran boat ride out to beautiful Buck Island National Park. We cruised across that gorgeous blue water and after about 40 minutes was pulling up to the Leeward side of the island. Soon unloaded onto that gorgeous beach. There were some snorkeling lessons for those that wanted or needed them and soon everybody was in the water swimming and snorkeling. Not a lot of sea life on that side of the island (even though I did manage to find a beautiful sting ray!!) but it’s hard not to enjoy that environment – sea life or not. After about 45 minutes, we all loaded back up in the boat and headed around to the other end of the island – inside the reef. Everybody donned their snorkeling gear and we all jumped in and followed the guides around the under water part of the park. Lots more sea life to see and enjoy. Another 50 minutes or so in the water and we were all once again loaded onto the boat and we headed back toward the boardwalk.

The original plan was to stop in at a friends wine & cheese bar for lunch – but while we were on the boat guzzling rum punch – we all convinced ourselves we all wanted a big greasy cheeseburger. Not a problem~! I knew just the place and it was on the way to our final destination for the day. We hoofed it back to DD – loaded up and was soon heading East. Halfway there – we stopped in at Cheeseburgers in America’s Paradise~! We sat and gobbled up some wonderfully delicious burgers and some other goodness, washed down by a wee bit of alcohol~ Back into DD and on out to the East end of the island to Point Udall (the Eastern most point of the United States). Nelia & Jamie walked around and Oohed and Aaahed at the sites out there and pictures were taken. Everybody settled back into the truck for a long comfortable ride back to the condo. Bellies full and mildly sun burnt, it was one of the quieter rides so far.

Back in the condo, everybody got their showers to cool off, rinse the salt and sand and settle in for a nice relaxing evening. As I sit here typing this – all three of the ‘girls’ are sitting in the living room staring at their phones…… at least it’s quiet  😉 Going out to the West end tomorrow for Nelia & Jamie’s Discover SCUBA dive~! Should be another great day and even more pictures. I have entirely too many to share with you on one post – so I’ll put them up as the week wears on.

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