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Hi gang. Back in 1987 we took our first trip to StT and Water island. I shared some pix of Water Island in another post, so here are some more from both STT and Water Island. Enjoy a trip back in time. :^)
Excellent pictures. 1987 was my first trip to STT also.
Schultz
Thanks for sharing the photos Pote. The hotel in a couple of the photos, is it the Water Isle Hotel?
--Islander
Islander, it was called the Sea Cliff Resort at the time. It was the only hotel on Water Island, so it must be one in the same. I believe it was hurricane Hugo that blew it down not long after we were there.
Pote,
Sea Cliff was badly damaged by Hugo in1989 and later torn down. We were staying at Sea Cliff (our honeymoon) before...during...and after Hugo, if I get a chance I'll scan and post some pics this weekend.
I'd love to see that On Island Time. Sounds like youve been married about as long as me. We werent yet married when we were there in 87
Loved the photos.
The Sea Cliff Hotel, also previously know as Sugar Bird Hotel, and Water Isle Colony Club among other names, was undergoing a major renovation in the late 80's. To allow Hotel guests more privacy a wooden board walk area, along with several small buildings to provide guest services were created along the shore on the South side of the Hotel, below the swimming pool. Also, the finger pier was rebuilt in that same location so that arriving/departing guest could enter the hotel grounds directly via a glass elevator, instead of being driven in a van from the regular ferry dock. One important upgrade, which lead to the Hotel's subsequent failure in hurricane Hugo, included breaking out the concrete roof above the third floor, which was cracked and leaking, and replacing it with inner locking aluminum panels over a 2x6" wood framework. The hurricane removed the complete roof structure which allowed water to penetrate throughout the entire open structure, and during the three year period while legal complexities where being negotiated the structure became unrepairable.
Here is a more current view of Water Island life: http://picasaweb.google.com/rockydock/WebAlbum#
The web site created by the Water Island Civic Association provides more information: http://www.waterislandwica.com/
In this age of mega complexes, and colossal 6,000 plus cruise ships, Water Island has stayed rather simple. And, some of us kind of like it like that.
Here are just a few pictures of Sea Cliff after Hugo.
