8 Tuff Miles

November 2014 News

St John Offers Amazing Sunset Views

The Sun and Clouds Melt into the Pool at Great Expectations 

It is often said that "a picture is worth a thousand words" and that could not be more true when talking about St John's vistas. No one captures them better than the award winning St John photographer Steve Simonsen. This past week Steve and his wife and partner Janet Simonsen spent several hours at Great Expectations capturing some of our views and taking photographs of the Villa. We will soon be adding these photos to our website, however, we thought you might enjoy seeing a couple of his photos.

We understand that all 50 states experienced freezing temperatures this week (and the Buffalo area a record 7' of snow) so we hope that these pictures warm you and motivate you to contact us today to reserve your spot (on your lounge chair) in the sun.

 Come join us as we Watch the Sun Set 

November St John news flashes & fun St John clips:

  • Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park's 6th Annual On-Line Auction opened on November 15 and will be available for bidding until December 7 at 9 PM. There are over 70 items including great meals, artwork, boat trips, and lots of other great items to bid on all while supporting one of St John's great organizations.

  • St John Tradewinds reports that the newly opened North Shore Deli (in same spot as the very popular Deli Grotto) is serving up some mighty fine looking and tasting sandwiches including mouth-watering slow roasted meats, vegan and healthy options are also on the menu as are the old time favorite homemade breads and coconut bars (so yummy they are called 'crack bars').

  • The 8-Tuff Miles Race has now partnered with the St John Cancer Fund and it has morphed into the 8-Tuff Miles Festival Week starting on February 21 with an all night 'Light Up the Night' family event followed the next weekend with a Pasta in the Park feast at Cruz Bay Landing on the eve of the race which is scheduled for 7:15 AM February 28. Join in to celebrate all who walked or ran at the awards ceremony at 5:30 PM at Mongoose Junction. The Festival Week will be capped off on March 1st at the Oppenheimer Recovery Party. Proceeds from the Festival will support the St John Cancer Fund.

  • Getting ready to reopen is Joe's RumHut at Wharfside. More seating and an expanded menu will make this spot even more popular this winter.

  • Joe's Diner has closed and will be reopened this winter. The new incarnation will be The Longboard. The owners describe their menu offerings as "coastal cantina" which is best described as Caribbean meets SoCal. According to the owners, they will offer 'affordable' craft drinks and a fresh, healthy and affordable menu and lots of open seating along the street for great people watching.

  • Lets talk turkey! As you gather together with your family and friends this holiday season it is a great time to start planning your next trip to St John. Since Great Expectations is completely booked this winter it is never too early to plan your next trip. Check our availability calendar and contact us today to secure your reservation! We will be happy to work with you to, as best we can, accommodate your needs. Our goal, always, is to meet or ideally, exceed your expectations.

St John's 18th Annual 8 Tuff Mile Race Tomorrow - Walk, Run, or Watch and Celebrate Those Who Do!

If you have ever driven from Cruz Bay to Coral Bay you know that those who venture out this weekend to participate in the '

8 Tuff Mile

' race are a different breed -- special, all!

The course map below is a very accurate account of the 8 Tuff Miles Road Race course. The race begins on the west end of the island of St. John, Virgin Islands and travels in an east direction. This map shows each mile of the course and the elevation at each mile. Note that the course measures 8.38 miles. The starting line is located at the National Park Visitor Center in Cruz Bay at an elevation of about 5 feet. As you can see here in this description the highest point on the course is 999 feet and the finish line is back to near sea level in Coral Bay. Over the years many stateside residents have programmed their treadmills and turned up the heat in their home gyms to mimic the course for their personal training proposes.

Climbing to the 86th floor of the Empire State Building (using the stairs) and reaching the highest point of the 8 Tuff Miles course you are close in elevation. There is about 51 feet difference between the two but I would like to know"...

Who do you think has the better view?

What is especially cool these days is that the race founder, organizer, overall good guy race-guru Peter Alter, has set up the race to

support a number of great causes

and fund college scholarships for St John's wonderful children.  The race also has become another great 'excuse' to gather 'post race' to celebrate, brag, party, and in typical St John fashion support great causes. So, if you are on-island this weekend participate in the race by running, walking, or cheering those that do and post-race head on over to

Oppenheimer Beach for the 2nd annual post-race party

which supports the St John Cancer Fund.

Can't make it to St John this weekend but, if you are as passionate about St John as we are you might want to tune into the 'Live Streaming' of the 8 Tuff Mile Race finish line!

What island is on your bucket list?


 Photographer-artist Steve Simonsen's aerial view of St John's north shore
St John and the US Virgin Islands tops the 'Top Destinations lists for 2012' by Conde Neste Traveller and Lonely Planet and we hope it is on your list as well.   
  • Fabulously beautiful views - No matter where you look, whether above water or below, the views are spectacular.  With our mountainous terrains and turquoise waters the vistas are truly spectacular.
     
  • Silky soft sandy beaches - With well over 30 beaches to choose from your choices are virtually endless.
     
  • Family and kid friendly island - Whether you are introducing young children to swimming and snorkeling or wanting to have a quality family time St John is for you.  The waters are virtually free of undertow and even the smallest ones can stand at the water's edge and see fish swim by their feet.  Restaurants are extremely casual and most welcome kids.
     
  • We take great pride that our villa, Great Expectations, also makes the 'Trip Advisor's Top 10' list of over 400 villas.
 Villa Hot Tub and Pool patio overlooking Chocolate Hole harbor 

February News flashes and fun St John clips

  • St John 2nd Annual Arts Festival - is a great time to experience the best of St John's culture. From music of steel bands & gospel music to viewing original films from traditional narrative-type documentaries to abstract works dealing with images and sound. The first VIP Mini Film Festival, held in 2010, included videos ranging from funny home movies to professional animation and award-winning videos by international artists.  This year's Fest happening February 18 - 20 will be even more diverse.
  • 10th Annual Love City Vow Renewals - Valentine's Day February 14 is a very special day worldwide but on St John we kick it up a notch with a wonderful event hosted at Trunk Bay.  Whether people are celebrating their first day of marriage or their 50th year, rain or shine, love is in the air.
     
  • 8 Tuff Mile Race - This February 25 marks the 'Sweet 16th' year of this aptly named race.  Whether you are a runner, walker, or cheerleader this is a fun day showcasing the rugged beauty of St John.
     
  • Movie night at Great Expectations - Our newly renovated Great Room now features a fabulous 12 foot recycled-glass-top counter (designed and made by the same artisans who make the beautiful recycled glassworks at Maho Bay Glass Studio), a 60 inch Sharp High Definition LED TV, and for your movie snacks, we have added a 48" Sub-Zero stainless-steel refrigerator and a Scotsman automatic ice-maker.

Enough good reasons to plan a trip to St John? We hope so! Come to St John - and Great Expectations - to experience the magic for yourself.
Best,
Chuck & Kristin
P.S. Check out our availability and discounts including our Last Minute 20% Off Travel Special for March 17 to 24 which is yours now for the asking, a week ahead of when it would usually become available! 
Follow us on Facebook for news about Great Expectations specials & St John activities
view email in browser | Unsubscribe kdemong@gmail.com | Update your profile | Forward to a friendHaving inquired about or stayed at our St John villas, Great Expectations or Beau Geste, we are sending you this e-mail about our villa to keep you up-to-date about our villa, special offers, and island life.

Great Expectations

Hart Bay
5000 Estate Enighed PMB#186

St John, VI 00830http://simonsen.photoshelter.com/