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| Enjoy the best of Caribbean cooking at the St John Food Fair! |
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| No diets on Food Fair day |
For the complete St John Carnival schedule:
Get Your Appetite Ready - St John Carnival Food Fair Opens this Sunday!
USA Today puts St John on Yet Another List
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| No US passport = no problem for you to enjoy St John Trunk Bay |
USA Today and Smarter Travel have highlighted 5 Exotic Places you can go without a US passport. Are you longing for a long-distance getaway but don't have a passport? No problem! USA Today found five faraway places overseas where, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, you won't need to bring a passport. The one that is closest to our hearts (and, pretty easy to get to from the mainland US) is:
United States Virgin Islands
The U.S. Virgin Islands lie mere minutes away from Puerto Rico by plane. Made up of three main islands—St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John—plus a scattering of smaller isles, the U.S.V.I. see some 2.6 million visitors each year. In fact, tourism and rum (things we think go very well together) make up the majority of the islands' economy. Each island has its own unique appeal. St. John, with its national parkland and legendary diving, will charm true escapists. St. Thomas is a shopper's dream, with countless boutiques and jewelers, as well as two bustling cruise terminals. And Dutch-flavored and diverse St. Croix is a favorite of luxury-seeking honeymooners. Find accommodations of every stripe, from St. Thomas' smart Ritz-Carlton to the luxe and immersive Caneel Bay resort on St. John [also, lots of private villas, including ours on St John -- Great Expectations].
Note: Travelers will need to have a passport to visit the neighboring British Virgin Islands.
Oh yes, I should mention the other 4 islands that made the list. They are: Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and our neighbor to the west Puerto Rico.
Parrots in the Wild Around St John
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| The blue, blue sky was a perfect backdrop to capture this parrot |
Many people know that you can see parrot fish around St John and for sure a bar, restaurant, boat, or villa with the name 'parrot' in it but, not many know that we actually have wild parrots who visit us from time to time. This guy hung out on a wire by our house and seemed quite happy to have me take his picture.
We actually had 3 parrots that hung out on that wire most of one morning. I first noticed them after I heard a loud, squawking sound (not a pretty birdie call but, quite loud and could be somewhat annoying if around all day). I typically have seen them in the early morning hours. Where they hang out during the day I do not know!
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| Just hangin' out enjoying the view |
Have you seen parrots on St John? Where? When?
St John Film Debuts 'The End Of The Line' -- An Ocean Without Fish?
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| A Fish-less Ocean - We cannot allow that to happen! |
On June 19 @ 7:30 PM @ Cases By the Sea in Coral Bay, St John Film Society (SJFS) brings to St John the world’s first major documentary about the effects commercial overfishing has had on the world’s fish populations! Michelle Ward reports that: along the lines of An Inconvenient Truth, this film is important – especially here in the Caribbean where fishing is a way of life for so many.
Filmed at global locations from the Straits of Gibraltar to the coasts of Senegal and Alaska to the Tokyo fish market, and featuring top scientists, indigenous fishermen, and fisheries’ enforcement officials, The End of the Line premiered, and competed for best World Cinema Documentary, at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival.
The End of the Line will be the last film presented by SJFS until November as SJFS takes a seasonal hiatus. If you’ve been meaning to come out this season and haven’t yet made it, this is a great film to make an effort to see. For more info on the film you might read the recent St John Source article or look at the film's website (which includes lots of great info on fishing and what fish are still OK to buy). Enjoy the film under the stars at Cases of the Sea in Coral Bay. What better way to spend an evening on St John!?
Interested in the local angle of this story? Check out the St John Source story on 'Changes Afoot in Fisheries Management' that was posted this past week. If you are going to be in the Virgin Islands and want to go fishing check out these options for St John fishing charters.
Join in the St John Carnival Festivities - Bike Race this Saturday AM - Ride or Root for the Riders
While this year's course has not been detailed, we can use last year's route as a marker of just what a tough task these folks will have:
This route starts at Cruz Bay and follows Centreline Road to Coral Bay where the turn-around takes the riders back up the hill and then along the North Shore via a steep descent down Kings Hill. After cycling past Maho, Cinnamon and Truck Bays, the course ends at Hawksnest Bay Beach for the finish and a total of just over 14 miles and about 2,700 feet of climbing.
PHEW...I am exhausted just reading about it. If you cannot muster the energy to ride, surely you can come out to cheer them on! They sure will deserve a dip in the Caribbean at Hawksnest.
Time for Action on St John is NOW, not this Fall, or next Winter!
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| This section, one of 5 along a two-mile section of Centerline Road, is being undermined each day picture courtesy of St John Tradewinds |
Lets hope that it does not take a horrible accident before Centerline Road is actually fixed. This week Linda Lohr of the St John Source reported the Public Works Commissioner Darryl Smalls confirmed that the portion of Centerline Road which is literally falling by bits and pieces into the valley far below should be repaired by March. Others have also recently written about the collapse of this important road: after a torrential rain last month, the Virgin Islands Daily News reported last month that the Centerline Road is Collapsing, St John Tradewinds warned Time to Raise the Alarm about Centerline Road and News of St John posted Sign Warns Drivers About Deteriorating Conditions. Some people have tweeted about it and, of course, it has made it onto Facebook.
St John Source reports that: Smalls said the project will go out to bid the week of June 17, if not before, and if the bids are “responsive,” they will be evaluated and awarded in July. He said work should start in September.
Over the years, the road faced occasional erosion issues but things really went south in October 2010 [nearly 3 years ago!] when Hurricane Otto passed through. It caused massive undermining of the road in one location and serious erosion and undermining in others.
Thankfully, some temporary fixes will happen 'right away' [today?, tomorrow?, or 'island time' right away?] according to Federal Highway Administration's construction manager crews will seal the crack in the road that sits just a few feet from the edge of the abyss. Additionally, they will construct an asphalt berm at the edge to divert the water away from hole. Public Works says it will install speed bumps to slow people down and 'look for' a portable traffic light. We hope the National Park electronic sign that has been borrowed from the National Park Service (see below) stays in place to continue to warn drivers of the very narrowed road.
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| News of St John took this picture recently |
In the meantime, St John residents have taken to the road (literally) to get the backing of folks for action NOW! Coral Bay resident Beverly Melius took to the road with a petition the other day and within a few hours of standing by the hole in Centerline Road gathered 255 signatures on her petition to request that the Legislature hold a hearing on the road matter. A copy went to Smalls as well.
The reason for concern is real. Centerline Road is the lifeline for Coral Bay since it is the only road which can accommodate trucks which bring in food, water, and propane and really is the only usable road attaching the east end of the island to Cruz Bay. As shown below, the only other access to Coral Bay is over Bordeaux Mountain (small road depicted by yellow line going into Coral Bay) which can be treacherous even in good weather but, especially so when roads are wet or at night. The Bordeaux road is not a road to be used in any sort of emergency (for an ambulance, police, or fire vehicles) or for anyone who is at all timid about St John roads.
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| Centerline Road is the Route 10 (with arrow) and Bordeaux Mountain Road is the yellow line flowing into Coral Bay from the south |
If you are as concerned as many of us about getting this road back to a safe condition as soon as possible (and, certainly before the end of hurricane season), please contact the Governor's Office and urge our Governor to do everything he can to expedite this important project.
Want a Pain Killer Island Style (for either $800 or $8.00 can't decide)?
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| Sign on St Thomas - St John Barge |
The other day we wandered up to the upper deck of the St Thomas - St John car barge to enjoy the views as we made the trip back to St John and noticed this sign at the bar on the barge. Don't know which is funnier, the price or the spelling? Must be one mighty good 'Pin Kila' for $800!
When do you want to be on St John?
Enjoy our June newsletter (to subscribe go to lower, left section of this page):
When do you most like to be on St John?
Just this month St Johnian Homer Hickam captured this photograph of a
green turtle while snorkeling in Francis Bay
green turtle while snorkeling in Francis Bay
There are lots of debates that occupy those in love with St John. Which is the best beach for snorkeling? Most romantic beach? Where do you find the prettiest sunset views? Sunrise views? Best hiking trail?
Recently the folks who participate in the popular USVI-on-Line St John Forum have had a spirited discussion about WHEN is it best to go to St John. Seems like there is no 'right' answer. Some say just about any time is right. Others are absolutely adamant that their time is the right time. Birthday or anniversary dates sometimes determine the schedule.
Many have practical ($$$ or school vacations) or romantic (an anniversary) reasons why they visit St John at certain times of year:
Summer is popular - Teachers and families with students, some who depend on teachers or students to house sit their pooch (or children, yes, some people escape to St John without their children!). It is cooler on St John than 'back home' (in Midwest, South, and sometimes even the Northeast). Many said that summer is also a more 'laid back' time on the island. Some mentioned that the villa prices are often significantly less than during the winter months. Carnival season (June and into the first week of July) were mentioned as driving the schedule.
Fall is also popular; just before it gets cold 'back home' so they can get away without fear of running into snow storms (back home, of course, and not on St John!). Others like the fall shoulder season rates. Certainly, being on St John for Thanksgiving is a treat. A farmer (of a vineyard) wrote they go in the fall immediately after harvest. The water is warm, the beaches and restaurants are 'all yours'. Halloween on St John is a 'blast' wrote one person.
Winter, to no one's surprise, is a popular time for many. The frigid - and long - Mid-West and New England winters were reasons many chose the winter months as the most desirable time to be on St John. The 8-Tuff Mile race in the middle of February is a draw for many. Spending Christmas or New Year's on St John was mentioned as very, very special.
Spring, yup, also popular - Many said that the Caribbean is where they head as soon as the villa rates drop (usually mid-April). There were votes for spring or fall to 'flank our long awful winters with trips to St John' wrote one.
There were many who go to St John several times a year. I guess there is a season for everyone when it comes to planning a trip to St John!
June St John news flashes & fun St John clips:
St Croix and St Thomas have had their festivals, now it is St John's turn! Carnival season is in full blast. We have already had the Pan-O-Rama with a wonderful array of music and this past weekend Cruz Bay was hopping with the Festival's Beach Jam. This coming weekend will be jam packed with activities including the Senior Variety Show, the Festival Bike Race will take place for those energetic to ride our wild and hilly roads, and the Princess Pageant. The theme of this year's festival is "Come and Explore the Culture Scene for Festival 2013".
- The popular Cafe Roma was burned to a crisp a couple of months ago but, the owners are determined to rebuild and reopen their St John restaurant. Just prior to the fire, Cafe Roma owner John Hiebert, was notified that his restaurant had been awarded the 2013 St John Small Business Award by the Virgin Islands Small Business Development Center and the U.S. Small Business Administration. Quite an honor! Hiebert has also had the backing of people throughout the islands. Just this past month the St Thomas Restaurant Group, Bellows & the West Indies Corporations threw a fundraiser to support the rebuilding efforts showing that we are one community when hard times happen. Keep tabs on the renovations or just pop in to their Facebook page to wish them well.
Speaking of restaurants and good causes, this past weekend the St John community came together to support the ever popular all-volunteer organization -- St John Rescue. There might not be a better non-profit on St John then this group. Their mission is 'saving lives and dedicated to building better lives through education, participation, and community'. And, save lives they do. They are the folks who drop everything to go looking for missing snorkelers or hikers, climb down the ravines of St John's hillside when there is an accident, drive the ambulance boat often in the wee hours of the morning. Their first-ever ST JOHN RIBS COOK-OFF was held this past weekend, with more than 6 restaurants and cooks vying for the title which was won by The Tourist Trap with their Asian Deep Fried Ribs! They had over 400 people at the opening and sold out completely in less than an hour! Clearly, this Cook Off will be an annual one so plan now to attend next year! All proceeds from the event will go to support their goal of raising $250,000 to purchase a permanent building. If you want to support their efforts you can donate on-line.
Great Expectations has a few openings during 2013 (summer and fall) and we are offering them at great savings so take a look our last minute specials. If winter time is your preference to be on St John, do not dilly-dally since our calendar is already filling up for next winter (and spring). Contact us today to secure your week on St John.
Best,
Kristin & Chuck
owners of Great Expectations
First (Now Annual) St John Ribs Cook Off a Sold Out Event!
They had all the ingredients the good people from St John need in order to turn out:
1. a great cause - Supporting St John Rescue
2. great food - 6 restaurants and cooks grilling up some mighty fine BBQ Ribs
3. some fine libations - St John Brewers, West Indies & Bellows International providing the liquid refreshments
4. music - a St John event just isn't without music
5. great weather
While all ribs were considered 'delish', it was The Tourist Trap that captured 'the Best Ribs' title with their Asian Deep Fried Ribs! The event was a sold out which surely means it will now be an annual happening and, possibly best of all, money raised to support St John Rescue's goal of buying a building to be their permanent home. If you missed the Cook Off (sorry) you can still support this great cause by donating on-line. Check out their website to learn more about the great work this all volunteer organization does for the St John community.
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| St John Rescue loading injured person onto their boat |
UPDATE 2016:
Best Ribs on St John? Come out Tonight to Help St John Rescue and Devour Some Fabulous Ribs! What is not to like?
If you are lucky enough to be on St John today then do we have a delicious suggestion for you! Head on over to Mongoose Junction today, anytime from 4:30 PM on to participate in the 1st Annual St John Rib Cook Off. Not only will you help one of St John's most important volunteer organizations (more on that in a moment) but, you will be able to devour ribs some of which will be declared the 'Best of St John' for this year. Will your 1st choice win this year?
This year, at this time, there are six restaurants and cooks who have risen to the challenge and will be presenting their ribs for the ultimate judgment. They are: Aqua Bistro, Skinny Legs, Boozie Q, Steve Yerger of St. John Catering, The Tourist Trap and LaPlancha del Mar. And, it would not be a St John event if there were not music (local musicians, including Mikey P., Freedom Boat and Mark Wallece, will provide live entertainment) and liquid refreshments (St John Brewers and West Indian and Bellows International will donate their proceeds to St John Rescue).
Check out the Virgin Islands Daily News for more details on the Cook Off and please take a look at the St John Rescue website and like the St John Rescue Facebook page to learn more about this amazingly important all volunteer organization whose mission is 'saving lives and dedicated to building better lives through education, participation, and community' (what could be more worthy than that!).
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| The VI Daily News captured this picture to tempt us - which style of ribs is your favorite? All possibilities will be at the Cook Off so come with a BIG appetite! |
Not on St John today to partake in the First Annual Ribs Cook-Off? Don't fret, you can still help by donating to St John Rescue. Start your planning now to be on St John for the Second Annual Ribs Cook Off!
Get it on tonight! Beach Jam 2013 on St John...It is Carnival Baby!
The complete St John Carnival schedule for 2013...if you cannot make the Beach Jam hopefully you can make it to one of the other fun events over the course of the next several weeks. It is a great time to be on St John!
St John Carnival 2013 Schedule of Events - This Year's Theme is "Come and Explore the Culture Scene for Festival 2013"
If you have questions or want more information about any of these events you should contact the Festival Hotline at 340 690-3692 or 340 690-1725
Cruzan Rum Unveils New Campaign "The Don't Hurry" Which Could Have Been Filmed On St John
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| Ever See this guy on one of the St John beaches? |
Speaking of rum (and, when do we not?)...Last week the Virgin Islands rum maker extraordinaire, Cruzan Rum, unveiled their new ad campaign, "The Don't Hurry". It is set on an island paradise where no one is busy, people enjoy zero-kilometer runs and sleep yoga, and every minute lasts 64 seconds. Even the animals are slow, including a rum toting turtle. Sound familiar? Could be St John! And, certainly was filmed in the Virgin Islands since Cruzan Rum hails from here (St Croix our sister island to the south of St John).
What's your favorite way to enjoy our island beverage? With some of the St John Brewers Ginger Beer (new this year) for a Dark 'N Stormy? Tonic? Or just on the rocks or neat?
Carnival Season on St John Begins!
The Carnival flags went up (as tweeted by Gretchen Labrenz, owner of Cruz Bay Realty) last week, this past weekend the Pan-O-Rama rocked the Cruz Bay Ball Field with steel drum music getting people to their feet to feel the music! It is Carnival Season on St John!
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| Carnival is colorful and exciting |
The month of June always brings an extra step and bit of excitement for those who live and visit St John for it is Carnival Season. What does this mean? Music! Parades! Boat Races. More Music! Great Food! Now, I know each Caribbean island has its own 'carnival' (sometimes called 'festivals') and I am pretty partial to St John, but the truth is St John has the very best Carnival. It is not too big and overwhelming...or, too small but, just right in size.
Coming up in 10 days (Friday, June 14) is the Senior Variety Show where seniors show they still have what it takes!
And, then:
Saturday, June 15 @ 8 AM - Festival Bike Race
Saturday, June 15 @ 9 PM - Festival Music Mix @ the Winsten Wells Cruz Bay Ball Park
Sunday, June 15 @ 6 PM - Princess Selection Pageant (@ the Cruz Bay Ball Park)
Saturday, June 22 @ 8 PM - Queen Selection Pageant (@ the Cruz Bay Ball Park)
Sunday, June 23 from 1 PM on - Food Fair and Coronation
Sunday, June 23 @ 3 PM - Boat Races
Sunday, June 23 from 6 PM - Children's Festival Village opens (National Park Field)
Friday, June 28 from 8 PM - Festival Village Opening (Cruz Bay Parking Lot)
Thursday, July 4 from 4 AM on - Jouvert
Thursday, July 4 @ 11 AM (remember this is island time) - Festival Parade
Thursday, July 4 @ 9 PM - Festival Fireworks
For more details and phone numbers check out the Virgin Islands This Week or our website's St John Carnival page. Join in on the festivities this year, you will be in for a treat!
St John Waters Get Invaded Every Year (and not only by Tourists) And This Year You Can Participate
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| Steve Simonsen captured the migration |
Love them or not, hermit crabs are prevelent on St John (and many other tropical locations). Some people find them creepy while others find them cute.
What St Johnian Pam Gaffin [yes, the same Pam Gaffin who is the author of the popular book St John: Feet, Fins and Four Wheel Drive
The adult hermit crabs are terrestrial, but the larvae develop in the sea. The adults must migrate to the waters edge in order to reproduce and release their eggs into the water. They then cast their fertilized eggs in the sea where the newly born hermit crabs spend their next few months before returning to land.
This year, Steve and Pam have teamed up with researchers from Tufts University in Massachusetts to build a website to help better track the movements and activity of the hermit crabs. The migration period happens during the summer and, most importantly the third and fourth weeks in August. They would love to have you participate in helping them locate the hermit crabs as they make their trek to the sea, if you are going to be on St John during this period.
For more info on the hermit crab I recommend reading the Blog entry on SeeStJohn.com which has a detailed description of how (and why) the hermit crabs acquire their shells (and sometimes shed them).
While you are waiting on the beach for the crabs make sure you have a copy of Pam's book about St John's most interesting day trips. It really worth getting if you are going to be on St John:
Satellite That Tracks Atlantic Weather Systems Fails on Eve of Hurricane Season Start Leaving Much of the East Coast and Caribbean in the Dark
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| This composite satellite image from Sunday shows a lack of data from GOES-13 over the east coast of the U.S. (CIMSS Satellite Blog) |
Things don't always go as planned and that certainly was the case recently when the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) lost its major weather satellite, the GOES-13 (GOES- East) satellite, which was responsible for tracking weather conditions over most of the eastern North America, the Atlantic Ocean (including the Virgin Islands) all the way over to the easternmost part of the Atlantic just west of the African coast as depicted below:
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| Normally, this wide shot of the Atlantic would cover all the way to the Africa and Europe coasts.
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As of this time the cause of the technical failure is still unknown but, understanding the importance of having functioning weather satellites in the Atlantic during hurricane season, NOAA jumped into action and repositioned a back-up satellite, GOES-14, which was activated earlier this week to fill part of the void left to satellite imagery in eastern North America and the Atlantic.
Normally, this wide shot of the Atlantic would cover all the way to the Africa and Europe coasts. While better than nothing, the substitute is not perfect. Images on the eastern edge of view, over the eastern Atlantic, are distorted because of the position of the temporary replacement satellite farther west.
GOES-14 will remain the primary GOES satellite over the Atlantic basin and Continental U.S. until the imager and sounder data issues on GOES-13 can be fully diagnosed and hopefully fixed. NOAA maintains backup GOES satellites in case unforeseen events occur, providing full redundancy for monitoring severe weather over the U.S. and its territories.
The image from GOES-14, while acting as GOES East, taken May 30:
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| Goes 14 stands in for the Goes 13 Satellite |
If you are interested in understanding more about the satellites that are our eyes in the sky check out the NOAA website. You can keep up-to-date on the status of the Goes -13 satellite. Fingers crossed that we will have a very slow and quiet start of hurricane season which officially starts on June 1 (and runs through November 30).
If you want to stay on top of the weather in the Caribbean during this hurricane season two of my favorite Caribbean tropical storm tracking websites are:
By the way, don't let hurricane season deter you from a trip to the Caribbean. The weather is generally wonderful (St John averages 85 degrees year round!) and often cooler than many stateside locations. Summer time is often when beaches and restaurants are less crowded (although crowded is not a word often used on laid-back St John) and villa prices are less than during the height of winter season.
Caribbean Rum Wars Continue and and Bring in Vice President Biden to 'Brutal' Discussion
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| Rum produced in the Virgin Islands has been at the center of a debate |
Rum was also on the agenda for frequent Virgin Islands visitor, Vice-President Biden, when he attended a meeting this week with the Caribbean Community (Caricom) leaders to highlight concerns about the impact of US rum subsidies to Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. “The most contentious issue is rum subsidies to Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. The main rum producers in question are Puerto Rico's Bacardi and Captain Morgan and the Virgin Islands Cruzan Rum.
We don’t expect (Biden) to make a decision today but we expect to let him know the whole position and the full ramifications of continuing those subsidies and that it will clearly affect rum production,” Trade Minister Vasant Bharath said earlier this week. The talks have been described by some as 'brutal' (maybe the Vice President should head back to the Virgin Islands for some needed R&R - and rum?).
It has been claimed by several several members of the Caricom that the US has been running a “Rum Cover-Over Programme” since 1917, which consists of a tax levied on sales of spirits in the US market.
The “contentious issue” has to do with subsidies extended to rum producers in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. In January, President Barack Obama signed into law a bill averting a threatened fiscal cliff of higher taxes and spending cuts. That legislation included special gifts to several US corporations such as a provision extending a 1917 law that imposes a $13.50 tax on each gallon of rum produced in or imported into the United States.
Most of this revenue is transferred to the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico—US dependencies—to aid these territories’ economic development. Many of the rum producing islands feel that Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands use much of these funds to encourage their local rum industries, at the expense of other Caribbean rum-producing countries. The view from the Virgin Islands point of view is that the funds derived by rum products is essential fuel for the VI economy. So, know that wherever you are, when you enjoy your rum and tonic or dark n' stormy rum cocktail - which, hopefully, is made from Virgin Islands Cruzan rum - know that you are doing good things for the Virgin Islands economy!
Virgin Islands National Park Waters Now a 'No Anchor' Zone
Joe Kessler, President of the Friends of Virgin Islands National Park recently wrote the following article in the NPCA Park Advocate which we hope you enjoy (our nesting turtles and other sea creatures who feed in our sea grasses and coral definitely support the 'no anchor' initiative!):
Imagine boating to paradise and then—without meaning to—causing it harm. Thanks to more than a decade of work in the Virgin Islands, a national park visit by boat is now gentler on the marine environment.
The spectacular coastal scenery, crystal clear waters, reliable winds, and beautiful bays of Virgin Islands National Park and the Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument have made them popular destinations for boaters. In the past, these visitors had to use anchors to secure their vessels, causing considerable, albeit unintentional, damage to sea grass beds, coral reefs, and other benthic (seabed or seafloor) resources. To combat this problem, the park embarked on a mooring program to provide a safe and reliable alternative to anchoring with the long-term goal of creating an anchorless park.
Moorings are permanent installations that allow boats to stay in one place without using anchors. In our case we drive heavy-duty augur-like devices about 15 feet into the seabed and then connect a line to a buoy on the surface (see a diagram of how this works). Boats attach to the buoy and are secure. Anchors are a more temporary solution, disturbing the seabed every time they are dropped and then retrieved. Just imagine the damage that could be done by 50 boats dropping anchors and then pulling them up day after day.
Park leadership and the Friends of Virgin Islands National Park finally achieved our long-held goal of an anchorless park in February 2013. Since the beginning of the program, the Friends group has installed 340 moorings and invested more than $663,000 in this program.
Starting back in 1999, the Friends installed 180 moorings for overnight use in ten bays around St. John. These white mooring balls along the north and south shores of St. John have played a significant role in protecting coral reefs, allowing the recovery of sea grass and protecting other benthic resources. The sea grass beds had been seriously depleted due to anchoring, but now if you snorkel in the mooring fields you will see a rich carpet of sea grass–much to the delight (and survival) of the myriad of marine creatures that make the sea grass their home.
In 2004, the Friends embarked on a program to install moorings in the recently designated Coral Reef National Monument. As a marine protected area, anchoring was prohibited within the monument. But, while we supported the conservation policies of the monument, we felt that the prohibition on anchoring precluded many of the traditional uses of the monument’s waters. Installing moorings was the perfect answer and a “win-win” for both the users and the environment: allowing users to continue to enjoy this unique marine environment while providing needed protection to the natural resources. In this case, the Friends installed two dive moorings at popular dive sites in the monument, six moorings for blue runner fishing, and 125 storm-mooring berths and 11 day-use moorings in Hurricane Hole, a traditional refuge here for vessels during tropical storms. These moorings were installed in four phases between 2004 and 2008.
All of the moorings mentioned above were for boats up to a maximum of 60 feet in length. Vessels larger than that still had to anchor. Earlier this year, we installed 14 moorings for boats between 60 and 100 feet in six bays, finally making the park anchorless.
The protection of the park’s marine resources was obviously the principal objective of the mooring installations. However, the moorings also have a significant impact on the visiting boaters’ experience by providing a safe and convenient means of securing their boats while enjoying Virgin Islands National Park and the Coral Reef National Monument.
The National Park Service has published a 'moorings guide' for St John. Positive effects of the mooring program have been quick to see, Kessler said. “In 12 to 13 years, we’ve seen the re-growth of a rich carpet of seagrass and, as a result, a significant increase in the sea turtle population.”
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| The turtles and other sea creatures benefit by the 'no anchor' policy |
St John Beach to Beach Swimmers Fought Big Waves But No Rain
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| 308 Swimmers Registered for the 10th Annual Power Swim |
The 10th annual Friends of Virgin Islands National Park (FVINP) Beach to Beach Power Swim went off without a rain drop this past weekend. Noone was concerned that the water wouldn't be warm enough but, rain storms had been in the area and threatened to dampen [pun intended] enthusiasm - but, not so! The Virgin Islands Daily News reports that Martyna Pospieszalska and Joey Hamilton, both of St. Thomas, were the top women's and men's finishers in the short solo competition in Sunday's Power Swim at Maho Bay.
Hamilton crossed the finish line first in 21 minutes and 47 seconds, followed by Pospieszalska in second place in 23:33. Hunter Baskerville of St. Thomas was the second man in 23:53.
Barbara Crowder of Durham, N.C., claimed the top overall woman's prize and the 3.5-mile swim, finishing in 1 hour, 20 minutes and 20 seconds. Natasha Rusheinski was second in 1:31:55, followed by fellow Tortola resident Hayley Berry in 1:35:55. This was Crowder's fifth time competing in the Beach-to-Beach Power Swim.
"It was a lot more wavy this year, more big swells pushing against us," she said.
Crowder owns a home on St. John and spends about six weeks a year on island, but lives year round in North Carolina, where she trains regularly.
"I've not done any other open-water races; just pool races, like the Masters Nationals. I'm basically a IM and butterfly swimmer," she said, laughing, "But apparently, I'm becoming starting to be a distance freestyler."
This year's registration of 308 people broke records and hopes are that last year's fundraising total of $30,000 will also be broken. The St John Source reports that all proceeds raised from this event will go to protect and preserve the cultural and natural resources of the park. The money will also help fund educational programs such as Summer Eco-Camps and programs to teach local children aged 9 to 17 how to swim. Summer Eco-Camps is held at the University of Virgin Islands Environmental Resource Station (VIERS,) on the south side of St. John in Lameshur Bay. The Friends raise scholarship funds for students who would otherwise be unable to partake in these programs.
If you would like to contribute you can do so on-line.
"One-hundred, twenty-eight of them participated on the short course," said organizer Joe Kessler. "About 70 were on the intermediate course; 122 or so on the long course, and another 20 for the relay."They come from all over the place," he said. "A little over 40 percent come from the mainland of the U.S.; about 20 swimmers from the BVI, half a dozen from Puerto Rico, 10 from St. Croix and a swimmer as far away from Majorca, Spain. This is our 10th year, and this is a great turn out, so this is a big celebration."
The oldest swimmer for the day was 76-year-old Bryce Rhymer. The multi-discipline athlete rides his bicycle regularly around St. Thomas, and has completed in all but one of the last 10 Beach-to-Beach events. St. John's Isabell Thill was the youngest swimmer at age 6.
From the very start of the race, volunteers made their mark in the 3.5-mile long race. John Foster of Puerto Rico led the charge and saw the swimmers off in King Neptune fashion with the sounding of his conch shell, which echoed through Maho Valley. He later joined the 3.5-mile swimmers on their dash toward the finish line, past all the waiting water craft lining the bay.
Felipe Olivieri of St. John volunteered to kayak along with the swimmers and keep them safe. He had two very good reasons to look out for their safety: his girlfriend Genelle Carter and her mother Nina Carter were both in the Long Solo race.
"My mom decided last year that the Beach to Beach was on her bucket list," Genelle Carter said. "So this year, she and my dad traveled from Virginia so we could complete and the guys could paddle along."
While she has lived on St. John for several years, this was the first year Genelle had participated in the Beach to Beach. But not everyone at the Beach to Beach was from the USVI.
A group proudly sporting blue T-shirts with a white clamshell and the words "The Rhode Island Quahogs" had made their way along the 3.5-mile course to take a third-place finish.
The relay group was made up of Rebecca Summerhays, Kelly McGee and Tad Davies, and listed Pawtucket, R.I., as their home. While they come from the Ocean State, they train in a pool several times per week.
Without lap lines, Davies did get a bit directionally challenged on the last leg of the race and ended up swimming an extra five minutes out of the way until a kayaker directed him back to the proper course.
Even with the challenges of wind, waves and no directional markers, the group said they would definitely be back next year, with Kelly adding "the water is much nicer here."
Upcoming athletic events on St. John include the Carnival Bike Race in June, and the Love City Triathlon in September so there is plenty of time for you to plan your next trip to St John to participate or just join in to root the athletes on to the finish.UPDATE: Here are the 2013 results just posted by the Friends Virgin Islands Park
Favorite snorkeling spots around St John?
Snorkeling spot in Solomon Bay, St John
Right up there debating the 'best BBQ on St John' or the 'best beach' on St John is where the 'best snorkeling spot' is on St John'. The bottom line - for us, at least - is that there is no 'right' or 'wrong' answer! This week the subject is getting a lot of attention on one of my favorite St John travel forums, the
. So far in just over 24 hours, 30 people have responded (and there has been more than 3750 views) to the basic question of '
best snorkel spot to see a turtle
'. Earlier the same day, on the same forum, Phyl posed the question of '
what are the top 3 snorkel spots on St John
' which has gotten just about the same level of response.
Day or night dives produce amazing finds around the Virgin Islands
What is your favorite snorkeling spot for seeing turtles? Maho, Francis, Salt Pond, Leinster were high on the lists which also included Scott, and Waterlemon. In other words, just about all over St John!
This picture taken at Maho was posted just yesterday by CptnKirk
As to the
? While there was vigorous debate as to the top 3, most will admit that the list changes regularly so people should explore new spots each year. Some of the 'must go' spots seem to be: Waterlemon (especially to see starfish), Saltpond, and Chocolate Hole (our guests swear that some of the best snorkeling around St John - or just about anywhere in the Caribbean - is right below our Villa - Great Expectations - in Chocolate Hole harbor). Haulover both North and South depending on the weather, Blue Cobblestone, Vie's beach out in the East End also make the list as do the good old standbys of Cinnamon Bay, Maho, Francis, Hawksnest, and Trunk.
The debate is fun to read. People are passionate about their 'favorite' places. The morale of these forum chats for me is that it is hard not to find good snorkeling around St John. Watch the winds though. If the north shore is getting huge waves then head to places on the south shore like Salt Pond, Vie's, and Chocolate Hole.
Some of the best snorkeling around St John is right in Chocolate Hole harbor
